Apache Moon

RSVP: 26 03 19 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Organizer: Tony
Activity: Mission – BAI, SEAD
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F-16C, AH-64, OH-58
Prerequisites: None

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

In 2016 Turkey launched an unexpected and ill prepared intervention into Northern Syria citing the need to “safeguard regional Turkish minorities”. Due to lacking prior preparation and logistics the intervention bogged down, and US forces (one infantry division) stationed in the region has assisted Turkish forces in stabilising the line. Brigade is currently stretched thin ahead of an anticipated Syrian counterattack, and rotary wing assets are planned to advance ahead of the brigade’s front and conduct a spoiling attack to break up the Syrian armoured thrust ahead of the counterattack being initiated.

1.2 Area of operations

SE of ALEPPO (SYRIA) in MGRS zones CV88-DV24 and DV18-DV46. The ground is mostly flat desert and villages.

1.3 Time and weather

* July 05 – 2017
* 06:00 local time
* Broken/overcast (3000′-7000′, 17000′-22000′), broken (34000′)
* Wind (Bearing / kts)
– GND: 090 / 10
– 1600ft: 090 / 21
– 6600ft: 243 / 16
– 26000ft: 071 / 14
* Temp: +16°C
* FORCE QNH 2972 / 755

1.4 Air threats

N/A

Syrian regime airforce has been mostly spent as a result of the ongoing civil war, and the remnants have not been active in the North since multiple shootdowns by Turkish fighters and air defences during the initial intervention

1.5 Ground threats

BMP-2, T-72, ZSU-23 Shilka, AAA, RPG, small arms, .50 cal, MANPADS, SA-6, SA-8, SA-9, SA-13

Enemy forces are expected to be local Syrian regime forces holding the line to the brigade’s front, and at least one regular armored brigade mustering for the expected counterattack.
Local forces in the AO are believed to consist mainly of dismounted infantry armed with small arms, technicals and 23mm AAA emplacements.
The armored brigade is expected to be an understrength armored brigade consisting of C2 assets, 3 tank battalions (20-30 T-72 MBTs per battalion), 1 motorized rifle battalions (30 BMP-1/2s), 1 MLRS battalion (10-15 BM-21 Grad), 1 reconnaissance company, and limited air defences (ZSU-23-4 Shilka, short range IR guided SAMs, MANPADS).
Additionally, local air defences have been known to consist of 1-2 SA-6 batteries and 3 SA-8s. All local air defences frequently relocate and transmit sparsely to avoid SEAD efforts.

SA-6 located 50-60 km SE of FLOT. SA-8s typically 20-40 km SE of FLOT

1.6 Friendly forces

Brigade (HATCHET) holds the FLOT with light forces, and will not be advancing. Some Division indiret fire assets have been subordinated to Brigade command (HATCHET 6) for this operation to supplement own indirect fire assets.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

No civilian air traffic in the area. Mostly normal civilian day to day life continues in the AO.

2 MISSION

Rotary winged assets will conduct a spoiling attack through movement to contact through the FLOT to break up the Syrian armored brigade ahead of the Brigade.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Attrite chosen parts of the Syrian armored brigade. Priority targets and destruction will be decided with Brigade.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains 1 package, callsign WAR PARTY. All flights are part of package WAR PARTY. Additionally, one USAF F-16 flight (Venom 4) is on standby to provide SEAD support.

3.3 Order of events

This operation is divided into four phases which will be conducted chronologically: J-SEAD to support WAR PARTY crossing the FLOT, continued on call J-SEAD throughout the operation, search for and destruction of Priority Targets, RTB.

1. Indirect fires will target known and suspected Syrian air defences and relevant defensive positions along the FLOT to enable WAR PARTY transiting.

2. Brigade and Division indirect fire, and F-16s (Venom 4) will be on station as planned in concert with Brigade and WAR PARTY to provide continued J-SEAD support throughout the mission.

3. OH-58s and AH-64s of WAR PARTY will search for and engage elements of Syrian armored brigade, with a focus on pre-determined Priority Targets.

4. WAR PARTY and Venom 4 will plan to ensure that they have RTB’d no later than 09:00 local time.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS
Addition: The use of cluster munitions against enemy targets (known or suspected) within 500m of built up areas beyond 1km from the FLOT is STRICTLY PROHIBITED.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package WAR PARTY (Lead: TBD)

BLACKJACK4
* TBD

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. TBD
2. TBD

RAGE9
* TBD

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. TBD

SALTY1
* TBD

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. TBD

VENOM4
* TBD

Loadout: FL decides (SEAD)

Waypoints:
1. TBD

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Incirlik: F-16s
* TCN: 21X
* Active runway: 23
* Departure via …
* Approach via …

KUWEIRES FARP: OH-58, AH-64

4.3 Tankers

Texaco 2 40nm North of FLOT at 16.000ft

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is Brigade (HATCHET 6)
* Mission commander deputy is TBD
* Package WOLFPACK lead is TBD

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
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). Use Tower (ch 7) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* STARLIGHT – J-SEAD indirect fires to support WAR PARTY crossing of FLOT starting
* CUSTER – Abort mission
* MUSTANG – WAR PARTY deems that mission has been achieved, and will withdraw

5.7 Bullseye

N 36 20.35′ E 37 47.54′

6 ANNEXES

Maps
Large size map of AO with all waypoints, tankers, carriers etc
Smaller maps of target areas with waypoints marked