OK, using the Gulf Strike system I ran a short, small-scale engagement.

 

Background: Iran has declared itself the arbiter of all naval traffic in the Straits of Hormuz. The straits have be sown with sea mines and Iranian fast attack craft have been attacking/harassing western naval assets in the gulf. Two US Carrier Battle Groups, along with an Expeditionary Strike Group are operating in the northern Arabian Sea. USCENTCOM tasks CENTNAV and CENTMC to destroy the silkworm batteries both along the Iranian coast and on Qeshm Island, and clear Qeshm Island of all Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps forces. US forces for avoid attacks into and around the Iranian military base at Bandar Abbas. On Qeshm there is an "5" rated AD bde, a Silkworm battery, an armored bde in reserve mode, and an infantry bde in a deliberate defensive posture. The airfield at Bandar Abbas has two squadrons of Su-24, 2 sqdrn of F-4, one sqdrn of F-5. A non-desript base somewhere between Bandar Abbas and Jask has an airfield with a sqdrn of MiG-29 and 2 two sqdrn of F-4, along with a "2" rated AD bde and a silkworm battery.

 

With the US as the initiative player, two raids are launched consisiting of two F/A-18 squadrons and a det of EA-6B's. An F-14 maintains CAP over CVN-68, while the all hornet CVN-65 has a F/A-18 CAP. E-2 Hawkeyes are up over both carriers conduting AEW. Qeshm was the only force with detected the incoming raid and informed Bandar Abbas, which launched an F-5 intercept mission.

 

On Qeshm, the AD Bde unsuccessfully engaged the CVN-65 raid, both F/A-18 sqdrns inflict a hit on the silkworm battery, then egresses - chased by the F-4's. The CVN-68 raid surprises the defenders and scores a total of two hits on the second silkworm battery. In response to the raid, the MiG-29 sqdrn gives chase.

 

The CVN-65 raid crushes the F-5 interecptors for no loss by inflicting 3 hits on this 2 hit capacity unit. The CVN-68 raid forces the MiG's to abort with one hit. The MiG-29's being forced away without any damage to the US is huge as the MiG's are done for this turn given the Iranian sortie rate.

 

A combination TLAM strike by an SSN and CG eliminates both Silkworm batteries. Here is where the ESG/ARG approaches to land 7th MEB, and where errors are made. While an AV-8 close air support mission was run, it had no effect. The MEB conducted an amphibious assault on a hex occupied by the infantry bde. The armor brigde used reserve movement to also jointhe declared combat. Each unit took one hit, but it was the MEB that could least afford it. Hits on the amphibious assaulting force are doubled, while the two enemey brigades took their hits and retreated inland. Brigades are brittle in this game, two hits and you flip to its reduced side. The third hit eliminates the brigade. Will need to soften up the enemy ground forces before "landing the landing force". Also, I'll land where the enemy is not so that I can have a better than movement to contact posuture.

 

I'll try this one again.

Re-started this scenario again. One change from yesterday was giving the Iranians their F-14 EAW capability.

 

Tried to play a bit more methodically so while I played the three action stages that make up a complete 2 day turn, the US forces have not progressed as far. A little due to the AEW, a lot to some unfortunate events against the US.

 

To start, both the Enterprise and Nimitz raids were detected prior to reaching their targets. This allowed two air defense unit shots, one air base air defense shot, and the sortiing of interceptors prior attempting to put bombs on deck. Also, my early raids are comprised of 1x air-to-air configured F-18, 1x air-to-ground F-18, and one EA-6B squadrons. Until the Iranian interceptors, and/or air defenses can be ground down, I will not be able to have two or more strikers. Rule limit the number of air units on "a mission" to three. A am also coming to the realization that with CAP on station, I can probably just leave out the air-to-air F-18 - they are in range to prounce.

 

1st Raid results: EA-6B suppresses the air defenses, but the strikers miss. High point of the raid was Air-to-Air F-18 tagged an intercepting MiG-29 squadron with 50% losses for none in return.

 

The 1st Qeshm raid was also well supported by ECM, and again the strikers missed. Iranian F-4's from Bandar Abbas intercepted this strike on its egress, scoring one hit on an F-18.

 

SSN then launched a TLAM strike securing one hit on the closest Silkworm. A US CG moving up to also engage with TLAM's struck a mine putting a wet blanket over that party.

 

In the first reaction segment, the Iranians were wuick to attempt retaliation on the damaged CG, launching two squadrons of Su-24's, escorted by a squadron of MiG-23's. This raid was intercepted by the CAP of both carriers. The F-18 CAP from was a waste of air time taking one hit and aborting, but the F-14's from Nimitz crushed the escorting MiG-23's inflicting 8 hits on this two hit capacity unit. The F-14 then intercepted the Su-24's inflicting three hits, split between the two Su-24 squadrons. Tomcats save the day.

 

2nd Action Stage, raids continue. The Nimitz raid was intercepted by a squadron of F-4's, both the F-4's and the air-to-air F-18 missed, so both aborted. Once again, EA-6B is invaluable suppressing the air defenses and the stikers finally earn their pay inflicting a second hit on the closer silkworm.

 

In the Qeshm raid, one F-18 squadron was hit and had to abort. An F-5 squadron intercepting the raid was themselves intercepted by CAP and destroyed. The raid continued on and secured the first hit on the Qeshm battery.

 

The previously mined CG moved up to engage the closer Silkworm battery, displaying that sometimesd no luck is better than bad luck, both the CG and Silkworm battery missed each other. Enraged the SSN pumped out its final strike, and eliminated the Silkworm battery.

 

Third Action Phase was uneventful as the Iranian sorti rate prevented any meaningful action as in the third action phase, the reaction player has the initiative.

 

More to follow tonight or tomorrow.

 

Pete

Well in the Third Action Stage, there was not many options for the Iranian forces. All but one F-4 Squadron had spent their one sortie in the previous two action stages. The two Fast Attack Craft were hanging out near Abu Musa, hoping to engage the amphibious forces. Basically the Iranians licked their wounds and abdicated their only chance this turn for having the initiative, and simply prepare to defend themselves.

 

The US player decided to take advantage and launch a 3x F-18 and 2x EA-6B stike on Qeshm's Silkworm battery. Since the Iranians were spent aviation-wise, all the F-18's were strikers. The air defense bde on Qeshm detected the strike at the maximum one hex, but were unsuccessful in engaging the strike. When the strike entered the target hex is when things went south. The up until now superior EA-6B suppression failed horribley while the AD unit rolled low, securing three hits! 1x EA-6B and 2x F-18's aborted. The one remaining F-18 squadron pressed on and secured a second hit on the Silkworm before returning to base.

 

Subsequent naval movement called for the un-mined CG to push forward, and launch a TLAM strike on the Qeshm silkworm battery, to be followed up by the ARG shipping to set up a landing of the embarked 7th MEB. The CG entered the Level 2 mined J-09 strategic hex and successfully launched its strike, neutralizing the SSM battery. The ARG began to follow but bad luck struck the USN again when the ARG struck a mine.

 

At this point not sure how the mining of amphibious shipping effects the embarked units, I am taking an OpPause, and will most likely re-set with the inclusion of MCM ships and mine sweeping helicopter assets.

 

Dark day (two days actually) for the USN.

An unpleasant welcome to the nasty world of littoral warfare, huh.

An unpleasant welcome to the nasty world of littoral warfare, huh.

 

Sure was. Strategic Hex J-09, for those scoring at home, encompasses all of the Straits of Hormuz. The natural choke point.

 

When I ramp up the complexity further, I will give the Iranians the base Level2 mine "density" in that hex, and the ability to supplement it with surface, possible air forces. The US will have MCM assets, and the obvious capability to engage those opposing forces laying more mines.

 

The game is daunting at first glance/read-through, heck I had it over 20 years ago and punted. That original 1983 copy became lost in the many moves since then. However, gives a very nice operational overview. Now if only it can be upgraded again - the last unofficial upgrade was in late 2002, but you can imagine the focus.

 

I'll attempt to post a photo one of these days.