Syrian Dawn – Road to Homs

RSVP: 25 05 08 – 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 Division landed on the beaches south of Tartus on D+1 and have managed to advance approximately 10 nm inland, capturing objective ORLANDO with little resistance. Now in the early hours of D+2, recon units advancing along the valley and the M1 Highway towards Homs were suddenly engaged by concentrated fire from artillery, mortars and tanks. It seems the enemy has chosen this chokepoint to make their stand. We need to punch through the defending forces and capture objective WACO as soon as possible in order to maneuvre more freely inland. Marine aviation is tasked with providing CAS to their fellow riflemen. USAF will provide support if able.

1.2 Area of operations

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

1.3 Time and weather

* May 12 – 2010
* 06:00 local time (just after sunrise)
* SCT 8/9
* 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, 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

N/A

2 MISSION

2nd Marine Recon unit ALPHA 1 will advance east from OBJ ORLANDO towards OBJ WACO with the intention of drawing enemy fire to reveal their positions. Marine Fixed-Wing Aviation will provide support. USAF resources will also be allocated as they become available.

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

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Fixed-wing flights will be assigned HOLD points and altitude blocks by STINGRAY and given a frequency to communicate with relevant ground assets who will assign targets as they appear on the battlefield.

3.2 Packages

N/A

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
* Check in with STINGRAY, expect HOLD S
* On order from STINGRAY push AO to engage pre-planned targets
* Proceed to HOLD N, contact STINGRAY to be assigned a Forward Observer
* Coordinate with assigned ground assets to target enemy armor and infantry
* Refuel at ARCO1 as needed
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (CAS/BAI)

Waypoints:
1. Hold S
2. RDR + AAA
3. RDR
4. Shilka
5. Soft targets
6. Armor
7. Hold N
8. Hold W
9. Obj ORLANDO
10. Obj WACO

VMFA (Merlin4)
* Depart Tarawa
* Check in with STINGRAY to be assigned a HOLD (N/W/S)
* Coordinate with assigned ground assets to target enemy armor and infantry
* Rearm/refuel at Rene Mouawad as needed
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (CAS/BAI)

Waypoints:
1. Hold N
2. Hold W
3. Hold S
4. Obj ORLANDO
5. Obj WACO

USAF (Indy9, Jester1, Venom4, Hawg8)
* Depart Ramat David
* Check in with STINGRAY to be assigned a HOLD (N/W/S)
* Coordinate with assigned ground assets to target enemy armor and infantry
* Refuel at TEXACO2/4 as needed
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides (CAS/BAI)

Waypoints:
1. Hold N
2. Hold W
3. Hold S
4. Obj ORLANDO
5. Obj WACO

BLACKJACK4
* Depart Rene Mouawad
* Proceed at own discretion, coordinate with escort if available
* Primary objective: Locate artillery positions N of Obj WACO
* Secondary objective: Locate mortar positions W of Obj WACO
* Report targets to RAGE9. If unavailable report to STINGRAY and expect freq to available strike aircraft
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
TBA

RAGE9
* Depart Rene Mouawad
* Provide escort for BLACKJACK4 and engage whatever targets they detect
* RTB on order from STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
TBA

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

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 1
* BRC: 030
* Departure time: 06:15
* Departure sequence: N/A
* Charlie time: 08.15

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

Expected freqs for Forward Observers:
ALPHA 1-6: #5
ALPHA 1-7: #10
ALPHA 1-8: #13

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 direct to FO (ch 5 / 10 / 13). (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 direct to FO (ch 5 / 10 / 13). Use Marshal (ch 16) and Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – Mission declared successful
* 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

 

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

 

Rene Mouawad Air Base