Pick Up/Mission Commander Qualification Strike Mission

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Sun Dec 11, 2022 11:22 pm

SITUATION

Following the ratification of the newly re-negotiated Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) with Iran, the Shia Islamic regime has doubled down on its bid to become the dominant power in the Persian Gulf region. In the wake of the sanctions relief brought about by the new JCPOA, Iran has begun a rearmament campaign and has significantly increased its militarization of the Strait of Hormuz. Among other hostile actions, the IRGC has begun heavily fortifying the disputed island of Abu Musa and intelligence gathered by the UAE indicates they have been moving ballistic missiles onto the island by both air and sea transport. These missiles have the range to strike anywhere in the UAE, Qatar and a good portion of Saudi Arabia.

MISSION

CENTCOM has tasked the strike group with carrying out a strike on the airfield at Abu Musa in an effort to hamper IRGC efforts at further militarizing the island. As such, Command has ordered the fuel depot (WP5), hanger (WP6) and large warehouse (WP7) destroyed, along with a cratering of the runway (WP 8-11). Intelligence suggests the large warehouse is the current storage facility for the IRGC’s ballistic missile components. Due to its size, two GBU-31v2’s are to be allocated for the warehouse to help ensure its destruction. The runway has been slated for four GBU-31v4’s at the predetermined waypoints to take out the runway and prevent further airborne shipments. Due to the distance and loadout requirements, Dealer flights will rendezvous with a tanker near WP3 before proceeding to the objective.

THREATS

The Iranians have a known SA-6 Kub SAM battery active on the island. This will need to be suppressed or destroyed prior to the primary strike aircraft’s attack. Additional ELINT has shown up to two SA-19’s active on the island as well, along with AAA of various calibers. The SA-19’s seem to roam in a patrol pattern, one on either side (north & south) of the main runway. Sirri Island, located 25nm to the west, has an old Rapier SAM emplacement. It should be no factor as long as the island is not overflown.

In addition to the ground based threats, satellite imagery shows what appears to be a small contingent of F-4 Phantoms and F-5 Tigers on the ramp at Abu Musa, so there is a possibility of Iranian CAP flights in the area.

Finally, Iran has significant air defenses to the north at Bandar Abbas to include a SA-5 long range SAM, HAWK and SA-2’s batteries and MiG-29 fighters stationed at the airbase there. The SAMs should be no factor, but lingering over the target area could allow time for additional MiG interceptors and is not advised.

ROE

Weapons Free. Iranian ground and air targets may be engaged as required.

MISSION OVERVIEW

DATE: 08 December, 2022

TIME: 0630 local

SUNRISE: 0700 local
SUNSET: 1717 local
MOON:

TASK: Strike

WX: 170@03kts /Few 8,000 / Sct 23,000 / T22 / Q29.91

FLIGHT DURATION: ~385nm

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

CARRIER:
USS John C. Stennis (CVN-74) / Freq 127.500 [5] / TCN: 74X / ICLS: 4

SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-3A / Darkstar/ Freq 266.000 [4]
Mission Tanker / KC-135 / Shell 1-1 / Freq: 251.000 [7]/ TCN: 55Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / Texaco 1-1 / Freq 353.000 [10] / TCN: 63Y

DIVERT:

Al Minhad AB [x] (Primary)
Rwy: 09/27
VOR: TACAN 99X
ATC:118.550 [15]

Fujairah International (Secondary)
Rwy: 11/29
VOR: 113.80
ATC: 124.600 [12]

BULLSEYE: Hamriya [WP12]

Route Overview: