Pacific Fury 1 - Bolt from the Blue 13/2/94

[fitzpatv]

As WW3 begins, the USS Independence CVBG is attacked in the Sea of Japan. Heading for the Tsugaru Strait between Honshu and Hokkaido, they begin shadowed by a Kanin-class destroyer, two AGIs and several Badger recon aircraft. In theory, they have to pass through the Strait, some 300nm away and take-up position in a patrol zone SE of Japan’s most Northerly main island, where they are scheduled to link-up with a replenishment group. The Soviets have other ideas. Japanese forces start Allied and under AI control.

Independence, a Forrestal-class attack carrier, is lightly escorted by the cruiser California, Spruance-class destroyer O’Brien and the Perry frigate Vandegrift. The cruiser Leahy is 45nm to the S, hurrying back from a visit to Japan’s Maizuru naval base. The task force has the usual selection of US carrier aircraft, but they are at a relatively low state of readiness.

The replenishment group consists of the oiler Pecos and a Knox-class frigate, the Brewton, which has ASROC but no SAMs. Waiting for them at the Tsugaru Strait is the Perry-class frigate Jarrett.

There are two American SSNs in the Sea of Japan, the Los Angeles-class Buffalo off Vladivostok and the Sturgeon-class Aspro 140nm NE of Independence.

Japan has a destroyer, six destroyer escorts and two diesel subs off her NW coast. Collectively, they are quite good at ASW, but have almost no air defence worthy of the name.

The USA has aircraft at four Japanese bases. At Iwakuni (Hiroshima), there are a few Hornets, Prowlers and Hercules tankers. Misawa, in N Honshu, houses 17 F-16s, though only four start ready. Based at Atsugi (Tokyo), you have some Orions and Aries while, way to the SW at Kadena (Okinawa), there are some F-15s (none ready), KC-135 tankers and a couple of Sentries (one of which starts aloft over SW Honshu).

Japan has some Hawkeyes at Misawa, Orions at nearby Hachinohe, Orions at Iwakuni and a large force of Eagles and Phantoms at Komatsu/Kanazawa, halfway up the Sea of Japan and usefully near Independence.

As for the Soviets, they have very little in the way of surface ships – just the old destroyer and AGIs mentioned above. Beneath the waves, though, they field an Oscar II, an Akula, a couple of Victor IIIs, a Charlie, a Kilo and an old Tango. The Vladivostok air base complex harbours a formidable array of aircraft, including Foxhounds (how I’ve missed them!), Flankers, Backfires and all manner of Badgers and Fencers. For good measure, there are a couple of Sepal SSM batteries lying in wait for the unwary.

It didn’t look good at all. Independence had no business being in such a exposed position and faced an onslaught from the Oscar and numerous aircraft using stand-off weapons, escorted by lots of front-line Soviet fighters. Moreover, the Pecos stood to be attacked separately, possibly by the Charlie or an Akula, while all the Japanese ships were very vulnerable and under AI control.

The enemy obviously knew exactly where we were and had more than enough assets to maintain contact, so avoiding detection wasn’t feasible. Neither was running away, as we were just 350nm from Soviet air bases and they could be upon us within an hour’s flying time. Air cover from the Japanese was possible, but couldn’t be relied-upon and too many of the US carrier aircraft were unready.

Attacking first wasn’t expressly prohibited, but starting the war wouldn’t have been an option in reality, so I resolved not to, conceding first strike. In any event, the defences at Vladivostok were far too strong and the only viable targets were the surface shadows and any recon planes that strayed too near.

Most of Independence’s fighters had Sparrows, with just a handful loaded with Phoenixes, so our ability to intercept supersonic missiles like Shipwrecks, Kitchens, Kingfish and Kickbacks was limited. It seemed best to limit the Sparrow fighters to enemy aircraft and slower missiles like the Kazoos carried by Fencers. Chances were that they would have to do a lot of ducking and diving to evade the long-ranged Amos missiles carried by the Foxhounds. Conversely, I didn’t want to waste SAMs on fighters, so told them to engage bombers and missiles only. Given the blind spots of the US shipboard SAMs, it seemed best to turn side-on to meet any attack.

Evacuating non-essential aircraft seemed a good idea, especially as there was plenty of space on the air bases at Komatsu and Atsugi. This way, I could reduce the VP cost of losing the carrier and the risk of planes being trapped aboard by damage.

Making the rendezvous off Hokkaido didn’t seem remotely realistic, so I resolved to head for the Tsushima Straits between Japan and Korea and get out of the Sea of Japan trap. As for Jarrett, she could head back to link-up with Pecos which, in no hurry, could slow to Creep to make the most of Brewton’s ASW capability.

Both SSNs needed to slow to Creep and Buffalo was told to head slowly away from Vladivostok.

13/2/94 12:00Z (21:00L): Independence initially turned towards Leahy and Komatsu at Flank. The Kanin and an old Okean AGI were 6 and 18nm away, respectively, but made no attempt to follow, possibly out of a sense of self-preservation, as their masters had sold them down the river. We counted four tracking Badgers, all within their sensor range.

All ready non-fighters were flown-off to Komatsu and Atsugi, while extra CAP was called-in from Misawa and Iwakuni, both of which had four airframes ready, plus EW and tanker support. An Orion was launched from Atsugi to escort Pecos.

At 12:10, Japan warned of an imminent attack and offered us some extra CAP from Komatsu for 25VP. I was very happy to accept this and eight F-15s and the same number of Phantoms were passed to my control. Four F-14s were sent on distant patrol to cover the enemy recon Badgers and take them down as soon as the balloon went up. The Russians promptly responded by boosting their recon Badgers to an estimated eleven!. “Kill the Eyes?” - some hope!!

At 12:15, we were told that 44FS’s Eagles could forward-deploy from Kadena to Iwakuni as they became available over the next few hours, so this was put in motion. They had enough endurance to do some time over the carrier before landing.

At 12:30, we were told that some 40-45 Soviet aircraft had been detected heading E from Kamchatka. Chances were that they were heading for the Aleutians, but there was the possibility that they could swing S and attack Pecos and Brewton, which wouldn’t have a hope. There wasn’t time to send CAP from Misawa if that was what was afoot. In the event, a Badger was spotted shadowing the oiler, but it fled when I sent an F-16 from Misawa and did not return.

Four OECM planes launched from Vladivostok as the advancing Badgers made such tempting targets, but we couldn’t really initiate hostilities. In fact, orders arrived confirming that we should keep our powder dry.

13:00Z: At the expected time, a missile launch was detected to the NW, probably from a lurking Oscar. This seemed reason enough to commence hostilities.

F-14s quickly downed three Badgers for 6VP each before having to fall back from advancing Foxhounds.

Reports arrived of Spetsnaz mischief across Japan. Most air bases had sustained damage from bombings, but we lost no aircraft and all runways remained operable.

A volley of Harpoons from California and O’Brien overwhelmed the hapless Kanin and Okean for 15VP each, plus three more for the destroyer’s Hormone chopper. No doubt the Russians considered these old units expendable.

The Japanese destroyer escort Tokachi found and sank the Tango diesel sub Novosibirsky (which she’d presumably been shadowing) for 15VP.

Soviet bombers retaliated, sinking the destroyer Nagatsuki with Kitchens for -25VP.

Five Shipwrecks from the Oscar were intercepted by CAP. For some reason, the SSGN did not fire any more.

Some thirty Kitchen B missiles were fired at ground targets, aiming for air bases and radars, but this had little real effect. Some flew past the CVBG en route for Komatsu and absorbed a few of our SAMs.

Showing more courage than wisdom, some Japanese Eagles and Phantoms tangled with the swarm of Foxhounds under AI control. They actually did surprisingly well, accounting for five MiG-31s after approaching to dogfighting range, but numbers told and all eight were lost. Japanese and Soviet air losses score 3VP each.

Unfortunately, four Foxhounds pursued the Japanese within range of the CVBG CAP. I had no wish to waste missiles on fighters and had my planes run away at Afterburner when the MiGs fired. This worked well enough and no US plane was lost in air combat all game. Nonetheless, I had to do something about the Foxhounds and so temporarily cleared Leahy to engage them with RIM-67s. The cruiser splashed three and the other one fled.

14:00Z: Four more F-15s were sent from Kadena to Iwakuni and the latter base dispatched eight fighters to help the CVBG.

A wave of 14 Kitchen A missiles was parried by our SAMs. However, the supersonic missiles kept coming and another big swarm broke through, hitting Independence for 51% damage, causing fires and flooding (-250VP) and also sinking the destroyer escort Iwase. Yet more followed, hitting Leahy for 39% damage plus flooding and sinking another destroyer escort, the Niyodo.

We were notified that a C-141 Starlifter would be available at Guam from 16:00Z, with a cargo of 200 AMRAAMs that could be taken to Kadena, Iwakuni or Misawa. Iwakuni sounded the best fit for my strategy.

A lone Fencer made a run at the task force and was picked-off by a Tomcat. What happened to the other Fencers, I’m not sure.

Tokachi scored another notable success, putting down the Kilo SSK Vologda with her ASROC for 15VP.

The big Soviet strike was now over and two of their planes crash-landed on returning to base.

15:00Z: We had survived the initial onslaught, but Independence was 52.6% damaged and Leahy 39%, with ongoing fires and flooding. I was glad I’d moved every possible plane to Komatsu or Atsugi, saving half of the air group, but 40 planes, 25 of which were down for maintenance, were trapped on the burning carrier. Leahy was down to four SAMs but her launcher still worked. The CVBG headed for the Tsushima Straits at best speed, uncomfortably aware that the Oscar was still out there. An Orion was sent to look for it.

The Russians had ridiculous numbers of fighters and support aircraft dominating the Sea of Japan, with a dozen Foxhounds and two Flankers in the lead group alone. It seemed best not to provoke them. Nonetheless, an AI-controlled Japanese Orion managed to get itself killed for -8VP for doing just that.

16:00Z: Damage control on the stricken ships was not going well and another 75VP were lost for accumulated damage to the Leahy.

Word arrived about enemy surface ships supporting an insurgency in the Philippines and air strikes on Hokkaido (Scenario 2). We were ordered to proceed to the patrol area off Hokkaido, but this was ludicrous and I ignored it.

Another suicidal Japanese Orion somehow survived getting hit by two Archers and managed to RTB.

17:00Z: Independence was still on fire and 83% damaged, while Leahy’s damage was up to 55%. It could have gone better.

18:00Z: By now, Independence was 96% damaged and doomed. I detached her from the group with orders to make for Maizuru, thereby giving the escorts a better chance to get clear. She sank at 18:18Z for -500VP, taking 40 aircraft with her for 200 more. Leahy had finally managed to get her flooding under control and, though 62.6% damaged, was still able to make 12 knots towards Korean waters.

19:00Z: The Starlifter arrived at Iwakuni, not that it scored anything.

21:30Z: The search for the Oscar had drawn a blank – it was probably hiding in an exclusion zone off North Korea. With nothing happening, some annoying game performance issues and no way to change the outcome, I decided to quit.
So, it was a Disaster, with a score of -1,063.

The US lost a carrier, 23 fighters, 8 attack planes, 4 support aircraft and 5 choppers, while Japan lost a destroyer, two destroyer escorts, 8 fighters, an Orion and four ground elements.

The USSR lost two diesel subs, a destroyer, an AGI, 10 fighters, a Fencer, three Badgers and a chopper.

In theory, this could be won by being lucky and not getting hit, then being crazy and heading on through the Tsugaru Strait despite the risk of a second strike and other hidden hazards without taking any major losses. It’s a very chancy business and won’t happen often. As with much that happens in the Fury series, it is a plot event and you are left to manage as best you can.

Next time, the player must switch to the Soviet side and use the second team against Hokkaido while all the best units are mauling Independence.

[Gunner98]

Thanks Vince

Reads like you had an interesting time. I think the best option is to head for Tsushima as you did, and some have found success by backing right up to the coast to give the Japanese and US CAP more of a chance. Slowing the Pacos down saved it I think.

Bart

[Knightpawn]

I decided to quit.
So, it was a Disaster, with a score of -1,063.

After setting up some elaborate and beautiful CAPs and customising WPAs, I was at -1300 (and more) at about 1700Z. About 80 kitchens and 60 kingfishes were fired against the CVBG and around. A few (but enough to deal huge damage) went through. I threw the towel of course. I wonder if there is an optimal WPA that could maximise chances against the Vampires. I don't believe that realistically one can survive this, unless an exclusion zone is set at around 250 miles and everything that enters it is killed immediately. But this would mean that I would need to start hostilities before 1300Z

[Knightpawn]

After loosing badly on this one (a Disaster), I tried to come up with a tactic that could withstand the Vampire assault. As a reminder, it consists of 64 Kitchens and 52 AS-6 Kingfish in total. The following tactic (and only this one) worked for me without any saves in between

1. Leahy joins the CVBG
2. CVBG formation is a V shape pointing to Japan. All ships have a bearing 70 or 250 degrees (to maximize available Surface to air missiles). All jammers are ON and two Prowlers are also jamming nearby airborn (no clue if they have any effect but why not try)
3 Point of the V shape is the Independent (Sparrows).
4 Ahead of it are Vandegrift (RIM-66E6) and O Brien (Sparrows)
5 Ahead of them are the Leahy (RIM 67C) and the USS California (RIM-66J)
6 WRA for in respect of Guided Missiles is set to NO AUTOMATIC for all Surface to Air missiles. EVERYHTING IS DONE MANUALLY
7 Vampires not directed towards the CVBG as left unattended
8. Vampires directed against the CVBG are dealt as follows
(a) each vampire is engaged by strictly one RIM 67C from Leahy as far as possible - looking for a 50% hit rate
(b) vampires at mid distance surviving (a) are engaged by one (if still afar) or two (if closer) RIM-66J from California
(c) vampires that survive (b) are engaged by two RIMs-66E6 from Vandgrift
(d) anything that is still a threat receives 2-3 sparrows (or whatever is available as this is emergency situation)

It worked and the CVBG survived unscathed!

Screenshot 2025-06-30 232705.png (308.42 KiB) Viewed 496 times

[fitzpatv]

Shows it can be done. Excellent piece of analysis and planning, though doing the manual targeting must have been pretty hectic stuff (presumably with the minimum game speed setting). I must learn how to use the Formation Editor properly. Remember making decent use of it to get a British win in Duellists years ago, but it has changed since then (like everything else). I'll have to lose another scenario soon, so you can show me how to win that one, too!

[Knightpawn]

I am playing the "Furries" in strict chronological order (1st all missions in all theaters that happen on the first day, then all of the second day and so on and so forth). I will be posting under you AARs, where available, instead of creating new posts. After all you are doing an amazing work with the analysis of the scenarios and the narrative. I am much more lazy...

[Gunner98]

Looking forward to your posts. Cheers