The squadron was sortied in three flights.
Dealer 1 (CAS)
1 - Hedgehog: 1x Mi-26 Halo, gnd tgts, trapped.
2 - Rocket: 2x Mi-24 Hind, shot down my Mi-24 Hind.
Dealer 2 (CAP/SEAD)
1 - Raid: 2x MiG-29, shot down by Su-25.
2 - Mad Dog: SA-6, 2x SU-25, trapped.
Dealer 3 (CAS)
1 - Ticman: 1x Su-25, gnd tgts, trapped.
2 - Trim: gnd tgts, shot down by ground armor.
3 - Lion: gnd tgts, trapped.
As VFA-41 Hornets arrived at the AO, they were greeted by SA-6 SAM launches. The SA-6 was quickly dispatched by Dealer 2. Armored vehicles were spotted at various points along the convoy route and were dispatched with laser-guided Maverick missiles, as well as 20mm cannon rounds. A flight of Su-25 attack aircraft headed to intercept the convoy was shot down. A flight of Russian helicopters that had been briefed as part of the escort and/or delegation party was intercepted and fired on mission aircraft. All were shot down as well.
US Navy area commanders acknowledged and appreciated support of a KC-135 stratotanker that remained in the area and provided air-to-air refueling services to allow the F/A-18C Hornets to remain on station.
The convoy stopped well short of the briefed meeting site, possibly to visit a roadside attraction or simply an extended bathroom break. No comms with the convoy were available, and with no known timetable for movement, the Mission Commander ordered RTB. All remaining mission aircraft recovered safely aboard the carrier.
Assessment of mission objectives remains under review.
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- Delegation convoy parked next to the highway for extended potty break.
- AAR cc-23a.jpg (59.08 KiB) Viewed 3159 times
- Mav-E made short work of whatever this was.
- AAR cc-23b.jpg (74.94 KiB) Viewed 3159 times
- Mad Dog cruising back to the boat after earning his paycheck for the day.
- AAR cc-23c.jpg (47.95 KiB) Viewed 3159 times
