[Argentine] Exercise Mountain People Beta

[Naio90]

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EXERCISE MOUNTAIN PEOPLE BETA​ Classified Information ​

Operation Background

As part of the ongoing Armed Forces readiness and improvement program a new exercise would be carried out to further improve the operational capability of the ground support units of the Argentine Air Force. In opposition to the past Exercises, the present Exercise will involve several Units from different armed forces branches to combine into a realistic mountain warfare scenario that can yield positive experience and training to all participants. New skill: Ground Support in Mountain Environment

Deployed Forces
1st Ground Support Squadron 4th Ground Support Squadron 3rd Ground Support Squadron 7th Ground Support Squadron 9th Ground Support Squadron 2nd Attack Squadron 6th Attack Squadron 8th Attack Squadron 13th Attack Squadron 2nd Rescue Squadron 1st Helicopter Squadron x50 IA-58D Pucara x48 AMX International x48 Su-34 6x Mil Mi-17 10x UH-1 Hornero 8x Atlas Oryx

Logistical Details

All aircraft, if not already statione there, would be flown to the El Plumerillo Air Force Base in Mendoza. Alternatively, the Mendoza and San Juan Airport would also be used to station the aircraft temproarily due to space issues. Parts of the civilian airports would be cut off for this Exercise. Pilots (all of the mentioned Squadrons) and maintenance crews would be conveniently lodged and supplied with all needs. Training ammunition/missiles would be transported together with tools and maintenance cargo. They would all oeprate in sector FF, on argentine airspace.

 

[Naio90]

All aircraft and pilots would be prepared (fully supplied and fueled) and assigned in shifts to conduct a first stage of flights over mountanous terrain above the Andes mountain range.

This first set would consist of solo and in formation flight to get accustomed on flying over very irregular terrain and to "see" how the different systems and sensors behave and impact on that type of scenario. They would see and test their ground radars and target detection systems among the narrow valleys and execute low altitude flights as a way of practicing stealth flight, using the mountains as cover from enemy radars.

All pilots and aircraft would carry out this part. The fighter units would focus more on air-to-air engagements and systems, while the Ground Support and Attack Squadrons would have flights more tailroed to their operational needs.

The Atlas rescue helicopters and UH-1 Hornero troops transport would be assigned to give support to the ground troops engaged in Exercise Mountain People.

All this would be done secretly.

 

[Naio90]

All aircraft and pilots would now continue to stage 2, which would include low altitude high-speed flying in moutain terrain.

A special course loop corridor would be drawn between the valleys and hills of the pre-Andes mountain range, for the pilots to fly. They would begin at a higher altitude and lower speed and with incresing rounds, and after getting mroe accustomed, they would begin lowering the altitude and pushing the speed. The loops would be timed in order to create an additional challenge and competition between the argentine air force pilots.

Given the large number of aircraft participating, a schedule would be made and different slots assigned to groups of aircraft.

The helicopters would countinue practicing mountain drop-off and pick up operations with the infantry of Exercise Mountain People.

All this would be done secretly.

 

[Naio90]

The next stage of the training would give the pilots and aircraft more of an aggressive approach into mountain aerial warfare as they would practice target acquisition and engagement.

Different "targets" consisting of painted references on the ground, old decomissioned vehicles and improvised structures would be dsitributed and used as dummy targets in different parts of the Andes, spanning from down in the valley to mountian sides, as well as near forests or surrounded by rocks.

All attack and ground support aircraft would then be tasked with carrying out simulated attacks on them. The first rounds would consiste on implementing maneuvers to acquire or eventually visualize the targets for the different kind of air to ground missiles and guns. Afterwards they would proceed to firing live-missiles and ammunition at them.

They would pay special attention on how to target-aquiring-systems and fire-control-eletronics work in mountian environment.

Also, they would begin applying some of the techniques learned the days before on how to use the mountainous terrain to their advantage in order to fly low and avoid enemy radar detection and lock-in.

The helicopters would countinue practicing mountain drop-off and pick up operations with the infantry of Exercise Mountain People.

All this would be done secretly.

 

[Jamie]

⌈ NATIONAL ECONOMICS ⌋ Billed

THREAD HAS BEEN CHARGED​

 

[Naio90]

The focus of the training would now shift to recreating potential real-life scenarios of aerial mountian combat. They would arrange night missions by setting up targets in the middle of the night. Pilots would have to get accustomed to depend more on their instruments and to eventually have to flight higher due to the potential dangers of the Andes mountain range.

The pilots would employ dummi versions of the different anti-tank and general air-to-ground missiles they could carry.

Ground personnel would collaborate with them by employing flares to mark the targets and help them with target acquisition.

The mounte guns would not be used during night operations, but the practice of using missiles during night operations would help the pilots exploit the advantage of the cover of darkness to avoid any visual MANPADs or other AA artillery the enemy might have.

 

[Naio90]

All pilots would have gained experience in codncuting reconaissance and attack missions on mountain terrain, against both fixed and mobile targets of different sizes. They would also have gained insigh on how such terrain could affect their on board systems and radars and also how to be able to use all this to their advantage.

Finally, they would also have gained more experience with the different types of armamanet their aircrafts could carry, using it not only for mountain warfare operations but also on regular missions.

Once everything was complete, all pilots could gain tehir corresponding badge and begin preparations to be relocated back to their ususal stations. Once there they would reassume their usual routine.

Training complete.