A little over an hour ago, one of VS-33’s Vikings detected a Russian Improved Kilo-class submarine while on a standard ASW patrol northwest of the carrier group in Grid XP. The S–3 crew was able to track the sub and subsequently engaged it with torpedoes. The TACCO reported that they believe they struck the Kilo and damaged it as it has surfaced and is trailing an oil slick. The Viking has been remaining on station tracking the sub as it continues to limp north northeast, likely attempting to make it back to Novorossiysk, but they are out of ordinance and cannot press the attack. Just a few minutes ago, the S-3’s pilot reported a low fuel state and they will soon need to return to the ship. The USS Lawrence (DDG-110) has altered course toward the last known area of contact and will be launching their SH–60 to assist in the search.
MISSION
VFA-41 is launching on the Alert 60 to get airborne, relieve the low state S-3 and destroy the Kilo submarine, Codenamed: Sunstone. The Viking crew will remain on station as long as they can, but they may have to RTB before Dealer flights arrive. Should that happen, the crew has been instructed to pass the Kilo’s last known position, speed and heading to Strike, so be ready to copy down any targeting data they may send.
Waypoints 2-5 designate a box search area encompassing Grid XP and YP. They do not need to be flown in order, rather are set up as a reference for situational awareness and navigation. The general area where the Kilo was seen is approaching a well traveled commercial shipping lane, so caution and positive target ID are required. Other Russian surface warships are known to be in the area (See Threats section below) and while not a primary objective of this mission, they may need to be engaged or suppressed in order to achieve the primary objective of sinking the submarine. To this end, squadron ordinance personnel have been preparing Maverick Fs, Harpoons and HARMs for usage.
THREATS
SIGINT has detected emissions from both a Krivak-Class frigate and a Grigorovich-class frigate operating in the vicinity of the commercial merchant shipping lanes, but their exact locations are unknown. You should assume the Kilo sub has sent a distress signal and the frigates may be closing in to rendezvous with the stricken submarine.
While the search location is well west of Krymsk and other Russian air bases near Novorossiysk, it is not impossible for the VKS to send out a fighter CAP to attempt to cover the Kilo. Colt 1 is airborne on standard BARCAP to the north, but all Dealer pilots should be prepared to defend themselves if needed. Uzi 1-1, an EA-6B will launch just ahead of us to provide EW support as well.
ROE
Restricted. Positive surface target identification required due to proximity to civilian merchant shipping lanes.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 26 February, 2023
TIME: 1130 local
SUNRISE: 0816 local
SUNSET: 1907 Local
MOON: N/A
TASK: Maritime Strike-Time Sensitive Target
WX: 065@10kt / SCT-BKN 14,000 / BKN 24,000 / T 04 / Q 30.06
FLIGHT DURATION: ~350 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
DIVERT
Batumi [WP]
Rwy: 13/31
VOR: TACAN 16X
ATC: 131.000 [16]
BULLSEYE: N 44° 12’ 49” , E 36° 00’ 0” [WP3]
ROUTE OVERVIEW:
- Route Overview.PNG (3.27 MiB) Viewed 452 times
ROUTE DETAIL:
- Route Detail.PNG (1.63 MiB) Viewed 452 times
- Improved Kilo-Class Sub.jpg (636.46 KiB) Viewed 452 times
GRIGOROVICH-CLASS:
- Grigorovich-Class Frigate.jpg (200.09 KiB) Viewed 452 times
KRIVAK-CLASS:
- Krivak-Class Frigate.PNG (608.33 KiB) Viewed 452 times
MISSION DATA CARD:
- Z_Mission Data Card.PNG (64.14 KiB) Viewed 452 times