Rage Against the Machine

RSVP: 24 04 25 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, F-14B, F-16C, F-15E, AJS 37, M2000C, A-10C, AH-64D, UH-1H, Redfor MiG-21 / MiG-29
Prerequisites: None. All hands on deck!

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

It’s only been a couple of hours since the conclusion of the previous mission. Wounds licked, aircraft handed over to the Crew Chiefs for loving maintenance, debrief done and dusted. Now all that’s needed is a nice, long shower and good nap. And then the klaxons sound. ALL HANDS ON DECK. What now? Are the Syrians a bit butthurt by our beating? Did we unintentionally awaken the Russian Bear? The answers will come. Get in your Nomex and head to the briefing room, STAT.

To recap the last mission:

• Our pilot was successfully rescued. A few more were shot down but this time we had air superiority and could rescue them.
• The Syrian army was cut off from the northern sector thanks to the destruction of the bridge near Manbij. Syrian forces east of the river were severely decimated. Unfortunately, they managed to wipe out the rebel presence at Kharab Ishk.
• The rebel-held air base at Tabqa was hit but only sustained minor damage as the Hinds were swiftly dealt with. Tal Siman was not hit. Friendly forces landed at those bases and will need to be brought home.
• Successful defeat of the enemy air bases at Tiyas and Palmyra, along with their strategic SAMs.
• The air base at Damascus is still open for business, and so is the SA-2 there. Same with Aleppo and the SA-10.
• During egress, several small boats (Boghammer size) were identified just off the shore, south of Latakia.
• Syrian army scouts were encountered close to Tabqa. Significant ground forces are expected to follow.
• Turkish and Russian airspace was violated. Diplomatic negotiations are ongoing to de-escalate.

1.2 Area of operations

All of Syria, for what we know.

The 20 nm exclusion zone around Latakia is still in effect.

Turkey has notified us that their NATO obligations are suspended. Their airspace is now closed and will be defended with force.

1.3 Time and weather

* September 30 – 2015
* 09:00 local time
* SCT 8/10 FEW/SCT 24/26
* Wind 265 / 6
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21 and MiG-29 still operational in Aleppo and Damascus – possibly dispersed to nearby smaller bases. Intel estimates no more than 8 aircraft of each type remaining in total. Mi-24 and Mi-8 were seen in the last mission, confirmed in Aleppo and Palmyra but can be based pretty much anywhere. Unknown numbers.

1.5 Ground threats

SA-2 Damascus. SA-10 Aleppo. Russian SA-11 in Latakia. SIGINT has noticed several SA-6 batteries coming online south and west of Tabqa. It appears they are trying to trap our forces. SHORADS (SA-8), AAA (23 mm) and MANPADS are still plentiful.

Batallion-sized mechanized forces believed to be advancing towards Tabqa and Tal Siman, on the western side of the Euphrates river.

1.5.1 Sea threats

The Boghammers found off the shoreline south of Latakia are probably rigged with explosives and/or small anti-ship missiles. Our Carrier Battle Group is the obvious target.

1.6 Friendly forces

Rebel forces were severely decimated in the northernmost area. Survivors retreated to Tal Siman and Tabqa where they will make their stand against the inevitable Syrian advance. AAA and MANPADS cover is available there.

Our forward deployed Patriot battery east of Kiryat Shmona is still operational.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is grounded.

2 MISSION

“We just lost the initiative”

This mission is purely reactive and will be executed without previous planning. Expect limited information leading up to the mission. Final situation update and orders will be given during the briefing. Your flight will be given general tasking such as BAI, CAP or SEAD. Some target coordinates will be pre-programmed or given during briefing but expect more detailed tasking once airborne.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Orders will be provided during briefing

3.2 Packages

N/A

3.3 Order of events

Mission starts at 09.00

Unless otherwise stated in the briefing, get airborne ASAP and check in with Stingray on #9

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS
Addition: ROE A with regards to Russian forces in Latakia and Bassel Al-Assad

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: HIGH
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Notes to all flights:

All airfields in Iraq and Jordan are available for diverts and refueling. We are bringing in supplies to also allow re-armament.

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 27

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 306
* Departure time: ASAP
* Departure sequence: TBD
* Charlie time: not given, cyclic ops are suspended

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: DOGMACHINE
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Ramat David)

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.

5.4.1 Freq Flow (Tal Siman and Tabqa)

6, 9, 3/5, 6

No manned tower, use GND (ch 6) as traffic freq to deconflict. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3) och CAP A (ch 5). Recovery frequency depending on location, Stingray will advise.

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

5.7 Bullseye

N 34°38.00′ E36°33.00′ (lake SW of Homs)

6 ANNEXES