18 May 2025 - Kola Week 1 - Radar Ruse

[Lion]

SITUATION
Fly along the Russian border to induce surface-to-air radars to illuminate you. Intelligence will use this information to plot the locations of air defense systems around Murmansk. This information will be invaluable if we need to eliminate the radars.

DETAILED MISSION OBJECTIVE
Prior to launching air operations, we must determine the disposition of air defense units in the Murmansk military district. Fly along the Russian/international airspace boundary in an effort to induce surface-to-air missile and early warning sites to activate their search radars. These emissions will be intercepted and analyzed by nearby EA-6B Prowlers and ship-borne signals intelligence assets to determine threat composition. This data will be invaluable in the event of operations over Red Russian territory. Follow your flight plan closely, with special attention not to cross into Russian air space.
You are not to engage Red Russian aircraft unless fired upon.


Mission Type:
Reconnaissance

DATE: 18 May 2025

TIME: 0645 local

WX: 340@12kt / OVC-BKN @ 4000 - 8000 / SCT @ 16,000 / 35.6F | / Q30.26 / Moderate-light turbulence

EXPECTED FLIGHT DURATION: ~200 nm

Package Elements:
4xF/A-18C (Dealer 1) 315.0
4xF/A-18C (Dealer 2) 316.0
4xF/A-18C (Dealer 3) 317.0
4xF-14B (Tomcats) 315.0

Supporting Flights:
1xEA-6B (Ascot 31)
1xES-3B (Bloodhound 21)
1xE-2C (Focus 41) 266.0

ROE:
Weapons hold unless fired upon

DIVERT:
Banak, 150 nm west of mother (primary due to favorable wind alignment) TACAN 47X, ATC 250.550
Kirkenes, 70 southwest of mother (closer but 90 degree, 12 knot crosswind) VOR 112.00, ATC 250.250

Bullseye:
Polyarnyy

[Crash]

Rhino will be the Mission Commander,
Maniac will be back up.