Show of Force

RSVP: 23 02 23 – 17:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAS, Air Interdiction, further tasks may be added depending on number attending
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16, A-10C, AH-64
Prerequisites: Basic knowledge of your aircraft, coordinate input

1 SITUATION
1.1 Overview
As part of a UN-mandated peace enforcement/keeping initiative in northern Syria air assets have been deployed to Incirlik Airbase, along with a carrier air wing. UN has established several FOBs in abandoned military facilities as well as a number of checkpoints.

There are a number of active non-state armed groups in the area of operations. The situation is considered unstable, with one major armed faction hostile to the UN presence, and it remains unclear which way some of the others will sway.

There are ongoing negotiations with multiple armed groups and warlords in the region. The negotiations teams and local liaisons have reported that some of them have a dismissive attitude and may need a show of force to convince them to accept the UN’s mandate and presence in the region.

Active hostilities are ongoing in the town Maarat al-Numan and surrounding areas. A UN-friendly militia group is holding the north district of the town, while a hostile group holds the south. The current situation is a stalemate with neither side able to advance.

1.2 Area of operations
Northwestern and northcentral Syria.

1.3 Time and weather
* May 12 – 2021
* 09:30 local time
* Light scattered (7500′-11500′)
* Wind 084 / 6
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats
N/A

1.5 Ground threats
BMP/BTR type vehicles, 23mm, MANPADS

1.6 Friendly forces
UN checkpoints and mobile teams throughout the region. UN main camps located at Minakh, Taftanaz, Kuweires and Safira. Friendly ground forces equipped with light armored vehicles (M113, Fuchs, LAV-25).

1.7 Civilian/3rd part
Civilian air traffic is still active in some parts of northwestern Syria.

2 MISSION
We have been tasked with providing any assistance we can in order to facilitate the operations of the UN ground teams in northern Syria. Assets will also be deployed to assist the friendly militia currently engaged in Maarat al-Numan and nearby areas.

3 EXECUTION
3.1 Commander’s intent
Elements assigned to Guardian package to proceed to Hold Alpha and standby to assist any requests from friendly ground teams as well as protect UN assets in the region. Elements assigned to Reaper package to proceed to Maarat al-Numan and engage targets south of the line-of-control in order to break the stalemate and shift the balance in favor of the friendly militia.

3.2 Packages
The mission contains 2 packages, callsign GUARDIAN and REAPER.
GUARDIAN: Crimson3; Jester1, Rage9
REAPER: Tusk2, Arctic1

3.3 Order of events
1. Flights proceed to assigned holding areas.
2. Reaper commence search and destroy operations as soon as on station. Guardian remain on station to assist with any requests from ground teams.
3. RTB at 12:00 or on NIGHTFALL called.

3.4 Rules of engagement
ROE: B
As per SPINS
Addition: Weapons free for Reaper package on all visually confirmed and specified targets in assigned target area.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk
ALR: LOW
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking
Guardian Package (Lead: CRIMSON31)
CRIMSON
Proceed to Hold Alpha and stand by to perform tasks on request from friendly ground forces(Hold altitude 21000).
Departure: 09:50
Loadout: FL decides
Waypoints:
1. Hold Alpha (Bullseye)
2. Minakh FOB
3. Kuweires FOB
4. Safira FOB
5. Taftanaz FOB
6. Hatay (divert airfield)

JESTER
Proceed to Hold Alpha and stand by to perform tasks on request from friendly ground forces(Hold altitude 24000).
Departure: 09:50
Loadout: FL decides
Waypoints:
1. Hold Alpha (Bullseye)
2. Minakh FOB
3. Kuweires FOB
4. Safira FOB
5. Taftanaz FOB
6. Hatay (divert airfield)

RAGE9
Proceed to Hold Alpha and stand by to perform tasks on request from friendly ground forces.
Departure: 09:50
Loadout: FL decides
Waypoints:
1. Hold Alpha (Bullseye)
2. Minakh FOB
3. Kuweires FOB
4. Safira FOB
5. Taftanaz FOB
6. Hatay

Reaper Package (Lead: OVERLORD)
TUSK
Proceed to Hold Bravo. Search and destroy targets in the assigned target sector. Attack assigned targets 1 and 2.
Departure: 09:45
Loadout: FL decides
Waypoints:
1. Hold Alpha (Bullseye)
2. Hold Bravo
3. Maarat al-Numan

Arctic
Proceed to Hold Bravo. Search and destroy targets in the assigned target sector. Attack assigned targets 1 and 2.
Departure: 09:45
Loadout: FL decides
Waypoints:
1. Hold Alpha (Bullseye)
2. Hold Bravo
3. Maarat al-Numan

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS
4.1 Airfield operations
* Incirlik
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 23
* Departure via Exit South
* Approach via Entry East

4.2 Carrier operations
* CASE 1
* BRC: 264
* Departure time: 09:50
* Departure sequence: CRIMSON3
* Charlie time: 11:45

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL
5.1 Commander
* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is OVERLORD
* Package Guardian lead is CRIMSON31
* Package Reaper lead is OVERLORD

Frequencies
As per Comms SOP

Addition: Guardian package – Ch3 (265); Reaper package – Ch5 (254)

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 package specific channel (TBD). Use Tower (ch 7) for recovery.

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 package specific channel (TBD). Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.7 Bullseye
N 36°15’30” E 37° 3’54”