Herman Hum
08 Feb 06, 12:43
AAR: My Love is Vengeance [Spoiler Alert]
A Harpoon Classic scenario
By Brad Leyte
The civil war in Iraq has spawned a multitude of terrorist organizations and networks, eclipsing the old enemy Al Qaeda and fostering new predilections among Middle Eastern states. Yemen has since turned its back on the USA, refusing to continue the pursuit and prosecution of suspected terrorists operating in its territory. There are now in fact strong indications that Yemen is harboring and propping up the terror networks. In a strange but somehow gratifying twist of fate, the USS Cole has returned to the scene of the crime perpetrated against her, this time to exact justice from the terrorists.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/9303/vengeancestart0vn.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vengeancestart0vn.gif)
"Revenge is a dish best served cold." Many years had passed since the Cole was bombed, but there were still many men aboard her who remembered that fateful day. When the Captain announced the mission to his crew, everyone could feel the electricity in the air. Every man swore an oath to himself. Today would be the day that the Cole balanced the books. It was Retribution day.
With only a 24hr. time frame for the operation, the aircraft from Diego Garcia were immediately sent aloft. I didn't have a target yet, but DG was a long ways off. Better to have them on hand and not needed, than call for them and find them still on the ground.
Without any airborne radar support, I ordered the Cole to radiate and try to give me a picture of the situation. I would simply have to trust in her Aegis defences to keep her safe. Immediately, reports were received of MiG-29s rising from the airfield on Socotra. Even these older versions of the famous Fulcrum were dangerous and, likely, more capable than the Harriers aboard the LPD San Antonio.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/3743/tigerkill8fp.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tigerkill8fp.gif)
Two F-5 Tigers were detected approaching the task group; one from Aden and the other from Socotra. I decided that the Harriers could engage these planes with a margin of safety. A lone Harrier was sent to intercept each. However, the Harrier flying towards Socotra received a nasty surprise. Three more Tigers were following the first. Hurriedly, two Harriers already loaded for Air-to-Ground missions were hastily launched. They jettisoned their ordnance and raced after the new threat and splashed them with AIM-9 Sidewinders before their victims even knew that they were in the area.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/1115/fencerattack8uw.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fencerattack8uw.gif)
The attack from Socotra kept the Task Group occupied. A flight of Su-24 Fencers suddenly appeared from the direction of Al Ghaydah! The Tactical Action Officer [TAO] immediately declared, "Weapons Free! Air action North". Almost immediately, the Fencers released their first weapons, AS-12 Keglers. The last two Harriers were configured for Close Air Support [CAS], but they still had their Sidewinders on the rails so they were sent aloft to counter the Fencers. The TAO ordered them to intercept the AShM [Anti-Ship Missiles]. Along with the Standard SAMs from Cole, the raiders were peremptorily shot out of the sky. Unfortunately, all the assets had been committed and no reserves remained. So, when two Flogger Fs followed behind the Fencers, the TG had to rely solely upon the Cole's SAMs for protection. Both Floggers were brought down. Now I had to wonder if the SAM magazines were going to be sufficient.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/6026/socotraashms7eh.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=socotraashms7eh.gif)
Eight AShMs were suddenly detected from threat Axis [Socotra]. The launching platforms weren't even detected. The attack was defeated, but it soaked up the remaining long-range SAMs aboard Cole. Four Su-25 Frogfoots tried to sneak in behind the AShMs, but were detected and destroyed before they were able to release ordnance. Socotra was beginning to be a real Pain.
Right on the heels of this attack, four more Fencers appeared from the direction of Ataq. The Task Group was being buffeted by attacks from many directions sequentially. With no more air assets unavailable, the Fencers were able to close the distance unmolested and release their Anti-Radiation Missiles [ARMs]. As she was already out of SAMs, the Cole was ordered to EmCon A status (radar silence) in hopes of spoofing the Keglers. Luckily, the Cole was close enough to the San Antonio so that the LPD's Rolling Airframe Missile [RAM] defences were able to bring down the Keglers. With the air situation stabilized, the Predators were launched from Djibouti in hopes of finding the terrorist.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/6186/hy1ssm6pl.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hy1ssm6pl.gif)
A SeaHawk was also launched in hopes of getting better Airborne Early Warning. Without her long-ranged missiles, these attacks were becoming very dangerous unless better warning could be found. Her report was none too optimistic. Flights of MiG-29Es were soon detected along with an HY-1 Surface-to-Surface missile [SSM] battery. The ground strike missions could not engage the SSMs without first running the gauntlet of super-lethal Adder AAMs that the MiGs would likely carry. A real dilemma was presented. Sure enough, a Fulcrum came snooping around the TG and forced the SeaHawk to return to the deck or be shot out of the air.
Two missile boats were detected near Aden. The tank-busting A-10s from Djibouti were tasked to kill them. The aircraft from Diego Garcia were ordered to flatten the Socotra base in order to eliminate at least one threat axis. The Warthogs didn't even get halfway to their target when they and one Predator were suddenly blown out of the sky. There was something lethal in the air and there was no indication what it might be!
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/8964/socotrawcmd5pc.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=socotrawcmd5pc.gif)
Fortuitously, just as the strike elements were approaching Socotra, the MiGs that were detected on Combat Air Patrol [CAP] must have run low on fuel and turned to land. A perfect opportunity presented itself. The BuFFs [Big Ugly Fat "Fellows"] were ordered to try and silence this pesky island base. The F-15s released their AGM-130s and the B-52s timed their approach so that they could follow the big missiles in. It worked like a charm. The air defences were pre-occupied with the missiles and the BuFFs were able to slip in to kill the defending SA-3 and SA-6 batteries while also seriously damaging the base. However, she was still operational and would thereby require a second strike. The Cole also noticed that the other Fulcrums were heading back to their base at Al Ghaydah, too, so she elected to unleash her 24 TLAM in hopes of catching them on the ground. The TLAMs and the JSOW from B-1 Lancers flattened Al Ghaydah.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/9612/tlamghaydah6vt.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tlamghaydah6vt.gif)
With the air threat severely curtailed by the destruction of the Fulcrums, the Harriers were sent to smash the SSM battery. No self-respecting pilot would admit it, but everyone had a deep-seated respect for the nimble Russian fighters. Once free of their Air-to-Ground ordnance, the Eagle pilots turned their attention to the MiGs. They were able to bring down several before their AMRAAMs were exhausted and they had to return to Dee Gar.
The U-2 Dragon Lady could now search to her heart's content once she was relatively free from the MiG threat. As she traced the road between Al Ghaydah and Ataq, she quickly found a convoy of six trucks speeding towards the now-ruined Al Ghaydah. This MUST be the terrorist they were looking for! Immediately, the Marine helos were despatched from the San Antonio. The Super Cobras were quick to destroy the accompanying SAM unit so that the Marines in the assault element could surround the convoy and apprehend the terror mastermind. He surrendered meekly. Once he was in custody, the trucks were destroyed and the architect of the terror in Yemen was now on his way back to the United States for trial.
Thanks for another truly realistic and enjoyable scenario.
Check it out on:
http://img108.exs.cx/img108/5898/hgbanner33xr.jpg
HarpGamer.com (http://www.harpgamer.com) - Home of the HCDB.
SZO file archives (http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/downloads.php?do=cat&id=30) - Home of the Harpoon3 PlayersDB or at
http://img271.echo.cx/img271/7972/badger0ma.th.jpg
FilesOfScenShare (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/FilesOfScenShare/)
A Harpoon Classic scenario
By Brad Leyte
The civil war in Iraq has spawned a multitude of terrorist organizations and networks, eclipsing the old enemy Al Qaeda and fostering new predilections among Middle Eastern states. Yemen has since turned its back on the USA, refusing to continue the pursuit and prosecution of suspected terrorists operating in its territory. There are now in fact strong indications that Yemen is harboring and propping up the terror networks. In a strange but somehow gratifying twist of fate, the USS Cole has returned to the scene of the crime perpetrated against her, this time to exact justice from the terrorists.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/9303/vengeancestart0vn.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=vengeancestart0vn.gif)
"Revenge is a dish best served cold." Many years had passed since the Cole was bombed, but there were still many men aboard her who remembered that fateful day. When the Captain announced the mission to his crew, everyone could feel the electricity in the air. Every man swore an oath to himself. Today would be the day that the Cole balanced the books. It was Retribution day.
With only a 24hr. time frame for the operation, the aircraft from Diego Garcia were immediately sent aloft. I didn't have a target yet, but DG was a long ways off. Better to have them on hand and not needed, than call for them and find them still on the ground.
Without any airborne radar support, I ordered the Cole to radiate and try to give me a picture of the situation. I would simply have to trust in her Aegis defences to keep her safe. Immediately, reports were received of MiG-29s rising from the airfield on Socotra. Even these older versions of the famous Fulcrum were dangerous and, likely, more capable than the Harriers aboard the LPD San Antonio.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/3743/tigerkill8fp.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tigerkill8fp.gif)
Two F-5 Tigers were detected approaching the task group; one from Aden and the other from Socotra. I decided that the Harriers could engage these planes with a margin of safety. A lone Harrier was sent to intercept each. However, the Harrier flying towards Socotra received a nasty surprise. Three more Tigers were following the first. Hurriedly, two Harriers already loaded for Air-to-Ground missions were hastily launched. They jettisoned their ordnance and raced after the new threat and splashed them with AIM-9 Sidewinders before their victims even knew that they were in the area.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/1115/fencerattack8uw.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=fencerattack8uw.gif)
The attack from Socotra kept the Task Group occupied. A flight of Su-24 Fencers suddenly appeared from the direction of Al Ghaydah! The Tactical Action Officer [TAO] immediately declared, "Weapons Free! Air action North". Almost immediately, the Fencers released their first weapons, AS-12 Keglers. The last two Harriers were configured for Close Air Support [CAS], but they still had their Sidewinders on the rails so they were sent aloft to counter the Fencers. The TAO ordered them to intercept the AShM [Anti-Ship Missiles]. Along with the Standard SAMs from Cole, the raiders were peremptorily shot out of the sky. Unfortunately, all the assets had been committed and no reserves remained. So, when two Flogger Fs followed behind the Fencers, the TG had to rely solely upon the Cole's SAMs for protection. Both Floggers were brought down. Now I had to wonder if the SAM magazines were going to be sufficient.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/6026/socotraashms7eh.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=socotraashms7eh.gif)
Eight AShMs were suddenly detected from threat Axis [Socotra]. The launching platforms weren't even detected. The attack was defeated, but it soaked up the remaining long-range SAMs aboard Cole. Four Su-25 Frogfoots tried to sneak in behind the AShMs, but were detected and destroyed before they were able to release ordnance. Socotra was beginning to be a real Pain.
Right on the heels of this attack, four more Fencers appeared from the direction of Ataq. The Task Group was being buffeted by attacks from many directions sequentially. With no more air assets unavailable, the Fencers were able to close the distance unmolested and release their Anti-Radiation Missiles [ARMs]. As she was already out of SAMs, the Cole was ordered to EmCon A status (radar silence) in hopes of spoofing the Keglers. Luckily, the Cole was close enough to the San Antonio so that the LPD's Rolling Airframe Missile [RAM] defences were able to bring down the Keglers. With the air situation stabilized, the Predators were launched from Djibouti in hopes of finding the terrorist.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/6186/hy1ssm6pl.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=hy1ssm6pl.gif)
A SeaHawk was also launched in hopes of getting better Airborne Early Warning. Without her long-ranged missiles, these attacks were becoming very dangerous unless better warning could be found. Her report was none too optimistic. Flights of MiG-29Es were soon detected along with an HY-1 Surface-to-Surface missile [SSM] battery. The ground strike missions could not engage the SSMs without first running the gauntlet of super-lethal Adder AAMs that the MiGs would likely carry. A real dilemma was presented. Sure enough, a Fulcrum came snooping around the TG and forced the SeaHawk to return to the deck or be shot out of the air.
Two missile boats were detected near Aden. The tank-busting A-10s from Djibouti were tasked to kill them. The aircraft from Diego Garcia were ordered to flatten the Socotra base in order to eliminate at least one threat axis. The Warthogs didn't even get halfway to their target when they and one Predator were suddenly blown out of the sky. There was something lethal in the air and there was no indication what it might be!
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/8964/socotrawcmd5pc.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=socotrawcmd5pc.gif)
Fortuitously, just as the strike elements were approaching Socotra, the MiGs that were detected on Combat Air Patrol [CAP] must have run low on fuel and turned to land. A perfect opportunity presented itself. The BuFFs [Big Ugly Fat "Fellows"] were ordered to try and silence this pesky island base. The F-15s released their AGM-130s and the B-52s timed their approach so that they could follow the big missiles in. It worked like a charm. The air defences were pre-occupied with the missiles and the BuFFs were able to slip in to kill the defending SA-3 and SA-6 batteries while also seriously damaging the base. However, she was still operational and would thereby require a second strike. The Cole also noticed that the other Fulcrums were heading back to their base at Al Ghaydah, too, so she elected to unleash her 24 TLAM in hopes of catching them on the ground. The TLAMs and the JSOW from B-1 Lancers flattened Al Ghaydah.
http://img488.imageshack.us/img488/9612/tlamghaydah6vt.th.gif (http://img488.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tlamghaydah6vt.gif)
With the air threat severely curtailed by the destruction of the Fulcrums, the Harriers were sent to smash the SSM battery. No self-respecting pilot would admit it, but everyone had a deep-seated respect for the nimble Russian fighters. Once free of their Air-to-Ground ordnance, the Eagle pilots turned their attention to the MiGs. They were able to bring down several before their AMRAAMs were exhausted and they had to return to Dee Gar.
The U-2 Dragon Lady could now search to her heart's content once she was relatively free from the MiG threat. As she traced the road between Al Ghaydah and Ataq, she quickly found a convoy of six trucks speeding towards the now-ruined Al Ghaydah. This MUST be the terrorist they were looking for! Immediately, the Marine helos were despatched from the San Antonio. The Super Cobras were quick to destroy the accompanying SAM unit so that the Marines in the assault element could surround the convoy and apprehend the terror mastermind. He surrendered meekly. Once he was in custody, the trucks were destroyed and the architect of the terror in Yemen was now on his way back to the United States for trial.
Thanks for another truly realistic and enjoyable scenario.
Check it out on:
http://img108.exs.cx/img108/5898/hgbanner33xr.jpg
HarpGamer.com (http://www.harpgamer.com) - Home of the HCDB.
SZO file archives (http://www.strategyzoneonline.com/forums/downloads.php?do=cat&id=30) - Home of the Harpoon3 PlayersDB or at
http://img271.echo.cx/img271/7972/badger0ma.th.jpg
FilesOfScenShare (http://games.groups.yahoo.com/group/FilesOfScenShare/)