Lebanon War-Bekaa Valley (1979-1982)

Lebanon War—Bekaa Valley (1979-1985) wikipedia

bekaa_valley.zip

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

1stf15.btl

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

"Eagle's Talons, Lion's Claw! 27 June 1979

Background: When IAF Phantoms and Skyhawks attacked PLO terrorist camps in Lebanon, Syrian MiG-21s scrambled to intervene. Israeli AWACS aircraft spotted them immediately and vectored a force of Israel's new F-15 Eagles onto them. A pair of Kfir C-2s also joined the fray which lasted only minutes. The Eagles acounted for four MiG kills and a Kfir downed a fifth MiG. The rest of the MiGs were scattered and fled. The occasion marked the first air-to-air kill for Israel's home-grown Kfir fighters."

Modifications: If playing as the Israeli player, due to the close proximity of Israeli strike aircraft, the F-15s may not use their Sparrow (AIM-7F) missiles until they have visually spotted their targets.

If playing as the Syrian player, the MiG-21s may not change altitude or speed and may not utilize high-G turns until the Israeli aircraft are spotted.

1stf15b.btl

The combat debut of the F-15 and the Israeli Kfir was on June 27, 1979, when IAF/AF aircraft attacked terrorist targets in Syria. Two CAP formations were deployed to protect the strike aricraft, one consisting of four F-15s at high altitude and 30 miles ahead of a second mixed F-15/Kfir formation at low altitude. Two formations of Syrian MiG-21s rose to intercept the Israelis, and the Israeli CAPs were vectored in to intercept the interceptors. The end result was four aircraft downed by F-15s and one by a Kfir, the first kills for either aircraft.

In the actual encounter, the lead CAP flight only fired one set of AIM-7s at the MiGs before switching over to WVR weapons. I have limited the lead F-15s to one Sparrow missile. In addition, the secondary CAP, when finally in range of the furball, could not use it's Sparrow missiles for fear of hitting friendly aircraft in close proximity, so the second formation of F-15s lacks Sparrow missiles all together.

Due to loadout limitations inherent in FC2, the F-15s have been armed with AIM-9L missiles, instead of the Python 3s that they were actually carrying.

2f15ace.btl

On the 11th of June, 1982, the battle over the Bekaa Valley in Lebanon had been raging for 3 days. On this occasion, a couple of F-15s on CAP were directed two two bogies heading east at a high rate of speed. The F-15s gave chase, and soon visually identified the aircraft as two Syrian MiG-23s. The F-15s closed the distance to about 2 miles, but could close no further. The lead F-15 pilot, Yoram Peled, being too far out to target the MiG with a Python 3 heat-seeker, decided to try an AIM-7F shot instead. The missile tracked well and destroyed the trailing MiG. Peled then targeted the second MiG and destroyed it as well. These two kills, combined with three previous kills made in the F-15, made him the second F-15 ace.

I have substituted AIM-9L missiles for the Python 3 (as the F-15 cannot carry the Python in FC2). Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

4kills.btl

On June 9, the Israelis launched a series of strikes against SAM sites in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, an attack that precipitated massive air battles between the IDF/AF and the Syrian Air Force. In this scenario, four F-15s take on several Syrian aircraft. Several of the F-15s are nearly hit by missiles, but end up destroying four MiGs, one with a Sparrow missile, two with a Python 3s, and one by cannon fire.

According to some sources, the F-15s used Python 3 missiles. Since the F-15 cannot carry the Python 3 in FC2, i have used the AIM-9L instead. Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

9june1st.btl

On June 9, the Israelis launched a series of strikes against SAM sites in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, an attack that precipitated massive air battles between the IDF/AF and the Syrian Air Force. Before these strikes happened, there were a couple of dogfights between CAP F-15s and Syrian aircraft. In this encounter, four F-15s were vectored by Israeli radar controllers towards several targets to the south east. These aircraft turned out to be MiG-23s. It is unclear how many there were......I have postulated a formation of four. One was downed with an AIM-7F. No Israeli aircraft were lost.

AIM-9Ls have been used to substitute for the Python 3. Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

85-1.btl

This scenario is adapted from "Flight Leader" designed by Gary C. Morgan and published by The Avalong Hill Game Company.

"85-1: Bekaa Valley, Lebanon, 1982. During their first campaign in southern Lebanon, the Israeli Air Force won an unprecednted series of one-sided victories over the Syrian Air Force (some sources claim that at least three Israeli air craft were lost and up to a dozen others damaged). F-16s were credited with 44 'kills' and F-15s with 40 'kills' during this period (the remaining 'kill' was credited to a F-4E). "

123180.btl

On December 31, 1980, the Israeli's conducted an air strike against PLO positions in Southern Lebanaon. The Syrian's responded by scrambling a four ship formation of MiG-21s. A mixed flight of two F-15s and two F-4Es were vectored to intercept. Two of the MiGs were destroyed with no losses to the Israelis.

One of the MiGs was destroyed by a Python 3 heat-seeker. Since the F-15 and F-4 cannot cary the Israeli missile in FC2, I have substituted the AIM-9L for the Python 3 on one F-15.

attempt.btl

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

"Ambush Attempt: Lebanon! Spring 1982

Background: Syrian and Israeli jets continued skirmishing in the early 1980s. Syrian pilots sometimes showed ingenuity in the quest to bag an Israeli craft. In the incident this scenario is based on, two MiG-23M Flogger Bs tried to surprise two F-16s by using one MiG as high altitude bait, while the other MiG stayed low in terrain-masking flight. The idea behind their scheme was that when the Falcons passed overhead after the bait, the other MiG would loop up behind them. Unfortunately, the Syrian low man made his move too early and ended up rolling out with his afterburner glowing, right in front of the Falcons! They were certainly surprised, but they obligingly shot him down and the bait anyway. "

attemptb.btl

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

"Ambush Attempt: Lebanon! Spring 1982

Background: Syrian and Israeli jets continued skirmishing in the early 1980s. Syrian pilots sometimes showed ingenuity in the quest to bag an Israeli craft. In the incident this scenario is based on, two MiG-23M Flogger Bs tried to surprise two F-16s by using one MiG as high altitude bait, while the other MiG stayed low in terrain-masking flight. The idea behind their scheme was that when the Falcons passed overhead after the bait, the other MiG would loop up behind them. Unfortunately, the Syrian low man made his move too early and ended up rolling out with his afterburner glowing, right in front of the Falcons! They were certainly surprised, but they obligingly shot him down and the bait anyway."

In this version the Israelis have no radar controller.

bait.btl

In a bid to deter the Syrian air force from interfering with Israeli operations against the PLO, on the 24th of September, 1979, the Israeli's used F-15s to set a trap. Two F-15s, flying well ahead of a four plane flight of F-15s, were to act as bait, luring the Syrian Air Force into scrambling fighters to intercept. The four plane formation would engage and destroy the interceptors. In this case, the Syrians did rise to intercept the Israeli aircraft, sending 2 MiG-21s to engage the bait, and four to engage the main flight. Four of the six Syrian MiGs were destroyed, with no losses for the Israelis.

baznetz1.btl

Once the Israeli Air Force was equipped with both F-15s (known in Hebrew as Baz [Eagle]) and F-16s (known in Hebrew as Netz [Falcon]), IDF/AF pilots staged a series of encounters between these two fourth generation aircraft to test their relative capabilities (and to prove the relative capabilities of the pilots). These duels were designed to be exclusively within-visual-range encounters, so both aircraft are armed with AIM-9J missiles only.

In this version, this is a 1v1 encounter.

baznetz2.btl

Once the Israeli Air Force was equipped with both F-15s (known in Hebrew as Baz [Eagle]) and F-16s (known in Hebrew as Netz [Falcon]), IDF/AF pilots staged a series of encounters between these two fourth generation aircraft to test their relative capabilities (and to prove the relative capabilities of the pilots). These duels were designed to be exclusively within-visual-range encounters, so both aircraft are armed with AIM-9J missiles only.

In this version, this is a 2v2 encounter.

bekaaall.btl

"Bekaa Valley Air Battle June 9 1982"

3 Days after the beginning of the Israeli invasion of Lebanon, Israeli ground forces were advancing well into Lebanon on their quest to root out and destroy PLO forces. As the Israeli forces advanced northwards, the IAF aircraft supporting the invasion forces were coming under increasing threat from Syrian 19 SA-6 SAM sites that had been placed in the Bekaa Valley. The Bekaa valley, a 10 mile wide and 25 mile long corridor surrounded by mountains reaching as high as 6500 ft, needed to be cleared of the SAM sites to assure unimpeded air-to-ground support operations by the IAF. A major attack on these SAM sites was conducted by the Israelis. On the first day of the battle, F-4s and F-16s attacked the SAM batteries, radar installations and supporting AAA, while F-15s and F-16s flew top cover. The Syrians responded by scrambling waves of MiG-21 and MiG-23s to defend the sites. The result was one of the largest air battles to be seen since World War 2. It is said that there were nearly 100 aircraft in the same air space at the same time at the height of the battle. The end result of the first day's fighting was 17 of the 19 SAM sites destroyed and 26 MiGs destroyed with no Israeli losses. The air battles continued for several more days, with the remaining SAM sites destroyed and more MiGs shot-down. Between the severe jamming and ECM employed by the Israelis to disrupt Syrian situational awareness and communications, the new generation of advanced aircraft (piloted by some of the best pilots in the world) and air-to-air missiles (including the all-aspect AIM-9L and Python 3), and a numerical advantage to boot, the Syrians had little chance in this battle.

I have modeled this massive air battle as best I could within the confines of the FC2 system. Since each side is limited to a maximum of 40 aircraft, I have scaled down the number of aircraft appropriately. Since the exact deployment of the Israelis and Syrians is a bit unclear, I have made several best guesses. Since the Isrealis employed massive amounts of jamming and other ECM to disrupt Syrian radar and communications, all Israli aircraft are equipped with ECM pods, and the Israelis have a Radar Controller while the Syrians do not. Also, under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

bekaasam.btl

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

"Bekaa Valley SAM Shoot, 9 June 1982

Background: In a dramatic surprise attack, the Israeli Air Force with precise execution destroyed 17 of 19 Syrian SAM sites without loss to themselves. Over 40 Syrian missiles were fired before the sites were blasted; all were either jammed , decoyed or missed. The routing of the Bekaa Valley SAMs gave the Israelis freedom of action and they dominated the skies and the ground during the rest of the Lebanon campaign." See the scenario bekaaair.btl for an example of an air battle that followed in the wake of the destruction of the Bekaa Valley SAM sites.

bekaair.btl

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

"Swift Savage Combat! 9 June 1982

Background: Israel invaded Lebanon, and in a dramatic attack, 17 of 19 Syrian SAM sites in the Bekaa Valley had been destroyed. The IAF aircraft could now support the army without interference. Syrian MiGs responded in swarms, but since their GCI radars were being jammed, they could only do fighter sweeps. Realizing their Floggers were not maneuverable enough to battle F-15s alone, mixed formations of MiG-23s and MiG-21s were often used. The concept was good, but the Syrians were not trained well enough to carry ot out. Often they were caught by surprise by high cover F-15s while hunting low-flying Skyhawks and Kfirs. In this incident, two F-15s dispatched two Floggers and two Fishbeds in as many minutes, accounting for four of the 29 Syrians shot down on June 9."

Modifications: The Syrian player may not change altitude, speed or make high-G turns until the IAF F-15s are detected by any means.

damage.btl

On June 9, the Israelis launched a series of strikes against SAM sites in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, an attack that precipitated massive air battles between the IDF/AF and the Syrian Air Force. In this scenario, four F-15s encounter two MiG-21s over a hotbed of AAA. In the ensuing chaos, the MiGs are destroyed. However, the Syrians surprise the F-15s with another flight of well-flown MiGs and one of the F-15s is damaged by an AAM. According to the Israelis, this is the closest they came to losing an F-15 during the Bekaa Valley fighting.

According to some sources, the F-15s used Python 3 missiles. Since the F-15 cannot carry the Python 3 in FC2, i have used the AIM-9L instead.

Note: This scenario is best played either two-player or as one player with the human player flying for the Israelis. The attacking AI tends to retreat immediately under these conditions. Also try damage2.btl, in which the AAA has been removed. In this version, the Israeli AI reliably goes on the attack.

Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

damage2.btl

On June 9, the Israelis launched a series of strikes against SAM sites in the Bekaa Valley of Lebanon, an attack that precipitated massive air battles between the IDF/AF and the Syrian Air Force. In this scenario, four F-15s encounter two MiG-21s over a hotbed of AAA. In the ensuing chaos, the MiGs are destroyed. However, the Syrians surprise the F-15s with another flight of well-flown MiGs and one of the F-15s is damaged by an AAM. According to the Israelis, this is the closest they came to losing an F-15 during the Bekaa Valley fighting.

According to some sources, the F-15s used Python 3 missiles. Since the F-15 cannot carry the Python 3 in FC2, I have used the AIM-9L instead.

In this version, the AAA has been removed.

Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

f15ace.btl

On June 10, 1982, during operations over Lebanon's Bekaa Valley, F-15 pilot Avner Naveh became the first F-15 ace by downing two MiG-23s and a single MiG-21. These kills, added to his previous claims of two MiG-21s in September of 1979, made Naveh the first F-15 ace and the first F-15 pilot to claim three kills during a single sortie.

Details on this encounter are hard to come by, so I have guessed what this encounter might have looked like. The F-15s are armed with AIM-9L missiles rather than the Python 3, as FC2 will not allow F-15s to carry the Python. Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

f15vm21.btl

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

"Eagle's Talons, Lion's Claw! 27 June 1979

Background: When IAF Phantoms and Skyhawks attacked PLO terrorist camps in Lebanon, Syrian MiG-21s scrambled to intervene. Israeli AWACS aircraft spotted them immediately and vectored a force of Israel's new F-15 Eagles onto them. A pair of Kfir C-2s also joined the fray which lasted only minutes. The Eagles acounted for four MiG kills and a Kfir downed a fifth MiG. The rest of the MiGs were scattered and fled. The occasion marked the first air-to-air kill for Israel's home-grown Kfir fighters."

Modifications: If playing as the Israeli player, due to the close proximity of Israeli strike aircraft, the F-15s may not use their Sparrow (AIM-7F) missiles until they have visually spotted their targets.

If playing as the Syrian player, the MiG-21s may not change altitude or speed and may not utilize high-G turns until the Israeli aircraft are spotted.

hot.btl

After the Lebanon War was officially ended with a ceasefire established on June 11, 1982, Israel continued offensive operations against the PLO in Lebanon. There were further clashes in Lebanon airspace as well. On June 24, two F-15s (callsign Hot1 and Hot2) on CAP were vectored towards two MiG-23s scrambled to intercept the F-15s from the east. Two MiG-21s were scrambled soon after. The F-15s turned to engage the MiGs, and downed both MiG-23s with Python 3 heat-seeking missiles. The MiG-21s apparently did not arrive in time to take part in this encounter.

The F-15s are armed with the AIM-9L, instead of the Python 3. Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

hotdog.btl

This mission is adapted directly from GDW's Air Superiority boardgame, designed by JD Webster:

"Syrian Hotdogs, June 1982

Background: Most of the air battles in the Bekaa Valley during 1982 consisted of F-15s and F-16s slaughtering hapless, inexperienced, and fleeing MiG pilots. On a few occasions, however, F-16s tangled with very aggressively flown MiG-21s that stayed to fight. Several F-16s had close calls from missiles that were evaded only by the F-16s excellent turning ability. These veteran "hot dog" Syrian pilots provided the only bright spot in an otherwise dismal period for the Syrian Air Force."

Changes: I used the MiG-21N to represent the MiG-21MF

lastbazk.btl

On 19 November, 1985, four Israeli F-16s and F-15s were escorting an RF-4E on a reconnaissance mission. They were approached by two MiG-23Gs, which closed head-on to 15 miles, and then turned away and headed back east. At the same time, the escort flight also turned away back west. Immediately after, Israeli ground control cleared the escort to fire. The F-15s turned back towards the MiGs and gave chase. Their first shots with AIM-7s missed. The F-15s closed the gap and fired Python 3 infrared homing missiles, which downed both MiGs.

The MiGs have no chance against four F-15s and four F-16s. The goal for the Syrians is simply to get away. They simply need to reach the east side of the map without being destroyed.

In this scenario, AIM-9L missiles substitute for the Python 3, as the F-15 cannot carry the Python 3 in FC2.

This scenario does not work well with the AI flying the Syrian aircraft. The human player should fly for the Syrians and try to avoid destruction.

lastkill.btl

On the afternoon of June 11, 1982, the last air-to-air victories achieved by the Israeli air force during the Lebanon War. On this day, Offer Lapidot, who claimed the first F-15 kill of the campaign, was flying as wingman on a CAP mission over the Mediterranean Sea. They were eventually vectored towards a contact towards the east. Soon the aircraft zipped past one another and the F-15s identified the contacts as two MiG-21s at low altitude. The F-15s turned towards the MiGs and Lapidot downed one with a Python 3, the last kill of the Lebanon campaign.

In this scenario, AIM-9L are used as a substitute for the Python 3. Under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

m23vf15.btl

Most sources credit the Israeli F-15s and F-16s with an 85-0 shoot down record in air-to-air encounters over the Bekaa Valley during the 1982 Lebanon War. In fact, the F-15 is credited with an 104-0 kill to lose record. However, Russian sources claim that three F-15s were downed on the 4th of October 1983 over Lebanon at the hands of Syrian MiG-23s. This scenario attempts to model such an encounter. I have created several versions of this scenario (m23vf15x.btl) using a variety of starting positions and numbers for the aircraft.

Source: http://www.airwar.ru/history/locwar/bv/mig23/mig23.html (translated at http://backfiretu-22m.tripod.com/id11.html).

m23vf15b.btl

Most sources credit the Israeli F-15s and F-16s with an 85-0 shoot down record in air-to-air encounters over the Bekaa Valley during the 1982 Lebanon War. In fact, the F-15 is credited with an 104-0 kill to lose record. However, Russian sources claim that three F-15s were downed on the 4th of October 1983 over Lebanon at the hands of Syrian MiG-23s. This scenario attempts to model such an encounter. I have created several versions of this scenario (m23vf15x.btl) using a variety of starting positions and numbers for the aircraft.

Source: http://www.airwar.ru/history/locwar/bv/mig23/mig23.html (translated at http://backfiretu-22m.tripod.com/id11.html).

m23vf15c.btl

Most sources credit the Israeli F-15s and F-16s with an 85-0 shoot down record in air-to-air encounters over the Bekaa Valley during the 1982 Lebanon War. In fact, the F-15 is credited with an 104-0 kill to lose record. However, Russian sources claim that three F-15s were downed on the 4th of October 1983 over Lebanon at the hands of Syrian MiG-23s. This scenario attempts to model such an encounter. I have created several versions of this scenario (m23vf15x.btl) using a variety of starting positions and numbers for the aircraft.

Source: http://www.airwar.ru/history/locwar/bv/mig23/mig23.html (translated at http://backfiretu-22m.tripod.com/id11.html).

m23vf16.btl

Most sources credit the Israeli F-15s and F-16s with an 85-0 shoot down record in air-to-air encounters over the Bekaa Valley during the 1982 Lebanon War. However, Russian sources claim that at least two F-16s were downed by MiG-23s during this short war. According to these sources, on June 7 MiG-23s attacked a group of F-16s at long range, downing two. However, as the MiG-23s turned towards home, they were in turn downed by the surviving Israeli fighters. This scenario attempts to model this encounter.

Source: http://www.airwar.ru/history/locwar/bv/mig23/mig23.html (translated from the Russian by WorldLingo)

m23vf16b.btl

Most sources credit the Israeli F-15s and F-16s with an 85-0 shoot down record in air-to-air encounters over the Bekaa Valley during the 1982 Lebanon War. However, Russian sources claim that several F-16s were downed by MiG-23s during this short war. The scenarios m23vf16x.btl attempt to model these various encounters. The detailes of these encounters are sketchy, however, so I have filled in the details as best I could with guess work.

According to these sources, on June 8 two MiG-23s attacked a group of F-16s at a range of about 7 kms with an AA-8 missile, downing one. However, one of the MiG-23s was downed downed by a Sidewinder by one of the surviving Israeli fighters. This scenario attempts to model this encounter.

Source: http://www.airwar.ru/history/locwar/bv/mig23/mig23.html (translated from the Russian by WorldLingo)

m23vf16c.btl

Most sources credit the Israeli F-15s and F-16s with an 85-0 shoot down record in air-to-air encounters over the Bekaa Valley during the 1982 Lebanon War. However, Russian sources claim that several F-16s were downed by MiG-23s during this short war. The scenarios m23vf16x.btl attempt to model these various encounters. The detailes of these encounters are sketchy, however, so I have filled in the details as best I could with guess work.

According to these sources, on June 9 two MiG-23s attacked a group of F-16s at a range of about 6 kms with AA-8 missiles, downing one. However, one of the MiG-23s was downed downed by a Sidewinder by one of the surviving Israeli fighters. This scenario attempts to model this encounter.

Source: http://www.airwar.ru/history/locwar/bv/mig23/mig23.html (translated from the Russian by WorldLingo)

nestling.btl

Syria deployed MiG-25Rs to make reconnaissance runs over Lebanon in June and July of 1982. One of the advantages to using the F-15 for the Israeli Air Force was that it was specifically designed to counter the MiG-25. However, the F-15 could not catch the MiG-25R (codenamed 'nestling' by the IDF/AF) which simply flew too high and fast for interception. So the Israelis devised a trap, using a HAWK SAM site to first damage the MiG and then the AIM-7F equipped F-15 to finish off the victim. On the 31 of August, the Israeli's successfully employed their ambush....the MiG-25R was damaged by a proximity fused HAWK SAM missile, which forced it to come down to a lower altitude, which allowed the F-15 to lock on and destroy the MiG with an AIM-7.

In this case, I have set up an unarmed MiG-25E flying east back towards Syrian air space, and an Israeli F-15 heading west to intercept. A solitary SAM site is sited at the center of the playing field.

palace.btl

On June 8, a two ship CAP element over Beirut, callsign 'Palace', was vectored to intercept two bogies streaking towards Beirut from the east at low altitude. At a range of 5 miles, the F-15s identified the targets as MiG-21s. At this point, the MiGs made a sharp turn to the south and tried to accelerate away. The F-15 pilots gave chase, closed the range and destroyed both aircraft with AIM-7F Sparrows.

The F-15s are armed with AIM-9L missiles, which substitute for the Python 3. Also, under the rules of engagement employed by the Israeli airforce during the Lebanon War, visual identification of bogies is necessary before they can be attacked. Therefore, the Israeli player should restrain from mounting an attack until visual contact is made.

reconb1.btl

Despite the bloody nose inflicted on the Syrians during the combat debut of the F-15 for the Israeli air force, in which five MiG-21s were downed, the Syrians continued to intercept Israeli flights over Lebanon. In this case, an RF-4E was intercepted by a flight of MiG-23Gs. After dodging three AAMs, the RF-4E escaped back into Israel.

To simulate the reconnaissance mission of the RF-4, an F-4C has been equipped with one bomb, a laser pod and no other armament. The mission of this aircraft is to fly close enough to the infantry target to destroy it with the laser guided bomb. This simulates the photo-recon run on the target. If the target is destroyed and the RF-4 survives, the run was successful. The MiG-23s need to prevent the RF-4 from completing its mission.

Source: "Israeli F-15 Eagle Units in Combat" by Shlomo Aloni, Osprey Publishing Limited

reconb2.btl

As the fight against the PLO in Lebanon continued, the Syrian Air Force refused to be intimidated by the F-15s of the IDF/AF. Despite losing 8 aircraft to F-15s, with no F-15s shot down, the Syrians continued to intercept Israeli flights.

On August 24, 1979, the Israeli's conducted a standard reconnaissance over Southern Lebanon, sending two RF-4Es covered by a frontline CP consisting of two F-15s and two Kfirs. The Syrians scrambled four MiG-21s in an effort to intercept the recon aircraft. Two of the Syrians soon bugged out once they realized they were facing F-15s, but two pressed on. One of the two was downed by an Sparrow missile.

To simulate the recon mission of the RF-4E, I have substituted F-4Cs that are not armed for air-to-air combat. Instead, each is carrying a single bomb and a laser pod, with which they must destroy the two infantry targets. The destruction of the targets and the safe return of the F-4s to Israeli territory constitutes a successful recon run.

reconb3a.btl

In late 1979, the MiG-25 became operational in Syrian service. The MiGs were immediately tasked with intercepting and destroying Israeli RF-4 reconnaissance flights that had been evading earlier attacks by MiG-21 and MiG-23s (see scenarios Reconb1.btl and Reconb2.btl). Several unsuccessful attempts were made before the Israelis decided to set a trap for the MiG-25 flights. An RF-4E was sent up with F-15 flying CAP. The F-15 was designed specifically to counter the MiG-25 threat, and this was it's opportunity to prove how well it could do that job.

In this recon mission, I have used an F-4C to simulate the RF-4E. This aircraft is not armed for air-to-air combat, but does carry one bomb and a laser pod. If the F-4 attacks and destroys the infantry unit and then makes it safely home, the recon mission can be considered a success.

reconb3b.btl

In late 1979, the MiG-25 became operational in Syrian service. The MiGs were immediately tasked with intercepting and destroying Israeli RF-4 reconnaissance flights that had been evading earlier attacks by MiG-21 and MiG-23s (see scenarios Reconb1.btl and Reconb2.btl). Several unsuccessful attempts were made before the Israelis decided to set a trap for the MiG-25 flights. An RF-4E was sent up with F-15 flying CAP. The F-15 was designed specifically to counter the MiG-25 threat, and this was it's opportunity to prove how well it could do that job.

In this recon mission, I have used an F-4C to simulate the RF-4E. This aircraft is not armed for air-to-air combat, but does carry one bomb and a laser pod. If the F-4 attacks and destroys the infantry unit and then makes it safely home, the recon mission can be considered a success. In the actual encounter, there was only one MiG-25 (see reconb3a.btl).....in this version, there are two.

reconb4b.btl

After several failed attempts to intercept RF-4Es on reconnaissance flights over Southern Lebanon (see scenarios reconb1, reconb2, reconb3a and reconb3b), the Syrians attempted yet another interception attempt on July 29, 1981. This time, an RF-4E, escorted by two F-15s, was intercepted by two MiG-21s and two MiG-25s. The F-15s managed to destroy one of the MiG-25s with a Sparrow missile, while the remaining MiG-25 managed to launch to BVR missiles at the retreating F-15s without scoring any hits.

In this recon mission, I have used an F-4C to simulate the RF-4E. This aircraft is not armed for air-to-air combat, but does carry one bomb and a laser pod. If the F-4 attacks and destroys the infantry unit and then makes it safely home, the recon mission can be considered a success.