The True North Strong and Free

The True North Strong and Free

The 23rd new scenario of the year!

When President Gorbachev was notified in 1989 of a plot to bring down the Berlin Wall later that year, he made several crucial strategic decisions. The Russian President decided to suppress the East-German Revolt, speed up the privatisation and efficiency-focus in the Russian state industries, and invest in maintenance, spare parts, and training for the military.

For President Bush and his successors, the emergence of an Eastern European market and the stabilisation of the Middle East meant they could peacefully cooperate with, though quietly dislike, Russia. However, Europe found itself more and more at odds with President Gorbachev and his direct successor Putin. At the end of 2003, NATO found itself opposing a high quality Russian military.

Icelandic politicians had ended the defence pact with the US and closed Kevlavik AFB.

Annual years of bumper grain crops in the mechanised Russian agricultural industry effectively competed with Canada's farmers, reducing tax income, and limiting investments in Canada's armed forces.

Furthermore, Canadians increasingly resented passage of unannounced American submarines and icebreakers through the Davis Strait and Perry Channel into the Arctic Ocean.

In the late 1990's Canada took over control of the Northern Warning System of radar sites in Canada, automated the stations to reduce costs, and opened the North Bay Signals Centre [operated jointly with NATO, but under Canadian authority]. Automation of the radar sites meant that their nearby airstrips were closed and only four Forward-Operating-Locations for Canada's Hornets remained.

Early November, NATO detected 25 Russian Tank and Infantry Divisions moving into East-Germany on pre-announced 'Mutual friendship exercises'. Russian submarines also surged into the Atlantic one week ago, and the possibility exists that Russia is also trying to bypass the G-I-UK gap by sending subs through Canada's North.

Tensions are rising and the first line of defence of North America in Canada's North seems flimsy at best.

Hours ago, the UK reported torpedo attacks on patrolling submarines in the Atlantic. Casualties are unknown.

The Canadian Government has announced that it will deploy the Air Force forward to the FOLs. It has asked the US to provide AEW and tanker support and authorised flights over Canada by US planes.

Author: Freek Schepers

This scenario requires the latest release of the PlayersDB v5.9.7

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