Red Flag Missions

[Kreutzberg]

This is about the Red Flag missions, by @Sedlo, that are included with the module.

I'm having a ton of trouble, especially on the first one. In most cases, it seems like fighter sweep is not very effective. I usually wind up being bounced by quite a few enemy fighters before I even get to the objective. I've tried hitting the push time perfectly, delaying it to give more time for the fighters and everything in between, but the enemy SAMs and fighters seem to really beat up on the friendly fighters. From watching the videos of this mission in other modules, it doesn't seem like the player is supposed to do much air to air before the strike, but I wind up fighting enemy aircraft nearly every time (I ran out of missiles one time!).

I've had more success with mission 2, but largely because my friendly forces do a better job. It's tough to maintain situational awareness in the F-4. That's probably more to do with the limitations of 1960s technology. I'm hoping that my skills will get better on that front, that the radar/Jester may improve, or perhaps even that DCS's AWACS calls will get better.

Am I missing something obvious? I don't get the impression that these missions are supposed to be quite this difficult!

[Kalasnkova74]

“I don’t get the impression that these missions are supposed to be quite this difficult!”

I mean no e-snark by this, but I think you need more experience with the F-4E before tackling a complex mission like this.

It takes months of 8+ hour daily academics and flight training for real-life tactical pilots to learn the basics of aircraft this capable. Even at that rate, someone who practiced this module since Launch Day might be skilled enough to play a tough campaign and manage. Anyone who’s got other responsibilities in their lives -besides playing this game -will simply not be experienced enough to prevail. Few could with just 3 months of experience.

Theres a reason real life USAF squadrons almost never send inexperienced LTs to Red Flag. Same goes for wartime deployments- people with years of experience get to go overseas, and folks new to the business got to stay home and miss the war. There’s no rushing the experience tax, and you gotta pay it to git gud enough to win at the more detailed campaigns. 

Edited August 17, 2024 by Kalasnkova74

[Sedlo]

They are actually supposed to be quite difficult. 

Regarding mission 01:

The success of the fighter sweeps is variable, but you may have to contend with bandits inbound to target.   The choices are:

1.  Out run 'em
2. Try to fight 'em

Will your fuel allow you to plug the burners for a minute or two to get ahead?  If so, do it.  Help may be nearby, just maybe further away than you want.  Buy some time if you can.  Of course, a lot depends on who you are facing and what they're armed with.  Know the limitations of your jet.  There is no shame in choosing to avoid a fight, especially if it means you can put your bombs on target.

If you have to turn and fight, than the enemy has already defeated your mission.  Don't let them defeat you.  

As for SAMs, they can't shoot you if they can't see you.  Use the terrain to your advantage.  The route to the target is designed to shield you from the most nasty stuff, but you need to keep some rocks between you and the emitter.

Mission 2 is specially designed to oversaturate you.  Even flying an F-16 with datalink, you will find yourself overloaded.  In an F-4 you will be drinking from a firehose.   Keep you visual scan going.  Adjust your vector often in case there is someone sneaking in for a shot.  AWACS won't call out everything.

Your mission is to keep the Tornado's alive.  If AWACS calls bandits north of you, don't lose sight of the objective.

--

And hey, it's designed to replicate a real Red Flag mission.  If you get shot down, find out what happened, why it happened and try to avoid it in the future.


I hope this helps..

Cheers,

Sedlo
 

[Sedlo]

Oh, also don't forget, in the radio menu / F10 options there is the choice to make yourself invulnerable and to nerf hostile missiles.  

[Kreutzberg]

Thanks, guys.  Good to know that this is meant to be more of a graduate level series!