Last week’s fighter sweep inflicted heavy losses on Syrian fighter squadrons which has temporarily relieved the pressure on allied ground troops and close air support assets. Unfortunately, USAF assets in the North also suffered several losses, so further offensive airstrikes out of Incirlik will be limited until replacement airframes and aircrews arrive in theater. This leaves USMC and USN assets in the south as the primary players in the AOR for the coming week.
Three weeks ago, Dealer 2-1 – a beloved member of the squadron, marginally competent pilot, and all around great guy was shot down over Eastern Syria. The pilot safely ejected approximately 20 miles north of the town of Hama. To this point, the pilot has avoided capture and has been evading on foot to the West, but Syrian search teams are closing in on his location.
The pilot is currently holed up in an abandoned shop in a small riverside village near the town of Halfaya.
MISSION
VFA-41 has been tasked to conduct a Search and Rescue (SAR) mission to retrieve the downed pilot [codename: SPARROW] from enemy territory.
Squadron Hornets will launch from the GEORGE WASHINGTON and should be prepared to engage any vehicles or armor encountered from Syrian Search parties present in the vicinity of the LZ [WP3].
Squadron Tomcats can be utilized to establish CAP over the rescue operation.
The USS TARAWA has repositioned itself close to the Syrian coast and is readying UH-1 Hueys to pick up the pilot. The SAR extraction location LZ is a 40 mile flight from the TARAWA on an initial heading of 070 degrees. The pilot’s ELT will be transmitting on 505 kHz for homing purposes. SPARROW will break cover and smoke the LZ near his hiding place when the helicopters approach.
Upon landing at the LZ, one helo should land to embark the downed pilot (using the Embark troops menu) and return him safely to TARAWA. Any additional Hueys should be prepared to provide covering fire with machine guns and rockets as needed and/or back up the primary SAR helo.
A predator drone [ARCHANGEL] will be orbiting overhead to alert the SAR operation to any enemy forces on the move in the area.
THREATS
No SAM threat is expected
Syrian front line fighter patrols have been operating at reduced levels this week after last week’s losses, but older first generation interceptors and ground attack aircraft may be present and will pose a threat to the SAR helos if encountered enroute.
Syrian ground forces will consist of infantry supported by light armored units (BTRs/BMPs and truck mounted AAA).
Syrian attack and transport helicopters may also be actively searching the area.
Note: The political situation in neighboring Lebanon just to the south of our AOR is tense, and large areas of the nation are controlled by Hezbollah. Do not venture in to Lebanese airspace, or you may be fired upon without warning.
ROE
Weapons free- All Syrian forces may be engaged as required.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 16 January, 2022
TIME: 13:30
SUNRISE: 07:43
SUNSET: 17:22
TASK: Combat Search and Rescue
WX: 320@4kts, Unrestricted Vis, 13,000 Broken, 23,000 Scattered, 23 Degrees, Q29.85
FLIGHT DURATION: 250 nm (plus loiter)
AVAILABLE SQUADRON ASSETS:
Dealer 1: 4 x F/A-18c
Dealer 2: 4 x F/A-18c
Dealer 3: 4 x F/A-18c
Dealer 4: 4 x F-14b
Dealer Huey: 3 x UH-1
CARRIER:
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) / BRC 320° / Freq 137.5 [6] / TCN 73X "GWH" / ICLS: 13
SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-2D / MAGIC / Freq 266.000 [4]
Mission Tanker / KC-135 / TEXACO / Freq: 251.00 [8]/ TCN 55Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / SHELL / Freq 353.00 [10] / TCN:66Y
RECCE / Predator Drone / ARCHANGEL / Freq 266.0 [4]
DIVERT
Incirlik AB [WP6]
Rwy: 5/23
TCN: 21X
ATC: 360.1
BULLSEYE: Hatay Airport [WP7]
Week 5 Overview
- DictKey_Translation_4_Snapshot_20220111190544_DD Week 5 Overview.png (491.11 KiB) Viewed 2749 times
Week 5 Target Detail
- DictKey_Translation_4_Snapshot_20220111191101_DD Week 5 target detail.png (275.34 KiB) Viewed 2749 times
SARDOT/LZ area landmarks
- Landmarks.png (5.17 MiB) Viewed 2749 times
Downed Pilot
- aar dd wk2c.png (532.28 KiB) Viewed 2749 times
Mission Datacard
- Z_MDC.png (68.98 KiB) Viewed 2749 times
