//IMMEDIATE//
//CONFIDENTIAL//
DTG: O240530ZJUN03
FM: ENS Ed Bleck, COMDESRON 14
TO: VADM Joachim Achsenick, CINCLANT
CC: VMC SITREP group
SUBJ: SITREP Cycle 2 JUN
RMKS 1// (C) Mission tasking:
Patrol an area West of the Strait of Gibraltar and
report on activities of French and Russian units. DEFCON 3 Weapons tight unless in self-
defense.
Mission outcome:
Success
Enemy losses:
Primary target:
-
French SAG consisting of 4
DDGs 3 FFGs and 2 LSDs were sunk after French Tornado aircraft and two French
Submarines
attacked DESRON 14 units.
Targets of opportunity:
Air:
-
10 Tornados
Ships:
- 2 SSN
Ground: None
Friendly losses:
USS McInerny (FFG-8) and USS Samuel B. Roberts
(FFG-58) sustained 55% damage
Mission Brief:
DESRON 14 was in EMCON Alfa and patrolling and area
128 NM west of the Straits of Gibraltar when tasking was received.
Eight SH-60B were in the air configured for ASW.
Tornados aircraft were detected via ESM and by the
SH-60s radar approximately 40 NM East of the Straits.
The Tornados were on a course to pass to the South of
DESRON's units but made an abrupt course change to the NW.
COMDESRON 14 made the tactical decision the aircraft
were displaying hostile intent and ordered the formation to go to EMCON Delta
(unrestricted radiation of radars only). Detection of
inbound ASM was immediate.
All but three missiles were shot down. The ASMs that
was not shot down struck USS Samuel B. Roberts (FFG-58) and two hit and sunk
USS Mc Inery (FFG-8). The Roberts sustained a 55%
casualty to systems and crew. USS Klakring (FFG-42) then shot down the
Tornados.
Thirty minutes after the air attack torpedoes were detected
in the water approximately 15 NM SE of the formation and then another set of
torpedoes were detected about 15 NM to the West of
the formation. SH-60s were directed to datum and started an area search. Both
submarines were detected and sunk by SH-60s
employment of MK 50 torpedoes. The formation evaded all torpedoes by
successfully
employing torpedo evasion tactics.
After sinking of the hostile submarines another
flight hostile aircraft were detected via ESM. The bogeys made a run on the
formation and
released ASMs out of SAM range and then cleared the
area. All ASM's were shot down and the bogeys then made another run on the
formation. The hostile aircraft were dispatched by
USS Halyburton (FFG-40).
With the air subsurface threat apparently over
COMDESRON 14 decided to configure the helos to ASUW and scout an area to the
West of
the formation about 125 NM away. At this location was
a formation of neutral Russian combatants with an AOR. Once the scout was close
enough they detected the French SAG. USS O'Bannon
(DD-987) opened fire on the lead DDG using TASM and was successful in sinking
its
target. The formation set course to close the French
SAG and in time sank each ship in the French SAG using TASMs, Harpoons and ASMs
(from the helos).//
RMKS. 2//(C) Comments:
USS McInery (FFG-8) was sunk and USS Samuel B.
Roberts (FFG-58) sustained 55% damage.
Weapons used:
6 TASM
24 Harpoons
4 Mk50 torpedoes
Unknown number of SAM
8 ASM (via helos)//
RMKS. 3// (U) DESRON 14 ready for further tasking!
ENS Ed Bleck
COMDESRON 14//
Luck is when Preparation meets an Opportunity