Pilots: TACO, PRIMO*, MURF*, SPECTRE, SQUIRREL, PANDA, CHUNKS, JAZBO, COSTA
*Gentle Lovers
COLT (FIGHTER SWEEP): MURF, JAZBO, CHUNKS
DODGE (GROUND CONVOY ESCORT): SPECTRE, SQUIRREL, COSTA
FORD (GROUND ATTACK): TACO, TRASHPANDA, PRIMO
Strategy:
- We’ve taken El Calafate’s runway out of the picture and made it more difficult for the Malvins to operate in northwest Andea, but now we need to capitalize on that and establish a foothold there.
- It was a strategic mistake not to leave round-the-clock patrols over El Calafate, and our enemy pounced on it; retaking the skies overnight.
- First, we need to repair the runway and get some short-range SAM systems in place.
- Then, land larger planes, friendly ground units, and wider-range SAM systems.
- The Malvins know this, and they’ve kept constant fighter patrols over El Calafate since our strike while they race to bring in their own repair crews and short range SAMs.
- Colt (Fighter Sweep) Claim the skies over El Calafate and keep them clear for our convoy to reach it.
- Dodge (Convoy Escort) Protect the convoy from aerial threats en-route. Convoy will reach El Calafate in ~90 minutes. You’re full A2A, so flex can flex if needed to assist Colt.
- Ford (Convoy Strike) Destroy Malvin convoy en route, watch out for SAMs.
- Depart Ship first
- Orbit near WPT 1 on west side of mountains, so you have good SA on Malvin patrols over El Calafate. Recommend a chainsaw; you need to keep a close eye and know when the 4 Jets become 2 Jets - that's the most advantageous opportunity we expect to have.
- Darkstar reports that 2 of the 4 fighters over El Calafate have been on-station significantly longer than the other two. Expect them to rotate out for fuel or land in the next 15-45 minutes based on fuel calculations and weight estimates. If you wait for this opportunity, you’ll have a 3-on-2 as opposed to a 3-on-4.
- Patience required to maximize chance of success.
- Once airspace is secure, S-3 tankers will push in behind you over the mountain ridge-line, rotate to the tanker if needed.
- Colt/Dodge: When you are 10-15 minutes from RTB, call into MC. There are reserve hornets brought up on the elevators to maintain CAP over El Calafate. Do not leave until they approach El Calafate.
- We need to keep some presence over El Calafate at all times. RTB once replacements on or near station.
Launch Order: FIRST
Assigned Tanker: NAVY ONE TACAN: 58Y RADIO: AUX 258 BUTTON 2
Transit Altitude: Any
Pilots: MURF (225), JAZBO (213), CHUNKS (217)
DODGE 2
- Depart Ship second
- Hold at WPT 2; recommend a chainsaw to keep radars looking east. Scan high and low.
- WPT 2 is further north than where our convoy is, but if you’re right overhead you’ll give away its position. Keep distance from El Calafate until we have an advantageous position or the convoy is threatened.
- Convoy has deployed a small, stealthy airborne drone with TACAN 1Y for you to track their position covertly.
- Once secure, S-3 tankers will push in behind you over the mountain ridge-line, rotate to the tanker if needed.
- Colt/Dodge: When you are 10-15 minutes from RTB, call into MC. There are reserve hornets brought up on the elevators to maintain CAP over El Calafate. Do not leave until they approach El Calafate.
- 1.We need to keep some presence over El Calafate at all times.
Launch Order: SECOND
Assigned Tanker: MAULER 1-1 TACAN: 59Y RADIO: AUX 259 BUTTON 3
Transit Altitude: 30,000
Pilots: SPECTRE (208), SQUIRREL (211), COSTA (223)
FORD 3
- Depart Ship third
- Orbit over carrier
- Wait for Colt to establish control over El Calafate
- Malvin convoy is 1-2 hours east of El Calafate, but still within SA-20A range. Make sure they’re outside of those protective rings before you engage. SA-20As fire in TWS, meaning your RWR will show that you're being locked until that missile actually goes pitbull on you.
- Expect point defense units in or near the convoy. SA-15s have a maximum firing altitude of 26,000 ft.
- Convoy moving at high speed to reach the runway first! You will need to LEAD your targets manually with a laser in order to hit them, auto-track may NOT be fast enough. Attack direction important too, easier for bomb to maneuver forward/backward than side to side to correct for speed.
- RTB upon Dakota
Launch Order: THIRD
Assigned Tanker: NAVY ONE TACAN: 58Y RADIO: AUX 258 BUTTON 2
Transit Altitude: 30,000
Pilots: TACO (205), TRASH PANDA (220)
====================
FLIGHT: 4 X FA-18C – FIGHTER SWEEP //
CALLSIGN COLT 1//
RADIOS – PRI (AS BRIEFED) AUX 263.00 MIDS-A 63//
LOAD OUT: 3 X FUEL ** 2 X AIM-9X ** 6 X AIM-120C///
FLIGHT: 4 X FA-18C – CONVOY PROTECTION //
CALLSIGN DODGE 2//
RADIOS – PRI (AS BRIEFED) AUX 264.00 MIDS-A 64//
LOAD OUT: 3 X FUEL ** 2 X AIM-9X ** 6 X AIM-120C///
FLIGHT: 4 X F/A 18C – GROUND STRIKE //
CALLSIGN FORD 3//
RADIOS – PRI (AS BRIEFED) AUX 265.00 MIDS-A 65//
LOAD OUT: 3 X FUEL ** 2 X AIM-9X ** 1 X AIM-120C ** 1 X ATFLIR POD ** 4 X GBU-12///
===============
FLIGHT: 1 x E2D – AWACS//
CALLSIGN DARKSTAR AUX 254.00///
========================
FLIGHT: 1 X S-3B
CALLSIGN NAVY ONE AUX 258.00 BUTTON 2//
TACAN 58Y NVY//
FUEL LOAD 17,000LBS//
ALTITUDE FL170
STATION WILL BE LOCATED AT POINT BULLS/
========================
FLIGHT: 1 X S-3B
CALLSIGN MAULER AUX 259.00 BUTTON 3//
TACAN 59Y MLR//
FUEL LOAD 17,000LBS//
ALTITUDE FL170
STATION WILL BE LOCATED NORTH OF EL CALAFATE//
===============
ELEMENT ORDERS:
DEPARTURE TIME 15:00L FLIGHT WILL DEPART USS ROOSEVELT//
=============
LAUNCH ORDER:
COLT 1, DODGE 2, FORD 3
=================
CARRIER OPERATIONS:
CALLSIGN ROUGH RIDER//
USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT IS ON STATION IN THE PACIFIC OCEAN//
ALERT STATE IS RED//
ROOSEVELT TACAN 71X RID (FATHER) ** ICLS CHANNEL 11 ***//
BRC 164 DEGREES//
CASE 1 ARRIVAL IN EFFECT//
FB 155 DEGREES
================================
COMMUNICATION PLAN:
PRIMARY – BUTTON 1 - 127.50 ** BUTTON 2 - 254.00//
AUX – BUTTON 1 (AS FRAGGED) ** BUTTON 2 - 258.00 ** BUTTON 3 - 259.00//
=================================
BULLSEYE: BULLS (WPT 1)///
=================================
ALTERNATE FIELD: NONE YET, NEED TO ESTABLISH EL CALAFATE AS FOB
=========================================================
WEATHER:
TWO LAYERS SCATTERED LARGE CLOUDS HIGH CEILING METAR: BKN 18/20 BKN 32/33 FEW 41///
=======
INTEL:
MIRAGE 2000, MIRAGE F1, AJS37, IL-78, KJ-2000, SA-20A*2///
================================================
DISTRIBUTION: CO VMFA-115 FIGHTER SQUADRON/COMMAND USS THEODORE ROOSEVELT/NDHQ NEW YORK/AIRCOMD NEW YORK
08:00 10/03/2012
ORIGINATOR: HQ USN MIDDLE EAST
OPERATION ORDERS, NATOPS
MAP 200000, EDITION 1986
