Syrian Dawn – Day SIX

RSVP: 24 11 21 – 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – CAP, SEAD, Air Interdiction, Strike, Heavy Lift
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, F-16C. F-15E, A-10C, AH-64D, CH-47F
Prerequisites: None

– No doubt about it, General, they’re on the move. Big time. Gutsy!
– Damn it. Caught us with our pants down. Let’s scramble!
– Scramble what, sir?
– Everything!

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

The offensive is approximately two days behind schedule, but the overall picture is satisfactory with the USMC now controlling Homs and German/British forces in possession of the Aleppo region. The US Army secured Damascus two days ago and has subsequently sent scouting forces in the Palmyra direction, encountering surprisingly little resistance. The SyAF has also been quiet, as the road bases W and SW of Palmyra have been repeatedly targeted by air and TLAM strikes. The loss of their last SA-11 was also discouraging.  Some activity remains in the far east, around Deir es Zor, where occasional MiG-21 and MiG-29 sorties have been flown in the past 24 hrs.

During the night, ELINT indicated increasing SAA activity near Palmyra. This coincided with worsening weather, making our intelligence gathering difficult, but in the early hours of the morning their intentions became clear: A large-scale counterattack, spearheaded by Republican Guard units with rotary wing assets in support. If successful, the Syrian counterattack may very well repel our forces from the Damascus area.

1.2 Area of operations

Southern and Eastern Syria

1.3 Time and weather

* May 16, 2010
* 09:00 local time
* BKN/12, FEW 36/38, SHRA
* Wind From 258 / 6
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

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

One active road base for fixed wing aircraft remains near Deir ez-Zor

1.5 Ground threats

T-90, T-72, BMP1, BMP-3, SA-8, SA-13, SA-15, MANPADS, ZSU-23

The SAA Republican Guard spearhead consists of T-90 and BMP-3 vehicles. Rear echelon and reinforcements are mainly T-72 and BMP-1.

1.6 Friendly forces

2nd Infantry division “Arrowhead” have the main responsibility to fend off this counterattack, with 1st Armored and 3rd ID in DAMASCUS proper ready to support if needed.

2ID have 2 SBCT “LANCER” North of Damascus defending towards AOA NORTH with its recon battalion 8-1 CAV “HAWK” pushed out for early warning and detection. 

To the east is 3 SBCT “GHOST” defending east with their recon battalion 1-14 CAV “WARHORSE” pushed out like 8-1 CAV to give early warning and detection.

108th ADAB has set up a Patriot battery near Damascus Intl.

The Marine Expeditionary Unit has a HAWK battery near Al Qusayr

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

No civilian air traffic expected

2 MISSION

Defeat the SAA counterattack between DAMASCUS and PALMYRA

Maintain air superiority over the AO

Destroy the remaining SyAF dispersed road base near Deir ez Zor.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

The SAA counterattack will be met head on by ground forces that are now pushing NE from Damascus, supported by Apaches.

Warthogs will seek out and strike reinforcements behind the front line, supported by Vipers for SEAD. 

Hornets will strike rear logistics, disrupting the SAA supply line.

A deep strike, comprised of Strike Eagles with Hornets and/or Vipers in support, will target the last known road base in the eastern AO, thus eliminating the risk of SyAF interference.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains 5 packages. Follow links for detailed briefings.

TERMINATOR (AH-64D Rage9)
PUNISHER (A-10C Hawg8, F-16C Indy9)
THOR (F/A-18C Arctic1, Bender2, Crimson3, Dusty4)
WOLVERINE (F-15E Hitman3, F-16C Jester1)
GUARDIAN (CH-47F Greyhound3)

3.3 Order of events

All flights take off from Damascus Intl. Departure order TBA.

Rearm / refuel at Damascus Intl as needed.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS
Addition: Avoid cluster munitions in populated areas.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: HIGH
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

TERMINATOR
PUNISHER
THOR
WOLVERINE
GUARDIAN

 

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Damascus Intl
* TCN: 36X
* Active runway: 23L and 23R
* Departure Fixed wing: Right turnout for 23R and Left turnout for 23L, climb to 1500′ AGL (3500′ MSL)
* Departure Rotary wing: Do not cross runways. Head East until DME 2.5, remaining below 600 ft AGL.
* Approach Fixed wing: Request either straight in or OHB (right OHB for 23R / left OHB for 23L)
‘ Approach Rotary wing: Allowed on radials 060 thru 180, stay below 600 ft AGL from DME 2.5

* Rearm/refuel for 23R: Taxi to REARM MID (stand 201-202)
* Rearm refuel for 23L: Taxi to REARM SOUTH (stand 29-32)
* After rearm/refuel request new departure and taxi clearances

NOTAM:
!GND 02/050-16MAY2010 DMSCUS NOTICE
OSDI TWY T PR INOP UFN

Parking 

Arctic1 – stand 29-32
Bender2 – stand 17-20
Crimson3 – stand 21-23 + 33
Dusty4 – stand 24-27
Greyhound3 – Taxiway between stands 1-4 and 5-8
Hawg8 – stand 404-410
Hitman3 – Stand 601-604
Indy9 – Stand 302-305
Jester1 – stand 109. 112, 114 and 301
Rage9 – Taxiway between stands 1-4 and 5-8

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 294
* Departure time: N/A
* Charlie time: 11:20

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

• Tankers ARCO1 (A18) and ARCO5 (A20) orbit the Shayrat area (70 nm NNE Damascus)
• Tankers TEXACO2 (A18) and TEXACO4 (A20) orbit the At Tanf area (100 nm E Damascus)

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Mission commander deputy is ARCTIC11
* Package TERMINATOR lead is Tony
* Package PUNISHER lead is Baconbomb
* Package THOR lead is Bouncer
* Package WOLVERINE lead is Ulvar
* Package GUARDIAN lead is Shiggan

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: GRANDSLICE
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

6, 7, 9, 3/5, 7
Contact Ground (ch 6) on startup, Tower (ch 7) for departure. Go to Check in (ch 9). Expect Tactical (ch 3), CAP A (ch 5) or Mission (ch 13). Use Tower (ch 7) for recovery and Ground (ch 6) for taxi.

5.5 Freq flow (Carrier flights)

16, 1
Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* NIGHTFALL – Abort mission
* HEIMDALL – Logistics at NAI LOKI destroyed
* VIDARR – Logistics at NAI FENRIR destroyed
* BRADDOCK – Road base at SABERTOOTH destroyed
* GROOT / QUILL / DRAX – Teams inserted at so named LZ:s

5.7 Bullseye

N 34 34.00′ E 38 18.00′ (Palmyra)

6 ANNEXES