Another Day in the Storm

RSVP: 25 03 27 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP
Theatre: Persian Gulf
Modules: F-14B, F-15C/E, F-16C, F/A-18C
Prerequisites: Case 1 for Navy

The focus of this mission will be the Tomcats defending the carrier battle groups in the Persian Gulf. Eagles, Vipers and Hornets will also be featured but if you ever wanted to grow a larger set of… yeah, you know… then now is the time! 😉

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

January 24th, 1991. A week into operation Desert Storm. Thousands of sorties have been flown against targets in Iraq and Kuwait. As of yet, the Iraqis have offered very little resistance but their Air Force has not been completely defeated and the Navy knows all too well what their French-made Exocet missiles are capable of…

1.2 Area of operations

Northern Persian Gulf

1.3 Time and weather

* Jan 24 – 1991 (in-game date will be set to 2001 to avoid technical glitches)
* 15:30 local time
* BKN 6/24
* Wind from 310 (to 130) / 10 kts
* FORCE QNH 2961

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-25, MiG-29, Mirage F1

The Iraqi Air Force has made very little effort to engage coalition forces thus far in the campaign but they still have operational aircraft and airfields.

1.5 Ground threats

Iraqi air defenses are effectively neutralized in the AO but some SA-6 and SA-8 systems may be held in reserve.

Iranian forces remain on high alert, with an active SA-5 in Shiraz

1.6 Friendly forces

Most of the Free World is gathered around the Persian Gulf. Strikes are ongoing 24/7.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is grounded.

2 MISSION

The Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) battle group maintains air superiority over the northern section of the Persian Gulf, including HAVCAP support for Tankers and AWACS.

The Royal Saudi Air Force maintains air superiority over Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

It’s just another day in the storm. The Persian Gulf is bristling with high value assets that must be protected 24/7.

3.2 Packages

The AO is divided into 2 sectors:

• Persian Gulf – US Navy
• SAUDI airspace – RSAF (Hitman3, Indy9)

3.3 Order of events

All flights will depart ASAP.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS
Note: This only applies to Iraqi forces as per UN Resolution 678.

ROE: A
Applies to all other non-coalition forces in the AO, most notably Iran. Iranian air space (within 12 nm of their coastline) may NOT be violated unless directly ordered by STINGRAY.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

ARCTIC1, BENDER2
* Depart Mother
* Report to STINGRAY for duty, expect HAVCAP for ARCO 1 or ARCO 5
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP N
3. CAP E

ELVIS5, MUSTANG4
* Depart Mother
* Report to STINGRAY for duty, expect CAP N or E
* Remain on station until ordered to RTB by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP N
3. CAP E

HITMAN3
* Depart Al Dhafra
* Report to STINGRAY for duty, expect CAP W
* Remain on station until ordered to RTB by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP N
3. CAP E

INDY9
* Depart Al Dhafra
* Report to STINGRAY for duty, expect SEAD-patrol near or over Kuwait
* Remain on station until ordered to RTB by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP N
3. CAP E
4. SEAD area (Kuwait)
5. Al Dhafra rwy 31R

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Al Dhafra
* TCN: 96X
* Active runway: 31R
* Departure straight out on runway heading
* Approach on radial 130

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 331
* Departure time: ASAP
* Departure sequence: N/A
* Charlie time: 17:45

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is ELVIS51

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: CHARGEUPON
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

7, 9, 3/5, 7
Remain on Tower (ch 7) during startup and departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3) or CAP A (ch 5). Use Tower (ch 7) for recovery.

5.5 Freq flow (Carrier flights)

1, 9, 3/5, 16, 1
Remain on Tower (ch 1) during startup and departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect  either Tactical (ch 3), CAP A (ch 5) or CAP B (ch 10). Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission

5.7 Bullseye

N 28 54.44′ E 48 56.54′ (CAP N)

5.8 Restrictions

• No AIM-120
• AIM-7 allowed up to M-variant
• AIM-9 allowed up to M-variant
• No JHMCS

6 ANNEXES