28 MAR 2021 Gauntlet-3

[Lion]

In an attempt to solidify their hold on the Gulf region, punish their neighbors for support of the US during the Gulf War, and to assert themselves as the pre-dominant oil supplier in the region, Iran has begun attacking oil platforms and shipping vessels trapped in the Gulf, especially oil tankers.

Our current role is to intercept as many of these strikes as we can, in addition to trying to eliminate the Iranians' ability to launch them in the first place.

The carrier strike group will switch its attention from enforcing the Iraqi no-fly zone in order to better respond to Iranian oil field and shipping attacks.

Iranian attack aircraft and helicopters are rampaging through the Gulf attacking anything not flying an Iranian flag. Obviously, this course of action can not be allowed to continue. Currently there are several neutral or friendly vessels transiting the Gulf that must be protected.

AWACS has picked up several flights of bandits inbound on the Abu-Sa'fah oilfield. Local interceptor assets are already tasked to another mission, so you will need to engage and destroy these raiders. Take off, proceed to the oil field and intercept the inbound strikes before they can hit the platforms.

Tankers are airborne, but they will be limited to operate within protected airspace over Qatari territory and a standard tanker over the carrier for recovery. This means, in most cases, the carrier will be closer than the tanker.

Package:
1. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 1-1 (Interception)
2. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 2-1 (Support)
3. 4x F-14B Callsign: Dodge 3-1 (Support)

Supporting Aircraft (USN):
1. 1x E-2 AWACS Callsign: Overlord 1-1
2. 1x S-3B Tanker Callsign: Texaco 2-1, TCN 56Y
3. 1x S-3B Tanker Callsign: Arco 3-1, TCN 55Y

Supporting Aircraft (RSAF):
1. 1x E-3 AWACS Callsign: Magic 2-1

Supporting Aircraft (USAF):
1. 1x E-3 AWACS Callsign: Wizard 3-1

Mission: Enemy Raid Interception
Flight Callsign: Dodge 1-1
Takeoff time: 1700 (local)
Weather: Clear, winds NW @ 20 knots sea level, winds SW @ 60 knots beginning at FL260
Bullseye: Abu-Sa'fah Oilfield (WAYPOINT 1)
ROE: Red - Weapons Free
Carrier ICLS: 5

Expected Threats:
Probable fighter escort accompanying inbound strikers.
Iranian forces are running combat air patrols on their coastlines, not expected to leave their airspace unless US aircraft get too close.

Targets:
Any strike element inbound on oil platforms

[MrBean]

LCDR Raid assigned as Mission Commander

Alternate: CAPT Hedgehog