US Mobile Air Corps

[Galantrue]

First turn

After watching the enemys artillery chew up several areas on my side of the map, I am pleased to say that the only causalty was one Avenger. My SEAD strikes went in, for relatively little damage only destroying one SAM (H-7 Croatle(sp?)) and buttoning another. Helo's landed as per plan, with some light AA fire on the southern group. Usually when the AI does things like this, it means that I'm about to be steamrolled by some huge force, but we'll see. No new enemys spotted during their turn, and my arty CBs on three of theirs.

Second turn

Have seized the northern V-hex and am now digging in around it. Southern group has started to find defensive positions and has already sighted some enemy armor and APCs. 2 Javelin teams got to work with good success (4 fired/ 3 kills). All helos fell back successfully, witht he southern group receiving light AA fire again. Arty missions plotted for the south include 1 Bat MLRS, 3 Bats 105mm (2 HE, 1 Smoke), plus 2 HIMARS. The enemy decided to send some congrats mail to my northern group, unfortuantly before they managed to disperse as much as I wanted, so I now have rifle platoons heavily suppressed with moderate losses in men. My souther Javelin teams Opfired into the enemy's advance destroying 4 more vehicles, however that turned out to be a feint, as I now have eyes on approx. 40 enemy armor and IFVs heading for the middle of the map. This area is where the bridges are located and if they seize the bridges they will be able to flank my entire corp. It goes without saying that this is unsat.

[Galantrue]

Third turn

My artillery plotted to the south went in, knocking out two vehicles and damaging who knows how many more. I was hoping for a more decisive strike but . My infantry to the north are starting to disperse into rough terrain, so hopefully the arty will not be as effective as this last strike. The bridges have become a priority target, with 1 bat of MLRS on the lead bridge, plus I'm calling the A-12s in on the enemy armor, with the F-22Js coming in onto the IFVs. I also called the AC-130 in. Am dropping 1 bat of 105 to the north on a small probe. Have found the enemys MBTs, as I redirected all of the AH and RH-66s towards the bridge, but once I stopped and thought about it, its not as scary as it used to be when I played mostly armor. Yes its big and bad, but tanks vs infantry in close terrain tend to be turned into scrap . The enemy continued to advance in the face of heavy Javelin, and now Longbow fire. Destroyed another 10 vechiles of various types but the NK managed to get 1 whole platoon across the bridge. Air strikes went in causing only minor damage to the enemy, and my AC-130 was driven off by hand-held SAMS. The only wooden bridge allow the enemy access to my rear appears to be impervious to MLRS fire .

[Galantrue]

Yeah, I figured it was to good to be true.

[Mobhack]

Originally Posted by Galantrue

Yeah, I figured it was to good to be true.

Fixed wing is not allowed in cores - and so are deleted on any upgrade cycle. That fixes anyone being creative and having a hacked formation with say a grunt up front and 9 strike planes...

The strike air should not be coming back as purchase options, so I will try to remember to look into that.

Andy

[Galantrue]

Hey, that's a pretty good idea!!! Have just your HQ, and then a whole mess of strike planes running around, bombing and strafing stuff. What if we got down on our knees and begged? Could we have them then?

[gila]

Maybe also Bombing and attacking your HQ's eh?

[Galantrue]

Not really. I usually always end up buying way more SAM and AAA than I ever use in game. Just call me paraniod.

Okay, unless someone objects, instead of turn by turn, I'll just break it down into about one hour play sessions.

The battle for the indestructible bridge continues. After sending in bombers every turn trying to blow it up and only ending up targeting enemy AFVs and IFVs, which I'm not completly complaining about, the stupid thing is still there. This is on top of being targeted by 5 105mm guns!!! My attack helos were wreaking havoc all across the map from their position near the bridge, but due to ammo shortages on everything except SAMs, I have withdrawn them for resupply (hopefully, not really sure if they will resupply from ammo trucks or not?). My infantry is finally getting into the battle, with the enemy launching a small IFV and infantry attack on the northern V-hex. This was easily repulsed for heavy enemy casualties, thanks to the 25mm AGLs and 81mm mortars. Actually my rifle squads have only fired their GLs so far, not a round of rifle or SLW. My artillery has shifted from random harrassment fire, to firing on the onmap artillery that revealed itself. Also having them fire on IFVs that appear on the map. My Javelins teams have almost been universal in firing their intial loadout dry and are now scrampling for additional ammo. Lessons learned so far? Have at least some kind of reserve, ready to go and respond. Need heavier artillery pieces. The 105 is a great gun, but dropping bridges and disabling heavy vehciles is not its strong suit. Need to replace the mgs in the Rifle platoons with some other kind of support weapons as 1) none of the mgs have fired yet, 2) they can't see as far as the Javelins or AGLs, probally due to a lower sight value.