Another Day in the Storm – part II

RSVP: 25 04 03 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, Air Interdiction, Strike
Theatre: Persian Gulf
Modules: F/A-18C, F-14B, F-16C, A-10C, AH-64D, M200C, AV-8B
Prerequisites: Case 1 for Navy

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Yesterday afternoon, the Iraqi Air Force went on the offensive. While ultimately unsuccessful, it marked a clear change of pace for the campaign. We also saw a large transfer of aircraft from Iraq to the Shiraz air base in Iran.

Worryingly, there was also an incident involving the Iranian Navy and Air Force centered around the air base on Lavan Island. An F/A-18 flight was fired upon by naval vessels and a subsequent air engagement saw the loss of one Hornet to enemy fire. Retribution was swift but incomplete.

CENTCOM has decided we need to send a very clear message to Iran not to interfere in the campaign, but care must be taken to avoid an all-out war. As a measured response, the base on Lavan Island will be annihilated, along with any naval forces within a 15 nm radius. Other Iranian forces will be spared, as long as they do not interfere with the operation.

1.2 Area of operations

Eastern Persian Gulf, Lavan Island and surrounding area.

1.3 Time and weather

* Jan 25th – 1991
* 07:00 local time
* SCT 12/14, FEW 40
* Wind from 310 (to 130) / 8 kts
* FORCE QNH 2981

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-29, F4, F5, F-14, Mi-24

1.5 Ground/Surface threats

SA-5 in Shiraz. SA-2 on Kish Island. Multiple SA-2 and SA-6 along the Iranian coastline.

Possible Silkworm launchers on Lavan Island or nearby coastline.

The Iranian Navy mainly consists of corvettes, small frigates and numerous fast attack craft.

1.6 Friendly forces

Coalition air and naval power is present in the immediate area, not conducting any active operations at present.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air and sea traffic is suspended

2 MISSION

Disable the air base on Lavan Island. Sink any naval vessels in or around the island.

Iranian naval vessels outside (15 nm+) of Lavan Island will be intercepted but given a chance to turn around. Should they fail to do so, we are authorized to sink them.

Maintain air superiority over the AO. Engage any Iranian aircraft that show hostile intent, as defined in the ROE section.

Destroy any SAM-sites considered a threat, regardless of location.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

A combined strike force of A-10, AH-64, AV8 and Mirage 2000 will hit Lavan Island with a focus on runway, Silkworm launchers, surface-to-air installations, and remaining ships. Care must be taken to prevent fast attack boats from exiting the area in the direction towards our Carrier Battle Group.

Hornets will be responsible for intercepting any Iranian naval forces trying to reinforce Lavan Island from the east.

Vipers will provide SEAD cover.

Tomcats and Hornets will provide CAP.

3.2 Packages

ARES – A10, AV8, M2000, AH-64

POSEIDON – F/A-18 Anti-ship

ATHENA – F-16 SEAD

ARTEMIS – F/A-18 and F-14 CAP

3.3 Order of events

Pkg ARTEMIS establish CAP

Pkg ATHENA suppress SAM-sites as needed for subsequent attack on Lavan Island by pkg ARES

Pkg POSEIDON proceed east of Lavan Island, search and intercept Iranian naval vessels.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C – applies to Lavan Island and surrounding waters up to 15 nm

ROE: B – applies to all other Iranian forces unless otherwise stated by STINGRAY

As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package ARTEMIS

ARCTIC1

• Depart Mother
• Establish CAP as instructed by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

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

ELVIS5

• Depart Mother
• Establish CAP as instructed by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

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

 

Package ATHENA

INDY9, JESTER1

• Depart Al-Dhafra (Parking: Apron1 Center)
• Suppress SAM-sites in the AO (Iranian coastline near Lavan Island as well as Kish Island)
• Secondary objective: Silkworm installations along the Iranian coastline west of Lavan Island
• Support pkg ARES with remaining ordnance

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. SA-6 Maqam
2. SA-2 Kish
3. Lavan Island (Westernmost point – suspected Silkworms)
4. Al Dhafra 31R

 

Package POSEIDON

BENDER2

• Depart Mother
• Proceed to IP
• Use sea search radar and TGP to identify Iranian naval vessels
• Intercept and/or engage them as instructed by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (note: maximum of one TGP per element)

Waypoints:
1. IP (30 nm SW of CAP E)
2. Target area West
3. Target area East

Package ARES

HAWG8, PIG7, TUSK2

• Depart Al-Dhafra (Parking: Apron1 East)
• Sink any Iranian surface vessels at or near Lavan Island
• Secondary objective: any and all Iranian military units on Lavan Island

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Fence In
2. IP
3. Outpost
4. Airfield
5. N Harbour
6. E Harbour
7. S Harbour
8. Fence Out
9. Al Dhafra (RWY 31R)

QUEBEC8

• Depart Al-Dhafra (Parking: Apron1 Center)
• Strike runway at Lavan Island
• Secondary objective: any and all Iranian military units on Lavan Island

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Al Dhafra
2. Nav
3. IP
4. Target
5. Bullseye

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Al Dhafra
* TCN: 96X
* Active runway: 31

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 337
* Departure time: 07:15
* Departure sequence: Elvis, Arctic, Bender
* Charlie time: 09:15

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 ARCTIC11

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 Tactical (ch 3) or CAP A (ch 5). Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

• TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
• NIGHTFALL – Abort mission
• STARTER – SAM-sites near Lavan Island suppressed
• MAIN COURSE – Runway on Lavan Island destroyed
• DESSERT – Naval vessels around Lavan Island destroyed

5.7 Bullseye

N26 49.00 / E53 21.00 (Lavan Island )

RESTRICTIONS (mission year 1991)

• No AIM-120
• No GPS-guided weapons
• No HMD/JHMCS
• No TGP for A-10
• Maximum of one TGP per flight for Hornets and Vipers

6 ANNEXES

 

Recon photos of Lavan Island will be provided as they become available