Syrian Dawn – Night THREE

RSVP: 241024 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, SEAD, Escort, Air Interdiction, Air Assault
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16C, A-10C, AH-64D, CH-47F, Opfor MiG-21 and MiG-29
Prerequisites: Night AAR and CASE 3 for navy flights

طيارتين من العدو من الجنوب الغربي المسافه 35, نتصدى؟

علم، حدد و أطلق أول ما تسمح الفرصة

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

The USMC MEU now controls most of Homs and Hama to our northwest. British Armed Forces and German Bundeswehr are entering Aleppo and Raqqa in the north. On our southern front, ground forces are behind schedule due to significant armored opposition south of Damascus. Allied Command has decided to retake the initiative with a daring air assault on Damascus International Airport. When captured it will allow complete encirclement of Syrian Arab Army forces in the area, and provide a staging ground for the final push towards Tiyas and Palmyra. We have captured Khalkhalah air base which will be used for rotary wing operations. Air Force fixed wing assets still operate from King Hussein Air College.

1.2 Area of operations

SW Syria

1.3 Time and weather

* May 12, 2010
* Mission start: 03.00
* FEW/SCT 7/8
* Wind 300 / 4
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-29, Mi-24, Mi-8

Yesterday, we saw the first active use of dispersed road bases in our AO. Air superiority is thus challenged. Small sorties of MiG-21 and/or MiG-29 should be expected. Mi-24 and Mi-8 helos are also active throughout the region.

1.5 Ground threats

T-72, BMP/BTR, ZSU-23 Shilka, MANPADS, SA-13, SA-11, SA-8, SA-6

An SA-11 is still active in the Palmyra area. Occasional SA-6 search and track radars have been detected but no fixed positions have been determined. SHORADS are still plentiful.

Reconnaissance efforts over Damascus International revealed some AAA and armor but overall resistance is expected to be manageable as long as reinforcements can be prevented.

1.6 Friendly forces

Patriot batteries at Kiryat Shmona and Tha’lah. Hawk battery at Khalkhalah.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilians have evacuated the immediate area surrounding Damascus International, due to previous strikes.

2 MISSION

Capture Damascus International Airport via air assault

Locate and destroy dispersed road bases near Tiyas and Palmyra

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

• Provide airlift, escort, SEAD and close air support in order to capture Damascus Intl (OBJ TEXAS)
• Strike known SAA reserves, mainly SAA 1st Armored Division, and recon their possible ingress routes towards Damascus Intl
• Recon and, if confirmed, strike areas with suspected dispersed road bases
• Provide CAP

3.2 Packages

QUARTERBACK – F/A18C and F-16C

ICEMAN – CH47F, AH-64D, OH-58D, A-10C

3.3 Order of events

• SEAD and CAP-flights airborne NLT 03.00
• Air Assault TOT: 03:45
• Navy flights RTB NLT 04:50
• Air Force flights RTB NLT 05:30

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

See links for package QUARTERBACK and ICEMAN

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations (fixed wing)

* King Hussein Air College
* TCN: 34X
* Active runway: 31

4.1 Airfield operations (rotary wing)

* Khalkhalah Air Base
* TCN: N/A
* Active runway: N/A

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 3 departure
* BRC: 017
* FB: 008
* Departure time: ASAP
* Departure sequence: Arctic, Bender, Crimson
* Marshal time: 05:00 (expect first Push-time 05:10)

In case of delays, Case 1 conditions are expected from 05:25

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is ARCTIC11

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 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 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 Approach (ch 15) or Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission
* INTERFERENCE – Completed SEAD at OBJ TEXAS
* DOLPHIN / NO JOY or CONFIRMED, FIELD GOAL on successful strike
* CARDINAL / NO JOY or CONFIRMED, FIELD GOAL on successful strike
* BEAR / NO JOY or CONFIRMED, FIELD GOAL on successful strike
* VIKING / NO JOY or CONFIRMED, FIELD GOAL on successful strike
* HERITAGE – SA-11 Palmyra destroyed

5.7 Bullseye

N 33 24.50′ E 36 30.00′ (Damascus Intl)

6 ANNEXES