Road to Homs – Part II

RSVP: 25 05 15 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – E-CAS, BAI, SEAD
Theatre: Syria
Modules: Combined Arms, F/A-18C, F-16C, OH-58D, AH-64D, A-10CII, AV-8B
Prerequisites: Case1 for Navy
Organizer: Blichten

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Day TWO of the Syrian Dawn campaign.

2nd Marine Recon once again encountered heavy resistance west of OBJ WACO. We estimate the enemy took 50% losses from our air attacks but SIGINT indicates they are calling up reinforcements from Homs. We will need to make another concentrated push on WACO and hit the reinforcements before they arrive.

1.2 Area of operations

Western Syria, between Tartus and Homs, centered on grid square BU44

1.3 Time and weather

* May 12 – 2010
* 11:00 local time
* SCT 8/9, temp 24C
* Wind from 305 / 2
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

None

Syrian Air Force has not sortied during the last 24 hrs and is not expected to interfere with this mission

1.5 Ground threats

BMP-1, T-72, ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS, SA-8 (few left), SA-9, (SA-6 in Hama, 30 nm NE of our AO)

The enemy has prepared defensive positions between OBJ ORLANDO and OBJ WACO.

1.6 Friendly forces

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

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Some civilian vehicles have been observed eastbound on Highway M1. Presumably evacuating to Homs.

2 MISSION

2nd Marine Recon ALPHA 1 will advance to contact along AOA SOUTH, taking advantage of villages already cleared of opposition. Main resistance expected to still be around BU4544. RAGE9 in close support. HAWG81 serving as A-FAC over this area, calling in fixed wing assets as needed.

2nd Marine Recon BRAVO 1 will advance to contact along AOA NORTH, attempting to swing around to reach OBJ WACO from the north. BLACKJACK4 in close support. Fixed wing assets called in as needed.

No formal JTACs are present in these units so E-CAS procedures will be implemented.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Hornets will focus on taking out enemy reinforcements from Homs.

Harriers and Vipers will provide E-CAS

Rotary wing units will provide direct support to friendly ground units

 

3.2 Packages

AOA NORTH: Blackjack4 and Bravo1

AOA SOUTH: Rage9, Hawg8 and Alpha1

Killbox M1: Arctic1, Bender2 and Crimson3

Not part of any package: Indy9, Jester1, Venom4 and Merlin4 – supporting where needed

3.3 Order of events

All flights depart ASAP.

Rotary Wing proceed at own discretion.

Fixed Wing expect to be sent to HOLD or tanker, depending on target availability.

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

VMFA (Arctic1, Bender2, Crimson3, Dusty4)
* Depart Mother
* Search and destroy hostile ground movers along Highway M1 between Homs and OBJ WACO
* Refuel at Arco1 as needed
* RTB on order from Stingray

Loadout: FL decides (BAI)

Waypoints:
WP1 – HOLD N
WP2 – HOLD W
WP3 – HOLD S
WP4 – HOLD E
WP5 – Killbox SW
WP6 – Killbox NW
WP7 – Killbox NE
WP8 – Killbox SE
WP9 – Killbox SW

VMFA (Merlin4)
* Depart TARAWA
* Check in with STINGRAY to be assigned HOLD
* Expect push to available FO
* RTB on order from Stingray

Loadout: FL decides (CAS/BAI)

Waypoints:
WP1 – HOLD N
WP2 – HOLD W
WP3 – HOLD S
WP4 – HOLD E
WP5 – OBJ ORLANDO
WP6 – OBJ WACO

USAF (Indy9, Jester1, Venom4)
* Depart Ramat David
* Check in with STINGRAY to be assigned HOLD
* Expect push to available FO
* Refuel at Texaco2 or Texaco4 as needed
* RTB on order from Stingray

Loadout: FL decides (CAS/BAI)

Waypoints:
WP1 – HOLD N
WP2 – HOLD W
WP3 – HOLD S
WP4 – HOLD E
WP5 – OBJ ORLANDO
WP6 – OBJ WACO

USAF (Hawg8)

* Depart Rene Mouawad
* Provide A-FAC and BAI for AOA SOUTH
* RTB on order from Stingray

Loadout: FL decides (CAS/BAI)

Waypoints:
WP1 – Alpha wp1
WP2 – Alpha wp2
WP3 – Alpha wp3
WP4 – HOLD N
WP5 – HOLD W
WP6 – HOLD S
WP7 – HOLD E
WP8 – OBJ ORLANDO
WP9 – OBJ WACO

BLACKJACK4
* Depart Rene Mouawad
* Link up with BRAVO1
* Recon AOA North from BU4150 to BU5151
* Contact STINGRAY if fixed wing assets are needed to take out opposing ground units
* RTB on order from Stingray

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
WP1 – Rene Mouawad
WP2 – FARP LONDON
WP3 – TEASER
WP4 – STRIPES
WP5 – FOXCLUB
WP6 – RP20
WP7 – LOCKWOOD

RAGE9
* Depart Rene Mouawad
* Link up with ALPHA1
* Recon AOA SOUTH with emphasis on disabling targets in BU4543 and BU4544
* RTB on order from Stingray

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
WP1 – Rene Mouawad
WP2 – FARP LONDON
WP3 – Alpha1 wp1
WP4 – Alpha1 wp2
WP5 – Alpha1 wp3
WP6 – OBJ WACO

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 33
* Departure via Exit Hayim
* Approach via Entry Amos Lake

* Rene Mouawad
* TCN (mobile): 101X
* Active runway: 24
* NOTICE: Suitable for VTOL / STOVL only due to craters in NE section of rwy, approx 4000 ft of runway is intact

* FARP LONDON
* 37 S BU 3520 4352 elev 172 (just north of OBJ ORLANDO)

4.2 Carrier operations

CVN-72 (TCN 72X)
* CASE 1
* BRC: 030
* Departure time: 11:15
* Departure sequence: N/A
* Charlie time: 13.15

LHA-1 (TCN 1X)
* CASE 1
* BRC 300
* Departure time: 11:15
*Departure sequence: N/A
* Charlie time: 13:15

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

Note: Both Texaco2 and Texaco4 orbit at 360 kts

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is HAWG81

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

Fixed wing flights monitor #3 until directed otherwise

Expected freqs for A-FAC / FO:
A-FAC HAWG81: #5
FO BRAVO 1-6 / Blackjack41: #13

Package specific:
M1 Killbox: #10
AOA NORTH: FM 44.000 MHz
AOA SOUTH: FM 46.000 MHz

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
As per Authentication SOP

5.4.1 Freq flow (Airfield flights Ramat David)

7, 9, 3/5, 7
Remain on Tower (ch 7) during startup, taxi and departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3) or direct to FO / A-FAC. Use Tower (ch 7) for recovery.

5.4.2 Freq flow (Airfield flights Rene Mouawad)

271.00, 9, 3/5, 7
Remain on Tower (271.00 MHz) during startup, taxi and departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3) or direct to FO / A-FAC. Use Tower (271.00) 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 direct to Package specific. Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful (Ground forces at OBJ WACO)
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission

5.7 Bullseye

Lake in Grid BU44

N34 44.00 / E36 12.00 (37 S BU 4365 4705)

6 ANNEXES

Overview with Holds, Objectives, Tankers and CVN

 

Killbox, objectives and holds

 

 

Forward Edge of Battle Area (added to mission file as kneeboard)

 

Rene Mouawad Air Base