ThT – Operation Chastise

RSVP: 23 09 18 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – Strike, Escort, SEAD
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16C, F-15E
Prerequisites: Basic aircraft qualification + IFR

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Following months of bitter fighting between Syrian armed forces and various rebel groups in the vicinity of the town Raqqa in north-eastern Syria, regime forces yesterday launched a SCUD strike on rebel forces. The missiles carried chemical warheads, breaching a red line which western nations have long warned the Syrian regime of crossing.

1.2 Area of operations

Raqqa (SYRIA). The ground is mostly flat desert.

1.3 Time and weather

* May 01 – 2021
* 01:50 local time
* Clouds CAVOK
* Wind 065/6
* QNH 30.08

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-25, MiG-29

MiG-21s, MiG-25s and occasional MIG-29s are based at Shayrat AB, Hama AB & Palmyra AB. Intel estimates that the Syrian Air Force won’t have routine CAP over target area and, but that their reaction times are good and can launch 4-8 fighters in short succession from bases close to RAQQA. 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-11

SCUD launchers escorted by BMP-2 platoons, protected by Shilkas, MANPADS and SA-9s. 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 factories are protected by SPAA & SA-9 locally.

1.6 Friendly forces

N/A within Syrian borders

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

N/A

2 MISSION

USN & USAF will conduct a joint strike on Syrian SCUD launchers as well as a plant believed to be used for manufacturing the chemical warheads. The operation will be carried out at night-time to utilize the night-fighting advantage of US forces over the Syrian air force.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Mission start is 0150. All flights are to be ready for SMASH at 0245. At SMASH + 30 (30 minutes after SMASH is called) all flights are to cease A2G and start disengaging.

The lead pilot for each respective strike group(i.e. DUSTY, HITMAN) & the lead for JESTER is responsible for planning the execution of their own strike, given the restrictions above. This should be synchronized with the lead of the respective escorting element (see “order of events below for groupings).

3.2 Packages

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

3.3 Order of events

This operation is divided into three phases which will be conducted chronologically: SEAD, Strikes on targets, RTB.

1. SEAD
JESTER will destroy a Syrian SA-11 battery covering the northern and western approaches to Raqqa. After this task is completed, JESTER continues as a reserve CAP flight.

2. STRIKE
The package splits up into two groups, each targeting their target:

Target QUEBEC
STRIKE: Dusty
ESCORT: Arctic

Target TANGO
STRIKE: Hitman
ESCORT: Bender

3. RTB
Once all targets visually confirmed as destroyed, or once all munitions are used up, all flights commence their RTB.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: B
As per SPINS
EXCEPTION: Weapons free on all aircraft declared as Syrian military within a 50nm radius of Raqqa.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: MEDIUM
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package WARHAMMER (Lead: TBD)

ARCTIC1
* Depart
* Report in to STINGRAY
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 30000’
* Push on SMASH
* Escort DUSTY
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. Bullseye
3. Target QUEBEC
4. SA-11 Site

DUSTY4
* Depart
* Report in to STINGRAY
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 25000’
* Push on SMASH
* Destroy SCUD launchers at TGT QUEBEC
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. Bullseye
3. Target QUEBEC
4. SA-11 Site

BENDER2
* Depart
* Report in to STINGRAY
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 32000’
* Push on SMASH
* Escort HITMAN
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. Bullseye
3. Target TANGO
4. SA-11 Site

HITMAN3
* Depart
* Report in to STINGRAY
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 27000’
* Push on SMASH
* Destroy SCUD launchers at TGT ROMEO
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. Bullseye
3. Target TANGO
4. SA-11 Site

JESTER1
* Depart
* Report in to STINGRAY
* Hold at HOTEL (WP1) at 34000’
* Ensure WALKOVER no later than 02:43
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. Hold HOTEL
2. Bullseye
3. SA-11 Site

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Incirlik
* TCN: 21X
* Active runway: 23

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 3
* Departure radial 090
* FB: 051
* Departure time: 02:15
* Departure sequence:
ARCTIC1
DUSTY4
BENDER2

* Charlie time: 04:00

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: QUICKNORTH
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
* WALKOVER – SA-11 neutralized
* DIRTPILE – SCUD launchers destroyed
* TRASHCAN – Chemical plants destroyed
* SMASH – Strike units commences attack on their targets

5.7 Bullseye

N 35 56.58′ E 38 16.76′
B/E is placed in the middle of Lake Assad, 36 NM west of Raqqa.

6 ANNEXES

Target Quebec(SCUD 1) N35 36.483 E 37 57.848
Target Romeo (SCUD 2) N35 17.179 E 39 35 463
Target Tango (Chemical plant) N35 28.637 E 38 52.728

Maps