AAR: Spanish Fury [Spoiler Alert]

AAR: Spanish Fury

by Mark Gellis

Task Group Andalucia immediately reported multiple air contacts rising from Algerian runways. It looked as though the Algerian government was not going to take the Spanish ultimatum lying down and were serious about defending their sovereignty. To compound matters, an unknown subsea contact was reported by FFG Reina Sofia. Unfortunately, the Senior Officer Present Afloat [sOPA], was unable to launch any helos to prosecute her as they would be flying amidst numerous hostile Algerian jets and helos simply cannot evade jet fighters. They would have to investigate the old-fashioned way and run down the contact with their hull-mounted sonar. This was a very dangerous proposition as the range of the torpedoes known to be used by Algerian submarines was much longer than the ships' effective sonar range. For the thousandth time, the SOPA cursed the bureaucrats and politicians in Madrid. "It's so easy for them to issue decrees and ultimatums and so difficult to give us what we need to enforce them." With another snort of disgust, he walked back into the Combat Information Centre [CIC].

The number of Algerian air patrols was indicative of a very determined defence. Antiquated MiG-21 Fishbeds along with high-performance Foxbats climbed to attack altitude from Es Seina aerodrome while ultra-modern Fulcrum interceptors patrolled over Ain Oussera air base. Spain would have no easy ride today. I ordered my reconnaissance elements to head for Ain Oussera just slightly ahead of the strike elements. However, the strike was postponed in the face of the large number of defending fighters. Obviously, some of them would have to be culled before the strikers could be sent in.

Not surprisingly, the enemy had his own version of the playbook. Radar aboard the FF Mendez Nunez reported missiles inbound. C.801 Anti-Ship Missiles [AShMs] had been launched by the Fencers. The SOPA immediately ordered all radar activated and all Weapons Free. Every ship began to manoeuvre wildly. When under this type of attack, it would be every ship for itself.

The missiles were intercepted successfully with a wide margin of safety. However, the bad news was only beginning. Six Fencers were still closing on the Task Group and many long-ranged SAMs had been expended. The Foxbats were doing an excellent job keeping my defending Hornets occupied. They'd launch AA-6 Acrid AAMs and force my Combat Air Patrols [CAP] to flee and prevent them from engaging the Fencers. A very nicely coordinated attack. It almost worked. One flight of Hornets managed to break free of the melee and bagged the strikers with the last of their missiles.

Meanwhile, other Hornets were vainly trying to engage the Fulcrum. The low radar cross-section of the MiG-29 kept causing them to fade off of the fighters' radar. A long-range missile exchange ensued with neither side gaining the advantage. Most of the fighters depleted their long-range missiles quickly and were about to return to base when a veritable flock of Fencer fighter-bombers was detected closing on Spain. Even if the fighters only had Sidewinders remaining, they would have to try and intercept. They got most of the Fencers but two managed to get within range of FF Andalucia and release their AShMs. The FF brought them down with her Standard SAMs.

The recon mission was re-launched to localize the enemy bunkers. On their ingress, they detected a force of three missile boats. It looked like TG Andalucia was not going to have a pleasant day. The air strike would not have a milk run, either, as no less than six SA-6 SAM batteries were detected. One RF-4C inadvertently overflew an SA-6 site that had been cunningly placed on the ingress route and was forced to evade. She was successful, this time.

After three separate attempts to penetrate the SAM bubble over Ain Ouessa and three hasty retreats all the while being chased by SAMs, the mission commander decided that the only way to penetrate the zone would be in the company of SEAD aircraft. All aircraft were recalled to prepare for a full force mission. Meanwhile, the Orions, now free from aerial interception, were able to successfully prosecute a Kilo-class diesel submarine that had been harassing the Andalucia group.

The situation should have been well in hand. Aerial supremacy had been achieved and preparations were underway to eliminate the primary targets. However, the SOPA underestimated the potency and range of the Algerian missile boats. In fact, he just plain forgot about them. The next thing he knew, missiles were detected inbound - SS-N-25 Switchblade! The tiny group fought valiantly, but their Surface-to-Air Missiles had been severely depleted in their repeated engagements with the Fencers. True to their name, the approaching missiles struck like a dagger between the ribs. All three vessels were hit by multiple missiles and slipped beneath the waves. Right away, Victory was wrenched from my grasp and awarded to Algeria; a sad day for Spanish men at arms.

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