Tasking "other" units via radio/F10

[Joyride]

Any tips on how to most effectively use the SEAD, CAP, and CAS units that are sometimes available in missions via the radio and F10?

 

For the most part I've been sending SEAD and CAP in as soon as it's available to clean the way for me, then CAS sometime shortly after (just ahead of me) to start working on the objectives. Seems to make sense, but is there more strategy to this and am I missing something? Since it appears all you do is tell them to start, is there any reason to delay tasking them other than ASAP?

[RodBorza]

Depends on the mission really, but in the Georgia Hammer's campaign as far as I can recall, the flights are replaced from time to time. If you take a look with the F6 key, everytime you'll hear "Airborne" a flight is leaving the carrier stationed on the Black Sea. Very neat details!

 

Regarding the strategy part, be aware of the radio Guard channel and the TAD.

You are doing it right to call up SEAD before you go in, since they will do a good job of cleaning the way ahead of you. It is particulary important if can't get to target area and/or your RWR is filled with enemy radar spikes. Get out, go over friendly territory, call up SEAD and watch the fireworks. Confirm if the RWR spikes are greatly diminished and get in and do your job.

 

For CAP flights it is good to hear what the AWACS is saying. If he/she says something like "Bogey, 350, 40@ 16,000, hot" it is when I call the CAP. They will come over you following your waypoints. Listen for it, since they'll call out the waypoint they are passing through.

An enemy 40 nm away seems pretty far, however they are fast, and the CAP takes sometime to go through all the waypoints before they detect the enemy aircraft. Once they are in range they'll engage. Yet again, listen for the calls over the radio ("Dodge flight, fox 1/ Dodge 1, Splash 1!).

 

And last but not least look at the TAD. The TAD gives you very important info on the location of friendly planes, and in the case of SEAD, their SPIs will be shown so you can have a safe idea where they are attacking.

Helps a lot with Situational Awareness.

Edited March 11, 2011 by RodBorza

[Markeebo]

Thanks for the informative post RodBorza.

 

Rep inbound

 

Markeebo

[Joyride]

Thanks RodBorza. Pretty much how I was handling it but good tip to stay over the set way points when using the CAP....sometimes I decide to alter my approach in to the target area, but if there's some MIGs about I may overfly my coverage!

[RodBorza]

About changing the approach to the target area, I only do that when the JTAC asks for a specific direction. But when he does so is when everything is already calm and you can do your job easily.

However, everytime I see a "29" spike on my RWR, it doesn't matter where I am: it's time to head for the deck and back to friendly territory.