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Operation Pacific Clash

Mission Briefing: Operation Pacific Clash

Date: June 8, 1991
Time: 0500 HST
Location: 40 nautical miles south of the Big Island, Hawaii

Situation:
Tensions between the United States and Russian naval forces have escalated in the Pacific. Three Soviet TAVKR-class carriers (Riga, Tbilisi, and Vilnius) have been detected advancing aggressively toward Hawaii. Their objective is likely to establish air and naval dominance in the region. In response, the United States has deployed USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN-69) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68) with their task forces to intercept and neutralize the threat.

Operational Environment:

Carrier Positions:
U.S. carriers are operating line abreast, separated by 5nm, approximately 300nm east of the Soviet carriers.
Soviet carriers are advancing in a wedge formation, separated by 5nm, heading northward.

Weather:
Scattered clouds, visibility 12nm, south winds at 10 knots.
Sea State 2: Calm seas with small waves, ideal for air and naval operations.

Mission Objectives:

Neutralize the TAVKR carriers and their air wings to prevent further aggression toward Hawaii and U.S. forces.
Establish air superiority over the battle area to enable effective carrier-based operations.
Protect both U.S. carriers and their escort groups from air, surface, and sub-surface threats.

Forces and Capabilities:

U.S. Air Wing:

Attack Aircraft: 11 A-6E Intruders, 22 A-7E Corsair IIs.
Fighter Aircraft: 20 F-14A Tomcats.
Support Aircraft: 4 E-2C Hawkeyes, 4 EA-6B Prowlers, 4 R5C reconnaissance planes.
ASW/Maritime Patrol: 10 S-3A Vikings, 8 SH-3H Sea Kings.

Soviet Air Wing:

Fighter Aircraft: 24 MiG-23A Floggers.
Reconnaissance/AEW&C: 6 P-42 reconnaissance planes, 4 P-42RLDN AEW&C planes.
Strike Aircraft: 12 Ko-45 light attackers, 4 Ko-45EW electronic warfare planes.
ASW Helicopters: 8 Ka-27PL Helix helicopters.

Commander's Intent:

Leverage U.S. carriers' superior strike range and early warning capabilities to engage Soviet carriers at a distance.
Deploy F-14A Tomcats to achieve air superiority against MiG-23As and screen for incoming strike aircraft.
Use coordinated strikes from A-6E Intruders and A-7E Corsair IIs to target Soviet carriers and support vessels.
Utilize E-2C Hawkeyes for early detection of enemy air movements and EA-6B Prowlers to suppress enemy electronic warfare and radar systems.

Execution Timeline:

H-Hour (0600 HST): Launch first CAP (Combat Air Patrol) with F-14As and deploy AEW&C from E-2Cs.
H+30: Strike packages launch from both U.S. carriers, targeting Soviet carriers and escorts.
H+60: Suppress Soviet air defenses and disrupt coordinated strikes with EA-6B and A-7E SEAD missions.
H+90: Consolidate air superiority and conduct follow-up ASW operations using S-3A Vikings and SH-3H Sea Kings.

Risk Assessment:
The Soviet wedge formation increases the density of their fighter and missile defenses, requiring concentrated and coordinated U.S. strikes to penetrate their defenses. Success depends on maintaining air superiority, leveraging early detection capabilities, and neutralizing Soviet electronic warfare assets.

Good luck, commanders. The safety of Hawaii and our Pacific fleet depends on decisive action.