In the Dark – Part Two

RSVP: 25 11 13 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – SEAD, Air Interdiction, Strike
Theatre: Syria
Modules: Any modern or cold war era aircraft (but find a buddy to make it at least a 2-ship)
Prerequisites: None (it is a daytime mission)
Version 1.6

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

General overview as per briefing In the Dark pt1

This morning’s reconnaissance of the area yielded good results. Our onboard sensors have visually located a possible location for the jamming, which was later confirmed by our A-10 pilots who managed to pinpoint the signal to the same area. At the same time, we have collected information from active air defenses in the area. The time to strike is now!

1.2 Area of operations

Beqaa Valley, Lebanon, and surrounding countries.

1.3 Time and weather

* September 10 – 2001
* 15:00 local time
* BKN 8/18/30
* Wind from 250 / 7
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013
* Temp 26°C

1.4 Air threats

Two Il-76 “Candid” and two Mi-8 “Hip” located at Rayak airfield.
Rrecords do not suggest any fighter or strike aircraft having landed at Rayak in recent time.

1.5 Ground threats

SA-10 “Grumble” located south of Rayak airfield.

Several mobile SAM systems are active in the area:
One SA-22 “Greyhound” was located northwest of Rayak airfield.
One SA-15 “Gauntlet” located 8NM east of Rayak airfield.
One SA-15 “Gauntlet” located 9NM north of Rayak airfield.
One SA-8 “Gecko” located 14NM southwest of Rayak airfield.

Expect these systems to have regrouped by the time of our next attack. However, the assessment is that their tasks remain the same. One SA-22 as point-defence at Rayak airfield, one SA-15 point-defence at EWR, one SA-15 north of airfield to deny any attack from the north towards Rayak area and SA-8s, ZSU-23s as close protection to enemy troops in the area. Expect all infantry to carry MANPADS, mainly SA-18s.

Multiple ground units have been located along the roads towards Rayak. Company sized force defending SQUIRREL, Platoon to Company sized force defending WOMBAT. The platoon sized force defending ELEPHANT was reduced in nubres by our attack helicotpers during this mornings operation. The assessment is that only a small outpost (36S YC 7497 3402, 4654ft) remains. This will be our way in to Rayak.

1.6 Friendly forces

Mainly air power: One Carrier Strike Group in the eastern part of the Mediterranean. Israeli forces at Ramat David. Russian forces at Bassel Al-Assad. Other nationalities joining in as we speak. Limited ground forces from Israel and Lebanon.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is firmly grounded. There has been no evacuation of civilians from the Beqaa Valley area.

2 MISSION

Destroy the uplink site.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Endstate

The mission is completed when the uplink site is destroyed and the enemy no longer has the ability to continue their attacks.

3.2 Concept of Operations

Initially one package attacks SA-15 and SA-10
Then one flight attacks EWR
Finally one package attacks uplink site coordinated in time

Simultaneously one package attacks against enemy ground forces and one flight supporting the advance of our own ground forces.

3.3 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.4 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: EXTREME
As per SPINS

3.5 Package tasking

Package Alpha

NEUTRALIZE SA-10 NLT 101600 local
NEUTRALIZE SA-15 close to EWR NLT 101600 local
DESTROY uplink site, coordinated in time and from at least two different directions
Be prepared to SUPPORT package BRAVO and HAWG8 with SEAD
Be prepared to INTERCEPT hostile aircrafts

Package Bravo

SEIZE outpost (36S YC 7497 3402. 4654 FT)
CLEAR ELEPHANT
Be prepared to GUARD Charlie6-1

HAWG
CONTAIN enemy ground forces at SQUIRREL
Be prepared to SUPPORT package BRAVO / Charlie6-1 with BAI

FENRIS
DESTROY EWR, ToT 101605 local

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 27

* Damascus Intl
* Actice runway: 23R
* Traffic freq: 272.00

* Kiryat Shmona
* Active runway: 21
* Traffic freq: 271.00

* FARP Damascus West
* 37 S BT 2678 1262 elev 3238 ft
* Beacon on AM 210 kHz

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 278
* Departure time: According to PL
* Departure sequence: According to PL
* Charlie time: 17:20

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is DEADGUN
* Mission commander deputy: TBA

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: KPISTRULEZ
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

6, 7, 9, 3, 7, 6
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.

5.5 Freq flow (Carrier flights)

1, 9, 3, 16, 1
Remain on Tower (ch 1) during startup and departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3). Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission

5.7 Bullseye

Rayak N33°51.04′ E35°59.21′ elevation 2989 feet

6 ANNEXES

SA-10 “Grumble”

Target

Rayak airfield

Area of operations, overview and closeup

Version 1.1 – Added intel
Version 1.2 – Added Package/Flight tasking
Version 1.3 – Added 3. Execution
Version 1.4 – Updated Alpha lineup
Version 1.5 – Updated Bravo lineup
Version 1.6 – Added Fenris flight and tasking