TIME: 22:00
SUNRISE: 05:33
SUNSET: 19:03
TASK: Anti-ship (AGM-84D) and coupled ACLS recovery practice
WX: 010@30 / 2,700 Overcast/ 3/4nm Rain / T20 / QNH: 29.92
FLIGHT DURATION: 240 nm
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:
USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN: 127.5 [5] / 72X / ICLS: 12 / Link 4: 336
SUPPORTING UNITS:
Tanker: TEXACO / 51Y / 251.00 [6] / KC-135MPRS
DIVERT:
ANDERSEN AFB
Rwy: 06/24
TCN: 54X
ATC: 250.1 [7]
BULLSEYE: N/A
SITUATION
This will be a night mission in the Marianas Islands.
Weather will be poor with overcast skies, high winds, and visibility variably down to 3/4 mile.
Coupled ACLS approaches are recommended
MISSION
Each DEALER flight will depart from the LINCOLN and proceed to WP1. Weather and visibility may preclude joining up enroute. Flights should plan to climb above the weather and complete join up at WP1 if required, prior to proceeding with mission.
Once flight is joined, proceed towards WP2. Approaching WP2, begin to search for an enemy convoy that will be approximately 80-100nm east.
Once the convoy is located, each pilot should launch two AGM-84D Harpoon missiles at ships in the convoy using R/BL mode. Flight and terminal settings are at pilot discretion.
After the first two Harpoons are launched, proceed NW towards WP3.
The second enemy convoy is steaming Westward somewhere to the NE of WP4. Enroute to WP3, each pilot should set up their last two Harpoons up for a Bearing only with turnpoint launch.
Utilize the following settings:
HPTP: WP4
Bearing: 040, 045, 050 (distribute flight's missiles amongst all 3 search headings)
Search: 15nm
Destr: 80nm
Flight and terminal settings remain at pilot's discretion
Upon reaching WP3, launch your remaining two missiles.
After all missiles launched, return to the LINCOLN for a Case III recovery.
RECOVERY
Weather is intentionally poor with some low visibility and pitching deck. Coupled ACLS approaches will likely be required.
This will require proper separation between approaching aircraft. Aircraft must allow at least 5 miles from the preceding jet if commencing from a downwind heading, or at least 1 minute if departing from holding aft of the ship. Remember, 250 KIAS must be maintained in holding or from commence point until 8 miles on final to ensure separation. Use of SA page and/or A-A radar to keep track of the jet(s) in front of you is highly recommended.
Also, for ACLS to work, each individual aircraft must make the following DCS comms menu radio calls on their own.
- "Inbound" at ~50 miles
- "Commencing" when turning towards FB/commencing
- "Platform" when descending below 5000'
- commencing call
- platform call
- an automated "ACLS Lock on" call (6 miles)
- "approaching glidepath" call (3 miles)
- automated "call the ball" call (3/4 mile)
Calls over flight frequency to other flight members are permitted as required, but again, recommend keeping the chatter to a minimum as there will be alot going on.
In the event of a waveoff or bolter, clean up and fly your downwind pattern at 250 KIAS. Do not turn back in to final until at least 10 miles to give ACLS time to re-set and give you new guidance. Listen up on the radio and use your SA page to find a gap to work yourself back into the pattern - you may end up fairly far downwind before this happens. If needed, re-join holding 20 nm aft of the carrier if needed until you can re-commence.
Divert field will be Andersen AFB, approximately 60 miles east of Mother. TEXACO will be operating between the LINCOLN and Andersen AFB.
THREATS
NONE
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