Joyride

Just any friendly ground unit placed within 1nm or so of the airfield will do.

Flying at the altitude from those pics in the first post, it will be much more effective using the eyeball and zoom function (search for Speed's binoculars post mod). We've been flying lots of missions in our squadron where we are search large areas (30mi x 30mi) with zero intel on specific locations of targets (many static). Have to search towns, treelines, etc. In most situations, and particularly when there is any hilly/mountainous terrain involved, TGP is difficult/slow to use to cover large areas. WAY more effective to simply look out the cockpit and use zoom. Takes practice, but your situational awareness will also be x10 as you get to know the terrain around you.

Mega - Finally got a converter that will do the wav GSM 6.1...really does condense the file sizes (audio about 1/3rd the size of .ogg). A little loss in quality but actually sounds more realistic given it's a radio call. Will be uploading new versions of my missions with the smaller file sizes when I get a chance. elchacal - hope you enjoy.

Shhhh. That was my "fix" for the broken 1.1.1.0 SEAD. Figured someone would F6 and wonder what was up. ;-) Special thanks to Eddie for the cameo Tornado flight radio calls...personally I like it better than the stock SEAD, mystery-missile notwithstanding. :D

Thanks guys!

Yes, noticed this occurring yesterday in a mission and thought I was crazy. The only enemy units in the mission were within 20 mi of bullseye but the AI calls were "for 150".

Updated version 1.1 being uploaded (have to wait until ED verifies files before it'll be available for download). Modified the Chinook flight and LZ logic (thanks Speed!) - tested and works more consistently, and got the file size down to 2.3MB. Not quite as small as you got it, Speed, but didn't want to spend $40 to buy AVS to compress the ogg's. Can't find a free converter that will convert to the .wav GSM 6.1 and allow adjustment of the sample rate.

mwd2 - in the second part, there is a trigger based on % destroyed, so maybe you didn't hit enough units. Let me know if you still don't get the message on another go. Thanks -

Flight plan creation/edits, diverts, creating waypoints, creating anchor points with MP wingmen, checking winds...use it almost every single flight.

Speed, advice definitely appreciated. Actually, will go back and use some of these tips on a few missions that are applicable to both posts (both hover and compression issues). I know it takes hours to test/experiment to figure some of these issues out so appreciate anyone offering what's worked for them.

Thanks, Druid. No reason why I can't do that in this mission - will work it up as separate 2 ships. I originally did have Apache escorts but yeah, ran into the issue of them killing everything and leaving nothing for us to do.

Speed - Yeah, in testing I saw the Chinooks do more weird stuff than I could type in an hour. I think part of it may be related to flying in a four-ship...they are constantly bobbing/weaving to avoid hitting each other, and I even had to move their landing to Soganlug because when returning they would 1) take about an hour land after multiple approaches/aborts, and 2) half of them would eventually crash on landing anyway. Some of the worst AI I've seen in this sim, although admitting entertaining to watch sometimes. That being said, it took hours of testing just to get the "drop off" at Sky Cap anywhere close to marginally consistent. You can run the mission 10 times and despite always having the same WP set for them to hover, the "hover point" could be anywhere within half a mile. I might make the LZ trigger zone bigger to avoid what happened to you - for whatever reason sounds like they got stuck in the terrain and didn't make it to the LZ. In testing, usually the worst thing that happened is the simulated "drop" off troops wasn't quite under the Chinooks as they did their hover/hold. Thanks for the heads up.

Oops, typo...thx.

Ok, had to fix a few things in the mission brief, so just uploaded a new .miz which includes two KA-50s on the Lochini ramp. Didn't write them into the brief/story, but at least gives folks the option to fly it rotor-style :thumbup:

Great idea. This would be a great mission for the KA-50 supporting either Pig or Tusk, if we just suspend reality a bit given that they are Russian. The helos would have plenty of time to ingress from Tbilisi while the A-10s refuel, or could add a FARP at FOB Zhinvali to put them right there by the action. Will have to test something out on our servers and then will post (though anyone could add the KA-50s to the ramp at Lochini quite easily). Thanks!

New 8-player co-op mission. This is the first of a 5-misison MP "campaign" I am working on, so worked a bit more on the back story. We've been testing this on the 1st VFW servers for a month so hopefully it runs well. Ordinance management and teamwork are critical. Home plate is not far from the A.O., so I suggest that if it's a must, send flight elements back to re-arm or hit the tanker but make sure at least one element stays on patrol at all times. http://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/140449/ *** updated to include two KA-50 slots, callsigns Colt 1 & Colt 2 *** V1.1 - tweaked Chinook flights and LZ logic. Smaller file size. BATTLE FOR DARIAL GORGE MISSION 001 "SKY CAP" 10-APR, 0800 HRS Welcome to Georgia. Background --------------------------------- Two weeks ago, Ossetian separatist forces, backed by elements of the Russian 19th Motor Rifle Division, poured into the Argavi River valley region of Georgia south of Vladikavaz. The separatists are attempting to gain a foothold west of the area fiercely fought over during the South Ossetia War of 2008. From this area, they would be within striking distance of Tbilisi. The Georgians have asked for our help and the 25th VFS is here as part of a multinational coalition of air and ground forces to assist in pushing the separatists back through the gorge. The Darial Gorge, and the Georgian Military Road that navigates it (the road being built by the Russians in 1799), comprises one of few roadway crossings along a mountainous 350-mile stretch of the Russian-Georgian border. As such, the strategic importance of the gorge has been the subject of many battles, dating all the way back to 150 B.C. Ruins of ancient fortresses are still visible along the banks of the Terek River. For now, the Russian 19th Motor Rifle Div. is holding at and controlling the Darial Gorge crossing while using only long-range artillery to support the separatists as they move as far south as Pasanauri. The Russians don't want to push across the border and commit any more than they have to - only enough to support the separatists' advance. They would like to keep us out of the fight as much is possible. Meanwhile, coalition forces intend to support Georgia in repelling the advance and pushing the separatists north without bringing the full force of the Russian 58th Army (reminiscent of 2008 ) into play. Thus, it's a bit of a chess match at the moment. ROEs are strict - engagement of separatists forces is fully authorized, but Russian forces are to be engaged only if directly fired upon. Check mission maps for known areas of Russian forces - these are to be avoided. In addition, Russian airspace is strictly off-limits. --------------------------------- The weather and visibility has been horrendous the last two weeks, allowing the separatists to push south with near impunity from coalition air assets and effective artillery. To make matters worse, all we have to work with is what we can fly in on transports. With US naval forces unable to resupply via Black Sea routes due to political hurdles, it's a logistical nightmare. As such, our ground forces, particularly heavy armor, is limited for now. The Georgians have given us access to fuel reserves, but it's not enough. Most of our jet fuel will need to be flown by KC-135s from the 121st out of Incirlik, Turkey until we can get it in over-ground. Thus, take off's with only 50% fuel will be standard SOP until it's sorted, with air refuel required first task on all missions. All coalition air forces will be operating out of Tbilisi and Vaziani at this time. Elements of the US Army 4th Infantry Division have set up a forward operating base (FOB) just outside the town of Zhinvali, 50 km north of Tbilisi. From FOB Zhinvali, they've pushed north far enough to establish a group of observation posts (OPs) from which to find and engage the separatists forces. 'OP Denali', the furthest north, sits less than 40 km from the entrenched Russian 19th Motor Rifle Div. and within range of their artillery. As such, tensions are high. With the poor visibility and rugged terrain we're dealing with, the A-10s of the 25th are uniquely qualified to work closely with our ground forces to help search, engage, and destroy the separatists. Overcast conditions still prevail, but visibility is good enough over the AO to get to work. Good luck. --------------------------------- Today's mission should get you oriented with the AO (Area of Operations), one way or another. The US 4th Infantry is digging in but the OPs have been under constant sniper, mortar, and artillery fire from the Separatists since we've gotten here. Most of their heavy armor and self-propelled artillery is still en route, with the C-17s only able to carry in a single M1A2 Abrams in at a time. However, we've got a handful of M109 Paladins ready to rock and it's time to get them in place. Today's primary mission: Assist the 3rd Battalion 16th Field Artillery Regiment in establishing firebase "Sky Cap" on the next ridge south of OP Matterhorn. The ground units will be inserted via 2 groups of 2x CH-47 Chinooks, callsigns Pontiac 6-1 and 8-1. The Chinooks will land at two LZs, LZ "Alta" and LZ "Snowbird" (see mission map). Your flight plan includes waypoints Alpha and Bravo at anticipated areas of separatist activity. Clear out these approach valleys and the LZs so Pontiac can get in and out safely. From Sky Cap, Separatist forces dug in in the towns of Kazbegi and Garbani will be in range of the big M109s. In addition, we'll be able to counter the Russian batteries camping out near the border at Darial Gorge. Once that task is completed, stay on-station flying between the FOB and OPs to maintain a presence in the valley and provide on-call CAS, if required. Air-refuel and re-arm at Lochini is authorized, as needed. You will be relieved by Boar flight at 1030 hours. Tusk flight is supplemental to Pig flight and will provide additional support if needed. PIG FLIGHT TASKS: 1) T/O from Tblisi-Lochini 0600 hrs 2) AR at Texaco 3) Clear valleys at Alpha & Bravo 4) Clear LZs Alta & Snowbird 5) Maintain on-station above FOB Zhinvali until relieved by Boar flight at approximately 1030 hours. TUSK FLIGHT TASKS: 1) Support Pig flight as necessary (may receive alternate taskings) Pig 4x A-10C Tusk 4x A-10C Texaco KC-135, 152. VHF, TCN 10X Overlord (AWACS) E3-A Pontiac 6-1 2x CH-47D Pontiac 8-1 2x CH-47D Boar 2x A-10C A-10 Loadouts: PIG: 2x AGM-65G 4x CBU-87 7x M-156 WP Rockets ALQ-131, AN/AAQ-28 TUSK: 4x AGM-65D 2x CBU-87 14x M-151 Rockets 7x M-156 WP Rockets ALQ-131, AN/AAQ-28 Package Comms on 124.0 --------------------------------- THREATS: Mobile AAA (ZU-23 and ZSU-23-4) IFVs (BMP-2, BTR-80, BRDM) MANPADs Stay south of areas marked on map as no-fly to avoid engagement with Russian forces near Darial Pass. WEATHER: Overcast, base 11,000', ceiling 16,000'

Link in the original post should work - was pending ED approval.

Uploading v2.1. "Fixed" SEAD, ;-), works with DCSW 1.1.1.0 now.

Uploading version 2.0. Made numerous minor tweaks to the first half of the mission, and almost completely overhauled the second half (FOB attack).

Thanks, Aries. Just make sure someone stays over the pilot at all times if you can - it's easy to get everyone sucked up into side missions and other targets (not imminent threats) that you might find, but one pair of eyes can make the difference.

I got about 60% of the way there flying SP for about six months after the first beta came out (maybe averaged 6-8 hours a week)...repeating missions until I smoked them, looking at every YouTube tutorial out there, etc. Then joined an online squadron and quickly filled in the next 30%. The other 10% is still out there somewhere :-) Along the lines of the above posts, situational awareness skills are pushed greatly by MP, particularly where good comms are used. You are are constantly looking at your HSI and TAD to know where you are, where targets, are where friendlies/teammates are, etc. since you have to coordinate and make proper calls about your position, relation to targets position, friendlies, etc. It gets much more intense online (on good servers w/comms), and as a result, you learn that much faster. Plus, any question you have regarding the systems is usually quickly answered - lots of smart folks out there willing to help.

Thanks for the reports guys, will have to check into but indeed sounds like the reported SEAD bug.

popov - found out what the issue w/Gridion's SEAD was. For some reason, with 1.1.1.0 patch, there are no loadouts for the Tornado GR.4's by default, so the were going on a SEAD mission carring only harsh words and maybe some cannon rounds ;-) So, just swapped them out for German IDSs. That mission should work now.

Updated (v2.0) to swap British Tornado GR.4s out for German IDSs. Noticed today that with the 1.1.1.0 patch, there are no default loadouts for the GR.4s, so the SEAD won't work now on the old version unless you manually change the loadouts to carry ALARM anti-radiation missiles.

popov - I have not tested Vetka, Gridiron, or Standby CSAR in 1.1.1.0. I heard there were some new issues with SEAD with the new patch and wondered if it broke Gridiron. I'll try to check it out today. Sometimes it's as simple as opening the mission in the ME in the new patch, saving, and then running it. I'll fix it nonetheless. Thanks for the heads up.