VFA-41 was dispatched to intercept an Iranian C-130 that was known to be carrying Iran's leading Generals. Orders were to persuade the transport to land and if they do not comply to shoot it down.
Three flights were dispatched. Dealer 1 was tasked with tracking down and engaging the transport. Dealer 2 was tasked with dealing with any escorts or other opposition. Dealer 3 was to be on airborne standby for whatever might be needed.
All flights launched and the suspected target aircraft was quickly spotted by AWACS and relayed to VFA-41 flights. Dealer one proceeded to chase it down. Escort aircraft were observed splitting off from the transport. Dealer 1 flew a wide pattern to give room for Dealer 2 to engage the F-14 escorts. Dealer 2 destroyed the escort aircraft while dealer 1 continued after the C-130. Dealer 1 eventually caught up enough to identify it via FLIR as an Iranian C-130. They then proceeded to catch up and fly formation with the target. After flying in a tight formation with it for roughly 5 minutes it was determined that the transport had no intentions of diverting course. At this point Dealer 1 flight lead, who had been flying along side the transport, peeled off and gave the order to -2 and -3 to shoot it down. Which they promptly did.
Due to a complete failure of all navaids on board the USS Lincoln all flights diverted to Al Minhad AB. One aircraft was lost on landing when it overran the runway and crashed into a border fence. An investigation has not yet been completed, but initial reports indicate a jammed throttle may be to blame.
Mission Success!
Dealer 1
Trim: Landed
Rhino: 1x C-130; Landed
Maniac: Landed
Dealer 2
Mr. Bean - 1x F-14a; Landed
Hedgehog - Landed
Iceberg - Landed
Dealer 3
Raid - Landed
Lion - Landed
Lucy - Crashed on landing
14 NOV 2021 Gauntlet-31
Re: 14 NOV 2021 Gauntlet-31
- It was pretty dark.
- aar pg-31b.jpg (24.25 KiB) Viewed 1468 times
- Yup. NVG dark at times.
- aar pg-31a.png (338.46 KiB) Viewed 1468 times
- Maniac getting some gas in the dark.
- aar pg-31c.jpg (14.72 KiB) Viewed 1468 times
Re: 14 NOV 2021 Gauntlet-31
Pilot records updated.
Re: 14 NOV 2021 Gauntlet-31
As this mission brings Operation Persian Gauntlet to its completion, all pilots who flew in at least 50% of the missions have been awarded the associated campaign ribbon shown here:
