The US Navy Hornets were tasked with intercepting any Syrian fighter or ground-attack aircraft that attempted to interfere with US ground forces or allied CAS aircraft operating in support of the offensive.
Two DEALER flights launched from USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) and as they approached the city, two Syrian flights were already inbound or over the target area. Dealer 1 was tasked with high-CAP and proceeded to engage a pair of Mig-25s. Both Foxbats were destroyed, unfortunately, one Dealer 1 aircraft was lost in the encounter. Dealer 2 was tasked with low-CAP and maneuvered to engage a pair of Su-24s that were inbound to the allied line of advance. One Fencer was downed by Dealer 2 aircraft, but the second was lost on radar and was never located again (post flight analysis indicates that this second Su-24 may have been downed by ground fire).
Over the course of the next hour, several more flights of Mig-29s, Mig-23s and Su-25s attempted to make their way to the target area, but were turned back or shot down by VFA-41 Hornets. Unfortunately, one more Dealer 1 aircraft was lost when it crashed evading a Syrian a/a missile.
In all, eight Syrian aircraft were downed by US Navy Hornets before VFA-41 was relieved as schedule by F-15s out of Incirlik.
The remaining DEALER 1 jet trapped safely aboard the carrier, but all DEALER 2 aircraft were forced to divert to Hatay Airport after the Marines decided to take their KC-130 tanker and head home prematurely.
Despite the loss of two jets due to enemy fire, NATO forces successfully reached their ground objectives and Aleppo is now under allied control. Therefore the mission can be considered a success, as no Syrian aircraft was allowed to interfere with the allied advance.
DEALER 1
1-1 Trim 4 kills (Mig-25, Mig-29, Mig-23, Su-25), trapped
1-2 Maniac - lost off catapult due to unknow aircraft/computer malf.
1-3 Dirty Dan - shot down by Mig-25
1-4 Hedgehog - 3 kills (Mig-25, Su-24, Su-25), crashed while evading missile
DEALER 2
1-1 Mr Bean Su-24, divert Hatay
1-2 Chaos divert Hatay
1-3 Mad Dog ctd/server issue
1-4 Rhino divert Hatay
Allied ground forces arrive and seize important objectives within the Syrian city of Aleppo
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