SITUATION
Although Iranian tactical and logistical air power over the Persian Gulf has been weakened, the recently deployed SA-5 site near Bandar Abbas remains a major threat to regaining air superiority in the region. As long as that SAM site stays functional, Iranian aircraft have a safe haven and freedom to operate between Iran and the UAE.
MISSION
VFA-41 has been tasked to launch at dawn and re-attempt a strike on the Bandar Abbas SA-5 installation that was largely undamaged by a previous attack.
Dealer flights are divided amongst two routes.
Dealer1 and Dealer2 are routed inland at low level over coastal Iran.
Utilizing the terrain along their route of flight will mask their ingress and egress to the Bandar Abbas area. Given the inability of the SA-5 to track targets below 1000’ AGL, the site’s radars and launchers should be susceptible to low level attack with high-drag iron bomb, CBU-99’s, or Mavericks.
Dealer3 and Dealer4 (along with 3 available VFA-41 Tomcats) are routed over the water to provide high altitude search and tracking radar suppression with HARMs, and possibly diversionary TALDs launched from F-14 aircraft.
KC-135 Tanker support (ARCO) is available over the Gulf, just south of the route to and from CVN-72.
THREATS
The search radar of the adjacently located SA-2 site was destroyed in a previous attack and the site’s capabilities are severely degraded with limited engagement range.
In addition to the SA-5, Iran still has 3 EWR radars in the region that are capable of alerting IRAF defense forces of approaching aircraft. Einfield flight, a pair of UAE F-16’s, will attempt to neutralize the Iranian EWR on Kish Island. The remaining EWRs near Lar are well inland and will have difficulty picking up ingressing Dealer flights until approaching the target area..
Regardless, once Dealer flights approach the outskirts of Bandar Abbas their presence will be obvious and Iran may attempt to scramble interceptor aircraft from Bandar Abbas airport.
Because of this, do not linger over the target area. If the attack is unsuccessful, Dealer 1 and 2 may follow the low-level egress waypoints back to the coast through the safety of the mountain valleys. If the SA-5 is neutralized, then a high-altitude direct route back to mother is advisable for fuel conservation purposes.
Primary target is the SA-5 radars first, then the launchers. Only engage the SA-2 if required.
All aircraft should be able to strike and clear the area before an Iranian air response becomes a threat. However, Dealer 3 and 4 should be alert for any Iranian aircraft that attempt to get airborne and chase down the strike package as they egress.
ROE
Weapons free- All Iranian forces may be engaged as required.
MISSION OVERVIEW
DATE: 10 October 2021
TIME: 06:00
SUNRISE: 06:12
SUNSET: 17:58
TASK: Destruction of Bandar Abbas SA-5 Site
WX: 106@12kts, 6000 Broken, 23 Degrees, Q29.86
FLIGHT DURATION: 400 nm
AVAILABLE SQUADRON ASSETS:
Dealer 1: 4 x F/A-18c (low level DEAD)
Dealer 2: 4 x F/A-18c (low level DEAD)
Dealer 3: 4 x F/A-18c (high alt SEAD)
Dealer 4: 4 x F/A-18c (high alt SEAD)
Dealer 1-4: 3 x F-14b
CARRIER:
USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN-72) / BRC 115° / Freq 137.5 [5] / TCN 72X "LNC" / ICLS: 5
SUPPORTING UNITS:
AWACS / E-2D / FOCUS / Freq 266.000 [4]
Mission Tanker / KC-135 / ARCO / Freq: 252.00 [7]/ TCN 55Y
Recovery Tanker / S-3B / SHELL / Freq 231.00 [6] / TCN:66Y
EWR Suppression / 2x F-16 / EINFIELD 1 / Freq 266.0
DIVERT
Minhad AB
Rwy: 9/27
TCN: 99X
ATC: 250.1
BULLSEYE: Bandar Lengeh
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