Syrian forces retreating southwards toward Palmyra have been hit hard over the past week, however some units managed to escape the “Highway of Death” and make it to the ancient city. These units are widely scattered, however, and are believed to be running low on supplies, fuel, and ammunition.
The last remaining Syrian army base in the region is the Syrian 550th BDE Headquarters and is located just NW of Palmyra. The base houses fuel and supplies that would be needed by remaining Syrian forces to mount any sort of counter-attack. Without access to resupply, NATO forces should be able to mop up any remining pockets of resistance and capture the Palmyra airfield and city center.
NATO Harriers and Warthogs will be scouring the area for any Syrian armor and vehicles attempting to make it to the base for resupply or to the airport to regroup. Strike aircraft will be assigned to attack the Palmyra Army base and wipe out any chance that the beleaguered Syrian army has to re-arm and regroup.
MISSION
VFA-41 has been tasked with striking the Palmyra Army base and destroying the stockpiles of supplies, fuel, and ammunition housed there. Unfortunately, the weather is grim with low ceilings and rain in the forecast. It is unlikely that high altitude attacks with precision guided munitions will be possible. Therefore, expect to come in at low-level with conventional weapons. The facility is located several miles north of the ancient city and its important archaeological ruins, so damage to those are not probable.
The base is located in a small cirque [WP5], located between two low ridgelines. Our route of flight has us skirting to the north of the target on ingress, then dropping down to cross [WP3] at low level and approaching the target from the east. The terrain should mask our approach from any remaining AAA and IR SAMs that guard Palmyra airfield, just to the south of our ingress route. The initial point [WP4] is a small manufacturing plant approximately 4 miles east of the target.
Targets of particular importance at the army base are the Fuel Farm, Ammunition storage bunkers, and command/HQ building. However, any structures or vehicles contained within the perimeter fence may be targeted.
Due to the fuel requirements for low-level ingress, TEXACO will be available along the egress route for tanking as needed.
THREATS
No Syrian aircraft are operating in the region.
Syrian short-range IR SAMs and AAA are scattered around the perimeter of Palmyra airfield, approximately 5 miles to the southeast of the target. Those do not pose significant threat to a low-level ingress between the terrain.
ALLIED CAS aircraft will be also operating at low level in the area, be on the lookout for any other low flying coalition aircraft working targets in the Palmyra area.
ROE
WEAPONS FREE- All Syrian ground and air targets may be engaged upon contact.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 18 September, 2022
TIME: 13:00
SUNRISE: 06:24
SUNSET: 18:35
TASK: Army base low level strike
WX: 190@12 kt / Overcast 3,000 Scattered 18,000 / Rain / T24 / 29.85
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 200° / 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 [WP7]
Rwy: 9/27
VOR: N/A
ATC: 250.75
Tabqa Airfield (Emergency use only)
BULLSEYE: Aleppo Airport [WP7]
DD-34 Route Overview
- DD-34 Overview.png (799.02 KiB) Viewed 815 times
DD-34 Target Area Detail
- DD-34 Target Detail.png (3.41 MiB) Viewed 815 times
Ingress from IP
- IP Ingress.png (4.01 MiB) Viewed 815 times
Target Area Recon 1
- Base Layout.png (6.69 MiB) Viewed 815 times
Target Area Recon 2
- BAse Closeup.png (4.97 MiB) Viewed 815 times
Mission Datacard
- Z_MDC.png (61.9 KiB) Viewed 815 times
