Operation Black Shield

RSVP: 25 10 30 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP,
Theatre: Caucasus
Modules: F-14A (REDFOR MIG-21BIS, MIG-29A)
Prerequisites: CASE I familiarity, carrier ops, TACAN use, basic A/A engagement procedures.

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

In mid-1987, an American Los Angeles-class submarine (USS Dallas) disappeared during a covert surveillance patrol in the Black Sea.
Signals intercepts suggest a Soviet Kilo-class submarine may have engaged it.
To investigate, the U.S. Navy has deployed Task Force 61—led by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72)—into the Black Sea under the cover of a “search and rescue” mission.
Soviet air forces from the Caucasus have scrambled fighters to shadow and possibly challenge the carrier group.
F-14A squadrons will maintain CAP while ASW units conduct submarine-hunting operations.

1.2 Area of operations

Northern Black Sea, 80 nm west of Sochi.

1.3 Time and weather

* July 22 – 1987
* 06:45 local time
* Light haze and sea mist, scattered clouds 3500–8000 ft
* Wind 230 / 8
* FORCE QNH xx.xx / 1016

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21bis and MiG-29A operating from Gudauta, Sukhumi, and Maykop.

1.5 Ground threats

1 x Soviet Kilo-class submarine (primary target).
Possible Grisha- or Nanuchka-class escorts.
Light coastal SAM/AAA defenses near Sukhumi.

1.6 Friendly forces

USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72) with Carrier Air Wing Three (CVW-3).
Escort ships: CG-62 Monterey, FFG-57 Oliver Hazard Perry.
1 x E-2C Hawkeye (STINGRAY — AWACS).
2 x S-3B Viking (ASW search).
2 x SH-3 Sea King (dipping-sonar support).

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

No civilian traffic expected in the AO.

2 MISSION

Primary Objective:
Protect the carrier group and ASW units until the hostile submarine is located and neutralized.

Secondary Objective:
Maintain air superiority within 90 nm of CVN-72.

Mission success:
* Submarine destroyed or contact neutralized
* No friendly ASW aircraft lost.
* Carrier remains unharmed.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Create and maintain a protective air bubble around the carrier group.
Prevent enemy aircraft from threatening ASW operations.
Engage only when positive hostile identification is established or declared by AWACS.

3.2 Packages

Package name: BLACK SHIELD
Composition: F-14A CAP flights, S-3B Viking ASW, SH-3 Sea King, E-2C AWACS.

3.3 Order of events

1. ELVIS and MUSTANG launch first; establish CAP track “TRIDENT” (30–50 nm from fleet).
2. VIKING and GREYHOUND begin ASW sweep in search area (ASW AREA. Grid DJ).
3. Expect enemy intercept within 10 minutes of ASW deployment.
4. Maintain CAP until STINGRAY calls “NIGHTFALL” (mission complete).
5. RTB in sequence on AWACS instruction.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: B Hold fire unless positively hostile or declared by AWACS.
Weapons Free if enemy aircraft enter within 60 nm of the carrier.

As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM – protection of carrier group takes precedence over pursuit or extended engagements.
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package BLACK SHIELD(Lead: MUSTAN51)

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 264
* Departure time: 06:45-07:20
* Departure sequence: ELVIS5, MUSTANG6
* Charlie time: 08:30

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

TEXACO2 (102Y, FL160, west of fleet)
As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Package BLACK SHIELD lead is MUSTANG 51

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
As per Authentication SOP

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

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission
* SMASH – Enemy CAP neutralized
* SPLASH – Submarine neutralized
* DEEP VEIL – Abort ASW operation (imminent threat to fleet)

5.7 Bullseye

6 ANNEXES

Maps