Op Portcullis - 18 Aug 2020

[Flyco]

We are planning to fly the next mission in the Op Portcullis series this coming Tuesday (18 Aug). This post is to get names of 97 sqn personnel who will be available.

Anyone who wishes to fly on this mission, should read the post in the Squadron Briefs section of this Forum, get a feel for what the sortie will include (it is fairly clear), and then put their name down to fly. There should be 8 slots.

I hope to publish an outline brief in this thread by this evening, and a full brief by 1700 tomorrow.

Anyone putting their name down to fly will be assumed to have read the briefs and be prepared for a short pre-flight brief, at 1930 on Tues 18 Aug.

[0405 Andrew]

Flyco,
Please put me down for a slot. I have read the brief.

I have not had the chance to fly any Portcullis missions yet, so I'm looking forward to Tuesday evening.

Cheers Andrew

[Paul(Dragon)0043]

yep, i'm in please.

[Richard Rodgers]

Yes please Alan

[Flyco]

Initial A-10 Brief
This interim Brief is based on what I have been able to glean from the maps published by Roon.

I have assumed 2 Flts of 4 A-10s, out of Al Dahfra. It would seem that Boar are tasked against Artillery, while Hog against more general targets - probably mobile armour and support vehicles. I have assumed that Boar will t/o first, and I have assumed a T/O Time for Boar of 0815, with Hog departing 5 minutes later. This will enable both Flts to be at their targets at around the same of 0845. I have planned a fuel load of 75%, which will allow us to make 20,000 ft comfortably, and 23,000 ft+ with a bit more effort. Offensive weapons loads are:
Boar: 6 x GBU-12, 3 x CBU-105, 2 x Maverick, TGP, and Gun.
Hawg: 6 x GBU-12, 2 x CBU-105, 4 x Maverick, TGP, and Gun.

There will be enemy air, but there are Blue CAPs and so we will have to rely on them, although all ac will carry 2 x AIM-9s. There is no direct mention of SAMs, other than an indication that there will be some fixed SAMs north of our target areas. However, we can assume that there will be some mobile SAMs, possibly including the troublesome Tunguska and Tor, in the area. We will not plan to come below 16,000 ft, which will keep us safe from any other mobile AD. We may have to use Mav or GBU-12s to eliminate any Tunguska or Tor initially.

Routing will be as shown on Roon's published route. We will depart via our normal Departure Point at 2000 ft climbing at 200 kias (reducing as normal with height). Leaders should set 92% from this point to allow flight members to catch up and maintain position. Formation will be standard A-10 route formation (No 3 ~6000 ft spacing from No1, and Nos 2 & 4 ~200 ft spacing from Nos 1 and 3 respectively, all swept back at 30-45 degrees). On level off 90% will naintain ~205-210 kias, and, if we are required to hold, the ac will maintain 200 kias + without any power increase. I estimate we can stay on station for 1:30+, with a comfortable Bingo of 1800 lbs, for a minimum landing fuel of 800 lbs.
I will publish a more detailed brief once we have more details.

[Flyco]

Attached is the first draft of the combined A-10C brief for the portcullis mission tomorrow.

I would be grateful if someone were to read through it and highlight any errors, or omissions they may spot

[Paul(Dragon)0043]

Just read it, looks good to me, Alan.

[Flyco]

We have just four so far - Paul, Richard, Andrew and me.

Come on! Let's see some names here!

[0405 Andrew]

I'm looking forward to Tonight's entertainment.

Have you all updated SRS?

[Richard Rodgers]

Yes Andrew I have, but I keep various old versions just in case.