AAR Atlantic Convoys, DAY #4

[FransKoenz]

[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 4[/center]

Losses on both sides are high so far. I doubt if Russia is able to stop the convoys anymore. NATO was able to destroy 17 submarines, a complete SAG [5 ships], and about 100 aircraft [49 Backfire bombers], but suffered heavy losses to their convoys as well.
21 merchants and 1 escort. 1 Merchant is damaged. The losses to aircraft are minimal so far; 7 aircraft.
All submarines are still in action. The USS Philadelphia [SSN 690] is running out of torpedoes after her successful attack on the Russian SAG. She has 3 torpedoes left in her tubes.

Convoy #1: 750nm to Portsmouth, UK.
Convoy #2: 1,500nm to Portsmouth, UK.
Amphibious Group: 39nm to Portsmouth, UK.
CVBG: 525nm east of Spain.

The USS Seawolf [SSN 21] is searching for the second enemy submarine in her patrol area. The USS Norfolk [SSN 714] is patrolling in shallow waters of the English Channel, north of Brest [not on map]. The USS Hyman G. Rickover [SSN 709] is patrolling 90nm east of convoy #1, the USS Augusta [SSN 710] 160nm east of convoy #2.

2 E-2 Hawkeye are patrolling north of the convoys, as well as 4 F-14 Tomcat fighters. The airborne helicopters are searching for enemy submerged contacts [Formation Editor].

Game on!!!

November 29th, 2003
00:00:01 - Zulu Time.

The day started with a pass-by of a Russian RORSat. There are no other contacts visible at the moment.
More aircraft are available on the USS Theodore Roosevelt [CVN 71],
The CVBG is now more or less fully operational [51 of 75 aircraft are now ready for combat air patrols]. There is, however, no Russian SAG left to attack. Immediately I ordered 2 S-3B Viking ASW-aircraft in the air to assist the Seawolf with her search for the enemy submerged contact.

Soon, 2 Tomcats picked up 2 airborne contacts far north. I ordered the aircraft to investigate and destroy the aircraft.
Meanwhile, the USS Seawolf detected a faint submerged contact. I bet it is the same submarine which was detected first on Day #3. It is now identified as GOBELIN-1078. There are, btw, still Russian helicopters operating in the are where the Russian SAG has been destroyed. 2 Tomcats are underway to destroy the remaining of the SAG. It could mean that a second Russian surface group is approaching from the south. I launched 4 more aircraft, all F/A-18 Hornet, armed with Harpoon and HARM to cover the south flank. I also launched 1 EA-6B Prowler, equipped for EAW/ECM duties.

Contact with GOBELIN-1078 has been lost. I have to wait until the Vikings arrive in the area with their MK50 Barracuda torpedoes and excellent ASW-capabilities.

03:00:00 Zulu Time.

One of the Hawkeye’s picked up 2 surface contacts west of Portugal. Another SAG?
I launched 4 F/A-18 Hornets, armed with HARM and Harpoon. Later I launched a second group Hornets. 2 Viking ASW aircraft have arrived at the scene where the submerged contact first was discovered by the USS Seawolf. At 07:30:00 I lost contact.

Meanwhile the Hornets started with the attack. First I fired HARM missiles. Both surface vessels took some hits, but the Harpoons didn’t came through the defence.
The second group, however, managed to destroy one of the ships.

06:15:00 Zulu Time.
The USS Seawolf has detected the submerged contact again. Immediately I ordered the 2 Viking to kill the submarine. Sonar buoys are in the water. Later, the submarine disappeared again.

10:25:00 Zulu Time.

The 2 Vikings have returned to the aircraft carrier and have been replaced by a single Viking. The submarine showed up again and the hunt was on again.

A third group has successfully attacked the remaining surface vessel [later identified as the FFG Neustrashimyy].
Later I received orders for the CVBG….. The group must travel to ref. point. “2ndC12”. A journey of 860nm.

18:00:00 – 24:00:00 Zulu Time.

A second submerged has been detected by the USS Augusta [SSN 710]. The SSN 710 is patrolling east of convoy #2. I immediately ordered 2 helicopters to assist the USS Augusta. The other submarine, east of convoy #1 still hasn’t been destroyed. Several times, I loose contact. The second submarine is by the way a much higher threat as the other sub; this new contact has been detected much closer to convoy #2.
The clock is ticking the minutes away. Day 4 is history now. Day 5 is the reality. 1 of the 2 enemy submarines is visible on my screen [convoy #1]. The other has disappeared again. But she is still there…………… Read about it all in Day #5 coverage.

Today’s losses:

Russia:

1 Frigate

NATO:

No losses.

Coverage of day #5 follows soon!!!

Taitennek.