09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

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Father Cool
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09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Father Cool »

OPERATION GAUNTLET

Situation
We have received solid intelligence that terrorist insurgents belonging to Al-Shuharah are operating North of Georgia in Southern Russia. They are believed to be holed up in a camp in extremely close proximity to Zheleznodorozhnyy.

Whilst they are a small group, they are highly motivated and possess a level of sophistication not usually seen amongst similar groups. What worries us most now is what seems to be a new connection with the Russian military.

We have received confirmed intelligence from a SEAL team in the area, that covert Russian Military operatives have been seen moving what appear to be nuclear warheads by rail into the region near Zheleznodorozhnyy, just north of Nalchik, and it is believed that the Al-Shuharah network has, some might say, ‘purchased’ these warheads for the production of “dirty bombs” to be used on the behalf of the Russian Military. Our intel suggests that these dirty bombs will be used against a known Russian Military laboratory in the town of Vladikavkaz with a view to the Russian government blaming the devastating attack on western forces thus giving them an excuse to push further forces into the already strained Western Georgia.

It is of the utmost importance that these warheads are destroyed before they fall into the terrorists hands or are used to carry out their attack. It is believed that the warheads are either stored waiting to be used at a warehouse complex in Zheleznodorozhnyy or have been assembled and are on their way to Vladikavkaz via road. We must take out all targets if we are to be sure that the bombs have been neutralised.

The Al-Shuharah network has a handful of captured Georgian MIG 21 fighter jets stationed in Beslan and Mineralnye Vody, although armaments and pilot competence are all unknown.

Due to the distance to the target location and unavailability of AAR for the strike package, and the unknown air threat, only 11Sqn F-14’s are deemed capable of reaching the strike location and disabling the compound and convoy and returning to base. To add to the problems, the local village of Zheleznodorozhnyy are innocent and deserve no part in any hostilities. Whilst they are not deemed friendly, they are also not deemed hostile and therefore all collateral damage and civilian injury at the village is to be avoided at all costs. We must take out the convoy en route to Vladikavkaz, however care must be taken to ensure that it is not destroyed in a civilian area due to the possible radioactive package on board. Do not let that convoy reach the Laboratory.

Assets and AOR
Due to the heavy occupation of Russian forces in the Abkhazia region and their strong push into western Georgia, we only control 2 airbases in the whole region having pulled back to a holding location to await recovery to our home nations, these bases being Kobuletti and Kutaisi. We have no carrier support as the carrier group is still 5 days away and out of range to assist.

We have 1 tanker left on standby, it is both drogue and boom, but we are low on fuel reserves.
We may be able to rely on ground forces in the area as they fall back to Kobuletti for extraction to provide us with ISR, we will be subject to the fog of war on this one however we will have drone units airborne to hopefully fill in any gaps in intel.

Taskings

1 Sqn - We know that there are Russian forces in the area to monitor our departure. Whilst not overtly aggressive at this point, we are under their surveillance and we should expect them to report aircraft movements. Enemy CAP patrols are being run constantly at present so extra care needs to be taken. There are also likely be launches of GCI fighters from Sukhumi, Gudata and Sochi in addition to the routine CAP patrols in the event of aircraft overflying to the north. To that end, you will be tasked with taking out the runways at all three coastal airbases to minimise threats from those locations.

97 Sqn - You are to proceed with the defence of Senaki and Kutasi as enemy ground forces have recently aggressively moved into the area. Two bridges at Chihu and Abasha will need to be destroyed to prevent enemy ground troops from establishing a base of operations in Western Georgia. You will be supported by a dedicated CAP/CAS wing. Allied ground forces are arriving or en route to Senaki so beware of any blue units in the area.

41 & 892 Sqn You will be tasked with SEAD on both active and inactive SAM sites and EWR radars to allow a corridor for 11F to ingress. The flavour of choice appears to be SA6’s but be prepared for late activated SA10’s as some have been seen moving into the area recently. Once EAD is neutralised, you may RTB and re-arm, refuel and return to CAP in support of 1&97 Sqn and the egress of 11(F)

3 Sqn - You will provide air cover to all assets as they complete their individual Sqn taskings and in direct support to the ingress portion of the 11(F) mission element. Remain on station and neutralise any enemy air that approach our bases, we are counting on you to protect not only the strike package until they are clear into their incursion, but also our home bases. You may rotate around to maintain an airborne presence through to the safe return of 11(F).

11(F) Sqn - You will be responsible for the precision strikes. Targets are 3No warehouses at Zheleznodorozhnyy and a convoy currently en route to Vladikavkaz, Ground based spotters will keep you abreast of the convoys current location on the AWAC’s channel and offer smoke to the target upon request. Destroy all targets taking care to avoid civilian casualties and collateral damage to the local populated areas. Proceed North through the mountainous region at low level until clear and avoid potential Russian ground and air defences (EWR networks are in play trigging GCI fighter squadrons so avoid detection if possible). Egress to the south on successful completion of the strike via the mountain pass and enter Georgia via valley towards Gori before RTB to Kobuleti.

Squadron commanders please give any feedback ASAP to allow for mission adjustments if required.
Op Gauntlet FRAG.pdf
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OP Gauntlet INTEL.miz
(93.42 KiB) Downloaded 84 times
Cavan Millward callsign: 'FC' - RAF Air UK
CAW & CO IX(B) Squadron
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0405 Andrew
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by 0405 Andrew »

Squadrons, pleas sign up as normal and return Miz files to Father Cool.
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Father Cool »

As a side, I have made take off times for most squadrons as a minimum of 25 mins after mission start at the suggestion of Andrew who stated that some squadron like 25mins on the ground. This puts 11F rather late into the air. Suggestions have been made to either start earlier in real time to account for the late start of 11F or shuffle start times.

How long does each squadron need on the ground before take off? I can then assess the best course of action.

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Danny
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Danny »

Hi FC,

See this post for the rational for the 25 mins.

viewtopic.php?f=68&t=5048&start=50

It isn’t really a case of how long it takes to get in the air “in game” more the real life issues thrown up by DCS - crashes, SRS issues, weapon changes, late no shows.

If everything works as planned we can be ready in 10 mins plus taxi time. Problem is it’s rare on mission night for this to be the case.
Wing Commander Andrew 'Danny' Daniel - RAF Air UK
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Father Cool »

Ok Danny, understood, this however, because 11F depend on the other squadrons taking out an ingress corridor for us to get over the border, means that 11F are currently scheduled to take off 50 minutes after mission start to allow for the FA18's to clear any SAM threats up the main corridor, whilst not a biggy it might impact us with a late finish? If the FA18's can get up sooner then theoretically they can clear a path to allow 3F and 11F both a 20:30hrs min take off. That would of course mean though that the FA18's will be without CAP cover from 3F which is not ideal as they need to be concentrating on SEAD rather than air defence.

Is there any option for an earlier mission start of say 19:30 hrs so that the mission isn't running too late into the night?
Cavan Millward callsign: 'FC' - RAF Air UK
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by 0405 Andrew »

How do squadrons feel about a hot start for this one?
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Chris
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Chris »

892NAS cold start preference for all RAFAir missions to maintain immersion.

If the brief is issued early and contains all the relevant information then providing the mission is running at 19:30 892NAS can be airborne by 19:45 carrier spawn slots permitting and that is allowing ample time for Catapult, SRS or VR disconnects that often cause hassle on start up...

This of course may mean starting mobile threats not linked to triggers to a trigger (time or otherwise) - you know I prefer this method of early mission start rather than the later mass pause miz and join etc... I do understand the concerns to adopt requires mobile threats to be activated or pushed
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Father Cool »

There is no carrier on this one Chris. The Carrier group is 5 days out and resources are thin on the ground. All aircraft will be taking off from Kobuletti or Kutaisi.

I'm happy with cold starts and a 19:30 mission start. Its not so much the wait for us as how late it would be before take off. The extra half hour means we can get airborne by 20:15.
Cavan Millward callsign: 'FC' - RAF Air UK
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Danny »

Having looked at the miz and frag, I'm not sure why it would take 30 minutes for the SEAD to clear a corridor. Maybe 15 mins allocated for that would claw back some time?

No for hot starts, thanks.

Happy for a 1930 server un-pause, and a 08:25:00L take-off (19:55:00 real time)
Wing Commander Andrew 'Danny' Daniel - RAF Air UK
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Re: 09-11-21 Operation Gauntlet

Post by Chris »

Perfect, 892NAS will be en-route 19:40BST
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Chris :)

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