DATE: 17 March 2024
TIME: 11:00
SUNRISE: 05:56
SUNSET: 17:49
TASK: SEAD/DEAD Suppression of Enemy Air Defense
WX: 360@13 / 17,000 Scattered, 36,000 Scattered / T15 / QNH: 29.87
FLIGHT DURATION: 250 nm (plus loiter)
AVAILABLE SQUADRON ASSETS:
Dealer 1: 4 x F/A-18c
Dealer 2: 4 x F/A-18c
Dealer 3: 4 x F/A-18c
DEPART/ARRIVE:
Nellis AFB / Freq 132.55,327.0 [1] / TCN 12X "LSV" / ATIS: 270.1 [20]
SUPPORTING UNITS:
Nellis Range Control: “Blackjack” / 377.8 [2]
Range Tanker: TEXACO / 6X / 295.4 [7] / KC-135
ELINT Support: HOUND / 266.0 [6] / EA-6B, EC-130
DIVERT:
Tonopah
Rwy: 14/32
TCN: 77X
ATC: 257.95 [19]
ATIS: 233.1
BULLSEYE: ALAMO (WP2)
SITUATION
With last week’s mission, Squadron-level training has concluded. For the remaining weeks in Nellis, VFA-41 will be conducting joint operations with other USN and/or USAF assets.
This week, squadron pilots will be conducting Suppression/Destruction of Enemy Air Defense (SEAD/DEAD) missions against live enemy surface to air missile systems.
Electronic Intelligence (ELINT) assets will be assisting the squadron in detecting and locating these targets.
Mission Commander’s note: No F-14s are available this week. Dealers 1&2 will be loaded out for enemy radar suppression (3x HARM, 3xTALD). Dealer 3 will be loaded out for missile launcher/TELAR destruction (2x MAV-F, 4x GBU-38)
MISSION
Winds are from the north, and flights will depart via Runway 3 utilizing the DREAM SIX departure. Flight leads will be directed to contact Blackjack upon range entry at JUNNO.
- Once cleared into the range, flights will be directed to proceed to the squadron’s SEAD patrol station, point ALAMO (WP2).
- Once the cooperating ELINT assets (C/S HOUND) are also on station and operating, DEALER flights will be directed to switch to and check in with HOUND on 266.0 [6].
- As enemy radars go live and are detected, squadron pilots will receive the normal RWR indications within their jet. Additionally, once the emitters are picked up and triangulated by HOUND – radar type and rough location (Bullseye + major grid square) will be broadcast over HOUND frequency.
- Mission Commander/Flight Leads may then request a more detailed target briefing via the F10 – ELINT menu. HOUND will come back with as much of the following information as is known:
- Radar type
- Estimation of location accuracy
- Triangulated Lat/Long of emitter
- Triangulated MGRS coordinates of emitter
- Elevation of emitter
- Detection elipse length/width/axis (basically a quantification of the size of the probable area in which the emitter is located)
- Recency of information
- Pilots can use the above information (primarily location and elevation data) to create a target waypoint from which they can begin a FLIR search and, in conjunction with the provided threat summary kneeboard card, create an attack plan.
- DEALER 1 and/or DEALER 2 should use their HARMs and/or TALDS to decoy and destroy SAM site search and tracking radars. Once radars are down, DEALER 3 should be called in to destroy the remaining missile launchers.
- Once a SAM site is sufficiently neutralized (radars and majority of launchers destroyed), HOUND will advise and direct DEALER flights to return to and resume patrol at ALAMO (WP2).
- HOUND will notify of other emitters as they pop up. A total of 3 (out of 5 possible) SAM sites will be activated and prosecuted.
At the conclusion of training, HOUND will go offline and DEAER flights will be directed to exit the range via ELGIN E (WP3).
THREATS
Various Radar-guided SAMS will be present and live. They will launch missiles at DEALER aircraft as able. Missile Trainer mode will be active on the range and hits on friendly aircraft will be announced via text message, but not lethal.
Squadron pilots should perform recommended evasion maneuvering and countermeasures techniques if fired upon. Any pilot that gets a “hit” notification, should extract themselves from the fight, climb back to altitude and return to pt. ALAMO (WP2).
R4808A (Dreamland) will be NOT be active. Flights may transit through the area as required.
ROE
Follow the prescribed route of flight and any directives issued by ATC/Range Control.
The goal of this training is to utilize all available information and resources to come up with and perform a well-planned attack on pop up targets. There is no urgency (other than fuel state). Mission Commander should feel free to develop his plan and execute each attack when ready.
All aircraft are reminded that it is squadron SOP to monitor GUARD frequency (121.5/253.0) on COMM2. This will be required at all times in the range complex for high priority information and traffic deconfliction purposes.
MIssion Data Card
Route of Flight
Emitter/SAM Threat Card