February 27, 201115 yr File Name: Task Force 77 File Submitter: CV32 File Submitted: 27 Feb 2011 File Category: WestPac DB Used: HCCW-110222 Authors: Brad Leyte Battleset-WPac: .scq - WPac - WestPac Task Force 77 A Harpoon Commanders Edition (HCE) scenario for the Westpac Battleset and the HCE Cold War Database (HCCW-110222 or later). This scenario is intended for play by the BLUE side only. In April 1975, with the North Vietnamese tightening their stranglehold on South Vietnam and their army closing on Saigon, the Americans assembled a large naval force to assist in the evacuation of American civilians and Vietnamese refugees deemed to be at risk when the entire country eventually fell to the NVA. In this scenario, the Soviets launch a much more overt effort to support the North in the closing days of their campaign, seeking to ensure their own grip on Cam Ranh Bay and the vital sea lanes of the Western Pacific. The administration in Washington, red faced from the Watergate scandal and looking for diversions, turns to face the Communist threat once more. This scenario is dedicated to Anthony Eischens, an F-14 fan and a champion of the game we love. Click here to download this file
March 1, 201115 yr ***SPOILER ALERT****** AAR TaskF77, an HCE scenario by 'CV32' Situated and time toward the 'close' of the Vietnam conflict. Opened the game in pause (cluck cluck) to have a look around and get familiar with some of the ships and planes of this 'Cold War' database scenario. Checking against thorough orders appropriate courses are already set for naval groups with AFS requiring a decision as to destination at end of currently set course and AHS requiring further course laid out to reach Saigon. Air bases Karat and Saigon appear likely to suffer air attacks from nearby enemy bases, re-equip landed A7s with ARMs for an initial SEAD op and make staff reminder. Do a 'Save as' to set the saved game name to TaskF77, check game settings.. We have three days to go ........ Set the clock ticking. 21:23 Set a recon Phantom patrol from Karat north 550 n.m. Ferry some extra phantom fighters Karat to Saigon, may be needed to escort out the civilians (also guessing Saigon will get heavier air attacks than Karat) Start doing the rounds getting reports of local air defences patrols. 21:24 Set fighter CAPs close in east of Saigon outside of Cam Rahn Bay SAM range. Set fighter CAPs east of Karat set AEW patrol east of Karat Ferry one air tanker Saigon to Karat (some Karat based attack units will need a drink mid air. Set an air tanker on patrol close in west of Saigon (in case) 21:30 Carrier group Enterprise (AEC): minor change to DD placements giving a tighter formation, put out ASW choppers ringing 180 deg about current northerly course, and a pair of Tomcats CAP to the north. One each Hawkeye AEW and Prowler EW (keeping some prowlers for first offensive move) 21;33 The prowler is airborne and picking up (ESM) SA-6, SA-5 and Mig 23 around Cam Rahn Bay (ZZb). Those sam are my first target. Lauch strike 4 A7 (shrike armed) with 2 Tomcat escort against land units Zzb. Launch EW escort (two prowler, angled to A7's strike path, each with their own Tomcat) Send out fast Vigilante recon to surface group AFS currently picking up Coral Sea survivors More Mig 23s and a mig 25 picked up ESM, send in three separate flights of single Tomcats and maintain watch on enemy movements toward Saigon. 21;37 exact fixes on Zzb air patrols. 21;42 set intermittent radar for Enterprise AEW patrol and set ACM (radar) enterprise EW patrol. 21;44 Set ECM active two EW escorts Three Osa deetected visual by A7 strike groups, 77 mile NW Enterprise, Osa speed heading indicating attack on Enterprise group, re-route A7s and F14s around Osas, launch four A7s (precision) ASUW strike on Osas. A7s closest to Osa engage radar to attempt to cause radar emissions and ARM target, but their not obliging. A7s go into enemy SAM range, radar off. 21;47 ASUW strike group go to military The US Navy's second submarine design (after USS Tullibee) to incorporate a turbo-electric powerplant, the USS Glenard Peed and light up radar, enemy CAP vectored on intercept course, reassign one tomcat. 21;51 Four Phoenix away, Tomcat (ATA) lights up radar. Proceeds to sparrow range on intercepting Mig 25s. ASUW strike group requests weapon release without exact target fix, re assign attack point and go to medium alt. 21;52 splash one Mig, ATA recalled for fear of SAM SA5), Tomcat escort (ARA) assigned remaining MIG, 3 phoenix away, radar guidance activated. More enemy CAPs vectoring for intercept, assign tomcats, A7s get exact fix on three Osa, weapon release. Splash second MIG. 22;53 All walleye miss osas, four A7s (GP) assigned attack, unsuccessful A7s return home. 21;54 two mig25 in aam range, four phoenix away, no hits, last phoenix and sparrows away, tomcat and escorted A7s turn home and run. Nearby Tomcat supports with two phoenix, and heads home. Two more sparrow from second nearby tomcat, and run home. Mig is at full reheat, 1600kts is a hard target to hit, now steering clear, but too late, one Tomcat down, last four phoenix in range away. ..And don't forget we're in SA5 range so get out ASAP. 21;56 splash one foxbat, still one left anad a pair of MIG 23 are on their way out. Assign more Tomcats off Enterprise persuing Mig comes into range of two more sparrows of Tomcat on way home, let loose and go to reheat. WHAT, out of now where one DE of AFS group go to the bottom, they know e're here so light up every thing and seek out the source. 21;57 finally the second MIG25 takes a splash, but MIG 23 on their way out so redirect the Tomcats. AFS picks up host of attack aircraft close in to the west, no intercepts in range so we're hoping for point defence to be up to scratch. One Tomcat (escorting now unecessary EW) is 233 n.m. Range, send her in to mop up returning enemy strikers and send EW home. 21;58 Semmes (AFS) gets three Yak 28s. Tighten up the formatino and move Semmes to the west of Nitro for better AA protection (replacing lost DE). The horse has bolted but send out 6 phantom interceptors and an air tanker to patrol east of AFS. Atleast we'll be ready for the next strike (if we survive this) Sead loadouts ready Saigon and Korat, of they go for Cam Rahn Bay and Da Nang respectively, 5 attack and one phantom escort per flight. Schedule for F11 out of Korat bound DaNang in 15 mins as follow up. 21;59 another Yak down but five more small planes approaching. 22;00 Osas have gone active radar but nearby ARM loaded strikes won't attack? Relying on outcoming bombers. 22;01 ID floggers atacking AFS, one splash, re assign Semmes postion to bring up rear mounted SAMs (group's only LR AA), hope they start firing. 22;02 a pair of unidentified enemy small planes cruising at medium altitude towards Enterprise at remaining EW patrol, its Tomcat let goes three phoinix and the group heads home. Intercepting Tomcat fires three phoenix on approaching Mig 23s, Migs attaacking AFS down to two aircraft, Semmes (despite its SAMs in range) is leaving it to the guns of Benner. Reassign Semme's formation location to west of Nitro. Splash two Mig 21 (proximate EW group now heading home). 22;03 A7s attack Osa's, four 500 lbs a target, one A7 lost one Osa sunk, close one mile and re-engage. Last but one Mig 23 attacking AFS beaten by Benner's fine gunnery. Another A7 lost but both Osa's in range, let go 5 bombs a piece, two Osa's to the bottom. Ays go home. Five small aricraft detected approaching Enterprise NW, assign Tomcat pair. 22;04 Away two phoenix, target retreating single Mig23. Re assign two pair of A7s (and tomcat escort) to attack Zzb 22;05 four phoenix away and head home, target five approaching unknown enemy. Add four more phoenix from second Tomcat group, continue closing. Last flogger shot down AFS, commendation for the Benner gunner Splash four (out of four phoenix) SU7s Vigilante visuals three fast torpedo boats headed for AFS at 40 knts (80n.m.), launch of Enterprise four A7 Gps to attack. AFS kills sonar and goes intermittent air and surface search radar. Last SU7 down. 22;06 Air appears clear betwenn Enterprise and Zzb except for retreating Mig, (but remember SA5), Tomcat goes to reheat, fires of two phoenix. New contact, four large planes 135 nm NW Enterprise, headed straight in, vector Tomcat (already on reheat) to intercept along with single Tomcat 120 nm east of target and launch two more fresh off Enterprise. 22;07 Splash last Mig. Four Phoenix away for four large in bound, reheat Tomcat heads home out of SA5 range. 22;08 Two SS high alt missles inbound AFS, 34 nm out. Radar up (leave it on this time) and hope for SAM action from Semmes, (check standing orders for SAM firing rates). 22;09 Goodridge (FRAMII) gets two hits and sinks. Assign nearest Tomcat to patrol over AFS. Send reprimand to Semmes. Four more high altitude missiles inbound, re assign AFS formation and warn Semmes captain his command is on the line (and his ship) 22;10 Four inbounds, two phoenix away at extreme range, Tomcats close at full (military) throttle to next fire point. Two small airborne approaching Enterprise 95 nm NNW, within range of and assigned to Tomcats now dealing with four large inbound...Three phoenix away. 22;11 scratch one badger, four Phoenix away. 22;12 Warfare Officer advices to engage full radar screen for enterprise group, radar on. Vigilante 40 nm W AFS, goes intermittent surface search radar. 22;13 Scratch two Mig 21, one EW badger, three remaining phoenix of to meet remaining two badger. Four sidewinder and cannon remain. One more badger down, time for some close in action. All four and a couple of cannon burst for good measure, “lets go home Tiger one”. “Yeah Tiger leader, and I saw that last Badger turn to scrap” 22;22 Zzb within ARM range, no sam 'red' on the search screen close at full throttle, lost one A7, continue to close. Fire one ARM at SA5 to try and get a radar emission, no go, SA6 comes up 'red' three ramining shrike away, turn and run. Four out of four missiles inbound AFS burnt by Tomcat, remaining on station till fuel bingo. Two more A7 SEAD off Enterprise closing Zzb ETA 6 mins Five A7 SEAD closing Zzb from Saigon ETA 8 mins. Two shrike get through to SAM, no indications available as to damage 22;23 EW Prowler picks up ESM on small oiler in harbour Zzb, nice target later if we can get rid of the SA5. Vigilante coming home at 8% bingo, may need to hot foot it if things get hot so put up an air tanker of Enterprise. 22;24 four small contacts vectoring towards F111 attack flight, send phantom CAP out of Korat to intercept. Single A7 proceeding home from SEAD attack on Zzb, fly to medium alt and engage radar to assist attacking A7s and risk the SA5 22;27 Phantom fires its four sparrow on enemy contacts. Continues to close. Large airborne 58nm NW Fenner, vector local Tomcat Scratch ¾ mig 21, 1 phantom goes home low on ammo, second Phantom closes to AAM range 5 A7 attacking SA5 (Zzb) fire two 'trigger' shrikes at SA5, and backtrack to close on SA6 showing red on the screen. Bingo SA5 lights up within 1nm range, gett those shrike out pronto,5 away, close with rockeye under full throttle. Three more shrike off, still closing... SA5 is destroyed, close on SA6 at cruise and let A7E get in closer with long range shrikes. One at base three at only SA6 showing 'red'. A7Es going home to mama. 22;28 Tomcat fires only two sparrows at 6 large inbounds, hope he's good with cannon. ... Two out of two, badgers go for a drink. Two sidewinder against four, now just canon... 22;29 A7 let go three rockeye at SA7, scratch SAM, close on SA6 Two more 16As brought down by AIM9s, two to go and only canon left. Three rockeye and another SA6 bites the dust, but loose two A7s,at bingo, next target 3 nm,,, go home. Too late, last three A7s lost. Time to re group and plan next assault on Cam Rahn Bay now that the SA5 is gone. Time to get heavy, sending in 7 intruders with EW and FGT escort. 22;33 Semmes is firing at the remaining bombers, but they get Benner crippled with substantial damage. Benner limps for Subic Bay at 9 knts. We can only hope sho makes it. One badger down and Semmes fires another missile salvo... Last badger down but they did their job. AFS reduced to only Nitro and one susrface escort. Re plan course and head for Subic bay with crippled Benner. 22;34 Phantom engages remaining Mig 21s with sparrow. Splash Mig. Phantom returns home Korat. 22;35 Five small planes on radar 35 miles E Saigon heading in on strike path. Returning Phantom escort ordered to full throttle while intercepts scrambled from Saigon. Meanwhile two flights of thunderchiefs sent to attack Zzb to augment the southerly attack from Enterprise. 22;37 pursuing phantom fire four sparrow, Saigon CAP fire 6 sparrow, splash 5 Mig 23s. Phantoms return home. The four A7s have picked up the three torpedo boats, split into two close from opposite sides and attack. 22;39 target one in range, 5 500lb bombs away...one P4 sinks target two and three in range, 5 each .... both go down. A7s go home. 22;40 trouble, two small fast planes four nmwest of returning vigilante headed on intercept. Vector up Tomcat at reheat from 120 nm south and attempt intercept by nearby A7s. Vigilante goes reheat and its tanker a waiting moves out form Enterprise. Toothless nearby Tomcat goes to full throttle to maintain radar watch and co-ordinate intercepts. Solid contact lost, A7 proceeding but not able to make intercept under present situation. Suspect bogey has retreated on seeing vigilante go reheat. Keep armed Tomcat closing. 22;41 Two small contacts approaching Saigon, engage Saigon CAPs and vector aditional Phantoms to intercept. One SU17 downed by CAP, one by interceptor. CAP low on AAMs and ordered home, interceptor maintaining loiter and patrol. 22;43 solid radar fix again on small interceptor now headed NW and ceased interception of vigilante. Armed Tomcat in pursuit, A7 resume cruise home, Tomcat (out of ammo) maintaining radar fix. 22;46 Four GP strike with Fgt escort depart Enterprise for target Zzb ........... We're down four ships including a carrier, that enemy port is going to pay. 22;47 Two small airbornes approaching Saigon from the north at 20 miles, assign three airborne Phantoms to intercept. 22;48 three sparrow away... strike one Su17, two more sparrows loose....... second fitter down. Phantoms loiter close to Saigon. 22;50 Vigilante gets a drink, solid fix on bogeys lost for some time now and pursuing Tomcat vectored for home at 50% bingo. Two that got away.. 22;55 5 A6 sead approaching Da Nang with one Phantom escort two mile astern, lost an A6, Phantom orderd up to full speed with radar engaged, picked up uncertain contacts close to the NE, engaged one sparrow, one hit but lost another A6, fired two sparrow and got another hit and lost another two A6, last A6 got to ARM range and fired then fled with escort. One ARM hit Da Nang. 22;58 Two small contacts in our path home, Phantoms vectored slightly to side with radar on, bring in A6 sidewinders and fire the only two while close the phantom at full throttle from the south to engage its sidewinders. One mig 19 down from sidewinder, phantom fires three sidewinders at 'uncertain' target position. 22;59 Two foxbats on reheat 14 nm NW and closing on attacking air group 38 mile out from target ZZB, engage with Tomcat escorts, four phoenix, two sparrow. Group split with escort closing target and strike and EW running low.. One Foxbat down, fire two phoenix, two sparrow ...Second Mig19 down Phantom and A6 proceed home at 600kts... 23;03 re staged attack on Zzb EW goes high and detects SA5, SA6 and Mig 19s within 35 nm S of Da Nang. No long range SAM detected in threat radius of attack on Cam Rahn Bay. Continue withdraw of Da Nang attackers, continue close attack on Cam Rahn Bay with Tomcat on area CAP. 23.04 F111s approaching Da Nang go vlow and continue close on Da Nang A6 drop 4 2000lb bombs on Khobi oiler in Cam Rahn Bay... sunk, proceed to harbour complex. 23;04 Prowler split off attack group as it approaches short range SAM and harbour complex target. 11 2000 lb bombs away, complex takes hits and suffers 45% damage, planes leave scene and head home climbing to medium alt to give radar assistance to BAI attack. S-60 pops up and downs four A6 in one go. Rest of group licking wounds and returning home with Port in disarray. 23;07 3 F111s lost to Fresco. Re asses strike on Da Nang. 23;09 Lost Recon Phantom (left forgotten with radar burning West of Hanoi) 23;11 Commence C141 flights, 3 planes leave for Clark Afb Thunderchiefs approach Zzb defences, 2 750 lb bombs away, one S-60 destroyed.. 23;11;30 three thunderchief lost, over SA6 battery, 4 750 lb bombs away...SA6 destroyed, closing 1nm to next targe, port complex, all bombs away and go home Second flight coming in on port defences, S-60 target, 5 500lb bombs away Last known air defence at Cam Rahn Bay destroyed, proceed to port complex to unload before going home. 23;14 8 thunder chiefs drop 123 500 lb bombs..port 61 % damage with 4 strike planes off Enterprise closing 23;15 twelve planes in 3 flights set off Enterprise for continous bombing sorties of Cam Rahn Bay port complex 23;16 A7s drop 16 2000 lb bombs on Cam Rahn Bay port complex 70% damage. 23;17 departing Enterprise: 2 prowler 6 tomcat and 2 air tankers to patrol SE of Da Nang to conduct fgtr sweeps and prepare for long range SEAD attack. All available A7 re arming for SEAD/ Precision bombing. 23;19 3 more starlifters depart Saigon for Clark Afb 23;23 three tomcats stationed on CAP Soth and East of Cam Rahn Bay. One prowler maintaining offensive ECM guard. 23;27 3 mig 23 visualed 1 nm from 8 plane thunderchief flight, 8 sidewinders fired.. three thunderchief lost to AAMs, only one Mig downed, 5 more sidewinder and 5 cannon burst while remaining thunderchief go to reheat. Two Mig bite dust. Two Phantom on patrol Saigon head out at full throttle to assist. 23;29 one small fast plane out of Cam Rahn Bay headed for patrolling Tomcat, 3 phoenix allocated. . . . One foxbat down. 23;31 two small planes out of Cam Rahn Bay 3 phoenix fired and Tomcats go home with sparrows to spare. New Tomcats patrols leave Enterprise. 23;32 two Mig 23 downed. 23;33 Saigon, 3 Phantom armed GP ready to back A6 bombers refuelling and re arming. 23;38 4 Walleye head for Cam Rahn Bay, 23;40 24 500 lb bombs... Cam Rahn Bay 84% damage 23;41 16 2000 lb bombs away...92% damage. Four C-131 depart for Clark Afb 23;45 48 500 lb bombs...Port destroyed 23;48 3 Phantom intercepts depart Saigon for CAP SW of Da Nang 23;48 We get minimum victory... Conclusion: Scraped in but shouldn't have lost two ships from surface Group AFS, I should have provided the CAPs off Enterprise as required by the orders. Maybe next time.. Don Thomas
March 1, 201115 yr Author At the risk of sounding really dumb, how do you install this scenario into HUCE? No worries. That's why we're here. Download and unzip the scenario file into your HUCE directory (or, if you have created a subdirectory for scenarios, you can drop it there). You will also need the custom HCCW database, which you can also download here. Extract that zip file into your main HUCE directory. It will overwrite your current 'commondb.res' file. To maintain multiple databases, be sure to rename your existing 'commondb.res' file. To go back to the official HCDB database, you can either once again rename that 'commondb.res' file to its previous version, or just download the most recent HCDB update. This scenario uses the Westpac battleset, so load up HUCE, pick the Westpac battleset, and then 'User Scenario'. Look for the scenario filename 'TaskF77' and you're off to the races. Happy hunting!
March 6, 201115 yr Finally got time to play this scenario, set in one of my favorite gaming periods. I did not read donaldseadog's AAR until now and discovered that while picking different tactics, suffered the same amount of losses in ships. Quite interesting. CinC South East Asia So the situation has turned hot in the Chinese Sea. With the Coral Sea being at the bottom of the Ocean, it is time to strike back. A quick look at the assets we have in the area. There is Korat Air Force Base in Thailand, Saigon in South Vietnam, the Enterprise, Subic Bay and Clark AFB in the Phillipines, plus some submarines and surface groups. In comparison to just 2 years ago, this is a very light force in the area. We'll see what we can do. First CAP and AEW flights need to be launched, foremost from the Enterprise, but also from the land air bases. Speaking of the land air bases, while I am inspecting them, something hits the rear guard of surface group AFS and I lose the first ship of the day, the destroyer Bailey FRAM II class. AFS is ordered to turn on the lights and see if it can attack the aggressor, while increasing speed to 21 knots. Back to the land base inspection, Khorat has some Wild Weasel based on the Thunderchief air frame, some Phantoms for CAP and Corsairs for ground pounding. I'm surprised to find some active Thunderchiefs in Saigon. With these being the first aircraft to strike the North, will it be the last as well? Some 10 years ago these planes took some terrible losses up North and now the defenses have increased for sure. In Subic Bay I find some Navy planes from the Coral Sea, among them the RF-8G Crusader, another veteran of the Vietnam conflict. Clark AFB has some AEW planes, Phantoms for CAP, and Delta Darts for the win! There are also long range B-52s and Corsairs. Of course there are also tankers in the area on all bases but Subic. These are very helpful aircraft for the distances that need to be covered. It's time to review the orders, seems that survival is the foremost order. I order AFS and AHS to meet with the Enterprise task force. From there I send out Tomcats to patrol the skies over these two vulnerable surface groups. But what about being more active? The Enterprise has a lot of offensive capabilities. Unfortunately the vanguard of the strike force, the Iron Hand SEAD planes don't have the modern Standard ARM missiles, only the venerable Shrike. Also there are a lot of iron bombs armed planes aboard, and next to none with smart bombs. Anyway, I decide to give it a go and want to launch strikes at Cam Ranh Bay right away. I will launch an attack from all four major bases, Korat, Saigon, Enterprise and Clark. From Clark only the B-52s have the range to strike, so I will send them first to the Enterprise and then onto the target. The strikes from Korat and Enterprise will be launched at the same time, while the one from Saigon will be delayed as due to the shorter range. While the B52s launch from Clark, I discover much to my surprise that the Corsairs there have also the range to attack Cam Ranh Bay. This will add another diversion to the attack! Also from Clark AEW planes are launched to the east of surface group AFS, and tankers are setup. Action again! AFS is under missile attack and this time the attacker is identified as Yak-28. Unfortunately the closest interceptor is still 250 nms away. AFS is ordered to head straight east and try to make it to Subic Bay now, reverting the original plan to meet with Enterprise. Unfortunately the Decatur falls victim to the missile and sinks. This is for sure no longer the Nam as we knew it - where Destroyers and Cruisers would only be stopped by the shallow coast rather than the Vietnamese defenses. When Subic Bay and Clark launch the last strike aircraft and tankers, a new contact northeast of Saigon is detected. A flight of 2 Phantoms is ordered to intercept. At about the same time when the Phantoms launch Sparrows, the Tomcats get in range with their Phoenix and launch a salvo against the Yak-28s. It seems missile research did its job and two Fishbed and four Yaks fall out of the sky. Next, it's time for a shock. 38 nm from the carrier group a MiG-21bis Fishbed appears! Probably on an intercept course for the Hawkeye, which escorts went to shoot down the Yaks. What a mistake to leave it unprotected. Hastily the catapults on the Enterprise launch 2 more F-14s to make up for the blunder. Immediately after being airborne the Tomcats launch four Phoenix destined for the Fishbeds. Meantime the attacks on AFS continue and Pyro is hit by a missile. A new missile group is spotted and now the two Tomcats sent to AFS's rescue have a chance to intercept them. But before the interceptors are in range, the next surprise comes in form of 4 Badgers, 50 nm from the Enterprise. Do I have an AEW system at all? Anyway, more fighters are launched to counter any more incoming planes. And it gets even busier around my all important carrier task force. When the front line Tomcats light up their radar, two groups of Foxbats and one of Floggers is detected. More Phoenix are launched to counter the threats. Supported are the interceptors by a Prowler. The electronic warfare planes should help to jam the other sides radar, and their ESM systems should help to detect threats earlier. While the air battle between Cam Ranh Bay and the Enterprise wages, the interceptors supporting support group AFS finally launch their Phoenix to shoot down the anti ship missiles. All but one are hit, so I have to close the range for the Sparrows and go to afterburner. With two hot spots I cannot complain about a low workload, but with the detection of MiG-21s, presumably from Da Nang, a third is there. The two Phantom pairs are ordered to intercept the threat for the Super Constellation AEW plane. As the escorts for AFS have expended their long range missiles, I refresh the CAP and send the last pair of Tomcats there. All my carrier based fighters are airborne now, a very busy scenario and it has just started! The Prowler crew does it job and besides detecting new airborne threats, they pick up signals from SA-5 and SA-6 batteries around Cam Ranh Bay. Not enough for an exact fix on the targets, but a good guidance for the Wild Weasel that are launched from Korat Royal Thai Airforce base. Time for launching a second EA-6B, maybe the sites can be triangulated. While the first wave of MiG-21s are defeated by the CAP launched from Korat, an old opponent is spotted over the jungles of Laos and Cambodia: The venerable MiG-17. An enemy not to be underestimated, these planes sneak easily up to a patrol or CAP and shoot them down by surprise. So I call myself lucky for getting a tally ho on the six plane flight, well within range of the 20mm board cannon of the Phantom E. Close to Saigon yet another model of Soviet aircraft is detected: The debris of 2 Su-17M Fitter fill the sky, killed by a flight of Phantoms. But not all is going well for the US side. I lost a F-14 from the carrier CAP due to an undetected opposing flight. Overall the exchange rate is 30:1, so the top gun program is paying dividends for sure. The time has come for the Enterprise strike aircraft to get airborne. The Shrike armed SEAD planes are the first to leave the deck after the interceptors and support aircraft. While the strikers are launching, even more Soviet attack aircraft going for the carrier are detected. Normally I like to send the Tomcats home after the Phoenix missiles are gone, but not now. The Sparrows will certainly be needed. Numbers begin to take their toll, and I lose some Phantoms from Korat to MiG-19s that sneaked up, as well as 3 Tomcats that get in missile range of the Foxbats. While I saved some Tomcats by turning and burning, not all made it. Now the exchange rate is 7 for 57, not as stellar as minutes ago. And it gets worse before it gets better. 10 friendlies for 65 enemies is it after an exchange of volleys. Even worse is that all F-14s but a reserve pair is now returning to base. The last Floggers were shot down by A-7 on their SEAD mission ... well done, mud movers! Unfortunately they pay with being shoot down as well, so it's only an even exchange rate. But now the Super Constellation from Korat finds itself without CAP and of course a new threat appears, MiG-17, most likely from Da Nang. I order a new CAP from Korat and the AEW plane to safety. Finally the last strike aircraft leave the Enterprise and the bombers from Saigon get ready. The first wave of strike aircraft from Subic bay is almost at Cam Ranh Bay, and report to everybody's surprise a visual sighting of a submarine, some 50 nm east of the base. Not a threat to anybody yet, but a report to take seriously. Much to surprise the SA-5 has not fired a single missile yet. The attacking A-7 detect only an Oiler in the harbour, otherwise it's empty. Ten 500 lbs bombs sink the vessel. I decide that the planes from Subic and Clark are of better use from Saigon and send them there. Luckily no logistics to worry about... And then the missile crews wake up. The Corsairs that just dropped their bomb load now have SA-6 launched against them, and for one A-7 the warning call came to late. The first ground to air victory for the red side today, and loss number 12. Unfortunately the timing of the strike is a little bit off. Only now the Shrike equipped SEAD planes appear from the south, with the Thunderchiefs from Saigon coming in from the west. The Corsairs launch their AGM-45s and the SA-5, that still remains untried, suffers damage on sensor and weapons mount. But before the air defenses are knocked out, quite a surprise happens. The fire discipline of the well trained Vietnamese gun crews is amazing and in short order undetected S-60 AAA guns pop out 8 Corsairs. Yes, eight, quite a shock to mission planning. Hastily I replan the approach from the west and take a detour over the sea and then north. The carnage around Cam Ranh continues for a while, but finally the B-52s show up and finish the base. Shortly thereafter I'm informed that we reached minimum victory conditions. For the loss of 2 ships, one damaged, 35 planes we've destroyed 1 base, 4 mobile air defenses, 141 planes and one ship. Guess I was lucky that there were not even more AAA in and around Cam Ranh Bay, as this was the ultimate killer in the end. The SA-5 did not fire a single shot and was knocked out early. The SA-6 was partially knocked out, but delivered also some plane kills. The S-60 was really fearful for the planes at low altitude and none of the batteries was destroyed. I would hope that the loadouts would contain some unguided rockets that would allow SEAD planes to knock out those batteries from a distance. As it is, only the Walleyes and Paveways can damage them sufficiently - but these weapons should IMO be preserved for the main target. Another wish would be the ability to suppress air defenses, rather than knocking them out. Maybe time for adding it to the wishlist thread
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