30sep08

Operation Porkrind

30 September 2008

After Action Report on Operation Porkrind.

Operation Porkrind went off well and without any major problems for the group. Equipment malfunction delayed Seal's takeoff but he was able to join the Main Body and participate in the mission.
Nine P-51Ds were readied at A52 with 75% fuel, 6x 5" rockets and ammo. The group proceeded to takeoff northeast and go into a maximum climb to the northeast grouping up. Leveling off at our cruise altitude of 15k, we leveled out and throttled back some to form up. Enemy bases A40, A54, V41 and A42, [ A,B,C,D respectively on the picture] were on the target list and a large battle was ongoing between A54 and Knight A53. Targets were the ammo bunkers at front line enemy bases in effect stalling their attack. Barracks were to be hit at V41 so they couldn't resupply bases we just attacked.

Targets were assigned and we turned to the southeast to head towards the first target on the list, A40. Swoose and engr were assigned the first base. It was pointed out that A40 was a small field with only two ammo bunkers so Engr was assigned and swoose put on Insurance flight. That was canelled because we were coming in perpendicular to field and to increase odds of a one pass neuter each was assigned a single bunker. One was hit but smoke prevented the other from being destroyed so Seal was called in as Insurance[*1]. Both bunkers were hit and we proceeded to next target A54. We did pick up a trailing spitfire out of 40 that was bounced a time or two but he did continue to shadow us for some time.
We arrived over A54 and Luft and RTS made ready for their attack. RTS hit his but unfortunately field guns hit Luft, he was able to destroy one bunker though. Seal again was called in for Insurance and hit the remaining bunker.[*1]. Seal picked up a typhoon trailer and a few various other enemy fighters showed up. Seal engaged his typhoon with others who had attacked a field already.
The group continued to the third target, V41, C on picture. This is where we had to hit the barracks instead of ammo as ammo doesn't do much at vehicle bases. Sku and I readied ourselves to attack as others engaged the few enemy planes in the area. Sku nailed his two bunkers and I missed all three of mine so Joker and MILT were assigned barracks also. Joker was hit and went down in flames.
With 3 of 4 targets hit we engaged and killed remaining enemy defenders and headed northwest out of action to rtb at A24. Pilots lost during the mission upped A24 and headed SE to group up with Main Body and escort it home. Main Body adjusted throttles back some to ensure we had enough fuel to get to A24. Just as we passed A40 we encountered some enemy and throttled up, our escort arrived and engaged while remaining 4 of main body headed to A24. Upon arriving at A24 there were a few enemy that needed to be cleared and with the help of some other knights they were.
Four of nine pilots survived the mission and landed back at 24, they were MILT, RTS, swoose and myself. All ammo bunkers at Bishop A40 and A54 were destroyed and the barracks at V41 were destroyed prevent vehicle resupply of 40 and 54. A42 wasnt hit and unfortunately A53 was lost but the mission itself was successful hitting 3/4s of its targets and having just under 1/2 rtb.

Specialists in attendance: Engr, fuzeman, Joker, Luft, MILT, RTS, Seal, SKu, swoose.

fuzeman

Films

1/ Takeoff - Skunk

2/ V41 Attack - Skunk

3/ Lufts 190 - Skunk

1 - 5 (l to r)

Above - spliced mission films - Luft flying

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::De-Classified::::::::::::::::::::::::::

OK, a picture worth a thousand words so here goes my Order of Battle.

OK, rough order of battle. Of course this example is a medium field, one of only five possible targets. It also doesn't account for any enemy we get before target.

A- Main Body, red, approaches the field.
B- Attack Pair split off and prepare their attack.
C- Attack Pair begin thier attack, In mean time Main Body begins a slight and very large S maneuver over the field.
D- Attack Pair perform the attack and sweep across field low, Main Body continues it's S.
E- Attack pair hits WEP and continues to ext at treetop level, they report success/failure of attack. Main Body continues last turn of S maneuver and prepares to exit. If needed Inusreance flight will peel off away from Main Body and hit remaining targets.
F- Attack Pair, when clear of field gun tracers, begin a climb of roc 2.5 to 3.0 range to rejoin group as escorts. They try NOT TO engage any trailing bandits. If Attack Pair has picked up a enemy, a designated person from Main Body will be tasked to bounce the enemy and discourage his attack and then rejoin Main Body. Insurance flight will proceed with it's attack in a similar manner and direction as Attack Pair did.
G- Here's where it gets risky for Insurance. He exits area in a similar fashion to Attack pair but has no real backup to help him.
H- When clear of tracer fire he begins climbout.

Of course, planes look good until you encounter the enemy so we'll see what sticks to the wall when it's done.

I have already thought of a problem with this plan. Enemy vehicle bases and any ports in the area may need to have their Troop/supply bunkers hit for this to really neuter them for long. The attack to hit these bunkers is basically the same as an ammo bunker but the targets, troop bunkers, are more dificult to spot and identify. I know I can hit these so if we need to I'll volunteer for barracks duty.

fuzeman

:::De-Classified:::

received 29 September 2008

Hi guys,

Its the official Porkrind mission email.

As planned we will take off and hit various enemy fields ammo bunkers to neutralize them.

I think we may adjust it slightly and have an initial two guys dive on the target. Then have another dive shortly after as insurance. Of course I'm sure there's a monkey out there somewhere with a wrench in it's hand.

We will probably use P-51Ds 75% fuel with 6 rockets. We will definitely get to 12-15k when crossing into enemy controlled land. For this first try at Porkrind we will start hitting the deep base and then move towards our bases.

As stated skin will be 78FG/84FS by Fester, Big Beautiful Doll.

Field and targets will be announced preflight.