Task Force NORMANDY

RSVP: 25 01 21 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission – SEAD, Strike
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18, F-16,  AH-64, CH-47
Prerequisites: Case 3 for Hornets. Night AAR for all fixed wing.

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

The UN deadline for Saddam Hussein to withdraw his forces from Kuwait has come and gone. Operation Desert Shield is about to become Desert Storm. Allied commanders have set H-hour at 02.38 on January 17^th. The opening blows will be dealt by AH-64 Apaches, who will destroy two key early warning radars in northeastern Iraq, opening a corridor for the first wave of allied fighters and bombers.

1.2 Area of operations

Western Iraq, Jordan, Southern Syria, Israel

1.3 Time and weather

* January 17 – 1991
* 01:00 local time
* Broken / Overcast (8000′)
* Wind from 207 / 6 kts
* FORCE QNH 2977 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-25, MiG-29, Mirage F1

The Iraqi Air Force has over 400 fighter jets in its inventory. At least 60 of those are stationed at the H2 and H3 airfields.

1.5 Ground threats

SA-2, SA-6, Roland, MANPADS, ZSU-23

H3 airfields (H3 Northwest, H3 and H3 Southwest) are protected by a total of one SA-2, two SA-6 and three Rolands as well as numerous AAA.

EWR installations are protected by ZSU-23 and MANPADS.

1.6 Friendly forces

The entire UN coalition is taking part in this campaign. The specific mission only involves American assets but the air corridor opened on H-Hour will be used by other coalition aircraft.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is grounded

2 MISSION

Package NORMANDY will strike early warning radar installations CALIFORNIA and NEVADA near the Saudi border. Exploiting this gap in the Iraqi IADS, package BRAVO will hit Runways, SAM-sites and two C2 bunkers at H3 airfields (Strategic Operations Center at H3 Northwest and Intercept Operations Center at H3). Coalition fixed wing aircraft must NOT be detected crossing the border or the Iraqis may launch fighters. This will reqire a strict adherence to the Time On Target specified in your tasking.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Permanently disable Iraqi air defenses in the west (2nd Air Defense Sector).

3.2 Packages

The mission contains two packages:

NORMANDY – AH-64 Apaches and CH-47 Chinooks

BRAVO – F/A-18 Hornets and F-16 Vipers

3.3 Order of events

1. 1. Package BRAVO departs Ramat David and CVN-72 and heads for tankers orbiting HOLD-points 100 nm west of target area.
   2. Package NORMANDY departs FARP in northwestern Saudi Arabia. CH-47s will use their brand new GPS guidance system to provide an exact entry for the Apaches, who will then take point at an IP 10 nm south of targets CALIFORNIA and NEVADA. Target layouts are unknown as they were recently moved. Previous targets have included one EWR, 1-2 Generators and 3-4 C2 vehicles. In addition, fuel and ammunition storage as well as crew accomodations. Defended by 3-4 ZSU-23 installations and possibly MANPADS.
   3. NORMANDY has TOT 02.38 local time, at which point Operation Desert Storm will officially commence. At that exact time, package BRAVO will pass their IPs en route to targets around the H3 airfields. Primary targets are Command & Control bunkers, SAM-sites and runways. Aircraft on the ground are targets of opportunity.
   4. Erroneus coordination (adherence to TOT and IPs) may result in Iraqi fighters being sortied. If overwhelmed, the Strike Package will retreat and allow Air Force F-15s to clear the airspace.

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

Package BRAVO (Lead: ARCTIC11) – Taskings are preliminary and may change depending on pilot availability

ARCTIC1
* Depart Mother
* Refuel at ARCO1 (A18) near HOLD (WP1)
* HOLD at WP1 (A20-21) – FL Decides push time based on TOT at IP
* Pass IP (WP2) at EXACTLY 02.38
* When in range, fire a minimum of one AGM-88C at each of the six SAM-sites (WP3-8)
* Provide CAP as directed by STINGRAY
* RTB on order from STINGRAY, refuel as needed at ARCO1 or ARCO5

Loadout: FL decides (SEAD and A/A)

Waypoints:
1. HOLD (and ARCO1)
2. IP
3. ROLAND at H3 NW
4. SA-6 at H3 NW
5. SA-2 at H3
6. ROLAND at H3
7. ROLAND at H3 SW
8. SA-6 at H3 SW

BENDER2
* Depart Mother
* Refuel at ARCO1 (A18) near HOLD (WP1)
* HOLD at WP1 (A23-24) – FL Decides push time based on TOT at IP
* Pass IP (WP2) at EXACTLY 02.38
* When in range, fire a minimum of one AGM-88C at each of the six SAM-sites (WP3-8)
* Provide CAP as directed by STINGRAY
* RTB on order from STINGRAY, refuel as needed at ARCO1 or ARCO5

Loadout: FL decides (SEAD and A/A)

Waypoints:
1. HOLD (and ARCO1)
2. IP
3. ROLAND at H3 NW
4. SA-6 at H3 NW
5. SA-2 at H3
6. ROLAND at H3
7. ROLAND at H3 SW
8. SA-6 at H3 SW

INDY9
* Depart Ramat David
* Refuel at TEXACO2 (A16) near HOLD (WP1)
* Hold at WP1 (A20-21) – FL decides push time based on TOT at IP
* Pass IP (WP2) at EXACTLY 02.38
* Strike Command Bunker at H3
* Crater runways at H3
* Destroy aircraft on the ground as encountered
* If remaining ordnance, destroy launchers and supply vehicles at H3 SAM-sites (SA-2 and ROLAND)

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD (And TEXACO2)
2. IP
3. H3 IOC Bunker
4. H3 ROLAND
5. H3 SA-2
6. H3 RUNWAY SOUTH
7. H3 RUNWAY NORTH

JESTER1
* Depart Ramat David
* Refuel at TEXACO2 (A16) near HOLD (WP1)
* Hold at WP1 (A22-23) – FL decides push time based on TOT at IP
* Pass IP (WP2) at EXACTLY 02.38
* Strike Command Bunker at H3 NORTHWEST
* Crater runway at H3 NORTHWEST
* Destroy aircraft on the ground as encountered
* If remaining ordnance, destroy launchers and supply vehicles at H3 NORTHWEST SAM-sites (SA-6 and ROLAND)

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD (And TEXACO2)
2. IP
3. H3 NW SOC Bunker
4. H3 NW SA-6
5. H3 NW ROLAND
6. H3 NW RUNWAY

VENOM4
* Depart Ramat David
* Refuel at TEXACO2 (A16) near HOLD (WP1)
* Hold at WP1 (A24-25) – FL decides push time based on TOT at IP
* Pass IP (WP2) at EXACTLY 02.38
* Crater runway at H3 SOUTHWEST
* Destroy aircraft on the ground as encountered
* If remaining ordnance, destroy launchers and supply vehicles at H3 SOUTHWEST SAM-sites (SA-6 and ROLAND)

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. HOLD (And TEXACO2)
2. IP
3. H3 SW SA-6
4. H3 SW ROLAND
5. H3 SW RUNWAY

Package NORMANDY (Lead: RAGE91)

RAGE9
* Depart FARP with Greyhound31
* Greyhound31 will provide navigation assistance using GPS
* Beyond the Iraqi border do not exceed 100 feet AGL
* At IP (marked by Greyhound31) take point
* Destroy target CALIFORNIA at EXACTLY 02.38. Report WHITE OUT if successful.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
No pre-programmed waypoints. IP (to be marked by Greyhound) is exactly 10 nm south of TGT CALIFORNIA.
Distance from FARP to CALIFORNIA is approx 40 nm.

SALTY1
* Depart FARP with Greyhound32
* Greyhound32 will provide navigation assistance using GPS
* Beyond the Iraqi border do not exceed 100 feet AGL
* At IP (marked by Greyhound32) take point
* Destroy target NEVADA at EXACTLY 02.38. Report RED OUT if successful.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
No pre-programmed waypoints. IP (to be marked by Greyhound) is exactly 10 nm south of TGT NEVADA.
Distance from FARP to NEVADA is approx 60 nm.

GREYHOUND3
* Greyhound31 depart with Rage9
* Greyhound32 depart with Salty1
* Beyond the Iraqi border (WP 2) do not exceed 100 feet AGL
* At IP (WP3 / WP4) mark spot with chemlights
* Hold at IP while the Apaches make their attack run
* CSAR as required
* Link up with Rage9 / Salty1 and lead them back to base

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. FARP
2. Iraqi border, area deemed safe to cross
3. IP CALIFORNIA (10 nm S of TGT CALIFORNIA)
4. IP NEVADA (10 nm S of TGT NEVADA)

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Ramat David
* TCN: 84X
* Active runway: 29

4.2 Carrier operations

* CASE 3
* FB: 236
* Departure time: 01:15
* Departure sequence: Any
* Marshal time: 03.20

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
* Package BRAVO lead is ARCTIC11
* Package NORMANDY lead is RAGE91

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: CHARGEUPON
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
* WHITE OUT – Target CALIFORNIA destroyed
* RED OUT – Target NEVADA destroyed

5.7 Bullseye

TBD

6 ANNEXES

Restrictions based on available technology at the time:

HORNET
* No AIM-120
* AIM-7 allowed up to M variant
* AIM-9 allowed up to M variant
* No GPS-guided munitions (JDAM, JSOW)
* No SLAM / SLAM-ER
* A maximum of ONE TGP per 4-ship Hornets
* No HMD (NVG allowed and encouraged)

VIPER
* No AIM-120
* AIM-7 allowed up to M variant
* AIM-9 allowed up to M variant
* No GPS-guided munitions
* No HTS
* No HMD (NVG allowed and encouraged)

APACHE
* No datalink
* No radar or radar-guided ordnance
* Lack of GPS nav in Apaches simulated by not having waypoints set in the aircraft
(In-game mission date will be Jan 17 1996 in order to avoid GPS-related bugs)

Maps and satellite images (daytime images taken on Jan 13-15)