1 SITUATION

1.1 Overview

Repeated successful air strikes along the length of the Russian Federation’s borders has led the Kremlin to request a ceasefire in exchange for handing over the principal plotters of the 9/11 attacks, with follow on negotiations to determine how international security arrangements will be implemented to ensure that post Soviet revanchists do not launch subsequent terrorist attacks against Western countries.

From this point onwards, the US Navy will proceed from a wartime footing to an enforced peacekeeping mission in the Kola Peninsula.

1.2 Area of operations

Northern coast of the Russian Kola Peninsula.

1.4 Air threats

Su-27, MiG-29

Su-27 and MiG-29 squadrons operate in the area. What possible threats remain can be expected from closest enemy air bases. Intel estimates that the Russian Air Force can muster limited interceptions in response to detected threats.

Due to the change of pace compared to wartime operations, Russian aircraft can now be expected to conduct normal peacetime operations. Expect routine fighter coverage along the determined No Fly Zones, and different surveillance flights. Some of these may attempt to breach the NFZs in order to try our coverage, resolve to enforce the NFZs, as well as to pinpoint the location of friendly assets and forces.

Since the last few days, Russian electronic warfare attempts have steadily increased. Be vary of radar jamming and spoofing.

We have recorded several instances of Russian air operations using both military aircraft posing as civilian airliners as well as actual civilian airliners to conceal fighter and bomber fligths probing the NFZ.

1.5 Ground threats

AAA, MANPADS, SA-8, SA-10, SA-11, SA-15.

SA-10s provide the major long range air defences in the region, typically defended by SA-11s or SA-15s. Specific point targets have also been provided defence by SA-11s batteries.
 

1.6 Friendly forces

USAF F-16 squadrons have been hurriedly upgraded with HARM Targeting Systems and temporarily rebased to occupied airbases on the northern Kola Peninsula under USN command to strengthen the fleet’s SEAD capabilities in the region.

1.7 Civilian/3rd part

Limited civilian air traffic in the region has resumed. All civilian air traffic is consigned to predetermined air traffic corridors.
 

2 MISSION

Allied flights will maintain a strict No Fly Zone north of the 68th parallell; turn Russian military aircraft away starting at the 67° 37th parallell; ensure that no Russian ground forces directly remain north of the 68th parallell, or pose a threat to coalition aircraft north of the 68th parallell.

As of March 27, we recorded several instances of Russian air operations using both military aircraft posing as civilian airliners as well as actual civilian airliners to conceal fighter and bomber fligths probing the NFZ, thus placing civilian air traffic in the region at an alarming risk. Flights are reminded to exercise extreme caution both in potentially targeting civilian air traffic, as well as in being tricked by Russian flights utilising them to probe the NFZ or to directly target friendly forces in the region.
 

3 EXECUTION

3.1 Commander’s intent

Maintain the NFZ by ensuring that no Russian probes or attacks manage to seriously violate it.

Maintain safe civilian air traffic through and across the NFZ.

3.2 Packages

The mission contains no packages. All flights will be under Stingray's direct control.

3.3 Order of events

These flights are tasked as part of a continuous NFZ operation. All flights will take off and work at and under the discretion/direction of Stingray.

4 ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS

4.1 Carrier operations

• CASE 1
• BRC: 84°
• Departure time: 
• Departure sequence: 
• Charlie time: 2

As per Carrier Ops SPINS

4.2 Airfield operations

• Koshka Yavr
• TCN: n/a
• Active runway: 01
• Departure via: North
• Approach via: South

4.3 Tankers

As per Aerial Refueling SOP

1. Tankers are Arco 1 (251.000) for USN flights, Texaco 4 (259.000) for USAF flights.

2. After takeoff: At Mission Commander's discretion

5 COMMAND AND CONTROL

5.1 Frequencies

As per Comms SOP

5.2 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.

5.3 Freq flow (Airfield flights)

7, 3/4/5, 7.

Remain on Tower (ch 7) during startup and departure, Tactical (ch 3/4/5), use Tower (ch 7) for recovery.

5.4 Brevity

• TANGOUNIFORM - Mission declared successful
• NIGHTFALL - Abort mission

6 ANNEXES

AO