Four Days to the River Rhine

26 02 12 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Organizer: Pancake
Activity: Mission – SEAD, AI, CAP
Theatre: CWG
Modules: A-10C , AH-64D, AJS-37, F-14B, (F-15E), F-16C, F/A-18C, OH-58D
Prerequisites: CASE III recovery

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

3 Days ago, Warsaw Pact forces crossed the inner German border with full, overwhelming force. The initial blow led to NATO losses of 40%. It was a devastating hit, although expected and prepared for. However, the loss of both Hamburg and Bremerhaven was not part of that expectation…

NATO forces have successively retreated to fallback lines, ~35nmi (65km) south of Hamburg, where WP-forces now has come to a halt for the day. It´s part of “plan B” to allow WP-forces to stretch fast and NATO to strike back hard when the strengths of the enemy is scattered and has the smell of victory.

This is where we are now, the counter attack is imminent and the timing is perfect for more reasons than what is mentioned above:
a) The highly mobile air defense (SA-6, 8) of WP forces are concentrated to the fallback line. Bigger ones (SA-10, 11) are on the move, re-deploying to new locations.
b) WP air force are mostly grounded due to red-on-red incidents to a degree of 35%(!). They no longer dare to operate near areas where their own surface to air defense is active, unless worth the high risk.
c) Previous deep strikes (train junctions) during the initial day of the attack, have left remaining forces in a temporary bad shape.

This is it. The moment of full-blued force in a spearheaded action to cut the red forces in half.

1.2 Area of operations

South (MRGS NE-ND) and East (MRGS NE-PE) of HAMBURG. The terrain is flat with patches of forests.

1.3 Time and weather

March 14 – 1987
17:30 local time
Scattered (8000′)
Wind from:
– GND: 240 / 6
– 1600ft: 240 / 14
– 6600ft: 289 / 4
– 26000ft: 48 / 2
Temp: +8°C
FORCE QNH 30.31 / 770 / 1026.58

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-29

If any air threats are to show themselves at all, it would be most likely low-valued MiG-21´s. Enemy airfield in operation is Parchim.

1.5 Ground threats

Infantry, BMP-2, T-72, SA-11, SA-8, SA-6, AAA, MANPADs

AAA and MANPADs are likely tied to dug-in positions along BA7. Whereas SA-6 and SA-8 are spread out further west and east of the road, but might still be within firing range.
Enemy ground forces are also concentrated along the light dug-in positions (see map for locations and photos), however sporadic troop movements may happen on the road itself.
Flanking enemies are expected to reinforce from the west.

1.6 Friendly forces

Friendly ground forces attacking from the south-west at the enemy dug-in positions, along BA7. On demand, a swarm of BQM-74´s can be sent in over the area to lure the SAM-sites to light up.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian traffic both in air and on the ground is non-existent.

2 MISSION

– Support NATO ground forces that are ready to attack along the Bundesautobahn 7, BA7) leading to Hamburg. Their counter attack starts 18:15 local time.

– SA-10´s on the move should be knocked out before their deployment (intel suggest they travel from East to West along Bundesautobahn 24, BA24). Also, quick is the trick, before Red air force wakes up to interrupt.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Endstate

The mission is successful when blue forces have reached the outskirts of Hamburg.

3.2 Concept of Operations

Initially one flight neutralizes SA-6 in NAI 1.
Then one flight strikes first dug-in position.
Finally one flight supports ground forces attack along BA7 and one flight strikes second and third dug-in positions.

Simultaneously during all stages one flight conducts CAP and one flight search and destroys SA-8 in NAI 2 and NAI 3.

3.3 Flight tasking

ARCTIC1 / JESTER1
* Neutralizes SA-6 in NAI 1 ASAP NLT 141810
* Locate SA-10 convoy
– Be prepared to destroy SA-10 convoy

ELVIS5
* Conducts CAP

FENRIS6
* Strike first dug-in position ToT 141814
– Be prepared to strike second dug-in position
– Be prepared to strike third dug-in position
– Be prepared to destroy SA-10 convoy

BLACKJACK4 / RAGE9
* Neutralizes SA-8 in NAI 2
– Be prepared to neutralizes SA-8 in NAI 3

HAWG8
* Hold south of frontline until 141815
* Support ground forces from 141815

—————————————————-
F/A-18C role play F/A-18A
A-10C role play A-10A
AH-64D role play AH-64A
F-16C role play F-16A
—————————————————-

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS
Addition: TBD by MC

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

– Wunstorf
– TCN: 116X
– Active runway: 21
– Departure via: W2
– Approach via: V1
– FARP Alpha: 32U ND 3369 5822, 215ft

4.2 Carrier operations

– CASE I (Dep) / Case III (Arr)
– BRC: 282
– Departure time: ASAP
– Departure sequence: As needed
– RTB: According to STINGRAY / Marshal

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

Mission commander is HITMAN3
Mission commander deputy is STINGRAY

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

TBD by MC
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)

TBD by MC
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

– HAMBURGER – Mission declared successful
– SALLAD – Abort mission
– SMASH – Air superiority over BA7 achieved
– BARBEQUE – SA-10s neutralized
– CHUCKAR NORRIS – BQM-74 is released

5.7 Bullseye

N 53° 33′ 00″ E 09° 59′ 31″

6 ANNEXES

NAI 1

NAI 2 and NAI 3