13 November, 2022 - Operation Noble Tempest Week 6

Rhino · Post by **Rhino** » Wed Nov 09, 2022 9:31 pm

SITUATION

With the destruction of the vast majority of Russian ammunition and logistics in the South Ossetian Area of Operations and in response to the U.S. led strike on Russian territory last week, the Russians are shifting more focus to the Georgian theater of conflict. Personnel and equipment are being re-routed from the southern and eastern Ukraine fronts to Russian logistical hubs in Krasnodar and Vladikavkaz. Latest intelligence analysis indicates the Russians believe they currently have a better chance of battlefield success in Georgia since it is significantly smaller geographically and militarily than Ukraine. With winter quickly approaching, the Russians need to resupply and re-equip their forces south of the Caucasus Mountains before weather hampers the already treacherous routes from southern Russia into Georgia.

MISSION

With more war material arriving via train and air transport to Mozdok and the 58th Army Headquarters in Vladikavkaz, Russian forces are stepping up their logistics resupply convoys into South Ossetia. The only overland route directly from Russia into South Ossetia is via the Transcaucasian Highway, which utilizes the Roki Tunnel to pass through the imposing Caucasus Mountain Range. In order to cut off the direct overland route to the South Ossetian AO, EUCOM has authorized the destruction of the Roki Tunnel on the Georgian side of the border. There are two separate tunnels located several miles apart and provide access to separate valleys, though both routes converge just north of Tskhinvali. Command wants both tunnel entrances destroyed.

In the wake of the 2008 Russo-Georgian War, the Roki Tunnel was severely damaged. The Russians rebuilt the tunnel after the Sochi Olympics in 2014, completing the restoration in 2015. In addition to repairs, the Russians also reinforced the tunnel throughout, so the remainder of the available penetrator JDAMs will be needed to insure complete destruction of the tunnel entrances. The western entrance is designated as “Bonnie” (WP3) and the eastern entrance as “Clyde'' (WP4). Command wants a pair of JDAMs dropped on each entrance. As in previous weeks, EUCOM has not authorized our aircraft to cross north into Russian airspace, so once weapons are released, quickly change course to avoid traveling over the border.

Once the tunnels have been destroyed, Dealer flights are cleared to freelance for any military convoys that have already passed through the tunnel enroute to Tskhinvali. Any military targets located along the route between WP4-WP5-WP6 can be engaged as able. Take special care to not travel north of WP3 & WP4.

In addition to ground convoys through the Roki Tunnel, the Russians are also sending troops and material via heavy lift helicopters and cargo plane airdrops over the mountains (Likely Il-76 and An-26 fixed wing aircraft). Additional Dealer flights should be on the lookout for such helicopter and cargo flights entering the AO from the north and can engage them as able, once they cross into Georgian airspace. All Dealer flights should begin recovery no later than 1615 hours or when Winchester on ordinance.

THREATS

Satellite reconnaissance shows both entrances to the Roki Tunnel to have a military checkpoint consisting of light armor units, infantry and probable AAA and MANPADS. A high altitude attack is advised to stay out of the reach of the MANPADS. In addition, Russian fighter aircraft out of Mozdok are still a likely threat, although in the last couple of days only Alert flights have been detected as intelligence believes airframe numbers at Mozdok have been degraded enough to prohibit proactive CAP flights of fighters. While degraded by our actions last week, the SA-11 battalion north of the border is still mostly intact. Do NOT cross north into Russian airspace.

ROE

Weapons free on all Russian and South Ossetian targets, however special care should be taken to ID aircraft and helicopters operating near the front lines as Georgian Su-25’s and Mi-24s are conducting sorties along the Forward Line of Troops (FLOT).

Additionally, the first wave of our relief is scheduled to arrive in Tbilisi this afternoon between 1600 and 1630 hours. Flights of F-15C’s and F-15E’s accompanying C-17 transports are arriving from RAF Lakenheath in the UK. Beware of conflicting air traffic south of the airfield during recovery.

MISSION OVERVIEW

DATE: 13 November, 2022

TIME: 1500 Local

SUNRISE: 0826 local
SUNSET: 1759 local
MOON:

TASK: Precision Strike/Battlefield Interdiction

WX: 355@04kt /SCT-BKN 18-20K, SCT-BKN 32-33K / T3.3 / Q30.21

FLIGHT DURATION: ~230nm

AVAILABLE SQUADRON ASSETS:
Dealer 1: 4 x F/A-18c
Dealer 2: 4 x F/A-18c
Dealer 3: 4 x F/A-18c

CARRIER:
USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) / / Freq [] / TCN / ICLS:

SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-3A / WIZARD/ Freq 266.000 [4]
Mission Tanker / / / Freq: []/ TCN:
Recovery Tanker / / / Freq [] / TCN:

DIVERT:
Kutaisi [WP]
Rwy: 07/25
VOR: TACAN 44X
ATC: 134.000 [18]

BULLSEYE: Gori [WP 6]

Route Overview: