A late Harpoon convert's journey

[shauny1987]

Well I'm sad to say I found Harpoon fairly late, after borrowing a copy of Harpoon classic I bought HCE and found it was brilliant! I always had my eye on the game but it took me a while to get up the guts to try a hardcore naval sim. I've always been interested in naval warfare mind, but generally pre-modern, the modern is far more complicated than I was used to!

However Harpoon firmly got me into the area of interest and kept me there. So, here I am with the latest release containing all the previous versions. Soo many choices!

Can any of you long time expert suggest a classic old scenario to attempt? or a very difficult one they always struggled with?

[Terminus]

I've always been a fan of the old GIUK gap scenario, where the NATO player has a few subs and ASW planes on Iceland to stop a Soviet surge of boats.

[shauny1987]

Ill take a peek

[JudgeDredd]

^ That's pretty much the only one I played tbh

I might re-install HCE tonight for a trip down memory lane.

[JudgeDredd]

oh - and don't understand why this is in the AAR thread - of all the places to get opinions and information about scenarios, I wouldn't think a barren AAR forum would be the place

[shauny1987]

Because I will do an AAr/playerslaughter on the scenario/s suggested

*sorry if i made this point ambiguous!

[CV32]

ORIGINAL: shauny1987
Well I'm sad to say I found Harpoon fairly late, after borrowing a copy of Harpoon classic I bought HCE and found it was brilliant! I always had my eye on the game but it took me a while to get up the guts to try a hardcore naval sim. I've always been interested in naval warfare mind, but generally pre-modern, the modern is far more complicated than I was used to! However Harpoon firmly got me into the area of interest and kept me there. So, here I am with the latest release containing all the previous versions. Soo many choices!

Boy, are you in for a treat! If you're not careful, it could end up being a twenty year obsession like some of us around here. [:D]

Can any of you long time expert suggest a classic old scenario to attempt? or a very difficult one they always struggled with?

There are so many 'classic' scenarios it is hard to pin down just one, or for that matter, even a few. Some of my suggestions for the stock scenarios:

GIUK 13.0 - Duel
NACV 7.0 - Southern Crossing
HDS3 MEDC 4.0 - Gallipoli Redux
HDS4 IOPG 9.0 - Gonzo Station
HDS5 GIUK 3.0 - Strike Ops: The Carriers Arrive
HDS9 GIUK 1.0 - Surprise in the Snow
HDSB MEDC 3.0 - Sara's Day

There are many, many more out there of the user built variety. Happy hunting! [:)]

[shauny1987]

After having a look, I'm leaning towards Gallipoli Redux, that will probably be the first one!

[shauny1987]

[It's decided. Gonzo station. Because its small and I like the middle eastern scenarios ]


O         031312ZMAR96        SSSSSSSSSSSS

FROM: CHAIRMAN, JCS, WASHINGTON DC

TO: CINCPAC
     COMSEVENTH FLEET
     COMSIXTH FLEET
     CJTFME
     CTF 71   (AAC)

INFO:

BT
S E C R E T //N02524//
SUBJ: WAR WARNING-ISLAMIC COMPACT INVASION OF SAUDI ARABIA-WAR WARNING

1.  SITREP: ISLAMIC COMPACT (IRAN, IRAQ, SYRIA, ET AL) HAVE INVADED SAUDI ARABIA.  KING FAHD HAS ASKED FOR US ASSISTANCE.

2.  EFFECTIVE IMMEDIATELY COM SIXTH FLEET ASSUMES COG FOR PERSIAN GULF AND ALL US FORCES IN THEATER.  SIXTH FLEET FLAGSHIP CG-26 BELKNAP WILL JOIN CTF 71 IMMEDIATELY.  FOL RENDEZVOUS, TRANSIT THE HORMUZ STRAIGHT AND ENTER THE PERSIAN GULF.  ASSUME STATION NORTHERN PERSIAN GULF AND CONTROL ALL PERSIAN GULF AIR SPACE AND NAVIGABLE CHANNELS.  NEUTRALIZE ALL OPPOSING FORCES.

3.  ROE WARNING RED, WEAPONS FREE.  ENGAGE ALL COMPACT FORCES AS SITUATION DICTATES.

4.  OBJECTIVES:

    .1  SUPPORT SAUDI FORCES IN DEFENSE OF THEIR TERRITORY.
    .2  DESTROY ALL COMMAND AND COMMUNICATION FACILITIES IN BAGHDAD, IRAQ AND ZEHADEN, IRAN.

5. BE ADVISED OF FOLLOWING NSA INTREP:

  CIA INTELLIGENCE ESTIMATE INDICATES THAT THE IRAQ LED ISLAMIC PACT GROWS IN SUPPORT AND MILITARY SIZE AS THEIR FORCES ADVANCE AND CAPTURE THE ARABIAN PENINSULA. SIGNET INDICATES MANY SEPARATE UNITS AND THEIR WEAPONS AMONG THE REGIONS ISLAMIC NATIONS HAVE JOINED IN A JIHAD OR BEEN CAPTURED INTACT.  EXPECT HOSTILE ACTION FROM ANY ISLAMIC FORCES INCLUDING THOSE CONSIDERED FRIENDLY.


DWNGRD/DECL/OADR//
BT

O         031312ZMAR96        SSSSSSSSSSSS

[shauny1987]

Approx 2:17:59 from end of mission time.

http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=2q15isy&s=7
The starting situation.

CV Saratoga has these offensive fixed wing aircraft:

24x F14 Tomcat (12 AtA 12 Standoff)
24x F18C Hornet (12 AR 10 GUI)
10x A-6E/TRAM Intruder (GUI)
Support:
5x E-2C Hawkeye AEW
5x EW EA-6B Prowler EW
+ a bunch of ASW aircraft

Personally I am unsure as to how to use the AEW and EW support, I usually just bunch them in the centre somewhere and activate radar.

First targets will be the Oman Airfields of Masirah and Ras Al Hadd

[shauny1987]

Sortie 1:

6 F18's attack each of the Oman bases as soon as they can take off and head there.
6 F18's in two flights of 3 planes will cover both the flights from enemy air forces, with plenty more at ready 5 on Saratoga if called for.

Time:2:17:52

we have detected 4 new contacts:

MM.40 Exocet
    Method: RADAR
MM.40 Exocet
    Method: RADAR
MM.40 Exocet
    Method: RADAR
MM.40 Exocet
    Method: RADAR

Two small boats, I assume missile boats launched Exocets at the carrier fleet, 6 Harpoons have been launched from the fleet in return as well as the Aegis firing at the Exocets...

A group of the Exocets are shot down, but a salvo remain as the Aegis fires again.....
More are shot down but 4 are left within visual range of the Carrier!
2 more get taken down by Aegis.... 2 ramaining heading for Saratoga!
The last two Exocets were shot down at the last moment, at the same moment the missile boats were hit by Harpoons and sunk. Our first victory, a bit closer than I would have liked!

Now back to the air sortie....

we have detected 1 new contact:

Small Airborne contact
    from AC01 F-14A Tomcat
    at a bearing of 298 degrees
    and a range of 67 nm
    Method: RADAR

The Escorts fire at the enemy contacts, they got a bit close for comfort before we detected them!
3 More airborne contacts are detected, we have 9 escorts, this should be sufficient, however 6 F14's are being scrambled in support.

The missiles hit the first contact

Sir, we have just shot down 1 MiG-29 Fulcrum!

The escorts have expended their missiles and are falling back waiting for the reinforcements to clear the way.

The planes are gaining on the strike planes, the F14's are executing their afterburners to intercept.

4 MiG 29's were shot down by the Intercepting F14's, the planesturn back towards their targets for a second try!

6 more tomcats are launched to intercept new contacts ahead of the attack groups.

From the carrier fleet...... 7 small missile contacts are detected northwards, there are no detected ships.

The missiles were shot down... all but one! which struck the Thomas C Hart! sinking it!

The Thomas C Hart unit BB00, a Knox class, is sinking!

3 Vikings are launched to hunt for possible submarines who launched the missiles.

The fighter screen has marked up 8 kills of 'Jian' Fighters so far but is running low on missiles.

Time 2:17:19

6 F14's are moving to engage a group of Mig 21's with short range missiles, 3 of the escorts of the eastern group are breaking off to assist.

two more missile boats are spotted in the area where the missiles launched were, Harpoons have been launched.

The migs have been shot down, and the strike forces are now heading for their targets unopposed.

The missile boats have been destroyed.

The left air group has been fired upon by Sky Flash missiles, they have turned tail and fired the afterburner, their escorts are moving to intercept the Tornado's who fired them!

The escorts fired their missiles, however as the tornados exploded the F14's detected incomming Sidewinder missiles, they have turned and initiated afterburner but they are likely to hit..... they missed!

More bogies are detected on the east flank, the escorts are intercepting....

The 6 F14's on the western flank have reached Bingo fuel and are returning to the Saratoga. The final 6 F14's are being launched to screen the attack forces.

The left flank attack group has reached bingo fuel and is returning to base without dropping its bombs 3 F18's with guided missiles are being launched to attack their target.

The eastern attack force engaged a lone Mig and destroyed at 10nm with srm, and continue towards their target.

15 Maverick missiles got through the AA defences and struck the Oman Airfield. It was 42% destroyed and the sensors were destroyed.

Only 5 Mavariks hit the western target, however destroying a weapon mount and inflicting 6% damage.

All planes are heading back to the Carrier apart from the patrolling air forces preparing for a second attack.

The time is: 2:16:27 remaining.


[Thats all for now]

[shauny1987]

RIP Thomas C Hart

Though, 0 Air losses so far