Ghost aircraft or what?

[WebCommand]

Hi,

I´m new to the game, so there's a chance I´m missing something. I´d appreciate any replies.

I assigned an AD for a Recon mission to the Tactical Air Force.
For some reason, they are flying the mission from Gerbini Air Base, although the base has no airplanes!
And after the air phase, I can see they indeed flew the missions from that base. I checked after the mission and still no planes there.
How is that possible?





Thanks

[Platoonist]

For some reason, they are flying the mission from Gerbini Air Base, although the base has no airplanes!
And after the air phase, I can see they indeed flew the missions from that base. I checked after the mission and still no planes there.

Hi. Unfortunately, your images aren't showing. On my end anyway.

However, if Gerbini is listed under the column "S Base" in the Air Execution Summary that means it was the staging base not the starting base. That's the base the air group(s) use as a gathering point to fly the mission, not the base or bases they originated from. If you don't pick the staging base, the program will pick one for you automatically.

[WebCommand]

Thanks for the reply.

That´s exactly what it is!
I did not notice the staging base just below the target option. There are loads of options, and it will take me a while to figure everything out.

If the AI is picking Gerbini it´s because it is closer to the objective and they need to stop there to refuel and prepare for the mission. In this case, it would probably be best for me to transfer some air groups to the Gerbini AB before the mission.

[Zovs]

I also see no images, just empty boxes.

[Platoonist]

If the AI is picking Gerbini it´s because it is closer to the objective and they need to stop there to refuel and prepare for the mission. In this case, it would probably be best for me to transfer some air groups to the Gerbini AB before the mission.

If I understand the rules correctly, staging bases aren't used for refueling. The aircraft don't even land there. They are simply used as an assembly point on the map over which the various aircraft will coordinate into one strike or package for the mission. That means the fuel miles flown by an air group will be calculated from its original air base to the staging base and then to the target hex, with the return from the target hex being determined in the same manner. The AI tends to pick them more as an ideal rendezvous area for all air groups involved than for fueling purposes.

[WebCommand]

Yes, you are right and pretty close to what the manual says.

From the manual:

...staging base. This is an air base unit that all air group units participating
in the air mission will rendezvous above before heading to the target hex of the air mission. The miles flown by an air group unit
will be calculated from its original air base unit to the chosen staging base and then to the target hex, with the return from the
target hex being determined in the same manner.

Still, in the case of Husky, it means that Gerbini might be a good place to have your air groups. I´ll try that and see how it goes.

[TechSgt]

When you mouse over an occupied airbase you will notice a (nnn%). Do not over stack your airfields, above 100%. It will impact efficiency of the air units.

When examining the staging base, there are blue hexes, orange and blue lines, etc. They all have meanings. Watch the number of available aircraft, as you move the S Base selection around the map.

Gotta luv, all the 'hidden stuff'.