Thunderstruck – Part 1



RSVP: 2023-06-15 - 19:30 (please sign-up asap though, as it makes things easier to plan)
Activity: Mission - SEAD, STRIKE, CAP, Air Interdiction
Theatre: Syria
Modules: F/A-18C, AJS 37, A-10C II, AH-64, F-16C
Prerequisites: Basic aircraft knowledge, rookies are welcome to signup


1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Syria has been launching attacks on one of Natos allies.
The attacked member has invoked article 5 (https://www.nato.int/cps/en/natohq/topics_110496.htm) and NATO has taken action it deems necessary to assist the member which was attacked.
The Swedes has managed to capture air base Hatay and Nato have now boots on the ground, so we could refeul and rearm
friendly fligths and a Hawk SAM battery to provide the capability to provide SAM cover.

1.2 Area of operations

N and NE of DAMASCUS (SYRIA).

1.3 Time and weather

* July 07 – 2022
* 05:30 local time
* Scattered (7500′-11500′)
* Wind from 268 / 6
* FORCE QNH 2992 / 1013

1.4 Air threats

MiG-21s, MiG-25s and occasional MIG-29s have been reported.
Expect main threat from closest enemy air bases, located NW of Damascus.
Intel estimates that the Syrian Air Force will have routine CAP over target area and can launch 4-8 fighters in short succession from bases close to DAMASCUS.
Additional fighters can reinforce from other bases after a timespan of 30 mins from first engagements.

1.5 Ground threats

BMP-2, ZSU-23 Shilka, Manpads, SA-6, SA-10.
SA-6 located in the area of Aleppo.
SA-10 located in the area of Minakh.

1.6 Friendly forces

We had a SAS team on the ground (then they got stressed out and leaved) that reported a convoy of tanks, trucks, bmps and possible a SA-19, leaving SW of Minakh.
We are not certain where the convoy are pushing to, but our intelligence reports says most likely Hatay.
The SAS team also reported that there are AAA and manpads in the area of Minakh.
If everything goes as planed, we will have a Swedish DDD (Dirty Dog Drivers) team (from F21) on the ground SE of Minakh. DDD Team BiteMe will act as JTAC if necessary, callsign Axeman (30 FM).

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Civilian air traffic is still active in some parts of eastern Syria.

2 MISSION

The Joint Force Air Component (JFAC) will conduct air strikes to destroy, bridges to prevent Red Force convoy to reach Hatay, the SA-10, A-50’s (AWACS) and the TU-22’s bombers located at Minakh in order to deny Syrian forces early warnings capability and launching attacks on our carrier group.

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Light them up with bombs, rockets and just have fun destroying targets.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains of 2 packages, callsign 6PACK and FILLER.
CAP/SEAD are part of package 6PACK, Strike/Air Interdiction are part of package FILLER.

3.3 Order of events

1. F-16Cs will neutralize enemy CAP in the AO.
2. F/A-18s push and destroy the PRIMAY Target SA-10 SE of Minakh, then report SPRITE on success. If PL decide, destroy SECONDARY Target, SA-6 SW of Aleppo, report SPRITEZERO on success. Hit the tankers and prepare to assist F-16Cs with CAP.
3. AJS37s, have two objectives, bridges and TU-22s & A-50’s.
4. A-10s and AH-64s engage ground targets at Minakh.
5. Refuel and rearm is possible at Hatay air base if necessary.

3.4 Rules of engagement

ROE: C
As per FREE
Addition: Weapons free on all enemy.

3.5 Acceptable level of risk

ALR: HIGH
As per SPINS

3.6 Flight tasking

Package 6PACK (Lead: BENDER2)

BENDER2
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1) at 25000’.
* Push on STINGRAY’s order.
* Primary Target: Destroy SA-10 SE of Minakh (report SPRITE on success).
* Secondary Target: Destroy SA-6 SW of Aleppo (report SPRITEZERO on success).
* Join up and Refuel with ARCO1 or ARCO5, or at Hatay air base.
* Report in to STINGRAY and standby for CAP tasking.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold STACK
2. WP2 SA-10 Target

CRIMSON3
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1) at 25000’.
* Push on STINGRAY’s order.
* Destroy SA-10 SE of Minakh (report SPRITE on success).
* Join up and Refuel with ARCO1 or ARCO5, or at Hatay air base.
* Report in to STINGRAY and standby for CAP tasking.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold STACK
2. WP2 SA-10 Target

INDY9
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1) at 25000’.
* Engage enemy flights on STINGRAY’s order.
* Refuel at TEXACO2 or at Hatay air base.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold at STACK

JESTER1
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1) at 25000’.
* Engage enemy flights on STINGRAY’s order.
* Refuel at TEXACO2 or at Hatay air base.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold at STACK

Package FILLER (Lead: RAGE9)

RAGE9
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1).
* Push on SPRITE.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold at STACK.
2. WP2 Attack Ground Forces at Minakh.

SALTY1
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1).
* Push on SPRITE.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold at STACK.
2. WP2 Attack Ground Forces at Minakh.

FENRIS6
* Destroy Primary bridge, N 36°22’32’, E 36°38’24 ALT 187 Meter
* Destroy Secondary bridge (if possible), (N 36°21’10’, E 36°38’48 ALT 125 Meter)
* Refuel/Rearm at Hatay, wait for SPRITE before takoff.
* Destroy TU-22’s & A-50’s at Minakh, (N 36°21’26’, E 36°2’4 ALT 492 Meter), if possible destroy runway and taxiways.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Feet Weet
2. WP2 Valley (Feet Dry)
3. WP3 Primary Bridge
4. WP4 Secondary Bridge
5. WP5 Ingress Minakh
6. WP6 Targets at Minakh
7. WP7 Engress
8. WP8 Landing Incirlik

HAWG8
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1) at 18000’.
* Push on SPRITE. Coordinate engagements with RAGE9.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold at STACK.
2. WP2 Minakh.

PIG7
* Depart.
* Hold at STACK (WP1) at 18000’.
* Push on SPRITE. Coordinate engagements with RAGE9.
* RTB on order from STINGRAY.

Loadout: FL decides

Waypoints:
1. WP1 Hold at STACK.
2. WP2 Minakh.

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Airfield operations

* Incirlik
* TCN: 21X
* Active runway: 23

4.2 Airfield operations

* Hatay
* TCN: XXX
* Active runway: 22

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Commander

* Mission commander is STINGRAY
* Package 6PACK lead is BENDER2
* Package FILLER lead is RAGE9

5.2 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.3 Authentication

RAMROD: MULTIPACKER
As per Authentication SOP

5.4 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

6, 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

* COKE – Mission declared successful
* PEPSI – No Joy/Abort mission
* SPRITE – SA-10 neutralized
* SPRITEZERO – SA-6 neutralized
* FULLSALE – All Flights RTB

5.7 Bullseye

N 36 24 21′ E 36 56.01′

AO

Primary Bridge

N 36°22’32’, E 36°38’24 ALT 607

Minakh Air Base

N 36°31’25’, E 37°2’4 ALT 1614

SA-10

Convoy