SITUATION
Last week's successful bridge strike, along with the excellent interdiction of Russian ground forces, have provided much needed relief for the Georgian defenders at Poti. While some Russian vehicles are amphibious, most of their logistic support vehicles are not and they are unlikely to risk a contested river crossing to push into Poti. For the time being, Georgian fixed wing and helicopter forces will take over cover of the Poti area. To help the Georgians with that objective and further our wider tasking of establishing air superiority over the AO, Command has tasked Carrier Air Wing 9 with an Offensive Counter Air strike against the Russian 7th Guards base at Gudauta. This will be a large -scale strike involving all the air wing’s squadrons in various capacities. In addition, the ships of the strike group will also launch TLAMs to strike the base. The objective is the total destruction of the airbase. If it can be taken offline permanently, all Russian air power will have to come from further afield at various other bases within Russia proper.
MISSION
VFA-41 Black Aces have been assigned two target areas at the airbase. The first target area is located at WP3 and is centrally located among the air bases hardened aircraft shelters. CAG has tasked us with striking twelve (12) separate Designate Mean Points of Impact (DMPI), each on a separate hardened shelter (see DMPI coordinate list below). Ideally, this part of the strike will be conducted by four aircraft each carrying three (3) GBU-31v4 Penetrator JDAMs. Thus each pilot will need to enter three separate DMPIs to deliver the JDAMs in Pre Planned mode. Given the extremely close proximity of the targets, PRECISION mode and DECIMAL SECOND format is necessary.
The second target area is located at WP4 and marks the 7th Guards Headquarters, troop barracks and motorpool. All buildings and vehicles in the vicinity of WP4 are valid targets and may be targeted without restriction.
The Strike Group ships will launch Tomahawk missiles at 0815 hours, targeting other sections of the base to include the fuel farm, ordinance and supply depot and the two large parking aprons. A section of F-14’s from VF-211 (Angles 24) will be targeting the maintenance area and a section of VFA-14 Hornets (Angles 22) will be targeting the control towers and a radio antenna in the area. Additionally, two EA-6B Prowlers will be on station providing 2-axis jamming support to suppress the bases SHORAD SAM units. Follow-on strikes by VF-192 will target the runway and taxiways. *All Dealer flights should hold at WP1 (PUSH) until 0815 hours or until the Prowlers (UZI flights) report they are on station.*
THREATS
The base is home to a reduced strength squadron of Su-27 fighters as well as contingents of Su-24 and Su-25 attack aircraft. While long range EW coverage has been taken out, the VKS still operate an A-50 Mainstay AWACS out of Mozdok that has the ability to alert the base to our attack. In any event, expect enemy CAP flights to oppose this strike. Two sections of VF-211 Tomcats will already be airborne to provide TARCAP for the strike package.
Satellite reconnaissance shows two SA-15 Gauntlet SAMs and two SA-19 Grison SHORAD systems operating within the airfield perimeter, as well as AAA of various calibers. All aircraft should remain above 20,000 feet to avoid these threats, but the Prowlers jamming should drastically reduce their range and effectiveness.
ROE
Weapons free. All enemy aircraft and ground targets can be engaged as required.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 19 February, 2023
TIME: 0745 local
SUNRISE: 0827 local
SUNSET: 1858 local
MOON: N/A
TASK: Offensive Counter Air
WX: 135@16kt /SCT 15,000 / FEW 27,000 / T 03 / Q30.00
FLIGHT DURATION: ~315 nm plus any 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
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
DIVERT
Batumi [WP]
Rwy: 13/31
VOR: TACAN 16X
ATC: 131.000 [16]
BULLSEYE: Pitsunda Cape [WP5]
ROUTE OVERVIEW:
ROUTE DETAIL:
TARGET AREA DETAIL:
SATELLITE RECON PHOTOS:
Green circles indicate SA-15 & SA-19 approximate locations
MISSION DATA CARD:
DMPI LIST:
19 February, 2023 - Operation Noble Tempest Week 17
19 February, 2023 - Operation Noble Tempest Week 17
Last edited by Rhino on Sat Feb 18, 2023 1:00 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Re: 19 February, 2023 - Operation Noble Tempest Week 17
LCDR Rhino assigned as Mission Commander
CAPT Hedgehog on standby
CAPT Hedgehog on standby