29 AUG 2021 Gauntlet 21

[Lion]

One of the Iranian power-bases in the Gulf region is a group of several small islands located in the middle of the Gulf near the Strait of Hormuz. While ownership of the islands is a point of contention between U.A.E. and Iran, possession is nine-tenths of the law and Iran has occupied the islands for some time now. The islands themselves are totally worthless, except that they provide a platform to build upon. A significant increase in military air and sea transports to the islands has been noted. Additional ground units appear to have been mobilized and are massing at several staging areas along the southern Iranian coast.

The principal target of today's strike is the Iranian airbase on Greater Tunb Island. It is imperative to impede the flow of supplies and weapons into the area in order to discourage future Iranian offensive actions.
Primary targets are the ammunition depots and supply warehouses, secondary targets are any military aircraft and vehicles located at the airbase.
The primary target is located in a cluster of buildings 1400 feet west of the runway and the biggest ones will be marked via waypoints.

Because defenses at Abu Musa Island were stronger than briefed previously, your flight has been assigned both escort (UZI 1, UAE M2000C) and SEAD (UZI 2, UAE F-16C) assets.
There is a high probability of SA-15 and ZSU-23-4 Shilka SHORAD/AAA on the island as in previous missions.

OVERLORD will be airborne and will advise you of any incoming threats.

Tankers are airborne, but they will be limited to operate within protected airspace over United Arab Emirates territory.

Package:
VFA-41, USN (315.00 - 318.00)
1. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 1-1 (Strike)
2. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 2-1 (Strike)
3. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 3-1 (Strike)
4. 2x F-14A Callsign: Dodge 4-1 (Strike)
5. 2x F-14B Callsign: Dodge 5-1 (Strike)

Supporting Aircraft (USN):
1. 1x E-3 AWACS Callsign: Overlord 1-1, 266.00 AM
2. 1x S-3B Tanker Callsign: Texaco 2-1, TCN 56Y, 251.00, angels 6, 259 IAS
3. 1x KC-135MPRS Callsign: Arco 3-1, TCN 55Y, 252.00, angels 20, 294 IAS


Supporting Aircraft (UAE):
1. 4x M-2000C Callsign: Uzi 1, 320.00 AM
2. 8x F-16C Callsign: Uzi 2, 320.00 AM

Mission: Dawn Airbase Strike
Flight Callsign: Dodge
Startup time: 0530 (local), sunrise 0610L @ CVN position
WX: BKN 7.5/12, SCT/BKN 21/23, SCT 40; 7 kts ESE surface, 4 kts ESE FL066, 8 kts E FL260+, altimeter 29.45, low to mild surface turbulence
Bullseye: Sir Abu Ny'air Island
ROE: Red - Weapons Free
Carrier TCN & ICLS: 72X, CH 5
Divert: Al Dhafra AB (150 nm southeast of CVBG) TCN 96X, Ras Al Khaimah Intl (52 nm southeast of target area) TCN 83X
Max Mission Length: 350 nm

[MrBean]

CDR Trim assigned as MC

Alternate: CDR Ticman