JTAC vs Mission objectives

[bluepilot76]

Hello fellow Warthog pilots!

The first time I flew the second campaign missions (Hammer Campaign?- sorry, memory failure ATM) , I would always contact a JTAC for tasking shortly after takeoff. This time round I am starting to think this is not always the correct thing to do...

 

For Example: A mission briefing says the target is column of BMPs in a village somewhere at waypoint 3 and JTAC is on such and such freq. I dont really feel I need the JTAC to do the mission, in this case the BMPS are sitting there in the street, right where the mission briefing says they should be. SO I just want to get down to business.

 

Problem is that sometimes the JTAC has sent me off after a bunch of tanks or whatever miles from my ground armies objectives. By the time I have sorted everything out for him Ive got nothing left for the next JTAC and have to go and rearm.

 

So are we always supposed to contact the JTAC if there is one on the mission, or is it more realistic to contact him once we have completed the primary objective, and maybe have a few bullets or bombs left over?

 

If the briefing specifically says fly to X and contact JTAC then obviously thats what to do, but they dont all say that? Any ideas how this would work in RL?

[bluepilot76]

OK, not getting much help with this one so never mind what is the correct answer...What would you do?

 

Mission is:

Attack BMPs at Waypoint 3.

 

Freqs:

AWACS 124

JTAC West 30

 

You take off and can see the BMPs in the expected place

Do you:

A) attack mission objective, then call JTAC if you have spare bombs

B) call JTAC before attacking mission objective

C) something else

[Nate--IRL--]

Usually there is no correct way to proceed, but if the mission has a specific objective, that is what I'd be concentrating on. The JTAC is a tool nothing else. Some times he's required sometimes he's not.

 

Fly your assigned mission is the only advice I can give.

 

Nate

[RodBorza]

I would call JTAC, no doubt about it.

 

Why? Well, because in RL things ARE different.

Point is that this is a sim, and as such, it is trying to emulate the best it can a real life scenario. It is known that many missions are bugged or have some kind of issue. Just look for it at the forums.

So, after this little explanation on why there are targets apparently sitting idly by, I think JTAC in real life would give you the priority targets, so, that's the "mindset" I get in when playing the game.

If mission briefing says that I must call JTAC before proceeding that is what I do. Maybe, since it is a sim, so you can/must imagine/suppose somethings, maybe the JTAC is targeting some targets away from the ground forces because they are either too much for the soldiers in the ground to to handle or because they are some kind of reinforcement, that will harass our forces if reaching the battle line.

So, taking your example, the JTAC sends you after some tanks miles away because they are too heavy for the blue forces to engage, if they come in contact. So, better sweep these high-value targets out of the way before they become a higher threat. And regarding those BMPs, I like to think that the army can and will engage them with no problem. They are light-skinned targets, and the troops can hold their own against them. But against thanks, that would be a different story.

Just my two cents.

Edited June 16, 2011 by RodBorza

[FlyingBrick]

If you've been briefed on your exact target type and location then there is really no need to contact JTAC unless specifically ordered to.

 

The leftover munitions are for JTAC:thumbup:

[mikey13ca]

Fly the mission, as fragged, then if you have leftover weapons, call a JTAC and lend a hand to the war effort

[zamboni]

Fly the mission, as fragged, then if you have leftover weapons, call a JTAC and lend a hand to the war effort

 

^^ This

 

For those missions in that campaign, I always thought that the JTAC(s) included were for other flights. You have your objective, and if the briefing didn't specifically tell you to check in with JTAC....frag the enemy target and then check in with JTAC if you have left over weapons and want to help out a bit.

 

There are some campaign missions with two or three different JTAC units, they cant ALL be meant for you, right?

[Depth]

In missions where there are other A10 flights they are presumably also using the JTAC so why is there never any traffic on the frequency?

[Nate--IRL--]

The AI doesn't use the JTAC - however in MP you will hear other flights use him.

 

Nate

[Nufsed]

You take off and can see the BMPs in the expected place

Do you:

A) attack mission objective, then call JTAC if you have spare bombs

B) call JTAC before attacking mission objective

C) something else

 

© Something else........let the second flight take them out, giving you time for an extra beer in the mess.:lol:

[bluepilot76]

OK great thanks for your input folks! I see a bit of a majority there towards killing the objective and then contacting JTAC if you want or can which is what Id sort of started to realise.

 

In the case where the JTAC might be desperate for some help with something, then I guess in RL you would get a specific instruction through AWACS to abort on your primary objective and go and help out.

I suppose things are more likely organised such that the JTAC will have dedicated cover already. Those would be the flights whose objective is "Fly to X and contact JTAC"

After all who knows how important those BMPs might be? Maybe thats where the enemy commanders are, or they are about to take out some village cheiftain that we want to protect. Or they are full of crack troops that will kick arse when they get to the front line.

[Newt]

© Something else........let the second flight take them out, giving you time for an extra beer in the mess.:lol:

 

I like the way you think!