BRIEFING

CHANGELOG:

v3 20-Jun-2021 Updated CombatFlite file (Now ver4) with new station for AR702

v2 17-Jun-2021 Updated objectives Updated ENEMY AIR DEFENSES Updated WEATHER Updated COMBATFLITE file

v1.4 3-Jun-2021 Updated CombatFlite file (Now ver2)

v1.3 29-May-2021 Added airbase charts (GUDAUTA, SENAKI-KOLKHI, KOBULETI)

v1.2 28-May-2021 Updated intelligence section

v1.1 22-May-2021 Added details of friendly artillery support

SITUATION

A high-resolution map of the SOCHI area can be found here

1. After the successful annexation of the Cremea peninsula, Russia has turn its eyes towards the countries to its Southern border. A NATO taskforce was deployed to the Caucasus to reinforce and hopefully deter the russians of hostilities.

2. However two days ago hostilities broke with a series of clashes between Russian and NATO aircraft, as well as a ground offensive into Azerbaijan.

3. NATO intelligence warns that Russian armed forces are setting up an offensive into Abkhazia through the SOCHI district.

4. Due to tactical situation and expected difficulties in defending the Abkhazian western coastal area, NATO HQ has authorized a preemptive assault.

MISSION OBJECTIVES:

1. Deny the enemy of the SOCHI airbase by seizing surrounding key tactical terrain features

2. Degrade enemy ground forces combat strength, command and control and overall troops balance

3. Hold the secured area against enemy counter attacks and shape conditions for further offensive operations in the area.

4. Degrade enemy ability to counterattack by targeting selected C2 assets in the region;

METHOD

1. Execute a ground offensive to seize and secure objectives SUSHI, NOODLES and WASABI with end-state holding at least one armored platoon on a defensive position on each objective

2. Eliminate enemy units in the SOCHI area to facilitate safety of movement of allied reinforcements through the region

ALLIED GROUND FORCE

1. The maneuvering force consists of one battalion (Total of 36) M1A2 ABRAMS MBTs, reinforced by 1x mechanized company of M2A2 BRADLEY IFVs.

2. The force is accompanied by an mobile air defense detatchment of 2x GEPARD SPAAAs teams (2x vehicles per team) + 2x ROLAND teams (2x launchers and one EWR per team)

3. Additionally, 4x recon teams (2x ATGM HMMWV per team) are reserved for TACP members

4. The maneuvering ground force is currently at the assembly area (Hidden from view of any enemy OPs)

5. Fire support: a 155mm PALADIN battery (4x barrels) at N43deg 26.5' / E040deg 07.7'

INTELLIGENCE

ENEMY GROUND OPPOSITION

1. The Russian 131st Motor-Rifle Division is based at MAYKOP and has units deployed along the border including the SOCHI area.

2. Enemy deployement include static outposts and positions as well as mobile groups that may relocate as needed to set up makeshift defensive positions and / or reinforce static defenses.

3. The two outposts nearest to the border can house anywhere between a platoon to a company sized armor/mechanized forces.

4. With the primary combat vehicles used by the 131st Division we exepect mainly T-80s and BMP-3s as frontline defenses.

5. Nearby Forward Operating Bases of the 429th are located at N43deg 41'/E040deg 16.5' and N43deg 45'/E039deg 35'. Each could hold at least one armored and/or mechanized force of company size, ready to dispatch at short notice to reinforce the border area. We evaluate that one of those is on high alert today.

ENEMY AIR DEFENSES

1. SOCHI airbase is protected by an SA-6 located just North of the airbase

2. Mobile air defenses of the 131st Division include SA-8s, SA-13s and SHILKAs deployed to provide anti-air support for the division's units

3. Suspected SA-6 battery may be deployed IVO LAZAREVSKOE (N43deg 55'/ E039deg 20') protecting a nearby command center ; INTL UPDATE This site is now estimated as forward command center of 131st motor-rifle division (OBJECTIVE NEMO)

4. SA-10 battalions are stationed to defend the Russian airbases of NOVOROSSIYSK, MYKOP-KHANSKAYA and MINERALNYE-VODY

5. INTL UPDATE defenses to 131st HQ (OBJECTIVE NEMO) may have already been reinforced as this C2 asset is active and may be used for planning and organizing the impending Russian offensive planned in the region. INTL estimate SA15 and/or SA19 may be active in the area UNCONFIRMED

ENEMY AIR THREATS

1. The 3rd Fighter Aviation Regiment is a regional air-superiority regiment of the Russian Air Force. The regiment operates Su-27s and is usually known to hold squadrons at QRA at MAYKOP-KHANSKAYA and KRYMSK, however in past week there's been indications of a redeployment of the regiment's unit in light of escalations to the EAST. It is therefore should be expected that additional the regiment would operate out of more Eastern bases.

2. Yesterday for the first time we've observed CAP flight on station over the coastline and an A-50 operating to the North

WEATHER

Calm winds from WNW

Scattered clouds, base 16000ft

Temperature 17c

QNH2953

GUDAUTA active RWY33

SENAKI-KOLKHI active RWY27

COMMUNICATIONS

Frequencies masterfile Frequencies masterfile . The masterfile contains airframe-specific kneeboard-ready sheets with the relevant presets.

ADMIN NOTE: This masterfile was copied from the OPAR campaign masterfile. Since OPERATION SOCHI is a single-event I resorted to avoid preset editing for participating airframes due to the workload involved. Therefore ALL ATC RELATED PRESTES ARE INVALID AND SHOULD BE INDIVIDUALLY CONFIGURED BY THE PILOT (Since the OPAR airbases are not used here...) With that said, all TACTICAL frequencies and presets are valid and in effect.

SPINS

1. AVOID damage to civilian infrastructure (Roads cratering, bridges destruction, railways, powerlines etc).

2. AVOID use of cluster munitions less than 1000m from civilian population.

3. AVOID damage to the SOCHI airbase (Cratering of runways and/or taxiways, damage to fuel storage or control tower etc) - The airbase should remain usable to support allied reinforcements via air delivery.

AIRFIELD INFORMATION

1. 617th, 696th and 259th squadron assets are based at GUDAUTA airbase

2. All other 132nd assets are based at SENAKI-KOLKHI

3. FARP DALLAS: N43deg 25'/ E040deg 06.9'/ 290ft

4. Airbases charts for use can be found here

NOTE - the GND chart for SENAKI-KOLKHI is customized with corrected taxiway labeling.

AIRSPACE CONTROL PLAN

1. COMBATFLITE file COMBATFLITE file v4

2. TANKERS: See CF

3. AWACS: See CF

NOTE: Tankers and AWACS locations (Orbit, altitudes) as shown are preliminary and may be updated based on inputs and request from CAP and package commanders

AIR TASKING ORDER (ATO)

Will be published in the event page

ADMIN

TBD

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

This mission could not be made without support of the following:

1. 476th range targets mod

2. MOOSE

3. MIST

4. CTLD