AAR - Channel Engagement

Pason-2: “Channel Engagement”

Scenario by Ralf Koelbach.

AAR by Mark Gellis

Played on November 4, 2012

Pason-2 was prepared for the HUD-4 (v1.1 b10) simply by opening it in the scenario editor and rebuilding all platforms; the revised scenario was then saved.

Scenario seems to load properly. I made a point of keeping an eye out for database errors. In this scenario, I saw no problems with weapons firing, ships not having any fuel, or any other database errors. I may have missed something, but nothing that was vital to the scenario.

Looks like a nice, simple “search and shoot” scenario.

13:01. I set up a simple zig-zag course up and down, north and south, across the mouth of the channel, just to make myself a bit harder to target.

At 13:15, I put up a Seasprite. My first pair of flying eyes. I already have a couple of passive surface contacts, so I’ve got things to look at. The first one, close by, to the SE, is probably a merchant but I will make sure. I keep the chopper low and passive. I tweak the course to close on the contact.

At 13:43, the first contact it is identified as a Ro-Ro, and neutral. I will now turn northeast towards the other contact, which is more suspicious.

13:57…it is now clear that some of these ships are Soviet. I have an Azov and a Sovremenny. I am now going to use the chopper to get a better fix before I launch missiles. I put the chopper Very Low (11 m) to keep it hidden.

14:20. I have another clear identification, a Slava, but no clear fix on her position yet.

At 14:24, it’s clear a Grisha is in the group, too.

At 14:35, I’ve got a Bingo warning for the chopper’s fuel and it is heading home. I did get a clear fix on one ship but no ID. At least I know where they are, though. I will launch another helicopter and get a better fix.

14:41, I’ve got a Lynx 88 in the air, at VL, heading to the cluster of contacts.

15:30, I have a clear fix on an Azov…still “yellow,” but there is only one navy with an Azov, so I’m firing. Letting the chopper hover. Firing 15 anti-ship T-hawks.

15:50. Chopper on Bingo. Something (maybe the Slava?) just got clipped got clipped with missiles, but no clear data. I’m putting up another Seasprite and keeping everyone at passive. As far as I know, no one knows where I am yet.

At 16:42, I see an air contact! But it’s slow; it must be another chopper. I now have multiple ship contacts with clear identification and clear fixes on location. Firing more T-hawks.

At 16:50, Skunk 91 is still a mystery…I am closing on it. Wait…it’s an Udaloy.

17:05. I have lost another SeaSprite, but I know now where a lot of the bad guys are. And I’m still passive Emcon.

17:58. I am now setting an intercept course for the Soviet battle group. I think I’ve killed a couple of the smaller ships, but I cannot tell.

18:48. I am sending out another chopper at Very Low to get more clear information.

19:02. Chopper destroyed.

19:22. Putting up another chopper but sending it around and behind…perhaps I can avoid the cruisers and their SAMs? Again, keeping it passive and very low. If I can get them in Harpoon range before they know exactly where I am, I’ll have a real advantage.

20:01. Helicopter at Bingo and heading home. Sending another one up on roundabout southern course. No clear fix this time, but he lived.

21:25. Got a hard fix on a Grisha and a Tarantul. Firing Harpoons.

21:29. The helicopter is reporting hits on both the Soviet ships. Only two left and I’ve almost got a hard fix on position. Firing Harpoons now! A massive volley. But they’re shooting at me now, I think. Going Active and Weapons Free to deal with incoming missiles.

21:33. More harpoons at Azov. Both sides taking hits from missiles. I have only one damaged ship, though, the Rommel, and my SAMs are keeping their other missiles down.

21:36. I’m swinging the Seasprite by the cruiser to see - - chopper destroyed at 21:37:16!

21:38. Firing more Harpoons at the remaining Soviet destroyer; the cruiser is no longer moving.

21:45. Firing my last five Harpoons at the destroyer. Only one hit, but it is enough. He’s dead in the water.

Victory conditions achieved 21:59:55.

I seem to have fired on a neutral ship by accident! Tsk! I suspect the captain of the Kinkaid will be cleared, though, considering the circumstances (I can also “document” that I never fired if I did not have a clear ID on an enemy ship; the hit on the merchant has to be due to a navigation error on the missile or the ship just getting in the way by accident).

As for the cost, one damaged warship and four helicopters lost in exchange for two cruisers, two destroyers, one light frigate, and two missile boats, and seven helicopters. A definite win, although not without casualties.

This is a nice little scenario. Good pacing and suspense. Good action. Hard to win if you’re not careful, not too hard if you’re very cautious, as suggested in the orders. Good work, Ralf, and thanks!