✪ Plane: F-16C VIPER ✪ Location: Persian Gulf
✪ Type: Strike (TPG-LGB)
✪ Files: In Game
✪ Credits: ED
BRIEFING
Situacion:
The Strait of Hormuz / 10 June 2008, Dawn (Fictional)
The threat of Iranian ballistic missile attacks is one of the main security concerns for nations in the Persian Gulf region. Launch sites for the Shahab 3 ballistic missile have seen greatly increased activity over the last two weeks and new sites continue to be built within striking distance of the neighboring Gulf states.
Yesterday, communications intercepts revealed clear evidence of an Iranian ‘first strike’ in the late planning stages. The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have resolved to deal with this threat.
Airstrikes against ballistic missile launch sites and their supporting infrastructure are laid on for the next three days. These kick off today at dawn with attacks on newly built Shahab 3 launch sites within the Iranian interior and their support facilities at Lar Airbase.
A strike package consisting of four Kuwaiti F/A-18Cs, two Emirati F-16Cs, four Saudi F-15Cs and four Saudi Tornados will carry out this mission. A Saudi E-3 will provide airborne early warning and command and control. Two KC-135 tankers equipped for drogue refueling are also available to support the mission. Timing and knowledge of the plan is critical so study the briefing materials and the mission planner for best results.
Enemy air defenses near Bandar Abbas include an SA-10 long range SAM site, Hawk medium range SAM site and an SA-2 medium range SAM site. Hawk SAM sites are known to be active at Lavan and Abu Musa Island. These fixed threats should be avoided along the route.
Mobile, medium range SA-11 SAMs and short range SA-15 SAMS may be present in the area. The current electronic order of battle shows intermittent emissions from two SA-11 and one SA-15 site in the general vicinity of the targets. The Tornado SEAD flight, Dodge 1, will suppress these threats if they become active. All flights should be prepared to evade these, or other unknown sites, at any time.
It should be assumed that Rapier SAMs and ZSU-23-4 radar guided AAA are present as point defense for the targets. Friendly SEAD assets are limited so these sites will not be engaged. All flights should choose an attack technique that avoids these short range point defence threats.
The Iranians maintain F-5 fighters on alert at Bandar Abbas and more capable F-14 and MiG-29 fighters on alert at Shiraz AB to the northwest. It is likely these fighters will be scrambled after Iranian airspace is breached if the enemy chooses to oppose this mission.
This strike requires a fairly deep penetration so AWACS coverage will be limited, especially against enemy fighters approaching from the north. All flight leads should monitor the strike frequency (Channel 2) for enemy aircraft callouts from other flights.
Execution:
All flights will get airborne and hold at the marshal point, wpt 1. Flights will push from marshal when required to meet their assigned time on target or vul times.
Refueling is not required prior to ingress flight leads may choose to top off their flight before the package pushes for the target area. Expect to hold at the marshal orbit for about 5-10 minutes if you choose not to refuel.
The overall mission can be broken down into four phases. Reference the mission planner for a closer look at each phase.
Note: All times are given as Zulu. Local time is Zulu +4 hours.
Phase 1 - Push and Set-up (0145-0205Z)
Push times are staggered to allow time for flights to approach from different directions. Note that the push time is an administrative tool used to coordinate the attack and is not restrictive. Leave the marshal orbit early or late if necessary to make your planned Time on Target (TOT).
- 0145: Ford 1 (F-15C) escort and Uzi 2 (F/A-18C) strike flights push and proceed to along a route to the west
- 0155: Ford 2 (F-15C) and Dodge 1 (Tornado) push and proceed along their route to the north and east
- 0200: Uzi 1 (F/A-18C) and Colt 1 (Player) strike flights push and proceed along their routes to the north
Study the mission planner to choose your exact route. Consider the benefits of high altitude for fuel economy vs low altitude for terrain masking.
Phase 2 – Air Defense Suppression (0205-0215Z)
- Ford 1 and 2 (F-15C) target airborne threat aircraft
- Dodge 1 (Tornado) targets active SAM threats in the immediate target area.
The Ford F-15C fighter escort is limited to four aircraft but all flights possess formidable air-to-air capability. Flight leads should expect to provide self-escort during some mission phases.
Note that the Dodge mission is air defense suppression, not destruction. It is possible unlocated mobile SAMs or previously inactive fixed SAM sites will become active after surprise is lost. Dodge will then suppress these sites as required.
Phase 3 – Strike (0215-0230Z)
Study the mission planner to choose the exact route in the target area and your preferred attack technique. Consider the value of terrain masking vs fuel consumption based on the expected threat picture.
Each flight will strike a primary and secondary target.
- Colt 1 (Player)
- DMPI 1: Shahab 3 Launch Site
- STPT 3
- TOT: 0217Z
- Wpns: 2x GBU-12
- DPI: Launchers in the open
- DMPI 2: Lar AB C3I Facility
- STPT 4
- TOT: 0219Z
- Wpns: 2x GBU-12
- DPI: Facility roof
- Uzi 2 (F/A-18C)
- DMPI 1: Shahab 3 Launch Site
- TOT: 0219Z
- DMPI 2: Lar AB C3I Facility
- TOT: 0227Z
- Uzi 1 (F/A-18C)
- DMPI 1: Lar AB Storage Facility
- TOT: 0220Z
- DMPI 2: Shahab 3 Launch Site
- TOT: 0228Z
Target layouts can be viewed selecting the satellite map view in the mission planner and zooming in on the targets. Study these to ensure the correct facilities are destroyed. Consider how these will look from the air as you approach along the route.
Time on target (TOT) is critical so look for opportunities to cut corners if behind schedule or add time if ahead of schedule.
Phase 4 – Egress (0230Z)
- Strike flights egress to the south
- SEAD and CAP escorts follow the strikers out
Strike flights will provide an in-flight report to Magic when they have left the area. All mission assets will return to base at that time. A tanker will be on station south of Khasab along the return route if needed.
Design notes:
- ***Important*** Enable Allied Flight Reports under your gameplay options. Radio calls from other flights will be made on UHF channel 1. Calls are filtered so only relevant information comes through.
- A different set of air defenses will be active each time the mission is run. The air defence plan and strike plan were developed independently. No intentional traps are set for the player.
- The SEAD flight is not omnipotent and can only engage after enemy radars activate and threats are detected using onboard systems. This is an intentional part of the design. Expect some Red air defense units to be operational when you arrive. The SEAD flight will announce active SAM locations as they are detected so pay close attention as you ingress.
- Consider enabling ‘unlimited fuel’ in your gameplay options if you do not wish to use air refueling. This mission may be completed without air refueling if flown conservatively but fewer tactical options will be available in the target area.
