Alright Hookers,
I'll write my own side of the story but consider the fact that I was not on the ground with you guys at all times and for the most part was sitting 'high and mighty' from the turret of my tank. However I can comment and write up my overall intent throughout each subsequent operation; my planning procedure and concurrent activity; and, my points to improve.
Callsigns
India 1: Infantry Element
India 2: Infantry Element
India 3: Infantry Element
Tango 1'1: T-90
Tango 1'2: T-90
Tango 1: Command Callsign.
Hotel 1: Air assets (Trans, Fixed Wing, ATK Helo)
Mission Briefing Phase:
Upon the initial briefing within the notes there was very limited intel and information as to the enemy threat in the area. That being said, our first objective was to 'Defend the Main Base', so thats exactly what I planned.
On the map there were three main avenues for the enemy advancement noted by markers, however I'd assumed that the enemy may us main routes to gain lodgement into our Airfield so I wanted to prep defenses at those positions first.
India 1 was tasked with defending the main entry to the Air field located at the South-Western end and I had intended for them to push past the tree line thus allowing some stand-off for our Air Assets to be brought to bear on the enemy targets and limiting the tree cover they could utilize. India 1 was encouraged to bring Anti-Armour equipment as you can never have too much of that. Bullets work great on Infantry but do nothing but annoy a tank.
India 2 was tasked with defending the South-Eastern corner of the Airfield. That are allowed for maximum line-of-sight South and East as it was a slightly higher area then the surrounding terrrain. India 2 was also enouraged to make use of all availible Anti-Armour assets.
India 3 was supposed to be the 'Ace up my sleeve'. In the event the defense turned for the worst I would have them as a reserve to quickly move into position and assist either India 1 or 2 respectively. India 3 was also encouraged to prep for Anti-Armour just like everyone else cause all the cool people were doing it.
Hotel 1 was tasked with preparing for Troop Lift. I was unsure as to off the start of the mission what kind of enemy threat we would have coming against us so I'd thought perhaps I can have him ready to move to India 1 or 2's position to pick them up if the threat was neutralized quickly.
Tango 1 according to the briefing was unable to mount armour so their standing orders were to look pretty. Seemed easy enough, though Skin had some difficulty complying with his orders as his 'Face' wasn't complete.
Main Base Defense
Let's see......how do I say this.....best quote that comes to mind is 'No battle plan ever survives contact'.
India 1 had little difficulty moving to their respective position and as noted in their AAR successfully accomplished their objective. They continued to provide contact reports and steadily advised Tango 1 as to enemy armour positions through-out and engaged accordingly. No points to improve on, well done.
India 2 arrived at the objective quickly as well and began to send contact reports to which I would relay to Hotel for Close Air support. It was an on-going thing throughout. India 2 were the first callsign hit so I sent India 3 to reinforce assuming that the enemy Main Effort would be coming from their area. No points to improve except Azzwort, your ugly. Fix it.
India 3 initially prepped for movement to which ever area I would designate. It is my understanding that they got killed early on by the enemy AH-1 that attacked the airfield but were able to adapt quickly and moved onto their objective, which was India 2's position. Once on India 2's position I believe they set themselves up to the East of India 2 concentrating on enemy contacts advancing in the woodline towards the South-East while pushing their own line forward to engage the enemy. Good work overall, no points for improvement.
Hotel was quickly rendered useless because we couldn't get out of the Airfield so I deemed it necessary to have him change vehicles to an Attack Helicopter. Hotel responded to all CAS requests and engaged and destroyed many enemy armour targets through out the defense. As the battle progressed, Hotel changed over to a Fixed Wing Aircraft for a short period to provide further Air Cover. Good work overall, point to improve is you need to learn to let people into your heart Andrew, come on...love a little
Tango 1 complete was killed.......several times......and wasted the majority of our armour........it was bad....... Once we spawned in someone decided to try and get into our vehicles and lo' an behold we could. So we grabbed two T-90s and began to leave the Hangar. Then we 'spontaeneously combusted' as two AH-1s flew over and engaged us. It was very mysterious (note sarcasm). So after our first hiccup; I had Skin start to command and control Tango 1 while I dealt with the overall coordination of the team. Between Skin, Andrei, Mathew75, Scout_031, IronCruncher, and myself we mounted in many different vehicles and engaged Aircraft, Armour, Infantry, and eachother........ It was bad..... Points to improve................Every one of those dots in this paragraph is a potential point to improve so I will not waste my breath. However, all said and done, we did accomplish the objectives we set out to do.
After the objective was complete which in itself took almost an hour, I ordered all callsigns to return to the Airbase, rearm, re-equip, and mount up in the helicopters in preparation for follow-on tasks. Hotel 1 was also ordered to change over to Transport helos after.
In closing on the first Objective; We survived. Don't know how, don't know why. I am still wondering why but hey, it worked. So eat it!
Destroy Anti-Air Positions
So my overall plan for this objective was to insert all Infantry Callsigns(C/S) minimum distance 1km from the objective with the friendly tanks already in position. Once all C/S were on the ground
I1 was to move West towards a small village and hold there.
I2 and I3 were to move towards the south from LZ ALPHA (North-East of the Objective 1.8km) until they were essentially due East of the Objective in some low ground that allowed them to remain there undeteced. All C/S were advised to hold on the respective Hold Positions until I gave the go-ahead.
C/S
T1 COMPLETE encountered 2 X EN M1A2 TUSKS while en route to Hold Marker. 1 X M1A2 was confirmed destroyed however both
T1'1 and T1'2 were destroyed thus allowing for no immediate direct for fire support for minimum 10minutes.
T1 Complete respawned at the Airfield and then moved to
T1 Hold Marker.
I1, I2, I3 Reported there were on their respective hold positions and I gave the go ahead for them to move onto their objectives. For
I2 and I3 their initial objectives were intended to give them good firing positions on to the objective area. It was my intent to have
I1 move to the Objective from the North while
I2 and I3 engaged the enemy and hopefully allowing them to get into the objective and conducting Flank Manuevers through the Enemy line.
Shortly after
I2 and I3 began to engaged the enemy and were on the Objective,
T1 received intel and locations for 2 X EN M1A2 TUSKS so we prepped to fire on them accordingly. Under the command of Skin
T1'1 and T1'2 moved forward to engage the Enemy Armour and did so with maximum effect and violence. Enemy tanks were then destroyed as was 2 X EN LAV-25. After that engagement;
T1 held firm as the India C/S moved through to secure the objective.
I1 had already begun their movement to the objective from the North but then the Squad Leader decided that it may be better if he goes through a castle that was north of the objective to allow him to come down-hill. I concured and used his judgement agreeing to carry out fore-mentioned proprosal. All India C/S were now on the objective and deeming it clear.
Later, C/S Tango 1 moved into the Objective to destroy the Anti Air Vehicles.
All C/S were then informed to Consolidate and prepare for follow-on tasks. Considering the amount of American Equipment on the ground at this objective I authorized all callsigns to 'go crazy like a kid in a candy shop' to outfit their C/S with whatever they wanted still remaining Anti-Armour heavy.
Points to improve: Infantry Callsigns needed to advise Tango Callsigns their location so that we would limit friendly fire incidents as there were a few. Otherwise it was good movement and communications throughout.
Clear Chernogorsk
This objective was an intimidating one but I felt that I broke it down well enough that it could be do-able. My overall intent was to have three squads advance through the city at different areas all moving from a central LZ CHARLIE located 1.7km North of Chernogorsk. One sweeping through from the North towards the South, one sweeping from the North-West to the South-East and the last sweeping from the West to the East.
Tango 1's task was to provide direct fire support from the North from an elevated position that would provide eyes on to the city allowing maximum fields of fire so as to cover the India C/S as they advance through their objectives.
Hotel 1's task was to have one helo on stand-by for transport of KIA and JIPs and the other pilot was to man Fixed Wing aircraft in support of the Infantry.
Each India Callsign had three objectives that would lead them to the center of the city and once all individual objectives met, they could sweep en mass towards the South-East to finish clearing the city.
This was the intent.
All India C/S carried out objectives approapriately and Hotel 1 provided effective Air support throughout. Tango 1 had some difficulties because as soon as we arrived, two AH-1s destroyed the tanks but we did bring down the Helos with use of AA Missles and Machine gun fire. The people killed with the tanks were then tasked to bring two tanks to the survivors under the command of Skin. Once the tanks arrived, T1'1 and T1'2 remounted and carried out the intended objectives.
Tango 1 complete advanced into the city when India 1 reported they were pinned down to provide close direct fire support within the city. All C/S then moved and swept South-East to destroy the remaining Enemy in the city and the objective criteria was met.
At that time, I concluded the mission as we had played it for a long period of time and it was late in the night.
Summary
What went right: Communications through-out; Movement of Infantry; Movement of Armour; Discipline; Command and Control; Effective engagment of enemy targets.
What went wrong: Notification of Friendly positions so as to limit Friendly Fire; Perhaps too much initiative at times on the Squad Leaders part; Adequate use of Air support was limited based on sheer numbers of players.
What we need to do to improve: Have more people willing to lead. The current people leading were regular ones whom usually do it which is fine but in the event that certain people are not around missions can and will be not as well organized. So we need to broaden and encourage others to lead. E.g. have your Fireteam leaders have Channel Commander on so they can get accustom to listening to whats going on and perhaps even having them do a lot of the radio procedure so as to practice but under the Squad Leaders guidance. Teach them, don't always lead them.
Comments: Just wanted to make a thank you too all those whom participated, in particular the India Squad Leaders and Skin whom made my life 1000 times easier by coordinating the armour throughout while I commanded the battle and our tank when I was able. Worked out well overall and I appreciate the assistance. Excellent work Skin, except don't say 'How Copy' so much, its not the only word that needs to be in your vocabulary.
