The Longest Day

RSVP: 25 10 18 – 16:00 (14:00 Zulu) – please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan
Activity: Mission – CAP, Air Interdiction, SEAD, Strike
Theatre: Persian Gulf
Modules: F-14B, F-15E, F-16C, F/A-18C, A-10C, AH-64
Prerequisites: AAR for all fixed wing
Mission maker: Blichten

Expect an exhausting 6h+ mission, likely flying multiple sorties with some down time in between but bring your MA-certified piddle pack just in case!! (If you are weak and/or time constrained, shorter slots of approx 2h will also be availabe.)

 

1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

On August 20, 1998, the US conducted Operation Infinite Reach, a cruise missile strike against targets in Afghanistan and Sudan. In the aftermath of the strike, there were loud complaints from the usual suspects – Russia, Cuba, China and the Arab League. Iran’s supreme leader Ali Khamenei went so far as to describe the attack as “terrorism”, threatening to punish those responsible for “attacks against Islam”.

Determined to show resolve, president Clinton ordered the US 5th fleet to conduct a freedom of navigation exercise in the Persian Gulf. Two days later, on August 22nd, Carrier Strike Group 11 lead by USS Theodore Roosevelt transited the Strait of Hormuz at full battle stations. As CENTCOM expected, the Iranians eventually stood down and the strike group proceeded into the Gulf, staying just outside Iran’s internationally recognized  territorial waters.

Before dawn on August 23rd, with the strike group about to turn south toward Qatar, a surprise strike was launched by the Iranians. A massive volley of Silkworm missiles overwhelmed the strike group’s air defenses, damaging several ships including the Roosevelt herself which was rendered unable to conduct air operations.

Simultaneous Shahab (Scud-B) missile strikes on airfields in Saudi, Kuwait, Qatar and UAE disabled most of the allied airfields in the region.

Roosevelt and the rest of CSG 11 must now limp towards relative safety in Qatar, with little friendly air cover. Meanwhile, it is assumed the Iranians are reloading and repositioning their silkworm launchers for a second attack. One that would surely spell doom for the Carrier and indeed all of CSG-11. Adding insult to injury, the Iranian Air Force is likely to launch sorties as soon as they realize the extent of the damage.

Rushing to the scene from the Arabian Sea is CSG 9, led by USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN-72). For most of the day, they will be the only significant USN resource in the area.

USAF performed a quick strike on Tunb Island immediately after the attack on CSG-11 but were then stuck at Al Dhafra when the SCUDs hit. The Air Force is now preparing to mount a more significant air presence over the Gulf but most of the resources will have to be ferried long distances before they become available. CENTCOM estimates another 6 hours before full operational strength is achieved in the AO. Until then, USAF will rely on a few squadrons based in Saudi Arabia and UAE.

1.2 Area of operations

Persian Gulf

1.3 Time and weather

* Aug 23 1998
* 05:30 local time
* SCT/BKN 18/20
* Wind from 250 / 4
* Temp 21°C
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21, MiG-29, F-4E, F-14A

F-4E, MiG-21 and MiG-29 based in Bandar Abbas, Qeshm and Lavan.

F4-E and F-14 based in Shiraz.

1.5 Ground threats

SA-10 Bandar Abbas. SA-2 Qeshm and Lavan Islands. SA-6 NW of Lavan Island.

1.6 Friendly forces

The damaged battle group CSG-11 is 70 nm N of Oman.

Friendly SAM systems:
Patriot in Doha (Qatar) and Khaimah (UAE). Hawk in Khasab (UAE).

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is suspended over the AO.

2 MISSION

Bring USS Theodore Roosevelt and the rest of Carrier Strike Group 11 to safety in Oman.

Neutralize Iranian Silkworm launchers.

Prevent the Iranian Air Force from interfering with our objectives.

Maximize destruction of Iranian military units and installations.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Tomahawk strikes will be aimed at major Iranian air bases known to house fighters. Supplies are limited and we expect that this will at most buy us 1-2 hours before repairs can be made.

CSG-9 with USS Abraham Lincoln will transit from the Gulf of Oman through the Strait of Hormuz with the intention of conducting strikes on Iranian installations as well as providing air cover.

USAF will provide air cover for CSG-11 until CSG-9 is on station.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains 3 packages, callsign VULTURE (USAF fixed wing), JACKAL (rotary wing) and ORCA (USN fixed wing).

3.3 Order of events

Stage 1 (from mission start 05:30 = 16.30 IRL):
ORCA sets up CAP focused on the Strait of Hormuz and conducts SEAD/DEAD (SA-10 Bandar Abbas and SA-2 Qeshm).
JACKAL strikes Qeshm Island with focus on disabling aircraft on the ground.
VULTURE sets up CAP focused on CSG-11, currently west of Lavan Island, and conducts SEAD/DEAD (SA-2 Lavan Island and SA-6 site NW of Lavan)

Stage 2 (from approx 08:00 = 19.00 IRL):
ORCA continues CAP mission, expecting increasing opposition as IRAF air bases are repaired.
VULTURE and JACKAL focus on finding and destroying Iranian Silkworm launchers.

Stage 3 (from approx 10:00 = 21.00 IRL):
All packages perform retaliatory strikes on Iranian air and naval bases.

For all flights: Each stage represents a potential respawn point
Vipers use Venom4 to respawn at Al Dhafra – flight has the same WP as Indy and Jester

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per SPINS

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: HIGH
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package ORCA (Lead: ELVIS51)

ELVIS5

* Maintain CAP as directed by STINGRAY
* During Phase 3 assist in Strike on Bandar Abbas if air picture allows

Loadout: FL decides (no limit on # of AIM-54)

Waypoints:
1. CAP W (N26°05.00′ E52°51.00′)
2. CAP M (N25°55.00′ E54°31.00′)
3. CAP E (N25°41.00′ E55°49.00′)
4. SA-2 Qeshm Island (N26°44.03′ E55°53.24′ elev 9 ft)
5. SA-10 Bandar Abbas (N27°11.93′ E56°22.33′ elev 19 ft)

ARCTIC1

* Phase1: SEAD/DEAD SA-10 Bandar Abbas and SA-2 Qeshm island
* Phase2: CAP as directed by STINGRAY
* Phase3: Strike on Bandar Abbas air base

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP M
3. CAP E
4. SA-2 Qeshm Island
5. SA-10 Bandar Abbas

BENDER2

* Phase1: SEAD/DEAD SA-10 Bandar Abbas and SA-2 Qeshm island
* Phase2: CAP as directed by STINGRAY
* Phase3: Strike on Bandar Abbas air base

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP M
3. CAP E
4. SA-2 Qeshm Island
5. SA-10 Bandar Abbas

Package VULTURE (Lead: INDY91)

INDY9

* Air Start between Riyadh and Bahrain
* As needed: Refuel at TEXACO2/4 or rearm/refuel Al Dhafra (expected repaired NLT 07:00)
* All phases: CAP as directed by STINGRAY

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP M
3. CAP E
4. SA-2 Lavan Island (approx)
5. SA-6 near Lavan Island (approx)

JESTER1

* Air Start between Riyadh and Bahrain
* As needed: Refuel at TEXACO2/4 or rearm/refuel Al Dhafra (expected repaired NLT 07:00)
* Phase 1: SEAD vs SA-2 and SA-6 at/near Lavan Island
* Phase 2: Seek and destroy Silkworm Launchers believed to be NW of Lavan Island
* Phase 3: Strike Lavan Island air base

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. CAP W
2. CAP M
3. CAP E
4. SA-2 Lavan Island (approx)
5. SA-6 near Lavan Island (approx)

 

Package JACKAL (Lead: RAGE91)

RAGE9

* Depart Khasab
* Phase 1: Destroy aircraft on the ground at Qeshm Island, priority on fighters
* Phase 2: Seek and destroy Silkworm launchers at Qeshm Island
* Phase 3: Time permitting, strike targets of opportunity at Qeshm air base
* Rearm/refuel Khasab (any time) or Tarawa (from 08:00) as needed

Loadout: FL Decides

Waypoints:
1. Qeshm Island SA-2 site
2. Qeshm Air Base
3. Suspected Silkworm launchers Qeshm Island

 

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Al Dhafra (NOTE: Runway damaged, only available to A-10 during Stage 1)
* TCN: 96X
* Active runway: 31R

* Al Minhad (NOTE: Runway damaged, only available to A-10 during Stage 1)
* TCN: 99X
* Active runway: 27

* Khasab
* TCN: N/A
* Active runway: 19

4.2 Carrier operations

CVN-72 (72X)
* CASE 1
* BRC: 332
* Cyclic ops:

• • Launch1 05:50 (expected IRL 16:50)
  • Charlie1 07:40
  • Launch2 08:10 (expected IRL 19:10)
  • Charlie2 10:00
  • Launch3 10:20 (expected IRL 21:20)
  • Charlie3 11.50

Carrier will only be on BRC during scheduled launch and recovery.
If unable to make designated Charlie time, use divert airfield.

LHA-1 Tarawa (1X)

* Available for rotary wing. On station in the Strait of Hormuz from 08:00..

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 ELVIS51

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 Tower (ch 1) for recovery.

5.6 Brevity

* TANGOUNIFORM – CSG-11 has reached safe harbor in Qatar
* NIGHTFALL – Mission failed

5.7 Bullseye

Tunb Island N 26 15.52′ E 55 18.18′

6 ANNEXES

Maps
Large size map of AO with tankers and carriers
Large size map of AO with active air bases and CAP points
Large size map of AO with known SAM sites
Small size map of Lavan Island AO
Small size map of Strait of Hormuz AO