US Marines pushing from the South overran the Syrian forward operating base and border outpost at Jisr Ash-Shughur, which has opened the way for them to continue their advance northwards up the Orontes River Valley. The Marines have now crossed the northern Syrian border into Hatay Province and are closing in on Hatay Airport from the South.
With the runway at Hatay Airport now out of commission, Syrian forward deployed aircraft are grounded. Free from constant aerial harassment, NATO forces in the North have also advanced this week to within several miles of the airport.
At 0900 this morning, allied ground forces will commence a final push from both the north and south to attempt to wrest Hatay airport from Syrian control.
Syrian defenses at the airport are still formidable and success on the ground will depend on allied air power to soften up Syrian defensive positions at the airport as well as preventing any Syrian reinforcements from countering the NATO offensive.
MISSION
VFA-41 has once again been tasked to conduct a strike against Syrian forces at Hatay airport, but this time we will be targeting Syrian defensive positions and ground forces defending the airfield.
Our primary objective will be to neutralize Syrian mechanized infantry groups reinforcing the airport's Northern perimeter. These defensive positions are concentrated around [WP3] and [WP4].
Other Syrian units are scattered at various points around the airport and may also be targeted as observed/identified.
Allied forces will not be commencing their advance until 0900 and estimate reaching the airfield's perimeter at 0930. Prior to 0915 all ground vehicles on and immediately surrounding the airport may be presumed to be hostile.
We can expect to be cleared to depart the area and RTB as allied forces near the target area. However, to be safe- Any targets engaged AFTER 0915 significantly increase the chances of blue on blue and extra care must be taken to visually confirm ID of the ground target before weapons release.
There will also be an allied predator drone operating in the area searching for emergent threats. If encountered, additional tasking may be received via JTAC notification and designation.
Assuming we are required on-station until at least 0915, airborne refueling may be required to ensure continuity of overhead presence. TEXACO will be on station just offshore for use as required.
THREATS
The SA-8 and AAA that were inactive at Hatay Airport last week are still presumed to be in the area. Small arms fire and MANPADS are also likely if flying too low over the target area.
F-15 CAP will once again be on station in the vicinity to help with any airborne threats.
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
Weapons free- All Syrian forces may be engaged as required unless otherwise directed by MAGIC.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 30 January, 2022
TIME: 08:00
SUNRISE: 07:41
SUNSET: 17:58
TASK: Ground Attack / Close Air Support
WX: 160@8 / Broken 16000, Scattered 24000 / T19 / Q30.20
FLIGHT DURATION: 290 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 4: 4 x F-14b
CARRIER:
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) / BRC 360° / Freq 127.5 [6] / TCN 73X "GWH" / ICLS: 13
SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-3D / MAGIC / Freq 266.000 [4]
Mission Tanker / KC-135 / TEXACO / Freq: 251.00 [9]/ TCN 55Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / SHELL / Freq 353.00 [10] / TCN:66Y
DIVERT:
Incirlik AB [WP6]
Rwy: 5/23
TCN: 21X
ATC: 360.1
BULLSEYE: Hatay Airport [WP8]
Week 7 Overview
- DictKey_Translation_4_Snapshot_20220124203343_DD Week 7 Overview.png (540.93 KiB) Viewed 1565 times
Week 7 Target Area
- DictKey_Translation_4_Snapshot_20220124203432_DD 7 Target Detail.png (364 KiB) Viewed 1565 times
Recon Image
- Recon.png (3.75 MiB) Viewed 1565 times
Mission Data Card
- Z_MDC.png (65.02 KiB) Viewed 1565 times
