With the only viable rail line between Russia and the western front line now severed, Russian forces are being forced to use less efficient means and methods to resupply and reinforce their front line units. Intelligence assets have been monitoring the build up of Russian naval units at the port of Novorossiysk for the last several weeks. HUMINT sources have confirmed at least six Ropucha-class Landing Ship Tank (LST) vessels present pier side, along with the arrival of the Grigorovich-class frigate Admiral Essen, a Krivak-class frigate and other support vessels in the harbor. Late last night the flotilla was seen leaving Novorossiysk and steaming south toward Abkhazia and Georgia proper.
An early morning S-3 maritime patrol sortie was able to capture radar returns showing the six Ropuchas steaming in convoy just off the coast with at least a pair of Grisha-class corvettes and a Krivak-class frigate along as escort. E-2 Hawkeye crews have also detected EW signatures from the Grigorovich-class frigate, which appears to be screening the LST convoy from further offshore. While the exact cargo in the LST’s is unknown, each one is capable of carrying up to 10 main battle tanks with 340 troops, or combination of tanks, IFV, artillery and troops. Best guess by the intel guys is that they are planning to land a force south of Poti somewhere to open an additional front south of the Rioni River and threaten the Georgian rear.
MISSION
VFA-41, along with various other air wing assets have been tasked with finding and destroying the Russian landing force before they can put their ground assets ashore. Based on their last known course and speed, the flotilla should be somewhere just south of Sukhumi at our launch time (See Search Area zone on map below). Two divisions of Hornets, one each from VFA-14 and VFA-192 have launched ahead of us and are tasked with locating and engaging the Admiral Essen frigate. Also already airborne are an E-2C Hawkeye and a section of F-14’s for CAP. A Prowler (Uzi flight) is launching for EW support and should be able to reduce the interception range of the enemy vessels once on station.
The Black Aces have been tasked with locating and attacking the Ropucha LSTs and their close escorts. Three S-3B Vikings and two additional sections of Hornets from our other two squadrons will be supporting us as well. WP2 (IP) and WP3 (BULLS) are set up as a line of search for the enemy vessels. Assuming they haven’t changed course, this route will also allow for a head on attack, which should be harder for the ships to defend. Destroy or disable as many of the landing ships as possible. Three Seahawks from HS-8 will launch just ahead of us and will fly to the target area to clean up any remaining enemy vessels with AGM-114 Penguin missiles. Watch out for them at Angles 1 or so.
THREATS
The Grigorovich-class frigate Admiral Essen poses the biggest threat to the air group with its navalized SA-11 Buk SAM system. The Tophatters and Golden Dragon guys should keep it pretty busy for us, but be aware that she is out there. Next, the Krivak and the Grishas each have SA-8 SAMS aboard. Those missiles are fairly short-range, and hopefully the Prowler can give us even more breathing room. Finally, the Ropuchas themselves are lightly armed, but capable of using their 2 twin-mount 57mm guns as AAA pieces. If you wind up low near the fleet, you best be pretty fast as well.
As always, the possibility of Russian VKS air cover is ever present. The VF-211 CAP is on station just to the north, but keep an eye on your SA page anyway. As before the city of Sukhumi has extensive AAA batteries of various calibers. Direct overflight of the city is not advised and that SA-6 from last week is of unknown status.
ROE
Weapons free. All Russian military surface vessels may be engaged as required.
Harpoons and MAV-F’s are the order of the day. The weaponeers have provided the following estimates of impacts needed on the various ships to disable or destroy:
Ropucha- 3 Harpoon or 2 Harpoon and 1 MAV-F.
Krivak- 2 Harpoons to disable + 1 MAV-F to sink.
Grisha- 2 Harpoons.
Grigorovich- 3 Harpoons or 2 Harpoons and 2 MAV-F .
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 09 April, 2023
TIME: 1500 local
SUNRISE: 0701 local
SUNSET: 2000 local
MOON: n/a
TASK: Maritime Strike
WX: 060@07kt / SCT 8,000 / SCT 24,000 / T15 / Q29.73
FLIGHT DURATION: ~ 310 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 HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN-75) / Freq 127.500 [6] / TCN: 75X / ICLS: 5
SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-2D / OVERLORD/ Freq 266.000 [5]
Mission Tanker / KC-135 / SHELL / Freq:251.000 [8]/ TCN:35Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / TEXACO / Freq 353.000 [10] / TCN:61Y
DIVERT:
Batumi [WP]
Rwy: 13/31
VOR: TACAN 16X
ATC: 131.000 [16]
BULLSEYE: Sukhumi Airport [WP3]
ROUTE OVERVIEW:
- Route Overview.PNG (3.89 MiB) Viewed 735 times
ROUTE DETAIL:
- Route Detail.PNG (3.87 MiB) Viewed 735 times
TARGET AREA:
- Target Area.PNG (3.47 MiB) Viewed 735 times
INTEL PHOTOS:
- LS_Ropucha.jpg (545.47 KiB) Viewed 735 times
- Krivak-Class Frigate.PNG (608.33 KiB) Viewed 735 times
- Grisha-Class Corvette.PNG (760.29 KiB) Viewed 735 times
- Grigorovich-Class Frigate REDACT.jpg (199.04 KiB) Viewed 735 times
- Tarantul-Class Corvette.PNG (868.57 KiB) Viewed 735 times
MISSION DATA CARD:
- Z_Mission Data Card.PNG (67.37 KiB) Viewed 735 times
