Hornet Mini-THT 251204

RSVP: 25 12 04 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – SEAD, Strike
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C
Prerequisites: Night AAR

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

A Civilian airliner was threatened by Syrian MiGs. Coalition forces will retaliate by hitting their air base, Al Qusayr.

1.2 Area of operations

Western Syria and bordering territories

1.3 Time and weather

* Dec 04 – 2025
* 18:00 local time
* Broken, ceiling around 7000′
* Wind from 320 / 8
* FORCE QNH 2977

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21

MiG-21s are based at Al Qusayr and possibly nearby Shayrat

1.5 Ground threats

ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS, SA-2

SA-2 in close proximity to Al Qusayr, exact position unknown.

1.6 Friendly forces

Friendly forces operating around Ramat David

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is grounded

2 MISSION

Disable runways at Al Qusayr. Suppress or destroy SA-2 site in the area.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

F/A-18C Hornets will perform a self-escorted strike.

3.2 Packages

All flights are part of Package Pitbull

3.3 Order of events

Depart Ramat David.

Refuel Arco5.

Ingress low-level via Beirut and then north through the Bekaa Valley

After strike egress to the sea

Refuel Arco5 before RTB

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package PITBULL (Lead: ADDER11)

ADDER1
* Depart RMD
* Refuel at Arco5
* PL decides push-time
* Fly ingress from WP2 no higher than 200 feet AGL to avoid the SA-2 envelope
* Pop-up at WP4 or FL’s discretion to fire HARMs
* Stand by for BDA and possible follow-up attack after BEAVER2
* Egress west WP6-7 via Rene Mouawad
* Refuel Arco5 before RTB

Loadout: FL decides (SEAD, Strike, self-defense A/A)

Waypoints:
1. Hold (W of Beirut) A16
2. Ingress low-level (Beirut)
3. Turning point (Rayak)
4. Pop-up for HARM attack (20 nm S of TGT)
5. TGT Al Qusayr air base
6-7. Egress route

BEAVER2
* Depart RMD
* Refuel at Arco5
* PL decides push-time
* Fly ingress from WP2 no higher than 200 feet AGL to avoid the SA-2 envelope
* Plan attack run on WP5 for a single pass, hitting runway and taxiway
* Egress west WP6-7 via Rene Mouawad
* Refuel Arco5 before RTB

Loadout: FL decides (Strike, self-defense A/A)

Waypoints:
1. Hold (W of Beirut) A14
2. Ingress low-level (Beirut)
3. Turning point (Rayak)
4. Turning point 7 nm S of TGT
5. TGT Al Qusayr air base (middle of RWY)
6-7. Egress route

CAMEL3 same as BEAVER2

 

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 33
* Departure via Exit Hayim
* Approach via Entry Amos Lake

4.2 Carrier operations

N/A

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is ADDER11
* Mission commander deputy is BEAVER21

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 Tactical (ch 3). Use Tower (ch 7) for recovery.

5.5 Freq flow (Carrier flights)

N/A

5.6 Brevity

* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission
* TANGOUNIFORM – Runway and taxiway at Al Qusayr cratered

5.7 Bullseye

N 34 17.00′ E 35 41.00′

6 ANNEXES