Operation Portcullis (1. Transit into Theatre)

[Matt]

Operation Portcullis

1(F) Squadron have been tasked with deploying to the Persian Gulf to assist in the ongoing Operation Portcullis, 1(F) will deploy in to the AO from the west and 1 Sqn will enter the conflict zone from the West with accompanying tankers and additional AWACS aircraft. They will be accompanied by a flight of F18's from the OCU. The F18's are tasked with escorting the AWACS and tankers and will intercept any incoming threat to assist 11Sqn (F14) as required. The AV8B aircraft will remain as close protection for the AWACS and tankers in the event of “Leakers” getting past the F18's and F14's.

Briefings to follow once all route cards have been received from higher.

Op Portcullis is based on the threat of Iran closing the Straits of Hormuz by invading the top of the UAE peninsula. By doing this they can place Silkworm anti-shipping missle systems on both banks of the Strait and effectively prevent any shipping from entering.

The Campaign will consist of 5 phases:

Counter Air - winning the air war and degrading air assets. Kill enemy aircraft in the air, bomb airfields and airforce infrastructure, destroy SAM systems.
Air Interdiction - Attacking ifrastructure, power installations,roads, rail links, fuel depots, ports etc, reducing their ability to supply or move their forces.
Battlefield Interdiction - Attacking their forces in the field, destroying armour, artillery, MLRS systems, fortified positions and any supply dumps.
Maritime Operations - if necessary. Attacking military shipping, fast-attack boats and naval facilities.
Pre Invasion - Attacking ports, beach heads, coastal defences in preparation for NATO forces putting boots on the ground and fully regaining control of the Straits, restoring safe passage.

Each phase will consist of two or three missions. Each consecutive mission will be based on the results of the previous one, so be prepared to fly over the wreckage that you created on the last one. If an objective is not completed, it will be rescheduled and flown again in the next mission.

The Iranian forces that we are up against is based on Janes estimate of their "serviceable" strength and will diminish in real terms. By the same token, our stocks will be based on the same basis - Carriers will have a real world level of wpn stocks, as will land bases, so no unlimited amount of GBU's or LGB's, Phoenix etc or smart weapons. Waste stock and you'll be dropping dumb bombs, Sqn Cdrs take note.

Initially, waypoint planning will be done by the OCU for all Sqns with a FRAG to Sqn Cdrs giving them complete control over their loadouts, tactics, formations and fuel etc. Once everyone gets used to the FRAG and creating their own briefings, I am hoping that the .miz can be efficiently circulated through the Sqn Cdrs so that they can plan their own missions in every detail from their FRAG. This would get us into a far more realistic mission planning environment, making it far more immersive for all and reducing the planning load for any single entity. Efficiency is the key - if we go this way, Sqn Cdrs must turn the .miz around in 24hrs and pass it on to the next Sqn Cdr. I'm hoping that this can be done in a fixed order every time and I'll publish that once we get to that stage.

The first Mission will be a precursor to the campaign: Flying Into Theatre.
Some assets are in place in the UAE, having been there on exercise prior to the Invasion. The numbers here are based on the responses we have had to the initial publicity for the campaign, but now that we are running it on a Tuesday night I suspect that we will have to increase numbers, so don't panic, we will augment numbers as necessary but not last minute! If you want in, say so ASAP. Current numbers are:

OCU F18 up to 12 (Flying in on 1st mission)
NAS F18 4 (In country on ex)
AV8B 4 (Flying in)
A10C 8 (In country on ex)
F16 0 (due to tech problems with the DCS airframe)
F14 6 (Based on approaching Carrier Group from the East)

It's been a long road getting it all in place but I hope that we can give you an enjoyable and demanding look into war-fighting from the air. I am grateful for all the support on behalf of the OCU and look forward to seeing you all in the air.
Regards

PortCullisBrief.png (2.73 MiB) Viewed 1219 times

[Matt]

Operation Portcullis Deployment FRAG

Mission Fragment for AV8B 1 Sqn

1. Situation.
Following the surprise invasion of the UAE Gulf Peninsula by Iranian Forces, NATO are
beginning an emergency deployment of aircraft, ships and assets into the region. NATO
Forces are at their most vulnerable during this period as Air Superiority has not been
achieved and ground bases are not yet consolidated.

It is highly likely that Iran will break it's stated peaceful intentions statement and attempt to
gain more ground and prevent a successful build up of NATO strength in the region knowing
full well that once NATO hold the ground their influence will be rapidly and surely degraded.

2. 1 Sqn Mission Fragment.
OC 1 Sqn AV8B is to plan and execute the detachment of his Sqn into the region in support
of the UN NATO resolution.

1 Sqn will enter the conflict zone from the West with accompanying tankers and additional
AWACS aircraft. They will be accompanied by a flight of F18's from the OCU. The F18's are
tasked with escorting the AWACS and tankers and will intercept any incoming threat to
assist 11Sqn (F14) as required. The AV8B aircraft will remain as close protection for the
AWACS and tankers in the event of “Leakers” getting past the F18's and F14's. The AWACS
and Tankers must not be left unprotected at any time during transit. Once transit has been
completed to South of Al Dhafra, 1 Sqn will proceed to join the Tarawa to the East with the
main Carrier Task Force at the entrance to the Straits of Hormuz.

3. Threats.
Iran has not, as yet, managed to deploy aircraft to the UAE airbases that it has taken,
however, it has deployed a variety of SAM systems to protect it's beach-heads NATO assets
are not to cross the line of enemy occupation or enter into the Red Air Defence Zone.

4. Summary.

OC 1Sqn is to plan and execute the following:

Allocate aircrew
Weapons Loads
Tactics for engagement of “Leaker” a/c
Fuel Load and Bingo 1/2/3 calls
A2A refuel plan as necessary
Provide briefing for all crew

[Matt]

Op Portcullis Mission 1 - Transit into Theatre.

Mission 1 is the movement of assets into theatre in preparation for the negociations between Iran and the NATO Alliance. This is necessary to counter the Iranian desire to control all shipping traffic through the Straits. The Iranian Government has insisted that their invasion of the North of the UAE was only to bring the US and Europe back to the table to discuss sanctions. There are doubts as to whether they will keep their word and withdraw peacefully and satelite imagery shows that they are preparing to push further South on both sides of the penisula.

Airborne assets will transit into country via a corridor that must be protected at all costs. This transit will consist of Tankers, AWACS, F18 and AV8B aircraft to be based on the Carrier Group approaching from the East.

Assets already in country on NATO exercise consist of A10C aircraft and F18 NAS at Al Dhafra.

The A10C's are tasked with search and destroy any enemy vehicles on the East of the peninsula south of Fujairah and also north west of the peninsular north of Al Minhad, details provided in FRAG.

NAS assets at Al Dhafra are to hold QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) at Al Dhafra. They will fall under command of OC 11Sqn and launch to assist as directed in their FRAG.

11Sqn F14's will launch from the carrier George Washington and hold CAP over the centre of the peninsula to cover the transit corridor and also the A10 operations. All aircraft in transit are in A2A role and will also engage any attack on tankers and AWACS. The AV8B's will remain as close guard for those assets and soak up any leakers.

I have attached a diagram of the operation, showing areas of responsibility to help with overall awareness of the theatre. I have also attached a comms document showing the studding of radios by aircraft type - Flight Commanders study this and ensure that channel switching is carried out as necessary to avoid chatter blocking the vital channels. If you don't NEED to say anything don't!!

1930 - Introductory Brief by OC OCU (very brief!)
1935 - Flight Cmdrs brief their flights
1950 - In cockpit
1955 - Unpause, mission start.

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