Black Aces Message Board

The Black Aces of VFA-41 were tasked with close air support escort of a convoy transporting a delegation of government delegates traveling to a meeting for peace talks. Any number of factions had reason to interfere with the talks, with any of a variety of use-of-force options. There was little actual threat intel, but plenty of potential threats, both on the ground and in the air. Additionally, there were expected to be an unknown number of 'friendly' assets also escorting the convoy, just to add to the confusion. Mission objectives were to ensure that the convoy arrived safely at the meeting site.

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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Pilot records and Greenie Board updated.

Post mission update:

Peace talks were called off indefinitely on Monday after the convoy carrying the US congressional delegation came under fire from separatist forces. Seeing their security escort detail completely destroyed by enemy fire, and after reaching the safety of the next village, the delegation evidently refused to continue into South Ossetia unprotected.

According to Colorado Rep Charles Stoner of the Legalize Weed Now party: "I don't get paid enough for this @#$%. That's what I have interns for."

The delegation, which had developed a sudden case of the munchies decided to visit a local cafe before returning to Gori.

The Russian delegation suffered a worse fate. Their helicopter was destroyed after one of their accompanying Hind helicopters inexplicably opened fire on US aircraft operating in the area.

While it is unfortunate that the peace talks failed before even getting started, VFA-41 met it's mission objectives of keeping the US-Georgian political delegations safe from separatist ground and air threats.