10 July 2022 - Damascus Dawn Week 25

[Trim]

VFA-41 was tasked with destruction of the SA-11 site that had been preventing CAS for ground forces in the area. It has proven to be a very resilient SAM site in the past, so this time it received full attention.

VFA-41 sent two flights. Dealer 1 aircraft carried 3 ADM-141 TALDs each as well as two GBU-12s. Dealer 2 was loaded with AGM-88 HARMs.

Flights formed up at WP1 and once both flights were formed Dealer 1 ingressed first with Dealer 2 following roughly 5 miles behind. Around 25 miles from the target area dealer 1 released the TALDs and turned away from the area. Dealer 2 then fired their HARMs at the SAM site that had begun firing at the TALDs. As Dealer one egressed they did not observe any emitters from the site. Dealer 2 was then ordered to RTB and Dealer 1 returned toward the target area to confirm the SAM site had been destroyed. A cloud layer at 9000 feet required Dealer 1 aircraft to enter the area at a low altitude putting them at risk of AAA and Manpads. Entering the area Dealer 1 aircraft were able to see that one launcher remained as well as a second unknown vehicle. Dealer 1 was able to get bombs on the remaining launcher and destroy it. While maneuvering to drop on the second vehicle, Dealer 1 lead was hit by a manpad but was still able to fly. Dealer 1 then left the area with the last vehicle remaining, which turned out to be a command vehicle. Dealer 1-1, while still flying, was severely damaged and leaking fuel and almost all systems inoperative. With the help of the other pilots in the flight Dealer 1-1 was able to find and land at Hatay airport.

MISSION SUCCESS! The SA-11 site was destroyed with minimal losses.

Dealer 1:
Trim - TALDs released, ground targets hit; Hit by manpad, landed.
Dirty Dan - TALDs released, ground targets hit; Trapped.
Maniac - TALDs released; Trapped.
Mr Bean - TALDs released, Trapped.

Dealer 2:
Lion - ground targets hit; trapped.
Chaos - ground targets hit; trapped.
Mad Dog - ground targets hit; trapped.

[Trim]

302 on the ground at Hatay. Maintenance might not be too pleased with him right now.

[Hedgehog]

Pilot records updated. Greenie Board updated.