Black Shark 2 - Deployment Mission #3

[BeachAV8R]

 

This morning our mission is to depart “Shpora” FARP and provide support to a force attacking a reinforced area at Krasniy Karachai. Enemy forces are holed up within three fortified bunkers. Our job is to fly in support of the attack as directed by the FAC on the scene.

 

 

 

 

As the briefing notes, the ceiling for the mission is scrubbing the tops of the high mountains along the route.

 

 

 

Heading up the valley toward the first waypoint I engage the autopilot in ROUTE mode and sit back and enjoy the views.

 

 

At the turn point the terrain climbs sharply and we have to climb up into the bottom of the ceiling. There are some tense moments when visibility drops to near zero as we scrape across the top of the ridgeline.

 

 

 

We crest the ridgeline and I’m relieved to be descending back down into clear air on the far side.

 

 

As we descend into the valley we turn south and head down the valley toward the FAC position.

 

 

Approaching the FAC position I peer though the HUD and can make out some scattered exchange of gunfire between the lead elements of our armored troops and the bunkers in the village.

 

 

 

I quickly locate the source of the fire and send a trio of Vikhrs toward the targets.

 

 

 

The FAC provides encouragement as we destroy the three bunkers.

 

 

 

 

As the third bunker explodes the mounted infantry starts advancing up the hill into the town.

 

 

The FAC advises us to support the advancing troops and he warns us of a AAA gun operating in the area.

 

[BeachAV8R]

As the vehicles reach the northern outskirts of the village I spot enemy insurgents scattered throughout the village. I’m not a fan of indiscriminate fire in populated areas, but I let loose with a few rockets to suppress the enemy.

 

 

 

The external view (cheat – yes) shows one of my rockets heading over the town and then the AAA unit and enemy troops become evident but I’m already closing at high speed on the town.

 

 

I continue my rocket barrage hoping I can get some rounds on the biggest threat – the AAA emplacement.

 

 

My wingman calls out that he is hit as he pulls off with an engine on fire. I curse my stupidity for not maintaining my standoff range.

 

 

 

As I cross over the village I hear the tap tap tap of rounds hitting my airframe. I instantly hear the rotor low RPM warning and I lose control of my helo. As we descend rapidly I hit the eject button as my helo pancakes into the ground.

 

 

In a stroke of terrible luck, my chute drifts down into the stream running next to the village and I must end up drowning since I’m reported as DEAD in the debrief.

 

 

A minute later my wingman also succumbs to his damage as he tries to set his chopper down in the valley and explodes. Our friendly forces do manage to finish their advance and despite the loss of both helos we get a mission success.

 

 

I assume the “FAILURE” listings on the debrief are component failures resulting from damage. It was a horribly executed mission and I should have stayed at standoff range and proceeded to find and hit the AAA site with precision missiles. I felt under pressure to advance with the friendly armor however and paid the price. Lesson learned that haste is not a good idea in some cases.

 

 

BeachAV8R

[bengo]

Ah, the good old BeachAV8R-reports are back. Luv' it man, keep 'em coming.

[Shein]

Really cool!

Yeah I find using rockets result in me getting killed or shot around like.... oh, probably 70-90% of the time. Getting close enough to use them means getting close enough for everything that preys on werewolves to get you!

Also, RIP. I'm sure if you hadn't of landed in the stream, the enemy troops wouldn't of been too happy to see you! "it is generally inadvisable to eject over the area in which you have just attacked" ;)

Once again bravo with the screens, though!

[BeachAV8R]

The next DCS module should be DCS: Swimming Pilot. All I had to do was tread water for about two minutes and the cavalry was steaming up the hill to save me!

 

Doh!