Operation Bull Run p2 – Wavebreaker

RSVP: 23 04 13 – 17:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, SEAD, Air Interdiction
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16, F-14, A-10C, AJS-37, AH-64, KA-50III, Gazelle M
Prerequisites: Basic aircraft knowledge

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

After our last night mission Syria has responded by moving up their invasion plans against Jordan and launched probing attacks all across the border between Ramtha and Sabha. Jordanian army defenders are holding their positions but it is unclear how long a breakthrough can be prevented. As a result of last night’s strike the enemy SAM threat is expected to be diminished, but the Syrian Air Force is expected to be out in force.

1.2 Area of operations

Northwestern Jordan and southwestern Syria. YB72 through BS82 northern/YA77 through BR 82 southern.

1.3 Time and weather

* August 01 – 2021
* 08:30 local time
* Overcast (13500′-20500′)
* Wind 277 / 6
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-23, MiG-25, MiG-29, SU-24, SU-25

1.5 Ground threats

SA-10, SA-6, SA-8, MBT, BMP, AAA, MANPADS

Enemy radar-based SAMs are heavily degraded. One SA-6 is expected to be remaining in the AO along with possibly several SA-8. The SA-10 is located near Damascus and is not expected to be a factor unless straying to far north.

Avoid flying below 15,000 feet over hostile territory.

1.6 Friendly forces

Jordanian ground forces holding the line south of the border. Primary vehicles: Chieftain MBT, M-60 MBT, Marder IFV, Humvee, Gepard AA

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

No civilian traffic expected.

2 MISSION

Neutralize any remaining radar SAM threats in the area. Maintain air superiority over the AO. Attack any advancing enemy armored units in order to stop breakthroughs in the direction of King Hussein Airbase (KHAB). Attack logistical targets northwest of Tha’lah. Degrade enemy air defences in the AO. Recon enemy artillery activity and disrupt artillery C&C.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

SEAD Element (Indy) to attack remaining radar systems located in AO. CAP elements is to uphold CAP presence in the AO along a west-to-east axis and protect other elements in the package. Fixed wing ground attack elements (Hawg8) is to neutralize enemy mechanized elements conducting harassing attacks from the heights north of Ramtha. Fixed wing groundstrike elements to attack logistics sites. Rotor wing elements to stop any enemy armored breakthroughs along the contact line from penetrating south to KHAB. Recon element (Gremlin) will conduct reconnaissance for enemy artillery elements based north of the line of control and destroy command and control assets in the area.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains 2 packages, WOLFPACK and RAIDER. All fixed wing flights and rotor wing recon elements are part of package WOLFPACK. Rotor wing attack flights are part of RAIDER.

3.3 Order of events

1. Flights depart and proceed to assigned holding areas.

2. SEAD assets attack the remaining SA-6 and any encountered SA-8s in the AO assisted by CAP support and report FREEWAY when area cleared of SAM threats. Rotor-wing attack elements proceed to KHAB and stand ready to repel any advancing enemy armor.

3. CAP elements establish at CAP zones WEST, MID and EAST.

4. Fixed wing ground attack and ground strike elements elements proceed to assigned targets. Rotor wing recon elements proceed to target area.

5. RTB at 10:15 or on NIGHTFALL.

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 WOLFPACK (Lead: STINGRAY)

ARCTIC1
* Depart from carrier at 08:50
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* Protect Indy-9 during SEAD run
* Maintain CAP at position assigned by STINGRAY or remain as CAP reserve near HOLD
* Refuel at ARCO1 if needed.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD
2. CAP West
3. CAP MID
4. CAP EAST

CRIMSON3
* Depart from carrier at 08:52
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* Protect Indy-9 during SEAD run
* Maintain CAP at position assigned by STINGRAY or remain as CAP reserve near HOLD
* Refuel at ARCO1 if needed.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD
2. CAP West
3. CAP MID
4. CAP EAST

DUSTY4
* Depart from carrier at 08:54
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* Protect Indy-9 during SEAD run
* Maintain CAP at position assigned by STINGRAY or remain as CAP reserve near HOLD
* Refuel at ARCO1 if needed.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD
2. CAP West
3. CAP MID
4. CAP EAST

BENDER2
* Depart from carrier at 08:56
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* Protect Indy-9 during SEAD run
* Maintain CAP at position assigned by STINGRAY or remain as CAP reserve near HOLD
* Refuel at ARCO1 if needed.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD
2. CAP West
3. CAP MID
4. CAP EAST

INDY5
* Depart from Ramat David at 08:50.
* Proceed to WP1.
* Conduct SEAD sweep of the AO. Attack assigned SA-6 and engage any encountered SA-8s in the AO.
* Maintain at Hold to provide reserve CAP.
* Refuel at TEXACO2 if needed.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD
2. CAP West
3. CAP MID
4. CAP EAST
5. SA-6

HAWG8
* Depart from Ramat David at 08:55.
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* When FREEWAY is called search and engage targets in assigned target area.
* Return to Hold and standby in case assistance is required for defence of KHAB.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides.

Waypoints:
1. HOLD
2. Target area (NE of Ramtha)

GREMLIN8
* Depart from Megiddo at 08:15
* Hold at WP1 until FREEWAY is called.
* Recon for enemy artillery activity in search area. (WPX-X)
* Destroy any command and control assets found in the vicinity of enemy artillery formations.
* RTB after completion of recon sweep.

Loadout: 4X HOT3/IR deflector/Sand filter

Waypoints:
1. Hold
2. Ingress
3. Recon Box NW
3. Recon Box SW
3. Recon Box SE
3. Recon Box NE

FENRIS6
* Depart from Ramat David at 08:57.
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* When FREEWAY is called proceed to attack assigned targets.
* RTB when attack run is complete.

Loadout: FL decides.

Waypoints:
1. HOLD
2. Target area 1
2. Target area 2

*Note: Follow up attack runs on target areas is authorized if deemed necessary and considered practical by STINGRAY

Package RAIDER (Lead: RAGE91)

RAGE9
* Depart from Jarash FARP at 08:50
* Hold at King Hussein and standby to attack any advancing armored columns in the area south of the border.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. 1. Jarash FARP
2. KHAB
3. Defence Zone West (DZW)
4. Defence Zone Mid-West (DZMW)
5. Defence Zone Mid-East (DZME)
6. Defence Zone East (DZE)

ORCA9
* Depart from Jarash FARP at 08:52.
* Hold at King Hussein and standby to attack any advancing armored columns in the area south of the border.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: Vikhr, HEAT rockets

Waypoints:
1. 1. Jarash FARP
2. KHAB
3. Defence Zone West (DZW)
4. Defence Zone Mid-West (DZMW)
5. Defence Zone Mid-East (DZME)
6. Defence Zone East (DZE)

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 27
* Departure via Exit Hayim
* Approach via Entry Amos Lake
<!– Copy-paste friendly headers for flight taskings
ARCTIC1
BENDER2
CRIMSON3
DUSTY4
ELVIS5
FENRIS6
GRIM7
HAWG8
INDY9
JESTER1
KRAKEN2
LION3
MUSTANG6
NITRO5
RAGE9
SALTY1
ORCA6
PIG7
QUEBEC8
TUSK2
VENOM4 –>

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 275
* Departure time: 08:50
* Departure sequence: ARCTIC1, CRIMSON3, DUSTY4, MUSTANG6
* Charlie time: TBD

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 ARCTIC11
* Package WOLFPACK lead is STINGRAY
* Package RAIDER lead is RAGE91

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

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission
* FREEWAY – Enemy SAM threats in AO neutralized

5.7 Bullseye

TBD

6 ANNEXES

AO overview
FENRIS target areas
HAWG target area
RAIDER Line of Control