IOPG

Panacea (Part 3 of 3)
Campaign 9 - The Third Gulf War
New World Order series
HDS3 IOPG Battleset
 
In the aftermath of the conflict with India and UBAN, it was believed that problems in the Middle East would settle at least a little. This proved to be a false hope. Dictatorial tendencies have surfaced in Yemen, this time with the full support of the New Soviet Confederation (NSC). Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, have come under threat once again. Saudi Arabia, devastated by the UBAN invasion and Soviet long-range air strikes, is slowly rebuilding itself thanks to the seemingly endless supply of oil beneath its desert sands. Without a fully restored and effective military, however, there is still a shortage of border control, especially in the less populated south. The unrest in Yemen has perpetrated raids by combatants there into Saudi Arabian territory, and there are indications that Yemeni government forces are planning to take control of what they call "abandoned Arab lands".
 
A NSC naval group is currently patrolling in the Arabian Gulf to block any attempt by the West to prevent combined Yemeni-NSC operations. Our own task force, centred around the French carrier De Gaulle, has transited the Suez and is enroute with a mission to eject the NSC from the Persian Gulf once and for all. (Released October 2000).

Operation Icy Viper (Part 2 of 3)
Campaign 9 - The Third Gulf War
New World Order series
HDS3 IOPG Battleset
 
In the aftermath of the conflict with India and UBAN, it was believed that problems in the Middle East would settle at least a little. This proved to be a false hope. Dictatorial tendencies have surfaced in Yemen, this time with the full support of the New Soviet Confederation (NSC). Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, have come under threat once again. Saudi Arabia, devastated by the UBAN invasion and Soviet long-range air strikes, is slowly rebuilding itself thanks to the seemingly endless supply of oil beneath its desert sands. Without a fully restored and effective military, however, there is still a shortage of border control, especially in the less populated south. The unrest in Yemen has perpetrated raids by combatants there into Saudi Arabian territory, and there are indications that Yemeni government forces are planning to take control of what they call "abandoned Arab lands".
 
As part of its vow to assist Yemen in "rebuilding Arab homelands" and "ousting undesirable elements", the NSC has launched attacks on the intervening GCC states. Some reinforcements, albeit limited, have arrived in the theater from the EU to provide territorial defence.

Boiling Point (Part 1 of 3)
Campaign 9 - The Third Gulf War
New World Order series
HDS3 IOPG Battleset
 
In the aftermath of the conflict with India and UBAN, it was believed that problems in the Middle East would settle at least a little. This proved to be a false hope. Dictatorial tendencies have surfaced in Yemen, this time with the full support of the New Soviet Confederation (NSC). Gulf states, especially Saudi Arabia, have come under threat once again. Saudi Arabia, devastated by the UBAN invasion and Soviet long-range air strikes, is slowly rebuilding itself thanks to the seemingly endless supply of oil beneath its desert sands. Without a fully restored and effective military, however, there is still a shortage of border control, especially in the less populated south. The unrest in Yemen has perpetrated raids by combatants there into Saudi Arabian territory, and there are indications that Yemeni government forces are planning to take control of what they call
"abandoned Arab lands".
 
Scenario 1 (NWG3I1) - Boiling Point (22 November 2001)
 
With Saudi Arabian military forces unable to effectively respond, the remaining Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations band together in an effort to quell Yemeni aggression. They do not have much of a choice - any assistance from the West will be some time in coming. (Released October 2000).

Kick Down the Door
EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman
 
This scenario is intended to investigate the challenges and difficulties posed by the currently ongoing Operation Enduring Freedom, that is, if only certain realities were different. In this scenario, which some might describe as worst case, Pakistan has refused to grant the USA access to its airspace, and furthermore, has allied with Afghanistan in the protection and sponsorship of the infamous terrorist Osama Bin Laden. (Released October 2001).

Back to Baghdad
EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman
 
It is late 2002, and the prospect of war in the Persian Gulf is once again considered very likely. The US has already deployed large forces to the theater in preparation for what looks to be an inevitable conflict with Iraq, and the buildup continues. The political landscape, however, is very different from what it was in 1991. Both Saudi Arabia and Turkey, key Coalition partners in Operation Desert Storm, have this time refused to permit American forces to deploy troops at their installations or launch offensive operations from their soil. A handful of Gulf nations, and a naval force centred around the ageing carrier USS Constellation, are presently the only platforms from which US and British forces may engage the enemy. If Saddam decides to act first, will it be enough ? (Released March 2003).

The Final Showdown
EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman
 
The demise of the European Federation last month was met with joy and celebration throughout the Allied powers of the world. A meaningful treaty is expected within weeks, with reparations and prisoner exchange to be negotiated over the next few months. In addition, the Allied victory in the East Indian Ocean a few weeks ago caused several Indian surface units to be handed over, including a Cochin-class carrier. This is now under Allied command guarding the Straits of Hormuz. This major victory was believed to signal the end of the upstart Near East Federation. The reverse, however, seems to have taken place. There are indications that the Arab situation has remained belligerent. Hardliners in the Arab faction are diehards and claim to be the true defenders of the Near East Federation. Not accepting the end of their European sponsorship nor the loss of Indian support, they have dug in their heels. Their policy is a fanatical last-stand position. In addition, a few renegade EuroFed hardliners have sequestered some capital ships, submarines and surface units. They have delivered them back into the hands of the Arab factions already in place, and are conducting a coordinated attack on the Allied interests in the Persian Gulf. Abu Dhabi is their primary target. Intelligence reports also show that they intend to attack any Allied long-range missile platforms approaching the area. This would indicate that the Tico SWP platforms are to be targeted. Equally in danger are amphibious units and the carriers. They should be provided with extra air and sea protection due to the volatile nature of the area and the fanaticism of these Arab factions.

East Indian Jewel
EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman
 
With the successful conclusion of Operation Jewel Thief, the Allied forces have secured Sri Lanka. They now have a launch point to control the East Indian Ocean, taking some of the pressure off Diego Garcia as being the supplying and staging base of future operations. Also included in this coup was the recapturing of several key British naval ships - amphibious units of the Ocean-class and Type 23-class frigates. The loss, however, of Surat Thani prompted the construction of a new naval base in a free zone established on the Malay penninsula. In a fitting gesture, this new port was named Surat Thani - a renaming in honor of the lives and equipment lost at the old base.

Operation Jewel Thief
EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman
 
The failure to neutralize Sri Lanka by wresting away the Federation control of the island has escalated the conflict in the East Indian Ocean. The Allies must try once again in Operation Jewel Thief. The Federation has now committed several destroyer and frigate scout and attack squadrons to the detail of taking out Surat Thani and the American amphibious force stationed there. There are intelligence reports that two carrier groups are also committed to the effort as well as several submarine units, one of which is reported to be an Echo II-class strike force armed with Sandbox cruise missiles. By eliminating the Allied amphibious threat at Surat Thani, it opens the sea lanes for a Federation freeway to the Chinese and Southeast Asian Federation allies. A sidenote to the recent conflict is an incident to be credited to the bizarre annals of military history - the Foch, a French Clemenceau-class carrier, found itself isolated after an engagement in the Northwest Indian Ocean and was surrounded by several Federation sub units, supported by a destroyer strike group - and a BCGN cruiser was approaching on the horizon. With her air units lost, destroyed or away on missions, the Foch found herself a sitting duck. A sizable portion of her crew, still sympathizers with the Federation, were threatening mutiny, while loyal Allied French sailors and officers found themselves in the position of give up their ship, fight a mutiny or take her down with all hands. Cooler heads prevailed. The captain of the Foch handed over the carrier in April, with all hands. A valuable French carrier once again found itself on the naval roster of the Federation.

The birth of the satellite – Near East Federation
EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman
 
Just when everything was looking better for the Allies, India joins the European Federation and several Arab States to form the Near East Federation. Intelligence estimates that its only a matter of time before China, and several South East Asian countries join up. Strangely enough, Vietnam remains decidedly neutral and even leaning toward Allied sympathies; the desire for western capital is clearly their priority. Japan and Thailand also remain steadfast supporters of the Allied cause. However, Malaysia and Indonesia are firmly sided with the new Near East Federation, bringing with them enormous oil reserves. Having India and the various Arab states joining the conflict brings the Federation huge numbers of naval and air units to their cause. This is an immense problem for the Allies, considering the fact that assets have been spread very thin. However, thanks to forward thinking by some of the air force and naval brass, there were recent air reinforcements added to Diego Garcia and Hufhuf, Saudi Arabia. Add to that a number of new carrier groups repositioning to the Indian Ocean with several new destroyer and cruiser squadrons forming, and also some Iowa-class BB's and Virginia-class CGN's around which to center some new strike groups; the odds are becoming somewhat better. In addition, the recent withdrawal of France from the European Federation last month brings a much-needed ally to the Allied forces.

EC2003 IOPG
 
This scenario pits Kilonum's BBGN Alaska monstrosity with JSF against Ed Ladner's CVN North Carolina also with JSF. A small scenario with scores of missiles to fire. (Released July 2006).

EC2003 IOPG
 
The Middle East has seen many shifts in alliances and political friendships over the years. Recently, Iran has become increasingly hostile to many of its neighbors in the region, which it describes as "puppets of the West." After the U.A.E. openly criticized Iran about its policies and suggested OPEC take action against Iran for its support of groups like Hamas, Iranian leaders threatened that the U.A.E. would pay for its "treachery." (Released June 2006).

Now, 25 years after the Osiraq raid, Israel once again faces a monumental decision about the value of pre-emption. Iran is pressing ahead with nuclear research despite broad international opposition and concern about it possibly acquiring nuclear weapons. The Iranian leader has called for Israel to be "wiped off the map". Its time to wake that old god of the dead. (Released February 2006).

Nicobar Vengeance (Battle Ocean 1990 series)
EC2003 IOPG
 
A few years in the future ... Friction has been growing between Indonesia and its neighbors. Among other issues, Indonesia claims that other nations have been illegally fishing in its waters while other nations accuse Indonesia of not doing enough to reduce piracy. Four days ago, an Indonesian submarine in the waters between the Nicobar islands and Sumatra sunk an Indian merchant that it mistook for a commercial fishing boat. Sixteen Indian sailors were killed in the incident. (Released January 2006).

EC2003 IOPG
 
Iran's stubborn refusal to submit to the authority of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) with regard to its nuclear program led to its emergency reference to the UN Security Council. Resolutions aimed at sanctioning Iran and leaving the door open for further action were vetoed by both Russia and China. The EU3 (France, Germany and the UK) and the United States nevertheless pressed ahead with their cooperative efforts to find a way to bring punitive action against Iran. The debacle in Pakistan, however, badly aggravated the situation. US intelligence discovered (thanks to a tip from the Mossad) that Pakistan had covertly assisted in the escape of mastermind Osama bin Laden across the border into Iran, and that the Al Qaida mastermind was now rebuilding its terror camps with the help of Tehran. The apparent link between terrorism and the Iranian nuclear program was too much for the EU/US coalition to accept, and the wheels were put into motion to put a stop to Iran's nuclear ambitions. Russia, China and Pakistan denied there was sufficient evidence of any such link, and vowed to oppose any aggression against Iran that had no Security Council support. (Released January 2006).

EC2003 IOPG
 
Chinese political influence over the path of the Asian Super Highway has threatened plans for the future expansion of Indian trade ties in Indochina. China has convinced Bangladesh and Myanmar that their economic interests would be better served by linking Chittagong with a trilateral road network with Myanmar and Kunming in China. While the Super Highway is being purpose built to advance multilateral commerce, China has been keen to extract military advantages. There is strong Indian opposition to the Chinese "meddling" in plans that they had already believed finalized. In reply, the PRC has followed up on its political pressures by convincing both Bangladesh and Myanmar to participate in high level "joint" military exercises on very short notice. (Released January 2006).

EC2003 IOPG
 
Chinese political influence over the path of the Asian Super Highway has threatened plans for the future expansion of Indian trade ties in Indochina. China has convinced Bangladesh and Myanmar that their economic interests would be better served by linking Chittagong with a trilateral road network with Myanmar and Kunming in China. While the Super Highway is being purpose built to advance multilateral commerce, China has been keen to extract military advantages. There is strong Indian opposition to the Chinese "meddling" in plans that they had already believed finalized. In reply, the PRC has followed up on its political pressures by convincing both Bangladesh and Myanmar to participate in high level "joint" military exercises on very short notice. (Released October 2005).

EC2003 IOPG
 
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. (Released October 2005).

EC2003 IOPG
 
A few years in the future ... For reasons which are not entirely clear, Indonesia has invaded and occupied part of the Nicobar islands. Normally, the United States would leave the matter to India, but by unhappy coincidence, the Indonesians chose to invade while an American film company was on Car Nicobar shooting scenes for a movie. In the confusion of battle, there were a number of American casualties, including two popular young American starlets (one of them a friend of the President's own children and a frequent visitor to the White House). A few days later, an amateur video showing the bodies of Americans killed in the attack surfaced on the Internet. To make matters worse, the Indonesians have refused to release those Americans who survived the attack; the Indonesians are holding them as hostages to prevent American involvement in the conflict. With American public opinion inflamed, the President has little choice but to act. Whether the Indians like it or not, America will be taking the Nicobar Islands back for them. (Released October 2004).