Operation Chunky Bandit

[mmcv]

Thanks guys!

And regarding Logjam, we'll see, he's only MIA, so maybe he'll surface and we'll get to see a rescue attempt.  I like blending the air and ground campaigns when I can.

V/R,
Jack

Plot twist!

[bigjackmac]

Maybe

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 0815 on 25 July 1990 in the country of South Leon.  We are with the Cuban Air Force's 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, deployed to South Leon several months ago.  So far there hasn't been much to do, just some routine Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and close air support missions every now and again for the grunts, but no air-to air engagements to date.  The squadron, also known as "The Flying Boxcars," is led by Major "Viper" Culero, a former US Navy fighter pilot that earned himself four kills and the Estrella de Bronce (Bronze Star with 'V') during the Cuban War of Liberation.  He normally keeps a two-ship CAP up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but this morning he had bumped it up to four on account of a bunch of chatter about something major going on up North.

What the good Major then found out is that the Communist Army from Federation Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), South Leon's malignant neighbor to the north, launched an all out invasion of South Leon, and they are rapidly rolling towards that nations capital.  Accompanying them is an all out blitz by FSNL's Air Force, and the Flying Boxcars are now involved in some of the most intense aerial action since WWII.

To kick off their offensive, the FSNL Air Force put 6 x MiG-21s in the air on a classic fighter sweep, looking to clear the skies for follow on strike aircraft, while the Cubans answered with four F-4 Phantoms of their own.  The results were indecisive, with the Communists losing three MiGs and the Cubans losing two Phantoms.

The enemy returned to base and launched a strike force with fighter escort a couple hours later.  Major Culero sent two flights up to meet them.  The Cuban fighter pilots did well, downing three MiG-21s and five Su-22s to only one lost Phantom, but they did allow one enemy bomber through.  The Su-22 bombed the SLA HQ in the nation's capital, causing substantial damage (10/30).

A few hours later the bad guys are back in force.  The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the enemy strike force.  It was a helluva fracas: the Communists lost a total of three MiG-21s and five Su-22s, while the Cubans lost four of their six F-4s committed.  More importantly, they lost a pilot MIA, and another for about a month due to wounds.  But Boxcar 14 was on fire, racking up four kills and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  The one enemy bomber that made it through made a successful bombing run on the SLA HQ, again causing substantial damage (19/30).

Now it's the next day, and the bad guys are keeping up the pressure.  The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the enemy strike force.
   

The Squadron Commander, "Viper," is up, but he's only got two Phantoms with him.


Against all that...


The Commie pilots definitely ate their Wheaties this morning.


But the F-4s get some licks in, too.

To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2019/07/operation-chunky-bandit-20-air.html

This is the first of the next three fights I played.  I'm playing and posting more as soon as I can, stay tuned.

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Super report, Jack !

Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Good report Jack

[bigjackmac]

Thanks, fellars

V/R,
Jack

[Terry37]

Love it!

Terry

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Terry!

V/R,
Jack

[sunjester]

Those little aircraft are very tempting. Nice batreps.

[bigjackmac]

Thanks, Sunjester, but don't do it!  Someone has to be the voice of reason, we can't go on like this, everyone collecting everything until we are disowned by our significant others and wind up in debtors prison!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 1615 on 25 July 1990 in the country of South Leon.  We are with the Cuban Air Force's 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, deployed to South Leon several months ago.  So far there hasn't been much to do, just some routine Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and close air support missions every now and again for the grunts, but no air-to air engagements to date.  The squadron, also known as "The Flying Boxcars," is led by Major "Viper" Culero, a former US Navy fighter pilot that earned himself four kills and the Estrella de Bronce (Bronze Star with 'V') during the Cuban War of Liberation.  He normally keeps a two-ship CAP up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but this morning he had bumped it up to four on account of a bunch of chatter about something major going on up North.

What the good Major then found out is that the Communist Army from Federation Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), South Leon's malignant neighbor to the north, launched an all out invasion of South Leon, and they are rapidly rolling towards that nations capital.  Accompanying them is an all out blitz by FSNL's Air Force, and the Flying Boxcars are now involved in some of the most intense aerial action since WWII.

To kick off their offensive, the FSNL Air Force put 6 x MiG-21s in the air on a classic fighter sweep, looking to clear the skies for follow on strike aircraft, while the Cubans answered with four F-4 Phantoms of their own.  The results were indecisive, with the Communists losing three MiGs and the Cubans losing two Phantoms.

The enemy returned to base and launched a strike force with fighter escort a couple hours later.  Major Culero sent two flights up to meet them.  The Cuban fighter pilots did well, downing three MiG-21s and five Su-22s to only one lost Phantom, but they did allow one enemy bomber through.  The Su-22 bombed the SLA HQ in the nation's capital, causing substantial damage (10/30).

A few hours later the bad guys are back in force.  The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the enemy strike force.  It was a helluva fracas: the Communists lost a total of three MiG-21s and five Su-22s, while the Cubans lost four of their six F-4s committed.  More importantly, they lost a pilot MIA, and another for about a month due to wounds.  But Boxcar 14 was on fire, racking up four kills and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  The one enemy bomber that made it through made a successful bombing run on the SLA HQ, again causing substantial damage (19/30).

The next day, bright and early, the Communists sent over another strike package, but the decimated Cubans were only able to scramble a single, three-ship flight.  Things didn't go so well; while the Cubans only lost a single Phantom (their Squadron Leader, but he bailed out and he's okay), they only managed to shoot down two enemy fighters, while all six enemy bombers entered the target area!  And the damage was fierce: half dove on the South Leon Army Headquarters and destroyed it, while the other half turned on their secondary objective, the SLA Marshalling Area, causing heavy damage (19/30).

Now it's afternoon that same day, and the bad guys are keeping up the pressure.  The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the next enemy strike force.
     

Boxcar 08 ignores the enemy fighter escort and charges straight into the enemy strike formation, downing one Su-22 immediately, and scattering the rest like a flock of pigeons.


Something cool happened: Captain Trevino whips his fighter around to help out his wingman!


It's a full on melee in there as Boxcar 04 zooms in and flames the cowardly Green 01.  If you're reading and wondering if that comment was directed at you, yes, yes it was

To see how the fight turned out, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2019/07/operation-chunky-bandit-21-air.html

I'm playing and posting more as soon as I can, stay tuned.

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Nice one again, Jack !

Cheers - Phil

[Duke Speedy of Leighton]

Interesting fight.

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Phil and Lemmey!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 0815 on 26 July 1990 in the country of South Leon.  We are with the Cuban Air Force's 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, deployed to South Leon several months ago.  So far there hasn't been much to do, just some routine Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and close air support missions every now and again for the grunts, but no air-to air engagements to date.  The squadron, also known as "The Flying Boxcars," is led by Major "Viper" Culero, a former US Navy fighter pilot that earned himself four kills and the Estrella de Bronce (Bronze Star with 'V') during the Cuban War of Liberation.  He normally keeps a two-ship CAP up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but this morning he had bumped it up to four on account of a bunch of chatter about something major going on up North.

What the good Major then found out is that the Communist Army from Federation Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), South Leon's malignant neighbor to the north, launched an all out invasion of South Leon, and they are rapidly rolling towards that nations capital.  Accompanying them is an all out blitz by FSNL's Air Force, and the Flying Boxcars are now involved in some of the most intense aerial action since WWII.

To kick off their offensive, the FSNL Air Force put 6 x MiG-21s in the air on a classic fighter sweep, looking to clear the skies for follow on strike aircraft, while the Cubans answered with four F-4 Phantoms of their own.  The results were indecisive, with the Communists losing three MiGs and the Cubans losing two Phantoms.

The enemy returned to base and launched a strike force with fighter escort a couple hours later.  Major Culero sent two flights up to meet them.  The Cuban fighter pilots did well, downing three MiG-21s and five Su-22s to only one lost Phantom, but they did allow one enemy bomber through.  The Su-22 bombed the SLA HQ in the nation's capital, causing substantial damage (10/30).

A few hours later the bad guys are back in force.  The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the enemy strike force.  It was a helluva fracas: the Communists lost a total of three MiG-21s and five Su-22s, while the Cubans lost four of their six F-4s committed.  More importantly, they lost a pilot MIA, and another for about a month due to wounds.  But Boxcar 14 was on fire, racking up four kills and being awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.  The one enemy bomber that made it through made a successful bombing run on the SLA HQ, again causing substantial damage (19/30).

The next day, bright and early, the Communists sent over another strike package, but the decimated Cubans were only able to scramble a single, three-ship flight.  Things didn't go so well; while the Cubans only lost a single Phantom (their Squadron Leader, but he bailed out and he's okay), they only managed to shoot down two enemy fighters, while all six enemy bombers entered the target area!  And the damage was fierce: half dove on the South Leon Army Headquarters and destroyed it, while the other half turned on their secondary objective, the SLA Marshalling Area, causing heavy damage (19/30).

Yesterday afternoon the Communists made a second run, sending a full strike package up against five F-4 Phantoms.  The enemy was again triumphant.  Sure, they lost two MiGs and three bombers, but three bombers got through and destroyed Target #2, then damaged Target #3.  Meanwhile, the Cubans lost two F-4s destroyed and two damaged, though both downed pilots returned safely to base.  Also, Boxcar 08 was awarded the BS/V for knocking down three bombers all by himself.

Now it's the following morning, and the bad guys are keeping up the pressure.  The Cubans scrambled two more flights, though they only amount to a total of three Phantoms, to meet the next enemy strike force.


Boxcar 15 gets a bit too hasty, which immediately becomes apparent when Silver 01 cuts in behind and smokes his ass.


But Boxcar 12 is putting on an aerobatic clinic, becoming an instant Ace and winning the Medal of Honor!  To see the details, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2019/07/operation-chunky-bandit-22-air.html

I'm playing and posting more as soon as I can, stay tuned, but this weekend was a big painting weekend so I plan on sharing all that with you guys, so this may be the only batrep this week, we'll see.

V/R,
Jack

[Techno]

Good one, Jack. 

Cheers - Phil

[bigjackmac]

Thanks Phil!

V/R,
Jack

[bigjackmac]

All,

It's 1615 on 26 July 1990 in the country of South Leon.  We are with the Cuban Air Force's 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, deployed to South Leon several months ago.  So far there hasn't been much to do, just some routine Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and close air support missions every now and again for the grunts, but no air-to air engagements to date.  The squadron, also known as "The Flying Boxcars," is led by Major "Viper" Culero, a former US Navy fighter pilot that earned himself four kills and the Estrella de Bronce (Bronze Star with 'V') during the Cuban War of Liberation.  He normally keeps a two-ship CAP up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but this morning he had bumped it up to four on account of a bunch of chatter about something major going on up North.

What the good Major then found out is that the Communist Army from Federation Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), South Leon's malignant neighbor to the north, launched an all out invasion of South Leon, and they are rapidly rolling towards that nations capital.  Accompanying them is an all out blitz by FSNL's Air Force, and the Flying Boxcars are now involved in some of the most intense aerial action since WWII.

To kick off their offensive, the FSNL Air Force put 6 x MiG-21s in the air on a classic fighter sweep, looking to clear the skies for follow on strike aircraft, while the Cubans answered with four F-4 Phantoms of their own.  The results were indecisive, with the Communists losing three MiGs and the Cubans losing two Phantoms.

The enemy returned to base and, several hours later, have launched a strike force with fighter escort.  Major Culero sent two flights up to meet them.  The Cuban fighter pilots did well, downing three MiG-21s and five Su-22s to only one lost Phantom, but they did allow one enemy bomber through.  The Su-22 bombed the SLA HQ in the nation's capital, causing substantial damage (10/30.

This morning saw a helluva fight: Boxcar 12 rang up five victories in this fight, becoming an instant Ace, and bringing his total kill tally to seven (might just have us a future NBK, 7 kills in two fights).  The young Cuban pilot was meritoriously promoted to Captain and awarded the Medal of Honor for his exploits.  Despite Boxcar 12's, AKA Miguel "Mad Max" Cruces, heroics, the mission can't be called anything but a failure: two out of three Phantoms were shot down, another pilot, and hero, was killed in action, and the FSNL Air Force has nearly destroyed their third target of the campaign.  Strictly speaking, it's not that clean cut: the Cubans lost two fighters while the Communists lost three fighters and two bombers.

Now it's the following afternoon, and the bad guys are keeping up the pressure.  The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the next enemy strike force.  Did I say two flights?  I meant two fighters... 
   

The Cubans (right) got'em right where they want'em...


"Boxcar 02, this is 03, you ready for this?"
"I kinda gotta real bad feeling about this one."
"Bandits, 12 o'clock low, tally ho!"


Boxcar 02 movin' on up, gettin' some.  But let's not sugarcoat it, the fight went about how you'd expect, and Viper's definitely feeling the heat, but help is on the way.  To see more pics, please check the blog at:
https://cubalibrewargame.blogspot.com/2019/08/operation-chunky-bandit-23-air.html

I'm playing and posting more as soon as I can, stay tuned.

V/R,
Jack

[Terry37]

Jack, Really enjoy your reports and the photos make the games look like so much fun! Do you play solo? How big is your game board? I use the old Blue Max rules for all of my games, but the local guys seem to have trouble grasping the movement, so we don't play many games! 

Terry

[Techno]

Great report again, Jack !

Cheers - Phil