SEAD Strike

7^th Carrier Task Force

CV-59 USS Forrestal

25^th Marine Fighter Squadron

November 8, 2003

Fierce fighting continues on the Korean peninsula.  With battles raging in Afghanistan , fighting in Iraq and the potential for conflict with Iran , the Navy has recalled some of yesterday’s aircraft and pressed them into service.  Brave men have been thrust into combat flying the little A-4 Skyhawk, the A-7 Corsair II, the A-8 Crusader, the A-6 Intruder, and A models of the F14, 15, 16 and 18.  

Our ground forces will begin a major push towards Wonsan at 0700.  The airbase at Samjiyon-up must be neutralized prior to the onset of our advance if we are to successfully take the city.  The base will be attacked from very high level bombers, B-52 and precision strike medium level attacks by the A-7 Corsair.  This operation will enjoy the cover of F-14As and A-8 Crusaders.  Flying the sporty A-4 Skyhawk, the job of the 25^th Marine Fighter Squadron is to provide SEAD Escort to the package.  

Our intelligence reports the 56^th Fighter Squadron operation out of the Samjiyon-up and their strength at approximately 80 percent.  Air command requires this base be significantly damaged, or better yet destroyed, in order to reduce or eliminate their sortie rate.  The highest impact target is the runway.   

Our package includes the following:

Plasma4 (Deep Strike) 4 A-7E – Destroy Runway and return home immediately

Plasma5 (SEAD Escort) – Protect package from enemy air defenses  

Threat Analysis:

DPRK MiG-21MF CAP – Aircraft are expected to be operating near the target area.

Known or suspected enemy air defenses along the flight path include:

KS-19 anti-aircraft guns 1 mile east of Iwon

KS-19 anti-aircraft guns 2 miles northeast of Samjiyon-up

Each of the A-7s that comprise Plasma4 will be armed with a heavy load of iron bombs.  There armament includes:

1000 x 20mm cannon

4 x Mk-83 500 pound bombs

2 x 300 Gallon fuel tank

2 x AIM-9M sidewinder air-to-air missiles

Our flight will be armed as follows:

Plasma51 (Puma)

400 x 20mm M39-2 cannon rounds

2 x AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles

3 x Mk-20D Cluster munitions

2 x 450 gallon fuel tanks

Plasma52 (Lt. Granquist)

400 x 20mm M39-2 cannon rounds

2 x AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles

3 x Mk-20D Cluster munitions

2 x 450 gallon fuel tanks

Plasma53 (Lt. McGuinness)

400 x 20mm M39-2 cannon rounds

2 x AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles

3 x Mk-20D Cluster munitions

2 x 450 gallon fuel tanks

Plasma54 (Capt. Ra Wi)

400 x 20mm M39-2 cannon rounds

2 x AGM-45 Shrike anti-radiation missiles

3 x Mk-20D Cluster munitions

2 x 450 gallon fuel tanks  

Meeting in the ready room we go over the mission details listed above, we will be deep over enemy territory but SAR will well be available within 30 km of the target area.  In case of shoot down we are instructed to contact SAR on Channel 3 but all pilots are instructed to try to get “feet wet” if they run into trouble.   Weather will not be a factor as it will be a beautiful clear winter day.   

Our planes are armed and waiting on the hanger deck as we clear the briefing room.  Each pilot finds his plane and proceeds with the pre-flight checks.  Walking over to my plane (number 14) I marvel at this little piece of American technology.  This will be my first combat mission in the type and I am eager to put the plane through it paces in the face of enemy resistance.  I climb the ladder and reach into cockpit to remove the log book.  Searching the book, I look for any signs of chronic mechanical problems.  Finding none, I commence with the walk around. I wiggle the flaps and push on the slats, all movement seems unobstructed.  Continuing around, I check the fittings for the weapons and everything looks ok.   Crawling underneath I check the undercarriage as I move to the other side of the plane and start the checks again.  

Once complete, I return the plane to the crew chief and wait for the rest of my flight to finish before we all head up top.  

The four of us ride the elevator to the flight deck along with three of our planes.  Although this is my first flight into combat in the A-4 I am a veteran of many many missions flying all sorts of airplanes.  This will be the first time in combat for two of my mates and I try to reassure them.  “If you do as you have been trained all will work out just fine.” “Let’s just get in there, hit our targets, and get the hell out.”  “Remember, get in tight with me, do exactly as I tell you and we can talk about our success during chow later.”  The elevator comes to a stop and we are standing on the flight deck.  The deck is abuzz with activity, strikes are launching and being recovered simultaneously.  It looks to be a very busy day for the crew of the USS Forrestal.   Once our planes stop, a couple of red shirt (armor personnel) go over the weapons load one more time before turning the plane over to the pilots.  Once they finish their checks, I climb and mount my airplane as do the other in my flight.  Well, at 6 feet 2 inches it is a very tight fit into the A-4.  My knees flush against the baseboard I wonder if they will come with me in case I have to punch out.  Well, the best answer to that is to not get into that kind of trouble.   

I look around to ensure the plane is clear and make eye contact with the crew chief.  With thumbs up from the chief, I commence the engine start up procedure.  The engine whines to life and the needles and gauges in the cockpit respond appropriately.  Continuing down check list I ensure that everything is in the green.  With the canopy up, I look over to my left and give the crew chief a salute.  He returns my salute and gestures my attention forward.  I have been handed over to the Yellow shirts (plane handlers) following the direction of the handlers I push forward on the throttle.  The engine whine becomes more intense as my plane lurches forward.  The plane captain directs me as I drop the canopy on my plane.  Once the canopy is down the salty smell is replaced by that of air conditioned, filtered air.  I am number one for take off, my radio is tuned to the tower frequency.  To my front, an F-8 Crusader is slung off the deck by the powerful catapult.  Once clear, the blast screen comes down and the yellow shirt directs me to forward.  I inch forward and bring my plane to a stop.  Once in position the Green shirts (catapult personnel) take over and hook me up.   

Looking over to my right, I watch as Plasma52 is positioned.  I wait while the greenies continue to secure me and once that is complete, I look over to the cat officer as I am now his primary.  Following his cues, I check my instruments one more time and push the throttle wide open.  Pushing my head back into the headrest, my hand resting gently on the control, with a snappy salute I am slung off the deck.  The deck flashes buy and a healthy bump jolts my plane as I clear the deck.  0-160 in a matter of seconds, words cannot adequately describe the feeling.  Once clear of the deck, I gain control of my little plane and point the nose skyward 7 degrees.  Climbing out, I look over my shoulder at the activity on the deck. Pushing a lever on my left consol I pull the gear into their wheel wells.   I turn right as I continue my climb.  Pushing my number two radio over to guard, I listen to the air activity as the rest of my flight gets airborne.

Level at 25000, I pull back on the throttle and give the flight the command to close up.  Plasma52 is on my right pulling into position with 53 and 54 trailing a bit.  Once formed up I turn the flight inland to a heading of 348 degrees towards the push point.  

As we continue towards the mainland we listen as F-14s and F-8s clear the sky of enemy MIGs.  The air is smooth at 25000 feet but every little bump buffets the little Skyhawk.  Holding formation we continue as Plasma4 forms and follow some miles behind. As the enemy cost comes into view, I pull the flight in closer and punch up our speed a few knots so to hit the target at the prescribed time.  We continue inbound in radio silence but I have my MP3s playing at a low lever in my head set.  “Hotplate, from Plasma5, feet dry”, I call as we cross the coast line and head inland. 

“Plasma51 to Plasma5, lets get down and get to work, eyes open boys we are in the Bad Lands.”  I call as I point the nose down.  We want to stay high enough to attract enemy radar but low enough to quickly take cover behind the hills if needed.  The sky is filled only with friendly airplanes as we continue in towards the target.  As we ingress to within 20 miles of the target and I configure my weapons so the Shrikes are active.  I listen as the BUFFS line up for their attack high above.  Within a matter of seconds, the Radar Warning Receiver is lit up by enemy search radar.  I quickly slew my Target Designator over on of the active radars and give Plasma53 and 54 the order to attack my target.  Once they acknowledge I quickly lock up another and pickle off a Shrike.  The flash from the Shrike is brilliant, more so that with most other missiles.  The flash lights the cockpit like a giant flare.  I release my flight on the attack as my missile streaks towards its victim.  So far the enemy has not put up much resistance but as I close on the airfield I can see little specs moving on the field.  I assume the movement represents MIGs scrambling to meet us.  WOW! The airfield erupts with large explosions as bombs from the BUFFS rip across it.  Damn, what a show I think forgetting that there are people down there trying to kill me.  Reality comes into focus as a large flak burst rocks my plane.  “Damn”, I think as my master caution comes on.  I check my warning lights and nothing is registering.  Finding another target I release my last Shrike from danger close.  I watch my missile dive straight down into an enemy radar set.  Looking over to the right I watch as one of my flight drops cluster munitions on an enemy gun emplacement.  The gun is tossed into the air by the force of the explosion.  I line up a set of guns on the end of the runway and pickle off some cluster munitions as I fly over.  Banking hard to avoid the enemy aim I look back at my handy work.  Explosions ripple the ground below as soldiers run too and fro.  

OK we have been over the target too long and we have done a nice job on the airfields air defenses.  It is time to go home.  “Plasma5 from Plasma51, rejoin and close up. Let’s get outta here.”  I spot another gun emplacement on my way out.  One more bomb hanging from my plane, and an easy target off my nose equals a sure attack.  The gunners try to swing their gun in my direction but I am on top of them dropping ordinance before they can react.  I pull into a thin wisp of clouds as my bombs touch off below.  Rolling inverted I look up through the canopy and see the fire and wreckage that was an enemy emplacement.  Plasma4 is approaching the target and I am confident that our duty for this day has been done.   Just as I start to relax I hear the eeennt of the R1L radar carried by the MIG21.  “Damn, I guess the airfield is still operational” I think as the pucker factor is instantly increased.  “Eyes open boy, we have MIGs crawling up our ass” I call on the radio.   Quickly I switch over and contact the AWACs.  “Sentry11, from Plasma5, we could use some help here” I call.  “Vectoring fighters your way” is the reply. 

Tucking my flight in tight we don’t want to hang around to fight the MIGs.  Looking left and right I see the rest of my flight as I duck down between hills to try to avoid this fight.  The MIGs are closing but two break off as Plasma4 passes the other direction.  We continue behind the mountains and, for reasons I can not explain, the other MIGs lose us as they barrel down a parallel mountain pass.  We continue to race down the mountain pass and pop out BEHIND THE MIGS!  “Merry freaking Christmas” I tell the others to turn off their radar and hold their position. 

The MIGs seem unaware of their plight as I close to within guns range.  I hold my fire until I am assured of a “Kill” shot.  Once my targeting funnel is full of airplane, I pickle and hold the trigger for a few seconds. “pop pop pop pop” my shell reach out and touch the MIG.  I am so close I can see the skin of the MIG ripping open and the fire starting in the belly of the MIG.  Braking sharply I avoid the huge chunks for metal that use to be a pretty MIG21.  I don’t know where his buddy is but we aren’t waiting around for him.  

Continuing out to sea we call feet wet as we cross the beach and head out to sea.  At thirty miles from the ship I announce that Plasma5 is inbound for landing.  We are spaced out appropriately and we follow instructions to final approach   I am number one in the slot and once I turn onto final my heart starts racing.  With the gear down and locked I drop 50 percent flap and call the ball.  Sweat beads on my forehead as the deck goes rushing by.  I push full throttle so that I can have enough power to get airborne again if I miss all four wires.  I hit the deck hard and the arresting wire is, well, arresting.  My plane comes to a very abrupt stop and I throttle back. Once the wire is released I raise the hook and pick up the plane captain, who directs me out off of the active runway and towards the parking area.  I complete the shut down procedure as the rest of my flight makes successful traps.

 The above graphic details the debriefing.  Hmmm, no credit for the MIG.  Well, WTF.  Life goes on.   Plasma4 failed to inflict any damage on the target and took two loses.   However, our flight took out eight ground targets, seven by my hand.  All in all a good flight/fight.

Cpt. Arnold "Puma" Bell