With Pamyra’s runway out of service, the Syrian Air Force is no longer a threat to coalition forces and can no longer provide cover for Syrian troops on the ground. As a result, the Syrian Army is attempting to flee the AOR and is in full retreat towards Palmyra.
Over the last several days, NATO coalition aircraft have been hitting the retreating Syrian forces hard and the highway from Tabqa to Palmyra has become a killing zone resembling the infamous “Highway of Death” from the first Gulf War.
Palmyra is firmly in the sights of coalition ground forces and if they can close the distance to the ancient city before Syria has a chance to regroup, Syrian resistance will crumble and NATO will finally achieve a decisive victory after months of conflict.
MISSION
VFA-41 is being tasked to continue the pressure on retreating Syrian ground forces. DEALER flights will be assigned two kill boxes along the Tabqa-Palmyra highway and are to engage any and all targets attempting to flee southwards towards Palmyra.
CAS Zone NORTH consists of [WP2], [WP3], and [WP4] is centered on the northern half of the highway.
CAS Zone SOUTH consists of [WP4], [WP5], and [WP6] and is centered on the southern half of the highway as it approaches Palmyra airport.
DEALER aircraft should patrol along the highway and engage any Syrian armor and equipment they encounter. NATO ground forces will remain well to the North and will not be operating in the area. Once NATO forces begin to press southwards, coalition aircraft will be advised that the kill boxes are closed.
DEALER aircraft may search for and engage targets on their own, but two JTAC drones will also be operating in the area:
-OSPREY will be orbiting in the center of CAS Zone NORTH and will mark targets with ORANGE smoke and laser designate with code 1688.
-EAGLE will be orbiting in the center of CAS Zone SOUTH and will mark targets with GREEN smoke and laser designate with code 1588.
ARCO is available near the objective for tanking if needed to extend loiter time. TEXACO will be operating farther to the West closer to the shoreline in case egress tanking is required.
DEALER aircraft should expect to remain on station until ordnance is expended or advised that both kill boxes are closed.
THREATS
Without an operable runway, no Syrian aircraft are expected in the AOR
Surface to air threats will be limited to AAA immediately surrounding Palmyra airfield (several miles west of [WP6]) and possible truck-mounted AAA fleeing along the highway within the kill boxes.
NOTE: Be aware of Lebanese airspace and air defenses to the south along egress route. Aircraft straying into Lebanese airspace may be fired upon without warning.
ROE
WEAPONS FREE- All Syrian ground and air targets may be engaged upon contact.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 11 September, 2022
TIME: 09:00
SUNRISE: 06:22
SUNSET: 18:45
TASK: BAI
WX: 150@8 kt / Scattered 12,000 / T24 / 30.01
FLIGHT DURATION: 375 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 160° / Freq 127.5 [6] / TCN 73X "GWH" / ICLS: 13
SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-3D / MAGIC / Freq 266.000 [4]
Mission Tanker / KC-130 / ARCO / Freq: 253.00 [9] / TCN 56Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / SHELL / Freq 353.00 [10] / TCN:66Y
JTAC North / drone / OSPREY / 1688
JTAC South / drone / EAGLE / 1588
DIVERT
Aleppo International AP [WP8]
Rwy: 9/27
VOR: N/A
ATC: 250.75
Tabqa Airfield (Emergency use only)
BULLSEYE: Aleppo Airport [WP8]
DD-33 Route Overview
- DD-33 Route Overview.png (638.89 KiB) Viewed 863 times
DD-33 Target Area Detail
- DD-33 Target Detail.png (359.57 KiB) Viewed 863 times
Target Imagery
- Imagery.png (3.88 MiB) Viewed 863 times
Mission Datacard
- z_mdc.png (66.77 KiB) Viewed 855 times
