OPERATION SNAPSHOT: MISSION BRIEFING DOCUMENTSMission by: EnoPreliminary map photos have been submitted by the planning section...
SITUATION:October 30th, 2011. No moon; cloudy and darker than 3 feet down a cow�s throat. Your darker liveries will be used to good effect tonight. We're not stealth, folks... but tonight we�re pretty damn close.
Recent high level political executions perpetrated by military officials aligned with organized crime have inspired unprecedented cooperation between East and West. The Independent Republic of Abkhazia has requested our assistance in helping them get ahead of this growing problem and we are going to oblige.
A group of 8 US A-10s from the 23rd at Gudauta- previously engaged in a multinational "Black Flag" exercise (that is still ongoing)- has been committed to "Operation Snapshot." Various aircraft are out during late night scenarios which will give us an opportunity to blend in with the cacophony of the event.
International tensions are low despite historically fragile relationships in the region, but that could change VERY quickly if ANYONE discovers that we've been assigned to do our "friend's" dirty laundry while we're supposed to be here "keeping up foreign relations."
Anti-Aircraft Defenses have been pared back significantly in the region. Troops manning areas that are still active have been sleeping at the wheel for months. Though operational, these will not present a significant hazard. Stick to your waypoints once you turn in.
Local troops, bored and underpaid, are being lured into double dipping between the military and a growing organized crime syndicate. Many soldiers regularly partake in their "product" and surveillance reports random firing around the AO- often prolonged and mostly at shadows. Don't get involved... but keep in mind we're getting our intel from "somewhere," so be prepared to assist if called upon just in case.
WARNING:ANY unauthorized use of ordinance on ANY ground target prior to the elimination of the com center will result in irreparable political damage which you may or may not live to regret. Once the PRIMARY target is eliminated you�ll have roughly 20 minutes to hit opportune targets and get clear before we lose the element of surprise and people come out to flush the game.
ASSETS: Airborne resources assigned to the op include your 8 A-10s divided North and South, an Eastern group of 4 KA-50s based across the border outside of Zugdidi, CAP provided by 8 F-15s from Senaki, Kutaisi and Kobuleti as well as tanker support North and South of your AO. CAP is a precaution in the event that organized crime has infiltrated the local Air Force ranks and may get word of our agenda despite the highest conceivable secrecy. SEAD and additional fighter protection have been prepared and are standing by at Sen / Kut / Kob to support a rescue mission if you screw up.
On the ground, our JTAC troops have been "given" some resident military vehicles to allow them to blend in amongst heavy military traffic associated with the military exercise transitioning through the area.
PRIMARY TARGET:Your PRIMARY target is what is believed to be the MAIN communications hub that links all aspects of the criminal organization. A former Yugoslavian engineer sold plans for this facility-including a communications tower and reinforced bunker- to a "person of interest" a couple of years ago but how the plans were used (and where) remains a well-kept secret. We know what it looks like-but not where it's located. Tonight, you're going to find it and destroy it.
We've received some intel photographs of a command bunker similar to the primary target in Operation Snapshot. The plans for these protective structures have been sold to numerous crimal enterprises worldwide so it was no surprise to learn that one turned up here.
This bunker (photo attached), built and photographed in the mid 90s, was originally designed by the same engineers responsible for the almost impenetrable command bunkers used by both the late Dictators Marshal Tito and Saddam Hussein. Though this bunker is much smaller than its bigger cousins, it is remarkably well built. The signatures of the design are out of sight: Numerous compartments, shock absorbers and an inner shell consisiting of what could be up to 16 feet of reinforced concrete.
Only the largest of bombs will help assure destruction... Study the the bunker profile carefully as the next time you see it will be in the dark.
SIGINT has confirmed that the facility is located somewhere in the Gali / Ochamchira / Tkvarcheli triangle. Knocking this communications hub out first will buy you some time to hit secondary targets: Any warehouses or HQ structures in the IMMEDIATE area. Once the command center is destroyed, you can also hit targets of opportunity; specifically escorted supply convoys transporting �goods� between distribution points.
RECENT INTEL:Masterminds behind the organization have scheduled a meeting at this communication center tonight. The GRAND SLAM for this operation will be to catch them in the "collateral damage." If at all possible, keep your eyes on the target from afar and hit it after they've arrived. We will have a narrow window to swing at this. Deliver big... deliver fast... act with extreme prejudice and violence- then clear datum.
There will be no second chances. Targets must be eliminated by heavy ordinance- Anything less than 2000lb bombs simply will not suffice. Dress accordingly.
Sunrise is at 0743... You need to be clear by then. You have under 6 hours to locate and destroy the target.
ASSIGNMENTSA-10s North and South Tracks: Your courses have been plotted carefully to ensure your exposure to risk is minimal. Stay close until you reach your orbit points. Do not orbit outside of the G/O/T triangle. Do not cut corners. A-10s have an ability to loiter quietly and invisibly at 5000ft AGL. Once in the target area A-10s will stay above this altitude, lights out until the target is located and destroyed. Watch for large supply convoys (5-10 vehicles) with military escorts traveling on nearby roads. They will likely be transporting "goods" between distribution facilities. These will lead you to a variety of locations and at some point your primary objective.
KA-50s: 4 KA-50s will enter from across the border near Zugdidi and avoid direct contact. Report only, unless called upon to assist friendly assets during unplanned complications or engage troops protecting the primary target area once the A-10s have committed to an attack.
JTAC (HUMAN ONLY): You have been inserted south of Gali. Keep your eyes open for convoys shipping products between warehouses. With your help, we're hoping you will be able to help narrow down the A-10 / KA50 search areas and confirm the location of the primary target. These warehouses are located near populated areas and may be difficult to pick out from the air. You�re using older Russian gear without advanced designation capabilities, so be creative.
F-15Cs North and South Tracks: Mind the airspace north and south of the AO. Local aircraft will undoubtedly come up to check you out if you wander off- but engaging them unecessarily will destroy our ability to exfil the area unscathed. Do NOT fire unless (until) fired upon.
Tankers: North 1: Texaco 150 TACAN 1X
North 2 (after 5am): Texaco 152 3X
South: Shell 151 TACAN 2X
South 2 (After 5am) Shell 153 4X
