[Egypt] Operation Shadow Caster

[Naio90]

​

OPERATION SHADOW CASTER Classified Information ​

Operation Background

Given the current global and regional circumstances that hint to a possible armed intervention in Iraq, the Government of the Arab Republic of Egypt has issued a no-enter zone to all foreign military units comprising the totality of the egyptian territory, waters and airspace. In an effort to ensure national sovereignty and guarantee egyptian neutrality, an operation would be launched to patrol egyptian controlled areas and gather information of foreign operations. The egyptian armed forces would all be put on alert and high readiness capacity, accelerated by the pick up of sonar signals incoming from the west by the egyptian SOSUS (sound surveillance system) installed at different points in the Mediterranean Sea. An egyptian navy submarine would be prepared to identify the target and make sure it does not enter egyptian waters. Air patrols would be also scheduled to launch.

Deployed Forces
Gotland-Class Submarine "S025" departing from Mersa Matruh Naval Base. 32x Navy Personnel Full load of Tp-613 torpedos for its 4x 533 mm tubes. Fully supplied and with all systems active. 3rd Maritime Patrol Squadron (stationed in Mersa Matruh Naval Base) 2x P-3B Orion Fully crewed and supplied. All systems active.

Logistical Details

All operations would be carried out in the KM sector. The aerial components would only flight on egyptian airspace, including above the egyptian EEZ. Initial instructions would establish not to leave that area without prior authorization and to immediatly report all maritime activity detected. The submarine would be given special orders given its operational nature. Since operating underwater and stealthy it cannot communicate with command withouth potentially giving up its position by surfacing or near-surfacing. Its orders were to track and identify the sonar signals deteted by the egyptian SOSUS, and shadow them at a safe distance to confirm they do not enter the egyptian EEZ. It would clearly be instructed not to engage unless fired upon and avoid communicating with the unidentified ships unless otherwise instructed from command. Everything would be prepared to launch the operations.

 

[Naio90]

The S025 would depart from its base in Mersa Matruh and head north slightly east in order to try intercept the incoming unidentified fleet. SOSUS operators established that there were at least 5 to 6 surface vessels and possibly 1 submarine. It was easy to identify these targets as they were all moving at a fast speed, making their engines a good amount of noise. IN addition the submarine would be identifies due to its usage of the active sonar. They would be tracked to be on a west - east route.

S025 would dive to navigational depth once it reached a safe distance form the coast and head directly to an interception course. It would have the last coordinates of the unidentified fleet, and assuming that they would not divert significantly, the captain would trace an intercept course that would lead them near the edge of the egyptian EEZ (The US fleet did not state where it was only navigating on international waters, but it would be assumed it does so near the edge of the egyptian EEZ).

This would take only 2 to 3 hours since the distance from the port to the intercept point was short. Once near, the S025 would maintain its current safe depth of 150m and once near the potential area of detection it would slow down its speed, making use it its state of the art technology and many features that enhance its stealth to remain undetected. It would also deactivate its active sonar and use only its passive sonar.

The fact that the US fleet was using both active and passive sonar simultaneously and be navigating at a higher or cruise speed, would make it very hard if almost impossible to detect the silent egyptian submarine.

Once detected and located, the submarine would try to identify ship type, exact quantity and heading through their sonar experts.

All this would be happening in sector KM.

______________________________________________________________

In the meantime, in the air, both P-3B Orions would have taken off from Mersa Matruh and were heading north and northwest respectively, flying at cruising altitude to perform patrol circuits above the egyptian EEZ. They would have all their sensors and radars active and be in constant communication with HQ.


Obviously all elements related to thi oepration would be secret.


@John

 

[Naio90]

Having the egyptian submarine detected and succesfully approached the unidentified fleet it would begin monitoring them at a safe distance, identifying each vessel by size and determining that there was one major ship with multiple shafts and possibly nuclear powered. With his information it would be obvious to the sonar analists that they were listening to a US nuclear aircraft carrier. They would also identify other 3 medium sized vessels and the large-hulled submarine. They were all sailing at constant cruise speed eastwards with direction to Cyprus.

Following the predefined orders, the submarine would position itself at the rear of the US fleet and equal their speed, shadowing them and monitoring each movement. They would remain undetected.

_____________________

Meanwhile the Orion's woud continue their patrol duties, returning to base for resupply and refueling when needed.

@John

 

[John]

Since it was mentioned that the submarine matched the speed of the detachment, which was cruise speed (Which is generally 25% short of full throttle, unless specified), the Gotland would have to be travelling at a submerged speed of 25 knots to keep up with the fleet, which means it would be impossible to keep at dead silent - also meaning they wouldn't be impossible to detect.

Ensign Will Mason, the Sonar Operator on the rear Arleigh Burke; the USS Barry, would notice the slight change in noise due to the addition of the Egyptian Submarines engines. It wouldn't be a big difference, however the sensitive headphones that sat on his head, and the screen infront of him would both indicate the same thing.

"TAO, I'm hearing something."

The TAO (Tactical Action Officer), LTJG Leanora Sanford, who was walking around the CIC at the time, would approach Ensign Mason's station. Looking over the screen.

"It appears to be on the edge of the group, I'm not sure what it is but every so often I hear the faintest... hum"

"Whats the bearing?"

"I can't be sure... but it's between 2-3-0 and 2-5-5, Ma'am."

"Any idea what it could be?"

"I'm not sure, it could possibly be a pod of beaked whales. They're common round these parts."

"Keep tracking it." The TAO would move away from Mason's station after he gave a nod of understanding. She moved over to the radio that communicated with the bridge, picking it up. "TAO, Bridge." the XO would pick up the receiver, speaking into it. "Bridge, go ahead."

"Sir, we're tracking something down here. High possibility its just biological, however with the current situation - I want us to be aware that it could be something different."

"Understood TAO, spool three ASROCs into the rear VLS. I don't want us getting caught out."

"Yes sir. TAO out"

LTJG would put the radio down, repeating the XOs orders to the CIC, three ASROCs would be spooled into the VLS. However no provisions would be made to go into General Quarters, there was no sense of urgency. The information would also be relayed to the rest of the ships. Where, from the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower, one of the SH-3 Sea Kings from the Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron Light 46 would take off, it would be fitted with two AN/SSQ-47B active pinger ranging sonar sonobuoys. The helicopter flew towards the established bearing, where it would drop the buoys just behind the USS Barry, before beginning to return to the ship.

@Naio90

 

[Naio90]

The egyptian submarine would continue tailing its target. Suddently, the sonar officer would put his hands on the headphones and close its eyes, concentrating. He then would quickly push some buttons and raise his hand calling in a very low voice for the ships commander, who was on the bridge monitoring the situation.

"Captain, we are picking up surface noises compatible with helicopter oeprations. They might be running some kind of operations, or might have detected us and are looking into us."

The captain would order to continue tailing the fleet at the prudent distance they were in.

@John

 

[John]

The two sonobuoys would be dropped from the helicopter to the rear of the USS Barry, as they impact the water, they would come apart to activate. Two pings would instantly be sent out into the water which would deflect off of the Egyptian Submarine and jump up on Ensign Mason's monitor. The SH-3 would return to the Eisenhower, where it would land and be taxied back to its pad.

"All Stations, sonar. Sonar holds new active contact"

LTJG Sanford rushed over to Mason's station, looking over his monitor.
"What is it?"

"I'm not sure, Ma'am. It's definitely a sub, I can't tell what it is though. Based on the size I'd say its either a Type 209, a Gotland or a Dolphin. Which limits the countries to Turkey, Israel, Greece and Egypt."

"Keep track on it." Sanford moved back over to the radio, contacting the bridge. "Bridge, TAO."

"Bridge. Go ahead TAO"

"CIC holds new active sub-surface contact bearing 2-4-5."

"Understood TAO. Prepare Nixie and torpedoes. Bridge, out"

"Yes sir. Preparing Nixie."

The radios would be put down as the LTJG repeated the order to the CIC, the ship would continue to track the Submarine, not moving from its course however.[/color]

 

[Naio90]

The loud pings would be heard all throughout the egyptian submarine, giving the sonar operator some minor scare due to the sudden burst of noise on his headphones. This would confirm the crews suspicions regarding a potential detection and countermeassures by US ASW helicopters.

Given they were on international waters, and considering the orders given to them, the captain would decide to continue tailing the fleet without altering speed, course or distance to the targets.

They would break off the shadowing once the fleet entered "british" waters near Cyprus.

@John

 

[Naio90]

With the fleet entering syrian waters, the submarine would break off the shadowing and change its course to take a safe distance. It would then emerge to the surface after checking it was safe and recharge its batteries while communicating the events to the naval HQ in Egypt. This would be done over encrypted communication lines and in private. The area would be monitored the whole time to avoid potential dangers.

The submarine would then receive updated orders over encrypted lines, to continue monitoring the activities of the US fleet, even in syrian waters. Engagement rules would remain the same.

Once batteries were charged and everything was ready to resume its operations, the submarine would dive to navigational depth and at secure speed to avoid generating too much noise (making use of its AIP technology) enter syrian waters and begin looking for the US fleet, remaining always at a safe distance.

@John