AAR: Roman Thunder [Spoiler Alert]

[CV32]

AAR: Roman Thunder [Spoiler Alert]

I always enjoy scenarios that involve Algeria. I'm not sure why. Maybe it’s the country's tumultuous and ever-changing relationship with the West; or the French colonial heritage; or the sinister nature of the bloody internal conflict that Algeria has seen because of militant Islamic groups; or maybe it's simply because the regional geography (North Africa and Europe being separated by a relatively narrow portion of the Mediterranean) makes for a great Harpoon scenario.

In any event, I was pleased to see Mark's latest scenario threw Algeria into the mix.

I enjoyed this scenario thoroughly. The warning in the Orders about being careful not to lose valuable and expensive European military assets made me extra cautious in my planning of strike missions and assigning adequate numbers of escorts and support. (I ended up losing just one each of the EF-18, Rafale and Harrier II+. Yah, I know, there goes the salary of an entire NHL hockey team). :p

I didn't have too much trouble with the Algerians, and though they were plenty aggressive, the superior performance of my beyond visual range air-to-air missiles and standoff precision guided munitions permitted me to take them apart piece by piece. Many thanks to the manufacturers of AMRAAM, Mica, Taurus, and others. :D

The most challenging aspect of the mission was taking apart the Algerian integrated air defence system. Though equipped with fairly antiquated SA-3 and SA-6 SAM systems, my caution required me to completely neutralize the IADS before moving on to engage the primary targets. (Note to Mark: Did you consider using the generic "Large Building" and "Small Building" units to simulate the industrial facilities ?).

The Algerian navy was no threat to me. Although it was satisfying to see that the RCS model is working nicely, with small patrol boats popping up at fairly close range before detection. The Block 2 Exocet performed well. No submarines were detected.

Thanks again, Mark, for producing a quality scenario for our collective enjoyment. Guys like you MAKE this community. :cool:

[Herman Hum]

AAR: Roman Thunder [Spoiler Alert]
By Mark Gellis

http://img352.imageshack.us/img352/2089/romanthunder4ba.th.gif (http://img352.imageshack.us/my.php?image=romanthunder4ba.gif)

"Merde", I thought. Those pesky colonials were acting up, yet again. Why the Republic ever granted them their independence was beyond my comprehension. However, orders were orders. In order to establish a composite radar picture of the Area of Operations [AO], I positioned my lone Sentry over the SAG [Surface Action Group] that was centred on the DDG Chevalier Paul. This way, the AWACS could avail herself of the SAM coverage and a dedicated escort would not be needed. I also wanted some AEW coverage for the Prince d'Asturias so a P-3 was assigned to her. It was not quite the coverage of a dedicated AWACS plane, but "Needs Must" in time of war. The Conte di Cavour had her own AEW helos to provide her group with radar coverage.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/1006/romanaew2or.th.gif (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=romanaew2or.gif)

Four Su-24 Fencers and 2 MiG-23 Floggers quickly rose from Es Seina to investigate my Orion. They were quickly sent tumbling into the sea by an outbound flight of Hornet SEAD [Suppression of Enemy Air Defences] strike aircraft. I wanted to silence the enemy radar coverage before the strike aircraft were sent. ARM [Anti-Radiation Missile]-equipped aircraft also launched from Italy, Rota, and Albacete. The Hornets from Albacete arrived first at Es Seina and loosed their HARMs at the SA-6 batteries. Unfortunately, they were easily shot down by the defenders.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/7945/esseinaharmraid6lh.th.gif (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=esseinaharmraid6lh.gif)

The Algerians were no shrinking violets, today. They fought viciously over the air of Es Seina. Clouds of defenders rose to challenge the air over their homeland. However, their aircraft were no match for the superior technology of the modern European fighters. With many of their radar systems degraded by jamming, they were easy prey for the waves of AMRAAM and Meteor Air-to-Air Missiles [AAMs].

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/8580/esseinabattle3qu.th.gif (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=esseinabattle3qu.gif)

The Algerians did not go gently into that good night. SAG Chevalier Paul had been detected and was garnering the attention from most of the Algerian strike assets. The colonials fought bravely and were tenacious in their attacks. What they lacked in quality, they made up for in quantity. There simply weren't enough missiles to kill them all and some managed to get within launch range of the SAG. Chinese-made AShMs [Anti-Ship Missiles] were released, but were quickly shot down by the French ASTER systems. The Algerians did not survive for a second attempt.

The MiG-29 Fulcrums of the Algerians were formidable opponents on paper. In fact, their Alamo AAMs actually out-ranged the Mica AAMs carried by the French Rafale fighters. However, in this age of modern air combat, electronic warfare is an element that cannot be ignored. The Algerians were learning that lesson this day as their fighters we quickly and easily shot out of the air by aircraft they could barely register on their radar scopes. Soon, aerial supremacy belonged to the NATO forces.

The submarine arm of Algeria proved to be more dangerous, but no more lethal. Two submarines were detected just outside the range of their torpedoes; one approaching the Conte di Cavour and other closing on the Prince d'Asturias. Neither lived long enough to deliver their 'eels' as the ASW helos swarmed from the decks.

http://img386.imageshack.us/img386/1382/cavoursubcontact2ab.th.gif (http://img386.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cavoursubcontact2ab.gif)

Once the air had been cleared of the antiquated MiGs, the Hornets and EuroFighters re-armed with additional ARMs and set about blinding the ground radar facilities. In this task, they were only moderately successful. The ground batteries were notoriously difficult to shut down even after multiple ARM hits. As time was running out on the operation, I decided that additional risks would have to be undertaken. With aerial supremacy guaranteed, the aircraft could be re-armed exclusively for the ground strike role.

Armed with GBU laser-guided bombs, the flights of Hornets, Tornadoes, and EuroFighters undertook the long journey to their targets. Through careful course selection, the bombers were mostly able to fly around the surviving SAM batteries and bomb without resistance. Only in one location were the SAM batteries able to fire on the strikers. A high speed pass on afterburner allowed them to release their ordnance without loss. The Algerian construction engineers deserve much credit for their solid construction. However, in the end, the repeated strikes with heavy ordnance were finally too much even for their skill and all five complexes were destroyed. Victory was awarded soon afterwards.

Thanks very much for sharing another entertaining scenario with us, Mark.

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