New scenario for testing Pacific Fury #1 Bolt from the Blue!

[CHM]

World War Three is half an hour old. So far - taking Andrew's experience as the 'best case' - events have gone rather well... with a few differences.

Opening moves

As the ominous warnings started flooding in I realised that the carrier would be the primary target before she slipped away in a day or two. Airbases weren't going anywhere. Independence turned south and the Leahy accelerated north, Indy's escorts closing formation in a tight huddle while calls were sent to the nearest JASDF base for support. Meanwhile, everything that could fly in the hangar was armed and fuelled. The usual flock of support aircraft and helicopters spread out around the carrier group. At the north and south ends of Japan, USAF and USMC ready fighter roared into the sky.

The turn south was not mirrored by the Soviet frigate close by, and she slowly vanished over the horizon. Unfortunately there was no hiding out here, and the number of Soviet recce aircraft doubled, then tripled. A wall of jammers blocked the AWACS from detecting just what was rapidly gathering over Vladivostok. A mountain of signals were being hoovered up by the ELINT platforms, however. The Independence collected the Leahy, and with her effective SAM defences doubled, swung north east along the coast of Japan and accelerated, active sonar and helicopters sweeping ahead.

War! The flash message was accompanied near simultaneously by the report of a light Japanese destroyer breaking apart from a close-range torpedo shot. With the carrier's route undoubtedly infested with submarines, P-3s based near Tokyo launched to supplement the carrier group's organic ASW screen. Then the call came in - Vampire, Vampire... but not from the AWACS circling over the carrier - from the Brewton, escorting a tanker hundreds of miles east of the mainland. Somehow, a Soviet SSGN laid astride her path. Cued by a Tu-16, the pair of missiles sped in at wavetop level, mercifully slowly. Not an Oscar, then. Brewton presented her flank and her 5-inch gun, miraculously, blew apart the first missile before the Phalanx destroyed the second. But then a second pair of missiles were detected.

Brewton's Phalanx performed heroically, spraying down them both. It clicked empty as the third pair of massive missiles sped in. Brewton's Seasprite crew watched helplessly as the tiny frigate simply disappeared underneath them. More worryingly, a fourth - and surely final - pair of ASMs launched, this time towards the defenceless, escortless, tanker. It seemed certain that she would die, and the Independence group deprived of vital fuel.

Meanwhile, the Indy had other concerns. A colossal barrage of supersonic ASMs were being tracked, launched simultaneously from two points and aimed squarely at the carrier. The JASDF fighters were first to react, speeding off to the north and north west. Their attacks, usually from the side, were worryingly ineffective - most missiles were outrun or simply missed the streams of Shipwrecks. The AWACS crew realised that they had to think of something new, and fast. The missiles were minutes away, and there was no guarantee that the SAM defences along would be adequate - and even if they were, would leave the carrier vulnerable in future engagements. The pilots of the USN would have to pull their weight.

Fortunately, they weren't alone. The concentration of defences over the carrier, decided an hour ago, bore fruit. USMC and USAF planes joined the Navy Tomcats and Hornets and nearly twenty aircraft, splitting into two formations, approached the missile streams from dead ahead - and at extremely low level. Phoenixes, Sparrows, AMRAAMs, all took their toll, but then the fighters were nearly inside the streams. Each pilot knew that once they had passed, there was no second chance. They lacked the speed to turn and chase down the supersonic missiles. Sidewinders from the leading aircraft proved extremely effective. The incoming targets did not buck or weave, and fell in droves. Winchester, the fighters sprayed cannon rounds as they flashed past, before turning and burning back to the Independence or their land bases.

The north western missile group was destroyed a few dozen miles out from the ships, but the northern group got closer. There was no room for mistakes, and no more fighters were available. The same tactic was used, with the Americans approaching from dead ahead, using their Sidewinders and cannon as they closed. When the last of the 20-something Shipwrecks nosed into the sea, twenty miles north of the leading frigate escort, everyone - even me - exhaled a sigh of relief. The Oscars were not unbeatable. They would creep back home, but the fighters could rearm a lot quicker. Navy and Marine aircraft began recovering as CVBG Independence, with full SAM magazines, cruised past the smouldering wrecks of the Soviet frigate and SSV, blown apart by Harpoons minutes after the first Soviet missiles were detected. Expensive sacrifices.

[HalfLifeExpert]

My second attempt didn't go too well. The Independence was attacked by AShMs launched by Badgers.

With all my carrier fighters down for refit after the first battle, it was down to SAMs and Phalanx to protect the carrier.

One Kingfish missile got through, and slammed into the flight deck. Started at 30% damage, but fire and flooding ultimately sank the carrier, I was unable to evac any aircraft to Iwakuni.

Also the Pecos was crippled by a submarine.


Im gonna try again from a save.

[Gunner98]

Nice!

[Gunner98]

Started at 30% damage, but fire and flooding

I lost her the same way in one of my tests. CVs can take half a dozen hits from Kingfish - but not if the fire takes hold

[BeirutDude]

As always, happy to receive your comments, critiques and suggestions.

Comments: How do you do it!!!!! Man I'm in awe of the number of (detailed) scenarios you produce!!!!! [&o] [&o] [&o] [&o] [8D]

[Gunner98]

Thanks Al

I don't know, helps having most of the research pre-done, and a devious mind I guess...[;)]

I should actually be writing but these are fun to build.

Your scenarios are pretty detailed as well, wish I had the time to play them more...

[BDukes]

Just started this one. Talk about initial tension created. My dog barked and I jumped. Lucky I didn't crap my pants.

Nice Bart!

Mike

[BDukes]

Wow. Absolutely amazing. The happiest -444 score I've had in awhile.

I did manage to win the trailer skirmish, sink a sub and bag some bombers. Indy is at 74% and burning though!

I feel worked but man this is a great scenario. Don't change a thing!

Mike

[BDukes]

Once minor quibble. A large Backfire group was swarming off of Hokkaido for some reason. Was able to launch from Misawa and kill a could number. They didn't seem to have a target so were orbiting around a ship for some reason.

I did suffer another sub attack and lost an FFG. Bagged him lost a long-hulled Perry to protect the still-burning Indy.

Mike

[BDukes]

Well lucked out. Flooding and fire stopped at 93%. She's moving at a whopping two knots so gonna call it a night.

SIDE: US
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
6x A-6E Intruder
2x ES-3A Shadow
1x F/A-18A Hornet
6x F/A-18C Hornet
11x F-14A Tomcat
4x F-15C Eagle
6x F-16CJ Blk 50 Falcon
5x S-3B Viking
3x SH-3D Sea King
4x SH-60B Seahawk
1x 11m RHIB
1x FF 1052 Knox
2x FFG 36 Underwood [Perry Class]


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
5x AN/SSQ-53B DIFAR
5x AN/SSQ-62B DICASS
84x 127mm/54 HE-CVT [HiFrag]
13x 20mm/85 Mk15 Phalanx Blk 0 Burst [200 rnds]
36x Mk214 Sea Gnat Chaff [Seduction]
3x AN/SSQ-77A VLAD
4x RGM-84C Harpoon IB
4x RGM-84D Harpoon IC
46x AIM-7M Sparrow III
2x AIM-54C Phoenix
44x AIM-120A AMRAAM
54x AIM-9M Sidewinder
29x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
18x Generic Flare Salvo [3x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
33x RIM-66E6 SM-1MR Blk VIB
49x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]
65x RIM-66J SM-2MR Blk II
32x RIM-7P Sea Sparrow
76x RIM-67C SM-2ER Blk II
10x AIM-7P Sparrow III
4x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5
2x 370 USG Drop Tank
1x 76mm/62 Compact HE Burst [4 rnds]



SIDE: USSR
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Ka-25BSh Hormone A
4x MiG-23PD Flogger K
4x MiG-25PDS Foxbat E
19x MiG-31B Foxhound
4x Su-24M Fencer D
14x Su-27P Flanker B
8x Tu-16K-10-26P Badger C Mod
2x Tu-16K-26PM Badger G Mod
1x Tu-16RM-1/2 Badger D
1x Tu-22M-2 Backfire B
8x Tu-22M-3 Backfire C
1x BPK Kanin [Pr.57A Gnevny]
1x SSV Okean
1x PL-877M Kilo
1x PLA-671RTM Victor III [Shchuka]
1x PLA-971 Akula I [Shchuka-B]


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
8x SS-N-7 Starbright [P-70 Ametist]
48x SS-N-19 Shipwreck [P-700 Granit]
2x 53-65K WH
11x Generic Acoustic Decoy
11x AS-4 Kitchen B Mod 2 [Kh-22MA INS+TERCOM]
12x 57mm/81 ZIF-75 Quad DP Burst [6 rnds]
12x AK-230 30mm/65 Twin Burst [50 rnds]
29x AA-10 Alamo C [R-27ER, LR TSARH]
8x SA-5c Gammon [5V28M5]
52x Generic Chaff Salvo [4x Cartridges]
4x AA-7 Apex E [R-24MR, SARH]
9x AA-11 Archer [R-73]
38x Generic Flare Salvo [4x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
229x RGB-1 [NATO BM-1, Search, Passive Omni]
20x RGB-2 [NATO BM-2, Track, Passive Bearing-Only]
8x RGB-3 [Track, Active-Only]
10x AA-10 Alamo A [R-27R, MR TSARH]
3x Generic Flare Salvo [2x Cartridges, Single Spectral]
1x AA-10 Alamo B [R-27T, MR IR]
68x AA-9 Amos [R-33S, SARH]
17x AA-6 Acrid C [R-40RD, SARH]
11x AA-6 Acrid D [R-40TD, IR]
11x AS-6 Kingfish B Mod 2 [KSR-5P, ARM]
5x AA-8 Aphid [R-60M]
18x 23mm AM-23 x 2 Burst [50 rnds]
30x Generic Chaff Salvo [8x Cartridges]
2x 65-76 Kit WH
6x 23mm AM-23 x 2 Burst [50 rnds]
13x AS-6 Kingfish A Mod 2 [KSR-5N, ASM]
6x AS-6 Kingfish A Mod 3 [KSR-5M, ASM]



SIDE: Japan
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
2x F-15DJ Eagle
3x F-15J Eagle
7x F-4EJ Phantom II Kai
1x P-3C Orion Update II
1x Building (Control Tower)
1x Radar (J/FPS-2)
2x Radar (J/FPS-3)
1x DD 164 Takatsuki
3x DE 215 Chikugo


EXPENDITURES:
------------------
121x J/HQS-12 DIFAR
60x J/HQS-33B DICASS [AN/SSQ-62]
1x Mk46 NEARTIP Mod 5
1x Type 73
16x MIM-14B Nike Hercules
31x AIM-7M Sparrow III
53x AIM-7F Sparrow III
4x 40mm/70 Twin Bofors DP Burst [8 rnds]
2x 76mm/50 Twin Frag Burst [2 rnds]
6x AIM-9J Sidewinder
26x Generic Chaff Salvo [5x Cartridges]
1x AIM-9L Sidewinder
2x 20mm/85 M61A1 Vulcan Burst [100 rnds]



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

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


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



SIDE: Fishing Fleet
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Commercial Trawler [800t DWT]


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



SIDE: Fishing
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Commercial Large Trawler [1,250t DWT]


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



SIDE: Commercial
===========================================================

LOSSES:
-------------------------------
1x Commercial Dry-Bulk Carrier - Very Large Size [200,000t DWT]


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

[SunlitZelkova]

I did not take any of the warnings from the Japanese or even my intel officer seriously and did little to change the course of the carrier, or anything at all. The entire carrier group has been sunk as well as the tanker's escort so far. If my carrier group commander survived, he will probably be remembered in similar way to the commanders at Pearl Harbor. I am going to continue later, but this is a very interesting scenario. I am curious what is happening in Hokkaido.

Couple comments-

All JASDF air bases have an air defence unit, equipped with VADS, MANPADS, and Type 81 SAMs. I have not had any air strikes launched on them yet, and depending on the Soviet missile adding air defences might not make a difference at all, but it might be something to add. These units are called 基地防空隊, I'm not sure what the English unit equivalent would be but the literal translation is Base Air Defence Unit. Their number is the same as the air wing, so the 6th Air Wing at Komatsu air base has the 6th Base Air Defence Unit. Unfortunately I don't know exactly how they are organized, but what I usually do is just put one battery (so for example, 6x VADS Plt/2, 2x MPQ-49 for VADS and 2x Type 81 Plt for SAMs, not sure about MANPADS) for each Base Air Defence Unit, although it could be larger.

In 1994 only 52 Type 91 MANPADS had been produced. Procurement began in 1991 but stayed at the same rate, so it is unlikely to change even if Japan doesn't lower its defence budget in NF's world. Keep in mind these were intended to first got to the JGSDF, so in all likelihood the JASDF mostly still use the Stinger.

The weapons varied depending on the region, so the aforementioned 6th Base Air Defence Unit at Komatsu did not have any MANPADS (just VADS and Type 81) while 2nd and 3rd Base Air Defence Units, at Chitose on Hokkaido and Misawa AB, respectively, had MANPADS.

List of Base Air Defence Units in case it is needed for future reference, circa real life 1994-

Chitose AB- 2nd Base Air Defence Unit- VADS, Type 81, possibly Type 91 MANPADS, but likely Stinger

Misawa AB- 3rd Base Air Defence Unit- VADS, Type 81, possibly Type 91 MANPADS, but likely Stinger

Nyutabaru AB- 5th Base Air Defence Unit- VADS, Type 81, possibly Type 91 MANPADS, but very likely Stinger (not sure about this one, no date is given for the unit formation and nearby bases- Tsuiki, Naha- did not have air defence units until the late 90s and 2000s)

Komatsu AB- 6th Base Air Defence Unit- VADS, Type 81

Hyakuri AB- 7th Base Air Defence Unit- VADS, Type 81, possibly Type 91 MANPADS, but likely Stinger

Also, I don't know if missile strikes are going to happen on Ominato Naval Base or not, but there was a JMSDF air defence unit there called the 大湊防空陸警隊. I am not sure how to translate this into English. The 陸警隊 (Rikkeitai), which guards JMSDF bases on land, has "Security Reaction Team" written on their patches, but "Ominato Air Defence Security Reaction Team", which is one way to translate the air defence unit's name, is a bit long winded. The other SAM units don't have their unit names though so it may be fine.

The Ominato air defence unit was equipped with Type 81 SAMs and Stinger MANPADS, I don't have information on exact organization/numbers of weapons. Interestingly, in real life, it was not formed until 1993, as apparently the Japanese government felt the situation was more unstable in the aftermath of the collapse of the USSR instead of while it existed. So the Ominato air defence unit may or may not exist in NF. What is the world view of the "new" USSR? Stable or unstable?

[AndrewJ]

Once minor quibble. A large Backfire group was swarming off of Hokkaido for some reason. Was able to launch from Misawa and kill a could number. They didn't seem to have a target so were orbiting around a ship for some reason.

I did suffer another sub attack and lost an FFG. Bagged him lost a long-hulled Perry to protect the still-burning Indy.

Mike

If you switch over to the Russian side, and mark that ship as neutral, the bombers will release and begin moving to other targets. They're stuck trying to ID the unknown yellow ship.

[Gunner98]

A large Backfire group was swarming off of Hokkaido for some reason.

Not sure what this is about. Will check it out, probably mission WRA. Can you tell me the name or exact type of bomber, would make it easier to find the mission they are on.

Thanks

[Gunner98]

I am curious what is happening in Hokkaido.

Building that now. Pacific Fury #2 'Helmets on in Hakkaido' - but you play it from the Soviet side.

Should be a nice switch. Those Mig-23s will do fine against AMRAAMs and F-15s [:D]

Great info on the AD units, I will add them, Chitose will certainly need them.

[AndrewJ]

It's the Fencers, Badgers, and Backfires on the Ship Strike mission that are doing this.

Mark that ship neutral and they will ignore it and hunt other targets.


Edit: not all bombers did this. I had smaller groups of Badgers and Su-24s go further south. I'm not sure if they were on the same mission.

[Gunner98]

OK, I suppose I could make the mission Weapons Free but then a lot of munitions will get spent on fishing boats. I may have another solution...

Thanks

[Gunner98]

The Ominato air defence unit was equipped with

Appreciate the great info.

Would you have any idea what sort of defence force the communications complex at Wakkanai would have? From what I can find the closest Army force is the HQ of 2nd Division with a brigade and the artillery at Asahikawa which is almost 200Km away.

Thanks

[AndrewJ]

It looks like the Ship Strike mission is investigating the closest ships.

[AndrewJ]

Anyone else seeing Russian subs pop to the surface?

Edit: not just theirs - mine too!

Edit 2: looks like something corrupt on my end.

[BDukes]

Think Andrew nailed it. Use Lua to id the ship and they'll do the thing they should be thinging.

This is a really great scenario, an absolute pleasure to lose!

Mike