Operation Balls of Steel

RSVP: 240328 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – Strike/AI, DEAD
Theatre: Persian Gulf
Modules: F/A-18C, F-14B, F-15E, F-16C, A-10C II, AH-64D and AJS 37
Prerequisites: FL assesses prerequisites and ensures that these are met by the flight

v1.2

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Over the past year, Iran has significantly upgraded its military capabilities through arms deals with Russia, notably acquiring MIG-29S fighters equipped with advanced R-77 missiles.
Recent threats towards the UAE, underscored by the menacing posture of deploying SCUD missiles, have escalated tensions in the region. Iran’s aggressive stance, manifested in direct threats to Al Minhad Air Force Base and naval mobilizations, has prompted a critical response to ensure regional stability and safeguard strategic interests.

1.2 Area of operations

The most obvious landmark and the largest island in the Strait of Hormuz is Qeshm Island with 3 smaller islands to the south and east. The islands as well as the coastal area consists of mostly open terrain with two major cities along the coast, Bandar-e Lengeh west of Qeshm Island and Bandar Abbas northeast, Where Bandar Abbas Intl is located right on the eastern edge of the city.
Inland, it changes to hilly and mountainous terrain which allows good opportunities for radar shadowing and low ingress/egress to Lar airfield.

1.3 Time and weather

DTG 270400DMAY21
Clouds Scattered 18-20k ft
Wind from 026̊ / 8 kts
Temp 21̊ C
FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

Iran’s air force consists mainly of MiG-29S Fulcrum and F-14A Tomcats. Latest intelligence indicates that 4-8 MiG-29S stationed at Qeshm Island, 4-8 MiG-29S stationed at Bandar Abbas Intl, 4-8 MiG-29S stationed at Lar and 4-8 F-14A stationed at Shiraz Intl.
Assessment: 25% is used for CAP, 25% on high alert and the rest in reserve, or undergoing maintenance.

1.5 Ground threats

Iran’s air defense network has been significantly bolstered, featuring a range of SAM systems including SA-2, SA-3, SA-6 and mobile SA-15 and SA-19. In addition, the presence of AAA and MANPADS around air bases and other important infrastructure must be taken into account.
Assessment:
2 x SA-2 in the area around Bandar Abbas
2 x SA-2 on Qeshm Island
1 x SA-6 on Larak Island
1 x SA-6 at Lar Airfield
1 x SA-3 in the area south of Lar Airfield

The recent acquisition of HARM detection technology indicates an advanced and adaptive air defense strategy.
Assessment: This is still only used on a limited level prioritized for systems such as the SA-6

SRBM-launchers have been observed at Lar, Qeshm Island and near Bandar Abbas Intl.
Keys required for launch from Qeshm and Bandar Abbas Intl are deemed to be held by two generals who are currently on Qeshm and Larak Island.
Assessment: Neutralize these generals gives us time to deal with the threat of SRBM and is therefore seen as HVT. However, destroying the SRBM-launchers is our main goal. The SRBM’s at Lar is estimated to be able to be fired within 2 minutes.

One Grisha-class and one Tarantul-class corvette anchored in BQ 82 (South of Bandar-e Lengeh).
Assessment: These are judged to advance towards Qeshm Island when we begin the attack.

1.6 Friendly forces

F-14B and F/A-18C onboard CVN-72 stationed in the Persian Gulf, AH-64D onboard LHA-1 stationed in the Strait of Hormuz.
All other flights currently at main base Al Minhad AFB.
SOF units active in the AO. Currently conducting reconnaissance in NAI 1 and NAI 2, capable of marking targets with IR-pinter.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Iran’s armed forces have taken control of the airports and all non-combatant airport personnel have left the area. Beyond that, no evacuation has taken place.

2 MISSION

1. DENY use of SRBM-systems against UAE
2. DENY use of ASM-systems in the Persian Gulf
3. CLEAR Qeshm Island- and Bandar Abbas Intl. airfields
4. DENY use of Lar Airfield

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Endstate

Mission complete when we have freedom of movement, at sea and in the air, in the eastern part of the Persian Gulf and the Strait of Hurmuz.
We have reduced the threat of SRBM against UAE.

3.2 Concept of Operations

INITIALLY one (1) flight STRIKES Lar Airfield, one (1) flight STRIKES ASM-systems at Tunb Island, one (1) package DESTROYS SA-2’s at Qeshm Island, one (1) package DESTROYS SA-2’s at Bandar Abbas and one (1) package HOLDS at Khasab.

THEN one (1) flight REFUEL/REARM, one (1) package DESTROYS SRBM at Larak Island, one (1) package CLEARS Bandar Abbas Intl, and one (1) package DESTROYS SRBM at Qeshm Island and CLEARS Qeshm Airfield.

FINALLY all flights RTB

3.3 Packages

MAGIC CARPET (F/A-18C, F-14B) PL: ARCTIC11
BARBAROSSA (F-16C) PL: INDY91
DYNAMO (AH-64D, A-10C II) PL: HAWG83

3.4 Flight tasking

MAGIC CARPET
1. DESTROY SA-2s at Bandar Abbas
2. DESTROY SRBM-launchers
3. CLEAR Bandar Abbas Intl.
– Be prepared to DEFEAT enemy CAP

BARBAROSSA
1. DESTROY SA-2 at Qeshm Island
– Be prepared to DESTROY SA-6 at Larak
– Be prepared to DEFEAT enemy CAP

TOO: NEUTRALIZE HVT at Larak Island

DYNAMO
1. HOLD near Khasab until BULLDOG
– Be prepared to CLEAR Qeshm Island Airfield
– Be prepared to DESTROY SRBM-launchers at Qeshm Island

TOO: NEUTRALIZE HVT at Qeshm Island

HITMAN3
1. DESTROY runway at LAR
2. DESTROY SRBM-launchers at LAR
– Be prepared to DEFEAT enemy CAP

FENRIS6
1. DESTROY HY-2 at Tunb island
2. Refuel and Rearm
– Be prepared to DESTROY enemy ships

3.5 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.6 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.7 Coordinating instructions

Initially INDY91 is in command of weapons employment towards Qeshm and Larak islands.
On “BULLDOG”, HAWG81 takes command of Qeshm Island and INDY91 is in command of Larak island.

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

Al Minhad AFB
TCN: 99X
Active runway: 09
Departure: TBD
Approach via: TBD

4.2 Carrier operations

CASE 3
BRC: 046
Departure time: 045
Departure sequence: Arctic, Bender Crimson
Charlie time: 270620D
As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

Available: ARCO 1, ARCO 5 and TEXACO 2
As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

Mission commander: DeadGun
Dep. mission commander: STINGRAY

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: UNASTYGIRL
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 task and RTB
BULLDOG = Both SA-2 on Qeshm Island DESTROYED
STAGHOUND = HY-2 DESTROYED
BEAGLE = All SRBM-launchers at Lar DESTROYED
BOXER = All SRBM-launchers at Qeshm DESTROYED
BLOODHOUND = All SRBM-launchers at Bandar Abbas Intl DESTROYED
AKITA = Qeshm Island Airfield CLEARED
COLLIE = Bandar Abbas Intl CLEARED
DINGO = Lar runway DESTROYED

5.7 Bullseye

N 26̊ 49.325′ E 056̊ 19.589′

6 ANNEXES

6.1 Overlays

6.1.1 Overview of blue assets

6.1.2 Overview of red SAM assets

6.1.3 Order of Events
Initially

Then

6.1.4 Intel

SA-2 Qeshm Island:
– N 27 ̊ 15.4′ E 056 ̊ 22.1′
– N 27 ̊ 18.1′ E 056 ̊ 45.5′

SA-2 Bandar Abbas:
– N 26 ̊ 49.5′ E 055 ̊ 47.0′
– N 26 ̊ 51.3′ E 055 ̊ 58.4′

6.1.5 NAI

6.2 Flights

Changelog:
v1.1
Added 6.1.4 Intel
– Pictures of SA-2 sites
– Positions of SA-2 sites
Updated 1.5 Ground threats
– Grisha and Tarantul

v1.2
Added 6.1.5 NAI (Named Area of Interest)
Updated 4.2 Carrier operations
– Dep. radial and seq.