This afternoon, NATO forces will push to capture Jirah Airbase from the Syrians. Supported by US Navy and US Marine aircraft, elements of Alpha and Bravo Company of a US armored division will push north and eastward beginning at 16:15 local time, with the hopes of breaching the perimeter of Jirah Airbase at 17:00.
Additionally, troops from a US Air Cavalry brigade will be flown in from nearby Aleppo airfield via UH-60 helicopter to assist in seizing important airport buildings and facilities. The helicopters are planned to arrive over the airfield from the west as tanks from Alpha and Bravo companies arrive on the ground from the south.
MISSION
VFA-41 will be performing Close Air Support over Jirah Airbase [WP3, WP4] as NATO ground forces and Air Cavalry [UZI Flight] assault the airfield.
VFA-41 has two primary objectives:
1. Neutralize the AAA and short-range mobile SAM units defending the runway before the UH-60s of UZI Flight arrive at the objective.
2. Target and destroy Syrian armor and mechanized infantry positions guarding the airfield before NATO forces reach the perimeter
F-14 TARPS aircraft overflew Jirah earlier this morning and provided up to date imagery of current Syrian defensive positions at the airfield.
US Navy aircraft should focus on targets at the airfield. Numerous additional Syrian units are deployed further to the west, but USMC Harriers will be working those targets. Be advised accordingly, that the Harriers (COLT Flight) will also be operating in the area.
UZI flight helicopters will radio as they approach the objective. Once UZI safely arrives and M-1 Abrams tanks from Alpha/Bravo Companies have secured the airfield, DEALER flights will be cleared to depart.
If airfield defenses are not destroyed in time and UZI flight is downed prior to reaching their objective, the mission will fail and the assault will be called off.
TEXACO available along ingress/egress route for tanking as required.
THREATS
Known SA-9 and SA-19 systems are have been identified and marked on the latest target imagery, along with several truck-mounted AAA units.
No long-range SAMS are operational in the area.
Heavy F-15 presence will be maintained overhead during the assault. Expect little to no interference from Syrian Migs. It is possible that Syria may try to send SU-27s or Helicopter Gunships up from Tabqua Airbase in an attempt to disrupt the attack, but chances are good that any such attempts will be immediately visible to AWACS and ample warning issued to USN and USAF aircraft in the vicinity.
ROE
Weapons Restricted- All ground and air targets may be freely engaged within the perimeter of Jirah airfield prior to 1700L. FRIENDLY TANKS AND HELOS are scheduled to breach the perimeter of the target area at ~1700L. After 1700, POSITIVE VISUAL ID OF ALL GROUND TARGETS MUST BE MADE prior to weapon release.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 24 July, 2022
TIME: 16:00
SUNRISE: 05:32
SUNSET: 19:41
TASK: CAS for Jirah Airfield assault
WX: 220@06 kt / Scattered 8,000 Scattered 21,000 / T32 / 29.99
FLIGHT DURATION: 330 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 220° / 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
USMC CAS / 2 x AV-8b / COLT
Air Cavalry / 4 x UH-60 / UZI
DIVERT
Aleppo International AP [WP7]
Rwy: 9/27
VOR: N/A
ATC: 250.75
BULLSEYE: Aleppo Airport [WP7]
DD-27 Route Overview
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DD-27 Target Detail
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Recon Photo W-E
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Recon Photo S-N
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UZI Flight staging at Aleppo
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Mission Datacard
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