11 JUL 2021 Gauntlet-16

[Lion]

We are currently one of the most effective offensive units in the area, and the Iranians know this. If they feel their operations are threatened enough, we can expect the Iranians to make a play at knocking our carrier out of this conflict.


Commercial and private shipping through the Gulf remains as high as ever, and local intelligence sources have indicated that Iran's collection of fast attack missile boats have sortied over the last few days and are attempting to deceive detection by sailing close by cargo ships and within normal speeds.

Today's mission is to establish SEA CONTROL zones along the likely directions of attack from the Iranian navy, and prevent them from firing missiles or by intercepting incoming missiles.

Since the craft are not emitting (and don't need to be to launch anti-ship missiles), visual identification needs to be made on every sea contact before anti-ship weapons release is authorized.

One SEACON zone will be established 70 nm northwest of the carrier group, nearby the Al Shaheen Oil Fields, and a second SEACON zone will be 55 nm northeast of the group, closer to the island chains in the Strait.

The enemy only has two possible missile boat classes operating, the Molniya missile corvette and the La Combattante missile boat.

Remain on stations until 1830 local, and monitor 266.00 & 137.50 for communications and advisories from Overlord and Strike.

Package:
VFA-41, USN (315.00 - 318.00)
1. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 1-1 (Sea Control)
2. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 2-1 (Sea Control)
3. 4x F/A-18C Callsign: Dodge 3-1 (Sea Control)
4. 2x F-14A Callsign: Dodge 4-1 (Sea Control)
5. 2x F-14B Callsign: Dodge 5-1 (Sea Control)

Supporting Aircraft (USN):
1. 1x E-3 AWACS Callsign: Overlord 1-1, 266.00 AM
2. 1x S-3B Tanker Callsign: Texaco 2-1, TCN 56Y, 251.00
3. 1x KC-135MPRS Callsign: Arco 3-1, TCN 55Y, 252.00

Mission: Antiship Search & Destroy
Flight Callsign: Dodge
Startup time: 1700 (local)
WX: BKN 150/200, SCT 280/300 ---- 8 kts WNW surface, 7 kts W FL066, 14 kts E FL260+, altimeter 29.36 inHg, mild turbulence
Bullseye: Sir Abu Ny'air Island
ROE: Yellow - Positive visual identification required for antiship weapon release
Carrier TCN & ICLS: 72X, CH 5
Divert: Al Dhafra AB (110 nm southeast of CVBG)
Max Mission Length: 90 minutes (not including recovery ops)

[MrBean]

CDR Raid as Mission Commander this week.

Alternate: CAPT Hedgehog

[Lion]

see viewtopic.php?f=10&t=893#p1814 for missile boat information

[MrBean]

Gauntlet-16 mission was postponed until next week (17 Jul) due to MC availability.

[MrBean]

MC Assignment remains unchanged:

CDR Raid, primary

Alternate: CAPT Hedgehog