With the Tabqa SA-2 and other area defenses eliminated, NATO ground forces are expected to take Tabqua airfield in the coming week. This will leave Syria with Palmyra as the one remaining operational airfield in the AOR.
Syrian ground force strength is weakening after weeks of relentless allied CAS and recent advances by NATO tanks and heavy fighting vehicles. Syrian reserves are dwindling and indications are that the fighting in Northern Syria may be over within the month.
MISSION
VFA-41 is being tasked to strike an oil drilling and pumping station south of Tabqa air base. The target facility is only one of a myriad of oil production facilities in the Deir al-Zour Oilfield.
NATO hopes the strike will demonstrate the ability of the West to cripple Syria’s oil production capabilities and convince president Assad to finally negotiate a settlement before Syria risks further disrupting their critical oil trade.
The facility lies approximately 15 miles South of Tabqa airfleld and is composed of numerous pumping stations, a drilling rig, and a storage and maintenance facility. Today’s targets are nine of the pumping stations [WP3, WP4] and the drilling rig [WP5].
All of the targeted pumping stations lie north of the main road and are separated into West [WP3] and East [WP4] groups. The six West pumping stations are located along a service road extending out from the storage/retention pond facility. The three East pumping stations are located between the storage facility and the drilling rig.
The drilling rig at [WP5] is located just south of the main road. Note: that multiple other pumping stations are also located south of the main road, but are not being targeted in today’s mission.
ALL PILOTS should familiarize themselves with the intel photos before flight as knowing the layout of the facility and the location of the pumping stations in relation to the waypoints and surface landmarks will be critical to the success of the mission.
The pumping stations, in particular, may be difficult to spot from high altitudes, so lower than normal level visual and/or FLIR acquisition of each target may be required to designate the proper targets.
THREATS
The majority of Tabqa air defenses to the north (15 nm) were eliminated, with the exception of some AAA and short range mobile IR SAMs. The Syrians also have a Forward Operating Base at al-Kawn (14 nm South) that is defended by SA-8 and AAA. Recommend coming off target to the North to avoid the SA-8s at Al Kawn. Avoid overflying these two areas and the risk of encountering anti-air defenses is minimal.
Syrian CAP is still operating out of Palmyra to the south. Syria still has limited numbers of operational Mig-25s, Mig-29s and Mig-23s in Palmyra. Once again, airborne Syrian CAP may choose to engage if they feel they have a chance to disrupt inbound strike aircraft.
ROE
WEAPONS FREE- All Syrian ground and air targets may be engaged upon contact.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 21 August, 2022
TIME: 09:00
SUNRISE: 06:04
SUNSET: 19:15
TASK: Oil production facility strike
WX: 045@5 kt / Broken 16,000 Scattered 24,000 / T27 / 29.87
FLIGHT DURATION: 360 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 050° / 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 [8]/ TCN 55Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / SHELL / Freq 353.00 [10] / TCN:66Y
DIVERT
Aleppo International AP [WP8]
Rwy: 9/27
VOR: N/A
ATC: 250.75
BULLSEYE: Aleppo Airport [WP8]
DD-30 Route Overview
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DD-30 Target Area Detail
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Target Overhead View
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Drilling Rig
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Ingress Target View
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Mission Datacard
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