With Qeshm airport now in rebel hands after this morning’s action, aid supplies are being unloaded both from UAE C130s at the airport and the Tarawa and Nicholas, which have docked at Shib Deraz.
A Forward Operating Base – Tortuga - has been established at Qeshm airport to operate a small force of Cobras and Harriers.
Satellite intel has shown multiple aircraft warming up at Bandar Lengeh airbase (codename Dead man’s Chest) to the east. They’re being loaded with rockets and bombs, so it appears that the squadron based there is planning to raid the airbase and/or the Tarawa group.
Two flights of Harriers are going to carry out a pre-emptive attack – putting the runway and it’s SAM and AAA protection out of action – preventing the strike and stopping the base from being reinforced with more aircraft from the north.
Updated 4th Jan 2021, added pdf briefing and maps, minor edits to the mission itself.
Updated 6th November 2021 to reflect changes to Harrier ordnance options.