AAR: Resolve [Spoiler Alert]

AAR: Resolve [spoiler Alert]

A very interesting mission this is: to suppress the enemy without causing too much damage. How ironic can orders be? This scenario is fraught with real life Rules of Engagement.

I launched my Ready +5 fighters immediately with supporting AEW units. I also launched my SEAD aircraft while re-arming others for the SEAD role because I didn’t want to inflict any more damage that absolutely necessary. I calculated that if I could keep the enemy blind, my bombers could penetrate without opposition.

One Hawkeye was assigned to cover Taiwan, who was lacking in any kind of AEW support. She looked pretty naked and open to attack. I also transferred my B-2 Spirits and B-1 Lancers to Taiwan in order to minimize their fuel demands.

Meanwhile, my CVBG had to play an offensive lineman’s role. [The designer of this scenario must be a football aficionado.] I was going to open a hole in China’s defensive line so that my running backs [b-1s and B-2s] could penetrate and run like crazy for the goal line, the ICBM base. The orders stated that the bombers had to make their ingress between the bases of Longyou and Beihai. I selected a point between Sek Kong and Beihai in order to create a rift in the IADS. This was the widest stretch of territory between all the bases. I hoped that I could escape detection and any roving air patrols.

My CAPs constantly encountered roving enemy air patrols of various sizes. These were easily dispatched from long range with BVR missile engagements. The enemy continued into the face of the missile fire without regard for their personal safety and were summarily butchered.

The SEAD planes were also enjoying success. Their volleys of decoys against Suixi, Ganghou, and Sek Kong coaxed the defending SAM batteries to radiate with active radar. These systems were quickly silenced by HARM-equipped aircraft following behind the decoys. Once a major breach was established in this new Great Wall of China, my fighters were able to hold the breach open whilst the stealthy bombers stole in on their mission.

After going ‘feet dry’ over the coast of China, the bombers plotted a circuitous route to the Datong ICBM complex in hopes of avoiding enemy contact. One nebulous radar return from any one of them could ruin their entire day.

As the strikers approached from the SW, all four aircraft separated to attack individually. This was done for two reasons. The multiple axes of attack allowed for the units to triangulate on radar contacts and also allowed for the possibility that if one or more elements were intercepted, the survivors could continue the mission. A Phalcon AEW unit was operating directly over the ICBM complex. This was very bad news as any radar return received by them would alert the entire region and the bombers were essentially defenceless.

The ‘escorting’ B-1 Lancers pinpointed the defending SAM batteries at 20nm range. There were a lot of them so they concentrated on the most lethal ones, the SA-10s and the LY-60s. They lofted their JSOW munitions and followed them in. If the B-2 strikers were detected, they would have to sacrifice themselves in hopes of drawing off any interceptors or SAMs. Brave men they were, indeed.

The JSOW weapons were easily shot down without inflicting much damage. Now the pucker factor was intense. The bombers closed on their targets, the command bunkers. Sweat was rolling off their brows as the radar intensity levels increased as more waves were reflected off of their aircraft. Would they be as invisible as advertised?

One Spirit found itself within range and loosed its Penetrators towards the bunkers. She immediately tried to pull off target but, being unwieldy aircraft, could not execute her turn quickly enough and carried on over the target. Ground defences identified her and killed her with SAM/AAA fire. Luckily, her bombs found their targets and demolished all three bunkers. The second B-2 was not needed. It was now time to get out of Dodge.

The surviving strikers were still on the egress portion of their flight when Victory was awarded over their radios. The ICBM command complex had been destroyed for the singular loss of a B-2 Spirit. It was expensive for the aircrew but cheap in terms of the entire war.

Thanks for an interesting and challenging scenario.