Vergeev Campaign - Mission 06/20

[BeachAV8R]

 

Despite the tragic events of yesterday still on our minds, we must press ahead with the missions in our area of operations. The weather has deteriorated significantly overnight and now a low overcast with rain and strong winds dominate the region. Last night, one of the border outposts detected an intrusion into the Russian side of the border. A squad is out in pursuit of the contacts and we are to provide assistance in their search. There is also a secondary mission with sketchy details. It sounds as though the Navy has lost sonar capability offshore and is requiring some assistance with locating a container ship that had sent an S.O.S.

 

 

A low fog bank hangs over the coastal area including the airport. As I get my helo prepared for the mission a twin turboprop takes off, I’m assuming to do some searching on the naval mission.

 

 

The radio buzzes with details of my mission. First I’m to fly the flight planned route to the border area then proceed north on patrol until reaching the Voron Group outpost area where I’m to assist with locating the infiltrators.

 

 

The Mi-8 that we will later rendezvous with for the naval search portion also departs for the start of his mission.

 

 

I finish readying for the mission and depart into the murky skies. I’ve lightened the screens slightly for viewing purposes. The fog layer hugging the coast is quite thick and care must be taken flying at low altitude. I set the ROUTE mode of the autopilot to follow the waypoints of the PVI-800.

 

 

 

Approaching the border area I take care to slow to a speed which will not cause me to overshoot the flight path and penetrate Georgian airspace.

 

 

As I make the turn to parallel the border I glance to the east toward the border but the fog is very thick and I can only make out the barest outline of the border crossing points.

 

 

Heading north I keep a close eye on the ABRIS map. The route shaves perilously close to the border and constant attention is required. Fortunately I’m paying close attention since a tall antennae comes looming out of the murk – a definite collision hazard on this route!

 

 

 

As the coastal plain starts to rise toward the mountains the fog drops off, replaced by rain and a mid-level overcast that shrouds the peaks ahead.

 

 

 

As I try to stay close to the route I find myself pinched between the border and the higher terrain on the west side of the valley. Climbing results in a momentary entry into the cloud – a dangerous thing in such mountainous terrain. I ease the collective and drift carefully back down into clearer air. This will be delicate flying. As we are approaching the area where the infiltrators were spotted I select the master arm on and enable the Shkval to search along the river.

 

 

The radio crackles and I’m told I need to approach the ground troops within 100 meters to establish communications with them in the field. It is difficult to find them and I must maneuver in the very tight valley while I search. Finally I spot the small team moving through the side of the valley.

 

 

 

 

With my instructions to search I head further up the valley, which grows ever more narrow.

 

 

With all of the searching tasks and flying the helo, I make a small navigation error in the conservative direction (west) and don’t realize that I’ve branched off from the border stream on accident. I have to do a quick 180 degree turn to rejoin the route at the fork in the river.

 

 

[BeachAV8R]

Now on the proper path I continue up the valley in search of anything out of the ordinary. A couple small villages dot the Georgian side of the border and I use the Shkval to search across from them.

 

 

As I pass the last waypoint the terrain has risen to meet the clouds once again and I realize I can go no further up the valley. I reverse my course and head back to further recon the village areas thinking I must have missed something.

 

 

Suddenly the radio comes alive and the sound of a firefight is heard in the background. The team has stumbled upon the infiltrators and apparently they have taken care of business.

 

 

As I continue down the valley toward the ground team, I suddenly hear “tick” sounds as my fuselage is hit by gunfire. I’m under attack from across the river! Tracers whiz by the cockpit and I pedal turn hard to the west to escape the fire.

 

 

Since I am now in a shooting war, I dispense flares in case there is an escalation of force.

 

 

I pop over the western ridge of the valley, duck below and out of the line of fire, and assess the situation. The incoming gunfire has taken some chunks out of my tail and rendered my autopilot/dampeners inoperable. Flying the Shark without the dampener assistance is a bit more challenging for sure. I glance at the fuel, hydraulic, and power gauges to verify nothing is wrong with the engines and they appear normal.

 

 

With a bit of rage in my heart for almost getting shot down, I consider my orders. Order #2 is “no solo actions allowed”, but Order #3 is “use all entrusted means to maintain law and order at state border of Russian Federation”. Considering that the enemy is firing rounds into our country, I elect to exercise some law and order discretion and set up for return fire.

 

Although hovering in one location without the dampener assistance is a bit more challenging I maintain position and slowly search the hillside with my Shkval optics. After a minute I finally see the location of the enemy anti-aircraft emplacement. I choose a Vikhr missile, line up for consent to release, and press the fire button.

 

 

 

 

 

Direct hit! – A fair exchange of weaponry I think..!

 

 

With the anti-aircraft emplacement out of commission, I continue south along the flight route, on edge for further action now that shots have been exchanged.

 

 

Approaching the base area I get a mission completed message. The radio buzzes with a squadron mate congratulating me on my “baptism by fire”. The second half of the mission is scrubbed due to action on the border and I proceed to land.

 

 

I select the gear extension but the wheels do not come down. I’m not very familiar with the system, but attempt the emergency extension toggle, which also does not drop the landing gear. While I try to fly and troubleshoot the problem I almost run into the returning Mi-28. That was sort of close!

 

 

 

With no luck extending the landing gear, I elect to gently set down on the belly. The rocket pods will actually provide an even more stable platform to land on. The touchdown is light and the aircraft stays upright. I quickly kill power to the engines and engage the rotor brake. The mission is complete.

 

 

The after action report shows I was struck twice by bursts of 23mm fire within 15 seconds. I was fortunate not to have been shot down.

 

 

 

Another excellent designed mission with great action, tense flying, and a great continuation of the story.

 

BeachAV8R

[3instein]

Enjoyed reading that Beach, thanks,

Mick. :)

[hreich]

Nice reading...can you tell me the name of the skin you are using on your ka-50?

[BeachAV8R]

Nice reading...can you tell me the name of the skin you are using on your ka-50?

 

That beautiful skin is done by Ga-Bika - here on the DCS Forum User file section:

 

http://files.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/216944/

 

Regards..

BeachAV8R

[hreich]

Ok thanks for the info about skins....I tried today to finish the mission, but after making contact with my soldiers, and after message to look for enemy, also after the message that my troops defeated enemy I didn't got any mission progression message, and I can't finish it...Any help?

[BeachAV8R]

Be very sure that you hit all of the waypoints to be sure the trigger conditions are all met. If you got to the part where they shoot at you..make sure you fly the remaining waypoints to trigger the mission complete messages.

 

Hope that helps...

 

BeachAV8R

[BBQ]

Great narrative Beach -- as usual. I remember that mission -- specifically the lovely new sound effects related to my Ka-50 being riddled with triple A. I think I nearly jumped out of my chair in fright! The mountain/valley flying, bad weather, etc. -- I was already white-knuckling it, and then to be hit with enemy fire...awesome! Well, you know -- in a good way! Can't wait to get my hotas/display/trackIR all set back up so I can revisit this masterpiece.

[hreich]

Tried this mission for the third time....after i flew over all waypoints i didnt find enemy troops..tried to backtrack my route still no enemy..then i deliberetly violated border, destroyed 3 aaa and didnt get any update about mission..i landed and after that exited mission and got 95 % finished game result..