## Testing complete ## 2-player co-op or single player, playable with F18, Harriers, or F16s.

It's early November 2011. Operation Eastern Storm in Helmand Province has begun. Task Force Leatherneck, the ground element of the USMC expeditionary force deployed to SouthWest Afghanistan, has commenced clearing operations in the vicinity of Kajaki Sofla, northern Helmand Province.

Captain David Winters, a JTAC embedded with the USMC 1/6 in the region, is responding with a small Quick Reaction Force to reports of ANA SF under intense fire on the western edge of Kajaki Solfa. The ANA are stranded in the open under intense indirect fire.

Meanwhile some 80 miles away, you are transiting to your orbit station ready to be tasked for CAS...

## Useful Information before you start ##
There are multiple radio cues within this mission. It is advised that helmet sounds are turned up to ensure you can clearly hear comms. Your mission will start out flying to Steer Point 1. This mission is best played as 2-ship co-op, but can also be done singleplayer. Harriers, F18, and F16 available.

To play this mission successfully, you will need to be able to do the following:
- Unaided navigation, including in-flight  inputting  of Steer Points.
- Visual target acquistion, possibly with TPOD or HMD.
- Countermeasures.
- UG rockets and LGB (GBU-12)
- Fuel management
- CAS 9-line understanding

## Intro and Historical Background ##
This mission has been built to give some sort of idea as to the dynamic nature of airspace over Helmand Provice during the 2008-2011 period. You will support troops on the ground, while at the same time maintaining separation from other nearby military and civilian airspace users.

It is based on true events.

It's early November 2011. Operation Eastern Storm in Helmand Province has begun. Task Force Leatherneck, the ground element of the USMC expeditionary force deployed to SourthWest Afghanistan, has commenced clearing operations in the vicinity of Kajaki Sofla, northern Helmand Province, along Route 611 - the main north/sourth highway in the area. Alongside the Afghan National Army (ANA), the operation intends to use rapid ground advances to eject hardline Taliban fighters further north while at the same time demonstrating to local Afghans security and rule-of-law.

Cpt David Winters, a JTAC embedded with USMC 1/6 in the region, is responding with a small Quick Reaction Force (QRF) to reports of ANA in contact on the western edge of Kajaki Solfa. The ANA were inserted near the Helmand River and hoped to push South-East to compliment USMC manouvers, but are now stranded in the open taking direct and indirect fire from a large Taliban-controlled compound. The lead vehicle in the QRF has struck an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and Cpt Winters - along with wounded elements of his team - now await a USMC Medical Evacuation Response Team (MERT) helicopter.

###

Meanwhile, some 80 miles away in Kandahar, your 2-ship Close Air Support (CAS) package (Callsign "PONTIAC") prepares to transit on-station alongside an Air-to-Air Refuelling (AAR) Area. As part of the deployed 2MAW (2nd Marine Air Wing), your mission will be to stay on station and await instruction.

A combination of USMC and British ground controllers will offer guidance to your flight, as well as friendlies in the vicinity. The region demands a dynamic use of air power, and you'll be sharing the airspace with other CAS, transport, artillery, and ISTAR assets - as well as supporting multiple ground offensives. A pen and paper, if you don't have one to hand, would be advisable.

## A note on ROE ##
ROE: Note that part of the mission with Operation Eastern Storm is to reassure local people that coaliton forces will provide security and rule-of-law, and that quality of life will improve as a result of their presence.

Civilian casualties are to be avoided. Doing so will jepordize the entire operation and could result in the USMC having to fight multiple miltias in the area. Direct, munitions designed for soft targets are preferred and almost always you'll be asked to demonstrate a "Show of Force" (low level fly-past with flares) before using munitions at all. If this is requested of you, you are to fly directly above the target area at tree-top height. Civilians ARE being simulated in this mission and will show up as Australian losses on the battle damage assessment feed.

## Mission Success ##

Successful completion of this mission is contingent on the MERT helicopter landing, embarking injured USMC forces, and departing the engagement area. You will receive a text notification to this effect.