While NATO forces have held a firm defensive position in the North through the opening weeks of the campaign, additional Syrian aircraft and ground forces continue to pour into Hatay from Aleppo, Damascus and points south. NATO does not expect to be able to take the offensive until a second front is opened and Syria is forced to divide its forces.
At daybreak, US Marines will begin an amphibious landing near the Syrian coastal town of Jablah, just south of Bassel Al-Assad airport.
Meanwhile, in the North- US helicopters and aircraft will continue to conduct morning CAS and SEAD strikes against Syrian targets in Hatay. It is hoped that this will keep Syrian commanders distracted and unable to mount a concentrated counter-attack on the Marines, while they are exposed and vulnerable on the beach head.
MISSION
VFA-41 has been tasked to provide CAP and CAS overwatch over the landing beach [WP2].
Squadron aircraft will launch a 0800 and are requested to establish patrol over the mountains between [WP3] and [WP4]. Our on-station time is expected to be between 0830 and 0915, before being relieved by aircraft from another squadron.
Marine AV-8B aircraft will be launching simultaneously from the TARAWA to conduct low-level CAS against any Syrian mechanized units moving to counter the landing. VFA-41 needs to provide CAP to cover the Harriers from Syrian fighters and/or intercept any Syrian attack aircraft which attempt to threaten the Marines on the beach.
Additionally, the Marines have requested assistance from us to also supply one flight (2 or 3 aircraft) capable of providing on-call CAS support to prosecute any emergent targets that threaten the landing operation.
Marine Force Recon ground and predator units [callsign: RAZOR] are operating in the foothills and will be on the lookout for any additional ground threats.
Squadron pilots assigned to CAS duty should expect to receive target locations from RAZOR via one of two ways: 1) MGRS coordinates to assist with ATFLIR acquisition of target for self-lasing. 2) RAZOR will mark with White Phosphorous Smoke and laser designate target themselves using code 1688, as able.
KC-135 Tanker support (TEXACO) will be operating just offshore between our patrol area and the CVN, to allow VFA-41 aircraft to refuel if needed during our assigned patrol duration.
THREATS
We have knocked out all of the medium-range SAMs threatening today’s operations area. However, if operating below 10,000’ - be alert to the possibility of short-range IR SAMS, manpads, or mobile AAA embedded with Syrian ground forces.
Simultaneously-timed US airstrikes in the North should keep Syrian Air Force front-line fighter squadrons distracted and busy. Once Syria becomes aware of the amphibious operation, second-tier fighter and ground-attack aircraft (Mig-23, Su-17, Su-24, Su-25) may be scrambled to protect their ground forces and strike the Marines before they can establish a foothold on shore.
Note: The political situation in neighboring Lebanon just to the south of our AOR is tense, and large areas of the nation are controlled by Hezbollah. Do not venture in to Lebanese airspace, or you may be fired upon without warning.
ROE
Air: Weapons free. Intercept/destroy any Syrian aircraft approaching the [WP3] – [WP4] line.
Ground: Restricted. Due to multiple AV-8B aircraft also working CAS in the area, VFA-41 CAS aircraft should only attack ground targets as identified and requested by RAZOR.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 02 January 2022
TIME: 08:00
SUNRISE: 07:49
SUNSET: 17:31
TASK: CAS / CAP
WX: 110@6kts / Unrestricted Vis / 18,000 Scattered / 36,000 Scattered / 20 Degrees / Q29.92
FLIGHT DURATION: 280 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
Dealer Tomcat: 4 x F-14b
CARRIER:
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) / BRC 105° / Freq 127.5 [6] / TCN 73X "GWH" / ICLS: 13
SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-3A / MAGIC / Freq 266.000 [4]
Mission Tanker / KC-135 / TEXACO / Freq: 251.00 [8]/ TCN 55Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / SHELL / Freq 353.00 [10] / TCN:66Y
Recon-JTAC/ 1x Predator & ground units / RAZOR / Freq 266.0 [4]
DIVERT
Incerlik AB [WP7]
Rwy: 5/23
TCN: 21X
ATC: 360.1
BULLSEYE: Jisr Ash-Shughur [WP8]
Week 3 Route Overview
- Week 3 Overview.png (545.2 KiB) Viewed 1459 times
Patrol Area Detail
- Patrol Area.png (391.97 KiB) Viewed 1459 times
Amphibious landing operations (WP2)
- BEach.png (2.31 MiB) Viewed 1459 times
Mission Datacard
- MDC.png (65.65 KiB) Viewed 1459 times