Operation Shieldbreaker

RSVP: YY MM DD – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Organizer: BigSwede
Activity: Mission – CAP, Escort, SEAD, Ground-attack, BAI
Theatre: Persian Gulf
Modules: F/A-18, F-16, A-10C II, AJS37, AH-64-D, OH-58D
Prerequisites: F/A-18 Case 3, other none prerequisites

Upcoming mission this date

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Syria has threatened to conduct SCUD attacks with chemical weapons against civilian towns. NATO has decided to conduct a preemptive strike against SCUD locations and chemical weapons facilities.

1.2 Area of operations

W and NW of DAMASCUS (SYRIA) in MGRS zones YC-YB and BT-BS. The ground is mostly flat desert.

1.3 Time and weather

* July 21 – 2025
* 06:00 local time
* Scattered (7500′-11500′)
* Wind (Bearing / kts)
– GND: from 2 / 9
– 1600ft: from 2 / 19
– 6600ft: from 93 / 4
– 24000ft: from 157 / 6
* Temp: +21°C
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-25, MiG-29

MiG-21s, MiG-25s and occasional MIG-29s have been reported. Expect main threat from closest enemy air bases, located SE and N of DAMASCUS. Intel estimates that the Syrian Air Force will have routine CAP over target area and can launch 4-8 fighters in short succession from bases close to DAMASCUS. Additional fighters can reinforce from other bases after a timespan of 30 mins from first engagements.

1.5 Ground threats

BMP-2, ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS, SA-13, SA-6, SA-10

SCUD launchers escorted by BMP-2 platoons, protected by Shilkas, MANPADS and SA-13s. SCUD units are reported to be static in marked target areas but as they are mobile they can quickly redeploy and possible course of action is that once SCUD locations are engaged they will start to relocate.

The Chemical plant is protected by one SA-6, ZU-23s and MANPADS.

SA-10 located 100 nm E of DAMASCUS with coverage reaching to SAYQAL.

1.6 Friendly forces

N/A, we are the only blue forces in the AO.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

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

2 MISSION

The Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) will conduct air strikes to destroy SCUD locations and chemical plant facilities in order to deny Syrian forces SCUD capability with chemical weapons. A mission success would reduce Syria’s means of threatening its own population as well as neighboring countries.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Destroy all SCUD launchers and the two chemical plants located in the AO.

3.2 Packages

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

3.3 Order of events

This operation is divided into four phases which will be conducted chronologically: Destruction of enemy CAP, SEAD, strikes on SCUD and chemical plant, RTB.

1. F-14s will neutralize enemy CAP over Damascus, then report SMASH and remain on station. F/A-18s, A-10s and AH-64s will hold at pre-briefed locations until SMASH has been reported.

2. F/A-18s push and destroy the enemy SA-10 EAST of Damascus, then report WALKOVER. Once complete they hit the tankers and prepare to assist F-14s with CAP.

3. A-10s, AJS 37s and AH-64s engage their respective targets, then report DIRTPILE and TRASHCAN respectively.

4. A-10s, AJS 37s and AH-64s RTB no later than 15:45. With the A/G elements out of the AO, the F-14 and F/A-18 RTB no later than 15:50.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS
Addition: Weapons free on all enemy SCUD installations unless they are moving into built up areas.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package WOLFPACK (Lead: ARCTIC11)

ARCTIC1
* Depart
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 25000’
* Push on SMASH
* Destroy SA-10 EAST of Damascus (report WALKOVER on success)
* Refuel at ARCO1 or ARCO5
* Report in to STINGRAY and standby for CAP tasking
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (SEAD and A/A)

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. SA-10 Target

ELVIS5
* Depart
* Go to CAP track (WP1 and WP2)
* Neutralize enemy CAP over Damascus
* Remain on station until ordered to RTB by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP E

FENRIS6
* Depart 08:30
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 9000’
* Push on SMASH
* Destroy target DELTA. Report TRASHCAN if successful.
* RTB

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. Ingress (bridge)
3. Ingress (bridge)
4. Target DELTA

HAWG8
* Depart 08:32
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 15000’
* Push on SMASH. Coordinate engagements with RAGE9
* Destroy target CHARLIE, prepared to destroy ALPHA and BRAVO if needed. Report DIRTPILE (ALPHA/BRAVO/CHARLIE) for each target destroyed.
* RTB

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. Target ALPHA
3. Target BRAVO
4. Target CHARLIE

RAGE9
Depart 08:34
Stay under 500 feet after WP3
Coordinate engagements with HAWG8
Destroy targets ALPHA and BRAVO, prepared to destroy CHARLIE if needed. Report DIRTPILE (ALPHA/BRAVO/CHARLIE) for each target destroyed.
RTB

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Ingress
2. Ingress
3. Ingress
4. Target ALPHA
5. Target BRAVO
6. Target CHARLIE

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
MUSTANG4
NITRO5
RAGE9
SALTY1
BLACKJACK4
ORCA6
PIG7
QUEBEC8
TUSK2
VENOM4
HITMAN3
GREYHOUND3 –>

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 3
* BRC: 028
* Departure time: 02:30
* Departure sequence: PL Decide
* Marshal time: 04:30

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

5.7 Bullseye

N 42 15.00′ E 42 03.00′

6 ANNEXES

Target Alpha (SCUD 1)
Target Bravo (SCUD 2)
Target Charlie (SCUD 3)
Target Delta (Chemical plant)

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