FC2 - Campaign Mission #4 AAR

[BeachAV8R]

The target for this mission is a Command & Control unit.

 

 

The recon picture could be a little better, but at least I have a general idea.

 

 

I should have adjusted these mission waypoints in the mission editor (new feature for FC2), but I forgot and didn't consider the SA-11 site north of the city.

 

 

Heading out of base, I'm using the SimMod A-10C adapted for FC2. Also, I'm using a mod that allows for 6DOF in the cockpit, which does help a bit for things like looking over your shoulder toward the rear of the aircraft.

 

 

 

The SimMod A-10C is just a beautiful 3D model...

 

 

Heading toward the target site I can see smoke burning in the city, but it is very difficult to detect the armor and other threats within the city.

 

 

And, of course, as I stray too high hoping to get a better line of sight on the target, the pesky SA-11 site opens up on me from the north.

 

 

I get a good eyeball on the SA-11 site this time and can see from where the smoke trails emanated. Something to consider for sure. Diving for the deck causes the missiles to pull lead pursuit which drives them into the ground.

 

 

A scary moment after the SAM launch where my wingman and I almost collide on the rejoin...

 

 

I know the airfield just west of our target area is now labeled a friendly field, and it just so happens that my target area is off the extended centerline, so I take advantage of the easy visual reference point.

 

 

Peering through the HUD I try to spot my target area, but I'm so confused and lost that I'm a bit frustrated. (Note the mint green HUD color mod!)

 

 

As I draw closer my radar warning receiver goes off indicating a ZSU out in front of me. He is so buried in the trees that I can't even find him.

 

 

As I make the break turn back to the south to reassess the situation my wingman calls out a missile launch at 6 o'clock and sure enough a little missile of some sort (I didn't check the after action report) tracks up toward me as I dump flares.

 

 

Coming back around I'm not very sure that I'm on my target location, although I AM sure that the vehicles I'm targeting are enemy. Using the Maverick seeker I can spot the targets a little easier, but it is a chore.

 

 

 

I'm a bit wedged in. With the high airspace unavailable due to the SA-11 threat, and the low airspace bristling with vehicle mounted SAMs, AAA, and then through in the MANPADs to boot!

 

 

On one of my runs in I get a good look at a target on the targeting monitor and the image is distinctly that of a ZSU-23-4..

 

 

On the pull off I dodge another short range SAM, and as I ascend away from that threat the SA-11 reminds me of its presence too. I'm amazed the SA-11 missile didn't kill me because it passed within several meters of me, but did not explode.

 

 

 

Cont..

[BeachAV8R]

I'm repeatedly frustrated by the lack of a clear target. I think I might have actually been looking in the wrong area, but there was a ton of activity in the city. After multiple attempts to find the right target and repeatedly getting beaten back by SAMs I finally spot one of the smoke trails coming up from an easily recognizable feature. The smoke leads back to near a cluster of four smokestacks and I can see a convoy of some sort with air-defense vehicles moving down the city street.

 

 

 

Each slashing run in is fraught with danger as SAMs arc up from all quadrants near the city. It is sheer luck that I haven't been hit yet. I long ago sent my wingman home because I knew he'd be fodder for the enemy defenses.

 

 

Coming in on the distinct cluster of four smokestacks I spy the convoy moving more in the open now and target the air defense vehicle in the #2 and #3 positions in the convoy.

 

 

 

 

I press in a bit too close though and get riddled by a AAA gun. My right engine is ablaze and my hydraulics are out making control very sluggish.

 

 

Unable to jink now because of the reduced maneuverability, yet another SAM reaches up and I'm helpless to avoid it.

 

 

Though my left engine is still running the impact blows part of my rudders off and I lose effective control of the aircraft. The plane shudders and starts skidding into the dead engine. I try to reduce power to reduce the asymmetric thrust, but I'm too low and with little hydraulic aid I have to admit the aircraft is lost.

 

 

As I grit my teeth in anger my chute descends into the wreckage of the aircraft..insult to injury!!

 

 

It burns...it buuuuurrrrnnnnsss!!!! Aaaaaghhh...!

 

 

Boy. I'm rightly pissed now. Now, technically I know I've failed the mission. But I've already put a lot of effort into it already. Since I sent my wingman home, I think "ok..I can just hop in his plane and continue the mission"..so I put the camera focus on his plane all comfy back at base and hit the ALT-J key thinking I'll be able to hop into it. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. I don't know if it doesn't work because of my realism settings or if it just doesn't work in FC2 (?). Now, I do have the option of "Crash Recover" or whatever that is called, so I do that and I'm put instantly into a new A-10 at my home base on the runway. This feels more like cheating to me than taking over my wingman's A-10, but whatever. I vow only to do it when I know I have wingman still available (in this case, only 1 wingman).

 

 

Cont..

[BeachAV8R]

So I go roaring back into action and immediately take vengeance on the convoy that I was pursuing. Both air defense vehicles are already out of action, so I turn my attention to the troop carrier or whatever and lace it with cannon fire.

 

 

 

OK - maybe not a good idea to go to the cannon in rage. As I pull off the target two little bullet holes appear behind my canopy and I've lost my HUD and a flight computer or something. The plane is flying fine though, so I head back to base to repair.

 

 

On short final with the gear coming out...

 

 

I park on the ramp and wait a few minutes while the maintenance guys patch me up.

 

 

I take the opportunity to review my map and tactics. That damn SA-11 site has got to go. Without the ability to fly high, my Rockeyes and Mk-82s are completely useless, not to mention my ability to scan the area is greatly reduced.

 

 

Determined to solve this SA-11 problem once and for all, I head low-level for the area where I saw the smoke trails and use the terrain to mask my approach.

 

 

Sure enough, the SA-11 site sees me as I pop up and launches a volley of missiles at me. Unfortunately I can't get my Maverick slewed onto the SAM site and I only have a precious second to do it.

 

 

I lose the quick-draw contest as one of the SA-11 missiles slams into me, completely destroying both engines.

 

 

I eject and admit defeat for this mission. I'll have to take a look at it from another angle. Perhaps coming at the SA-11 site from the sea or something to give my Mavericks a good look at it. I don't know. The mission is a complete failure though, with the primary target untouched (the Command & Control vehicles) and the loss of two A-10s.

 

BeachAV8R

[Maximus]

Nice report!.

[Wags]

I really enjoy reading these!

 

My Top 10 words of advice:

 

1- REALLY study the recon image in the briefing to help you get eyes on the correct target fast.

 

2- As much as possible, use the ridge line to the north to terrain mask the SA-11

 

3- To use unguided bombs, put the target off your wing at 3 nm, zoom climb, and roll into the target while flying the pipper onto the target. Should be a fast process and minimize your exposure time. Or, do a CCRP toss bomb attack (use Mk20s).

 

4- Use the wingie to soften the area. Have him in formation, have your nose on the target around 6 nm, and give him the attack ground targets command. Remember that the AI must be able to first see the target before it can attack it.

 

5- Don't fly into the teeth of the enemy. Best to come in from a flank or even behind them. I like to use the foot hills to the south of the FEBA.

 

6- Use your Mavs at standoff range to take out IDed AD systems in target area before hitting the primary. Bombs would be the last weapon I'd use.

 

7- Never overfly badies, even if you think they are dead... may have friends nearby.

 

8- Best to use gun between 2 and 1 nm, peel off at 1 nm.

 

9- When near the FEBA, keep your eyes out of the cockpit when near enemy concentrations (see briefing map) and look for the tell tale flash and smoke of an IR SAM launch (no RWR warnings).

 

10- Read "A-10s Over Kosovo" and you'll get and an appreciation of target spotting.

 

 

Also, as you pointed out, you can now alter your route in the Planner in the briefing. So, if you don't like the ingress/egress, alter it.

Edited April 1, 2010 by Wags

[BeachAV8R]

Those are all great bits of advice Matt - thanks for the summary. Too often we just get in there and run & gun and don't properly think out the strategy. I actually managed to crack that nut tonight and figured out how to beat that mission. I'll post an AAR tomorrow..

 

Regards!

BeachAV8R

[JimMack]

BeachAV8R - should you now be learning to change nappies, instead of flying combat missions! Congrats and an excellent read.

[Maximus]

Yes, it's pretty good advice from Wags... keep it coming BeachAV8R!

[Distiler]

Great debriefing thanks!

 

PD: To hop to another airplane I think it is the option "aircraft switching", not sure 100% I've never tried.

Edited April 1, 2010 by Distiler

[Konovalov]

Another great mission report. I can really see the difficulty of these missions now starting to increase. Well done although I'm not sure the boss will be happy with you trashing two Hogs in one day. :D

[BeachAV8R]

BeachAV8R - should you now be learning to change nappies, instead of flying combat missions! Congrats and an excellent read.

 

I've changed more diapers in the past 10 days than I'll ever care to remember. Although at least he sleeps like 20 hours a day right now..

 

:thumbup:

[BeachAV8R]

Another great mission report. I can really see the difficulty of these missions now starting to increase. Well done although I'm not sure the boss will be happy with you trashing two Hogs in one day. :D

 

I'm just doing my part to help out the economy. Gotta put more people to work making replacement planes for my campaigns.. Haha..

[jctrnacty]

Great AARs, thanks Beach. I love it since your Falcon 4 AARs. I cannot play FC 2 right now(learning for exams), but i am always looking forward to read your A-10 reports. I want MORE!!!!!