Targets for Today: F-222, F-227, F-229. Primary targets are static shipping, secondary are port buildings if the only available remaining targets.
The LW will form a "Big Wing" at or near the indicated Rally Point at T+40 Frame time. Should it be the case that the Big Wing, with ALL elements present, can assemble a tad earlier, it will be cleared for Malta, direct. The exception is a Stalkers/Nomads NOE strike with "secret" parameters.
Bases
Doolittle's Raiders -- F-8
LF-6 (All elements) -- F-48
352nd FG -- F-124
4th FG -- F-136
23rd FG -- F-157
Night Stalkers/Nomads -- F-205
Wing Assembly
The Raiders are the centerpiece of the Wing. Fighter Groups will fly in a postion to protect the buff formation from attacks from above and the sides of the formation as well as ahead of them.
When assembling:
23rd FG take the West side of the formation. Close escort.
4th FG take the East side of the formation. Close escort.
LF-6 take Wing cap and trail. Close ecort.
352nd FG take "point, sweep, and scout". Most elements 5-8 miles ahead of the buffs.
Buffs are requested to fly in as tight a box as current parameters will allow. The tighter your formations, the fighters can be more effective in protecting your Wing.
All fighter elements are encouraged to not follow anything but a "sure kill" more than 1000' below buff altitude and then return to their station. Buff protection must be maintained.
In general the Stalkers mission will rely on the way things unfold for the main buff group. It is unlikely that the elements of the Big Wing will ever have them on the visual.
Possible Wrinkles
The bad guys may elect to attack the 23rd FG's Base island. Response to that happenstance will depend on the position of the 23rd when that happens. The 23rd's CO may be asked to make the decision if he can do any good with his planes either directly at their base or on the bad guys' RTB. On initial climb-out from their base, the 23rd is requested to keep an eye out to the SE and E just in case inbound enemy flights can be observed. (If the 23rd had just one more step available, serious consideration would be given to keeping 6 airplanes to CAP over the base.)
Overview
The object of the exercise of for the LW to gaggle up and invite the bad guys to deal with our Big Wing. It "should" put out a radar signature that the enemy would feel they have to deal with. Hopefully that will create some interesting flying situations for everyone. When we get the buffs to the port targets, there should be enough static shipping to bomb that will make the mission fruitful.
DTF by -Gums-. Gold -- IN, Green -- OUT
Good hunting to all!
I'll see everyone on the ramp.
<S>