In 1990 Iran placed an order with Moscow for 24 Mig-31 Foxhound Interceptors. Due to the collapse of the Soviet Union shortly afterwards and pressure from the United States, it was believed the order was cancelled. However, less than 48 hours ago, satellite imagery of Shiraz Airbase in Iran, showed a suspicious airframe on the taxiway. Analysts have now confirmed the airframe is indeed that of a Mig-31 Foxhound.
You will fly in a two-ship of USN F/A-18C Hornets from VFA-87 and carry out a mission to destroy Iranian Mig-31s at Shiraz Air Base. However, with the need for a surgical strike using precision weaponry, the US strike package will have to precisely locate the Mig-31s first.
It's time to go Foxhunting!
OVERVIEW
You will fly in a two-ship of USN F/A-18C Hornets from VFA-87 and carry out the mission to search and destroy Iranian Mig-31s at Shiraz Air Base.
LAUNCH
CASE III from USS Theodore Roosevelt. Hold at WPT 1 (16000 ft) until EWR site offline.
PUSH
A TLAM strike from the Carrier Strike Group will take out the Early Warning radar and communications tower just off the Iranian coastline. Once the radar site is offline you may proceed into Iranian airspace and rendezvous with a Spec-Ops KC-130 tanker.
AAR
Descend to 4000 AGL. Visual rendezvous with tanker 14:15:00 ZULU at WPT 2. Once refuelled, return to <1000 AGL and continue assigned route.
IP
At WPT4 climb to the IP at WPT 5 between FL250 and FL300. Anchor at WPT 5 and identify targets using the ATFLIR.
SEARCH
Hangars suspected to be housing Foxhound(s) are located north west of the main runway at Shiraz. Approximate location is WPT 6. Hangars are numbered as per briefing images to assist targeting.
DESTROY
Ensure to anchor your wingman before prosecuting any attack.
The window for successful employment of the GBU-24 is extremely narrow. To negate the SAM threat, bombs should be released at range between 15 and 16nm, at an altitude >25000ft. Releasing too early will put you at insufficient range to lase the target. Releasing too late will bring you into lethal range of the SAM threat. Recommended attack parameters are below and visualised in the briefing images.
Attack parameters:
Altitude: 25000 ft
Speed: 400 IAS
Weapon: GBU-24
Mode: CLAR PP
Heading: 330
CLAR OVR: Boxed
Turn heading 020-040 after release and manually lase target using the trigger for as long as possible, without masking the targeting pod.
EGRESS
Egress south on direct course to carrier. Low level or fuel saving profile dependent on fuel.
RECOVERY
Case III recovery on USS Theodore Roosevelt.
THREATS - AIR
F-4E squadron at Bandar Abbas
F-4E squadron at Bushehr
Mig-29 squadron at Shiraz
THREATS - AIR DEFENSES
2 x SA-2
1 x SA-6
Numerous AAA
*** Mission Maker's Notes ***
This has been designed to be a challenging mission that may take several attempts to complete successfully. Please see mission briefing pack for further tips. The following two tips are essential:
1) Do not push before the EW site has been destroyed.
2) Ensure radar is switched OFF during ingress.
I welcome any and all feedback!
