This event has passed.

Operation Weather Man

Name: Operation Weather Man
Start: 2022-03-24T19:30:00+01:00
End: 2022-03-24T22:30:00+01:00
Location: Persian Gulf

2022-03-24 @ 19:30 - 22:30

RSVP:
24 mars 2022 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity:
Mission – Strike, Escort, CAP, FAC
Version / Modules:
Open Beta, Persian Gulf
US/Sweden: F-16C, F/A-18C, AJS37
Redfor: Mi-8 and getaway drivers (limited slots, consult with Lillfilly and Johnny first)
Prerequisites:
Old foxes and rookies welcome alike! Good knowledge of the aircraft systems, formation flying, AAR, night ops.

Lineup:
F/A-18C Strike/CAP
ARCTIC11 (400): Jasnisse (THOR Leader) (Mission Commander)
ARCTIC12 (401): Merman
ARCTIC13 (402): Bankler
ARCTIC14 (403):

F/A-18C Strike
BENDER21 (404): JackFlesh
BENDER22 (405): Leka
BENDER23 (406):
BENDER24 (407):

F/A-18C Strike
CRIMSON31 (410): Apollo
CRIMSON32 (411): Kirreen
CRIMSON33 (412):
CRIMSON34 (413):

F/A-18C Strike
DUSTY41 (300): WeX
DUSTY42 (301): Pling
DUSTY43 (302):
DUSTY44 (303):

AJS 37 Strike
FENRIS61: Goofy (VALKYRIE Leader)
FENRIS62: G_stall
FENRIS63: Puppysworth
FENRIS64:

AJS 37 Strike
GRIM71: Urist
GRIM72: Northghost
GRIM73: Matz (Lawndart)
GRIM74: Glaucus

F-16C Escort, CAP
INDY91: Mags (SKADI Leader)
INDY92: Justin Case
INDY93:
INDY94:

F-16C Escort, CAP
JESTER11: Agaton
JESTER12: Moldy
JESTER13:
JESTER14:

AWACS
SUPERCELL: Lillfilly
SUPERCELL: Bubin

FAC
FLASH 05: DeadGun_SWE
STROKE 06: Baconbomb

Khasab Provisional Air Base
Tower: Lillfilly/Bubin
Approach: Bubin

CVN-72
Marshal: Johnny
Approach:
Tower/LSO:

Background:
US intelligence has for several years monitored an emerging threat to world stability. The threat consists of several anti-democratic movements and ideologies which have throughout the years evolved from a loose gathering to what should be considered a formal organization. The purpose is believed to target the democratic world community to create distrust, disrupt social, financial, and power structures to create chaos, and eventually to establish a new world order. This organization has been codenamed BACKYARD.

Now, intelligence has with 90% probability, identified a planned meeting that will for the first time include the inner circle in its entity. Some of the key people pin-pointed to participate in the meeting are:

Hamad bin Rakabash – BACKYARD leader. Little intelligence is available on this figure, with no photographs available whatsoever.

Oman West – Congolese gun-for-hire with a particular distaste for the Western society.

Chap Harrisburg – American businessman who made a fortune from acquiring half-empty toilet rolls from exclusive hotels and restaurants for cheap, to re-sell these rolls for ridiculous profits to hotels and restaurants with less luxurious profiles, as well as public institutions. Case agents are however puzzled with Chap Harrisburg’s association with BACKYARD since no records of earlier radical extremism, or aggression in general, can be proven. What is proven, and also even more puzzling, is Chap Harrisburg many and generous financial donations to international charity.

Bartholomeus Persson – once a prominent figure with the Swedish political party Sverigediktatorerna (Eng. Swedish Dictators Party) and later banned for advocating a too authoritarian ideology, Bartholomeus Persson is identified as co-founder of BACKYARD.

Hanz-Jürgen von Ravensbürger – former German television soap opera star from a wealthy automaker family reknown for spending his astronomous inheritance on mostly trivial stuff in an extraordinarily short amount of time, before converting into radical environmentalism.

The meeting location has been tracked down to an enclosed compound in a suburb northeast of Kerman, Iran.

Situation:
The upcoming meeting presents a golden opportunity to disable the BACKYARD core leadership. Hence, a joint Air Force-Navy-Marine mission has been planned using air assets in the Persian Gulf and Rammstein Air Force base.

The mission will be conducted in Iranian airspace, without any prior notice to Iranian officials to not compromise mission integrity. To maximize the possibility to achieve mission success, the rules of engagement are very aggressive, and Iranian air forces should be considered hostile. This will constitute a major risk of severe political implications, which is tolerated for the higher cause of a successful mission. Anyhow, the plan includes a phone call by top ranking American officials to their Iranian counterparts just after the strike, to clarify the mission’s objective, present the good news of objectives completed, excuse and offer compensation for any inflicted damage, and ask for the package’s safe return, as well ask permission to send in tankers at high altitude into Iranian airspace.

Time and weather:
* 7 April 2021
* 2330 local time
* METAR FEW/SCT 13/14
* Wind 130 for 4 kts
* Full Moon
* CASE 3 conditions
* FORCE QNH 2991 / 1013

Package mission:
Package call sign: BLIZZARD

BLIZZARD leader: ARCTIC11 callsign THOR Leader

Main mission objective: Strike RAGNAROK to eliminate BACKYARD core leadership.

Details: BACKYARD core leadership is expected to arrive RAGNAROK in SUVs and/or by helicopter just prior to the strike. The same vehicles should also be considered means of escape if the mission becomes compromised. The strike package will at low altitudeenter and traverse Iranian through by SAM uncontested airspace, making up a corridor with codename CUMULUS. During the flight, the package will refuel from Special Operation Aerial Refueling tankers THUNDER 01 (AF), THUNDER 02 (AF), LIGHTNING 03 (Navy), and LIGHTNING 04 (Navy) inside CUMULUS, at approximately 500 ft AGL, before continuing north through CUMULUS towards RAGNAROK.

Organization: The strike package is organized into two main components; SKADI (INDY9, JESTER1) for escort/CAP and THOR (ARCTIC1, BENDER2, CRIMSON3, DUSTY4) for strike. Two Navy SEAL ground elements with attached Air Force Combat Controllers, FLASH 05 and STROKE 06 respectively, have already been inserted in close vicinity to RAGNAROK. FLASH 05 and STROKE 06 will lead strike flights on target with laser designators, and standby to lead strikes on possible runaways.

Remarks: It is desirable to keep Chap Harrisburg alive to mitigate intra-US complications. Chap Harrisburg, known for his taste in exotic cars, is expected to arrive at the meeting in a sedan manufactured by European luxury automaker Skoda, not in a 4×4 SUV.

SKADI Component (INDY9, JESTER1)
– Escort THOR
– Setup CAP west of RAGNAROK

THOR Component (ARCTIC1, BENDER2, CRIMSON3, DUSTY4)
– Strike RAGNAROK
– Attack any contingent escapees

FLASH 05 (FAC lead element) and STROKE 06
– Lead FAC operations (FLASH 05)
– Direct the attack on target RAGNAROK (FLASH 05)
– Acquire, identify, and direct attacks on contingent escapees west of RAGNAROK (FLASH 05)
– Acquire, identify, and direct attacks on contingent escapees east of RAGNAROK, or as instructed by FLASH 05 (STROKE 06)
– Report effect on targets to THOR Leader (FLASH 05)

Order of events overview:
1) SKADI departs Khasab Provisional AB
2) THOR departs CVN-72
3) SKADI and THOR rendezvous northeast of CVN-72
4) SKADI and THOR enter CUMULUS at 500′ AGL or below
5) SKADI and THOR rendezvous with THUNDER 01, THUNDER 02, LIGHTNING 03, and LIGHTNING 04 in North Bassin for low-level refueling
6) SKADI and THOR proceed through CUMULUS
7) THOR strikes RAGNAROK with FAC from FLASH 05 and STROKE 06, while SKADI setup CAP west of RAGNAROK
8) SKADI and THOR egress south
9) SKADI and THOR rendezvous with THUNDER 01, THUNDER 02, LIGHTNING 03, and LIGHTNING 04 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10) RTB

Intel:
* Bullseye: WP1 – N 30 16.512 E 57 3.566
* Air threats: F-14B, M2000, MiG-29, F-5E. Iran lost AWACS capability in 2009, expect reduced GCI capabilities.
* Ground threats: AAA, Manpads
* Joker: 7000 lbs
* Bingo: 5000 lbs
* RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
* Abort mission code: NIGHTFALL

Carrier:
* CVN-72 USS Abraham Lincoln
* TCN: 72X
* ICLS: 1
* BRC: 125
* FB: 116
* CASE 3 departure and recovery
* Departure Radial: 350
* Kilo Altitude: 10000′
* Minimum Fuel when entering marshal stack: 5500 lbs
* Charlie Time: As instructed
* All aircraft expected to check in for recovery 02:30-02:40

Khesab Provisional AB (KSB)
TCN 84X
ILS 110.3

RWY 01 DEPARTURE via JADI or GHABI
* Initial Climb: Climb straight ahead rwy heading, at KSB 2.0 DME left turn along KSB 3.0 DME arc, maintain 4000′
* Routing, SID, JADI: Turn right intercept and follow KSB R-254 via JADI KSB 254/4.5, maintain 4000′
* Routing, SID, GHABI: Turn right intercept and follow KSB R-331 via GHABI KSB 331/4, maintain 4000′

RWY 01 DEPARTURE via GHASSAH
* Initial Climb: Climb straight ahead rwy heading, at KSB 2.0 right turn along KSB 3.0 arc, maintain 4000′
* Routing, SID, GHASSAH: Turn right intercept and follow KSB R-044 via GHASSAH KSB 044/5.5, maintain 4000′

RWY 19 ARRIVAL
* Final APCH CRS 194
* FAF 6.0 KSB 1800′
* KSB TAC DME alt 1800′ THR RWY 19 5.7
* Straight in landing RWY 19
* 14 DME ARC at 7000′
* Alpha KSB 220/14 (115/295 8000′-10000′)
* Bravo KSB 114/14 (015/195 8000′-10000′)
* Charlie KSB 30/14 (115/295 8000′)

Expect routing in bold.

Departures:
* ARCTIC1: 23:45
* BENDER2: 23:49
* CRIMSON3: 23:51
* DUSTY4: 23:53
* INDY9: 23:50
* JESTER1: 23:52
* FENRIS6: 23:54
* GRIM7: 23:56

Loadout:
* ARCTIC1: 2x XT, ATFLIR, 1x GBU-16, 3x AIM-120X, 2x AIM-9X
* BENDER2: 2x XT, ATFLIR, 1x GBU-12, 1x AGM-65E, 1x 120X, 2x 9X
* CRIMSON3: 2x XT, ATFLIR, 1x GBU-12, 1x AGM-65E, 1x 120X, 2x 9X
* DUSTY4: 2x XT, ATFLIR, 1x GBU-12, 1x AGM-65E, 1x 120X, 2x 9X
* INDY9: 2x XT, TGP, 5 x 120C, 1 x 9X
* JESTER1: 2x XT, TGP, 5 x 120C, 1 x 9X

ROE:
* Weapons free on bandits
* Weapons free on aircraft declared hostile
* Weapons free on RAGNAROK when cleared hot
* Weapons free on designated ground targets when cleared hot

Remarks: CAP should be applied very aggressively with a minimum of restrictions. SUPERCELL basically has to identify boogies as bandits, in plain English – make sure it’s not a civilian or blue aircraft, for hostile declaration, and for CAP to commit to threatening maneuvers or to engage.

Common Comms:
* Ch 1 Carrier Tower: 305.00
* Ch 2 Carrier Tower (AI): 264.00
* Ch 3 Package (also check-in for all flights): 265.00
* Ch 4 Carrier Red Crown: 256.00
* Ch 5 CAP A: 254.00
* ~~Ch 6 KSB Ground: 250.00~~ Ground is handled on Ch 7 KSB TWR
* Ch 7 KSB Tower: 270.00
* Ch 8 KSB Approach: 257.00
* Ch 9 FLASH 05: 255.00
* Ch 10 STROKE 06: 262.00
* Ch 11 THUNDER 02 (Air Force Sec. Tanker) (AI): 259.00
* Ch 12 LIGHTNING 04 (Navy Sec. Tanker) (AI): 268.00
* Ch 13 Mission Specific: 269.00
* Ch 14 LIGHTNING 03 (Navy Main Tanker) (AI): 260.00
* Ch 15 Carrier Approach A: 263.00
* Ch 16 Carrier Marshal: 261.00
* Ch 17 Carrier Approach B: 267.00
* Ch 18 AWACS (AI): 251.00
* Ch 19 Carrier Overhead Tankers (AI): 253.00
* Ch 20 THUNDER 01 (Air Force Main Tanker) (AI): 266.00

TCN:
* UNION – 72X – CVN-72 USS Abraham Lincoln
* KHASAB PROVISONAL AIR BASE – 84X
* THUNDER 01 (TEXACO2) – 102X – KC-135 at 500′ AGL (ingress) and 16000′ MSL (egress)
* THUNDER 02 (TEXACO4) – 104X – KC-135 at 500′ AGL (ingress) and 14000′ MSL (egress)
* LIGHTNING 03 (ARCO1) – 101X – KC-135MPRS at 500′ AGL (ingress) and 18000′ MSL (egress)
* LIGHTNING 04 (ARCO5) – 105X – KC-135MPRS at 500′ AGL (ingress) and 20000′ MSL (egress)
* SHELL3 – 103X – KC-135MPRS at 8000′ MSL

CombatFlite file:

Detailed Taskings:

ARCTIC1
1. Depart Union as fragged
2. Fly towards WP2 at 10000′ and 250 kts
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 03 for AAR
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed to RAGNAROK
7. Contact FLASH 05 for laser designate mission and attack on RAGNAROK
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 03 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

WP1 BE
WP2 N 26 38.040 E 56 46.447 0 ft, Package form-up point
WP3 N 27 22.848 E 57 32.541 1098 ft, CUMULUS entrance, right turn
WP4 N 27 21.579 E 58 8.273 1278 ft, Left turn
WP5 N 27 39.552 E 59 11.166 1278 ft, Left turn
WP6 N 29 10.804 E 59 15.648 1480 ft, Left turn
WP7 N 29 45.299 E 59 2.146 1001 ft, Inbound LIGHTNING 03
WP8 N 30 31.844 E 57 55.667 1006 ft, Inbound RAGNAROK, latest point for contacting FLASH 05 and STROKE 06
WP9 N 30 20.963 E 57 6.210 5856 ft, RAGNAROK

BENDER2
1. Depart Union as fragged
2. Intercept lead THOR flight by WP2 at 500′ AGL
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 04 for AAR
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed to RAGNAROK
7. Contact FLASH 05 and standby for contingency targets
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 04 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

WP1 BE
WP2 N 26 38.040 E 56 46.447 0 ft, Package form-up point
WP3 N 27 22.848 E 57 32.541 1098 ft, CUMULUS entrance, right turn
WP4 N 27 21.579 E 58 8.273 1278 ft, Left turn
WP5 N 27 39.552 E 59 11.166 1278 ft, Left turn
WP6 N 29 10.804 E 59 15.648 1480 ft, Left turn
WP7 N 29 45.299 E 59 2.146 1001 ft, Inbound LIGHTNING 04
WP8 N 30 31.844 E 57 55.667 1006 ft, Inbound RAGNAROK, latest point for contacting FLASH 05 and STROKE 06
WP9 N 30 20.963 E 57 6.210 5856 ft, RAGNAROK

CRIMSON3
1. Depart Union as fragged
2. Intercept lead THOR flight by WP2 at 500′ AGL
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 04 for AAR
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed RAGNAROK
7. Contact STROKE 06 and standby for contingency targets
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 04 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

WP1 BE
WP2 N 26 38.040 E 56 46.447 0 ft, Package form-up point
WP3 N 27 22.848 E 57 32.541 1098 ft, CUMULUS entrance, right turn
WP4 N 27 21.579 E 58 8.273 1278 ft, Left turn
WP5 N 27 39.552 E 59 11.166 1278 ft, Left turn
WP6 N 29 10.804 E 59 15.648 1480 ft, Left turn
WP7 N 29 45.299 E 59 2.146 1001 ft, Inbound LIGHTNING 04
WP8 N 30 31.844 E 57 55.667 1006 ft, Inbound RAGNAROK, latest point for contacting FLASH 05 and STROKE 06
WP9 N 30 20.963 E 57 6.210 5856 ft, RAGNAROK

DUSTY4
1. Depart Union as fragged
2. Intercept lead THOR flight by WP2 at 500′ AGL
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 03 for AAR
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed to RAGNAROK
7. Contact STROKE 06 and standby for contingency targets
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with LIGHTNING 03 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

FENRIS6
1. Depart Khasab Provisional AB as fragged
2. Fly to WP2 at ALTITUDE and approx. speed SPEED
2. Intercept THOR by WP2 at 500′ AGL
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Land at Farshid’s roadbase for refueling
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed to target
7. Attack Kerman International Airport main taxi way
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with THUNDER 02 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

WP1 BE
WP2 N 26 38.040 E 56 46.447 0 ft, Package form-up point
WP3 N 27 22.848 E 57 32.541 1098 ft, CUMULUS entrance, right turn
WP4 N 27 21.579 E 58 8.273 1278 ft, Left turn
WP5 N 27 39.552 E 59 11.166 1278 ft, Left turn
WP6 N 29 10.804 E 59 15.648 1480 ft, Left turn
WP7 N 29 45.299 E 59 2.146 1001 ft, Inbound THUNDER 03
WP8 N 30 31.844 E 57 55.667 1006 ft
WP9 N 30 16.464 E 56 57.312 5746 ft, Kerman International Airport main taxi way

GRIM7
2. Fly to WP2 at ALTITUDE and approx. speed SPEED
2. Intercept THOR by WP2 at 500′ AGL
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Land at Farshid’s roadbase for refueling
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed to target
7. Attack air defense communication station
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with THUNDER 02 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

WP1 BE
WP2 N 26 38.040 E 56 46.447 0 ft, Package form-up point
WP3 N 27 22.848 E 57 32.541 1098 ft, CUMULUS entrance, right turn
WP4 N 27 21.579 E 58 8.273 1278 ft, Left turn
WP5 N 27 39.552 E 59 11.166 1278 ft, Left turn
WP6 N 29 10.804 E 59 15.648 1480 ft, Left turn
WP7 N 29 45.299 E 59 2.146 1001 ft, Inbound THUNDER 03
WP8 N 30 31.844 E 57 55.667 1006 ft
WP9 N 30 15.262 E 56 55.215 5734 ft, Air defense communication station

INDY9
1. Depart Khasab Provisional AB as fragged
2. Fly to WP2 at 10000′ and approx. speed SPEED
2. Intercept THOR by WP2 at 500′ AGL
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Rendezvous with THUNDER 01 for AAR
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed RAGNAROK
7. Setup CAP west of RAGNAROK
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with THUNDER 01 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

WP1 BE
WP2 N 26 38.040 E 56 46.447 0 ft, Package form-up point
WP3 N 27 22.848 E 57 32.541 1098 ft, CUMULUS entrance, right turn
WP4 N 27 21.579 E 58 8.273 1278 ft, Left turn
WP5 N 27 39.552 E 59 11.166 1278 ft, Left turn
WP6 N 29 10.804 E 59 15.648 1480 ft, Left turn
WP7 N 29 45.299 E 59 2.146 1001 ft, Inbound THUNDER 01
WP8 N 30 31.844 E 57 55.667 1006 ft
WP9 N 30 20.963 E 57 6.210 5856 ft, RAGNAROK
WP10/WP11 CAP Zone North/South points

JESTER1
1. Depart Khasab Provisional AB as fragged
2. Fly to WP2 at ALTITUDE and approx. speed SPEED
2. Intercept THOR by WP2 at 500′ AGL
3. Pass WP2 at 500′ AGL with package
4. Enter WP3 CUMULUS at 500′ AGL
5. Rendezvous with THUNDER 02 for AAR
6. When THOR and SKADI is KILO proceed to RAGNAROK
7. Setup CAP west of RAGNAROK
8. Egress south
9. Rendezvous with THUNDER 02 over south Iran at high altitude for refueling
10. RTB

WP1 BE
WP2 N 26 38.040 E 56 46.447 0 ft, Package form-up point
WP3 N 27 22.848 E 57 32.541 1098 ft, CUMULUS entrance, right turn
WP4 N 27 21.579 E 58 8.273 1278 ft, Left turn
WP5 N 27 39.552 E 59 11.166 1278 ft, Left turn
WP6 N 29 10.804 E 59 15.648 1480 ft, Left turn
WP7 N 29 45.299 E 59 2.146 1001 ft, Inbound THUNDER 03
WP8 N 30 31.844 E 57 55.667 1006 ft
WP9 N 30 20.963 E 57 6.210 5856 ft, RAGNAROK
WP10/WP11 CAP Zone North/South points

Package flight path.