Yishten

Having read some of the Red details, I realize I must offer an apology. I failed to note and remember the details about Uragan fire director locations. Especially in the first wave of fires against the Harpoons, I suspect more targets were engaged than actually possible, which no doubt would have had an impact on the ultimate outcome. Mea culpa.

"On May 29, 1987, I, commanding Stoykiy, and my colleague, commanding Ladnyy, were escorting three merchant vessels to Kuwait City. At roughly 1100, we were traveling under minimal emissions with Stoykiy's Hormone aloft and searching at a distance from the convoy, at that time roughly 100 nm east of Manama. At this time, we began to pick up the signature of APS-115 emissions. By 1124, the Hormone pilot had reported visual identification of aircraft contrails approaching and was ordered to deactivate radar and return to Stoykiy; Stoykiy's 3D radar was activated at that time, with additional radars activated shortly thereafter, and this radar picked up an air contact presumed to be a P-3. When challenged, this aircraft identified itself as an Iranian aircraft, and I requested that it maintain a 25 nm perimeter to avoid unintended mishaps given the tense atmosphere resulting from recent attacks by Iranian forces on neutral shipping and convoys in the Persian Gulf. "At 1142 we began to pick up the signal of an active APQ-120, and given the context of this contact, we tentatively presumed this to be Iranian from Iranian F-4E aircraft. When we were able to pick up the specific contact on radar, I again repeated my request for identification and to maintain a 25 nm perimeter. This request received no response, though neither air contact approached the convoy at this time, and the presumed F4-E would depart by 1510 without further incident. "At 1412 we detected an incoming helicopter on radar; various characteristics suggested it to be an AB-204, which raised concern for a Babr-class vessel operating in the vicinity. This contact was also challenged for identification and asked to maintain a 25 nm perimeter; this contact also provided no response, and by 1430, despite repeated warnings that continued silence and approach would be viewed as indicative of hostile intent, the helicopter had approached to 15 nm from the convoy. However, the helicopter did not approach closely enough for visual identification before turning away, although unlike the previous presumptive F4-E contact, the helicopter qould only briefly move away, returning by 1545 whence it continued to linger at roughly 15 nm from the convoy. "At roughly 1550 we felt it safe to launch the Hormone again, with the intent to circle the convoy at altitude with radar emitting. However, no sooner had the Hormone reached altitude than its radar began picking up three surface contacts approaching on two different bearings. The vessels were challenged for identification and advised to maintain a 30 nm perimeter from the convoy, and again these requests were met with no response. Despite repeated warnings, the surface contacts continued to approach, and at 1603 they breached the stated 30 nm perimeter. In the context of recent events, including the helicopter contact well inside the 25 nm perimeter requested as well as the lingering P3-F self-identified as Iranian, the incoming surface contacts were deemed hostile. A limited barrage of one Moskit per vessel was launched, met nearly-simultaneously by two of the incoming vessels launching a spread of eight Harpoon missiles at our convoy. Based on this response, these two vessels were identified as probable Iranian Combattante IIBs, and based on the aforementioned helicopter contact's tentative identification, the third vessel was presumed to be a Babr-class vessel. "Confident that the single Moskit launched at each Combattante would prove sufficient, I ordered a total of four more Moskits fired at the presumptive Babr-class vessel staggered in two waves, based upon indicators that one or more of the earlier missiles were defeated. At the same time, I began to launch Uragan SAMs at the incoming Harpoon missiles, which fortunately proved ultimately sufficient to eliminate that threat. The result of the fired Moskits was that all surface contacts were apparently disabled as well. "At 1606, while the missile exchange was underway, we began to pick up radar signatures suggesting one or more F4-Es were approaching the convoy, and shorty thereafter the presumed AB-204 also began to approach. These approaching air contacts were met with further Uragan launches, and ultimately all attacking aircraft were disabled or destroyed. Later, the Iranian P3-F withdrew, and the convoy continued to Kuwait City without further incident. Neither the convoy nor escorts were damaged in the exchange, though 24 Uragans and 7 Moskits were fired. "I know there are some who will question the legality of declaring a perimeter around the convoy and considering it a hostile action to approach closer than that perimeter. However, recent weeks have seen neutral merchant and naval vessels operating in international waters coming under attack by Iranian forces despite the legal dilemma this poses. In this context, and in the context of approaching forces, tentatively identified as Iranian based upon operating characteristics and proximity, both temporally and spatially, to an identified Iranian aircraft, with such forces unwilling to identify themselves and expressing no complaint regarding the requested perimeter, I would have been derelict not to note the prospect of hostile intent. As events unfolded, it happened that this understanding of the intent was proven correct. "I consider it consistent with the best interpretation of my orders and, perhaps more importantly, of my duty as an officer of this navy to have used all methods and material at my disposal to safeguard the lives of the men and the integrity of the vessels under my care. Though I made every effort to not do so rashly, I felt it most appropriately to respond resolutely-- any failure to do so on my part would have exposed a ship or a sailor under my care to unnecessary potential harm." The above is something of a summary and a justification from the perspective of Stoykiy's captain. From the perspective of a player, most of the same rationale applies, with the addenda that translating the moral imperatives into game details meant that any damage to either Stoykiy or Ladnyy meant that a decisive victory was out (though such damage did not, directly, help Red much with achieving a victory for themselves). This meant that, even in a best case scenario, we in effect had to choose between basically giving up on the prospect of a decisive victory, or else be willing to fire upon Red without waiting for Red to take a definite hostile act, such as opening fire-- not that such would have been an appealing prospect anyway, as even if it did not directly impact victory conditions, damage to the escorts would decrease our ability to accomplish our primary mission. I had an appreciation for the Sovremenyy on paper, but seeing it in action helps to hammer home the fundamental effectiveness of the design. As CV32 pointed out elsewhere, Red had a tough job in front of them; I didn't appreciate, going into it, just how tough a job it was. I am not sure what the prior PBEM process was (I get the impression from the last scenario that using the forum for PBEM in this way is relatively new) but I think this process works very effectively indeed. I think a de facto protocol standardizing a method of signaling "here are orders" as was requested later in the game is not only reasonable but, at least in more-than-one-on-one scenario, probably a necessity. I apologize for any frustrations my failure to consistently implement one prior to that point caused. As I said after the last scenario, I think SimPlot Viewer is an excellent and effective tool for facilitating H4 play. It seems especially superior to a lot of other methods for PBEM purposes, and I can imagine it (though I have no firsthand experience of it) being effective in non-PBEM venues as well. I am tempted to learn how to use SimPlot from the other side of the table, and if I can figure it out, would be inclined to return the favor by running a scenario-- I have an appreciation of it as a tool from a player perspective, and I suspect I'd have a similar appreciation from a referee perspective.

I concur. Nicely played, and thank you all for the game. Also, especially thank you to kmart494 for running things.

Any evident air targets that are present or should appear momentarily should receive gun and Uragan fire-- 2 Uragans on any apparent aircraft (excluding H016 if it even qualifies as a target at this point), up to 4 Uragans on any missiles or other targets of opportunity. If no further targets become evident in the next 30-60s, I propose we get the merchants back on heading, move to take up positions (only this time with Ladnyy in front, Stoykiy in back), start the Hormone circling the convoy again at cruise speed (it should be able to stay aloft until roughly 1730, at which point I would bring it in), and return to convoy speed headed toward Kuwait. The idea would be to pass no closer than 28 nm to S011 without entering territorial waters of Saudi Arabia. On the off chance that A014 comes into range, I will fire Uragans at it. If other targets become apparent, we would need to reevaluate the situation. In list format: Fire Uragans -- 2 at any aircraft other than H016, up to 4 at any other air targets-- for the next 30-60 second. Fire guns at any targets in range, including H016 if it's not destroyed. Reform the convoy on heading with Ladnyy in front, Stoikiy in back. Circle the Hormone above the convoy at cruise speed until 1730, then land it. Keep radars on for now. Head at convoy speed toward Kuwait City, but stay at least 28 nm from S011 without entering Saudi territorial waters. On the off chance that we cannot stay at least 28 nm from S011, give it the last Moskit. If A014 comes into range, fire 3 Uragans at it, guns if feasible. If other contacts appear, we will reevaluate.

Shouldn't think there'd be any other way to know. But I was planning on firing 2 Uragans at them anyway on the assumption it'd be one more per aircraft at least, so it doesn't change much. May have shot one more than I need.

Ok. We'll leave the orders at 2 more Uragans at A015 1 more Uragan at H016

I've got more RoF available. Think I should throw 5 Uragans at it?

At this point, in this context, I think the cost of replacing missiles is less significant than the cost of taking damage. 2 more Uragans at A015. 1 more Uragan at H016. That's half my Uragans away, and hopefully no more significant air targets.

I mean, I feel a little bad that you haven't had the chance to shoot anything down. So I'm fine with whatever approach you want to take on either staying with the merchants or pulling up closer. I agree that I suspect the incoming flight is probably the last threat.

OK, so that's 15 total Uragans fired so far, correct? Incidentally, did any of the incoming missiles get taken out close enough to damage Stoykiy? The helo is slow. Let's prioritize hitting the F4-Es. So orders: Launch 4 more Uragans at A015 ASAP. Launch 2 Uragans at H016 simultaneously or as shortly thereafter as possible.

Well hell. I think I misread SimPlot earlier. Yeah, your math adds up. That's twice as many incoming missiles as I anticipated, and four times as many as I'd hoped for based on my earlier misreading. Given that wrinkle, one per missile to the limit of 6 works out. However, my quick math suggests the incoming missiles won't reach me for 1.5 more minutes, roughly. Since I think the RoF is a per-minute RoF, does that give me time to get more Uragans up to deal with remaining missiles? If so, I'd like to put one more Uragan on each surviving missile ASAP. Also, since I think this is the extent of the surface targets we'll be dealing with, I'd like to put 2 more Moskits onto S011 ASAP. The prior launch would have to have come from the port launcher, so I should still have some RoF left on the starboard launcher where the current missiles would come from. So orders: If my calculation is correct, I should have time to get one more set of Uragans up against surviving incoming missiles-- 1 per incoming missile-- prior to the missiles reaching my position. That is my intention. I want to launch 2 more Moskits at S011, these coming from the now-in-arc starboard launcher, ASAP. (By my count, that will be a total of 5 missiles launched at S011, one of which has already been resolved; total launches from port launcher are 3, total from starboard launcher would then be all 4). I still intend to fire on incoming missiles with guns, and on incoming air targets with Uragans and guns, as they come into range. To that end, assuming there's Uragan capacity left after assigning one more Uragan from the next salvo to each surviving incoming missile, I'd like to direct all remaining Uragans from that salvo's RoF at H016 which I believe is now in range.

Understood. I've made an effort, spottily, to try and separate and summarize orders. I shall put effort into being more diligent about it. As things stand, I believe a summary of the active orders (some already in process): Increase to 15 kts and come to 315T Launch 2 Moskits at S011 ASAP Launch Uragans at incoming missiles ASAP, at least 1 per missile, preferably 2 per missile if I can manage it. Fire all in arc guns at surviving missiles that come in range. Use decoys and jammers. In the unlikely event missiles bypass me, continue to fire guns. Launch 2 Uragans and fire all guns at every other air unit that comes in range. Send the Hormone 15 nm at FMP at 225T

Ah, that's a rule I hadn't noticed. Well, let's put the Uragans up ASAP. Thank you for bringing that to my attention. Let's accelerate to 15 kts.

OK, the Combattantes should be moot. S011 probably just got lucky, though I cannot rule out other possibilities. So instead of one additional Moskit launched against S011, I want to launch 2 more Moskits against that target, ideally before Harpoon impact (was I not able to get one up in the first fire phases of 1606.5 or 1607?-- even if not, I should have sufficient time, I think, with RoF, to get 2 off before impact), while otherwise sticking with my plan to wheel to 315T and launch Uragans at Harpoons when they come in range at 13.5 nm-- at least 1 per Harpoon, if I can get the aft launcher in arc, preferably 2 per Harpoon. I'll also fire the AK-130 and the AK-630 at any missiles that get close enough, and of course use my jammers and decoys. I intend to launch Uragans at H016 and/or A015 when they come to 13.5 nm as well, if RoF will allow it at that time, and I'll shoot at them with the AK-130 (and, if they get close enough, the AK-630 as well) if they come to those ranges.. A015 can be classified as a hostile F4-E, incidentally.

Nothing to worry about; no harm done.