Yesterday, the Black Aces were tasked to scout the coast north of Murmansk for Russian ships attempting to skirt the NATO enforced blockade and run arms, ammunition, and other supplies to additional bases in the region.
Three flights of FA-18 Hornets departed the USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN and proceeded towards the coastline.
DEALER 3 launched first and its four jets were tasked with neutralizing a series of three SA-2 missile sites that were protecting the airspace near the suspected blockade runners. Armed with HARM missiles and standoff JDAM munitions, the DEALER 3 jets succeeded in destroying all of the SA-2 search and tracking radars, as well as multiple launchers, ensuring that those missile batteries will be out of commission for a considerable length of time.
Once the airspace was clear, DEALER 1 and DEALER 2 proceeded further towards the coastline and began photographing suspected Russian ships. One SA-6 located on Kil'din Island attempted to engage DEALER 2, but was quickly dispatched by a HARM missile fired by DEALER 2-1. Unfortunately, as DEALER 2 made it's way along the coastline, DEALER 2-2 was hit twice in quick succession by missiles fired by a SA-9 Strela and the jet was lost with no sign of the pilot being able to eject in time.
DEALER 1 was following behind approximately 30 miles in trail and offset their route slightly to avoid overflying the area where DEALER 2-2 was lost, before continuing along the rest of the coastal route.
Radar emissions were detected from several Mig-29's but they remained well inland and did not pose a threat to the operation.
Multiple ships were spotted leaving Kola Bay and many were photographed with the images submitted to CVW Intel upon return the the LINCOLN.
All remaining jets recovered aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN without further incident.
DEALER 1
MR Bean - Gathered intel/photographs, trapped
BammBamm - Gathered intel/photographs, trapped
DEALER 2
Maniac - Gathered intel/photgraphs, SA-6 radar destroyed, trapped
Chaos - Gathered intel/photographs, lost to SA-9
DEALER 3
NoPro - Multiple SA-2 components destroyed, trapped
Crash - Multiple SA-2 components destroyed, trapped
Sven - Multiple SA-2 components destroyed, trapped
LeadFoot - Multiple SA-2 components destroyed, trapped
08 June 2025 - Kola Week 4 - Blockade Monitor
08 June 2025 - Kola Week 4 - Blockade Monitor
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Re: 08 June 2025 - Kola Week 4 - Blockade Monitor
Pilot records and Greenie Board updated.