From fishery squabbles to PacRim and WW3 epics: 26 new Command scenarios available

April 1, 2016 · Posted in Command · Comment 

6a00d8341bfadb53ef01b7c7eeacea970bMiguel Molina has released the updated version of the Command community scenario pack. The new release includes a whopping twenty-six brand-new scenarios:

  • Crossing the Line of Death (The War That Never Was), 1989: The two most powerful militaries in North Africa, Libya and Egypt, were not necessarily aligned with either NATO or the Warsaw Pact. This scenario, based upon the book The War That Never Was by Michael A. Palmer, begins with the neutrality of these states in doubt. Will Qaddafi side with the Soviets? Can the US cash in all the Egyptian IOUs?
  • Air Battle – The Litani River, 2017: Syria has placed SAM facilities in southern Lebanon, near the Litani River, and close enough to the Israeli border that they represent a threat to Israeli aircraft. After an incident in which an Israeli F-15 was nearly shot down, Israel has decided to eliminate the threat.
  • Battle of Kodel Channel (The War That Never Was), 1989: Geography was not kind to the Soviet Union and the Warsaw Pact. The Russian, Polish, and East German ports on the Baltic Sea were blocked from accessing the North Sea and ports beyond by the nation of Denmark. The Danish islands formed the “cork” that sealed Warsaw Pact forces in the “bottle” of the Baltic Sea. This scenario attempts to re-create the “battle of Kodel Channel” from Michael A. Palmer’s novel The War That Never Was. The Warsaw Pact forces are charged with being the “corkscrew” by forcing an amphibious landing near Copenhagen. To do this they will have to overcome air, surface, and subsurface (including mines) forces.
  • Great Pacific War – Breakout, 2020: It has been several years since the Taiwan reunification with China. War has broken out between the Sino-Russian (axis) alliance and Japan after an escalating crisis related to the ongoing dispute over the Senkaku Islands. The US and allies side with Japan but devastating Chinese and Russian strikes have crippled Japan and the major US bases in the Western Pacific. The axis have air and maritime dominance in the East China Sea and are preparing to invade Okinawa. An axis CSG group has passed through the Miyako Straight into the Western Pacific to cut off Okinawa and Japan from allied reinforcements. An allied carrier strike group sailing toward the area is tasked with the securing sea lanes leading to Japan.
  • Great Pacific War – Breakout, 2020 [No subs]: A variation of the above scenario without submarines.
  • Iran Airbase Attack Drill, 2014: The Iranian Air Force has decided to stage an exercise testing their offensive capabilities. Aircraft from an airfield in western Iran are to hit another airfield defended by the best technology the nation can provide.
  • Littoral Mission – Cebu Strait, 2018: This scenario assumes serious civil unrest and terrorism has continued to plague the Philippines. The Philippines has turned to one of its closest allies, the United States, to assist them in hunting down terrorists based on Bohol Island.
  • Mexican Fishery Conflict, 2017: Mexico’s navy is not primarily designed for power projection, but rather to defend its long coastline and its large exclusive economic zone (EEZ). This scenario assumes that Guatemalan fishing boats have been violating Mexcian fisheries. The crews of these fishing boats have started to take matters into their own hands, ramming other boats and occasionally firing shots from pistols and rifles (not to mention the occasional black market machine gun). Both Mexico and Guatemala have deployed patrol vessels to the area to keep the peace.
  • Northern Fury #9.7 – Sub Surge, 1994: The situation in the North Atlantic remains desperate. The rapid capture of North Norway and Iceland have allowed the Soviets to surge almost 100 submarines into the Atlantic. The USS Enterprise CVBG spent two difficult days blunting an attempt by the Red Banner Northern Fleet to interdict the sea lanes, she is now preparing to retire for re-supply and re-organization, as are the major Soviet surface units. The USS Carl Vinson CVBG is moving up to relieve the Enterprise. The USS Eisenhower, after three days of hard fighting in the Mediterranean, has passed through the Pillars of Hercules and is heading north. She will join the USS Carl Vinson CVBG to strike at Soviet forces around Iceland in three days. This scenario focuses on pushing NATO submarines and some unique capabilities through the Greenland Sea to the very edge of the Barents Sea and the Arctic Ocean. The Soviets consider this area home waters, and protect the Barents Sea, one of their critical ‘Bastions’, vigorously. In addition to standard sub vs. sub action you will be required to complete several special missions while the Soviets hunt for you with plentiful and alert air, surface and sub surface forces.
  • Northern Fury #10.2 – Ant Eaters Revenge, 1994: The US 2nd Fleet is now conducting its first major counter-attack. The 1st phase by 2 CVBGs attacking to gain air superiority around Iceland is complete. Now it is time to shut down the Soviet airbases. You are tasked with conducting a decisive airstrike with the 27th Tactical Fighter Wing (TFW) reinforced, while transiting your forces to England. The 27th TFW consists of 3 squadrons of F-111s and a supporting squadron of EF-111 ECM aircraft; for this strike the wing has been reinforced by a squadron each of F-15C, F-15E, F-16CJ, F-4G Wild Weasel, F-117 Nighthawk and other supporting forces.
  • Northern Fury #10.3 – Decapitation, 1994: The US 2nd Fleet is now conducting its first major counter-attack. The 2nd phase aimed at shutting down the Soviet airbases on Iceland has just completed. Now Phase 3 is starting: You are tasked with conducting precision strikes to eliminate HQ and C2 facilities on Iceland.
  • Northern Fury #10.4 – BUFF Stampede, 1994: The US 2nd Fleet is now conducting its first major counter-attack. The 3rd phase occurred earlier today when the 2 CVBGs moved north again to conduct precision strike on C2 targets. Now it is time to bring in the heavy hitters and restore cave dwelling as an acceptable way of life for the Soviets on Iceland! You are to conduct a short, sharp bomb run of key facilities remaining on Iceland while transiting the 2nd Bomber Wing to bases in England. Your bomber wing is comprised of 3 Squadrons of B-52s and has been augmented by a squadron each of B-1Bs, EF-111s, F-16 Blk 40s and several squadrons of tankers. As well as support from elements of 2nd Marine Air Group (2MAG), and a U-2, the ‘Spirit of Missouri’ one of 8 operational B-2s will make that type’s combat debut.
  • Operation Adelaide, 2016: This scenario assumes an armed conflict has broken out between Liberia and Sierra Leone. Sierra Leone has crossed the border into Liberian territory, occupied the town of Bo Waterside and refused to withdraw. Liberia has requested help from the United States. The USS Jackson (LCS-6) has been fitted with a COIL laser weapon for this mission.
  • Operation Baltic Vigilance, 2020: Sweden and Estonia are holding a joint Airforce and Navy exercise. You are tasked to destroy several key military and civil infrastructure targets deep inside Estonia, these will be protected by enemy aircraft and SAM sites. Destroying radar installations, SAM sites and airplanes is your secondary objective.
  • Operation Bayern, 1965: Tanzania became independent of Great Britain in the early 1960s. This scenario assumes that the Soviet Union replaced its president, Julius Nyerere, with a puppet leader they could control and set about turning Tanzania into a militarized “African Cuba”. President Johnson considers this unacceptable. However, rather than just wait for Tanzania to become a new Soviet fortress in the Third World, Johnson intends to nip the problem in the bud.
  • Operation Reclaimed Might, 2015: A recreation of the Russian cruise missile strike on Islamic State targets in Syria, from ships in the Caspian Flotilla, on October 7, 2015.
  • Protecting Peacekeepers on Samar, 2024: The civil unrest that has plagued the Philippines becomes significantly worse by the early 2020s. Several rebel groups are active in the archipelago, some engaged in guerilla activities against government forces, some ideologically-motivated terror groups, and others little more than well-armed gangs of bandits. The Philippines has requested assistance both from its allies and the United Nations. One current operation is the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers and aid workers on the island of Samar, which has become the stronghold of one of the guerilla groups. Recently the rebels were successful in stealing a few older tanks and artillery pieces from the Philippine government. U.N. forces on the island are engaged in peacekeeping and humanitarian operations. The United States has been charged with assisitng the Philippines in providing security for the peacekeepers.
  • The Shores of Tripoli (The War That Never Was), 1989: The opening moves against Libya by NATO were a great success. The Libyan IADS around Tripoli has been virtually dismantled and the Marines of the 26th MEU have been successfully landed at Zuwara. Initial opposition has been very light and the Marines have driven to within 25 miles of Tripoli. Meanwhile, NATO’s military successes have paid off on the diplomatic front. Egypt has agreed to attack Libya and will begin driving towards Tubruq. Will the Libyan army collapse under the weight of a two front attack? Or does the “Crazy Colonel” have some tricks up his sleeve?
  • Turkish Revenge, 2012: In June 2012, Syrian air defenses shot down a Turkish RF-4, killing both crew and setting the tone for the confrontational Ankara-Damascus relationship that involved the TuAF shooting down multiple Syrian aircraft, and, most recently, a Russian Su-24. This scenario involves the Turks hitting back at sea instead, with a submarine being deployed to sink two Syrian corvettes. However, the Assad regime and its allies are prepared for any counterattack…
  • Uncle Mark’s Tutorials #6 – Toledo Hits ‘Em Hard, 2004: Al-Queada camps have been discovered in northern Pakistan. The Pakistani government has been unwilling to allow the United States to strike directly at these terrorists, on the grounds that camps found within their sovereign territory are under their jurisdiction. However, in this case, HUMINT sources indicate that elements within the Pakistani military are sympathetic to Al-Queada and are trying to shield the terrorists. Washington intends to take action. Pakistan has warned the United States that it will not tolerate direct military action against targets within its territory. The US, however, have no intention of allowing the terrorists to escape justice.
  • Sandbox Scenario #2: East Med A2/AD, 2016: On 13 January, 2016, a Turkish F-16 is shot down by Russian fighters after it crossed into Syrian airspace northwest of Idlib. Russia offers no apology and warns Turkey not to allow its fighters to stray into airspace where Russian military forces are conducting operations. In response, the Turks denounce the Russian action and warn against further Russian aggression. Heeding the advice of NATO military commanders, however, Turkey has been allowing Russian aircraft operating against rebel positions in close proximity to the border some wiggle room. Despite the hostile ‘attack’ against its F-16, Turkey allows the small buffer zone to remain in place. However, Adana has announced that it will regard any aircraft that menaces its airspace as hostile and they will be fired upon and brought down. For one week afterward, tensions have simmered, but Russian air activity over Syria has been nonexistent. Then on 19 January, 2016 Russia announces that airstrikes against rebel positions near the Turkish border will resume within 24 hours. The announcement increases the level of tension in the region as the possibility of a confrontation with Turkey increases. NATO has released a statement warning if Russia disregards the sovereignty of Turkish airspace and/or launches an attack on Turkish forces, Article 5 will be invoked immediately.
  • Alfa Wolf Pack, 1987: The Third World War has begun. There are offensive operations around all the globe. Norway has signed a pact with the USSR, declaring neutrality. The world is teetering on the brink of a nuclear war. At this moment both sides are only using tactical nuclear weapons at sea due to the threat of Mutally Assured Destruction. A NATO anti-submarine surface group is trying to enter Soviet bastions in order to destroy their SSBN fleet. You will handle the Soviet response to this strategic threat.
  • The King’s Hand, 2016: The assasination of Saudi Arabia’s King Muhammad bin Salman by Egyptian special forces draws the two countries with teetering relations into dire straits. A secret military plan known as “The King’s Hand”, an assault on an air base in Fayed and the home of the Egyptian military unit responsible for the assasination, comes into play. But some advisors worry that the plan is too little, too late as a military build-up by Cairo has been brewing for months. Can you beat an advisary that has a 2 to 1 advantage in air superiority?
  • Good Morning Malvinas, 1982: In the aftermath of the re-capture of South Georgia by British forces, it became clear that the Argentine government would not be open to a diplomatic resolution. In light of this, Prime Minister Thatcher authorised operation Black Buck, a series of Vulcan B.2 raids against Argentine forces on the Falklands. Your mission, as commander of TF 317, is to conduct covert insertion of special forces on West Falkland, perform follow-up Sea Harrier strikes on Goose Green Airfield and Stanley Airport, and achieve and maintain air and sea control within the total exclusion zone.
  • Bosphorus Blues (The War That Never Was), 1989: Thanks to controlling 75% of its borders, the Soviet Union had complete control over the Black Sea. This didn’t provide much of a strategic advantage due to one of the most amazing geological features in the world: the Bosphorus. This narrow waterway, dominated on both sides by Turkey, is the only access from the Black Sea to the rest of the world. This scenario, based upon the book The War That Never Was by Michael A. Palmer, charges the Soviet forces with opening the straight through force. This requires careful coordination between air, land, and sea forces.
  • Cold War Continued #1: Eve Of Destruction, 1995: On October 28, 1995, an explosion in the Baku Metro in Baku, Azerbaijan SSR, killed nearly 300 people. The Soviet Union and her allies blamed western agents for the attack, and promised that a harsh response would be met to the West. The West once again didn’t take this threatening of an attack seriously. What happened on October 31, 1995, changed the world forever…

 

As always, the community scenario pack is available for download from the Command downloads page: http://www.warfaresims.com/?page_id=1876 . The scenarios are also available individually for download on the Command workshop on Steam.

NOTE: Some of the new scenarios (see the spreadsheet list included in the pack for details) use the new v442 version of the Command databases, thus requiring the v1.11Release Candidate in order to work as intended. We recommend using the v1.11RC in any case, as it offers vast improvements on functionality, stability and performance.