Operation Midfield

RSVP:
16 June 2022 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity:
Mission – Air Interdiction, CAS, CAP, Escort
Version / Modules:
Open Beta, Syria, (Supercarrier), A-10C, AJS 37, AV-8B, F-14B, F-16C, F/A-18C
Prerequisites:
AAR, (CASE 3) (SID/STAR)

Lineup:
F/A-18C Air Interdiction
ARCTIC11 (400): Leka
ARCTIC12 (401): Finoli

F/A-18C Air Interdiction
BENDER21 (404): Bankler
BENDER22 (405): Bouncer

F/A-18C Air Interdiction
CRIMSON31 (410):
CRIMSON32 (411):

F/A-18C Air Interdiction
DUSTY41 (300):
DUSTY42 (301):

F/A-18C SEAD
KRAKEN21 (304): Giant
KRAKEN22 (305): WeX
KRAKEN23 (306): Paawman
KRAKEN24 (307):

F/A-18C CAP/Escort
LION31 (310):
LION32 (311):
LION33 (312):
LION34 (313):

F-14B CAP
ELVIS51 (100):
ELVIS52 (101):
ELVIS53 (102):
ELVIS54 (102):

AJS 37 Strike
FENRIS61: Urist
FENRIS62: Scaniax
FENRIS63: Ironsavior
FENRIS64:

AJS 37 Strike
GANDALF71:
GANDALF72:
GANDALF73:
GANDALF74:

A-10C Air Interdiction/CAS
HAWG81: JackFlash
HAWG82: BigSwede
HAWG83:
HAWG84:

A-10C Air Interdiction/CAS
PIG71: Baconbomb
PIG72:
PIG73:
PIG74:

F-16C CAP
INDY91: Shiggan
INDY92: Knugen
INDY93: Mags
INDY94: Ulvar

F-16C CAP
VENOM41: Qvintus
VENOM42: Moldy
VENOM43:
VENOM44:

F-16C Air Interdiction
JESTER11: Agaton
JESTER12: Sinan

AV-8B Air Interdiction
QUEBEC81: Troll
QUEBEC82: Moof

AWACS
STINGRAY: Apollo
STINGRAY: Bubin
STINGRAY:

JSTAR
REYNOLD: Johnny
REYNOLD:

FAC/JTAC
BANSHEE 01: Deadgun

Ramat David
Ground:
Tower: Apollo/Bubin
Control: Apollo/Bubin

CVN-72
Marshal: Johnny
Tower:
LSO:

Background:
This mission is inspired by the relatively undocumented and in part still classified Operation Midfield which occurred the night between March 30 and 31, 2003, over northeastern Kingdom of Jordan.

On March 29, 2003, Syrian tanks, armored personal carriers, and support vehicles crossed the Syrian southern border into the Al Mafraq province in northeast Jordan, with the intention to reclaim Al Mafraq and the eastern part of the Az Zarqa province. The reclaim is likely to be a consequence of rising nationalism following the Ba’athist Syria, which escalated Bashar al-Assad rise to power in 2000. Unconfirmed sources claim the Ba’ath Party’s rhetoric included Al Mafraq and Az Zarqa provinces appurtenance to historical Greater Syria and that the 1916 Sykes–Picot Agreement by the British and French governments basically robbed Syria of rightful territory, which was further established by the 1923/33 Paulet–Newcombe Agreement, and finally sealed with the British withdrawal from Jordan in 1946. The Syrian roll-in into northeast Jordan on March 29 was quote “merely the national state of Syria’s lawful right to do whatever we want within our coherent territory”.

That the breach was conducted in the second week of the Invasion of Iraq cannot be considered a coincidence. Operation Midfield is also known as the 2003 Al Mafraq incidence.

Situation:
Due to the intelligence pipeline, the last satellite imagery is 12 hours old and daytime. Current ground assets do report that a large convoy of Syrian armor and support vehicles is approaching the city of Safawi from the east. These reports are consistent with earlier satellite imagery and SIGINT in separate. Safawi with the important Safawi Interchange merging Al-Badiyah Highway 40 and Baghdad International Highway 10 at Safawi Interchange is the gateway to northwestern Jordan and the cities Azraq, Zarqa, Mafraq, Irbid, and most importantly Amman. Together with the H-5 Safawi Airport, this is a key strategic objective. Jordan forces have set up defensive measures during the evening and night but are to be considered inadequate to withhold a prolonged Syrian offensive. Intelligence also reports Syrian columns consisting of armor and support vehicles, including SAM and AAA units, moving east to west, towards Safawi, through the entire Al Mafraq province on primarily Highway 40.

Time and weather:
* 31 March 2003
* 0410 local time
* SCT 8/9 FEW 21
* Wind 268 / 4
* Altimeter 2994 / 1013

Package mission:
– Assist Jordan ground forces in defending the city of Safawi
– Interdict reinforcing Syrian ground forces traversing the Al Mafraq province
– Strike a Syrian command and control facility at At Tanf (target Agile)

Package:
Air Interdiction/CAS/Strike:
– ARCTIC1: Air Interdiction. Assigned kill box Alpha Two.
– BENDER2: Air Interdiction. Assigned kill box Alpha Three relief flight.
– CRIMSON3: Air Interdiction. Assigned kill box Alpha Two relief flight.
– DUSTY4: Air Interdiction. Assigned kill box Alpha Four relief flight.
– JESTER1: Air Interdiction. Kill box Alpha Four.
– QUEBEC8: Air Interdiction. Assigned kill box Three.
– HAWG8: Air Interdiction/CAS. Assigned kill box Alpha One.
– PIG7: Air Interdiction/CAS. Assigned kill box Alpha One.
– FENRIS6: Strike.
– GANDALF7: Strike.

SEAD:
– KRAKEN2: SEAD.

CAP:
– ELVIS5: CAP.
– INDY9: CAP.
– VENOM41: CAP.
– LION3: CAP/Escort.

Package kill box instructions:
The area of operation (Alpha) is divided into four kill boxes Alpha One through Four, west to east. Alpha One includes Safawi and is condition Purple. Alpha Two to Four are condition Blue.

General kill box operation:
– Kill box ceiling 20000’
– Kill box floor 5000’
– Base 4000′
– Altitudes will within a kill box be referenced with Base + Number. E.g. Adder11 reports an altitude of 12000′ with “Adder11 at Base plus 8000′”
– Permission required by Reynold (JSTAR) to enter a kill box
– All Air Interdiction/CAS flights enter Alpha via the Initial Point (IP Alpha) at 21-24000′
– Report to Reynold (JSTAR) when leaving a kill box
– All Air Interdiction/CAS flights exit Alpha via Exit Point (EP) at 25000′ or above
– Killbox entries and exit are to be conducted from above the kill box ceiling
– Reynold (JSTAR) will advise on targets, kill box status, for instance, if Open or Closed, and if Purple/Blue conditions changes

Remarks:
Reynold (JSTAR) can upon request approve air operations below kill box floor.

Specific Alpha One kill box operation:
– Alpha One is a Purple kill box with friendly forces within the kill box perimeter. In addition to general kill box operations the following kill box conditions/rules apply:
– Upon contacting Reynold (JSTAR) the flight will be relayed to Banshee 01 (FAC)
– Banshee 01 (FAC) will conduct CAS as FAC/JTAC
– All interdiction within the kill box requires clearance from Banshee 01 (FAC)

Remarks:
Banshee 01 (FAC) can upon request approve air operations below kill box floor.

Non-direct kill box operations:
– Target Agile (At Tanf) strike flights: Contact Stingray (AWACS) at point X. Stingray (AWACS) will relay the flight to Reynold (JSTAR). Note: kill box restrictions apply.
– SEAD flights: Contact Stingray (AWACS). If a target is identified within a kill box contact Reynold (JSTAR) for approval and deconfliction. Note: kill box restrictions apply.
– CAP/Escort flights: Contact Stingray (AWACS). Note: kill box restrictions apply.

General kill box procedure:
– Contact Stingray (AWACS) when approaching with a bullseye call
– Stingray (AWACS) will relay the flight to Reynold (JSTAR)
– Inform Reynold (JSTAR) with bullseye position and altitude, weapon load, and playtime for clearance to enter assigned killbox
– Continuously update Reynold (JSTAR) on shacked targets
– Advice Reynold (JSTAR) when intending to leave the kill box
– Reynold (JSTAR) will relay the flight to Stingray (AWACS)

Example:
“Stingray, Arctic11, two-ship Hornets, checking in, bullseye 200 for 40, angels 14 as fragged.”
“Stingray copy, Arctic11 authenticate Golf Alpha.”
“Arctic11 authenticates Romeo.”
“Stingray Radar Contact. Call me back when approaching Alpha.”
“Arctic11.”
“Stingray, Arctic11, angels 25, 30 miles out from Alpha.”
“Stingray copy, go button 10 for Reynold.”
“Arctic11, button 10.”
“Reynold, Arctic11, two ship Hornets, angels 25, 28 miles west of Alpha.”
“Reynold copy, state weapons and playtime.”
“Arctic11, 4 times laser guided mavericks, 4 times laser guided 1000lbs bombs, playtime 45 minutes.”
“Reynold copy, proceed Alpha Two via IP Alpha at base plus 17, cleared to enter as fragged, advice shacks.”
“Arctic11 cleared to enter Alpha Two, will update on progress.”

“Reynold, Arctic11, shack one tank.”
“Reynold copy.”

“Arctic11, Reynold, say altitude and playtime.”
“Arctic11, base plus 8000 feet, 10 minutes.
“Reynold copy all.”

“Reynold, Arctic11 leaving Alpha Two as fragged for the tanker. Ready for BDA?”
“Go for Reynold.”
“Artic11, 2 times tanks, 1 times APC, 2 times trucks.”
“Reynold copy all, be advised Dusty4 inbound Alpha Two, go button 3 for Stingray.”
“Artic11.”

Mission order of events overview:
1) Suppress known enemy air defenses
2) Establish air superiority/CAP/SEAD cover
3) Strike/Interdict ground targets
4) RTB

Mission timeline:
TBU.

Mission intel:
* Bullseye: WP1, N 32° 21′ 22″ E 36° 15′ 28″ / N 32° 21.370″ E 36° 15.636
* Air threats: MiG-21, MiG-29
* Ground threats: SA-2, SA-3, SA-6, ZSU-23-4, MANPADS
* Joker: 7000 lbs
* Bingo: 5000 lbs
* RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
* Abort mission code: NIGHTFALL

Mission airborne support assets:
Command and control:
* AWACS, E-3
* JSTAR, E-8C (simulated by an E-3 + GM F10)

Tanker track Lima (boom):
* TEXACO2, KC-135 at 16.000′, TCN 102X, Ch 20
* TEXACO4, KC-135 at 14.000′, TCN 104X , Ch 11

Tanker track November (probe and drogue):
* ARCO1, KC-135MPRS at 18.000′, TCN 101X, Ch 14
* ARCO5, KC-135MPRS at 20.000′, TCN 105X, Ch 12

CVN-72 recovery tanker:
* SHELL3, KC-135MPRS at 8.000′, TCN 103X, Ch 19

Mission ground support assets:
Banshee 01 is a USAF Combat Controller team attached to an Army Special Forces A-team operating in Safawi, Jordan.
Ch 17 267.00

Mission ROE:
– Weapons free on aircraft declared hostile by AWACS
– Weapons free on all enemy air defenses
– Weapons free on strike targets
– Weapons free in Alpha Two to Four in accordance with procedures
– Weapons delivery in Alpha One in accordance with FAC/JTAC instructions

Carrier:
* CVN-72 USS Abraham Lincoln
* TCN: 72X
* ICLS: 1
* BRC: 264
* FB: 255
* Departure radial: 040
* CASE 3 departure and recovery
* Hornet Tank: 2000
* Tomcat Tank: 2000
* Minimum Fuel: T + 2**
* Charlie time as per Marshal instructions
* All aircraft expected to check in for recovery 06:30-06:40
* Marshal Ch 16 261.00
* Approach A/LSO Ch 15 263.00
* Tower Ch 1 305.00

**During Case 1, every go-around is estimated to 500 lbs, and for T + 2 you need to carry fuel for 2 go-arounds. This means that when showing up in the groove for the first time, you need to have 3000 lbs. After 2 go-arounds, you’d need to hit the tanker.
**During Case 3, every go-around is estimated to 1000 lbs, and for T + 2 you need to carry fuel for 2 go-arounds. This means that when showing up in the groove for the first time, you need to have 4000 lbs. After 2 go-arounds, you’d need to hit the tanker.

Ramat David:
* TCN 84X
* Plan for SID Rwy 27 SHOMRON via SARGEL
* Plan for STAR Rwy 33, expect entry BRAVO

Common Comms: (See separate AJS 37 presets below)
* Ch 1 Carrier Tower: 305.00
* Ch 2 Carrier Tower (AI): 264.00
* Ch 3 Package: 265.00
* Ch 4 Carrier Red Crown: 256.00
* Ch 5 CAP A: 254.00
* Ch 6 Ground: 250.00
* Ch 7 Tower: 270.00
* Ch 8 Control: 257.00
* Ch 9 AWACS Check In: 255.00
* Ch 10 JSTAR: 262.00
* Ch 11 Air Force Sec Tanker: 259.00
* Ch 12 Navy Sec Tanker: 268.00
* Ch 13 Mission Specific: 269.00
* Ch 14 Navy Main Tanker (AI): 260.00
* Ch 15 Carrier Approach A: 263.00
* Ch 16 Carrier Marshal: 261.00
* Ch 17 Banshee 01 (FAC/JTaC): 267.00
* Ch 18 AWACS (AI): 251.00
* Ch 19 Carrier Overhead Tankers (AI): 253.00
* Ch 20 Air Force Main Tanker (AI): 266.00

AJS 37:
* (Manual) Ground: 250.00
* S1 Tower: 270.00
* S2 Control: 257.00
* S3 Package: 265.00
* E AWACS Check In: 255.00
* F Mission Specific: 259.00
* G Mission Specific: 268.00
* H Guard: 243.00

CombatFlite file:

Detailed Taskings:

ARCTIC1
Tasking: Air Interdiction
T/O time: 0434 after Kraken2
TOT: 0515
TOS: 30 minutes
Loadout: AIM-9M, AGM-65E, XT, AIM-120C, XT, ATFLIR, 2x GBU-12, AGM-65E, AIM-9M.

Planning:
– Go direct Alpha Two via IP Alpha as fragged (see section for Package Kill Box Instructions)
– After TOS go November and standby

Target description:
– Air interdiction on Syrian tanks, IFVs, other military trucks, and vehicles.

WP1 BE
WP2 IP Alpha
WP3-7 Alpha One
WP8-12 Alpha Two
WP13-17 Alpha Three
WP18-22 Alpha Four

BENDER2
Tasking: Air Interdiction
T/O time: 0438, after Arctic1
TOT: 0535
TOS: 25 minutes
Loadout: AIM-9M, AGM-65E, XT, AIM-120C, XT, ATFLIR, 2x GBU-12, AGM-65E, AIM-9M.

Planning
– Go direct November and refuel
– Hold November and await TOT
– Go Alpha Three via IP Alpha as fragged (see section for Package Kill Box Instructions) to relieve Quebec8

Target description:
– Air interdiction on Syrian tanks, IFVs, other military trucks, and vehicles.

WP1 BE
WP2 IP Alpha
WP3-7 Alpha One
WP8-12 Alpha Two
WP13-17 Alpha Three
WP18-22 Alpha Four

CRIMSON3
N/A

DUSTY4
N/A

ELVIS5
N/A

FENRIS6
T/O time: 0445
TOT: 0515
TOS: N/A
Loadout: FL:s discretion

Planning
– Go direct Target Agile

Target description:
– Primary: two comms towers
– Secondary: power supply installations
– Tertiary: SA-10 units, two helicopter pads

WP1 Ramat David
WP2-3 Alpha kill boxes north boundary
WP4 Target Agile main compound
WP5 Target Agile power supply installation
WP6 BE

GANDALF7
N/A

HAWG8
Tasking: CAS/Air Interdiction
T/O time: 0424
TOT: 0515
TOS: 45 minutes
Loadout: FL:s discretion (advised to take Banshee 01 AIRREQ and ATM into consideration)

Planning
– Go direct Alpha One via IP Alpha as fragged (see section for Package Kill Box Instructions with special emphasis on Specific Alpha One kill box operation)
– Efter TOS go Lima and standby

Target description:
– CAS/Air interdiction on Syrian tanks, IFVs, other military trucks, and vehicles.

WP1 BE
WP2 IP Alpha/IP Vader
WP3-7 Alpha One
WP8-12 Alpha Two
WP13-17 Alpha Three
WP18-22 Alpha Four

PIG7
Tasking: CAS/Air Interdiction
T/O time: 0426
TOT: 0520
TOS: 45 minutes
Loadout: FL:s discretion (advised to take Banshee 01 AIRREQ and ATM into consideration)

Tasking:
– Go direct Alpha One via IP Alpha as fragged (see section for Package Kill Box Instructions with special emphasis on Specific Alpha One kill box operation)
– After TOS go Lima and standby

Target description:
– CAS/Air interdiction on Syrian tanks, IFVs, other military trucks, and vehicles.

WP1 BE
WP2 IP Alpha/IP Vader
WP3-7 Alpha One
WP8-12 Alpha Two
WP13-17 Alpha Three
WP18-22 Alpha Four

QUEBEC8
Tasking: Air Interdiction
T/O time: 0438
TOT: 0510
TOS: 25 minutes
Loadout: FL:s discretion, though recommended AIM-9M, 2x Mk-82, XT, TPOD, XT, AGM-65G, AIM-9M.

Planning:
– Go direct Alpha Three via IP Alpha as fragged (see section for Package Kill Box Instructions)
– After TOS go November and standby

Target description:
– Air interdiction on Syrian tanks, IFVs, other military trucks, and vehicles.

WP1 BE
WP2 IP Alpha
WP3-7 Alpha One
WP8-12 Alpha Two
WP13-17 Alpha Three
WP18-22 Alpha Four

JESTER1
Tasking: Air Interdiction
T/O time: 0428
TOT: 0515
TOS: 30 minutes
Loadout: 2x XT, 2x Mavericks, 2x GBU-12, additional weapons at flight lead’s discretion.

Tasking:
– Go direct Alpha Four via IP Alpha as fragged (see section for Package Kill Box Instructions)
– After TOS go November and standby

Target description:
– Air interdiction on Syrian tanks, IFVs, other military trucks, and vehicles.

WP1 BE
WP2 IP Alpha
WP3-7 Alpha One
WP8-12 Alpha Two
WP13-17 Alpha Three
WP18-22 Alpha Four
WP23 Home Plate

INDY9
Tasking: CAP
T/O time: 0432
TOT: 0500
TOS: 70 minutes
Loadout: FL:s discretion

Planning:
– (Top off at Lima)
– Go direct to the assigned Area of Operation as fragged
– Setup CAP

Remarks:
– Consider splitting up the flights into elements to maintain TOS capability

WP1 BE
WP2-3 Alpha kill boxes north boundary
WP4 CAP East
WP5 CAP West
WP6 Home Plate

VENOM4
Tasking: CAP
T/O time: 0436
TOT: 0500
TOS: 70 minutes
Loadout: FL:s discretion

Planning:
– (Top off at Lima)
– Go direct to the assigned Area of Operation as fragged
– Setup CAP

WP1 BE
WP2-3 Alpha kill boxes north boundary
WP4 CAP East
WP5 CAP West
WP6 Home Plate

KRAKEN2
Tasking: SEAD
T/O time: 0430
TOT: 0500
TOS: 70 minutes
Loadout: AIM-9M, AGM-88C, XT, AIM-120C, XT, AIM-120C, AGM-88C, AGM-88C, AIM-9M.

Tasking:
– Go direct to the assigned Area of Operation as fragged
– Suppress known SAM threats
– Patrol Alpha to suppress emerging SAM threats

Remarks:
– Consider splitting up the flights into elements to maintain TOS capability

Target description:
– SA-2, SA-3, SA-6

WP1 BE
WP2 SA-2
WP3 SA-6
WP4 SA-6
WP5-6 Alpha kill boxes north boundary

LION3
Tasking: Escort/CAP
T/O time: (0434, after Kraken2)
TOT: 0500
TOS: 70 minutes
Loadout: AIM-9M, 2x AIM-120C, XT, AIM-120C, XT, ATFLIR, XT, 2x AIM-120C, AIM-9M.

Planning:
– Join up with Kraken2 as fragged
– Escort Kraken2 to the Area of Operation
– CAP

WP1 BE
WP2
WP3
WP4

A. Tactical table:

B. Tactical map:

C. Alpha One. Orientation; Safawi, Al-Badiyah Highway 40, Baghdad International Highway 10, and Al-Badiyah Highway 40/Baghdad International Highway 10 Interchange (west of Sawafi):

D. Alpha Two. Orientation: Pond (left), Kink (right, road bend):

E. Alpha Three. Orientation; Ruwaished, Suburb (west of Ruwaished), Village (west of Suburb), H-4 Airfield (north of Ruwaished). Lake 3 nm north of H-4:

F. Alpha Four. Orientation; Village (west in kill box):

G. Alpha Four (cont.). Border station (east in kill box):

H. Target Agile. Drone footage of Target Agile showing two comms towers, a power installation, a what is believed non-operational SA-10 site and helicopter pads:

I. Ramat David SID/STAR: