NATO forces have encountered fierce resistance from Syrian armored and infantry divisions on the outskirts of Jirah and have had to fall back several kilometers this past week in order to solidify their lines and reduce the likelihood of a successful Syrian counter-offensive.
Fortunately, the SA-11 protecting Jirah city and Airbase was finally destroyed by US Navy strike aircraft over the weekend and Allied frontline CAS assets are once again able to reach Syrian positions without harassment by the long-range SAM threat. A-10 and Apache sorties will be stepped up this week, soon to be joined by assistance from the Marine Harrier detachment relocated ashore at Aleppo.
Meanwhile, Allied strike aircraft will attempt to harass Syrian reinforcements behind the lines and disrupt Syrian supply lines, so that NATO ground forces can once again go on the offensive.
MISSION
VFA-41 has been tasked to launch in the early morning hours and target the Syrian Army base at Durayhim, located approximately 20nm SSE of Jirah Airbase.
Specifically, VFA-41 aircraft are to target the motor pool complex, where recent satellite images have shown a large number of armored reinforcements are preparing to move out for the front.
There are three large garage buildings located adjacent [WP3] that must be destroyed, as well as two reinforced ammunition bunkers located at [WP4]. Destroying these structures will greatly reduce the availability of ready reserves that Syria can use to quickly resupply their front-line forces.
This will be a nighttime strike with approximately 50% illumination, but sparce cloud cover is expected over target.
THREATS
All long-range radar guided SAMs have been eliminated in the target area. However, expect Durayhim Armybase to be protected by AAA and short-range IR and optically-guided mobile SAMs
Syrian Migs may be on CAP duty near Tabqua (40 nm E of target) and/or Palmyra (80 nm S of target). Lingering over the target and making multiple bombing runs is therefore not recommended if it can be avoided.
Friendly CAP will be operating ~30nm NW of target near Aleppo, should the strike package find itself being pursued by hostile aircraft.
ROE
Weapons free- All Syrian targets may be engaged.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 17 July, 2022
TIME: 03:00
SUNRISE: 05:38
SUNSET: 19:45
TASK: Strike on Durayhim Armybase
WX: 070@8 kt / Scattered 7,000 Scattered 23,000 / T27 / 30.20
FLIGHT DURATION: 300 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
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
Aleppo International AP [WP7]
Rwy: 9/27
VOR: N/A
ATC: 250.75
BULLSEYE: Aleppo Airport [WP7]
DD-26 Route Overview
- DD-26 Route Overview.png (1005.27 KiB) Viewed 847 times
DD-26 Target Detail
- DD-26 Target Detail.png (699.81 KiB) Viewed 847 times
Durayhim Armybase
- Durayhim Base.png (542.13 KiB) Viewed 847 times
Base Facilities and Layout
- Base Layout.png (5.34 MiB) Viewed 847 times
Motor pool satellite image
- Motor Pool Satellite.png (3.05 MiB) Viewed 847 times
DD-26 Mission Datacard
- Z_MDC.png (61.99 KiB) Viewed 847 times