AAR: Constant Glance [Spoiler Alert]

AAR: Constant Glance [spoiler Alert]

A Harpoon Classic scenario

By Brad Leyte

Relations between the Ukraine and Russia have degraded into a shooting war after a prolonged dispute over gas supplies. Elements of the US-Eastern European Task Force (EETAF), established at a forward location in Romania, are being called into action to support and defend the West friendly government in Ukraine.

 

1.0. SITREP:

 

The Russians have seized the airfield at Sevastopol and are moving large numbers of troops and equipment into the area to solidify their position. Ukrainian troops are badly outnumbered, and although dug in and fighting bravely, they will likely be subjected to a brutal assault in the next hours. It is imperative that we rapidly move EETAF forces into Bucuresti (Romania) and the forward airfield at AFA (Ukraine) to turn back the Russian attack. Hungary has granted use of its airbase at Taszar as a staging point.

 

Turkey is still unhappy about the failure of the Caucasus pipeline deal. They are declining to support the EETAF operation and have warned against incursions of their airspace.

 

2.0. ORDERS:

 

Move support assets into Bucuresti (Romania) and offensive assets into AFA (Ukraine) at your command discretion. Destroy the Russian strongpoints around Sevastopol, and if possible, degrade their ability to conduct further offensive operations from airfields around Krymsk.

 

Reinforcements are enroute via sealift and just passed through the Bosporous-Dardenelles before Turkey closed their borders. Make sure they reach port at Odessa.

 

A CIA team has been caught behind the lines in Georgia. Get them out of the country via C-12 transport at your earliest opportunity. A Predator UAV team will remain behind to conduct reconnaissance.

"They're fighting over gas!?!", Bradford exclaimed? "I can't believe that they are fighting something when my brother-in-law has such a vast oversupply." A few grins lit up across the room at that. It was intended to lighten the mood and was only partially effective. The entire staff at US-Eastern European Task Force [EETF] HQ could see the dire situation they were in.

Odessa had just launched her aircraft in what she would hope to be a lightning quick strike into the Crimea. With luck, they would be able to suppress the lightly defended airbase near Kerch before the Russians could respond effectively. The airlift into Forward Operating Base at airfield AFa was sent immediately. "No time like the present", Bradford liked to say. He hoped that his optimism would not come back to bite him in the keester.

The HSV Spearhead was ordered to turn around and join up with the slow-poking MPS ships following behind her. It was all fine and dandy to be running around at 38kts in times of peace, but if the balloon went up, her speed was going to pale in comparision to the AShMs [Anti-Ship Missiles] that the Russians were known to use. The little group was protected by a lone FFG, but some protection was better than none at all. The tiny Romanian frigate force along with the Ukrainian Black Sea Patrol squadron was sent to lend what aid they could. Everyone expected the transports to receive a hot reception. They were prime targets and only lightly shielded. Kogalniceanu sent two CAPs [Combat Air Patrols] consisting of MiG-29 Fulcrums aloft in a bid to offer some early warning and interdiction. What a strange new world it was when MiG-29s were providing CAP for Perry-class frigates.

The armoured groups near Sebastopol reported attacks from unknown assailants. "Well", thought Bradford, "that tears it. Fight's on." More reports were filtering in from the Crimea. The artillery groups were ordered to detach and evade. Evidently, the enemy knew their location so they had to immediately displace. Nothing could be done for the fixed bunkers and several were destroyed. Hopefully, some of the artillery train would survive.

The Russian helos were appropriately named Havoc for they lived up to their namesake. They wrought havoc throughout the Crimea. In the company of Hind helos, they smashed several bunkers and much of the forward artillery before being brought down by the Fulcrum and Flankers just arriving on the scene. As usual, it was a matter of closing the barn door only after the damage had been done. Nonetheless, eight attack helicopters were caught as they tried to flee the field and were slaughtered by the incredibly effective AA-11 Archers.

A window of opportunity opened up and there was a gap in the Russian defences. The Su-24 Fencers and the Su-25 Frogfoots from Odessa did not pass it up. They swooped in and hurtled themselves at the forward air base near Kerch. A few desultory SAMs were fired in their direction, but no losses were sustained as they laid waste to the airfield. As they made their egress, victory was granted. Evidently, the bold move had the correct one. The Russians were willing to flex their muscles. However, with the destruction of their forward base near Kerch, they lost heart and decided to settle the issue diplomatically.

Thanks for a unique scenario tied in with contemporary news headlines.

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