mare_cccp

yes, great job StrikeFear.


how about we make a SOP "air-strike request through CO"?
I'm not saying its better or not, it's just that I can see two views on the subject:
1. StrikeFear's SOP (good one, by the way),
2. "respect the chain of commands - call your CO - TS is kinda cheating, use VOIP instead"

comments?

AlienBaby_

It does make me feel a little uncomfortable in terms of the cheating thing..

During scrimmages etc.., are the other team made aware that TG uses this system for calling air strikes?

StrikeFear

Using TS out of game is a practice that goes back to 1995. I think it's the accepted as the given, unless specifically stipulated in an agreement between the two warring forces.
All clans use TS, and even in games like BF2, they'll typically find a use for it where the game falls short with it's internal VOIP. Consider that if BF2 had SL<->SL comms, we would be using that instead, so the airstrike capability is the same either way.
It's not a hack or exploit. It's not an unfair advantage. It's just a different channel on which to communicate.
It's certainly not cheating.

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JMJ

StrikeFear, can we get a lineup of who's part of the 531? I have yet to have anyone answer me on these channels when I go to call in an airstrike. I have it setup per your instructions, but maybe I'm missing something? If we could meet on TS to check it out sometime that would be great.

If you guys are on for these whispers, I'm going to use this ALL THE TIME. I could've really used it on Dragon Valley 2 nights ago when the Chinese team setup a wall that the USMC couldn't break past.

StrikeFear

That sounds excellent.
I am ALWAYS set up - but haven't played much the last 1.5 weeks. That should change shortly.
VMFA-531 consists of:
Myself
Mishkan
Xeil
TEMM
Fidelity

All VMFA-531 pilots, as part of our committment to quality service to the TG armed forces, are required to make themselves available for air strike requests EVERY TIME THEY FLY ON OUR SERVER. And they are required to announce it.
That's the rule. However, I have no idea how strict adherence has been.

So there is our roster, and our committment to the TG ground forces. We'll see how it goes.

The system was NEVER designed to be exclusive to VMFA-531. ALL players can/should use it. It's an SOP:
http://www.tacticalgamer.com/showthread.php?t=58969

There's no reason other pilots couldn't set this up, announce that they're available, use the protocol, and start supporting our troops directly.

Keep asking if anyone is providing airstrikes - maybe other pilots will start doing it.

I feel your pain - in reverse. I always announce it, and RARELY am I taken up on the offer...
I'm left trying to prioritize targets myself...

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Dark Viper

Well at least it let's me know when your flying. And which team your on. And then I only have 1 priority target.

But really, I think you need to have another training session and get alot more people to come to it to understand how to use it. I always hear you announce it when your on, but nobody ever takes you up on it.

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ABRA

I've really just begun using TS with TG. But this SOP was one of the first things I noticed and was impressed by at TG. But I never saw anyone logged in under the UMSCPilot1 whisper presets. I look forward to seeing it more widely adopted. Personally I abhor using ANY of my 6 precious squad mate slots for ATs and prefer the air strike method. I've mostly been relying on CO relays and it has been spotty. The best way to promote it I think is if COs remind your air squads to log in properly or vacate the air assets for someone who will. Although I think a weekly tutorial on this would go a long way. I know I haven't seen it in action and the instructions seem difficult for me to follow because I've never used whispers bound to hotkeys. If I am brought up to speed on it I'd be happy to contribute in the instruction in such training sessions.

JMJ

How does your announce work? Don't I have to talk to you first before you can bind to me and talk back? This is the part I don't understand.....does your "announce" go to the retail BF2 channel? Thanks for the detailed reply above, I appreciate the info.

ABRA

I should let the flyboys answer, but I think that's how it works. Announcements on the general channel to everyone. Whispers afterwards. Kind of let's the other team know the world of hurt they're in for when a VFMA announces over general channels they're logged in under the preset ready to accept targets

I got cold feet to SL in our game this afternoon but I still hope to see the system in action. Is VFMA signed up?

Mishkan

Yah

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StrikeFear

JMF - ABRA is right. We'll announce it in the main channel:
"Air strikes available for USMC via Teamspeak."
Then everyone knows there's at least one pilot logged in as USMCPilotX.

After that, they know they can use the whisper keys ... and it goes from there.

Great idea on the 'training session / orientation'. I had just thought of that first 'practice' as a one-off.
But it really would help get things rolling...
Expect to see a post. EDIT: (http://www.tacticalgamer.com/battlefield-2-ranked-vanilla/59838-sop-orientation-session-air-strike-requests.html)

ABRA - 3 members of the Grey Ghosts are signed up (Xeil, Mishkan and myself). But I don't know if they'll choose to fly or grunt - so I'm not sure who my wingman will be.
But you can do the airstrike request even if you're not an SL - just request permission from your SL to handle air strikes. A squad member can be a "radio-man" for the SL.
ABRA: "SL, I'm set up to handle air strike requests. Want me to be your radio man?"
SL: "Right!"
...later...
SL: "ABRA, call a strike on that tank!"
ABRA: "Copy, SL. Squad 2 requesting air strike."
...
ABRA: "Take cover, boyz! Air strike in 8 seconds!"
...etc...

__________________
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