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USS America Battlegroup
Topic Started: Jul 22 2008, 06:20 AM (369 Views)
AllanRyan
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
Flight Deck, USS America (CV-66)
Straights of Gibraltar

Captain Thomas Mills watched attentively as one of the Sea Kings from the Dragonslayers flew towards the massive Kitty Hawk Class Aircraft Carrier. The Big “A”, as she was affectionately called by her crew, was to become the flagship for US Navy Operations in the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. The incoming Sea King carried Admiral Allan Ryan CINC of Fleet Forces Command.

The arrival of the Admiral was a blessing and a curse for Captain Mills. While it was an honor for the ship and her crew, it also put a fair amount of stress that wasn’t needed. Just a few weeks ago the Big “A” was laid up at Norfolk while the crew was on leave. Thanks to the Russians however, she was turned around in almost 72 hours, with most of her crew and Airwing embarked and ready for action. The one exception was VA-46 which was moved to the defence of Norfolk Navy Base. Thomas had a feeling that the Leathernecks and their Skyhawks could hold their own.

The Admiral’s Sea King touched down on time, and Captain Mills along with the Battlegroup Commander, Vice Admiral Jack Williams, stood firmly at attention. Admiral Ryan stepped out from his Sea King and approached the two officers. “Permission to come aboard?” he asked smiling.

Admiral Williams and Captain Mills saluted. “Permission granted sir.” Captain Mills answered.

“It’s good to see you both again. We have a lot to discuss.”

Admiral’s Quarters, USS America (CV-66)
Straights of Gibraltar

The Command staff of the Big “A” had convened in VADM William’s quarters. The war had only been going on for 2 weeks and already the Soviets had a huge advantage over NATO with the surprise capture of Iceland. The Soviet Navy managed to bring down the SOSUS line and allow Soviet Submarines to pour into the Atlantic. This meant that the majority of the US Carrier Fleet would be baby sitting convoys across the Atlantic. It looked like only the USS America was going to be on the offensive in the Mediterranean, a task that she was well suited for, being the only carrier in the USN to be equipped with a Sonar Suite.

Fortunatley for the America Battlegroup, CINCPAC had loaned the USS Kittyhawk to the Atlantic fleet, and she would assist in clearing the Mediterranean and destroying the Soviet Black Sea Fleet. First however, was defending NATO’s allies in the region. The Soviet Navy had launched several Airstrikes against Crete, and had been attacking Greek Warships, despite Greece’s attempts to stay neutral. The America would be providing support for Crete until the Kitty Hawk arrived at the Suez Canal, then she would cover her transit through the Canal. The stress was going to be layed on heavily for the crew of the USS America, but with their training in mind, and a little bit of luck they would get through.

ORDER OF BATTLE
BATTLEGROUP- en route to Crete
USS America (CV-66) – Listening for Soviet Submarines
USS California (CGN-36) – Providing SAM cover for Battlegroup
USS John King (DDG-3) – Listening for Submarines
USS Scott (DDG-995) – Listening for Submarines, providing SAM Cover
USS Stark (FFG-31) – Listening for Submarines
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) – Listening for Submarines
USS Dallas (SSN-700) – 150 miles in front of BG Listening for Submarines

CVW-1, USS America (CV-66)
VF-102 "Diamondbacks" (F-14A) – Flying Combat Air Patrol over Battlegroup
VF-33 "Starfighters" (F-14A) – 4 fighters on the Cat on Alert 5.
VMA-214 "Black Sheep" (A-4M) – Loaded out with 2 1,000 lb bombs and 2 AIM-9s
VA-72 "Bluehawks" (A-7) – Loaded with 2 Maverick Missiles and 2 AIM-9s
VA-34 "Blueblasters" (A-6E/KA-6D) – Loaded with Harpoon ASMs, and 2 AIM-9s
VAW-123 "Screwtops" (E-2C) – Providing Radar cover for the fleet
VAQ-136 "Gauntlets" (EA-6B)
HS-11 "Dragonslayers" (SH-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VS-32 "Maulers" (S-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VQ-2 Detachment (EA-3B)
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Nick Tyler
Member
[ *  * ]
As the USS America approaches Crete, the communications personnel pick up a distress signal from a vessel, which after contact is established, identifies itself as the Italian aircraft carrier Giuseppe Garibaldi. The Italian Admiral reports that the Soviets are in the process of trying to sink the Italian battlegroup so they can take Crete. The America's forces are able to quickly spot the Italians, who appear to have taken a beating.

Marina Militare OOB:
Giuseppe Garibaldi CVL - Moderate Damage
-8/16 AV-8 Harrier IIs - Engaging Soviet Aircraft with AIM-9Ms and Guns
Andrea Doria CA - Moderate Damage, Radar offline, Engines damaged
Audace DD - Heavy Damage, taking in water, crew abandoning ship
Ardito DD - Moderate Damage, SAM launchers destroyed, bridge hit
Grecale FF - Heavy Damage, taking in water, crew abandoning ship
Euro FF - Moderate Damage, radar destroyed, forward gun destroyed, engines damaged

Futher, the Italians seem to be engaged with a Soviet invasion force, supported by a VTOL battlegroup, one of their Kievs. The Soviets seem to have already suffered damage from their skirmish with the Italian navy. The America's Hawkeyes pick up inbound land-based fighters en-route to the skirmish as well, possibly from the MidEast.

Soviet Navy OOB:
Kiev-class CVL - Minor Damage, center of formation.
-9/13 Yak-38 "Forgers" - Engaging Italian Harriers
Kresta-class CA - Minor Damage, leading assault force with DDs and FFs - Firing on Andrea Doria
Udaloy-class DD - Moderate damage, engines damaged, left flank of Kresta - Firing on Arditio
Kara-class DD - Minor damage, right flank of Kresta - Firing on Ardito
Krivak I-class FFG - Moderate damage, radar out, SAM launchers destroyed - Firing on Euro
Krivak I-class FFG - Moderate damage, communications damaged (using morse light code) - Firing on Euro
3 Alligator LSTs - Behind fleet, approaching Crete

Inbound Bogies - (Will be in range for F-14s on US turn, all others on next US turn)
12 MiG-29s
8 Tu-16s
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AllanRyan
Administrator
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Control Room, USS Dallas (SSN-700)

The USS Dallas was crusing smoothly at a speed of 10 kts at a depth of 500 feet. Commander Mike Ames, and his crew had recieved word an hour earlier that elements from the Italian Navy were engaged with the Soviet Navy. Unfortunatley they didn't recieve more than a rough force composition, before they were ordered to change heading and dive to intercept. However, due to the surface engagement it didn't take long for the Dallas' sonar operator, Ronald Franks, to pick up the Soviet vessels."

"Conn, Sonar, new contacts, designated Sierra Three-five-zero to Sierra Three-five-six. Sir, they're loud as shit. I'm pretty sure this is the Russkie Force."

Mike looked down at his watch. "An hour to find and indent a Russkie Battlegroup. Not bad by any means Frankie. How soon can we get a POSIDENT on the force?"

"Give me a moment and I can run it through Big Brother now." The beaming Sonar Technician began pushing buttons on a large console next to the station, the Dallas' Sound Analaysis Computer, effectionatley called 'Big Brother' by the Crew.

"It'll take a while, because invariably, this fucker is going to try to get an actual name for every fucking ship if it's stored in the database." Franks reported as Big Brother silently began to work on identifying every ship in the group.

"Is there any way we can speed it up? All we need to do right now is nail that Kresta, and I'd hate for Captain Mills to rub it in our faces that the Flyboys wiped out the entire group."

Franks shrugged, "We'll get off our torps before the Flyboys get here."
-----------------------------------
CIC, USS America (CV-66)

"Captain Hale, status report!" Admiral Ryan clearly wasn't in the mood for common courtisy.

"Admiral, sir, we have 4 F-14s on the cats, a squadron of A-7s loaded to attack ground targets, a squadron of A-4s ready to hit any kind of surface target, and some Intruders that are primed to kick the shit out of those surface targets. Give us the order and I can get almost everything airborne."

"Good, get your ass to your plane and get to work."

"Yes sir." The Captain grabbed a handset for the ship's intercom and hailed Flight Operations. "Get the Alert Fighters airborne, and give pirority launch to Blue blasters and Blacksheep. Also, get my plane on the deck and Lieutenant Kennedy with it." Without waiting for the acknowledging 'Yes sir' he hung it up and left the CIC in a steady run. He was sure someone said something about no running, but they could fuck off.

With in a few minutes, Captain Hale was suited up on the Hangar deck, just in time to watch his A-6 get wheeled onto the Port elevator and sent up. He quickly ran over to the Starboard elevator and hitched a ride with an A-4 and it's pilot, the Squadron leader of VMA-214, Major Thomas Conlin.

"Well Captain, what on earth are we going after? If you're joining us, it must be one hell of a target." He asked.

"We're in for a treat Major, Russkie Assault group. We're going catch ourselves a Commie Flattop." Keith had a wide smile on his face.

"Fuck'n-A, now we're talking."
----------------------------------
Diamondback 4-3
15,000 feet over the Mediterranean.

"Diamondback Flight, this is Snakeye, Bandits are now at your 12 range 100 miles. You are cleared to engage." The status report from the airborne Hawkeye from VAW-123 rang through Lieutenant Junior Grade Iroquois "Snake" Plisken's helmet. He only acknowledged the report with a grunt to himself, waiting for the inevitable order from Diamondback lead for all Diamondback planes to engage.

He checked his Radar and his RIO confirmed that there were 12 MiG-29s and 8 old Badgers. It didn't look like the Russkies were going to be sending any of their new Tu-22Ms, which was a good thing, but the day was still young.

"Diamondback flight, this is Diamondback lead, engage at will." Lieutenant Commander John Robson sounded as nonchalant as usual, as a fighter pilot in Vietnam he had gone toe to toe with MiGs and came out on top, granted Vietnamese MiG-21s were a far cry from Russian MiG-29s, but the F-14 was a far cry from the F-8.

Plisken looked back to his RIO who already began to lock one of the Tomcat's four Phoenix Missiles onto a Tu-16. It took a few seconds but the AIM-54's radar acknowledged with a loud tone. The Tone lasted the whole of a second when 'Snake' pushed the trigger and calmly said to the squadron, "Diamondback Four-Three, Fox Three."

ORDER OF BATTLE
BATTLEGROUP- en route to Crete
USS America (CV-66) – Listening for Soviet Submarines, Launching VA-34, VMA-214, and four F-14s from VF-33
USS California (CGN-36) – Providing SAM cover for Battlegroup
USS John King (DDG-3) – Listening for Submarines
USS Scott (DDG-995) – Listening for Submarines, providing SAM Cover
USS Stark (FFG-31) – Listening for Submarines, readying for possible ASM attack
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) – Listening for Submarines, readying for possible ASM attack
USS Dallas (SSN-700) – Plotting firing solution for Kresta Class Cruiser

CVW-1, USS America (CV-66)
VF-102 "Diamondbacks" (F-14A) – Engaging Tu-16s with AIM-54s
VF-33 "Starfighters" (F-14A) – 4 Launching, 8 being prepared for launch
VMA-214 "Black Sheep" (A-4M) – Loaded out with 2 1,000 lb bombs and 2 AIM-9s, launching from Port Cats
VA-72 "Bluehawks" (A-7) – Loaded with 2 Maverick Missiles and 2 AIM-9s
VA-34 "Blueblasters" (A-6E/KA-6D) – Loaded with 2 Harpoon ASMs, and 2 AIM-9s, launching from forward Cats
VAW-123 "Screwtops" (E-2C) – Providing Radar cover for the fleet
VAQ-136 "Gauntlets" (EA-6B) - 2 Launching with VA-34 and 2 launching with VMA-214, providing electronic countermeasures
HS-11 "Dragonslayers" (SH-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VS-32 "Maulers" (S-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VQ-2 Detachment (EA-3B)
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Nick Tyler
Member
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The Italians soon begin to gain the advantage as they have closed the distance enough with the Soviets to negate their ASMs. Since most have their guns in the back, the Italians attempt to manuver their ships and hammer the Soviets with their deck guns. The Udaloy finds itself on the recieving end of the Italian 76mm deck guns. The Italian Harriers manage to pull the upper hand on the Soviet VTOL jets as their homeships close AA and SAM range to hammer the Forgers.

Marina Militare OOB:
Giuseppe Garibaldi CVL - Moderate Damage, Firing AA weapons at Soviet Forgers
-6/16 AV-8 Harrier IIs - Engaging Soviet Aircraft with AIM-9Ms and Guns
Andrea Doria CA - Moderate Damage, Radar offline, Engines damaged, firing mainguns on Udaloy DDG
Audace DD - SINKING
Ardito DD - Moderate Damage, SAM launchers destroyed, bridge hit, firing main guns on Udaloy DDG
Grecale FF - SINKING
Euro FF - Moderate Damage, radar destroyed, forward gun destroyed, engines damaged, firing AA weapons on Soviet Forgers

The Soviets realized the change in the situation, and were alerted that they had new contacts. But with the Italians hammering them, it was proving hard to get an aquisition lock on the Americans. Therefore, they were attempting to use Over-The-Horizion tracking through the Tu-16s. Which was a fine idea until the Americans began downing them. Only two were able to evade getting hit, while 4 MiG-29s were destroyed. The remaining two Tu-16s began dumping chaff in an attempt to confuse the American radars while pushing forward to start painting the American warships.

Soviet Navy OOB:
Kiev-class CVL - Minor Damage, center of formation.
-6/13 Yak-38 "Forgers" - Engaging Italian Harriers
Kresta-class CA - Minor Damage, leading assault force with DDs and FFs - Firing on Andrea Doria
Udaloy-class DD - Moderate damage, engines damaged, left flank of Kresta - Firing on Arditio
Kara-class DD - Minor damage, right flank of Kresta - Firing on Ardito
Krivak I-class FFG - Moderate damage, radar out, SAM launchers destroyed - Firing on Euro
Krivak I-class FFG - Moderate damage, communications damaged (using morse light code) - Firing on Euro [Dallas is Locked]
3 Alligator LSTs - Behind fleet, approaching Crete

Inbound Bogies -
8 MiG-29s - Moving to engage American fighters under Soviet AA screen
2 Tu-16s - Dumping chaff and locking OTH radars on USS Stark
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AllanRyan
Administrator
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Control Room, USS Dallas (SSN-700)

The Dallas's Weapons Systems officer, Lieutenant Jake Winters turned back to the Boat's Captain and reported, "Skipper, we have a firing solution on that Kresta."

A smile crossed Mike Ames' usually stern face. "Enter Solution on Tubes one and two. We'll blow that bastard out of the water."

Jake Winters pressed the 'ENTER SOLUT' button on the Target Motion Analysis console and then it's sister button on the targeting console, imputing the solution to Tubes One and Two. When the Mark 48 ADCAPs had their target Programmed, Jake set the safety protocols, both torpedoes would run 65% of the distance to target and switch over to active sonar, at that point the Soviet Cruiser wouldn't have a chance to evade, especially with the surface engagement above. Without hesitation he flooded and muzzled both tubes. "Skipper, One and Two are ready to fire."

Commander Mike Ames lifted a single finger. "Weapons, Conn, Fire One." Then he raised a second. "Weapons, Conn, Fire Two."

Jake pressed the buttons marked 'F' that corresponded to the two Torpedo tubes and reported. "Fire Tubes One and Two, Aye Sir."

One torpedo tube on each side of the Dallas opened up and two Mark 48 ADCAP torpedoes rocketed out at 45 knots and turned upwards in the direction of the Soviet Cruiser. The Italians and the Navy Flyboys would be in for one hell of a show.
--------------------------------
Combat Information Center, USS America (CV-66)

Admiral Allan Ryan looked impatiently at the map board. While most of the enemy attack on the Big 'A's Battle Group was wiped out, the Italians were still taking damage, and now two of thier ships were going to be resting at the bottom of the Med. He instantly began wondering where Mike Ames was with the Dallas.

Behind Ryan, VADM Williams was overseeing the operations of the surface group. Captain Mills was directing ship board operations from the Bridge, which left him more or less alone with the Admiral, a prospect that he hardly found relaxing. The USS Stark was being lit up by radar from the two remaining Tu-16s. The now aloft Alert F-14s from the Starfighters had immediately moved to intercept, though with the chaff, they were going to have to get in close and engage with their Sidewinders and Vulcans. Williams ordered all ships to prepare for an inevitable ASM attack.
--------------------------------
Buick 1-1
1,000 Feet

Captain Keith Hale took personal lead for the strike against the Russian ships. His A-6 Intruder was leading the Navy Formation as they swung in from the south, while Major Conlin's Skyhawks came in from the North. Each formation would take two Prowlers with them to play havoc with the Soviet Radar. Each formation's primary target was the Kiev Class Carrier in the center of the formation, the Intruders would get the first shot off with thier Harpoons, while the Skyhawks would come in fast and low and drop thier bombs on the enemy ships before bugging out.

"Skipper, we've got radar lock on the bastards." Lieutenant Junior Grade Mary 'Jackie' Kennedy reported in.

"Alright, Let 'em lose." Keith switched to the operation wide frequency. "Buick Flight, this is Buick Lead. Commence the attack! Concentrate your fire on that flattop! Fourth Flight, hit the escort ships."

"Buick Lead, this is Black Sheep lead, coming in from the north now, we'll see what your boys get done!"
--------------------------------
Diamondback 4-3
15,000 feet

Lieutenant Plisken grunted as his RIO Lieutenant Frank Yeager reported that the MiG-29s were now under enemy SAM cover. It was a good idea with the exception that the F-14s still had 3 AIM-54s left. They were less effective against small fighters, though with numerical superiority that was less of an issue.

"Frank, lock up a MiG. Let's end this." Plisken didn't wait for any acknowledgment from the RIO, the tone from the AIM-54 was all that he needed to hear. Again he pulled the trigger and checked in "Diamondback Four-Three, Fox Three."
----------------------------------
ORDER OF BATTLE
BATTLEGROUP- en route to Crete
USS America (CV-66) – Listening for Soviet Submarines, Launching VA-34, VMA-214, and four F-14s from VF-33
USS California (CGN-36) – Providing SAM cover for Battlegroup, preparing for ASM attack
USS John King (DDG-3) – Listening for Submarines, Preparing for ASM attack
USS Scott (DDG-995) – Listening for Submarines, providing SAM Cover, Preparing for ASM attack
USS Stark (FFG-31) – Listening for Submarines, readying for possible ASM attack
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) – Listening for Submarines, readying for possible ASM attack
USS Dallas (SSN-700) – Firing 2 Mark 48 ADCAPs at Kresta Class Cruiser

CVW-1, USS America (CV-66)
VF-102 "Diamondbacks" (12 F-14A) – Engaging MiG-29s with AIM-54s
VF-33 "Starfighters" (12 F-14A) – 4 on the Cats, 4 on the deck, 4 moving to attack Tu-16s with Sidewinders and Vulcans
VMA-214 "Black Sheep" (A-4M) – Loaded out with 2 1,000 lb bombs and 2 AIM-9s, attacking surface group from the north
VA-72 "Bluehawks" (A-7) – Switching armament to 2 AIM-9s, 2 1000 lb, 2 LAU-10s
VA-34 "Blueblasters" (A-6E/KA-6D) – Loaded with 2 Harpoon ASMs, and 2 AIM-9s, approaching from the South, 9 engaging Kiev with Harpoons, 3 engaging Udaloy and Kara with Harpoons
VAW-123 "Screwtops" (E-2C) – Providing Radar cover for the fleet
VAQ-136 "Gauntlets" (EA-6B) - 2 information with VA-34, jamming surface radar, 2 with VMA-214, jamming surface radar
HS-11 "Dragonslayers" (SH-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VS-32 "Maulers" (S-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VQ-2 Detachment (EA-3B)
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Nick Tyler
Member
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Bridge, Moskova
Kiev-class Light Carrier

"Comrade Admiral! The Italian Navy has gotten too close! They are hitting our vessesl very hard!" One of the officers shouted. The gunfire was evidence enough for that. The destroyer that was being targeted was being chipped away by the deck guns.

"Shit. Get on the radio. Tell command that the Americans are raising hell here!" The Admiral ordered.

Before the radio operator could even reach for his radio, a booming explosion rang out. Everyone looked to see the Kresta-class cruiser was exploding along her midsection, with a huge plume of smoke and water rising up. As the ship began to settle, the midsection was dipping down further than the ship.

"...shit. Order the Kara not under fire to match coordinates with our bombers and fire. Order the bombers to do the same. Get our anti-submarine helicopters airborne. There's a damned sub nearby!" The Admiral shouted.

As the Italians hammered on the Soviets, the two Krivaks adjusted their positions to line up the Euro in their guns and torpedoes, firing away at it. The guns damaged the Euro, but the torpedoes blew a hole in the side, sinking the Italian frigate. The Kara at tied its weapons guidence in with the Tu-16s, and fired one of its cruise missiles, while the Tu-16s launched off an AS-4 each as well.

The US ASMs however, added to the fray. The Kiev began to take damage along its flight deck and weapons, losing half of its SAM batteries, and some of the Ka-25s on deck were caught in the explosions. The Udaloy finally snapped under fire, and began to sink. The Kara still is able to fight for now, but has taken further damage. She can no longer fire ASMs after this one.

Marina Militare OOB:
Giuseppe Garibaldi CVL - Moderate Damage, Firing AA weapons at Soviet Forgers
-5/16 AV-8 Harrier IIs - Engaging Soviet Aircraft with AIM-9Ms and Guns
Andrea Doria CA - Moderate Damage, Radar offline, Engines damaged, firing mainguns on Udaloy DDG, locking torpedoes on Udaloy DDG
Audace DD - SINKING
Ardito DD - Moderate Damage, SAM launchers destroyed, bridge hit, firing main guns on Udaloy DDG, locking torpedoes on Udaloy DDG
Grecale FF - SINKING
Euro FF - Critically damaged. Crew abandoning ship

Soviet Navy OOB:
Kiev-class CVL - Moderate damage, SAMs destroyed, flight deck damaged
-2/13 Yak-38 "Forgers" - Engaging Italian Harriers
Kresta-class CA - Critical damaged, taking in water, crew abandoning ship
Udaloy-class DD - Critical damage, taking in water, crew abandoing ship
Kara-class DD - Moderate damage, missile launchers damaged, engines damaged right flank of Kresta - Firing ASM at USS Stark
Krivak I-class FFG - Moderate damage, radar out, SAM launchers destroyed - Firing on Euro
Krivak I-class FFG - Moderate damage, communications damaged (using morse light code) - Firing on Euro
3 Alligator LSTs - Behind fleet, approaching Crete

Inbound Bogies -
2 Tu-16s -Firing ASMs at USS Stark, fleeing. (Pursuing Tomcats can engage on their turn)
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AllanRyan
Administrator
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USS Dallas (SSN-700)

"Conn, Sonar, Explosion in the vicinity of Sierra Three Fi- Sorry sir, make that 2 Explosions in the vicinity of Sierra Three Five Three." Sonarman Franks corrected himself, "I think it's safe to say we nailed that Kresta."

Another smile crossed Mike Ames' face as the report came in. He took a moment to relish that his boat, the USS Dallas could claim sinking the first surface ship by a US Navy SSN, and that his crew performed their duty flawlessly. Unfortunatley, now it was time to let the flyboys have their shot. It was extremely likely that the Soviet Force was now aware of the Dallas' presence, and the Kiev was probably launching ASW Helicopters to hunt for the Dallas.

The Dallas would dive down to 800 feet and wait for around twenty minutes before going up to periscope depth and making another pass on the Soviet Fleet if there were any targets left, if there weren't, they would make contact with the America battlegroup and request any additional orders.

"Alright Cob, take us down to 800, we'll come back for a second pass."
----------------------------------
Buick 1-1
3,000 feet

Just as the Harpoons slammed into their targets, Mary Kennedy watched as an explosion ripped up through the Kresta cruiser's midships, lifting it slightly out of the water before it crashed down and started to sink very slowly. The ship appeared to be broken in half.

"Holy fuck. Did you see that skipper?"

Captain Keith Hale barely looked over his shoulder as he said, "Yeah. That was the work of Mike Ames and the Dallas." He armed their A-6's IR sensor which began to whine loudly at a YaK-38.

"Shit, way to go Dallas!" Mary looked back to the pilot, "What the fuck are you doing?"

Keith appeared to pay no attention as he said "Buick 1-1, Fox 2." and fired one of the A-6's 2 AIM-9M Sidewinders before acknowledging his WSO, "Helping out some friends and making some history in the process."

Captain Hale opened up radio contact with all aircraft in the operation, with in a second his New York accent filled the helmets of VA-34 and VMA-214. "Buick lead to Blacksheep lead, we didn't get 'em all, you're on deck. Give 'em hell."

Major Conlin turned his Skyhawk south and put the throttle forward. "Blacksheep Leader, Wilco. Get Some Boys."
-------------------------------
Bridge, USS Stark (FFG-31)

"Vampire! Vampire! Inbound Antiship Missiles from the bow and port sides!"

As the radarman's cry rung out through the Bridge, Lieutenant Commander Patrick Jefferson immediately responded with, "Turn heading 180 degrees, launch Chaff port side."

"Turn 180 Aye Sir."

"Launch Flares Port side, Aye sir."

As the USS Stark began it's turn south a plume of small shreds of metal foil were launched into the air along the port side in an attempt to confuse the inbound anti-ship missiles. The turn would allow the Stark to bring as much firepower to bear on the Antiship missiles as well as reducing her profile to the 2 headed from the port, now stern.

The ship's single SAM Launcher locked onto one of the two ASMs headed from the south and fired. The Phalanx Operator turned the single R2D2 shaped 20mm Cannon mount around and locked onto the second ASM. Meanwhile the ubiquitous Oto Melara 76mm gun turned around and began to open fire on the ASM fired from the Kara Class Destroyer.
------------------------------
Blacksheep 1-1
800 feet ASL

Major Conlin's A-4M Skyhawks sped in on the remains of the Soviet Fleet. He would be personally leading the flight against the Kiev Class Carrier. The Navy boys had thier chance, and they did pretty damn good, but it would be the Marines that sank the sonofabitch.

He gently pulled back on the throttle and put the bombing reticule over the bridge of the Kiev and double tapped the bomb release on the stick ensuring that both of the plane's 1,000 pound bombs were released. He pulled back further and slammed the throttle forward allowing the Skyhawk to clear the explosion when the bombs hit. The three other planes in his formation did the same.

"Blacksheep Lead. Bombs away."
--------------------------------

ORDER OF BATTLE
BATTLEGROUP- en route to Crete
USS America (CV-66)
USS California (CGN-36) – Firing SAMs at ASMs headed towards Stark
USS John King (DDG-3) – Firing SAMs at ASMs headed towards Stark
USS Scott (DDG-995) – Listening for Subs, Firing ASMs headed towards Stark
USS Stark (FFG-31) – Performing evasive maneuvers, firing at ASMs
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) – Listening for Submarines, Firing at ASMs headed towards Stark
USS Dallas (SSN-700) – Performing evasive maneuvers

CVW-1, USS America (CV-66)
VF-102 "Diamondbacks" (12 F-14A) returning to CAP
VF-33 "Starfighters" (12 F-14A) – 4 attacking Tu-16s with Sidewinders
VMA-214 "Black Sheep" (A-4M) – Loaded out with 2 1,000 lb bombs and 2 AIM-9s dropping bombs on fleet. 3 attacking Kiev, 3 attacking Kara, 3 attacking Kivrak I, 3 attacking Kivrak I
VA-72 "Bluehawks" (A-7) – Switching armament to 2 AIM-9s, 2 1000 lb, 2 LAU-10s, readying on deck
VA-34 "Blueblasters" (A-6E/KA-6D) – firing on YaK-38s with AIM-9s
VAW-123 "Screwtops" (E-2C) – Providing Radar cover for the fleet
VAQ-136 "Gauntlets" (EA-6B) - 2 information with VA-34, jamming surface radar, 2 with VMA-214, jamming surface radar
HS-11 "Dragonslayers" (SH-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VS-32 "Maulers" (S-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VQ-2 Detachment (EA-3B)
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Nick Tyler
Member
[ *  * ]
The Italians switched their fire to focus on the Krivaks, loading their torpedoes to nail the two frigates. They had suffered too many loses today to just turn tail and run. The Harriers made strafing runs on the Kiev with what gun ammo they had left, one pilot firing his last Sidewinder into the flight deck of the Kiev.

The ASMs were successfully shot down, though one of them exploded just off the side of the USS Stark, wounding some of the on-deck personnel, though the wounds were all minor really.

The Yak-38s were finally shot down, and the Tu-16s were also shot down. The F-14 pilots could see they were bearing Soviet markings, a rather disturbing development.

The bombs slam into the Krivaks, ripping them to shreds. One is snapped in half when an Italian torpedo barrage from the Andrea Doria impacts, while the second one is reduced to a floating hulk of fire and burning metal, the crew abandoning the ship. It refuses to sink, even when the scuttling charges go off. It doesnt start to until the ammo magazine explodes, ripping the ship apart.

The Kiev stops dead in the water. Her flight deck is ravaged, and the bridge is gone. With her weapons offline, she has no means to fight back, and begins turning tail back in the direction of Ukraine. The Alligators decide to follow suit before the situation gets out of hand.

The Italian Admiral profusely thanks the America Battlegroup for their timely arrival, and is already setting out to rescue his crew, while the carrier retrieves their Harriers.

((OOC: Unless you're going after the Kiev and Alligators, it's pretty much done and over now))
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AllanRyan
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
USS Dallas (SSN-700)

Commander Mike Ames counted down the minutes since the dive. It seemed longer, especially with Frankie rattling off explosions in the vicinity of various sonar tracks. They missed the climax of the largest US Navy Surface engagement since the 2nd World War, all to avoid a series of attacks from the Carrier that never came. While Mike knew that he made the right decision, as losing the Dallas and her crew would be far worse than missing out on sinking another ship. Unfortunatly, it also meant that he'd have to deal with the America's CAG being a real shithead the next time they arrived in port, continuing in the fine rivalry between Submariners and Pilots.

Sonar still said there was still a contact though it was turning away slowly. Whatever it was it couldn't be identified in the sound library, Mike figured that was because whatever it was, it was bombed to hell and back, and it was time to make a visual identification of the target.

"Alright Chief, take us up to PD."

Senior Chief Petty Officer Donald Charleston, a veteran Submariner of the past twenty five years, began to work his magic. "Helm, make depth Zero Five Zero Feet, ten degrees up, and make revolutions for One Zero Knots."

After a brief ten minutes the Dallas completed her climb up to PD, almost immediately the eponymous Up-Persicope order was given. Like a Hunter searching for his prey, Commander Ames slowly checked 360 degrees around the submarine, taking in the sight of slowly sinking ships and struggling sailors before spotting the blasted Kiev.

"Weapons, plot firing solution on Sierra Three Five Zero. She's thier Kiev."

"Plotting Firing Solution Aye, Sir." It didn't take long for the weapons crew to plot and confirm the firing solution. It was imputed in to tubes five and six, both of which held Harpoon Missiles. Mike Ames considered canceling the attack, but the Soviets would only patch her up with a new conning tower and flight deck and send her out again. A swift Harpoon strike would punch another pair of holes in her hull and send her down, albiet slowly. ADCAPs would finish her quicker, but it felt less honorable, more murder than the much vaunted hunt that all Attack Submarine skippers longed for.

The Dallas slowed down to 5 knots to cut down on the chance of either Harpoon malfunctioning. Both tubes were flooded and muzzled like tubes one and two almost an hour before. The Fire orders were given and the cylinders containing both Harpoons were jettisoned, a few seconds later the actual Harpoon Missiles flew up from underwater and accelerated quickly towards the battered Russian Carrier.

Both Harpoons slammed into the carriers stern just along the waterline. The Carrier began to as the missiles blew the engine room apart. As the carrier slowed down water began to pour into the stern and she began to go down by the aft. It became apparent that the ship was out of action for good when the crew began to assemble on the deck in rafts, and lifeboats were being lowered into the Med.

Mike Ames grimly chuckled, "Scratch One Flattop." He turned to the Dallas' executive officer, Lieutenant Commander Charles Finley, "Raise the Radio mast, inform the good Admiral that we finished off the Kiev. Also send a request for SAR for the crews of the downed Soviet Ships. The war ended pretty quickly for them I guess. Chief, on my command, let's take us to the top and we'll see who we can scoop up."
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Combat Information Center, USS America (CV-66)

In the dimly lit CIC of the USS America, Vice Admiral Williams read a report one of the comms technicians handed him, "Admiral, looks like we just got word from Dallas. She set that Kresta to the bottom, and finished off that Kiev. Captain Ames is requesting SAR for the Soviet Sailors, it looks like he's going to try and pick a couple up. The Italians can probably pick up the rest."

Admiral Ryan looked up and gave a characteristic grunt, "Where the fuck is he going to put them? Shit, we're the fuck are we going to put them?" He sighed slightly, "Have 6 of our Sea Kings make a pass and drop them off at Souda, and instruct the Italians to take on who they can, and have them drop them off at Souda when they go in for repairs. As for Dallas, they'll have to reach Souda too. In a matter of fact, we'll move the group closer to Crete, hopefully the Hellenic Air Force and Navy will give us a hand in ASW patrols while we wait for the Kitty Hawk to move up through the Suez Canal."
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Flight Deck, USS America (CV-66)

Keith Hale and Mary Kennedy's A-6E caught the first wire strung across the deck. The Intruder rolled for a brief second before halting. The advantage of catching the first wire was a much slower halt compared to the simply jarring feeling of the infamous last wire landings.

The Deck hands towed the A-6 off to the side of the flight deck and Keith promptly opened up the canopy. It was a busy flight deck, Major Conlin's A-4s had just touched down, and it was the A-6's turn to come in. After that it would be the F-14s from VF-102 while VF-33 took off for thier CAP. The Hawkeye from the Screwtops still had plenty of fuel left, so it would remain airborne. A few Sea Kings from HS-11 were lifting off. By his count every plane made it back, so it probably had something to do with plucking some Soviets out of the Drink.

Captain Hale hauled himself out of the Intruder's cockpit and climbed down the ladder to the America's deck. "Sounds like we nailed them pretty good. Word came in that the Dallas finished off that Carrier." Keith turned around to face CPO Hank Vickers, a British National who signed on to the US Navy after his family left the United Kingdom. He was a hardrinking no nonsense type who was a miracle worker with Aircraft.

"No shit? Well Mary and I nailed a YaK-38 on the way back. First Air to Air kill by an Intruder that I know of. How did everyone else do?"

"Well my sources say that the F-14s wiped out a squadron of MiG-29s and Tu-16s. No Losses for our side. They launched some missiles at the Stark but the group bagged them all. A couple wounded when one blew up. As near as I can tell, the group wiped out a Soviet Landing Force and took practically no casualties. Looks like the Midway for the Mediterranean."

"Not a chance, the Soviets are going to keep coming, the main threat isn't their surface ships, it's thier subs, and we haven't nailed any of those yet. Once we finish them off, we'll be sitt'n pretty. Convoys will plow across the Atlantic, and we'll switch to hitting targets in the mainland. We've got one long way to go before we can start talking about Midways."

"Eh, I suppose your right Captain."

"Yeah, though I wish to Christ that you were."
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AllanRyan
Administrator
[ *  *  * ]
Combat Information Center, USS America (CV-66)

It had been twelve hours since the Big "A" Battlegroup had wiped out the Soviet Carrier group and rescued the Italian group. Despite being outnumbered heavily, the Italians were instrumental in wiping out the Russians, and showed amazing dedication, however, most of their ships took heavy damage and would be out of the war for a while, and that left the America almost alone with the exception of the ex USS Cabot, now Deldao in Spanish Service, and the old Independence Class wasn't much to brag about.

It was to this end that the USS America and her escorts were going to stay close to Crete, where NATO Aircover would help in the hunt for Soviet SSNs and help the America slip out east in order to launch her Combat Air Patrols in an attempt to get Air Superiority over the Eastern Mediterranean.

The plan that Captain Hale pitched was simple, the Big A and her escorts would slip out to halfway between Crete and Israel and launch long range fighter sweeps. 6 four ship Flights would fly sweeps over the Mediterranean. Hopefully they would bring out enemy Bombers and fighters to where the F-14s could engage them without endangering the Battlegroup. However, despite the simplicity of the air to air engagement, the fact that the Carrier had to be hidden was vital. Vikings and Sea Kings would have to fly constant ASW missions, and the Intruders, Corsair IIs, and Skyhawks would be on stand by to sink any surface ships that the F-14s spotted on their flights.

Seven hours later the Big A was onstation and the operation began.
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Diamondback Lead
25,000 Feet

Lieutenant Commander John "Eagle" Robson's flight of three F-14As cut through the air at 500 miles per hour as they flew on their leg of the Sweep. Around a hundred miles behind them, their flight's AWACS was searching the sky for enemy targets, which fortunatley, maybe unfortunatley, had failed to show up on radar.

Commander Robson squirmed uncomfortably in his Martin Baker ejection seat. Long Range Operations always made him uncomfortable no matter how many times he had performed them. He had another 3 hours on his patrol, and then it was time to get back to the Big A, but not before meeting up with a KA-6D to get enough gas to get home. Still uncomfort wasn't bad since it was the worst thing he had to worry about. VF-102 performed their job flawlessly during their first engagement, so long as they kept the Russians out far, the battle should go as well as it did a couple of days ago.

ORDER OF BATTLE
BATTLEGROUP- On Station
USS America (CV-66) – Listening for Soviet Submarines
USS California (CGN-36) – Providing SAM cover for Battlegroup
USS John King (DDG-3) – Listening for Submarines
USS Scott (DDG-995) – Listening for Submarines, providing SAM Cover
USS Stark (FFG-31) – Listening for Submarines
USS Nicholas (FFG-47) – Listening for Submarines
USS Dallas (SSN-700) – 150 miles in front of BG Listening for Submarines

CVW-1, USS America (CV-66)
VF-102 "Diamondbacks" (F-14A) 4 Patrols of 3 heading North, South, East, and West
VF-33 "Starfighters" (F-14A) – 4 Patrols of 3 heading North East, North West, South West, and South East
VMA-214 "Black Sheep" (A-4M) [2 AIM-9s, 2 LAU-10s] Ready on the Deck
VA-72 "Bluehawks" (A-7) [2 AIM-9s, 2 LAU-10s, 2 AGM-65s, 2 500 lb Bombs] Ready on the deck
VA-34 "Blueblasters" (A-6E/KA-6D) [loaded with 9 500 pound bombs] A-6Es below decks, KA-6Ds on the deck
VAW-123 "Screwtops" (E-2C) – All Providing Radar support for the Fighter Sweeps
VAQ-136 "Gauntlets" (EA-6B) - In the Hangar
HS-11 "Dragonslayers" (SH-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VS-32 "Maulers" (S-3) – Searching for Soviet Submarines
VQ-2 Detachment (EA-3B) - In the Hangar
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Nick Tyler
Member
[ *  * ]
The Soviets had hardly taken the loss of their carrier and invasion force lightly. The Admiral responsible for planning the operation was reported later to have been murdered by an unknown gunman.

Now orders were out to hunt every carrier battlegroup in the Med. The Italians, Spanish and French were on the list, but with the Iraqis claiming to have spotted a carrier group in the Arabaian Sea, it was deemed time to start hunting the Americans.

Soviet Naval Aviation and Frontal Aviation were on point for this for now.

American radars pick up a rather large formation of aircraft closing in. One formation appears to be coming in from Syria. The Hawkeye crews are able to identify these aircraft.

A second formation is coming in from the North.

Inbound from Syria OOB:
6/6 Su-27s
8/8 MiG-31s
2/2 Tu-142s
8/8 Tu-22Ms

Inbound from Turkey OOB:
12/12 Su-27s
2/2 Tu-142s
4/4 Tu-95s
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