The United States has forced the hand of the cartels in Mexico resulting an immediate strikes of all known cartel infrastructures, assets, and equipment. Over the next twenty-four hours, the United States and Mexican governments will begin strikes at 0200 local time on March 31, 2025 on known targets with follow up targets to come in the progressing hours.

The initial strikes will engage known drug processing facilities under satellite and drone surveillance. Most of this will likely be abandoned.

Primary Objective:
-force five high value cartel helicopters to return back to the airport or forcefully bring them down.

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We are approaching dusk during this 24 hour operation against the cartel infrastructure. The cartel leadership is feeling the pinch and knows their escape paths are minimal. Word on the ground is the leadership managed to make it to civilian helicopters in hopes of escaping the northern portions of Mexico and eventually out of the country.

Head back to the strike area and look for the five civilian helicopters making their escape along the river. We’ve marked their path on the map.

You are to approach each helicopter and fly just off their side. The pilots should get the message when they see your jet along with air to air missiles. They should turn back to the local airport. If a helicopter does not turn back, you are authorized to forcefully bring down. Only the desperate cartel leaders will make that decision.

You may need to conduct an air to air refuel prior to striking your target if you find yourself running low of fuel.

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WP1 - southern takeoff
WP2 - IP to target
WP3 – Engage helicopters
WP4 - Egress from target
WP5 - heading north west
WP6 - Land

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Support:
KC-130 Texaco for AAR; TAC-15Y, 230AM
E-3A Overlord; 249.1AM

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You should be familiar with the F/A-18C's:
-air to air radar
-Sidewinder and Sparrow missiles
-air to air refueling if needed