Scenario Background:
Running on empty.
China's declared exclusion zone and subsequent attacks on ships has caused shipping insurance companies to stop offering insurance to any ship that comes within 500 miles of the conflict area. The consequence of this is that Japan is down to two weeks worth crude oil and natural gas. The only solution the Japanese have been able to come up with is for the government to buy several ULCC's, and LNG carriers and have the JMSDF operate them. These ships must reach the Tokyo area for unloading as soon as possible.
Blue Orders:
SITREP:
The JMSDF has sent a large escort group to the Malacca Straits to escort vital oil and LNG tankers to Japan. Some US assistance will be available to your escort group from Clark Field and Anderson AFB. Major PLAN surface assets have retired to ports in the East China Sea for repairs and re-supply. The only available US carrier is committed to patroling the eastern portion of the Yellow Sea to prevent sorties by PLAN surface assets. Most military assets of allied nations in the South China Sea were destroyed in the opening phases of this conflict.
The threat to your convoy from the PLAAF and PLAN air and submarine assets is considered to be extreme. Expect large numbers of sorties from all PRC airbases during your transit.
Orders:
Proceed by the fastest possible route through the South China Sea enroute to Tokyo. The survival of your command and the merchant ships you are escorting is vital to the conduct of the war.