New Scenario for Testing: Mediterranean Fury 4 - Secure the Flank

[Ancalagon451]

I'm sorting through the OOB to make a plan, but I'm having a little trouble finding the laser carrying planes which must buddy-laze for the Harriers and other LGB carriers. Could you please point me to them?

Ancalagon

[Gunner98]

I'm pretty sure that there is a Tornado GR.1 with a laser pod at Akrotiri, and I think the F-16s at Incirlik and perhaps a TARPS pod on the Ike.

B

[Ancalagon451]

Found the single Tornado (isn't a little too cheap for the English to send only one?, at least put a spare!) Plus the LANTIRN carrying Vipers. TARPS pod doesn't seem to have laser designation capability.

Thank you for the pointing, let's see how do I tackle this one.

Ancalagon

[Gunner98]

isn't a little too cheap for the English to send only one?

[:D] The backstory is the one GR.1 is from the test establishment (cannot recall the name) testing the pod which is really meant for the GR.4. They were planning (MF 2) to do trials and training with the Greeks and Turks who have only just received LGBs. Sorry to be so stingy [;)]

B

[Ancalagon451]

Caugh with the pants down then [:'(].

It will have to do, by the way, how do you recomend I use it?

Do I put it as escort in the same mission the LGB Carriers are in, or in a separate Support mission orbiting the targets, or do I have to bite the bullet and micromanage it?

Ancalagon

[Gunner98]

Any or all of the above.

My preference is a support mission orbiting the target area but you may have to intervene with a bit of micro if a threat shows up or things aren't working as planned.

[Ancalagon451]

My preference is a support mission orbiting the target area

OK, will try it that way, thanks for the answers.

Ancalagon

[ryszardsh]

So SCUD launch almost immediately at Incirlick and a couple other spots. Looked at the Syrian side and seems these are tasked for a mission to hit Cyprus that is set for delay start. is this an intended event, the launch at Incirlick or an artifact of weapons free status for the 2/2nd & 3/2nd missile batteries?

RAS

[Gunner98]

I think probably the latter. Didn't plan on hitting Incirlik because of all the HAS there.

thanks will sort that out

[Ancalagon451]

OK, I finally started today and while it's being slow as hell (and I have a fairly powerful desktop with 8GB RAM and an SSD, just how many units are there?) I have managed to play the first three hours.

A few minor issues where noted:

Just at start a log message said something abour the RFA auxiliary's helo carrying munitions to a British base, the briefing says nothing about that I don't know what was that about.

A pair of Syrian OSA boats started a 30kts charge againts Incirlick, perhaps to shelling it, I stopped them halfway with Mavericks so I don't know for sure.

There are no points given for the aforementioned OSAs nor for a sunk Kilo.

Confirmed the Scud issue, the batteries fire against Incirlick and the Jordanian bases at scenario start, and again as soon as they reload, until they run out of munitions.

Nothing else right now, will keep playing along the week.

Ancalagon

EDIT: No points where given for the sinking of the Slava cruiser nor the Krivak IV frigate

[ryszardsh]

Re the Scud batteries.

I went into editor and unloaded all the launchers. I also reset the delay for the mission. For some reason that has them firing mostly correctly at Cyprus, not Incirclik. Still not firing only at Shaweed a/b but better

[Ancalagon451]

I don't think I had any or many pre-set missions in this one.

They come with mixed reviews so I try and only put them in where they're critical. Like a CVBG with a sub under the bow or an incoming strike.

I think you should at least put ASW missions like you did in MF-3. It would greatly reduce mission setting overhead just at the start. Those who want to set their own, can delete the predefined ones in less than a minute.

Ancalagon

[Gunner98]

OK

Should have a chance to work on this one again this weekend. Are there any other points?

Thanks for the ones so far.

B

[Ancalagon451]

The "palestinian" surprise do not seems to work.

I totally forgot about the Air Force Two due to being busy executing (a mockery of) a SEAD strike but it still arrived home unmolested. The surprise givers don't appear in the casualities log, so they wheren't simply catched by a standing patrol.

Ancalagon

[Vulcan607]

Ok started a new game.
Incirlink F16s have punched through the SAMs and Fulcrums damaging a lot of the SAMs and bits of the airfield but I don’t think they hit the runways because I had engage targets of opportunity on. The Turks have hit a few airfields but the bombing wasn’t particularly accurate even from 10,000ft RF4Es are going to take a look. The RAF and fleet air arm have killed the badgers and their escorts and are returning home. The Jordanian Air Force have turned back the raid on their airfields not sure why they turned back but I did manoeuvre my jets behind the raid and they aborted. The Eisenhower has launched l available combat aircraft for a massive raid combined with the P3s, the Foch airgroup and the marine hornets. I’ve also started moving the A7H to Incirlik since they lack IFR these will be used for finishing the SAMs and airfields. The large forces in Egypt are also been used in an alpha strike with the jets flying through Jordan to knock out the SAMs and airfields with the Jordanians mopping up.

[Vulcan607]

syria launched a raid of L39s 3 f5 and an f1 intercepted and shot down multiple l39 but all the F5 were destroyed but they forced the strike to abort. The arrival of the Egypt strike caught a few L39 in a landing patter these died as did a few mig 25 and multiple SAMs. The Strikers concentrated on the runways with 2000lb Bombs the cluster bombs and AGM65 hit the SAMs. A few F15E with GBU39 500lb bombs hit parked aircraft and SAMs. The Jordanians have followed up these strikes with iron bombs I’ve just got a final flight of Bunker buster armed Strike Eagles inbound to put a few more bombs on the runways as we as an underground hanger and an underground ammo bunker. Oh and a doppy badger blundered into an eagle!

Notes Israelis are firing at aircraft that get too close more than a few have been shot down. Also the scuds haven’t fired but some fitters tried to hit the radars on Cyprus they got shot down as did a mig that tried to sneak past 4 vipers to get the awacs.

[Gunner98]

Sounds like an exiting time is being had by all...

[Vulcan607]

2 Osa got sunk along with a few mig 23s shot down but I lost 2 corsairs f15s are over Damascus in large numbers with tankers and egressing eagles flying along the Israeli border the SAMs defending Damascus are mostly destroyed but at least one SA3 opens up if they fly directly over it. At sea the first harpoon barrage has been intercepted it consisted of 12 UGM84. From incirlk F16s are going out to cluster bomb a few more SAMs while LGB equipped harriers and corsairs head for an airfield that I’ve yet to hit. A Canberra is nearing Damascus it’s going to take a look at the airbases and some missile artillery that have been spotted unfortunately until the eagles rearm I will have to leave them or send the Greek F5s to try to hit them with mk82s if fuel gets low I will send them to Jordan since they have plenty of iron bombs.

Notes
Despite being only in the opening stages of the scenario the Syrians have taken horrific losses I’ve been using large alpha strikes and they have had no counter to this. this will get worse for them when even more Jammers and HARM shooters arrive.
Syrian aircraft are now often encountered alone I had a quick glance at my kills and it was 80 mig21 of one type.

Suggestions:
The airbases and SAMs could use a few ZU23-2 and ZU23-4 to counter jets going low to avoid the SAMs. a few S60 and ZU57 would also make it dangerous up to medium altitude.
I’ve also had a look at heavier AA guns and Syria had quite a lot of KS19 flak guns these would be cool to see even if they weren’t very effective (apparently Iran has recently decided to make an automatic version for some reason maybe they are worried about B17s!

[Gunner98]

Thanks

Good suggestions

[Vulcan607]

Things just got interesting a massive air raid has been launched a large number of SU22 are heading to Cyprus unfortunately for them a flight of eagles launched AIM120s into the mass and 3 RAF phantoms were already on route into the area they are Winchester but are continuing to engage while 5 F3s join the fray! Several soviet ships have been sunk and the Moskava has been badly damaged by a Harm several harpoon and SLAM more HARM and Harpoon shooters are inbound they are just tanking. Entendards armed with rockets are going for a damaged SA6 and the Greek corsairs have found an airbase with jets parked in the open, just having a few issues hitting them the LGBs seem to be overshooting more often than not going to move my GR1A to see if that helps get bombs on target.

I am a bit nervous I have yet to see a single submarine or missile attack but I am only in the first few hours so there’s still time! I’ve sent my RN ships to rearm along with the CG leahy.

Plan I am thinking I will send the Iowa and Kearsarge to Lakita to hammer the SAMs and the airbase with guns and gunships as soon as the soviet ships are dead, the RN ships with Iowa and kearsarge will move down the coast To Lebanon sweeping for subs. Not sure I will get a 2nd strike out of the Ike which may cause me a few problems with a few areas that have a large number of SAMs though I don’t think I will need the fighters though I can’t help think the USN took their time giving the tomcats LGBs