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Freedom of Navigation
October 16 @ 19:30 - 22:30
RSVP: 25 10 16 – please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan
Activity: Mission – CAP, Air Interdiction, SEAD, Strike
Theatre: Persian Gulf
Modules: F-14B, F-15E, F-16C, F/A-18C, A-10C
Prerequisites: Case 3 for navy flights
Mission maker: Blichten
LINEUP
F/A-18C CAP (CVN-72) ARCTIC11 (400): Kaninmat ARCTIC12 (401): Makanan ARCTIC13 (402): Yaotl ARCTIC14 (403):
F/A-18C Alert 15 (CVN-72) BENDER21 (404): Moose BENDER22 (405): Enska BENDER23 (406): BENDER24 (407):
F/A-18C CRIMSON31 (410): CRIMSON32 (411): CRIMSON33 (412): CRIMSON34 (413):
F/A-18C DUSTY41 (300): DUSTY42 (301): DUSTY43 (302): DUSTY44 (303):
F-14B CAP (CVN-71) ELVIS51 (100): Deadlift / WeX ELVIS52 (101): Super19 / Troll ELVIS53 (102): ELVIS54 (103):
A-10C Alert 15 Al Dhafra (Parking 24-27 – NW edge of ramp N of Rwy31R) HAWG81: BigSwede HAWG82: JackFlash HAWG83: Ulvar HAWG84:
F-16C Alert 15 Al Dhafra (Parking 91-94 – SE edge of ramp N of Rwy 31R) INDY91: Pahi INDY92: Undefined INDY93: Widen INDY94: Hofftari
F-16C Alert 15 Al Dhafra JESTER11: JESTER12: JESTER13: JESTER14:
F-14B MUSTANG41 (104): MUSTANG42 (105): MUSTANG43 (106): MUSTANG44 (107):
A-10C PIG71: PIG72: PIG73: PIG74:
F-16C VENOM41: VENOM42: VENOM43: VENOM44:
F-15E HITMAN31: HITMAN32: HITMAN33: HITMAN34:
AWACS STINGRAY: STINGRAY:
Airport Ground: Tower: Control:
Carrier Marshal: Tower: LSO:
1 SITUATION
1.1 Overview
On August 20, 1998, the US conducted Operation Infinite Reach, a cruise missile strike against targets in Afghanistan and Sudan. In the aftermath of the strike, there were loud complaints from the usual suspects – Russia, Cuba, China and the Arab League. Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei went so far as to describe the attack as “terrorism”, threatening to punish those responsible for “attacks against Islam”.
Determined to show resolve, president Clinton ordered the US 5th fleet to conduct a freedom of navigation exercise in the Persian Gulf. Two days later, on August 22nd, Carrier Strike Group 11 lead by USS Theodore Roosevelt transited the Strait of Hormuz at full battle stations. As CENTCOM expected, the Iranians eventually stood down and the strike group proceeded into the Gulf, staying just outside Iran’s internationally recognized territorial waters.
It is now the early hours of August 23rd and CSG-11 will turn south, its mission accomplished. Routine CAP is airborne and the USAF is still on standby in the Emirates.
1.2 Area of operations
Persian Gulf
1.3 Time and weather
* Aug 23 1998
* 03:00 local time
* SCT/BKN 18/20
* Wind from 250 / 4
* Temp 21°C
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013
1.4 Air threats
MiG-21, MiG-29, F-14A
MiG-21 and MiG-29 based in Bandar Abbas, Bandar Jask, Qeshm, Tunb and Lavan. F-14 based in Shiraz
1.5 Ground threats
SA-10 Bandar Abbas. SA-2 Bandar Jask, Qeshm, Tunb and Lavan Islands.
1.6 Friendly forces
CSG-11 (with CVN-71) west of Lavan island. CSG-9 (with CVN-72) in the Gulf of Oman.
Friendly SAM systems:
Patriot in Doha (Qatar) and Khaimah (UAE). Hawk in Khasab (UAE).
1.7 Civilian/3rd part
Regular civilian traffic over the AO.
2 MISSION
Conclude freedom of navigation exercise in the Persian Gulf. Until CSG-11 reaches Qatar, maintain CAP and defensive strike alert.
3 EXECUTION
3.1 Commander’s intent
CVN-71 and CVN-72 conduct routine CAP.
USAF on standby at Al Dhafra (UAE), no specific mission at this time.
3.2 Packages
N/A
3.3 Order of events
CAP flights depart ASAP.
Others start up and monitor radio as briefed.
3.4 Rules of engagement
ROE: A
As per SPINS
3.5 Acceptable level of risk
ALR: LOW
As per SPINS
3.6 Flight tasking
ELVIS5
*Routine CAP CVN-71
Loadout: FL Decides
Waypoints:
1. CAP W (N26°05.00′ E52°51.00′)
2. CAP M (N25°55.00′ E54°31.00′)
3. CAP E (N25°41.00′ E55°49.00′)
ARCTIC1
*Routine CAP CVN-72
Loadout: FL Decides
Waypoints:
1. CAP W (N26°05.00′ E52°51.00′)
2. CAP M (N25°55.00′ E54°31.00′)
3. CAP E (N25°41.00′ E55°49.00′)
BENDER2
*Alert 15 on CVN-72
Loadout: FL Decides
Waypoints:
1. CAP W (N26°05.00′ E52°51.00′)
2. CAP M (N25°55.00′ E54°31.00′)
3. CAP E (N25°41.00′ E55°49.00′)
INDY9
*Alert 15 at Al Dhafra
Loadout:
Waypoints:
TBA
JESTER1
*Alert 15 at Al Dhafra
Loadout:
Waypoints:
TBA
HAWG8
*Alert 15 at Al Dhafra
Loadout:
Waypoints:
TBA
4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
4.1 Airfield operations
* Al Dhafra
* TCN: 96X
* Active runway: 31R
* Al Minhad (Divert)
* TCN: 99X
* Active runway: 27
* Khasab (Divert)
* TCN: N/A
* Active runway: 19
4.2 Carrier operations
* CASE 3
* BRC: 332
* Departure radial 270
* FH: 323
* Departure time: ASAP
* Departure sequence: N/A
* Marshal time: TBA
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: 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) 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
* TBA
5.7 Bullseye
Tunb Island N 26 15.52′ E 55 18.18′
6 ANNEXES
Overview with CVNs and tankers.
Known SA-systems
Active air bases and CAP points
