pmaidhof

Just Shipwreck, no plotter this time. Had 4x F/A-18C with 4x AIM-120 and 2x AIM-9M each detect and jump 4x MiG-29 with 4x AA-10 and 2x AA-11, which unfortunately for them did not detect the hornets. Each hornet loosed an AIM-120 and got three hits. The solitary MiG-29 broke for home. This small scenario played in about 10-15 minutes this evening.

Natural sunlight with these most recent, most came out ok. I like the shadows under the F/A-18's. Open to suggestions on a color for these cockpit glass - keeping in mind that these are 1/6000. I think it would add something.

This episode was decent, although again could have been done in 30-40 minutes. The last guy G. Cohen was a wildman.

Bunker Hill CG Arleigh Burke Flight IIa DDG USS Kearsarge LHD-3 Kearsarge Expeditionary Strike Group 2x LCACs at 1/6000....very tiny. An over the horizon amphibious assault in the making...where are my Ospreys! A gaggle of CH-46 Frogs, I can honestly say the last CH-46 has been born. A section of AH-1W Cobras (Snakes) A section of A-6E from previous batch A section of F/A-18E/F A solitary CH-53E Hog. USS Whitbey Island, LSD-41

Played a complete strike today. 4x A-7E, 2x strikers and 2x SEAD. Target was a power station. Area defense by an SA-6b battery at a local airfield. Airfield Early Warning Radar detected the package at around 10 miles. My SEAD aircraft each loosed an AGM-88 HARM. During the HARM flight, the EWR passed down the contact to the Gainful battery. Before its ability to launch, the HARM's slam into the battery resulting in a 2D and Suppression, the raid progresses toward its target. In two turns, the SAM battery comes back online. EWR was unsuccessful in passing down the contact again, but the battery was successful in an independent lock-on. Once again before it could launch a missile volley, the SEAD Corsairs launched two more HARMs. Due to the short range, the ARMs reached the SAM battery in that very turn resulting in 2x 2D, which overkilled the SAM battery which only needed one more D to be destroyed. With the main threat now eliminated the striking Corsairs reached their release point 1 hex from the target and dropped a total of 8 Mk82 500lb bombs. A poor die roll resulted in only a D, but that will have to wait for the RF-14 or whatever else would fly a BDA reconnaissance mission in the mid-80's.

Spruance VLS, A. Burke Flt IIa, Wasp (LHD), LCACs, F-18s, AH-1Ws, CH-46s, CH-53s all assembled and mounted last weekend, hopefully pics up this weekend. Some russian ships, and a number of russian aircraft, along with some duplicate LHD's still to be painted.

OK, lets try again. Dogfights : Desert Aces Airs on Friday August 10 09:00 PM The Israeli air force mastered the use of the Mirage III over decades of intense air combat with its neighbors. Go into battle with Israel's ace of aces, Giora Epstein as he takes on a swarm of Egyptian MiG-21s in one of the most thrilling dogfights of the jet age. State-of-the-art computer graphics are used to recreate famous battles. First-hand accounts, rare archival footage and original shooting will make the viewer feel like they're in the battle facing the enemy.

The August 2007 edition of Proceeding has an article; Mines in Ports: A Serious Threat, By Arthur Cappabianca - "If airliners can be used as weapons by jihadists unqualified to land them, what is stopping the same people from wreaking havoc on ports with sea mines?" Unfortunately for non-subscribers it is not available in the online content at their website usni.org

Yeah, suppose I could meet that.

As an aside, what are the system requirements for Fighters Anthology, I'm sure relatively low as it is an older program. I'd like to "fly" on one of these missions with you guys. I'd hate for another SH3-like multi-player game snafu (on my part of course). This is the one that you did not want to hijack!

Russia bombers resume Cold War sorties Flights to Guam intended to showcase Moscow’s resurgent military prowess The Associated Press Updated: 10:52 a.m. ET Aug 9, 2007 MOSCOW - Russian bombers have flown to the island of Guam — home to a major U.S. military base — for the first time since the Cold War in an exercise intended to show the Kremlin’s resurgent military power, an air force general said Thursday. Two Tu-95 bombers reached Guam, a U.S. territory, this week, and their crews smiled at the pilots of the U.S. fighter jets that scrambled to intercept them, said Maj. Gen. Pavel Androsov. “Whenever we saw U.S. planes during our flights over the ocean, we greeted them,” Androsov said. “On Wednesday, we renewed the tradition when our young pilots flew by Guam in two planes. We exchanged smiles with our counterparts who flew up from a U.S. carrier and returned home.” The flight to the Pacific island was part of a three-day exercise that saw Russian strategic bombers making 40 sorties and launching eight cruise missiles, said Androsov, who commands Russia’s long-range bomber force. The incident coincided with a weeklong exercise by the U.S. military off Guam involving more than 22,000 troops, dozens of ships and hundreds of aircraft. U.S. officials have said that the war games, which began Tuesday, were not connected in any way to world events or targeted at any country. During the Cold War, Soviet bombers routinely flew far over the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans — the areas from where they would launch nuclear-tipped cruise missiles at the United States in case of war. The maneuvers came to a halt after the post-Soviet economic meltdown, but booming oil prices have allowed Russia to pour money into military budgets. Chilly relations The Kremlin also has taken an increasingly assertive posture on the international stage amid increasingly chilly relations with the United States and NATO. In recent years, the military has sent strategic bombers to areas off Norway and Iceland, as well as the regions across the Bering Strait from Alaska. Last month, two Russian Tu-95 bombers briefly entered British airspace but turned back after British fighter jets intercepted them. Norwegian F-16s were also scrambled when two Tu-95s headed south along the Norwegian coast in international airspace. Russia’s top naval officer, meanwhile, said earlier this month that the navy could revive a permanent presence in the Mediterranean, as in Soviet times. Find MSNBC/AP article here

As an aside, what are the system requirements for Fighters Anthology, I'm sure relatively low as it is an older program. I'd like to "fly" on one of these missions with you guys. I'd hate for another SH3-like multi-player game snafu (on my part of course).

Conducted the approach of two sections of A-7E's last night, a replay of the attack on the powerstation, only this time with a SEAD element. The aircraft are using Terrain Following Flight (TFF) and have just entered detection range of the SA-6b battteries EWR and TTR. I intend to have the SEAD planes pop up and launch a HARM or two. I came to a realization late last night talking with Frank (Brains) that the HARM range was multiples of what I thought it was in my brain housing group - I was stuck on its minimum range. After this run through, I'll look at trying the SEAD element coming in earlier, and at a higher altitude so that it can engage earlier, looking for suppression and thus allowing the strikers to get in and get out during that suppression.

I doubt it, at least in the case of some warning from the attacking missile, as ARM's generally employ passive seekers. I'd say in most cases, the first warning that a SAM system crew has about an incoming ARM is when they actually detect the attacking aircraft or its anti-radar missile with their own radar, or alternatively, when a neighboring radar or SAM site suddenly and unexpectedly goes off the air. It seems the method of turning SAM radars on and off in an attempt to avoid coming under attack has generally been rather haphazard. Thanks again Brad. Using the the Air Strike rule set, the fidelity is a bit sharper, don't know if its more accurate or not, just individual aircraft conducting maneuvers, launching ordnance, hex scale at about 1/3 mile - these questions come up.

Airport named for WWII ace Pappy Boyington Posted : Thursday Aug 9, 2007 5:48:03 EDT COEUR D’ALENE, Idaho — After more than a year of debate, the local airport has been renamed to honor the late Gregory H. “Pappy” Boyington, one of the most decorated U.S. military pilots in World War II. Marines Corps veterans shouted “oo-rah” in joy and thanks after Kootenai County commissioners voted 2-0 to approve the name Coeur d’Alene Airport-Pappy Boyington Field. Area Marine Corps veterans pushed for the renaming, calling the Medal of Honor recipient a “hero’s hero” whose name on the north Idaho airport could draw more attention to history and military veterans. “He’s a reason why we’re not speaking Japanese or German today,” Commissioner Rich Piazza said. Commission Chairman Rick Currie said the Airport Advisory Board, which consists of pilots and business representatives, unanimously opposed the change because they believed it could cause confusion and raise safety concerns with pilots. When a Federal Aviation Administration official was asked about accidents at other airports that have a name other than the location, “he knew of none,” Tondee countered. “There are tons of [such airports[ all over the U.S.” The Marine Corps League Pappy Boyington Detachment 966 has agreed to pay the cost, perhaps $1,000, to replace airport signs and maybe add a memorial to Boyington. The previous county commission never acted on an initial request to honor Boyington, infuriating many veterans and attracting some national attention, including from the Distinguished Flying Cross Society and news pundit Oliver North. Many believe the inaction may have had to do with Boyington’s postwar years of fighting and drinking. The proposal gained momentum after Piazza and another commissioner were elected and took office in January. Boyington grew up in Coeur d’Alene, St. Maries and Tacoma, Wash., before becoming one of the nation’s most decorated military fliers. He was credited with shooting down 26 planes in the Pacific theater during World War II and was commanding officer of the famed Black Sheep Squadron. Boyington was shot down on his last combat mission and spent 20 months as a prisoner of war in Japan. After the war ended, he joined his mother and stepfather in Okanogan, Wash., then moved to California and became an executive at a brewery and later at an aerospace parts manufacturer. He died in 1988 at age 75 in Fresno, Calif. Find Marine Corps Times article here.

Industry has big hopes for Fire Scout UAV By Zachary M. Peterson - Staff writer Posted : Thursday Aug 9, 2007 8:14:18 EDT The “flexibility” of the Northrop Grumman-built Fire Scout unmanned helicopter could see its mission sets expanded in the future from surface warfare, antisubmarine warfare and mine warfare to include special operations, humanitarian relief and other missions, an industry official said he hopes. The MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical-takeoff-and-landing unmanned aerial vehicle is being designed to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance for the Navy’s new Littoral Combat Ships’ three mission modules, designed for surface warfare, antisubmarine warfare and mine warfare. The drone can spend up to five hours on station at a range of 110 nautical miles with a 600-pound lift capacity. The system conducted its first flight in December 2006 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md. The Fire Scout is more than 9 feet tall, weighs more than 3,000 pounds and can travel at speeds greater than 125 knots. The Fire Scout’s first operational evaluation will take place next year, said Mike Fuqua, Northrop’s business development director for the drone. Speaking Wednesday at an industry conference in Washington, he said that commanders will decide on full production by fiscal 2009. But the Fire Scout is not limited to the existing LCS requirements, Fuqua said. He said he sees the mission set “expanding” for the unmanned helicopter. Additional mission payloads could include “denied logistics” for special operations forces behind enemy lines. This concept involves using a Fire Scout to deliver supplies to troops in the field using Global Positioning System coordinates. When the drone landed, the troops would unload what they need and press a button to send the Fire Scout back to its ship or base. Medical supply, and even evacuations, could also be coordinated this way, Fuqua said. “No one’s talked to us yet about bringing someone out [of the battlefield] yet,” he said, “but I’m sure it’s in the future.” Fuqua said the Fire Scout has enough power and onboard capacity to carry a person but wasn’t designed to transport personnel. Moreover, contractors say they hope the Fire Scout could help aid maritime interdiction operations, humanitarian and disaster relief missions, and even fulfill some of the Coast Guard’s coastal patrol requirements, Fuqua said. Weaponization is also in the drone’s future. Northrop and the Navy conducted the first live-fire test in 2005 and the MQ-8B has wing stubs built for mounting weapons. The ability to target and fire on swarming boat threats is especially appealing to the Navy, Fuqua argued. The versatility of the Fire Scout platform includes the possibility of using the drone on other ships. The Navy has requirements for Fire Scout on LCS and, further down the line, on DDG-1000-class destroyers. Navy acquisition czar Delores Etter said Tuesday that Fire Scout could potentially be used on other ships. Fuqua said that the Arleigh Burke-class destroyers are, in his opinion, the best ships to use Fire Scout because the drone complements the ships’ SH-60 Seahawk helicopters, he said. “The Navy will never buy enough SH-60s,” he argued. “So when you’re protecting an expeditionary strike group, there’s a big benefit to having the [intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance] and targeting capabilities of Fire Scout.” Northrop is working to “stimulate that interest” within the Navy to consider using the drone on other ships, according to Fuqua. He said San Antonio-class amphibious transport dock ships could possibly deploy Fire Scouts. He noted that Fire Scout will compete for the Marine Corps’ “Tier III” UAV platform in the 2010 timeframe. “Fire Scout would do well basing onboard [LPD-17] — it would fit easily,” he said. Find Navy Times article here. [Me:We have toyed with this UAV in the H4 LCS scenarios.]

Excellent question. I really don't know, but my gut feeling is no. After all, HARMs have broadband seekers (more recently with a "home on jam" mode) and are regularly mounted in conjunction with jamming pods aboard the EA-6B Prowler and will be aboard the EA-18G Growler. Thanks Brad, that is what I thought, just wanted to hear some other opinions. As a corollary, do SAM units have some variation of ESM such as a RWR to detect when they may be detected by radar or "locked" on by an Anti-radiation missile, i.e. what would prompt a SAM crew to power-down the radar other than by visually spotting a threatening aircraft?

Would use of an active jamming pod preclude the use of an anti-radiation missile from the same or co-located aircraft?

In a learning scenario using the Air Superiority/Air Strike rules set, focussing on Air to Ground and SAM's, I ran a section of 2x A-7E on a level-bombing strike against a power plant. The Corsairs used "Terrain Following Flight" on their approach. It became a race against time as the A-7's were detected by an SA-6B battery, defending a local airbase, during the Corsair's final approach. The battery let loose a pair of missiles using volley fire. The A-7's detected the Target Tracking Radar and declared themselves engaged so that they could employ counter measures. They were able to use chaff to seduce one missile but the other struck and destroyed one of the A-7's. The mission was defeated, mission-kill for the OPFOR, as when an aircraft declares itself "engaged" it cannot conduct any other attacks. It was fun to finally have the time to push counters. It really helps drive home the lessons read over and over in the rule book. Logical next step is to focus of Anti-radiation missiles, and the SEAD mission to go along with the strikers.

Yup, and notice the story was from a Navy Times staff writer ! Yeah, but they're a bunch of pansies too!

I truely believe that the Air force has a PR machine only rivaled by the one that President Truman "accused" the USMC had/has.

Marines experience Brit style on ‘Lusty’ By Vago Muradian - Staff writer Posted : Monday Aug 6, 2007 5:36:26 EDT ABOARD THE HMS ILLUSTRIOUS — What’s the definition of heaven if you’re a Marine Harrier pilot? Why, spending two weeks on one of Britain’s aircraft carriers, of course. “What’s not to like? The flying’s awesome, the food and quarters are great, and you can get a drink at the end of the day,” said Maj. Stephan “Poppy” Bradicich, the executive officer of Marine Attack Squadron 542 who helped plan the unprecedented embarkation of 16 Harriers and 200 Marines aboard HMS Illustrious, known as “Lusty” to its crew. Slideshow Aboard the HMS Illustrious The largest-ever embark of Marine personnel and aircraft aboard a foreign warship July 15-31 was part of Joint Task Force Exercise Operation Bold Step 07-02 that included the Harry S. Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower strike groups, to prepare Truman for its upcoming deployment. The accommodations and food drew high marks from the Marines. They enjoyed everything from curry night to such traditional Royal Navy dishes as “hammy eggy cheesy” — toast layered with shredded ham, an egg and covered with melted cheese — and kippered herrings along with eggs, bacon and beans for breakfast, or haggis and bashed neeps — mashed turnips — for dinner. The ship even features “Chips at Six” — fresh french fries served in the bar before dinner. Other pluses? A roomy, teak quarterdeck aft to take a quiet break or take in a sunset, beautifully varnished wooden ladders and generous carpeting — which are stripped when the ship goes into battle — and Internet connectivity that works every time. But one of the most satisfying things is that the ship is a strike carrier where Harriers, not helicopters, are the priority. “This is the Royal Navy’s A team, and they live and breathe strike,” said Col. Eric “Beans” Van Camp, the commanding officer of Marine Aircraft Group 14, who also commanded the U.S. air group aboard Illustrious. “On a gator, the Harriers are secondary to the amphibious and helicopter mission.” Then there is the piece de resistance, the 20-foot-long blond oak bar that is the centerpiece of a spacious lounge, part of the wardroom annex where off-duty officers can draw a pint, dram, cocktail, coffee or tea and reflect on the day and prepare for tomorrow. “Everyone’s working really hard, but it’s also OK to relax afterward with a beer, within the rules we live by,” Van Camp said. “The challenge is maintaining that balance between mission and safety.” If you’re flying the next day, you’re not drinking, nor are you staying up late, Bradicich said as he sipped a soft drink. “It’s a great tool that we don’t have,” Bradicich said. “On our ships, there’s no place where you can really unwind, get to know your shipmates on a personal level, and solve disagreements. Our view is that if you have free time, you should be doing something other than hanging around. Here, everyone works just as hard, but they also know how to unwind. It’s a huge philosophical difference.” That philosophical difference manifests in the relaxed atmosphere aboard the ship, including the relationship between officers and ratings — British for enlisted personnel. Case in point? Expect a cheery “good morning” as you make your way down the passage or an offer for help if you look lost. And in a welcome relief for the American contingent, the 1MC system doesn’t crackle with announcements 24 hours a day, and the officers don’t carry radios to contact one another or the captain. “When you have a third of the ship asleep at any given time, it doesn’t make much sense to be waking them by blaring unnecessary announcements every few minutes,” one British officer said. In fact, the only announcement is from the operations center that details the day’s plan and tests important alarms. The only other time you hear the loudspeaker is when there’s a problem, such as a fire or engineering casualty. And why don’t the officers carry radios like their American counterparts? “What the bloody hell do you need a radio for?” the British officer asked. “You know the plan, what the captain’s intentions and expectations are. As an officer, your job is to lead, and if you need to talk to the captain all the time, then you’re not doing your job or letting him do his.” Another philosophical difference is that the British are open to ideas that to Americans seem goofy, but work, such as the 12-degree ramp at the bow of the ship that dramatically improves Harrier operations. Senior U.S. naval officers over the decades have vetoed the idea, saying they don’t like how it looks and that it takes up three helicopter landing spots. British and Marine officers say only one deck spot is lost to the “ski jump.” To a man, Marine pilots want the ramps installed on their ships to improve operational flexibility and safety. “We’re all in love with the ski ramp because when you come off that ramp, you’re flying,” Bradicich said. “From our ships, if you’re fully loaded, you need 750 feet, and even then you’ve got some sink once you clear the deck. Here, you can do the same thing in 450 feet and you’re climbing.” But the ramp is intimidating at first sight, pilots said. “I expected it to be violent, but when you take off, it’s almost a non-event,” said Maj. Grant “Postal” Pennington, a pilot with VMA-513 at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma, Ariz. “Up you go, and you’re climbing. It’s a great experience.” Equally important is the ship that’s bolted to the ramp, pilots said. “Some of our younger guys who haven’t flown from our ships yet are in for a big surprise when they do,” Bradicich said. “This is probably the best ship you could possibly fly a Harrier from. It’s not very big, but it’s really stable, no roll, just a little pitch, not like the flat-bottom gators that roll so much. You’ve got the island moving 30 feet in each direction when you’re trying to land. That tends to get your attention.” The combination of ski ramp, stability and dedicated crew contributed to a breakneck operational pace. The Marines proudly logged a ship record 79 takeoffs and landings in one day. “These guys are great. We’ve qualed 28 guys in three days, most with eight landings and takeoffs, so even though we said that we were going to crawl, walk, run, our pace has been tremendous, even with different procedures,” Pennington said. “We like to approach the ship at 45 degrees and hit one of the spots, but they approach from dead astern, come to a hover abeam, slide over, then drop down to the deck. It’s different, but you get the hang of it.” The only downside? “The thought that we’re going to have to get off,” Bradicich said. A Royal Navy welcome To welcome the Marines aboard, the ship’s company invited their American guests to an evening of traditional Royal Navy tomfoolery, Horse Racing Night. Outlandish costumes were encouraged, and the event, held in the ship’s hangar deck July 21 because of choppy weather, was hosted by an Elvis impersonator in full polyester regalia as the ship’s band played. The next day, an athletic competition was held on Illustrious’ flight deck, pitting the Royal Navy against the Marine Corps in six events: rowing; weightlifting; tractor pull; the standard Royal Navy physical fitness, or “beep,” test; shuttle run with two 40-pound sandbag weights; and a tug of war. To the Marines’ chagrin, the Brits won all the events except for weightlifting. In a more military contest, the Marine aircraft dropped dummy bombs and fired 20mm rounds against a target towed by Illustrious that produces a geyser of water and serves as an aim point. Sailors expressed confidence that the Marines wouldn’t hit the target, and despite several close calls — including a mock bomb attack by one of the youngest pilots, 1st Lt. Douglas “Rosie” Rosenstock — that lifted it out of the water, the target escaped unscathed. Find Navy Times article here

"On May 7, eight P-47s each dropped two 1,000-pound bombs on a 650-foot-long steel rail bridge over the Seine at Vernon. The bridge was demolished. Now, even the sharpest critics of bridge-bombing held their tongues. As May drew to a close, more low-level attacks by P-47s, B-26s, and other attack craft dropped bridge after bridge." P.56 Air Force Magazine/August 2007. Was it simply a function of the defense that cause so many strikes to fail on that Paul-Something bridge in North Vietnam before they dropped it with LGB's?

Yery interesting read Brad. Plenty of fodder for scenario's - just like we like it.

Thanks Brad...welcome back. I just scanned it, I look forward to reading tomorrow at the office.