OneShot
05-31-2005, 04:10 PM
The Original report can be found here (http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/babelmandeb.html)
Background
I am the pilot of an MH-60 helo, stationed aboard FFG De Wert, currently in US base in Djibouti.
My ship, FFG De Wert experienced engine trouble. She was undergoing emergency repairs in Djibouti, so wasn't in a position to be helping me with this mission. While FFG is under repairs, I was temporarily rebased to Djibouti airbase.
We received intel that a Chinese Kilo sub has mined the strategic Bab el Mandeb strait at the southern end of the Red Sea this morning. The intel indicated that Bab el Mandeb was probably mined at its narrowest point, between Perim island to the North East, and Djibouti coast to the West.
Since there were no Navy minesweepers or mine hunters in the area, my task was to act as "emergency mine hunter" and locate the mines the Chinese Kilo has sown. I couldn't sweep the mines of course, but at least I could locate them, and draw their position on the map.
Intel indicated that the Kilo probably retreated towards secret Chinese base on Soccotra island (to the East). After I locate all the mines, I was to locate, and sink the Kilo itself.
It shouldn't have gotten too far…
Important: FIRST I was to locate the mines, THEN go after the Kilo.
There was a friendly French sub in the area, and its last known position was drawn on the map. I was to ID my target with certainty before releasing any weapons!
I was warned that hostile militants are known to operate in this area: Intel suggested my loadout includes some Hellfire missiles in case you need to deal with land based threats.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1000.jpg
Transit
I immediately ordered a course which would take us out to sea away from hostile land masses and up towards the strait.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1001.jpg
After 10 minutes we received a radio message that satellite recon of Perim island had shown some suspicious looking installations, and asking me to divert and survey the island. The message also stated to exercise caution as hostile militants operate in the area.
I set up a manual solution on the island and prepared to approach…
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1024.jpg
Perim Island
As I approached the island I detected a SAM site using ESM…
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1032.jpg
I turned countermeasures to autmoatic fire, and hit the deck, coming in full speed at 100ft above the ocean. I also targetted a hellfire missile on the suspicipus installation so that I could return fire quickly.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1043.jpg
2 minutes later and I've got enemy missile lock and my finger jabs the hellfire launch button, as a SAM goes screaming past the cockpit window. My autocrew take over and jink the aircraft away launching countermeasures as they go…
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1045.jpg
Suddenly the enemy missile lock warning goes silent; The SAM site has been destroyed, so I head in to survey the island… I make a nice slow pass at 40 feet.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1055.jpg
Background
I am the pilot of an MH-60 helo, stationed aboard FFG De Wert, currently in US base in Djibouti.
My ship, FFG De Wert experienced engine trouble. She was undergoing emergency repairs in Djibouti, so wasn't in a position to be helping me with this mission. While FFG is under repairs, I was temporarily rebased to Djibouti airbase.
We received intel that a Chinese Kilo sub has mined the strategic Bab el Mandeb strait at the southern end of the Red Sea this morning. The intel indicated that Bab el Mandeb was probably mined at its narrowest point, between Perim island to the North East, and Djibouti coast to the West.
Since there were no Navy minesweepers or mine hunters in the area, my task was to act as "emergency mine hunter" and locate the mines the Chinese Kilo has sown. I couldn't sweep the mines of course, but at least I could locate them, and draw their position on the map.
Intel indicated that the Kilo probably retreated towards secret Chinese base on Soccotra island (to the East). After I locate all the mines, I was to locate, and sink the Kilo itself.
It shouldn't have gotten too far…
Important: FIRST I was to locate the mines, THEN go after the Kilo.
There was a friendly French sub in the area, and its last known position was drawn on the map. I was to ID my target with certainty before releasing any weapons!
I was warned that hostile militants are known to operate in this area: Intel suggested my loadout includes some Hellfire missiles in case you need to deal with land based threats.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1000.jpg
Transit
I immediately ordered a course which would take us out to sea away from hostile land masses and up towards the strait.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1001.jpg
After 10 minutes we received a radio message that satellite recon of Perim island had shown some suspicious looking installations, and asking me to divert and survey the island. The message also stated to exercise caution as hostile militants operate in the area.
I set up a manual solution on the island and prepared to approach…
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1024.jpg
Perim Island
As I approached the island I detected a SAM site using ESM…
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1032.jpg
I turned countermeasures to autmoatic fire, and hit the deck, coming in full speed at 100ft above the ocean. I also targetted a hellfire missile on the suspicipus installation so that I could return fire quickly.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1043.jpg
2 minutes later and I've got enemy missile lock and my finger jabs the hellfire launch button, as a SAM goes screaming past the cockpit window. My autocrew take over and jink the aircraft away launching countermeasures as they go…
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1045.jpg
Suddenly the enemy missile lock warning goes silent; The SAM site has been destroyed, so I head in to survey the island… I make a nice slow pass at 40 feet.
http://www.sunim.plus.com/afteraction/babelmandeb/images/1055.jpg