Airbase air group limits

[malthaussen]

Unless an airbase is Size 9 or better, the game limits the number of air units that can be based there on active missions (Training missions apparently all count as one mission). But a base of the same size as another can sometimes host only one group more than the base size, and sometimes several more. How is this calculated? I had thought air HQ units needed the same superior HQ as the base to get maximum capacity, but this seems not to be the case.
So, for example, in my game I have Imphal, with a lvl 4 airbase at this point that can support 9 "groups," and Manado, also a lvl 4 airbase, but it can only accept 5 "groups." Imphal has 167 Wing based there, which is subordinate to India Command (via several links), as is Imphal. Manado has 81st RAAF Wing based, which is directly subordinate to Southwest Pacific, as is Manado. Why do their capacities differ? Meanwhile, a short distance across the Celebes Sea, Talaud-Eilanden, a lvl 5 base, has 9th RAAF Group HQ present, both are subordinate, again, to Southwest Pacific, and yet it can only operate 9 groups like the lvl-4 Imphal. If there is a rationale here, I'd like to know it.

-- Mal

[BBfanboy]

You are not prohibited from having more squadrons than (AF size +1), it's just that they cannot all be serviced and launched together. The disruption and fragmentation can extend to any unit, as far as I can tell. It is a bit like overloading a carrier by 11 to 15% - they can still be operated but there will be fragmentation of strikes. Air HQs can help smooth out some of the disruption by allowing more air units to be administered at the base.

[dmaramba]

in my game I have Imphal, with a lvl 4 airbase at this point that can support 9 "groups," and Manado, also a lvl 4 airbase, but it can only accept 5 "groups." Imphal has 167 Wing based there, which is subordinate to India Command (via several links), as is Imphal. Manado has 81st RAAF Wing based, which is directly subordinate to Southwest Pacific, as is Manado. Why do their capacities differ? Meanwhile, a short distance across the Celebes Sea, Talaud-Eilanden, a lvl 5 base, has 9th RAAF Group HQ present, both are subordinate, again, to Southwest Pacific, and yet it can only operate 9 groups like the lvl-4 Imphal. If there is a rationale here, I'd like to know it.

Here's the rationale, as I see it:

Talaud-Eilanden (AF lvl 5) plus 9 Group RAAF (HQa with Command Radius 4). Base and HQa both Southwest Pacific. Air group limit = 9 (5+4).

Manado (AF lvl 4), no HQa present (81st Wing is not an HQa, so it has no effect on group limits, and Manado is one hex beyond 9 Group RAAF's four-hex Command Radius). Air group limit = 5 (4+1).

Imphal (AF lvl 4). I suspect there is an HQa (ACSEA maybe?) somewhere within five hexes of the base. If that's so, then air group limit = 9 (5+4). (Again, 167 Wing is not an HQa, so its presence is irrelevant.)

Hope this helps.

[malthaussen]

I think you're on to something, as I just converted Dadjangas (airbase 2, capacity 4) to SW Pac, and have a HQ there also subordinate to SW Pac with a radius of 5, and lo and behold, the capacity has gone up to 7. So I guess I need to get an HQ to Menado, as I'm using it for B-24 strikes on Davao. Maybe I'll load up 5th AF HQ and drop it there.
You're right, there are several HQs within command radius of Imphal, so that would explain that boost, as well.

-- Mal

[ajarnlance]

I think you're on to something, as I just converted Dadjangas (airbase 2, capacity 4) to SW Pac, and have a HQ there also subordinate to SW Pac with a radius of 5, and lo and behold, the capacity has gone up to 7. So I guess I need to get an HQ to Menado, as I'm using it for B-24 strikes on Davao. Maybe I'll load up 5th AF HQ and drop it there.
You're right, there are several HQs within command radius of Imphal, so that would explain that boost, as well.

-- Mal

Does the HQ giving the bonus have to be an air hq or will a land hq work as well?

[btd64]

I think you're on to something, as I just converted Dadjangas (airbase 2, capacity 4) to SW Pac, and have a HQ there also subordinate to SW Pac with a radius of 5, and lo and behold, the capacity has gone up to 7. So I guess I need to get an HQ to Menado, as I'm using it for B-24 strikes on Davao. Maybe I'll load up 5th AF HQ and drop it there.
You're right, there are several HQs within command radius of Imphal, so that would explain that boost, as well.

-- Mal

Does the HQ giving the bonus have to be an air hq or will a land hq work as well?

Any air HQ only. Provided the base is in range of the air HQ....GP