Gulf of Sidra Incidents (1981-1989)

Gulf of Sidra Incidents (1981, 1989) wikipedia 1981, wikipedia 1989

libya_versus_us.zip

All scenarios in one zip file (updated 3/28/08)

GOS0.btl

In 1973, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi unilaterally declared the Gulf of Sidra, waters previously recognized as international, as Libyan territory. In establishing the so-called "Line of Death" across the Gulf's entrance, Gaddafi warned that any United States forces that entered the Gulf would be subject to attack. In August of 1981, US President Ronald Reagan directly challenged Gaddafi by sending the US Sixth Fleet into the Gulf to conduct military exercises. This provocation resulted in several confrontations between Libyan and US Navy aircraft. On August 19, two US F-14s were attacked by two Libyan Su-22s, and both were promptly destroyed (GOS0.btl). However, before and just after this famous incident there were several other confrontations between the US Navy and Libya in the skys over the Gulf of Sidra. The US pilots were under strict orders not to fire at approaching Libyan aircraft unless fired upon first. In all of these encounters, the Libyan pilots chose not to fire and they all ended peacefully. I have modeled these encounters in a series of scenarios (GOS1.btl-GOS4.btl).

This scenario is based upon the real Gulf of Sidra incident. US Navy pilots Kleeman and Muczynski were on CAP duty on August 19 when they were approached by a pair of Su-22 fighter/bombers. One of the Libyan planes launched an AA-2 Atoll missile from head on at one of the F-14s. The missile never had a chance of guiding and subsequently missed. This, however, allowed the Americans to retaliate, and retaliate they did, as both Su-22s were shot down in short order.

These encounters are described in "Wings of Fury" by Robert Wilcox.

GOS1.btl

In 1973, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi unilaterally declared the Gulf of Sidra, waters previously recognized as international, as Libyan territory. In establishing the so-called "Line of Death" across the Gulf's entrance, Gaddafi warned that any United States forces that entered the Gulf would be subject to attack. In August of 1981, US President Ronald Reagan directly challenged Gaddafi by sending the US Sixth Fleet into the Gulf to conduct military exercises. This provocation resulted in several confrontations between Libyan and US Navy aircraft. On August 19, two US F-14s were attacked by two Libyan Su-22s, and both were promptly destroyed. However, before and just after this famous incident there were several other confrontations between the US Navy and Libya in the skys over the Gulf of Sidra. The US pilots were under strict orders not to fire at approaching Libyan aircraft unless fired upon first. In all of these encounters, the Libyan pilots chose not to fire and they all ended peacefully. I have modeled these encounters in a series of scenarios (GOS1.btl-GOS4.btl).

In this first encounter, Dale Snodgrass and Hank Kleeman were piloting a pair of Tomcats on CAP for the carrier USS Nimitz. As they finished their patrol, they turned to head back to the carrier and were jumped by a pair of Libyan MiG-23s. Although no missiles were exchanged, it was a close call as the MiGs nearly achieved a very favorable firing position during the fight. Only a last minute warning from two other F-14s saved them from a likely Atoll missile attack. In this scenario, both the Libyans and Americans are free to fire.

GOS2.btl

In 1973, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi unilaterally declared the Gulf of Sidra, waters previously recognized as international, as Libyan territory. In establishing the so-called "Line of Death" across the Gulf's entrance, Gaddafi warned that any United States forces that entered the Gulf would be subject to attack. In August of 1981, US President Ronald Reagan directly challenged Gaddafi by sending the US Sixth Fleet into the Gulf to conduct military exercises. This provocation resulted in several confrontations between Libyan and US Navy aircraft. On August 19, two US F-14s were attacked by two Libyan Su-22s, and both were promptly destroyed. However, before and just after this famous incident there were several other confrontations between the US Navy and Libya in the skys over the Gulf of Sidra. The US pilots were under strict orders not to fire at approaching Libyan aircraft unless fired upon first. In all of these encounters, the Libyan pilots chose not to fire and they all ended peacefully. I have modeled these encounters in a series of scenarios (GOS1.btl-GOS4.btl).

In this second encounter between the US and Libya, Dale Snodgrass and another Tomcat pilot encountered a pair of Libyan Mirage 5s, armed with Magic 550 missiles. In this scenario, both the Libyans and Americans are free to fire.

These encounters are described in "Wings of Fury" by Robert Wilcox.

GOS3.btl

In 1973, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi unilaterally declared the Gulf of Sidra, waters previously recognized as international, as Libyan territory. In establishing the so-called "Line of Death" across the Gulf's entrance, Gaddafi warned that any United States forces that entered the Gulf would be subject to attack. In August of 1981, US President Ronald Reagan directly challenged Gaddafi by sending the US Sixth Fleet into the Gulf to conduct military exercises. This provocation resulted in several confrontations between Libyan and US Navy aircraft. On August 19, two US F-14s were attacked by two Libyan Su-22s, and both were promptly destroyed. However, before and just after this famous incident there were several other confrontations between the US Navy and Libya in the skys over the Gulf of Sidra. The US pilots were under strict orders not to fire at approaching Libyan aircraft unless fired upon first. In all of these encounters, the Libyan pilots chose not to fire and they all ended peacefully. I have modeled these encounters in a series of scenarios (GOS1.btl-GOS4.btl).

In this third encounter between the US and Libya, Dale Snodgrass and Mark Wheeler encountered a pair of Libyan MiG-25s. Although Snodgrass and Wheeler actually carried two AIM-54 Phoenix and two sparrow missile (along with 2 sidewinders), FC2 only allows aircraft to carry one type of radar-homing missile at a time, so I have armed the Tomcats with Sparrows.

These encounters are described in "Wings of Fury" by Robert Wilcox.

GOS4.btl

In 1973, Libyan leader Muammar Gaddafi unilaterally declared the Gulf of Sidra, waters previously recognized as international, as Libyan territory. In establishing the so-called "Line of Death" across the Gulf's entrance, Gaddafi warned that any United States forces that entered the Gulf would be subject to attack. In August of 1981, US President Ronald Reagan directly challenged Gaddafi by sending the US Sixth Fleet into the Gulf to conduct military exercises. This provocation resulted in several confrontations between Libyan and US Navy aircraft. On August 19, 1981, two US F-14s were attacked by two Libyan Su-22s, and both were promptly destroyed. However, before and just after this famous incident there were several other confrontations between the US Navy and Libya in the skys over the Gulf of Sidra. The US pilots were under strict orders not to fire at approaching Libyan aircraft unless fired upon first. In all of these encounters, the Libyan pilots chose not to fire and they all ended peacefully. I have modeled these encounters in a series of scenarios (GOS1.btl-GOS4.btl).

On August 19, 1981, just after the downing of the two Su-22s, Dale Snodgrass and Mark Wheeler encountered another pair of Libyan MiG-25s. This time, the MiG-25s were spotted only 3-5 miles away and in a perfect firing position for radar-homing missiles. However, the Libyans refrained from attacking and escaped back to Libya on full afterburner.

These encounters are described in "Wings of Fury" by Robert Wilcox.

Kaddafi.btl

This scenario was adapted directly from GDW's "Air Strike" Air Superiority module by JD Webster.

"El Dorado Canyon, 14 April 1986

Background: Libyan leader Muammar Kaddafi got a rude awakening when his headquarters at the Bab Al Azizia compound in Tripoli was destroyed by US Air Force F-111Fs of the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing. The operation entailed a 15-hour flight, demonstrating the capabilities of the Aardvarks. One F-111 was lost in the raid; causes unknown."

Sidra.btl

This mission was adapted directly from GDWs "Air Superiority", designed by JD Webster:

"Gulf of Sidra, August 1981

Background: The US Sixth Fleet was conducting exercises in the disputed waters of the Gulf of Sidra when two Libyan SU-22 Fitter J jets ventured out. Two US F-14A Tomcat jets intercepted. A skermish began when the lead Fitter fired a missile at the lead Tomcat. The missile, a rear quarter heat seeker, was fired head on at minimum range with no chance of guidance. The F-14s quickly reversed on the Fitters, which split up in different directions, and shot both down."

If either Fitter survives the battle, consider it a victory for Libya. Destruction of both Fitters is a victory for the US.

Sidra2.btl

The Second Gulf of Sidra incident, January 4 1989.

The description of this battle was lifted directly from http://www.flight-level.com/dogfight/dogfight.html:

"The day is January 4, 1989. The airspace close to the Libyan coast in the Gulf of Sidra. Two VF-32 F-14As from USS John F. Kennedy (CV-67) fly a mission as Combat Air Patrol when a pair of Libyan Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 Floggers were detected. The MiG-23s had taken off from Al Bumbaw Airfield near Tobruk and they continued their flight towards the US fighters, even though the F-14s radar had locked on the bogies. It's a common procedure under such circumstances to lock the powerful APG-9 radar on the incoming Libyan fighters, to give them the possibility to turn around and head back home. Usually this procedure was impressive enough to drive the Libyans back since the radar warning tone resulting from an armed F-14's radar was fearsome enough. But this time it did not work. For the second time US Navy F-14s were engaged by Libyan fighter aircraft under hostile conditions. During the 8 minutes engagement, the MiGs kept turning into the Tomcats to maintain a firing solution for their Soviet built air-to-air missiles (refered to as "jinking"). As later examination of F-14 still photography resolved, the MiG-23s were armed with AA-7 Apex missiles. The F-14s took the MiG-23's head on. They try to take offsets to try to discourage the enemy and to gain position, but with the help of Lybian ground command, they countered each move and forced the Tomcats to take them head on. After the second offset, Alpha Bravo (Kennedy air command) issued "warning yellow, weapons hold", giving the F-14's authority to fire if they felt they were threatened or was in danger. After the sixth offset (jink), at 13 miles, the wingleader knew a fight was inevitable and fired an AIM-7 Sparrow. His wingmen immediately followed him and fired another Sparrow at the same target. The target was downed and the second MiG did a flyby. After pulling more than 5.0 G's, the wingleader centered the bandit. Less than 2 miles away, the Sidewinder was the only weapon effective, but he couldn't get a tone! With his RIO yelling in the background he tried to figure out what's the problem when he finally got a tone; his volume knob was turned down. With a good growl, he pulled the trigger and yelled "Fox 2!" and the AIM-9 flew right in the MiG's exhaust. Both Libyan pilots ejected, however, no attempt was made by their goverment to rescue them in the Gulf of Sidra, and they were left for dead." ut he couldn't get a tone! With his RIO yelling in the background he tried to figure out what's the problem when he finally got a tone; his volume knob was turned down. With a good growl, he pulled the trigger and yelled "Fox 2!" and the AIM-9 flew right in the MiG's exhaust. Both Libyan pilots ejected, however, no attempt was made by their government to rescue them in the Gulf of Sidra, and they were left for dead."