Dark Angel IV – Caucasus Nightmare

RSVP: 23 01 19 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, Air Interdiction, Strike
Theatre: Caucasus
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16C, A-10C, AH-64, AJS-37
Prerequisites: None

Operation Dark Angel – IV
CAUCASUS NIGHTMARE

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Russia is on the move! That means that the fine pilots of MA once again are put to the task to stop the invasion of Georgian souverain. At the time of this brief there are two fronts. Sukhumi in the northwest and Gori in the east. In the northwest we need to halt the advancing armor no later than the river Enguri. In the east we absolutely need to hold so that the Russians cant split the country in two and isolate Tbilisi.

This is a SEAD, STRIKE and CAP mission!

1.2 Area of operations

The whole country of Georgia.

1.3 Time and weather

* Mai 17 – 2021
* 13:00 local time
* Broken (8000’-10000’) Scattered (23000’-24000’)
* Wind 300 / 6
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-25, MiG-29, SU-24, SU-27, Mi-24, KA-50

MiG-25s and occasional MIG-29s have been reported. Expect main threat from closest enemy air bases, located at Beslan, Sukhumi and Naltsjik. Intel estimates that the Russian Air Force will have routine CAP over Besland, Sukhumi and can launch 8-10 fighters in short succession from bases close to these airbases. Additional fighters can reinforce from other bases after a time span of 30 mins from first engagements.

1.5 Ground threats

Infantry, T-72, T-90, BMP, ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS, SA-10, SA-15

The north “disputed” border to Abkhazia is heavily defended by Russian armor, infantry and supported by mobile SA system. Georgian intelligence report large tank columns moving from Beslan into the disputed area of South Ossetia. These columns are probably supported by forces from the air and ground.

SA-10’s located at Beslan and Sotsji.

1.6 Friendly forces

Georgian border patrol and local guard units in some cases marked with blue smoke if possible. Mainly infantry, T-55 and some T-72. No air assets. Located in small groups at the border to Gali and outside Gori to the east.

Georgia have an old Hawk system providing assistance east of Kutaisi.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

The airspace over Georgian territory is closed for all other traffic.

2 MISSION

Provide support to Georgian ground forces. In clear text, destroy as many Russian ground and air assets as possible. You are weapons free on all identified enemy position, and aircraft.

EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Established CAP to provide security to our strike forces and Georgian ground troops. Strike groups to reduce the Russian threat in the northwest and hinder the Russians to split the country in the east.

3.2 Packages

NA

3.3 Order of events

This operation is divided into three sections.

1. F/A-18s and F-14 to establish CAP at either/or WEST, NORTH and/or EAST
2. F/A-18s, A-10s, AH-64s and F-16c to support the Georgian troops on the ground at the northern and eastern border to Russia. React on any request from the Georgian government.
3. AJS-37s to attack and destroy fuel storage at Sukumi.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: HIGH
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

ARCTIC1
You are tasked to attack and destroy 58th Combined Arms Army command center (bunker marked LIMA) at Sukumi airport. We have strong indication that all operations in Georgien are controlled from this bunker. Secondly, we might need your assistance at MIKE, NOVEMBER and OSCAR. Expect a heavy defended area, mainly from 23, 60 and 100mm but there might be a large number of manpads.

* Depart Mother 13:25
* Contact STINGRAY
* Refuel at ARCO1 or ARCO5
* Push on target WP2.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (STRIKE)

Waypoints:
WP1 – TANKER ARCO 1 and 5
WP2 – Lima (Command Bunker)
WP3 – Mike
WP4 – November
WP5 – Oscar
WP6 – CVN-72

BENDER2
You are tasked to provide CAP at designated cap station by STINGRAY. State any desired altitude on contact. Enemies are expected to operate in high numbers from both the north and north/west. ROA A in use. NO REFUELING ON YOUR WAY TO CAP

* Depart Mother 13:15
* Report in to STINGRAY and standby for CAP tasking
* Refuel at ARCO1 or ARCO5
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (CAP)

Waypoints:
WP1 – TANKER ARCO 1 and 5
WP2 – Cap West
WP3 – Cap North
WP4 – Cap East
WP5 – TANKER ARCO 1 and 5
WP6 – CVN-72

ELVIS5
You are tasked to provide CAP at designated cap station by STINGRAY. State any desired altitude on contact. Enemies are expected to operate in high numbers from both the north and north/west. ROA A in use.

* Depart Mother 13:20
* Report in to STINGRAY and standby for CAP tasking
* Refuel at ARCO1 or ARCO5
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (CAP)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Cap West
WP2 – Cap North
WP3 – Cap East

FENRIS6
You are tasked to destroy a large storage for fuel that is used to refuel enemy’s armed forces. In the same area there are a large number of refueling trucks that we also want you to destroy. Expect a heavy defended area, mainly from 23, 60 and 100mm but there might be a large number of manpads.(Coordinate your flight with GRIM7)

* Depart Kutaisi 13:20
* Report in to STINGRAY
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (STRIKE)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Departure
WP2 – Target A
WP3 – Target B

GRIM7
You are tasked to destroy a large storage for fuel that is used to refuel enemy’s armed forces. In the same area there are a large number of refueling trucks that we also want you to destroy. Expect a heavy defended area, mainly from 23, 60 and 100mm but there might be a large number of manpads.(Coordinate your flight with Fenris6)

* Depart Kutaisi 13:22
* Report in to STINGRAY
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (STRIKE)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Departure
WP2 – Target A
WP3 – Target B

HAWG8
You are tasked to provide support to the Georgian army at HOTEL and INDIA. The region is experiencing a large armor attack from the Russians. It looks if their objective is to cut off the region to isolate the main capitol. Take great care to study current maps to see where we have friendly troops. Expect a heavy defended area, mainly from 23, 60 and 100mm but there might be a large number of manpads.
(Coordinate with TUSK and JESTER that also are operating in the same area.)

* Depart Kutaisi 13:15
* Report in to STINGRAY
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (STRIKE)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Departure
WP2 –
WP3 –
WP4 – Hotel
WP5 – India
WP6 – Kutaisi

JESTER1
You are tasked to provide support to the Georgian army at HOTEL and INDIA. The region is experiencing a large armor attack from the Russians. It looks if their objective is to cut off the region to isolate the main capitol. Take great care to study current maps to see where we have friendly troops. Expect a heavy defended area, mainly from 23, 60 and 100mm but there might be a large number of manpads.
(Coordinate with TUSK and HAWG that also are operating in the same area.)

* Depart Kutaisi 13:25
* Report in to STINGRAY and standby for STRIKE tasking
* Refuel at TEXACO2
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (STRIKE)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Departure
WP2 –
WP3 – Hotel
WP4 – India
WP5 – TANKER TEXACO 2
WP6 – Kutaisi

KRAKEN2
You are tasked to provide CAP at designated cap station by STINGRAY. State any desired altitude on contact. Enemies are expected to operate in high numbers from both the north and north/west. ROA A in use. NO REFUELING ON YOUR WAY TO CAP

* Depart Mother 13:30
* Report in to STINGRAY and standby for CAP tasking
* Refuel at ARCO1 or ARCO5
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (CAP)

Waypoints:
WP1 – TANKER ARCO 1 and 5
WP2 – Cap West
WP3 – Cap North
WP4 – Cap East
WP5 – TANKER ARCO 1 and 5
WP6 – CVN-72

TUSK2
You are tasked to provide support to the Georgian army at HOTEL and INDIA. The region is experiencing a large armor attack from the Russians. It looks if their objective is to cut off the region to isolate the main capitol. Take great care to study current maps to see where we have friendly troops. Expect a heavy defended area, mainly from 23, 60 and 100mm but there might be a large number of manpads.
(Coordinate with HAWG and JESTER that also are operating in the same area.)

* Depart Kutaisi 13:16
* Report in to STINGRAY
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (STRIKE)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Departure
WP2 –
WP3 –
WP4 – Hotel
WP5 – India
WP6 – Kutaisi

RAGE9
You are tasked to provide support to the Georgian army at MIKE, NOVEMBER and OSCAR. The region is experiencing a large armor attack from the Russians, and you need to reduce the attacking force. Take great care to study current maps to see where we have friendly troops. Expect a heavy defended area, mainly from 23, 60 and 100mm but there might be a large number of manpads.

* Depart FARP 13:15
* Report to STINGRAY
* Destroy enemy targets at MIKE, NOVEMBER and OSCAR. Be aware that there is Georgian armor on our side of the river.
* RTB

Loadout: FL decides (STRIKE)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Mike
WP2 – November
WP3 – Oscar
WP4 – FARP

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

Primary
* Kutaisi
* TCN: 44X
* Active runway: 25
* Departure sequence: HAWG8, TUSK2, FENRIS6, GRIM7 and JESTER1
* Departure via Exit North
* Approach via Entry East OHB

Secondary
* Butami
* TCN: 16X
* Active runway: 25

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 299
* Departure time: 13:15
* Departure sequence: BENDER2, ELVIS5, ARCTIC1 and KRAKEN2
* Charlie time: 15:00

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: SHORTPANIC
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

* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission declared by STINGRAY.
* CRAZYMOUSE – Mission declared successful by STINGRAY.
* CREWSTUPID – 60% (ish) of all targets neutralized at MIKE, NOVEMBER and OSCAR declared by RAGE9.
* WALKOVER – 60% (ish) of all targets neutralized at HOTEL and INDIA declared by HAWG8.
* QUICKNASTY – Command center (bunker marked LIMA) destroyed declared by ARCTIC1.
* EXTRALUCKY – Fuel storage at Sukhumi destroyed declared by GRIM7.

6 ANNEXES