Scenario for Testing: Sideshow in the South China Sea

[Russian Heel]

This is my first scenario I am building with the intent of releasing, usually I don't refine things like scoring or briefings as I play them myself and can judge my success/failure on my own. The briefing right now is quite bare bones and generic, I will be improving and updating it. The scoring really needs looked at, as I don't think I have it balanced well enough.

Currently only the US side is playable and I think the Soviet mission scripting could use some improvements. I plan to have both sides playable when the scenario is finished.

The basis of the scenario is at its heart a fight between the 3rd Fighter Wing at Clark (with a few added forces) and the 169th Guards Independent Aviation Regiment (Composite) at Cam Ranh Bay for the control of the South China Sea at the outbreak of WW3. I have added the Deus Ex Machina of the 7th Fleet moving forces out of the South China Sea until the base is neutralized for balance and design purposes - I just wanted a fight between the 2 bases. I also added an SR-71 at Anderson just for fun.

Please give me any suggestions you can give - this one is pretty rough around the edges but I really want to make it enjoyable - and help is appreciated.

If anybody has a better way to set up the ADA forces I'm all ears too.

[Russian Heel]

Uploaded updated version with revamped scoring and a no-fly zone over Vietnam + Vietnamese units.

[Gunner98]

Downloading now, will give it a go tonight.

B

[Gunner98]

Some initial thoughts.

-Looks nice and challenging. Distance is certainly a key factor.
-A couple typos in the Side brief. Establish and 'islimited', also the bit about the F-4 Sqns and W Weasels is a bit confusing.
-You have some units not active at all, a Sqn of Hurcs and some F5's, future developments I presume.
-The US has no AEW, although the SR-71 and the MPA provide some situational awareness, it is unlikely that a base this important would be left without E-3 support
-USAF Sqn size is, and I think was in 85, 24 A/C and the Wild Weasel's would normally come from a different organization (not certain but fairly sure), so the 2 F-4 Sqns are fairly short on A/C. And there are a lot of jobs for the ftrs, AAW defence of the bases (with the Tu-16s & refulers as a real threat), defence of all the tankers that are needed to launch a strike, and the offensive AAW you need to usher in the strike. Certainly makes it challenging - less so once I realized that the Floggers were not tanker capable, but you may want to take a look at this one.

Have just launched my strike and will let you know how it all works out.

B

[Russian Heel]

- Yeah I need to completely redo the briefing I wasn't happy with it and was typing it up at like 1 in the morning. 90th TFS was a Wild Weasel Squadron at the time but they had 8 Gs and 14 Es and worked in pairs of G and E hunter/killers.

- The 130s and F-5s (The 26th Aggressors)are there to be targets, to lose you points if they die.

- The no E-3s was a design decision by me, PACAF had like 3-4 E-3s at the time and with fighters in range of the bases in Japan, ROK I decided they would stay up north, but I considered leaving some Navy E-2s at the NAS might add some based on your feedback.

- Like I said 3rd Fighter Wing had 2 Fighter Squadrons 90th TFS which was a dedicated WW squadron and 3rd TFS which for whatever reason had 14 a/c and their AMU had less personnel assigned. Yes there is a challenge! Welcome to commanding what the USAF considered the JV on the Navy's turf that was not the main or even the second effort!

- Sounds like you solved one of the commander's problems. Figure out the max range the Floggers can get to and keep your tankers out of reach, boom protected. The Soviets also are dependent on ground based radar and MPA for tracking you too.

- I sometimes pushed my P-3s too far using them as stand in AEW and the Floggers pounced on them.

Thanks for the feedback, I really appreciate it. I'm trying to show the stress of higher command saying "I know this is all you have, but here is your mission, make it happen." Interesting to know how your strikes work out, I'm trying to give limited assets for a tough challenge, but don't want to make it impossible.

[Gunner98]

OK, having some problems, I think its the new build and have reported it.

Targets - I like it.
Got it on the E-3's, I just noticed a nasty surprise in the 'losses and expenditures' department. I shot down a couple Vietnamese Mig-21's and am assuming that is why my VP count took such a hit (at -50 or something). Some E-2s would help if the player is going into an area where he has to discriminate between hostile Mig-23s and neutral Mig-21s.

Roger on the A/C numbers, and it does make things interesting. It is workable, my Ftr sweep took out 5 Mig-23s AND 2 Mig-21s! at the loss of 1. The second F-4 loss was because I was being stupid.

Loss and expenditures about 7hrs 45 min into the game (05:43:50Z)

I like the weather you have put in, need to drop my strikers below the cloud layer to release.

I'll give it some more love after work, my main fast mover strike is on the way with the Buffs trailing, and I just found the SAG.

Good fun.

SIDE: United States
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
2x F-4E Phantom II


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
36x AIM-7F Sparrow III
2x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
2x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]
12x AGM-78D Standard [ARM]
8x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
4x AGM-45B Shrike [ARM]
4x GBU-12D/B Paveway II LGB [Mk82]
2x AGM-65B Maverick EO



SIDE: Soviet Union
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
5x MiG-23MLD Flogger K
1x Radar (Thin Skin B HF [PRV-16])
1x Radar (Spoon Rest D [P-18])
1x Ammo Shelter


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
83x RGB-75 [Basic Search, Passive Omni]
13x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
19x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
10x AA-7 Apex C [R-24R, SARH]
4x AA-8 Aphid [R-60TM]
3x 23mm Gsh-23L Burst [40 rnds]
17x SA-6b Gainful [9M336]
18x SA-6a Gainful [9M336]



SIDE: Vietnam
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
2x MiG-21bis Fishbed N


EXPENDITURES:
------------------

[Russian Heel]

Sorry about the problems, I came across the same issue last night with build 483. I rebuilt the scenario to 483 and haven't had an opportunity to test it. I had no issues with build 482 or 481 - whichever it was built with I can't say now.

I'll def put at least 1 E-2 in because I think you are right about it, I was envisioning the P-3s with their ESM being used as makeshift AEW, but with killing Vietnamese A/C being a major no-no it is only fair to give at least one asset, I still want to leave the management challenge of 'make use of what you got' there though.

Was it difficult for you to find the surface ships? There are only three ships in the whole scenario as it stands now, all Soviet. Should I add merchant traffic to make it more of a challenge?

The B-52s with Harpoons, I think I need to alter the ready time, by the time they are ready they might be irrelevant, what do you think?

Are you using the SR-71 for anything? Honestly I just added it because its freaking cool and thought maybe somebody might find a clever way to make use of it.

Don't forget to mine the bay when the threat is low enough.

[Russian Heel]

Added a new version of the scenario built with 483. I noticed from your play through somehow I missed something. I added 1 E-2, adjusted some of the starting loadout times and changed the SR-71 to a later version. I also added minimal civilian shipping to make IDing the Soviet ships more difficult. Still haven't redone that piss poor briefing but it is next on the to-do list.

[Russian Heel]

And re-upped another version quickly as I had some triggers set wrong.

[Gunner98]

I found the surface ship in Cam Ranh bay fairly early, but only found the DDG/CG about 7 1/2 hrs in. I was keeping my MPA to North, so it is probably that more than anything that caused me to miss them earlier. I agree that getting the B-52/Harpoons ready earlier - probably about 6 hrs would be better. Merchant ships would be a good idea, and perhaps a Vietnamese fishing flotilla in Cam Ranh bay area.

One E-2 is good, forces the player to time it right.

I am using the SR-71 but it is thirsty and I only realized last night that the Blackbird and the KC-135Q were linked. I like learning that sort of stuff but it cost me some worry because it wasn't linking with any of the other Tankers and I had forgotten about the Q. I will sort it out and it will be much more useful. It did detect some of the SAMs.

I have the mine carrying B-52s coming in just after the main strike.

I think I'll load up your latest and give that a whirl. Probably won't get much done tonight, daughter leaves tomorrow so we're going out.

One other thing I did notice was the Russian writing for the Russian units. Nice touch but difficult for a non-Russian speaker to note what it is. Not sure if that contributed to the VN Migs going down but I'll blame it on that [:D]
B

[Russian Heel]

The Soviet MPA was the clue to the location of the surface ships searching for your non existent submarines stalking them, but I guess with no AEW and your P-3s to the north you never saw them either.

Only time I flew the SR-71 the tanker thing screwed me, I had the Q airborne in the perfect spot, but super pilot decides he'd rather top off with an A model... couldn't link up but refused to go to the Q and crashed.

As for the Russian language I only used that as a reference for myself, but since I'm going to make the Soviet side playable I think you are right and I should change the unit names to English.

Have fun tonight!

[Gunner98]

Just played a couple hours this morning, much nicer set up, this is fun. The civilian shipping traffic adds a good element of the unknown, the E-2 adds a degree of (false) confidence. I decided to go with an early ftr sweep so the SR-71 is less relevant this time. You may want to consider having him airborne, about to do a high level pass of the target area. One other thought on him, he is a strategic asses (as is the 135Q I'm thinking), perhaps put them on another 'side' out of the players tactical control, keeps the cool factor but doesn't muddy the waters. Now that I am looking for it the radars are a good discriminator for the 21s & 23s but the E-2 was helpful, or at least reassuring, he does not unbalance things. Detected the SAG earlier this time, seemed to be in a different spot, not sure if you have some variables in there.

So in my early Ftr sweep I have the 6 AAW Phantoms, a Weasel and a Prowler followed at a respectable distance by the E-2 with some tankers running a loop about 250 miles back. Phantoms in 3 pairs about 5 min apart: first group splash 2 MiGs, go in for some winder shots, get another but one of the pair goes down Doh!. 2nd pair go in, splash 2 more and are turning around for some fuel when some big boys lift off from the base (this is new and must be one of the triggers you mention), also by this time with 5 MiGs down, there are 4 more coming my way -bugger my base is naked and I have a partial strike assembling for an early run in on the target. On the horns of a dilemma of my own making, I turn pair 2 back into the fray with sidewinders, lose one but there's a good bunch of red missiles flailing about to no purpose. Meanwhile, pair 3 jinks North, slides in from the flank and splashes the three big boys, unfortunately they are now on the wrong side of 4 MiGs with nothing but winders left! These are early AIM-9s so they can't get a shot and it ends in a gun duel, and the MiG is more agile - with a bad situation, add some bad luck and pair 3 does not survive the dogfight. I now have a Weasel (sparrows expended), a Prowler (naked) and an E-2 (slow as 2 legged dog) running for their lives with 4 MiGs (almost Winchester - I think) chasing them. The lone survivor of pair 2 goes back into the fight with one(1!) sidewinder left and manages to distract the MiGs enough for the E-2 - now the tail end charlie because he is freaking slow - to get away. So 1xF-4 vs 4x MiG 23s at short range, one missile left - game crashes!! Time to go to work anyway.[:D]

This is very good fun.

One point, the VPs for the Bears are recording wrong, they deduct instead of add VPs to the US side.

Back at it tonight.

B

[Primarchx]

I'll start the new version later today. My concept of ops was to run the Blackbird over CRB first to get an idea of the air defenses and put P-3s out to discretely sniff for surface traffic. F-4Es are split 50:50 A2A and A2G and F-4Gs are WW. A-4Ms are angled for antishipping strike with Walleye and Mk82 and the A-6Es set for PGM. All tankers are forwarded to Clark to support ops. B-52s to join as needed.

[Russian Heel]

Uploaded, what I think is the final version of forces/triggers/missions. Fixed typos in briefing - it still needs to be written better, however. Added the SR-71 and KC-135Q to an AI side lets see how that works)

[Primarchx]

You took away my SR-71! Why?!

[Russian Heel]

ORIGINAL: Primarchx

You took away my SR-71! Why?!

I had reservations, but Gunner's suggestion made sense. I have a save where the SR-71 is still under control of the player. I'll see which one I think works better, I'll upload it too and players can compare.

[Russian Heel]

SR-71 still uder control of the player

[Primarchx]

Thanks!

[Maromak]

Downloaded. Thanks!

[Gunner98]

Ran it again. All going well until I had some tanker troubles, the Buffs came through and drank everyone dry when they didn't need to, caused all sorts of problems. Has been reported.

I keep getting a message 'Skunk 1 assigned to new base Anderson AFB' Not sure what that is about. Can't find a Skunk call sign.
I like the added ship traffic.
Kodiak did not refuel and headed back to base
I like that you took the VPs away for the MiGs

Did not continue with the strike as my fuel problems were frustrating me. But this one looks almost good to go..

BG

SIDE: United States
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x F-4E Phantom II
3x KC-135A Stratotanker
2x A-6E Intruder

1SIDE: Soviet Union
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
10x MiG-23MLD Flogger K
8x Tu-16K-26PM Badger G Mod
2x Tu-16K-10P Badger C
2x Tu-95RT Bear D
1x Tu-142MK Bear F Mod 3
1x Radar (Spoon Rest D [P-18])
1x Radar (Thin Skin B HF [PRV-16])