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Scenario:
In 1988, the Cold War turned nuclear. (see here for more details: http://www.johnstonsarchive.net/nuclear ... rwar1.html ) Out of the ashes, many countries emerged as new powers in the world, including Australia, New Zealand, Nationalist China, Argentina, and Brazil. These powers gradually combined to form 2 superpowers, the Pacific Coalition (Australia, New Zealand, China, and the remains of Japan and Korea) and the Latin Confederacy (All of Latin America, mainly occupied by Argentina and Brazil).
17 years later, what remains of the US is finally getting back on its feet. Constantly being probed on its southern border by the Latin Confederation, they turn to the more western-oriented Pacific Coalition for help. The Pacific Coalition responds by dispatching a large naval group of 2 Ex-US carriers, the floating helibase that was once HMAS Melbourne, and escorts formed from every nation in the coalition. As this naval group moves towards the rebuilt Naval Station San Diego, the Latin Confederacy moves to intervene.
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I often like to mess around with combining all kinds of different platforms that would never actually be together in a battle, and this author found a way to do that which actually makes sense, and I like that.
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Good Afternoon Commander,
We've just detached from the oilers and are making our final dash towards Naval Base San Diego. Hopefully, the reunion with the Americans goes well, after all - there are a lot of American Sailors on these ships that haven't seen their home country for 17 years! The Latin Confederacy seems like they don't want that to happen, however. Here's the layout of what we might be facing, supplied to us from the Americans:
Ships:
Latin America came out of WW3 practically unscathed, except for Cuba, of course. After the dust settled, they took control of the Panama Canal and were able to somehow re-open the crossing after the Soviets blew it to smithereens, so expect ships from nearly every Latin American country that had some. The Veinticinco de Mayo survived as well, so expect carrier-borne aircraft.
Summary:
A hodgepodge of blue water vessels, likely organized into a SAG or CVBG to improve communications and interoperability. Their ships were never very strong on air defense, so vunerable to ASMs and air attack.
Aircraft:
Again, except for Cuba, Latin America kept their airforces intact. Other than losses during the infighting and some to the Americans during border raids, the Latin Confederacy's air force looks very much like it did back in 1988. Expect lots of small fighters, but, aside from some Venezuelan F-16s, nothing that can hold a candle to our Tomcats or Hornets.
Summary:
Expect a large scale, heavily escorted attack or two, as they probably have adopted a "use it or lose it" mentality.
Submarines:
Same deal as before, but this is our greatest threat. These quiet disel subs can definately put a hole in our Fleet! Be vigilant with your ASW forces.
Summary:
We have no idea where these quiet guys may be. Be careful, but don't be too careful. We still need to make it to San Diego soon!
As you know, our forces might seem impressive, but 17 years has taken its toll. In the border clashes and naval skirmishes following WW3, and before we unified as the Pacific Coalition, we used up most, if not all, of our air-lauched guided missiles, and a good portion of our SAM stocks. Our aircraft need spare parts, and so do our ships. I'm pretty sure we're going to have to leave some of our escorts in San Diego! The American Carriers have been patched up after tanking the nuclear strikes that took out their escorts back in '88. Make sure to take one more good look at our fleet before you begin sending out any orders, as we've got ships from all nationalities and ages! The air wing is very much the same. A handful of surviving American aircraft, plus some A-4s back when the Australians did some carrier ops of their own!
You've been granted control of some aircraft on the American Mainland as well, these guys are hardened veterans after the border clashes. Those F-15 pilots even engaged Soviet Bombers during the nuclear strikes! You will notice that you've been granted control of a couple of nuclear bombers, but don't plan on using them! They are for a retalitory role ONLY. We certainly don't want to repeat the mistakes that got us into this mess!
Your orders are to clear a path for the support convoy behind you, loaded with food, spare parts, and thousands of American Citizens eager to help jump-start life back in their homeland. For all the propaganda that the Latin Confederacy put out, we aren't sure if they will actually attack us, so we are on WEAPONS HOLD for now. Similarly, we know that the Latin Confederacy has aquired Nuclear Weapons from Cuba, and have made it clear that they will use them if we attack any of their territory. For now, you are to refrain from attacking any bases in the Latin Confederacy. EMCON at your discretion, you can choose if you want to take the loud and noisy route or the stealthy and silent one.
Good Luck Commander, and Good Hunting.
Author's Note:
Base Aérea Militar El Ciprés is 50 miles south of where it is in real life. This is a balance decision, and not an oversight. Have fun with my scenario!
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I got hammered in my first try at this, losing many ships and aircraft to no good effect. So this is my second try.
I began by setting up some CAP, AWACS and ASW patrols. Resources are very limited in this one (learned the hard way in my first try), so I have to be careful about which fighters I allow to engage which enemy planes, as it will frequently be the case that the loadouts I have are the only loadouts I've got, and after a mission my planes will be in the dreaded "reserve" ready status.
