Date/Time: 08OCT73 / 0000L
Location: Megiddo IAFB
Mission: Operation House Call
Overview: Four A-4 Ayits will fly a night strike against Marj Ruhayyil Air Base in Syria. The entire flight will be flown at low level to reduce the possibility of detection and increase response time of threats. This is a psychological strike intended to change the dynamic on the Golan front. F-4s and MIIIs will serve as diversions to the North West of the Golan Heights.
Mission Summary:
Yesterday you and 3 other pilots flew your A-4s to Megiddo IAFB. You have each been selected for your skill at flying precision low level at night. The target is Syria’s largest jet base, Majr Ruhayyil. The mission is not going to do significant damage to the runways or the base itself. It is about a) attacking at night when the Syrian Air Force does not fly, b) their ground forces have had the advantage at night against us on the ground due infrared sights on the Syrian T-55s and T-62s, this strike tips the night psychological scale back to us, and, c) striking an offensive blow against their capital only a few days after they started the war is a message we are not defeated.
High Command recognizes this mission is better suited to the F-4 with its dual crew and superior radar. There have been so many loses of Kurnass’ to enemy missiles and fire it was decided to use A-4s instead.
The initial leg is due East over Jordan. From there fly North to set up an IP East of the runways at Marj Ruhayyil on runway centerline. Deliver Snakeyes on the North runway. The other section is tasked with the South runway. From there RTB West-Northwest and into friendly territory.
***TIME ON TARGET IS 01:00:00L SPECIAL WARFARE UNITS WILL CREATE DIVERSIONS AND DISTRACTIONS IN AND AROUND THE AREA TO MASK YOUR INGRESS, TIME OVER TARGET, AND EGRESS. TIMING IS CRITICAL TO THE STRIKE’S SUCCESS and SAFETY. BE ON TIME, NOT EARLY OR LATE.***
A section of F-4 Kurnass’ and MIII Shahaks will serve as diversions along the Golan to keep Syrian radars focused to the West, while the strike ingresses East. They will be launching out of Ramat David.
Remain below 1200 AGL to avoid detection until turning North. From there remain below 500 AGL. Syrian EW radars have difficulty breaking out targets below that. SA-2s likewise have difficulty tracking targets below 750 AGL. *** If detected before the target chances of the mission being successful diminish greatly.*** This sortie is entirely about how well you can fly low in the dark on radar and keep your cool.
Of particular concern on ingress is the SA-2 battery at Tha’lah. You may have to fly lower than 1000 AGL and/or deviate from NAV centerline to avoid this site.
Sections will use A/A TACAN for station keeping and separation. Set TACAN splits per your kneeboard cards. Reminder, azimuth does not work in A/A mode on the TACAN, it is range only. Remember, you are the lead. It is your wingman’s responsibility to keep station on you, not the other way around. Set the TACAN and forget about it.
Obviously, radio silence will be required this entire mission until you are back in friendly airspace.
Go in HaShem.
***Historical note. This mission is based on a historical raid made by the IAF on Syrian Air bases near Damascus. The attack resulted in Syria pulling back SAM batteries from the Golan Heights to protect Syrian bases, facilities, and infrastructure. This reduced anti-air coverage over the battlefield and IAF losses dropped as a result.
