NATO forces still continue to slowly advance in the North towards the city of Aleppo. The current Forward Edge of the Battle Area (FEBA) is located near the village of Sammkat, approximately 15 miles north-northeast of downtown Aleppo.
Approximately two weeks ago, a U.S. Navy F/A-18 Hornet of VFA-41 Black Aces, took damage while on a battlefield interdiction mission over northern Syria. The pilot, in extremis, made an emergency landing at the Syrian controlled Aleppo Airport. After getting his damaged jet on the ground, he was subsequently taken prisoner and the damaged Hornet was seized by Syrian forces.
Intelligence analysts using SIGINT and IMINT, as well as various human intelligence assets have been able to confirm that the damaged jet is still being stored on the grounds of the Aleppo Airport, though its exact location is not yet known. At this time, it is believed members of Iran’s IRGC are on scene and likely studying everything they can about the jet. Intelligence has also confirmed the captured pilot is being held in a military holding facility located in the northwestern part of the airfield.
6th Fleet and NATO Command have authorized a rescue mission to retrieve our captured pilot. In addition, Command wants the damaged Hornet located and destroyed.
MISSION
A flight of Seahawk helicopters will depart from USS George Washington just after 0230 hours carrying a platoon of Navy SEALs from Seal Team 4. Their mission is to fly to the Aleppo Airport, assault the Syrian military compound and rescue our captured pilot. Additionally, the SEALs will try to locate the damaged F-18 and relay targeting coordinates for a strike. Based on the latest satellite imagery, it is likely the Hornet has been moved into one of the hardened aircraft shelters, therefore it is recommended for at least one strike aircraft to bring penetrating precision guided munitions to destroy the Hornet on the ground.
VFA-41 Hornets are to fly to the area of Aleppo Airport (WP3) and conduct Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses (DEAD) located on the grounds of the Airport itself (See THREATS section below). This is the Primary Objective. The destruction of enemy AAA at the airport is imperative to the success of the rescue mission. The Seahawks won’t be able to ingress to the target unless and until all AAA threats are neutralized.
Secondarily, once the SEALs locate the captured F-18, a precision strike to destroy it is necessary. Expect to be passed coordinates in MGRS format. Once the Primary and Secondary Objectives are achieved, Dealer flights are cleared to prosecute any additional targets on or near the airfield if munitions allow. VFA-41 flights should remain in the area of operations until the Seahawks depart Syrian airspace, at which time Dealer flights will be cleared to return to Mother.
THREATS
No Mig threat exists, as increasing allied air superiority has largely kept Syrian Migs from venturing far from base at night/early morning. Nonetheless, a CAP of F-15’s out of Incirlik will be on station to the north and CAP of F-14’s from our airwing will be on station to the southwest.
Satellite imagery has revealed the presence of six AAA gun pieces on the grounds of the Aleppo Airport. They include one (1) ZSU-57-2 57mm self propelled gun, two (2) ZSU-23-4 ‘Shilka’ 23mm self propelled guns and three (3) ZU-23-2 23mm guns mounted on Ural trucks. These weapons pose a significant threat to the rescue helicopter(s) and must be destroyed before the mission can continue. Additional AAA of various calibers is located throughout the city of Aleppo. The flight path of the Seahawks has been designed to avoid these additional threats. Dealer Hornet flights should be able to stay above and out of their range.
The Syrians are known to operate Mi-24 attack helicopters out of Aleppo, so be on the lookout for any low flying helo threats.
The SA-11 southeast of Aleppo that has given us trouble the last few weeks is still present, but as of the last few days, no emissions have been detected from the site. As a precaution, a U.S. Air Force EC-130H Compass Call electronic attack aircraft will be on station along the northern Syrian and Turkish border to provide jamming support (i.e. we don’t have to worry about SAMs). There is an additional SA-11 and SA-2 further to the east near Jirah and Lake Assad. The Compass Call should have them suppressed as well, but it’s best not to venture too far east of the target area.
ROE
Weapons free- All Syrian targets may be engaged. However it would be safest to wait to destroy the captured Hornet until the Seahawks have left the airfield.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 22 May, 2022
TIME: 02:30
SUNRISE: 05:32
SUNSET: 19:33
MOON: Last Quarter (~50% illumination)
TASK: Destruction of Enemy Air Defenses, Sensitive Material Destruction, Aircrew Rescue
WX: 173@04kt / Scattered 18,000-20,000 FEW 36,000 / T20 / Q29.94
FLIGHT DURATION: 220 nm plus minimum 1 hour loiter (Hornets)
190 nm (Seahawk-Recommend 2 external tanks)
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 UH-60L
CARRIER:
USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73) / BRC 184° / 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
DIVERT:
Hatay AP [WP5]
Rwy: 4/22
VOR: 112.5
ATC: 250.25
BULLSEYE: Hatay Airport [WP5]
Mission Overview Hornet:
Target Detail Hornet:
Overview Seahawk:
Target Detail Seahawk:
AAA Locations:
Helicopter LZ:
Supporting Flights:
