FC2.0: F15C: Campaign Mission 3 AAR

Before I begin, I should mention that I've had some problem with this campaign before mostly because I couldn't figure out how to control my wingmen. They usually go for same target or low priority target and die if you just tell them to engage bandits. And unlike A10 campaign, making use of your wingmen is critical in this campaign because I just can't fight 4 Flankers by myself. So after couple tries, the best strategy I came up with is to use myself as bait. Let the bandits engage me, I run, and let my wingmen finish the job.

After the routine relocation mission and a babysitting escort mission, my flight is tasked with a CAP mission. Take off at 10:05 and Landing scheduled at 12:45... whew... CAP for 2 and a half hours. Make sure I empty my bladder first!

Taking off... I wonder if there's a way to take off in formation. I always take off first and forced to slow down for the rest of my wing to catch up.

Just as I report in, I get an update from AWACS. SU-24 and MIG-29 strike-escort package sounds suspicious. And AWACS didn't bother to tell me how many MIGs. Group 2 as mentioned in the briefing is their Flanker CAP. Group 3 I don't think is a threat.

On my way to waypoint 3. The strike-escort package is creeping down that coast line I'm told. They haven't cleared me to engage yet so I gotta stick to my CAP duty.

Just as I turn back towards waypoint 2, it starts to get interesting. Standing by...

Fight's on! I've been ordered to intercept the SU-24 and MIG-29 package. According to the AWACS, they were already pretty close to my position and down low so I'm gonna light up my afterburner and turn back as I descend to their altitude. This should give me some room to work with. The Flanker CAP is on their way as well.

Banking right.

As I turn towards the bandit, I see couple jamming signals and one bogey. I know Fulcrums don't carry jammers but did SU-24's carry ECM? Should've done some more homework beforehand. And even if they do equip ECM, I should be within burn through range. That could also be coming from the Flankers but I don't think that's the correct heading for Flanker group. Strange. Another possibility is that those are from Enfield flight who we just relieved of their CAP mission. Lots of guessing and not enough time.

And I can't even get a clear lock on that bandit but I get a launch warning from the MIG. Not good. Not good at all... Ordered 3 to engage on that jamming signal and told me "unable" so I'm pretty sure those are from Enfield flight. Since I don't have a lock, I can't order my wing to engage my target so instead, I order 3 and 4 to cover me while I break for cover. Cover me command will make them go after enemy bandits that locked me up.

Running for my life...

I did mention this on another thread but radio communications are executed in linear order so when I get lots of information from AWACS like in this mission, it takes quite a while for your order to take effect. Here, the order I gave to wing 4 taking effect some 20 seconds later. Something ED should look into.

I put my nose back into the fight and I'm counting 3 bandits.

3 took care of one.

I give them a hand. Fox 3!

And more kills start pouring in. Two.

Three.

Four.

Five.

And I'm gonna stop counting because it's just raining bandits at this point.

Cont...

One missile was launched at me again so I did another evasive maneuver and turned back in it to see how we're doing. Still 3 that I can see. AWACS not giving me the exact number of SU-24's and MIG-29's in the beginning has me guessing throughout the engagement.

Fox 3! Duh... I forgot all about wing 2. Didn't even know he was still on my wing. Well... makes for great screenshot at least.

Splashed another 3 bandits and then the remaining bandits are bugging out. That'll teach them.

Gorgeous F15 model by Gys. And the new environment in FC2.0 are stunning as well. Great job!

I know I was tasked with 2 and a half hours of CAP but I've been cleared RTB so I assume it's okay to head home. Really didn't want to make circles for 2 hours after all that action!

Mission complete and more importantly, I didn't lose anyone on my wing.

Debriefing shows we lost one of Enfield flight and 3 ground units. But took out 12 of theirs so I'd say we won. Good thing I stopped counting.

One of the reasons I'm doing these AAR's is so that if someone new is having issues with the campaign, they may use it for reference but more importantly, I am also seeking advice from more experienced fighter jockeys out there because I'm practically a rookie... so any input will be appreciated.

Mission 3 AAR

Mission 4 AAR

Mission 5 AAR

Mission 6 AAR

Mission 7 AAR

Mission 8 AAR

Mission 9 AAR

Mission 10 AAR

Nice Ven, this is what I use for my wingman commands and tower/awacs etc, it really helps alot and is much more immersive this way, you can try it out for free for 30 days then it's 18$ and it is very smooth with no problems.

http://www.dwvac.com/index.html

Oh, I used to use a software called Game Commander. It looks similar app? I agree with the immersion but key press seems faster. But the issue with comm right now is the delay. AWACS giving the bandit coordinates for 6 seconds and then subtitle stays on for another 7 seconds. If I gave an order just before AWACS chimed in, it takes effect AFTER the AWACS message clears off the screen.

Hmm... just noticed another thing in that debriefing. In General Debriefing Data column, it says Georgia and USA are Red and Russia is Blue?

Nice AAR, Ven, thanks. Would have definitely been better to give you a bandit count on that Fencer-Fulcrum flight. And the Red/Blue reversal in the debriefing screen does appear to be a bug.

I played this mission three times and fail. Nice to see you made it but I totally a noob in FC2. BS is another story, I consider my self expert :P

Also please let me know you strategy of how to avoid missiles. Nice mission reports keep them coming.

Excellent stuff!

I enjoyed the hell out of that, reading in this style really gives a sense of realism to the whole thing.

Glad to see also that not only does the terrain in FC2 look great, but they have done up the interface immensly! Well done ED!

Now looking forward to firing up my copy some time in the next week.

Keep that AAR's coming mate.

I played this mission three times and fail. Nice to see you made it but I totally a noob in FC2. BS is another story, I consider my self expert :P

 

Also please let me know you strategy of how to avoid missiles. Nice mission reports keep them coming.

If you're getting shot down, I think you're getting too close. I'm sure some more experienced pilots here can survive right in the middle of the action but not me. I tend to stay on the outer edge of the engagement zone and simple turn away usually evades all missiles. These are my basic strategy to every mission so far.

1. Load up everyone on my wing with AIM-120C's and adjust fuel load in mission editor before every mission.

2. Lock your bandits and just before they are at Rmax range, order each of your wingmen to engage using "engage my target" command to each wingmen separately. If you can't get lock on them or if the bandits are already too close and not enough time, I use "cover me" command. I don't use "engage bandit" command as it does some funky things. And don't give engage... command to the entire flight.

3. Fire a few AIM-120C to couple bandits you locked up at Rmax range. These missiles will most likely will not make the kill but should put the enemy in defensive position giving your wingmen better chance of survival. They do make a kill once in a blue moon however.

4. From my experience so far, the enemy should've already launched on you. Again, at this range, simply turning away is good enough to evade.

5. Now, turn back into it (I usually just do 360 turn back in it) and if I get a launch warning again, that means they're still on me so I turn away with afterburner again. And my wingmen should finish them off. If they shifted their focus and going after the wingmen (you can see this better in TWS radar mode), turn back in it and engage them yourself.

This is just my tactic and I'm sure is not the only way and in all probability, not even the best tactic. I'd actually love to hear other people's strategy.

Thanks Funkster! I hope you enjoy FC2 as much as I do... I'm sure you will!

If you're getting shot down, I think you're getting too close. I'm sure some more experienced pilots here can survive right in the middle of the action but not me. I tend to stay on the outer edge of the engagement zone and simple turn away usually evades all missiles. These are my basic strategy to every mission so far.

 

1. Load up everyone on my wing with AIM-120C's and adjust fuel load in mission editor before every mission.

 

2. Lock your bandits and just before they are at Rmax range, order each of your wingmen to engage using "engage my target" command to each wingmen separately. If you can't get lock on them or if the bandits are already too close and not enough time, I use "cover me" command. I don't use "engage bandit" command as it does some funky things. And don't give engage... command to the entire flight.

 

3. Fire a few AIM-120C to couple bandits you locked up at Rmax range. These missiles will most likely will not make the kill but should put the enemy in defensive position giving your wingmen better chance of survival. They do make a kill once in a blue moon however.

 

4. From my experience so far, the enemy should've already launched on you. Again, at this range, simply turning away is good enough to evade.

 

5. Now, turn back into it (I usually just do 360 turn back in it) and if I get a launch warning again, that means they're still on me so I turn away with afterburner again. And my wingmen should finish them off. If they shifted their focus and going after the wingmen (you can see this better in TWS radar mode), turn back in it and engage them yourself.

 

This is just my tactic and I'm sure is not the only way and in all probability, not even the best tactic. I'd actually love to hear other people's strategy.

Thanks :)