Mediterranean Tsunami 05-01-2019 Version 6.0

[BeirutDude]

Playing the latest update, Russian side, Moskava SAG is still named Moskava SAG. Should be Moskva SAG.

Dang! I know I fixed that! I blame the wife! Sure she was talking to me and I didn't save! Yeah, that's its the wife. [:D]

See if this is good...

[BeirutDude]

Playing Russia, as CVBG is now much further away, I can launch several of Su-30SM fighters and detect where CVBG is. Then, I can position subs to attack them and sink the CV before they launch attack on my bases. Then, depending on if I sunk Arleigh Burke or not, I have one or two waves of TLAMs to deal with, which does not seem very challenging, especially if it is only one wave (56x TLAMs).

I did the same in one playtest and sank a Burke. Hey it's war and stuff happens! [8|][X(]

Conversely, in other runs I sank the Moskava, Ladny, the Kilos, the FFLs and then slowly rolled the Russians back until I brought the CSG/CVBG into gun range and pounded the hell out of Latika and Khmeinen Air Base.

There are many ways to play and win.

[AlexGGGG]

Yeah, the latest version is now good in all respects.

[Gunner98]

Giving your scenario a whirl here, I really like the setup and the problem you’ve given the player. Well researched and seems very well put together.

I note in the comments above and in your opening narrative that the Russian Kilos are the main culprit in the demise of the Ike when it does take a hit. Well that makes sense – a Kilo is a dangerous thing. If one is in an operational area the CSG needs to be in, there is a major operation to find it. I have some initial thoughts, mostly to boost the AI side when the player is Russian but also for newer players to the game.

-The CSG needs four types of ASW patrol:

1: The area patrol which you have set up, but that patrol needs a Prosecution zone to prevent the helos from wandering all over the ocean chasing whales. As well, the shape of the patrol box should be much smaller at the rear then at the front, this is an estimation but if a Kilo is behind you it is no real threat. Also putting a bunch of assets on the one patrol is wasteful. A maximum of 4 AC for this type of patrol will keep two on station at any one time – which, if the patrol box is small enough is enough. I tend to use 1/3 rule on this type of patrol vice dictating that 1 per point of origin (in this case 5 ships) on patrol at any one time.

2: A close in patrol using active dipping sonar, very tight around the CVN, 4-5 miles or even less. The carrier (and even the cruisers) is way too loud for passive sonabuoys to be of any use. A minimum of 2 or 3 Helos need to be on this patrol to ensure it is always filled with at least one.

3. An ASW strike mission, with at least 2 helos to provide reinforcement for any positive finds.

4. An area MPA patrol. The idea of the P-8 is that a carrier is never out of range and Subic Bay is very close anyway.

So all that being said, there are some issues with the setup: 1) no MPA at Subic Bay, should have at least 2 or even 4; The MH-60 Romeo’s are way to long to get ready (air boss should be on the first COD home!) – with 17 of them in the group at least 4 should start ready and the rest come in a reasonable rotation; and 3) They should all be on QTR

Anyway, on with the scenario. I look forward to sinking the Moskva (for the 100th time – it should stop hanging around near Syria)!

[BeirutDude]

Giving your scenario a whirl here, I really like the setup and the problem you’ve given the player. Well researched and seems very well put together.

Thanks I hope you enjoy it!

I note in the comments above and in your opening narrative that the Russian Kilos are the main culprit in the demise of the Ike when it does take a hit. Well that makes sense – a Kilo is a dangerous thing. If one is in an operational area the CSG needs to be in, there is a major operation to find it. I have some initial thoughts, mostly to boost the AI side when the player is Russian but also for newer players to the game.

-The CSG needs four types of ASW patrol:

1: The area patrol which you have set up, but that patrol needs a Prosecution zone to prevent the helos from wandering all over the ocean chasing whales. As well, the shape of the patrol box should be much smaller at the rear then at the front, this is an estimation but if a Kilo is behind you it is no real threat. Also putting a bunch of assets on the one patrol is wasteful. A maximum of 4 AC for this type of patrol will keep two on station at any one time – which, if the patrol box is small enough is enough. I tend to use 1/3 rule on this type of patrol vice dictating that 1 per point of origin (in this case 5 ships) on patrol at any one time.

I agree I should add a prosecution box. I'd be careful on trimming behind the carrier, intelligence is not always perfect, just saying.[:D]

An area MPA patrol. The idea of the P-8 is that a carrier is never out of range and Subic Bay is very close anyway.

Thought about adding them but three points,

1. This is part of a larger war and NATO/U.S. P-8/P-3 assets are fighting from Norway, UK, Iceland and Norway. Sigonella hasn't been reinforced yet and assets available might be busy in the central Med near Libya on MPA Patrols.
2. Even if they were available in the east Med they would be Growler bait. [X(]
3. After the Growlers were used up the American/NATO ASW punch would be too much for the Russian assets (need some play balance).

The MH-60 Romeo’s are way to long to get ready (air boss should be on the first COD home!) – with 17 of them in the group at least 4 should start ready and the rest come in a reasonable rotation; and 3) They should all be on QTR

Agreed, I can tweak that.

[Gunner98]

---Spoilers-----


Going to run it again - creamed the air base but could have done better. I was probably rushing things a bit.

Started poking at the Su-30's as soon as the Typhoons were ready, there didn't seem to be too many on CAP, I think I killed 4 and no more came up.

Launched 6x AARGM Hornets and a couple Growlers and a few min later a flock of TLAMs (1x Burke load) at the Airbase. Routed the TLAMS to go feet dry just north of Lebanon, then up the eastern side of the coastal mountain range to pop up directly east of the base. So in theory they should be exposed for only the last 15nm of thier run.

Things started to unravel a bit when the first TLAMs were detected (Feet dry point was too far north). The S-400 launched a flock of missiles at the passing TLAMs, I launched the AARGMs, the S-400 launched on them, the Moskva joined the fun, an Isralie ship launched on the AARGMs - then the S-400 must have got board and launched on my poorly managed AC.

A combination of the S-400, the Moskva and the Israeli and all the AARGMs got knocked down. About half the TLAMs got hit before they went feet dry. Lost 5 AC - this is why I'm restarting, really cocked that up.

I retargeted 6 TLAMs in flight to take out the S-400, had about 25 TLAMs remaining and once they were shielded from the radars they did fine, essentialy wiped out the base and the S-400:

The S-400 was probably empty by the time the TLAMS came over the ridge though.

SIDE: Russia
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
12x Su-30SM Flanker G
1x Ka-27M Helix A
8x SA-21a/b Growler TEL
3x SA-16 Gimlet [9K310 Igla-1] MANPADS
1x Vehicle (Grave Stone [92N2])
1x Vehicle (Cheese Board [96L6])
12x Su-24M2 Fencer D
12x Su-25SM Frogfoot A
4x Su-34 Fullback
1x Building (Control Tower)
1x Bunker (Comm Center)
1x A/C Hangar (4x Small Aircraft)

I think there are a few AC left, and the runways are intact, but no real bother.

[Gunner98]

A couple points while I reflect on things:

-The Russian needs some form of AEW, I think they have an Il-38N at Khmeimim. Or possibly a Tu-214 or Il-20M.
This might help the Su-30s which didn't seem to react to my sniping, and I think they would have some form of early warning no mater how far south the TLAMS are.
-Some linked in radars in southern Syria to achieve the same early warning, probably on a non hostile side
-An AGI type ship hiding in the clutter silently off of Lebanon
-More CAP but it needs to be smarter
-The CSG dosn't need tankers, ranges are pritty short.

OK going back in.

[BeirutDude]

Cool!

Spoilers!!!!

1 I think you are a bit more sophisticated than the average player as most will probably let the TLAMs route themselves.
2. Agree the main way to Neutralize the base is to run out the SA-400 Missile load with a swarm of TLAMs/HARMs to soak off the attacks. Then the SA-22 near Latika needs to be dealt with. The ZSU-23s are no slouches against the TLAMs either, HARMs help here. One thing to consider your real target is Latika. Neutralizing the airbase, CAP and ADA is a means to an end here. Again from Beirut don’t forget a gun line. We used them in Beirut and it works.
3. Have had the IDF vessels get involved before frustrating when your “Ally” starts taking out your attack but then have had the Russians and IDF/IAF go at it too. Makes for a fun little wildcard. Beirut taught me one thing the IDF takes care of the IDF! It’s a tough neighborhood and they cooperate when it suites them and are obstinate when it suites them. I can really see, in the fog of war, IDF units engaging Americans because we had lots of run ins in Beirut.
4. The Russian base in Syria only has so many aircraft. They have been deployed/active for years so I used a random 40% maint check and if they failed they were down. Might not agree but seemed like a reasonable number for the situation. Have to use something!

Anther way I’ve gone at the Russian position is to peal back the onion and first take out the FFLs, the Moskva SAG and in the process soak off the SA-400 Growler missiles. The SA-400 is an awesome system but it is not omnipotent!

Al

[BeirutDude]

needs some form of AEW, I think they have an Il-38N at Khmeimim. Or possibly a Tu-214 or Il-20M.

In my research it was indicated those aircraft had returned to Russia. Guess you could make the case Putin might deploy something but bear (beer [:D] ) in mind they are fighting in the Baltic and North Cape at this time. There would only be so many resources to deploy and Syria is a sideshow for Russia.

This might help the Su-30s which didn't seem to react to my sniping, and I think they would have some form of early warning no mater how far south the TLAMS are.

I’m going to try the idea you had below.

-

Some linked in radars in southern Syria to achieve the same early warning, probably on a non hostile side

I like this. I had thought about adding some Syrians and this would be a good role for them.

-

An AGI type ship hiding in the clutter silently off of Lebanon

Agreed.

More CAP but it needs to be smarter

Here I’m going to disagree (at least Russian CAP), again large picture the Russians are going to be putting a lot of their resources in the fight along their western frontier. This is a big picture vs. individual scenario issue. Given the big picture Syria might whither on the vine. Now maybe I can add some Syrians. I was going to do that earlier and make them and the Israelis unfriendly. But that adds soooooo many complications, the Golan, Hezbollah, etc... As a scenario designer I know you know everything is a trade off.

-

The CSG dosn't need tankers, ranges are pritty short.

Scenario wise I agree, real world CAG is going to keep some emergency tanking capability. Players can change if they like that is why they have six hours before contact to make these kind of changes. Excroat3 convinced me that that time frame needed to be in there with his post above. The missions I set up are just my suggestions for players who are less sophisticated or less experienced. I expect someone like you to change them around.

Also you’ve kind of given me the incentive to do some teleporting to add some extra replay value. I thought about it but figured the area’s are so small. In the Halloween Horror 1991 scenario I posted the “hostile” units can teleport over the Western Atlantic. Here it is much more restricted.

[Gunner98]

Second run through was very interesting - enlightening.

-----------Spoilers again--------------


Same sort of set up as earlier except:
-was a lot smarter in the way I handled my AC
-unloaded both Burkes one at the Airbase one at the Navy Base, followed up with the 8 TACTOMs from San Jacinto about 5 min later to pick up missed targets.
-routed all the TLAMS south just skirting the edge of the Golan

Main point is no air loses. OK that part is good.
Israelis got involved again (acknowledge and agree to your points above) Patriots knocked down a few and the F-16s took out the entire backup wave from San Jacinto!
Very interestingly, even though the S-400 only started engaging at about 14 miles, fewer TLAMs got through - far better to present medium range crossing shots where his hit ratio is less!

In the end the S-400 is toast but the airbase and the naval base need a restrike. There is some damage but not much.

One note is that the SA-22 Pantsir - from what I understand - is primarily to provide local defence for the S-400. The idea is that it is there to knock down leakers while the S-400 rearms. Here they are a bit too far apart to do that.

SIDE: Russia
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x 23mm ZSU-23-4 Shilka
2x Diesel (750k Liter Tank)
1x Ka-27M Helix A
3x SA-16 Gimlet [9K310 Igla-1] MANPADS
8x SA-21a/b Growler TEL
6x Su-30SM Flanker G
1x Vehicle (Grave Stone [92N2])

[Gunner98]

Thanks I hope you enjoy it!

Yes - quite fun! Distracting me from a scenario I should be building but that's OK too [:D]


B

[BeirutDude]

Gotta have fun with other's work too. I know I play so much of what I'm developing to tweak it!

BTW Great conversation, to be honest I was about to give up on Command and move over to TOAW IV for design. Just wasn't getting good vibes here.

[BeirutDude]

ORIGINAL: Gunner98

Second run through was very interesting - enlightening.

-----------Spoilers again--------------


Same sort of set up as earlier except:
-was a lot smarter in the way I handled my AC
-unloaded both Burkes one at the Airbase one at the Navy Base, followed up with the 8 TACTOMs from San Jacinto about 5 min later to pick up missed targets.
-routed all the TLAMS south just skirting the edge of the Golan

You haven't hit the surprise package. I set it up through so that it is only about a 1 in 4 shot [:D] [:D] [:D]

Main point is no air loses. OK that part is good.

Yeah that is good. Best I ever did was lost 6 F/A-18s and Growlers!

Israelis got involved again (acknowledge and agree to your points above) Patriots knocked down a few and the F-16s took out the entire backup wave from San Jacinto!

Law of unintended consequences! You have found a new mode to bring in the IDF! [:)] One thing to consider is there are (or were) air defenses west of Damascus and in the Bekaa Valley that are not accounted for. If you add all the layers as a designer pretty soon you're adding airbases and ADA in Iraq!!!! [8|]

Very interestingly, even though the S-400 only started engaging at about 14 miles, fewer TLAMs got through - far better to present medium range crossing shots where his hit ratio is less!

I noted it is more capable against fast target close in but really deadly against large slow targets (E-2Ds, P-8As) at a distance. It is an area denial weapon (while it still has reloads).

In the end the S-400 is toast but the airbase and the naval base need a restrike. There is some damage but not much.

Not uncommon in my play testing and remember you can detach the Burkes and create a gun line once the carrier killing threats are gone.

One note is that the SA-22 Pantsir - from what I understand - is primarily to provide local defense for the S-400. The idea is that it is there to knock down leakers while the S-400 rearms. Here they are a bit too far apart to do that.

Agreed and I knew that, but I was also trying to give Latika some point ADA defense, mainly to keep folks from going into the Editor and moving the SA-22 and SA-400 around. This is one of those realism vs. gameplay issues. To the best of my knowledge both are at Khmeinen Air Base and there is little or nothing at Latika (maybe some Syrian batteries). I couldn't find anything searching on Google Earth but that could be old imagery. I might move the SA-22 back to Khmeinen and all of the ZSU-23s to Latika????

One thing for sure, I WOULD NOT like to be the Russian commander. He has enough forces for limited actions but if the balloon ever really went up he is at the end of a very difficult logistical line and like the Japanese held islands in WWII set up for destruction against a determined NATO (or Israeli/IAF/IDF) action (assuming no nukes).

SIDE: Russia
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x 23mm ZSU-23-4 Shilka
2x Diesel (750k Liter Tank)
1x Ka-27M Helix A
3x SA-16 Gimlet [9K310 Igla-1] MANPADS
8x SA-21a/b Growler TEL
6x Su-30SM Flanker G
1x Vehicle (Grave Stone [92N2])

[Gunner98]

One thing you may want to consider is putting a few Turks in play. AD and some F-16s to act in the same PITA role that the Israelis are doing so well in the south. An Israeli ship just knocked down a follow up strike of TLAM-C's from San Jacinto - grumble grumble..

Having the Turks do the same in the north gives the player some more complications.

Oh yeah --- bloody biologics! Another PITA [:D]

Have been away from the game for the past few months, work got the best of me. But this is a fantastic game to design with - so many options. Have not done anything beyond a bit of playing with TAOW-IV, used to design a bit with III.

B

[Gunner98]

Agreed and I knew that, but I was also trying to give Latika some point ADA defense, mainly to keep folks from going into the Editor and moving the SA-22 and SA-400 around. This is one of those realism vs. gameplay issues. To the best of my knowledge both are at Khmeinen Air Base and there is little or nothing at Latika (maybe some Syrian batteries). I couldn't find anything searching on Google Earth but that could be old imagery. I might move the SA-22 back to Khmeinen and all of the ZSU-23s to Latika????

I think I'd leave the ZSUs as they are - they add to the layers and are something easily discounted at the players peril.

One of those new Russian Corvettes anchored off shore near the naval base might be good. Gepard or Buyan I think.

B

[Gunner98]

OK
After an ALPH strike both bases are kaput. Sorting out to sink the ships next and go JDAM plinking the last bits of the airbase:

No loses, good fun.

B
SIDE: NATO
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
19x AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR
20x AN/SSQ-62E DICASS
8x Meteor
120x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
14x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
20x AGM-88E AARGM
8x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
8x AGM-154A JSOW [145 x BLU-97/B Dual Purpose]
20x AGM-154C-1 JSOW [BROACH]
8x GBU-31(V)4/B JDAM [BLU-109A/B]
18x AGM-84K SLAMER-ATA
12x UGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
12x UGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM



SIDE: Russia
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
12x Su-30SM Flanker G
1x Ka-27M Helix A
8x SA-21a/b Growler TEL
3x SA-16 Gimlet [9K310 Igla-1] MANPADS
1x Vehicle (Grave Stone [92N2])
9x Diesel (750k Liter Tank)
10x 23mm ZSU-23-4 Shilka
2x SA-22 Greyhound [96K6 Pantsir-S1, KAMAZ-6560 8x8] TELAR
1x Vehicle (Cheese Board [96L6])
1x Structure (Mast)
4x Structure (Naval Dock)
2x Building (Barracks)
1x Structure (Power Station - Gas)
1x Structure (Military Base)
1x Building (Large)
1x Structure (Railway Yard)
12x Su-24M2 Fencer D
12x Su-25SM Frogfoot A
4x Su-34 Fullback
3x Bunker (ELINT Station)
1x Building (Control Tower)
1x Bunker (Comm Center)
1x Radar (Generic Surface Search Radar)
1x A/C Hangar (4x Small Aircraft)
1x Ammo Bunker (Underground)


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
6x RGB-16MK [Search, Passive Omni]
17x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
100x SA-21b Growler [40N6]
52x SA-N-6a Grumble [5R55RM]
150x 23mm ZSU-23-4 Shilka Burst [50 rnds]
11x SA-21a Growler [48N6DM]
24x SA-22 Greyhound [57E6]
54x 30mm 2A38M Burst [50 rnds]

[Gunner98]

OK,

Sank the fleet, rubble'd the airbase. Some anxious moments when we sent some AMRAAMs towards some Israelis who were helping out the Moskva - lost an F-18C in that scrap - the bill is going to the Knesset!

Good scenario, quite fun.

Couple final points:

Not sure why the Russian ships went so far south, quite out of position to defend the bases.

Some of the civilian ships were idle by the end, need longer movement orders.

Thanks

[SeaQueen]

Before I replied to the other topic, I thought I'd play through your scenario first. I just finished playing through it on the U.S. side, and I like it a lot. I definitely had to think through the strike on the port. That being said, I have a few critiques:

1) I may have just not read carefully enough, but it seems odd to me that the Typhoons would be based under the SA-21 bubble. In real life, even if they were initially based in Cyprus, my guess is that most likely be pulled back to Greece or Italy (safely out of SAM range) before hostilities began unless the presence of the SA-21 caught everyone totally off their guard. Effectively where they're at, they're grounded since they'd within the SA-21's range just after taking off. Pulling them back would make the scenario more interesting because it'd force you to rely more USAF or NATO tanking so keeping your CAPs filled would be more challenging. More USAF or NATO tanking would also help keep my fighters up longer. Similarly the CVN was very close to the edge of the bubble. The first thing I did playing was pull the CVN back so that I was within strike range but well outside the SAM bubble. Then I rebuilt the defensive combat air patrols with plenty of space and no SAM threat. Not a single Russian strike aircraft got within weapons range of the CVN. The strike that popped up was kinda weak. Where I moved to they were barely able to hurt me.

2) No MPA? There's submarines in the scenario but the only ASW platform in there is helos and CRUDES.

3) I spent most of the game trying to fix the air defenses using my Growlers and waiting for my fighters to be available, it really wasn't until the last few hours of the game that I lit up the jammers in preparation for a decisive, coordinated strike I'd been honing on my spreadsheet of death. You could speed up the game by putting at least the SA-21 on auto-detect and assume away the ISR problem.

I made a few goof ups. My TLAM strikes didn't launch at the right times. I accidentally shot the first one off early because I set a mission option wrong. The other had to be launched manually after it didn't go off at all. I'm not sure why that happened there. I suspect I'd have lost fewer aircraft if it'd have gone off correctly, and hit more targets. I'll have to play it through again on the US side and then the Russian side. I couldn't quite get my SSN in position to torpedo the ships I wanted to get. Oh well... Here's my results:

Major Victory
Your final score is: 8670

SIDE: Civilian
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


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



SIDE: Biologics
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


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



SIDE: NATO
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
4x F/A-18C Hornet
4x F/A-18E Super Hornet
2x F/A-18F Super Hornet


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
28x AN/SSQ-53F DIFAR
17x AN/SSQ-62E DICASS
26x AIM-120D AMRAAM P3I.4
1x Meteor
12x UGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
6x Mk48 Mod 7 ADCAP CBASS
120x RGM-109E Tomahawk Blk IV TACTOM
8x RGM-109C Tomahawk Blk III TLAM-C
34x GEN-X [RT-1489/ALE] Active Expendable Decoy
64x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
6x AGM-84G Harpoon ICR
5x AN/ALE-55 FOTD
12x AGM-88E AARGM
1x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Dual Spectral]
6x GBU-31(V)4/B JDAM [BLU-109A/B]



SIDE: Russia
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
8x Su-24M2 Fencer D
3x Su-34 Fullback
3x Su-25SM Frogfoot A
2x RK Tarantul III Mod [Pr.1242.1 Molniya]
1x MRK Nanuchka III [Pr.1234.1 Ovod]
2x Su-30SM Flanker G
8x Diesel (750k Liter Tank)
4x Structure (Naval Dock)
2x Building (Barracks)
3x SA-16 Gimlet [9K310 Igla-1] MANPADS
8x SA-21a/b Growler TEL
1x Structure (Mast)
1x Building (Large)
1x Structure (Military Base)
1x Radar (Generic Surface Search Radar)
1x Vehicle (Cheese Board [96L6])
1x Vehicle (Grave Stone [92N2])
1x Structure (Power Station - Gas)


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
34x RGB-16MK [Search, Passive Omni]
24x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
3x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
100x SA-21b Growler [40N6]
64x SA-N-6a Grumble [5R55RM]
11x AA-10 Alamo A [R-27R, MR SARH]
10x AA-10 Alamo C [R-27RE, LR SARH]
12x SA-N-4b Gecko [9M33M3]
20x SA-21a Growler [48N6DM]
6x AA-10 Alamo B [R-27T, MR IR]
24x SA-22 Greyhound [57E6]
56x 30mm 2A38M Burst [50 rnds]
332x 23mm ZSU-23-4 Shilka Burst [50 rnds]
2x AA-8 Aphid [R-60TM]
1x 30mm Gsh-30-2 Burst [50 rnds]
4x AA-11 Archer [R-73M]
2x 30mm Gsh-30-1 Burst [30 rnds]



SIDE: Israel
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
6x Barak 8



SIDE: Turkey
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


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



SIDE: Cyprus
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------


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

[BeirutDude]

Gunner some of your suggestions were included in this update if you're interested in another run.

[BeirutDude]

1) I may have just not read carefully enough, but it seems odd to me that the Typhoons would be based under the SA-21 bubble. In real life, even if they were initially based in Cyprus, my guess is that most likely be pulled back to Greece or Italy (safely out of SAM range) before hostilities began unless the presence of the SA-21 caught everyone totally off their guard. Effectively where they're at, they're grounded since they'd within the SA-21's range just after taking off. Pulling them back would make the scenario more interesting because it'd force you to rely more USAF or NATO tanking so keeping your CAPs filled would be more challenging. More USAF or NATO tanking would also help keep my fighters up longer. Similarly the CVN was very close to the edge of the bubble. The first thing I did playing was pull the CVN back so that I was within strike range but well outside the SAM bubble. Then I rebuilt the defensive combat air patrols with plenty of space and no SAM threat. Not a single Russian strike aircraft got within weapons range of the CVN. The strike that popped up was kinda weak. Where I moved to they were barely able to hurt me.

The Tornadoes were a late addition, however try keeping them behind the high terrain in Cyprus and then when a SA-400 launches hit the dirt and run west. You can soak off a good number of SA-400 Growler loads using them. As to boundaries, you have to stop a scenario somewhere. That is why Turkey is neutral to keep Incirlik out, otherwise we'd just hit them from there. Of course if I added Incirlik then the Russians would hit it from the Crimea. So yes I chose a boundary just west of Cyprus.

2) No MPA? There's submarines in the scenario but the only ASW platform in there is helos and CRUDES.

Big picture, this is part of a larger war and Yes NATO was caught napping trying to keep the conflict confined to the Baltics. The MPA from Sig are busy elsewhere. Other MPA are busy in the North Atlantic and Norwegian Sea.

3) I spent most of the game trying to fix the air defenses using my Growlers and waiting for my fighters to be available, it really wasn't until the last few hours of the game that I lit up the jammers in preparation for a decisive, coordinated strike I'd been honing on my spreadsheet of death. You could speed up the game by putting at least the SA-21 on auto-detect and assume away the ISR problem.

Well this is where you can't win with this community. Above someone indicates they went into the editor to change things around with loads and such, so in reaction to that I moved the time to contact back to give players time to change out loads as they see fit. Now you say there is too much time. Can't win...

I made a few goof ups. My TLAM strikes didn't launch at the right times. I accidentally shot the first one off early because I set a mission option wrong. The other had to be launched manually after it didn't go off at all. I'm not sure why that happened there. I suspect I'd have lost fewer aircraft if it'd have gone off correctly, and hit more targets. I'll have to play it through again on the US side and then the Russian side. I couldn't quite get my SSN in position to torpedo the ships I wanted to get. Oh well... Here's my results:

Just added some teleporting above that might adjust this some. There is a surprise package for the SSN to take care of but it is set to only trigger about 25% of the time.