Operation Bull Run – Part 1: Groundwork

RSVP: 23 03 18 – 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, A-10C, AH-64, KA-50, Gazelle
Prerequisites: Basic aircraft knowledge

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

After a series of border provocations intel has confirmed that Syria will launch an invasion of Jordan in order to capture the Mafraq oil fields within the next 48 hours. The US and Israel has decided to intervene in order to assist Jordan, and a strategy of pre-emptive strikes in order to blunt the coming offensive has been chosen in order to give Jordanian army breathing room to reinforce. Several areas where the Syrian army is expected to be massing armored and mechanized units have been identified. Jordanian infiltration teams are working in the AO and further intel on staging areas may come in during the mission.

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
* 04:00 local time
* Overcast (13500′-20500′)
* Wind 320 / 4
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-23, MiG-29

The Syrian Air Force’s night operations capability is expected to be low. The most significant threat is expected from the ground.

1.5 Ground threats

SA-11, SA-10, SA-6, SA-8, MBT, BMP, AAA, MANPADS

Three SA-6 sites are confirmed in the AO. Presence of SA-8s is expected. Further air defence systems are expected to be enroute to the AO and may come online at any time. The SA-10 is located near Damascus and is not expected to be a factor unless straying to far north. An SA-11 is located near Khalkhala AFB and is not expected to be a factor unless straying too 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. No confliction with target areas.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

No civilian traffic expected.

2 MISSION

Degrade enemy air defences in the AO. Attack enemy ground forces, with priority of whittling down the enemy’s armor advantage. Disrupt logistical operations and southbound armor reinforcements.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

SEAD Elements (Indy and Arctic) shall attack enemy radars in the AO to suppress air defences. CAP elements (Crimson and Dusty primary) is to uphold CAP presence in the AO and protect other elements in the package. Fixed wing ground attack elements (Hawg8 and Bender) to neutralize enemy armor(MBTs priority) and other ground forces in assigned target areas. Rotor wing elements to attack forward deployed enemy units (Orca6) and disrupt logistical operations along the western enemy main supply route (Rage9). Recon element (Gremlin) will conduct reconnaissance for logistics and C&C assets in the enemy’s rear area.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains 1 package, callsign WOLFPACK. All flights are part of package WOLFPACK.

3.3 Order of events

1. Flights depart and proceed to assigned holding areas.

2. SEAD assets prosecute targets in the AO assisted by CAP support and report FREEWAY when area cleared of SAM threats.

3. After FREEWAY reported ground attack elements proceed with tasking, SEAD and CAP elements maintain presence at CAP WEST and CAP EAST to protect.

4. Fixed wing ground attack elements maintain hold at WP1 awaiting intel on further ground targets.

5. RTB at 05:30 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: ARCTIC11)

ARCTIC1
* Depart from carrier at 04:20
* Proceed to WP1.
* Conduct SEAD sweep of the AO along with Venom, engage assigned SA-6 sites.
* Maintain position south of CAP zones as reserve CAP element. CAP at CAP West and East when area cleared of SAM threats.
* Refuel at ARCO1 if needed.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: 2X Tank/4X AIM-120C/AGM-88/2X AIM9-X

Waypoints:
1. Ingress
2. CAP West
3. CAP East
4. SA-6 W
5. SA-6 E
6. SA-6 N
7. SA-11

VENOM4
* Depart from Ramat David at 04:22.
* Proceed to WP1.
* Coordinate with Arctic to weasel along the front to support SEAD, Attack any encountered SA-8s in the front area south of the SA-6s.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Ingress
2. South AO

CRIMSON3
* Depart from carrier at 04:22
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* CAP at CAP West and East when area cleared of SAM threats (FREEWAY is called).
* 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 East

DUSTY4
* Depart from carrier at 04:24
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* CAP at CAP West and East when area cleared of SAM threats (FREEWAY is called).
* 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 East

INDY5
* Depart from Ramat David at 04:20.
* Proceed to WP1.
* After FREEWAY is called, position south of CAP zones and stand ready to engage any pop-up SAM threats that comes online in the AO.
* 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 EAST
4. SA-6 W
5. SA-6 E
6. SA-6 N
7. SA-11

*Notes/Bonus objective: For upcoming missions it would be helpful to disable the Snowdrift radar at Khalkala. Proceed if able to take it out but keep minimum 1 HARM at readiness near the AO at all times. Consult with Stingray for timing of attack.

HAWG8
* Depart from Ramat David at 04:25.
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* When FREEWAY is called search and engage targets in assigned target areas.
* Return to Hold and standby in case of further target intel becomes available.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides. Flight may carry max 2 CBU-105, may not be used within 500 feet of civilian buildings.

Waypoints:
1. Hold
2. Tayyibah border post (target area 1)
3. Killbox west point (target area 2)
4. Killbox east point (target area 2)
*Notes: Search area within 4000 feet north of Killbox west/east (target area 2). Due to the cloud cover it may be necessary to keep part of the element below the clouds in the southern safe airspace and buddy lase.

BENDER5
* Depart from carrier at 04:28.
* Proceed to Hold at WP1.
* When FREEWAY is called search and engage enemy staging area located in or near the town Al Qurayya.
* Return to Hold and standby in case of further target intel becomes available.
* Refuel at ARCO1 if needed.
* RTB at assigned time or NIGHTFALL call from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides. Flight may carry max 2 CBU-105, may not be used within 500 feet of civilian buildings.

Waypoints:
1. Hold
2. Ingress
3. Al Qurayya
*Notes: Due to the cloud cover it may be necessary to keep part of the element below the clouds in the southern safe airspace and buddy lase.

RAGE9
* Depart from Megiddo at 04:20
* Follow the route through the canyon into the AO. Stay below 300 feet through the canyon. Beware of tight turns between WP2-3. Do not proceed past WP3 until FREEWAY is called.
* Attack logistical assets in the target area along the MSR, watch for convoys passing south.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Canyon entry
2. Canyon right turn
3. Canyon lake (Hold)
4. Canyon exit
5. MSR target area S
6. MSR target area N

ORCA6
* Depart from Jarash FARP at 04:25.
* Hold at King Hussein until FREEWAY is called.
* Engage targets located in the designated four target areas.

Loadout: Vikhr, Ilum rockets

Waypoints:
1. 1. Jarash FARP
2. King Hussein Airfield (Hold)
3. Target area 1
4. Target area 2
5. Target area 3
6. Target area 4
*Notes: You may rearm and refuel at King Hussein Airfield if needed. It is recommended to fire Ilum rockets in an upward arc from ca. 4 km for optimal effect.

GREMLIN8
* Depart from Megiddo at 04:20
* Follow the route through the canyon into the AO. Stay below 300 feet through the canyon. Beware of tight turns between WP2-3. Do not proceed past WP3 until FREEWAY is called.
* Recon Syrian army warehouses for enemy activity. (WP5-7)
* Recon for under-construction enemy CP and FARP. Record coordinates of other potential targets if able. (WP8-9)

Loadout: 4X HOT3/IR deflector/Sand filter

Waypoints:
1. Canyon entry
2. Canyon right turn
3. Canyon lake (Hold)
4. Canyon exit
5. Warehouse 1
6. Warehouse 2
7. Warehouse 3
8. Search Area N
9. Search Area S

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 33
* 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 3 Departure, CASE 1 Recovery
* BRC: 281
* Departure time: 04:20
* Departure sequence: ARCTIC, CRIMSON, DUSTY, BENDER
* 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 ARCTIC11

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

N 32°34.819′ E 36°21.046′

6 ANNEXES

AO overview
RAGE canyon route
ORCA target areas