In mission five of the Inherent Resolve campaign, the player undertakes a combined SEAD and air-to-air combat operation to neutralize Syrian government helicopters deploying barrel bombs by first eliminating SAM sites with HARMs and then engaging the helicopters using Sidewinders and guns. The mission features intense tactical gameplay with electronic warfare, missile management, and dogfighting, culminating in a successful return to base and setting the stage for future challenges.
In this episode of the “Inherent Resolve” campaign, the player embarks on mission five, which involves a mix of air-to-air combat and suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD) to stop Syrian government helicopters (Hilos) from dropping barrel bombs filled with explosives and metal shards on civilian areas. The mission briefing explains the brutal tactics used by the Syrian Air Force and the international community’s condemnation of these actions. The player prepares by adjusting their aircraft loadout, opting for a combination of AMRAAMs, HARMs, and Sidewinders to effectively counter both the surface-to-air missile (SAM) sites and the helicopters.
The mission begins with the player and their wingman taking off and climbing to altitude while activating their electronic countermeasures (jammers) to bait the SAM sites into locking on. The player’s strategy is to use HARMs to destroy the SAM sites first, thereby clearing the way for safe engagement of the helicopters. The player monitors radar and electronic warfare displays to track multiple SAM threats and helicopter contacts around Aleppo, carefully managing altitude and speed to maximize missile range and evade enemy fire.
Once the SAM sites start locking on, the player successfully launches HARMs to neutralize them, allowing for safer air-to-air combat against the hostile helicopters. The wingman joins the fight, but the player primarily takes the lead in engaging the Hilos using Sidewinders and gun attacks. The combat is intense, with multiple helicopters targeted and destroyed amidst warnings of incoming artillery and anti-aircraft fire. The player carefully conserves longer-range missiles in case of potential fighter threats, focusing on close-range dogfighting tactics.
After eliminating all the hostile helicopters, the player assists the wingman in dealing with enemy fighter aircraft, launching a final missile to ensure their destruction before heading back to base. The mission concludes with a smooth landing on the Syrian airfield, earning extra points for precision and adherence to landing procedures. The player reflects positively on the mission, noting the successful loadout change and the excitement of their first air-to-air engagement in the campaign.
Overall, mission five of the Inherent Resolve campaign delivers a dynamic and challenging experience combining SEAD and air-to-air combat. The player effectively balances tactical missile usage, electronic warfare, and dogfighting skills to neutralize threats and complete the mission objectives. The mission’s narrative and atmospheric setting, including the nighttime Syrian map and sunset visuals, add depth to the gameplay, leaving the player eager for the next installment in the series.