Operation Mashed Potato

RSVP: 2025 17 07 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Recon in force
Theatre: Kola
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16C, AH-64D, OH-58D
Prerequisites: None

Some unknown mercenaries with a russian accent have occupied an area of about 30 x 30nm in northern Finland east of Ivalo. This mission focuses on recon in force to gain more intel about what we are dealing with.

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Some unknown mercenaries with a russian accent have occupied an area of about 30 x 30nm east of Ivalo. The initial force seems to have been infiltrated by parachutes and under the impression of being a tourist. Later on, heavy equipment must have passed the border from russia. Ongoing talks indicate the intention to protect the local russian speaking minority. Which is probably the worst excuse we’ve ever heard. We are sure that it is a test for NATOs article 5 and have warned the russians to not mess with our operations. Russia has denied any involvement on the group. We have declared a no-fly-zone over the area, but flying into russia is not allowed, neither are strikes / weapon employment on russian ground.
Fighters passing the border or acting aggressively will be shot down though. We still hope to resolve the problem by the use of excessive violence but without involving russia in it. Officially.
The mercenaries were stopped a few kilometers in front of Ivalo, which probably was the intented target of the operation. The enemy has employed air defenses that seem to be SA-11, but there is “everything you can find on any black market in rural Africa”. Probably even old-style Flak in terms of large caliber AAA.

Ivalo is under fire from rocket artillery from the northeast.

1.2 Area of operations

East of Ivalo, the area consists of forest.

1.3 Time and weather

* May 11 – 2025
* 01:00 local time
* Light Scattered (7500′-11500′)
* Wind 248 / 10
* 7 degrees Celsius
* FORCE QNH 2912

1.4 Air threats

MiG-29S, Su-27, MiG-31

Russian CAP in the area, but over russian soil. Probably no factor. Insurgents have no suitable helicopter base.

1.5 Ground threats

Yes. Unclear number of air defense units, most forces seem to consist of mechanized infantry.

1.6 Friendly forces

Some tank groups east and northeast of Ivalo. It’s not much, but it’s honest work.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Several houses, especially in the small settlement of NELLIM in the north of the area, near the road going into russia. Marked with a blue square in the map.

2 MISSION

Fixed Wing:

The Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) has decided to get in a few recce flights to get a clearer picture. Main push will be a few Vipers to look up air defenses from Banak and Kittilä. If we can get a few finnish hornets from Kittilä then attacking the most prominent air defense installations is a bonus.
The mercenaries seem to be able to access civilian radars, as they are pretty careful with their radars.
Use of any ordnance is cleared, no cluster munitions near civilian installations. Recommendation for loadout is HARM + some hard kill capacity like JSOW
Avoid any SAM systems until position is known. It is recommended to proceed along the front line.
Helicopters will be operating in the area along the road towards NELLIM to find artillery targeting IVALO. Be prepared to support with additional eyes or buddy lasing, if necessary.
Main focus is to locate as many AD units as possible, bonus if they get destroyed.

Helicopters:

Proceed along road R969 towards NELLIM. Important points are:
Own forces: 35 W NS 33256 22164
Last contact: 35 W NS 40730 27065
Artillery is most probably between
35 W NS 42818 28921
35 W NS 48193 34349
along road R969, as there is forest next to the road and little room for army operations or hideouts. All waypoints are along the road 969 between Ivalo and Nellim, so you basically follow that road.
Earlier engagements faced T-90s, BMPs and Infantry so expect some resistance along that road. If you need additional sensors, the SEAD recon package in the area can surely help out. Contact STINGRAY in that case.
If you can’t reach the artillery but manage to weed out enemy units then the mission will still be a success.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Locate as many air defenses as possible. Get an overall picture and if possible, locate the artillery.

3.2 Packages

No package management.

3.3 Order of events

Takeoff from Kittilä or Banak (Ivalo for Helicopters, if any), and then try to locate as many air defenses as possible. The use of weapons is authorized, just keep it outside of russia if possible. A hard lock from a fighter justifies the usage of air-to-air ordnance, also, just passing the border or aggressive maneuvering counts as hostile act and is seen as a “weapons free”.
The target zone will be divided in a northern and a southern part. Northern part is done by KRAKEN 2 and INDY 9 (around STPT 2), southern part is done by BENDER 2 and JESTER 1 (around STPT 4). The Vipers go in 10nm before the Hornets and try to locate any system with HTS, and the Hornets will attack any upcoming threat if possible, and look after smoke plumes. Any intel gathered will be collected after the mission by TGP pictures in the squad server.
Important notice: Call out any missile launches (Fox 1,2,3, Magnum) on CH3 before launching the missile to avoid triggering the helicopters missile warning system without prior notice.

Helicopters have their own planning, but will progress along road R969 towards NELLIM. If they should meet stiff resistance, requesting help from the SEAD / recon package is recommended.

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

Waypoints, fixed wing

* 1 Kittilä or Banak (Home Airfield)
* 2 NELLIM
* 3 RAJA-JOOSEPPI border post
* 4-8 Front line of troops for better visualization

Intention is to scout the area inside of waypoints 2-8.
Situation a few hours ago:

 

RAGE9 / BLACKJACK 4

Scout northeast of Ivalo.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Ivalo
2. Own forces near Keväjärvi
3. Last contact with enemy forces
4. Suspected artillery position
5. Nellim

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

 

<!– Copy-paste friendly headers for flight taskings
ARCTIC1
BENDER2
CRIMSON3
DUSTY4
ELVIS5
FENRIS6
GRIM7
HAWG8
INDY9
JESTER1
KRAKEN2
LION3
MUSTANG4
NITRO5
RAGE9
SALTY1
BLACKJACK4
ORCA6
PIG7
QUEBEC8
TUSK2
VENOM4
HITMAN3
GREYHOUND3 –>

4.2 Carrier operations

none

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 INDY 9
* Package WOLFPACK lead is to be announced

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.

Notice: Frequence flow depending on availability of AWACS.

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

* 

5.7 Bullseye

N 68 40.00′ E 27 35.00′

6 ANNEXES

 

Maps

Snippet from northern corner along road 969: