05 February, 2023 - Operation Noble Tempest Week 16

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Tue Jan 31, 2023 8:33 pm

SITUATION

Last week’s efforts were successful in preventing the immediate overrunning of the Georgian defenders at Poti, however most of the armored convoy made it to the front line area unscathed and after regrouping, the Russian forces are once again threatening the city. Georgian commanders have relayed that they cannot hold the line for much longer and have made multiple attempts to sabotage the bridges over the Rioni River as a delaying action. However, all Georgian efforts to bring down the bridges thus far have failed as various Sapper teams have fallen victim to Russian snipers and mortar fire coming from the eastern bank of the river. Intelligence suggests the Russians will attempt to push across the river and into Poti within the next 24 hours and the Georgians won’t have enough time to get a resupply convoy or reinforcements to the area before the Russian assault begins.

MISSION

VFA-41 has been tasked with the destruction of the three bridges over the Rioni River connecting Poti and the industrial village of Patara-Poti, where the Russians are staging their offensive. There are two road bridges and one railroad bridge that need to be taken out. Based on imagery of the bridges, the weaponeers believe each bridge should be struck with two (2) GBU-10s in order to ensure a complete drop of the spans. The designated flight plan allows a parallel attack run from the IP (WP2) along the length of the bridge spans.

If aircraft and ordinance allow, Black Aces pilots can freelance any ground targets of opportunity located between WP3 and WP4.

THREATS

The SA-6 at Senaki is out of commission thanks to some well placed HARM shots last week. Known ground threats in the target area and at Senaki include various SHORAD, MANPAD and AAA systems. Aircraft should remain above 12,000 AGL to avoid these threats.

The SA-10 to the north has been completely destroyed, but fighter aircraft are still present at Gudauta air base, though they have generally only flown alert sorties during nighttime hours. VF-211 once again will launch F-14’s for BARCAP this cycle.

ROE

Weapons free. Any enemy ground target may be engaged between WP3 and WP4. Friendly forces are located in Poti south and west of the river. Enemy aircraft may be engaged as required.

MISSION OVERVIEW

DATE: 05 February, 2023

TIME: 2230 local

SUNRISE: 0847 local
SUNSET: 1838 local
MOON: Full

TASK: Strike

WX: 125@06kt / SCT 15,000 / FEW 27,000 / T01 / Q29.73

FLIGHT DURATION: ~340 nm

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 HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) / Freq 127.500 [6] / TCN: 75X / ICLS: 5

SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-2D / OVERLORD/ Freq 266.000 [5]
Mission Tanker /KC-135 / SHELL / Freq:251.000 [8]/ TCN:35Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / TEXACO / Freq 353.000 [10] / TCN:61Y

*With the destruction of the long range air defenses in Abkhazia, the Air Force is now comfortable committing big wing tanker support to the western theater of operations. A KC-135 operating out of Incirlik will be on station off the Turkish coast near the Georgian border, staying within the protective air defense bubble of a Turkish Navy frigate.*

DIVERT
Batumi [WP]
Rwy: 13/31
VOR: TACAN 16X
ATC: 131.000 [16]

BULLSEYE: Senaki Air Base [WP4]

ROUTE OVERVIEW: