First of all, thanks you to 104th for providing the conditions for this event, I had a lot of fun... although this time we were totally smashed by the Aggressors! :)
I have seen some observations of how the event developed, especially for the blue side participants, and I review myself in some of them!
I also would like to leave my input and opinion that I would like to see it taken, just as that, an opinion, nothing more!
This was my second Red Flag participation and I can clearly distinguish both events I participated. The first I participated, that took place in March, where the victory was achieved by Blue side, in my opinion for 2 reasons, organization and leadership…. yes Bushmami if you read this, I´m talking to you! :)
The second one, last Saturday, resembled to the normal daily activities in the 104th server, were a bunch of guys just split into a few teams, draw a basic attack plan and just went to away hopping to burst all the Reds from the sky, or at least just scare them enough to make them fly away under the their SAM umbrella.... and boy we were all wrong, extremely wrong!
Regarding GCI as far I could understand, after being shot down I went to Twitch 104th Tiger Channel and could enjoy the rigor of Red planning implementation supported by a beautifully usage of the GCI operator and its “over exceptional” advantages, that in my opinion beneficiated more the Aggressors than the Challengers .
I never had the opportunity to see the GCI being used until last Saturday and had no idea of how it look like, I truly believed that at least the "fog of war" feature would be implemented, although I found strange our CGI being so sure when he give the calls, when was possible for us, the ground attackers to go in for our runs, I was wondering how could he be so sure no opponents would be around. Having a 100% scenario picture gives a huge advantage to an already well planned tactic, even better if a team based on such air space “radar coverage” have good defending/retreat tactics and methods planned and synchronized. That was definitely an extra for the Red side as depicting of us having in our favor a 2:1 force ratio, no matter whatever we throw at them they would always have "Gods Eye" on their advantage and could evaluate when was time to escape to safe area or ambush a blue airplane group, even if all 36 blue airships flew in a huge formation, I believe they would just retreat back to the their SAM coverage and would just try to take down any lost sheep from the group, being just conservative and not going wild against a much larger enemy group... I don’t think there would be a possible or feasible tactic possible to implement that could counter the scenario arrangement combined with such CGI coverage, especially if a lot of the blue pilots are inexperienced in communications, group coordination and situation awareness, adding a rudimentary plan and the recipe for disaster is there!
I was even able to understand that during the Twitch broadcast that the A-10s, of course were neglectable, as we posed no threat to Red fighters! I suppose that only when I took down the only MBT, they possible consider the ground attackers an immediate threat to their main objectives, as I could understand from RWR warnings. As soon I took the first AGM shoot, I got locked several times and was shooting upon a few others, before the first shoot I noticed the contacts but no shots or radar locks were done at me, maybe was a coincidence… or not… and no they were not HOJ on me, as I had my Jammer off all time, as I was flying low as possible to try to sneak below their radar as I put my stakes assuming they for sure they were more interested to catch the blue fighters, pointing their radars up specialty with Mirages flying at high altitude in the area! But of course, if GCI could see it all… there goes the assumption… the mother of all ****ups! :)
I found also fun the nickname they give to the obvious spot where the ground attackers would pop up "The gate", rather… original :)... and of course the policy of not going into the mountains chasing us, where their advantage could be reduced in our favor, and as it happen accidently. a red fighter cross the border and be disqualified!
All these things I mentioned above are simple observations done after a few minutes of watching the Red Twitch broadcasting after I was shoot down, and are pure example of how they, the Red side, carefully comply with what they stipulated for a "game plan"!
If Blue side ever want win again, a never less than similar level of planning should be implemented... of course the GCI should not be "Gods Eye" to allow the blue intentions to be camouflage a bit and give the Challengers some chance to dignify themselves as worthy opponents, otherwise in time, this will also act against the Red side as there will be no need to structure a good planning as they will feel the blue will be a bunch of uncoordinated ducks entering in line on a shooting range and Red fighters need to take place in line to take a shot! The level of the challenge will decrease, people from both side will become frustrated as the blues will feel like "cannon meat", and the red will feel humans opponents will be easier targets than fighting AI opponents... and this will eventually kill the event!
I know, maybe I'm being over dramatic on the last sentences, but is just an opinion!
Now, of course, those who did not got tiered reading until now, would say "well we have personal life, have not time to plan silly strategies”, “I just want to fly and shoot some targets around ", "This guy talks too much why doesn’t he make a game plane?",etc, etc...
Well, unfortunately due to my professional life I can’t belong to a virtual squadron, I work 28/28 days rotations and I can’t compromise with a squadron agenda and commitments, when I´m at home not only family life, but also other hobbies and pass times consume all of my off time.
Regarding general mission planning, I don’t feel yet confident enough to dominate all aspects or at least all the main air battle planning aspects, although I have considerable online flying hours on several servers, I consider myself extremely "noob" on these types of more organized events that I believe require a bit extra knowledge!
What I can do, is when I´m able to participate on such events, is to try to help on building a "game plan" involving the ground attackers together with experienced fighter pilots that can design a main battle plan.
I strongly believe is possible to give some fight to the Reds by making them leaving from their comfort zone and make them sweat a bit more! :)
These were just some thoughts and opinions, should not be seeing as open simple tear down critics or complains , I enjoyed a lot participating on such kind of event and give my time as well spent, I just think is possible to improve it and make it even better and more enjoyable for all the community!
See you all in the air after June… I´m off to work for the next 4 weeks…
Good flights!