29TH MARCH 2022 Operation Persian Storm "Prelude" / "Sortie 1 feedback"

[Duke]

~ Intended to give an overview of the political and military action prior to the upcoming campaign involving Rafair and Joint Strike Wing ~

(This should in no way be taken as a Situation Briefing or otherwise, it is purely to build a backstory, which hopefully some members will appreciate)

Political tension between the west and Iran has been steadily rising over the last 10 years after the trade sanctions and embargo implemented on Iran in 1987. After these sanctions were effectively overruled by European leaders in 2018 the US again put pressure on Iran to allow inspections of its industrial facilities as well as military facilities fearing Iran had plans to become nuclear capable with the help of Russian advisors.

Iran's president Ebrahim Raisi banned The International Red Cross from entering the country to perform these inspections and was visibly outraged appearing on Iran state Television in a press conference held in March 2021 discussing the issues of Iran's past and future.

Two Red cross members were detained and imprisoned under arrest for spying and attempting to overthrow the government of Iran.

Nato members have held an emergency meeting and are working on releasing the Red Cross members who they have adamantly stated are being held without trial and under false allegations "concocted" to stop any foreign citizen entering Iran.

Iran subsequently shut its borders with the exception of trade via shipping and air.

[Duke]

Following multiple Nato meetings, and with political tension at an all time high between Iran and the West the decision has been made to deploy various Nato forces to the Persian Gulf.

Rafair units have deployed the Carrier group "Teddy Roosevelt" with supporting destroyer and frigate escorts. Accompanied by HMS Hermes and its task group.

USAF have deployed in limited numbers to Dubai sending F117 and F15C and E squadrons respectively.

UK forces include 3 and 11 (jsw) sqn F16, 41 and 892 F18 sqn's, 97 A10C sqn, 11 naval sqn F14, 801 (jsw) and 1 sqn AV8B.

Tornado Ground Attack aircraft have also been seen departing German airfields from Luftwaffe.

Regular cap patrols have begun around the Dubai airspace, with reports of Nato ground forces being deployed to Saudi Arabia and Qatar on "warm weather exercise" deployments.

[Duke]

Satellite imagery has confirmed Iran has successfully conducted its first nuclear test in on 18th July 2021.

An emergency meeting has again taken place between Nato leaders over the best cause of action.

Initial conclusion's have confirmed the only course of action is to launch a full scale occupation with intent to replace the government of Iran, in a similar fashion to the events that occurred in Iraq 1991 / 2003.

Plans have been drawn up for the first sortie with Rafair and JSW squadrons now placed on high alert. Nato ground forces have continued to steadily be deployed to the region and are currently stationed in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Abu Dhabi.

[Duke]

New reports from the region continue to suggest a Nato build up must be to deploy an all out war in Iran.

Military advisors to the press have played down these suggestions stating merely their presence here is to continue to maintain peace and stability in an otherwise unstable region.

During the 11 o'clock bulletin however news breaks

[Matt]

Brief AAR from 1(F)

Good night for us all around.

My SEAD pair engaged and destroyed all SA15 sites soon after the destruction of the SA6 site, my pair destroyed the grounded F4's and continued to suppress AAA during the third pair's runway denial.

Final kill tally for 1(F) was 3xSA15's and around 7 AAA locations mixed of mounted ZSU and emplaced ZSU locations and 2xF4E all destroyed.

Nice mission for us, thanks for a good night Chris!

[Boos]

892 Did not make it back to the boat on this one

Neil got taken out by our target, Evensis fought some enemy air to the last and my game crashed after I switched views to the carrier to watch Tomcat landing.

We destroyed the SA15 and Evensis took out some enemy air, need to do some more night flying to get into rythm of things.

I enjoyed it and looking forward to how it goes forward!

[Duke]

JSW After Action Report.

Experienced slight hiccup with the AI F18 replacing OCU not departing the airfield but as soon as we all took off (Chaos x2 F16 and Saxon X1 Harrier) the F18s woke up and took off to take up their cap to our west. I had dcs freeze up on me so had to respawn and hastily took off with just mk82 slicks as didn't have time to mess around sorting pre planned jdams out.

Chaos began to engage the SA6 at our airfield but were bounced by two F14s so broke off sead and engaged and shot down both Iranian Tomcats. I then ran in on airfield for high altitude ccrp drop as SA6 was still active. Got 1 of the bombs on runway which is pretty good from 28,000 ft!

By that point Chaos were bingo and rtb, I called Saxon complete and rtb. Returned to Sharjah and landed.

JSW targets destroyed. 2x F14, 1x Runway out if action

Also have to add, Dubai is flippin beautiful at night, you boys on the boat missed a great light show!

[309 Geoff]

97Sqn Debrief – Op Persian Storm.

Paul asked me to plan and lead this mission. Draft miz circulated to 97Sqn in good time. I initially planned to operate in the target area at 8000ft and destroy our 3*SA-15 with Mavs. I embraced the feedback and decided to operate at 21000ft with precision bombs. Thanks, Flyco.

Initially, we were to start up at the Dubai Western end of the runway, and taxi to the Eastern end for T/O. Mission Commander Duke gave 97 permission to start up close to runway 30 active. I was worried that the French were using our airfield, so we were authorised to use the Southern runway. We all had to get airborne before 1920Z, so we didn’t confuse the French.

Our target, Qeshm Airfield was protected by an SA6, 3*SA15, 2*Shilka, and 5*ZSU. The 4*F4E, and 3 choppers, were well protected.

Fully briefed, the four of us walked to our steeds, and climbed in. Clock showed 1854Z, so no panic. Start up and Taxi to 30L was SOP. ATC never gave us permission to take off, so I remined them that SACEUR had authorised us to use the Southern runway.

I released brakes at 191850Z, and with 20sec spacing, we all got away 4 mins before the French. On F10, I could see F18, F117A, and F16 taking off from Sharjah. TacView looked impressive, as did the scenery around Dubai.

Approaching the target area, we split into 2 flights, and operated from different offsets, for separation. We received the call from Overlord at 193847Z, saying our SA6 was no more. Now, I wasn’t concerned with our TOT of 1950Z.

Several MIG29s were spotted on our RWR. Still outside lethal range, I called Overlord, for help. Cap F18 were already on the case. I made 3 more calls for assistance, and all were acknowledged. I think the nearest BRA message for Pontiac was 50 miles. Thanks for all the support, guys. Good job.

I pickled a GBU12, and it destroyed the first SA15 at 194848Z. That’s 72secs early. My indicated speed to target was 200, or below. TacView showed my G/S as 270. Was tail wind stronger than anticipated? Next time, I think I’ll change my HUD to show G/S not IAS.

Pontiac 3, Paul, would have been next to hit an SA15. He reported issues with his laser. I asked him to hold at his offset IP, and volunteered my No2, Richard, to buddy lase for him later. Paul’s No2, Filip, agreed to buddy lase.

Pontiac went to work on all the air defence, aircraft, helicopters, and runway. We destroyed them all, even though TacView doesn’t tell the true story. Paul was authorised to RTB early. I called “Winchester” and set course for our re-join point. I had been carrying 2*2000lbs bombs to disable the runway, so not carrying as many bombs as the rest of the flight. I think Paul destroyed one ZSU, with Richard and Filip doing a sterling job wiping out the additional targets.

DCS Replay looked interesting over our target airfield. We had been briefed about unexpected ZSUs. They didn’t disappoint with their uncontrolled fireworks display.

I had planned to surprise Pontiac, by using illumination M257 rockets over the airfield. In testing, they all failed. Must be a DCS issue. Shame, I planned to take some screen shots, showing the damage we had inflicted.

Pontiac 2 & 4 joined up, and we set course for Dubai. At Fence Out, I called Overlord to say we were RTB, and asked for our thanks to be forwarded to CAP.

Recovery was spectacular. I’m talking about the scenery; our flying was only well above average. Paul watched from the flight line, as we finished our run and brake to land on 30L. We may have been the last people to land. AI still seemed to be airborne. Time was running short, so the three of us parked up next to a civilian airliner and had drinks with the holiday makers in the departure lounge.

Thank you, Duke, for a mission well-conceived, planned, and executed. I believe 97Sqn really enjoyed ourselves. I know I did. Bring on the next one.

[Danny]

Great mission Duke, thanks.

We took off, on time, after watching F-117A's and fake 41 taking off which was quite immersive. I must admit I wasnt sure about so much AI traffic, but it seemed to work well.

We had live ATC at Sharjah which, again, added to the immersion. Very well executed, thanks.

I flew SEAD and destroyed 2x SA-15's ahead of the strike team. Jack was the lone BARCAP and kept our area free, destroying 4 interceptors, great job.

The strike team, Sapper, Alistair and Beanie (welcome back m8) followed quickly on my heels and destroyed all the aircraft at Bandar Abbas. After a quick rearm, they returned, striking the runway, remaining SA-15 and a couple of AAA units. Another great job.

Sadly me and Sapper were shot down. For me I pressed on from a bad position when I should have retreated

All in all 3(F) had a great evening, thanks again Duke.

Did the the JSW lads enjoy it?