AAR Atlantic Convoys, DAY #3
Posted: Sun Dec 31, 2006 2:11 pm
[center]SPOILER ALERT[/center]
After Action Report
Scenario : Atlantic Convoys
Designer : Freek Schepers
Side : NATO
Reporter: : Taitennek
Introduction.
This scenario takes several days to cover. So, I have decided to report by day.
I am in command of two large convoys [30+8 and 16+7], an Amphibious Group [12], a CVBG [7], 5 nuclear attack submarines [including the brand new SSN 21 USS Seawolf], as well as more than 200 aircraft and helicopters [some of the units are in maintenance or need longer readiness times before they can come in action].
My orders are to transit the convoys and the Amphibious Group through the Atlantic to Portsmouth in the UK. The aircraft carrier must survive in a position to cover future convoys. No losses of LHA, LHD, LSD and LST are allowed.
For a comprehensive version of the orders, please click here.
[center]Day 3[/center]
First a report of the current situation:
Day 2 turned into a disaster for NATO! Convoy #1 lost 18 merchants and 1 escort after being attacked by a single Russian Sierra II-class submarine. There were 2 Russian air strikes, but without success, Especially the British Sea Harriers performed very well; armed with the AMRAAM, this aircraft fits well in CAP/Defence situation for a convoy.
The Russian SAG is moving northwards at high speed. Her last known position is west of Portugal. The SSN 21 and SSN 690 have arrived in that area after a 500nm journey at top speed. This SAG is still far away from the convoys, but it is important to neutralize it as a threat to NATO convoy #1 and #2.
The SSN 710 is patrolling east of convoy #2, the SSN 709 east of convoy #1 and the SSN 714 has entered the English Channel. All three groups are behind schedule. Convoy #2 suffered 4 losses, convoy #1, 18. The Amphibious group is 120nm away from the entrance to the English Channel. A spotted submarine has been successfully intercepted by Seahawks of the AG..
The CVBG is cruising southwest of convoy #1. The CVBG must cover the south flank and engage the enemy SAG in case she breaks out to continental waters of Western Europe.
Readiness times for 22 aircraft is 21:30 hours [the aircraft I need to attack surface targets].
Game on!!!
November 28th, 2003.
00:00:00 -06:00:00 Zulu Time.
There are only few enemy air contacts on my screen. But I am sure that it is the silence for the next Red storm.
I was able to identify 2 ships of the Russian SAG. The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, and the Admiral Nakhimov, a Kirov-class battle cruiser. I bet that the other ships are Udaloy and Sovremenny destroyers. If so, I have to deal with seriously dangerous opponents.
At 02:45:00 Harriers of the HMS Illustrious successfully intercepted an aircraft [later identified as a Tu-95 Bear J] north of convoy #2.
Meantime, the Seawolf and Philadelphia are closing in. Both subs are able to fire missiles already, but I have decided to close in at torpedo launch range. The E-2C Hawkeye and the F-14 Tomcats in the air can track down and take out Russian helicopters.
04:05:00 Zulu Time.
Suddenly the sky was filled with incoming missiles. The CVBG is under attack. Seconds later a surfaced submarine was detected by one of the Hawkeye’s. This submarine, probably an OSCAR, just launched a full salvo [24 SS-N-19 Shipwrecks].
The USS Ramage [DDG 61] managed to intercept great deal of the incoming missiles and the USS Vella Gulf [CG 72] took care of the ones who slipped through the barrier of the USS Ramage. There were no hits and the CVBG is still intact. The USS Ramage is out of SAM’s now.
I will take care of the submarine, but have no assets available at the moment. A SH-60 Ocean Hawk is returning to her base to refuel and then will go after her.
Meanwhile, the SSN 690 has now taking in position, 19nm north of the Russian SAG.
Ready to launch the RGM-84D Harpoon IC missiles, back to safety depths, reload with ADCAPS and ready for the final approach to the Russian SAG. The SSN Seawolf will attack with Tomahawk missiles first, than Harpoon, and finally attack with ADCAPS as well.
The Russian SAG survived the Missile attack. None of the missiles hit target.
05:00:00 Zulu Time.
There is no Russian SAG anymore…..The SSN 690 Philadelphia destroyed all surface contacts with torpedoes in a surprise attack. The enemy helicopters took off after the first torpedo was launched, but were destroyed by F-14 Tomcats [since the discovery of this SAG, 2 F-14’s were there to intercept enemy aircraft/helicopters as soon they take off].
None of the surface vessels did survive this deadly attack; The BCGN was hit by 3 torpedoes, the Kuznetsov 2. Other ships of this group each took 1 MK48-ADCAP torpedo.
Enemy torpedoes, launched by Ka-27 Helix helicopters, are in the water, but the Philadelphia survived these attacks. Leaving the burning and sinking Admiral Kuznetsov and her escorts behind, the submarines travelled north again. Mission successfully accomplished. The Kuznetsov sank after 2 hours.
Meanwhile, a helicopter of the CVBG, detected and destroyed the Russian submarine, the one that attacked the CVBG with Shipwrecks. The submarine, an OSCAR II SSGN, did not had a chance. She was effectively taken out by the Ocean Hawk’s torpedoes.
06:00:00 Zulu Time.
There are no Russian contacts on my screen.
Let’s jump to 11:11:00 Zulu Time.
As expected, a submarine showed up in the English Channel. Immediately 3 helicopters are on their way to engage the submarine. The enemy submarine is cruising 14nm northeast of the Amphibious Group in shallow waters [-80m].
Soon torpedoes were underway and hit the submerged contact [later identified as a Kilo-class submarine].
At 11.45.00 Zulu Time a RORSAT came over again. Now a jump to the evening of day #3.
19:15:00 Zulu Time.
The USS Seawolf has picked up a new submerged contact, now identified as GOBELIN-1045. Soon a second contact appeared, not far away from the first one, 350nm east of convoy #1. Minutes later, both contacts disappeared from my screen. Meanwhile, some air contacts were detected far north. 2 Tomcats are underway to intercept these aircraft. Suddenly, one of the submerged contacts showed up again, this time within firing range of the SSN 21. Immediately a torpedo was launched. The enemy submarine fired a torpedo as well. The enemy submarine [Akula II] survived the first torpedo. A second torpedo, however, hit the submarine. The Seawolf is now searching for the other submarine.
Day 3 is coming to an end.
The Amphibious Group has reached waters of Portsmouth intact. 5 AV-8B Harriers, however, were destroyed on the first day. The USS Norfolk [SSN 714] is patrolling at the entrance of the English Channel.
Convoy #2 must still travel 780nm. Convoy #2 1,500nm. The CVBG is intact as well. But escorts are running out of fuel.
Summary of this day’s losses:
Russia:
Surface vessels:
1 aircraft carrier [Admiral Kuznetsov]
1 BCGN [Admiral Nakhimof]
2 DDG Udaloy II
1 Sovremennyy I
Submarines:
1 Akula II
1 Oscar II
1 Kilo
Aircraft:
5 Ka-27 Helix A
24 Su-27 Flanker D [onboard the Admiral Kuznetsov]
1 An-12 Cub C
1 Tu-95 Bear J
6 IL-78M Midas
NATO: No losses.
Coverage of Day #4 will follow soon!
After Action Report
Scenario : Atlantic Convoys
Designer : Freek Schepers
Side : NATO
Reporter: : Taitennek
Introduction.
This scenario takes several days to cover. So, I have decided to report by day.
I am in command of two large convoys [30+8 and 16+7], an Amphibious Group [12], a CVBG [7], 5 nuclear attack submarines [including the brand new SSN 21 USS Seawolf], as well as more than 200 aircraft and helicopters [some of the units are in maintenance or need longer readiness times before they can come in action].
My orders are to transit the convoys and the Amphibious Group through the Atlantic to Portsmouth in the UK. The aircraft carrier must survive in a position to cover future convoys. No losses of LHA, LHD, LSD and LST are allowed.
For a comprehensive version of the orders, please click here.
[center]Day 3[/center]
First a report of the current situation:
Day 2 turned into a disaster for NATO! Convoy #1 lost 18 merchants and 1 escort after being attacked by a single Russian Sierra II-class submarine. There were 2 Russian air strikes, but without success, Especially the British Sea Harriers performed very well; armed with the AMRAAM, this aircraft fits well in CAP/Defence situation for a convoy.
The Russian SAG is moving northwards at high speed. Her last known position is west of Portugal. The SSN 21 and SSN 690 have arrived in that area after a 500nm journey at top speed. This SAG is still far away from the convoys, but it is important to neutralize it as a threat to NATO convoy #1 and #2.
The SSN 710 is patrolling east of convoy #2, the SSN 709 east of convoy #1 and the SSN 714 has entered the English Channel. All three groups are behind schedule. Convoy #2 suffered 4 losses, convoy #1, 18. The Amphibious group is 120nm away from the entrance to the English Channel. A spotted submarine has been successfully intercepted by Seahawks of the AG..
The CVBG is cruising southwest of convoy #1. The CVBG must cover the south flank and engage the enemy SAG in case she breaks out to continental waters of Western Europe.
Readiness times for 22 aircraft is 21:30 hours [the aircraft I need to attack surface targets].
Game on!!!
November 28th, 2003.
00:00:00 -06:00:00 Zulu Time.
There are only few enemy air contacts on my screen. But I am sure that it is the silence for the next Red storm.
I was able to identify 2 ships of the Russian SAG. The aircraft carrier Admiral Kuznetsov, and the Admiral Nakhimov, a Kirov-class battle cruiser. I bet that the other ships are Udaloy and Sovremenny destroyers. If so, I have to deal with seriously dangerous opponents.
At 02:45:00 Harriers of the HMS Illustrious successfully intercepted an aircraft [later identified as a Tu-95 Bear J] north of convoy #2.
Meantime, the Seawolf and Philadelphia are closing in. Both subs are able to fire missiles already, but I have decided to close in at torpedo launch range. The E-2C Hawkeye and the F-14 Tomcats in the air can track down and take out Russian helicopters.
04:05:00 Zulu Time.
Suddenly the sky was filled with incoming missiles. The CVBG is under attack. Seconds later a surfaced submarine was detected by one of the Hawkeye’s. This submarine, probably an OSCAR, just launched a full salvo [24 SS-N-19 Shipwrecks].
The USS Ramage [DDG 61] managed to intercept great deal of the incoming missiles and the USS Vella Gulf [CG 72] took care of the ones who slipped through the barrier of the USS Ramage. There were no hits and the CVBG is still intact. The USS Ramage is out of SAM’s now.
I will take care of the submarine, but have no assets available at the moment. A SH-60 Ocean Hawk is returning to her base to refuel and then will go after her.
Meanwhile, the SSN 690 has now taking in position, 19nm north of the Russian SAG.
Ready to launch the RGM-84D Harpoon IC missiles, back to safety depths, reload with ADCAPS and ready for the final approach to the Russian SAG. The SSN Seawolf will attack with Tomahawk missiles first, than Harpoon, and finally attack with ADCAPS as well.
The Russian SAG survived the Missile attack. None of the missiles hit target.
05:00:00 Zulu Time.
There is no Russian SAG anymore…..The SSN 690 Philadelphia destroyed all surface contacts with torpedoes in a surprise attack. The enemy helicopters took off after the first torpedo was launched, but were destroyed by F-14 Tomcats [since the discovery of this SAG, 2 F-14’s were there to intercept enemy aircraft/helicopters as soon they take off].
None of the surface vessels did survive this deadly attack; The BCGN was hit by 3 torpedoes, the Kuznetsov 2. Other ships of this group each took 1 MK48-ADCAP torpedo.
Enemy torpedoes, launched by Ka-27 Helix helicopters, are in the water, but the Philadelphia survived these attacks. Leaving the burning and sinking Admiral Kuznetsov and her escorts behind, the submarines travelled north again. Mission successfully accomplished. The Kuznetsov sank after 2 hours.
Meanwhile, a helicopter of the CVBG, detected and destroyed the Russian submarine, the one that attacked the CVBG with Shipwrecks. The submarine, an OSCAR II SSGN, did not had a chance. She was effectively taken out by the Ocean Hawk’s torpedoes.
06:00:00 Zulu Time.
There are no Russian contacts on my screen.
Let’s jump to 11:11:00 Zulu Time.
As expected, a submarine showed up in the English Channel. Immediately 3 helicopters are on their way to engage the submarine. The enemy submarine is cruising 14nm northeast of the Amphibious Group in shallow waters [-80m].
Soon torpedoes were underway and hit the submerged contact [later identified as a Kilo-class submarine].
At 11.45.00 Zulu Time a RORSAT came over again. Now a jump to the evening of day #3.
19:15:00 Zulu Time.
The USS Seawolf has picked up a new submerged contact, now identified as GOBELIN-1045. Soon a second contact appeared, not far away from the first one, 350nm east of convoy #1. Minutes later, both contacts disappeared from my screen. Meanwhile, some air contacts were detected far north. 2 Tomcats are underway to intercept these aircraft. Suddenly, one of the submerged contacts showed up again, this time within firing range of the SSN 21. Immediately a torpedo was launched. The enemy submarine fired a torpedo as well. The enemy submarine [Akula II] survived the first torpedo. A second torpedo, however, hit the submarine. The Seawolf is now searching for the other submarine.
Day 3 is coming to an end.
The Amphibious Group has reached waters of Portsmouth intact. 5 AV-8B Harriers, however, were destroyed on the first day. The USS Norfolk [SSN 714] is patrolling at the entrance of the English Channel.
Convoy #2 must still travel 780nm. Convoy #2 1,500nm. The CVBG is intact as well. But escorts are running out of fuel.
Summary of this day’s losses:
Russia:
Surface vessels:
1 aircraft carrier [Admiral Kuznetsov]
1 BCGN [Admiral Nakhimof]
2 DDG Udaloy II
1 Sovremennyy I
Submarines:
1 Akula II
1 Oscar II
1 Kilo
Aircraft:
5 Ka-27 Helix A
24 Su-27 Flanker D [onboard the Admiral Kuznetsov]
1 An-12 Cub C
1 Tu-95 Bear J
6 IL-78M Midas
NATO: No losses.
Coverage of Day #4 will follow soon!