OPERATION: BRONCOS - Talib XXI
By frame CO's: Robert and Omega- of the 4th FG
Changes in red.
GENERAL PLAN
The B-29's will hang back and climb while we will have all fighter groups CAP the CV's at the first 70 minutes of the frame. The 4th is CV scouts and cover, the 352nd is flexible high alt group, and the 23rd is high alt guard. If the enemy attack early we engage them at full force, then rearm the Mustangs before we start our B-29 strike mission. If the enemy hangs back awaiting our B-29's, we'll run a normal "bombers to Berlin" style of mission with both the 352nd and 23rd as escorts. If most of the enemy fighters are killed early, then the 352nd will join the 4th FG as CV CAP vs kamikazes while the 23rd protect the buffs alone. B-29 strike green light can be expected to start from T+70 to T+100.
23rd FG:
Plane: P-51D - droptanks
Base: Iwo Jima F188
Mission: The 23rd FG will be our main escort group. From T+0 until ~T+90 though you will keep high altitude CAP east of the eastern CV group, outside of enemy DAR (60 miles). Engage high bandits together with the 352nd, drop tanks before engaging and try to get altitude prior if possible. Stay high if the 352nd are called to dive down to help, and guard against possible later incoming high bandits. If the 4th and 352nd needs help I'll call you guys down as a last resort. Try to make sure you keep a throttle allowing 180 minutes of flight unless high bandits attack our CV. Once the B-29's are called to go for their bomb run, you guys will be their main escort. If you get engaged early, I'll hold the B-29's until you can rearm at Iwo Jima F188.
4th FG:
Plane: F4U-4 - droptanks
Base: Carriers of choice. Enough pilots at both CV groups to scout possible enemy approach routes.
Mission: The 4th FG will have scouts like an umbrella around the eastern CV group. Try to stay inside our DAR range of 60 miles from the CV's and out of enemy unclosed DAR (60 miles). Your job is to look for enemy bombers which should come NOE. Preferably scout from 6-8k ft around the eastern CV group to enable alt-for-speed trade once IJA bomber groups are spotted. Keep your cool and report exact enemy coordinates, heading and if possible number of bomb groups once spotted. The enemy can come from any direction and even sneak in NOE the back way. Make sure bomber groups are unescorted before sacrificing speed and alt attacking. If they have fighters NOE, get the 4th FG together first and then attack them before they reach our CV's.
352nd FG:
Plane: P-51D - droptanks
Base: Iwo Jima F188
Mission: The 352nd FG will be our flexible group. Initially keep high altitude CAP some 30 miles west of the easternmost CV group. Engage high bandits, and feel free to drop tanks prior to a possible fight in order to get altitude. If there are few high enemy fighters, the 352nd is to dive down to help the 4th FG kill bombers and low bandits. I trust your judgement of where/when to engage. The 23rd will keep high cover for you. Once our B-29's are called to strike, you will either A) escort them if the enemy has been hanging back preparing to kill our buffs, or B) Help defend our CV's from kamikazes if a majority of the enemy fighters have been killed already. Be on alert if you are escorting, as I'll call you back to help the 4th FG if the enemy chooses to launch a late all out strike on the CV's. I'll hold the B-29's until you have rearmed if needed.
Nomads/DR's/Nightstalkers:
Plane: B-29's
Base: Iwo Jima F188
Mission: Hang back south of the horisontal 5 line. The Nomads are the lead buffs for this mission, unless you want to give it to the NS. You will most probably be given the green light to run the strike mission around T+70, or at latest at T+100, depending on enemy actions and P-51D rearm time. It should take you around 30-40 minutes to target once the lamp is lit. Make sure you extend north of the F51 factory if it doesn't close on the first pass, so that you can re-hit it on the egress. If it closes at the first pass then just turn right and head back home. Try to keep a low enough throttle for all the buffs to keep in formation. Better to be tight and slow than fast and spread out.
Good luck gentlemen and good hunting!
/Robert and Omega-
