VFA-41 took part in a strike against the Deir al-Zour Oilfield yesterday. The squadron's target was a drilling and pumping facility located approximately 15 miles south of Tabqa air base and consisted of nine pumping stations and the main drilling rig.
VFA-41 launched as three flights of two with DEALER 1 providing fighter sweep ahead of the main strike package. DEALER 2 and DEALER 3 were assigned the various ground targets and were armed with GBU-38 GPS guided munitions as well as a single Mk-83.
A flight of Mig-29s was encountered shortly before the main strike package reached target and DEALER 1 Tomcats downed both aircraft with Phoenix missiles, allowing DEALER 2 and 3 to get their weapons off on target before regrouping at the Initial Point.
An initial BDA showed six of the nine pumping stations as well as the drilling rig had been destroyed by the flights' GBU-38s. Three pumping stations remained standing or only partially damaged. DEALER 2 and 3 were cleared back in to target the remaining pumping stations with their Mk-83s and all three were subsequently destroyed as well.
As DEALER 2 and 3 were mopping up targets, a second flight of Migs out of Palmyra appeared on radar. This time a pair of Mig-23 Floggers. DEALER 1 quickly pounced on the new threats and both were expeditiously downed by AMRAAMS before they could close to within range of the target area.
No enemy SAMs or ground fire was encountered during the raid and all six VFA-41 aircraft subsequently egressed to the West and recovered safely about the USS GEORGE WASHINGTON (CVN-73).
NATO ground forces swept through the area a short time later and observed all nine pumping stations damaged/destroyed and the drilling rig facility was completely levelled, ensuring global gas prices will remain exorbitantly high for the forseeable future.
DEALER 1
1-1 Lion 2.5 kills (2x Mig-29, 1x Mig-29 drop tank), trapped
1-2 Mad Dog - 2 kills (2 x Mig-23), trapped
DEALER 2
2-1 Mr Bean ground targets, trapped
2-2 Dirty Dan ground targets, trapped
DEALER 3
3-1 Rhino ground targets, trapped
3-2 Chaos ground targets, trapped
21 August, 2022 - Damascus Dawn Week 30
Re: 21 August, 2022 - Damascus Dawn Week 30
Pilot records and Greenie Board updated.
Re: 21 August, 2022 - Damascus Dawn Week 30
I believe there was a third, wholly intact MiG-29 that I whacked and not just a drop tank