25 May 2025 - Kola Week 2 - Sub Sentinel

[Lion]

SITUATION
An F-14 equipped with a TARPS reconnaissance pod is tasked to make a low altitude pass over the submarine base at Olenya Guba. You must defend the F-14 from any air- or ground-based threats that jeopardize its mission.

DETAILED MISSION OBJECTIVE
In addition to a stockpile of battlefield-deliverable nuclear weapons, the Red Russians are in possession of at least two Typhoon-class ballistic missile submarines. These submarines are capable of striking anywhere in Russia or the United States with SS-N-20 nuclear-tipped submarine-launched ballistic missiles. We must determine if these submarines are still in port, and if so, if weapons' loading is in progress.

Due to the comprehensive SAM network coverage over the area and the short distance from mother to the mission area, the ingress and egress should be done at very high subsonic speed and sub-1000 foot altitude to not tip off the Russians early. The Red Russian SAM crews have been estimated by mission intelligence to be disorganized and unprepared for major incursions by NATO aircraft, though individual units such as the ZSU-23 Shilka and SA-19 Tunguska may take pot shots.

You must defend the F-14 from any air- or ground-based threats that jeopardize its mission.

THREATS
The Port of Severomorsk lies about 7 miles downriver from the target area and is host to a large number of Russian Navy vessels. These ships are estimated to only have a skeleton crew and may have periodic emissions from their radars but unlikely to be in any position to actually fire weapons.
Along the coasts of the river and inlets may be groups of shore based AAA and short range SAMs such as SA-19 Tunguskas.

If too much time is spent over the Murmansk area, then there will be an increasing chance that defense units will wake up and attempt to attack your package so do not attempt multiple passes or fly higher than 1000 feet for sustained periods of time.

Russian CAP flights by a mix of MiG-29s, Su-27s, Su-30s, and MiG-31s are likely to be in the area and will probably attempt hostile intercepts.

Mission Type:
Reconnaissance

DATE: 25 May 2025

TIME: 1327 local

WX: 120@11kt / BKN @ 6,500–9,000 / SCT @ 19,500–23,000 / 41°F | Q29.94 / Light turbulence

EXPECTED FLIGHT DURATION: ~200 nm

Package Elements:
4xF/A-18C (Dealer 1) 315.0
4xF/A-18C (Dealer 2) 316.0
4xF/A-18C (Dealer 3) 317.0
4xF-14B (Tomcats) 315.0

Supporting Flights:
1xEA-6B (Ascot 31)
1xES-3B (Bloodhound 21)
1xE-2C (Focus 41) 266.0

ROE:
Weapons hold unless fired upon or if F-14 is threatened

DIVERT:
Kirkenes, 90 southwest of mother (primary) VOR 112.00, ATC 250.250
Banak, 156 nm west of mother (secondary due to favorable wind alignment) TACAN 47X, ATC 250.550


Bullseye:
Polyarnyy

[Crash]

Mission Commander: Maniac
Back Up: Lion