Operation Guardian Angel

CHANGELOG:
2024-05-27 13:30 3 EXECUTION

RSVP: 24 06 06 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, Air Interdiction, CAS, Escort, SEAD/DEAD
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, AJS 37, A-10C, AH-64, F-16C
Prerequisites: None

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

In 1992, the Swedish Foreign Minister is on a diplomatic mission in Syria to improve relations with the Syrian government. During a flight to a meeting in the capital, Damascus, his helicopter crashes under mysterious circumstances. Rumors suggest the helicopter was shot down by hostile forces. Rescue teams must quickly be deployed to protect the minister and any survivors until evacuation can be arranged. Due to the terrain and hostile presence, an air landing is impossible, and ground forces must drive to the area. A helicopter with medical personnel will be inserted to provide immediate first aid.

1.2 Area of operations

TBA

1.3 Time and weather

* June 06 – 1992
* Clear weather, good visibility but with the risk of fog in some areas.

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21 and MiG-29

1.5 Ground threats

Light and heavy vehicles, including anti-tank vehicles
Infantry, including hostile special forces
Possible anti-aircraft installations (e.g., SA-6 or ZSU-23-4 Shilka)

1.6 Friendly forces

Quick reaction forces in armored vehicles (e.g., Humvees, MRAPs, Bradley Fighting Vehicles)
Armored vehicles with heavy armament to counter enemy armor threats

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is still active in some parts of eastern Syria.

2 MISSION

Primary Objective:

Secure the crash site and defend against hostile forces.
Locate and protect the Secretary of State and any survivors.
Insert medical personnel to provide immediate first aid.
Secondary Objective:

Identify and eliminate hostile air and ground forces in the area to ensure the safety of the evacuation team.

3 EXECUTION

To execute the “Umbrella” mission with its various elements and units, careful coordinated planning and execution are required. Here is an overview of how each unit contributes to the mission and how they interact:

A-10C Warthog:

Role: Forward Air Controller (Airborne) [A-FAC] and Close Air Support (CAS).
Task: Identify and engage ground threats that could endanger the mission. The A-10C will lead CAS operations and give orders to other units based on the ground threat assessment.
Armament: GAU-8/A Avenger cannon, AGM-65 Maverick missiles, Mark 82/84 bombs, and other ground attack weapons.

F-16C:

Role: Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses (SEAD) and Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD).
Task: Neutralize and destroy enemy air defense installations to ensure safe passage for other units in the package. This includes the use of HARM missiles and other precision-guided weapons.
Armament: AGM-88 HARM, AGM-65 Maverick, GBU-10/12 Paveway, AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder.

AH-64D Apache:

Role: Secure the crash site and await orders from the A-FAC.
Task: Ensure the crash site is secure from enemy ground forces and defend the site until further orders are received from the A-FAC.
Armament: AGM-114 Hellfire missiles, Hydra 70 rockets, M230 Chain Gun.

AJS37 Viggen:

Role: Ready to strike targets that emerge during the operation, such as radar stations, to degrade the enemy’s ability to retaliate against the rescue operation.
Task: Engage emerging targets to reduce the enemy’s ability to counter the mission. This includes targeting radar installations and other strategic assets.
Armament: RB 75 (Maverick), RB 04/15 anti-ship missiles, BK 90 Mjölnir cluster bombs, and other ground attack munitions.

F/A-18C Hornet:

Role: Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and potential Air-to-Ground (A2G) support.
Task: Protect the package from enemy aircraft such as MiG-21 and MiG-23. If necessary and if enough aircraft are available, also provide A2G support based on orders from the A-FAC.
Armament: AIM-120 AMRAAM, AIM-9 Sidewinder, AGM-88 HARM, AGM-65 Maverick, GBU-10/12 Paveway, Mark 82/84 bombs.

3.2 Coordination and Execution

Communication: Continuous and effective communication between all units is crucial. The A-10C will act as the main coordinator on site, providing directives based on real-time information.
Timing: The success of the operation depends on all elements of the package performing their tasks at the right time. SEAD operations by the F-16C, for example, must be synchronized with the arrival of the A-10C and AH-64D at their respective targets.
Threat Assessment: The F/A-18C units must continuously monitor the airspace to identify and engage any air threats before they can threaten the other units.
Flexibility: All units must be prepared to adapt their roles based on the dynamic situation on the ground and in the air. This means being able to switch from primary to secondary tasks quickly and effectively.
By following these guidelines and ensuring close cooperation between all units, the “Umbrella” mission can be successfully executed.

3.3 Rules of engagement

We believe that the Syrian government wont do anything and that it is all talk. We do take it into consideration.
Be vigilant and do not press them too hard as the situation is tense.
ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Incirlik
* TCN:
* Active runway:

<!– 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
HITMAN3
CYLON5 –>

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE
* BRC:
* Departure time:
* Departure sequence:
* Charlie time:

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is
* Mission commander deputy is
* Package WOLFPACK lead is

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
* SMASH – Enemy CAP neutralized
* WALKOVER – SA-10 neutralized
* DIRTPILE – SCUD launchers destroyed
* TRASHCAN – Chemical plants destroyed

5.7 Bullseye

6 ANNEXES

Maps
Large size map of AO with all waypoints, tankers, carriers etc
Smaller maps of target areas with waypoints marked