VFA-41 pilots flew an Air Intercept Control (AIC) mission yesterday against multiple Aggressor aircraft types/groups and supported by an E-2C from VAW-117.
Three flights of squadron F-18's along with one F-14 departed Nellis AFB and took up their assigned CAP station once checked in with the E-2 (DARKSTAR).
As multiple aggressor aircraft were detected, DARKSTAR was tasked to keep the CAP pilots advised as to the type, location and track of all threat aircraft and monitored for any incursions into the established Fighter Engagement Zone.
A pair of Aggressor F-5Es entered the FEZ and DEALER 1 was assigned to intercept by DARKSTAR. Both F-5s were destroyed in relatively short order and DEALER 1 was vectored back to their CAP station.
DEALER 2 took the opportunity to hit the tanker while there was no imminent action. Two more hostile groups were subsequently detected for a period of time by DARKSTAR (2x Mirage 2000 and 3x Mirage F1), but for whatever reason the three pieces of self-loading baggage in the back of the E-2 lost the tracks on those aircraft groups after several minutes.
Eventually, it was apparent that the Mirage 2000's had entered the FEZ and, since they were evidently being ignored by DARKSTAR, the mission commander directed DEALER 3 to engage the encroaching aircraft. Both Mirage 2000's were subsequently shot down by DEALER 3's AIM-120s, and then DEALER 3 headed to the tanker as well.
Two more hostile flights (2x Hornets, 2 x Vipers) were detected by AWACS. The F-18s were the first to cross into the FEZ and DEALER 2 was requested to intercept. DEALER 2 was still finishing up at the tanker, so DARKSTAR reassigned the intercept to DEALER 1.
DEALER 1 maneuvered to engage, however the previous group of Mirage F1's that had eluded DARKSTAR's attention had closed to within missile range and a rather chaotic furball ensued between DEALER 1 aircraft, the F-18's and the flight of three Mirage F1's. Several of the aggressor aircraft were destroyed, but both DEALER 1 aircraft took simulated missile hits in the process, as did one DEALER 2 aircraft (which turned out to not be so "simulated") once DEALER 2 arrived back on station from the tanker and had joined the fight.
The final group of hostile F-16s was assigned to DEALER 3 as they came off the tanker. DEALER 3 destroyed one of the F-16's as well as one of the remaining Mirage F1s that was still lingering in the area.
At that point the range time was over, and all aircraft were directed to knock it off and return to Nellis.
DEALER 1 hit the tanker on the way home. DEALER 1-2 had some flight control issues which limited his tanking ability, so diverted into Mesquite airport rather than press his luck on being able to make it all the way back to Nellis.
Overall, squadron pilots did get some additional practice at air to air engagements, but several of the engagements were not BVR as intended, due to the failure of DARKSTAR to issue intercept orders in a timely manner (or at all in some cases). The E-2 crew will need to be debriefed/replaced prior to the next exercise.
DEALER 1
Mr. Bean - hostile air targets destroyed (2x F-5, F-18, F-1, F-16), tanked, recovered Nellis
Crash - Diverted Mesquite airfield
DEALER 2
Maniac - tanked, recovered Nellis
Lion - destroyed by "simulated" missile
Razor - tanked, recovered Nellis
DEALER 3
Rhino - hostile air targets destroyed (M-2000, F-16, F-1), tanked, recovered Nellis
NoPro - hostile air targets destroyed (M-2000), tanked, recovered Nellis
07 April, 2024 - Nellis Training Detachment, Week 10
Re: 07 April, 2024 - Nellis Training Detachment, Week 10
Pilot records updated.