Herman Hum
22 Feb 06, 03:04
AAR: The Java Sea Incident [Spoiler Alert]
A Harpoon Classic scenario
By Mark Gellis
It is the early 1990s and Indonesia has become increasingly hostile towards its international neighbors. In the last six months, there have been several incidents in the region, including the sinking of a fishing boat the Indonesians claimed refused to stop when challenged by one of its frigates. Three weeks ago, two Singaporean A-4s were shot down when they strayed into Indonesian airspace.
A large shipment of arms is on its way from Russia to Jakarta. Singapore and Australia are increasingly concerned about Indonesia and its long term plans for the region and have decided that this shipment must not be allowed to arrive.
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1452/javasea0wj.th.gif (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=javasea0wj.gif)
I had no idea where the convoy was coming from. Intelligence and my orders hinted that it might be coming around the east side of Borneo, but I could not be certain. Therefore, I had to plan for patrols on both sides of Borneo until it could be located. Even in the age of satellite photography, it isn’t easy to locate a convoy of ships that don’t want to be found.
Tengah quickly launched her E-2 Hawkeye as it had the best sensors around. I couldn’t allow it to venture far from Tengah since her poor speed and the low loiter time available for her escorts would leave her easy prey to any roving Indonesians.
http://img498.imageshack.us/img498/8062/tengah9xk.th.gif (http://img498.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tengah9xk.gif)
Sure enough, two flights of Falcons came snooping around Tengah. As per orders, they were challenged when they came within 12nm of Tengah by ground controllers. When they refused to leave the area, ADF Falcons shot them out of the air with AIM-9 Sidewinders.
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5756/searchmasterfrompontianak7qe.th.gif (http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=searchmasterfrompontianak7qe.gif)
The Brisbane Task Group also launched one of their S-70 Seahawk helos. It was instructed to stay within the SAM bubble provided by the two frigates. An N-22 Searchmaster MPA [Maritime Patrol Aircraft] was detected snooping around the Brisbane group. Because she was capable of carrying ground attack rockets, she was warned not to approach closer than 6nm. When she ignored these warnings, she was summarily shot out of the air by a Standard SAM upon reaching the 6nm mark. I couldn't take chances of her attacking the group.
More Tigers were detected coming out of A. Saleh. They quickly launched a Maverick attack on the Brisbane. Both were shot down soon after weapon release. The Mavericks were dangerous weapons, but easily shot down, as well. Soon afterwards, two OV-10 Broncos from Pontianak tried to fly over FFG Brisbane. They were warned, but continued their flight profile and were shot down 4nm away.
Although the western end of my AO [Area of Operations] was well covered by the Hawkeye, I was operating essentially blind in the east. The range from Tyndal to Borneo nearly excluded any possibility of MPA coverage. Instead, I had to use the Aardvarks for reconnaissance since they could be re-fuelled in mid-air and the Orions could not. Also, the lumbering Orions would be easy prey for any marauding aircraft operating out of Pontianak. Several flights had already been shot down flying attack profiles on the Brisbane group.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3258/convoysighted5qq.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=convoysighted5qq.gif)
After twice performing tanking operations, the Aardvarks arrived near Borneo. A convoy of at least ten ships was soon detected in the Strait of Makassar. Now I had a target. The convoy was accompanied by a Sovremennyy-class destroyer so she had a significant ASuW punch. I ordered all of my ships and SS Otway to move into the East Java Sea at best possible speed. The convoy would be met with force. The Brisbane group moved in closer in order to better shadow the convoy with her helos. I couldn’t let the helos get too far from her SAM coverage as they had no defences.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/831/shadowconvoy9yv.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shadowconvoy9yv.gif)
Surprisingly, the convoy turned around after the challenge was issued. ACS Brisbane would continue to shadow the group to ensure that they did not change their minds. She would only engage if they tried to force entry into the Java Sea.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3186/convoyturns6td.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=convoyturns6td.gif)
I wanted to shadow with Singaporean Hawkeye, but the risk was too high since there was no possibility of an escort that far away from Tengah. The Convoy appeared to not be able to make up her mind. She would change course back and forth as if trying to find a path into the Java Sea before finally setting a course that would take her into the Java Sea.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6273/mayapproaching2ka.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mayapproaching2ka.gif)
An Il-38 May MPA was detected approaching the Dutch frigate, Banckert. The plane was capable of carrying USET-80 torpedoes with a range of 7nm that could be used against ships. It was decided that if she approached closer than 10nm, she would be shot out of the air after her final warning. Her path did not waver as she closed on the Banckert and she was blown out of the air at the 9nm mark.
The Indonesian navy was making an entrance of their own. Frigates Fatahilah and Tiyahahu were quickly approaching the Brisbane group from the southwest. The Exocet carried by the Fatahilah were considerably shorter-ranged than the Harpoons aboard the RAN frigates. I had some discretion and room to manoeuvre and decided that the Indonesians would be allowed to close to 30nm before I would engage them.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3172/penguinaway8ov.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=penguinaway8ov.gif)
The Indonesians must have been reluctant to close the distance for they wove back and forth before finally moving into 30nm range. The ships received their final warning and then Seahawk 702 released her single Penguin AShM [Anti-Ship Missile] against Fatahilah. The missile struck directly amidships and started an inferno. Evidently, the damage control capabilities of the Indonesian navy were lacking. In an attempt to preserve life, Tiyahahu was warned, once again. This time, the frigate appeared to heed the ultimatum. She turned away and was spared for the moment.
However, the belligerence of the Indonesian navy had not passed completely. A Mandau-class PTM was approaching the Brisbane group from the west. She was running at 31 knots and gave all appearances of trying to execute an attack run for her SUT torpedoes. The range on those weapons was reported by Intelligence as 16 nm, so she would be allowed to close until 20nm away. Amazingly, she closed to 27nm before finally turning away. The TAO [Tactical Action Officer] suggested that the manoeuvre was simply an act of bravado in order for the Indonesians to save face. The task group commander said, "I don't care what they do so long as they stay at least 20nm away and out of torpedo range."
There were other problems looming on the horizon. FF Ahmad Yani had decided to join the party. She was armed with RGM-84 Harpoons and they had a 75nm range, far greater than anything my Australians carried. She would have to be watched very carefully. A call was put into RAAF Tyndal for the Aardvarks to make ready for an ASuW [Anti-Surface Warfare] mission. If she decided to make a nuisance of herself, the RAAF would have to take care of her. Unfortunately, Tyndal was over 1200nm distant. There would be nearly a two hour lag from the time she crossed the 100nm exclusion zone and the arrival of the Aardvarks. A lot of things could happen in the meantime and not a single one of them was good.
A Harpoon Classic scenario
By Mark Gellis
It is the early 1990s and Indonesia has become increasingly hostile towards its international neighbors. In the last six months, there have been several incidents in the region, including the sinking of a fishing boat the Indonesians claimed refused to stop when challenged by one of its frigates. Three weeks ago, two Singaporean A-4s were shot down when they strayed into Indonesian airspace.
A large shipment of arms is on its way from Russia to Jakarta. Singapore and Australia are increasingly concerned about Indonesia and its long term plans for the region and have decided that this shipment must not be allowed to arrive.
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1452/javasea0wj.th.gif (http://img47.imageshack.us/my.php?image=javasea0wj.gif)
I had no idea where the convoy was coming from. Intelligence and my orders hinted that it might be coming around the east side of Borneo, but I could not be certain. Therefore, I had to plan for patrols on both sides of Borneo until it could be located. Even in the age of satellite photography, it isn’t easy to locate a convoy of ships that don’t want to be found.
Tengah quickly launched her E-2 Hawkeye as it had the best sensors around. I couldn’t allow it to venture far from Tengah since her poor speed and the low loiter time available for her escorts would leave her easy prey to any roving Indonesians.
http://img498.imageshack.us/img498/8062/tengah9xk.th.gif (http://img498.imageshack.us/my.php?image=tengah9xk.gif)
Sure enough, two flights of Falcons came snooping around Tengah. As per orders, they were challenged when they came within 12nm of Tengah by ground controllers. When they refused to leave the area, ADF Falcons shot them out of the air with AIM-9 Sidewinders.
http://img49.imageshack.us/img49/5756/searchmasterfrompontianak7qe.th.gif (http://img49.imageshack.us/my.php?image=searchmasterfrompontianak7qe.gif)
The Brisbane Task Group also launched one of their S-70 Seahawk helos. It was instructed to stay within the SAM bubble provided by the two frigates. An N-22 Searchmaster MPA [Maritime Patrol Aircraft] was detected snooping around the Brisbane group. Because she was capable of carrying ground attack rockets, she was warned not to approach closer than 6nm. When she ignored these warnings, she was summarily shot out of the air by a Standard SAM upon reaching the 6nm mark. I couldn't take chances of her attacking the group.
More Tigers were detected coming out of A. Saleh. They quickly launched a Maverick attack on the Brisbane. Both were shot down soon after weapon release. The Mavericks were dangerous weapons, but easily shot down, as well. Soon afterwards, two OV-10 Broncos from Pontianak tried to fly over FFG Brisbane. They were warned, but continued their flight profile and were shot down 4nm away.
Although the western end of my AO [Area of Operations] was well covered by the Hawkeye, I was operating essentially blind in the east. The range from Tyndal to Borneo nearly excluded any possibility of MPA coverage. Instead, I had to use the Aardvarks for reconnaissance since they could be re-fuelled in mid-air and the Orions could not. Also, the lumbering Orions would be easy prey for any marauding aircraft operating out of Pontianak. Several flights had already been shot down flying attack profiles on the Brisbane group.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3258/convoysighted5qq.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=convoysighted5qq.gif)
After twice performing tanking operations, the Aardvarks arrived near Borneo. A convoy of at least ten ships was soon detected in the Strait of Makassar. Now I had a target. The convoy was accompanied by a Sovremennyy-class destroyer so she had a significant ASuW punch. I ordered all of my ships and SS Otway to move into the East Java Sea at best possible speed. The convoy would be met with force. The Brisbane group moved in closer in order to better shadow the convoy with her helos. I couldn’t let the helos get too far from her SAM coverage as they had no defences.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/831/shadowconvoy9yv.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=shadowconvoy9yv.gif)
Surprisingly, the convoy turned around after the challenge was issued. ACS Brisbane would continue to shadow the group to ensure that they did not change their minds. She would only engage if they tried to force entry into the Java Sea.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3186/convoyturns6td.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=convoyturns6td.gif)
I wanted to shadow with Singaporean Hawkeye, but the risk was too high since there was no possibility of an escort that far away from Tengah. The Convoy appeared to not be able to make up her mind. She would change course back and forth as if trying to find a path into the Java Sea before finally setting a course that would take her into the Java Sea.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/6273/mayapproaching2ka.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=mayapproaching2ka.gif)
An Il-38 May MPA was detected approaching the Dutch frigate, Banckert. The plane was capable of carrying USET-80 torpedoes with a range of 7nm that could be used against ships. It was decided that if she approached closer than 10nm, she would be shot out of the air after her final warning. Her path did not waver as she closed on the Banckert and she was blown out of the air at the 9nm mark.
The Indonesian navy was making an entrance of their own. Frigates Fatahilah and Tiyahahu were quickly approaching the Brisbane group from the southwest. The Exocet carried by the Fatahilah were considerably shorter-ranged than the Harpoons aboard the RAN frigates. I had some discretion and room to manoeuvre and decided that the Indonesians would be allowed to close to 30nm before I would engage them.
http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3172/penguinaway8ov.th.gif (http://img202.imageshack.us/my.php?image=penguinaway8ov.gif)
The Indonesians must have been reluctant to close the distance for they wove back and forth before finally moving into 30nm range. The ships received their final warning and then Seahawk 702 released her single Penguin AShM [Anti-Ship Missile] against Fatahilah. The missile struck directly amidships and started an inferno. Evidently, the damage control capabilities of the Indonesian navy were lacking. In an attempt to preserve life, Tiyahahu was warned, once again. This time, the frigate appeared to heed the ultimatum. She turned away and was spared for the moment.
However, the belligerence of the Indonesian navy had not passed completely. A Mandau-class PTM was approaching the Brisbane group from the west. She was running at 31 knots and gave all appearances of trying to execute an attack run for her SUT torpedoes. The range on those weapons was reported by Intelligence as 16 nm, so she would be allowed to close until 20nm away. Amazingly, she closed to 27nm before finally turning away. The TAO [Tactical Action Officer] suggested that the manoeuvre was simply an act of bravado in order for the Indonesians to save face. The task group commander said, "I don't care what they do so long as they stay at least 20nm away and out of torpedo range."
There were other problems looming on the horizon. FF Ahmad Yani had decided to join the party. She was armed with RGM-84 Harpoons and they had a 75nm range, far greater than anything my Australians carried. She would have to be watched very carefully. A call was put into RAAF Tyndal for the Aardvarks to make ready for an ASuW [Anti-Surface Warfare] mission. If she decided to make a nuisance of herself, the RAAF would have to take care of her. Unfortunately, Tyndal was over 1200nm distant. There would be nearly a two hour lag from the time she crossed the 100nm exclusion zone and the arrival of the Aardvarks. A lot of things could happen in the meantime and not a single one of them was good.