Kerrie's Missions #4

Greener Grass

The story so far...

The fortunes of the North Koreans have been flagging, and there is a lot of unrest 
among the military elite. They are not happy with the way the war is going, but 
their advice has been ignored. Some of them can see no future and are prepared to 
defect to the side they see as the eventual winners, and thereby bring the war to 
an end earlier than could be expected otherwise, and save unnecessary bloodshed.

There has been a meeting of the disaffected Generals at Maeng San airbase, and they 
have decided that now is the time to take action. They have commandeered one of a 
group of supply helicopters on a regular resupply run to Ichon and Kaesong airbases, 
but intend to break away and make a run for Dongducheon when the group separates
near Ichon.

We have learned during the day, from one of our agents, that this was to get underway 
at 1800 hrs. A strike has been launched against Maeng San to put the runways out of 
action, but this is only precautionary as we don't expect there to be a significant 
threat. After the damage from the recent raid during which you managed to escape, the 
runways have just been repaired, but the base defences are not yet in place, and 
aircraft shortages have denied the base of a significant defence capacity for 
the time being.

You have just returned from a couple of days R&R in Seoul after your escape from 
Maeng San (see #3 'Spoils Of War') and you are ready for action. If this defection 
is successful, the intelligence we gain from the defectors will bring the war to an 
earlier conclusion.

Situation

A group of 8 Mi-24 Hinds departed Maeng San about 1800 hrs, one of which contains 
the 3 Generals. This group will follow the river valley to avoid detection, and won't 
leave it's safety until they are near Ichon, where they will separate for both Ichon 
and Kaesong. They are not of any importance, and may be left alone - they provide some 
cover for the defectors. The defecting Hind will stay with the group in the comparative 
safety of the valley as long as possible.

However, the plot has been discovered, and there will be attempts made to stop them, 
so expect interceptors from Hyon Ni and Ichon. There are also some defences along the 
river, and at least 2 SAM sites near the border are within range.

A B-2A will hit Maeng San about 1812 hrs. Three A-10A's are in the air, and are tasked 
with hitting the SAM's on the border between Ichon and Dongducheon. Two F-14D's are 
about to engage the Su-27's already on CAP from Ichon, and another 2 F-14D's are launching 
from Ducheon to engage any Su-27's from Hyon Ni. Hornet 2 will launch behind you to provide 
air cover if needed.

Briefing

Intelligence from AWACS and surveillance indicates that the enemy are unable to launch 
aircraft from Kaesong due to maintenance difficulties. Ichon and Hyon Ni both have 
servicable aircraft, and 2 of these are on CAP west of Ichon. There are AAA units guarding
 the river at the Singye Bridge north of Ichon, and the enemy lines near the border, as 
well as SAM along the border.

Launch immediately and remove all threats on the river between the defectors and Donducheon.
AAA is in place at waypoints 1 & 2, but there may also be other potential threats. Follow 
the river at low altitude, identify them all, and neutralise them - whether active or not.

Proceed up river until you pick up the group of Hinds on RADAR and make contact with the 
defector's helo. Ensure that they are safe from any air threat - with luck the air cover 
will have taken care of it - and escort the Hind with the defectors to Dongducheon. Watch 
your fuel situation - mission time is estimated at 40 minutes.

Continue to provide cover until the Hind reaches friendly territory, then return to Dongducheon.

If all goes well, you should have taken care of the AAA and made contact around 1820 hrs, 
and the defectors should reach Donducheon around 1840 hrs.

Success conditions

The neutralisation of all potential threats on the river, and the safe arrival in friendly 
territory of the Mi-24 carrying the defectors.

Loadout

2 x AIM-9M Sidewinder
2 x AIM-120 AMRAAM
4 x AGM-88 HARM
1 x Fuel (centreline)

Aircraft

  Friendly

F/A-18C x 2 (FA18-00,01)
F-14D x 4 (F14D-00,01,02,03)
A-10A x 3 (A10A-00,01,02)
B-2A x 1 (B2AA-00)

  Enemy

Su-27 x 6 (SU27-00,01,02,03,04,05)
Mi-24 x 8

*****

Enjoy!

Kerrie Reay

kerrie_reay@bigpond.com


