As far as the attack on 131 goes.. there were 2 squads assigned that had registration commitments of 11-15 and 7-10.
So there should have been 18 - 25 aircraft in the attack group. Certainly a 'viable force' for FSO purposes.
The 11-15 squad only fielded 6 pilots and they managed to take out 2 FHs at 131 before being decimated at T+40. 1 survivor after initial strike.. none by end of frame.
The 7-10 squad only fielded 5 pilots and their task was escort. I don't know what they did or where they were, but one survivor managed to make a secondary strike and take out an ammo at 131.
So, from the logs, an effort was made to plan for a viable attack.. it just didn't work out that way.
As to how it may have been prevented, the options are pretty limited... especially when one of the aircraft involved is a restricted use ( Typhoon ) bird that causes headaches for making sure you don't exceed the allotment.
Couple that with how many squads don't know their actual strength until after launch time, as we all have folks popping in at the absolute last second to make the frame. That makes last-minute task-reassignment almost impossible.
It's annoying when you plan and wait and fly around and never get to shoot at anything.. by golly, I've been there many times myself.. Chances are, tho.. the guys you should have been able to shoot at probably got their butts kicked and prematurely found themselves in the tower, for whatever reason.. Which, IMHO, is far more painful and depressing than flying around for, ultimately, no reason.
Stuff happens. It just makes you enjoy the times when things work out correctly even more.
