Cold War 1947 - 1991

[NELLUS]

Server News:

 

- Strela-13's and Chaparral's are now available for deployment in most missions for Mi-8's and UH-1's instead of Strela-9's and Avengers.

 

This will give the Helicopter side a better advantage, fixed wing will think twice before approaching the FARP or any other Helicopter zone of interest. :thumbup:

[Volator]

In "Sail Ahoy" no problems with spawing helicopters at the FARP thanks to single helipads. But at Kutaisi an F-5 spawned into one of our UH-1. That was new to me.

 

And again, we would have liked to have more helicopters. We were three eager helo pilots from our squad today, but with only two Hueys available at the FARP and Kutaisi plus one of them always taken at both locations, we never were able to make a combined effort.

 

Also, no Chaparrals to spawn there.

 

And last, we could not get any crates at the FARP because Red had attacked it before and destroyed the logistics unit again. Tactically a sound move, game play-wise the usual crap we have been dealing with for the last two weeks.

Edited May 11, 2020 by Pilot Ike

[Alpenwolf]

In "Sail Ahoy" no problems with spawing helicopters at the FARP thanks to single helipads. But at Kutaisi an F-5 spawned into one of our UH-1. That was new to me.

 

And again, we would have liked to have more helicopters. We were three eager helo pilots from our squad today, but with only two Hueys available at the FARP and Kutaisi plus one of them always taken at both locations, we never were able to make a combined effort.

 

Also, no Chaparrals to spawn there.

 

And last, we could not get any crates at the FARP because Red had attacked it before and destroyed the logistics unit again. Tactically a sound move, game play-wise the usual crap we have been dealing with for the last two weeks.

Don't expect to have a big number of available airplanes or helicopters in every mission. Especially in the smaller missions. There's a scenario there and the number of available aircraft is adjusted to it. Which is why you don't see some types of aircraft in some missions at all.

Crates are not always the same in all the missions either.

And so on...

[Alpenwolf]

@ Harrier pilots:

I don't own the Harrier so I need some information, please:

What types of HARM missiles can the Harrier carry? Does it need a pod to track targets with?

 

Thanks in advance!

[Volator]

Don't expect to have a big number of available airplanes or helicopters in every mission. Especially in the smaller missions. There's a scenario there and the number of available aircraft is adjusted to it.

 

That makes sense, but this combined with the very long duration of the missions means that dedicated helicopter squads like us can't fly on the server for an entire evening. There are always plenty of fighter slots available; I don't think more Hueys and Gazelle Ms would hurt the server, i.e. shift the balance or the character of the missions. I'm not argueing, it's just a suggestion.

[Rigo]

@ Harrier pilots:

I don't own the Harrier so I need some information, please:

What types of HARM missiles can the Harrier carry? Does it need a pod to track targets with?

 

Thanks in advance!

 

They can carry sidearms, a modified aim 9 (C I believe) with a radiation seeker head, works like HARM but shorter range (10nm at best), no pod needed.

[NELLUS]

They can carry sidearms, a modified aim 9 (C I believe) with a radiation seeker head, works like HARM but shorter range (10nm at best), no pod needed.

 

I have tried that and it is pretty useless, since you have to be really close for it to lock. Only tried it against a Shilka.. so maybe it works better against a Tunguska or similar.

[Alpenwolf]

That makes sense, but this combined with the very long duration of the missions means that dedicated helicopter squads like us can't fly on the server for an entire evening. There are always plenty of fighter slots available; I don't think more Hueys and Gazelle Ms would hurt the server, i.e. shift the balance or the character of the missions. I'm not argueing, it's just a suggestion.

You can argue too, not only suggest. I'm cool as a cucumber, buddy, write what you want.

I'll see what I can do in some missions.

 

They can carry sidearms, a modified aim 9 (C I believe) with a radiation seeker head, works like HARM but shorter range (10nm at best), no pod needed.

Thanks :thumbup:

[Rigo]

I have tried that and it is pretty useless, since you have to be really close for it to lock. Only tried it against a Shilka.. so maybe it works better against a Tunguska or similar.

 

That's because shilkas turn on their radars only when you get close, so 2/3 nm at best, for sa 6 and similar it's a different story

[Alpenwolf]

Server News:

 

 

Phone Booth:

- Briefing messages during the mission or upon spawning have been updated.

- Garrisons around the airbases were fortified.

- The number of the available aircraft has been adjusted.

 

Sail Ahoy!:

- More transport helicopters have been added to both coalitions.

- SAM batteries can now be deployed.

- The number of the available aircraft has been adjusted.

 

Catch Me If you Can:

- Briefing messages during the mission or upon spawning have been updated.

- The FARP has been replaced by single helipads.

- The road base of the L-39 has been moved to a better place.

- The number of the available aircraft has been adjusted.

 

Two Towns:

- Multiple fixes.

- Some script changes.

- The FARP's have been replaced by single helipads.

- SAM batteries and MANPAD's can now be deployed.

- 2 x SA342Mistrals were added.

- The number of the available aircraft has been adjusted.

* Will be online soon for testing. The best way to see if the bugs were fixed or not.

[Volator]

You can argue too, not only suggest. I'm cool as a cucumber, buddy, write what you want.

 

Nah, I prefer the calm and constructive way, nagging and bitching takes us nowhere :smilewink:

 

Thanks for the server news, sounds great!

[NELLUS]

That's because shilkas turn on their radars only when you get close, so 2/3 nm at best, for sa 6 and similar it's a different story

 

Makes sense, got you :thumbup:

[Volator]

In parts good mission in "When the mountains cry" today. Having HAWKs available enabled us to create our own SAM screen in our AO, which saved our butts two or three times against preying MiGs.

 

No strikers available though to assist at the lakes, neither by request on SRS nor on chat.

[Dehuman]

On the subject of FARPS being attacked.

I think they should be seen as a tactical luxury. In the forward area they are always going to be a vulnerable and important target.

Of course they shouldn't be undefended either and Helicopters should be able to spawn from the main airbase and carry crates to re-build damaged FARPS.

 

On why it may seem that RED attacks FARPS more than BLUE.

- On some missions the FARP is the primary ground target for RED. (Catch Me If You Can, Swedish Delivery)

- RED teams do seem to be "objective oriented" more often than BLUE.

Common to see a MiG-21 carrying rockets or bombs, yet for some reason Tiger pilots seldom take anything other than a pure AA loadout.

Puzzling because the F-5 can carry an impressive weapon load and doesn't sacrifice any of it's AAM space to do so.

Can even carry GBU-12s that can be lased by a friendly JTAC or Harrier.

- Viggens are often nightmares for red FARPS.

 

I've been re-learning the M-2000C now that the control layout is finalised and AdA approved.

Took it up in Sukhumi Unleashed. What a massacre! I had forgtten what it's like to have a useable Radar at low altitude.

Took me ages to sink the two frigates with Mavericks from the Harrier but well worth it!

[Alpenwolf]

On the subject of FARPS being attacked.

I think they should be seen as a tactical luxury. In the forward area they are always going to be a vulnerable and important target.

Of course they shouldn't be undefended either and Helicopters should be able to spawn from the main airbase and carry crates to re-build damaged FARPS.

 

On why it may seem that RED attacks FARPS more than BLUE.

- On some missions the FARP is the primary ground target for RED. (Catch Me If You Can, Swedish Delivery)

- RED teams do seem to be "objective oriented" more often than BLUE.

Common to see a MiG-21 carrying rockets or bombs, yet for some reason Tiger pilots seldom take anything other than a pure AA loadout.

Puzzling because the F-5 can carry an impressive weapon load and doesn't sacrifice any of it's AAM space to do so.

Can even carry GBU-12s that can be lased by a friendly JTAC or Harrier.

- Viggens are often nightmares for red FARPS.

...

Nailed it! And exactly my thoughts regarding the F-5's. In the hands of Red players you'd see Mi-8's deploying JTAC's for F-5's to do some AG work. If that's not fun then I don't know what is.

In Swedish Delivery both coalitions are trying to sabotage the enemy's FARP, deploy their own troops and capture it! Which is why you see backup Mi-8's and UH-1's at Maykop and Vody. In case the FARP is lost you can still recapture it.

 

So why is this happening?

I'm quite certain it's because most players hardly read the briefing. So the easiest thing to do is grab some AA weapons and head out to bulls. On the other hand, navigating your way carefully to the TA, spotting ground targets and striking them after reading the briefing and understanding the priority of the given objectives while cooperating with others and following GCI instructions obviously requires more dedication and work. So they stick with useless dogfights rather than contributing to the team. Why useless? Because if you really wanna do AA only, then how about you contact the strikers and provide escort? If bandits are nearby and they will be for sure then go ahead and have your dogfight party rather than fighting bandits 100 km away where no strikers or helicopters are found. So even if you kill 5 bandits in 1 sortie while leaving that 1 bandit dealing easily with friendly strikers it is still useless in terms of "contributing to the team".

I'm not scolding anyone here. I understand that many players just want to have some fun by flying solo (which is why they're not on comms and if asked to you get answers like "my kids are sleeping, can't talk", "my mic doesn't work", "SRS is bugged", etc.). And after that they call it a night. Totally legit and understandable. Do it your way, boys. However, to those among us who are more dedicated and have loads of fun in cooperating with others (obviously more demanding) will eventually end up being frustrated. So they come here to the forums and talk about it, provide feedback, constructive criticism and quite often offer good solutions. Why? Because they're more dedicated. So they invest time in it. Because they understand that if you really want the maximum fun possible you've really got to go all in! Many solo fighters when they one day decide to join the party and do it with more dedication they end up being very satisfied, thanking everyone on comms, sharing their joy and hoping to see everyone again for more fun experiences like that! Some start doing that regularly, others once in a while and many quite rarely.

 

Note that mostly it's dedicated players to be found here on the forums. That's part of the dedication and time investment I was talking about.

DCS is one of my few hobbies. And I have time for them all, thank God! And I only get the most out of them with dedication. In fact, you get the most out of anything with dedication.

 

Next time I'll write a book instead :smilewink:

[Rosebud47]

Hi Alpenwolf,

 

now I feel a bit guilty, as I took part yesterday on the cold war server, but did not pick up the communication.

Actually it was surprising for me to find communication at all on a free for all online server, but I´m rarely into multiplayer business and if, then only late at night, when all people are gone.

So it was kind of new experience to me to be welcomed to join the company on a free for all server - my apologies to not handled it this time. I will do next time.

[Alpenwolf]

Hi Alpenwolf,

 

now I feel a bit guilty, as I took part yesterday on the cold war server, but did not pick up the communication.

Actually it was surprising for me to find communication at all on a free for all online server, but I´m rarely into multiplayer business and if, then only late at night, when all people are gone.

So it was kind of new experience to me to be welcomed to join the company on a free for all server - my apologies to not handled it this time. I will do next time.

Easy, man. It's not the intention to make anyone feel guilty or something. All good. Everyone should enjoy DCS any way they like. Some of us only hope/wish it would change some day is all.

[rossmum]

So far my policy on FARPs and airfields has been to target forward bases to force the enemy fighters to fly further, or spend more time defending themselves. If they can't protect their bases, either through deploying SAMs and AAA or through fighter cover, then IMO it's a fair target - I've seen (and participated in) both sides hitting runways and it's usually because the fighters are all off chasing a single target into oblivion, or everyone's decided to run CAS/strike and left no effective CAP. With that said, I always try and leave one major base functional or even untouched, because it's no fun to be unable to fly at all.

 

For my own part, I've mostly flown CAP in the 21 up to this point. Numerous times on Phone Booth, our airfield was hit by Viggens and I had to improvise a runway along the secondary taxiway/access road that parallels the runway. Red have always seemed far more coordinated, but it may also be because I tend to bring a GCI with me.

 

 

 

:music_whistling:

 

Since the 21 FM is broken at the moment and I don't want to exploit it (as someone who habitually goes into slow turns) or develop bad habits for once it's fixed, I've been taking some time to learn the Viggen. It's a lot of fun, and I've eased myself into some strike work with it which then carried over to the Su-25 the other day. I've mostly been focusing on antishipping, knocking out air defence (when I know where it is) and EWRs, and cratering secondary airfields/bombing out FARPs to clear the ground units protecting them. At one point some enterprising red player snuck a Shilka and BMP onto the blue FARP on Swedish Delivery, so there are some creative tactics going on. IMO it's fun, it adds some spice to the server, just as long as people understand where the line is between "funny unconventional tactics" and "merciless griefing".

[Alpenwolf]

... At one point some enterprising red player snuck a Shilka and BMP onto the blue FARP on Swedish Delivery, so there are some creative tactics going on. IMO it's fun, it adds some spice to the server, just as long as people understand where the line is between "funny unconventional tactics" and "merciless griefing".

Exactly! What's the point in strafing enemies on the ground and sabotaging what is not really an objective then having everyone leaving the server?! I guess some do this minutes before going to bed so they're like "I'm not going to be here after this so why should I care!". Very disappointing attitude.

[Rigo]

Exactly! What's the point in strafing enemies on the ground and sabotaging what is not really an objective then having everyone leaving the server?! I guess some do this minutes before going to bed so they're like "I'm not going to be here after this so why should I care!". Very disappointing attitude.

 

I think strafing FARPs is a viable tactic as long as it is made quite challenging to do, by defending them with some powerful close range aa like Tunguskas and such on both sides.

[Alpenwolf]

Operation: Prince of Persia

 

 

 

Situation:

RED airbases: Khasab, Ras Al Khaimah Intl, FARP's Podkova and Skala.
BLUE airbases: Al Ain Intl, Al Maktoum Intl, FARP's Perth and Dublin.

Both coalitions are fighting over 6 major airbases in the Arabian Peninsula. Capturing and controlling these enables total domination over essential sea routes in the Persian Gulf.

6 x airbases to capture:

- Ras Al Khaimah
- Sharjah Intl
- Dubai Intl
- Al Minhad AFB
- Al Maktoum Intl
- Furaijah Intl

*** Ras Al Khaimah Intl is RED at mission's start ***
*** Al Maktoum Intl is BLUE at mission's start ***

In addition, each coalition has one FARP marked on the F10 map.

NOTE:
Teamwork is the key! Use SRS and get on comms.

 

Red Objective:

MiG's and L-39's:

- Provide CAP 40-70 km south of Ras Al Khaimah Intl.
- Escort strikers coming from Abu Musa Island if needed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Su-25's:

- Search and destroy enemy ground units.

Waypoint-1: Ras Al Khaimah Airbase (RED at mission's start).
Waypoint-2: Fujairah Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-3: Sharjah Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-4: Dubai Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-5: Al Minhab AB Airbase.
Waypoint-6: Al Maktoum Intl Airbase (BLUE at mission's start).

Search and destroy enemy ground units at the assigned waypoints mainly, but also anywhere you find them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Ka-50's:

- Search and destroy enemy ground units.
- Provide escort for Mi-8's if necessary.

ABRIS waypoints for Ka-50's at FARP Podkova:

Waypoint-1: FARP Podkova (home base).
Waypoint-2: Ras Al Khaimah Airbase (RED at mission's start).
Waypoint-3: Fujairah Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-4: Sharjah Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-5: Dubai Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-6: Al Minhab AB Airbase.
Waypoint-7: Al Maktoum Intl Airbase (BLUE at mission's start).

Search and destroy enemy ground units at the airbases mainly, but also anywhere you find them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mi-24's:

- Search and destroy enemy ground units.

Waypoint-1: Ras Al Khaimah Airbase (RED at mission's start).
Waypoint-2: Fujairah Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-3: Sharjah Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-4: Dubai Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-5: Al Minhab AB Airbase.
Waypoint-6: Al Maktoum Intl Airbase (BLUE at mission's start).
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Mi-8's:

Deploy whatever is needed to capture the airbases. Contact the GCI operator if available and provide your service anyway he sees fit. If not available, makes sure you cooperate with other helicopter pilots and friendly fighters.

Mi-8's -> Picking up crates:
Bring up your radio menu, select F10 for CTLD and then whatever type of crates you want to pick up.

*** You can only pick up one crate at a time ***

For picking up a crate, maintain hover over it for 5 seconds while keeping an altitude of at least 7.5 meters and a maximum altitude of 15 meters.

To unpack a crate, make sure you're at least 5 km away from the FARP.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined Arms:

The 2 cmdr slots are for players controlling ground units while being on SRS with each other and other players to coordinate their attacks.
You MUST be on SRS as a cmdr operator!
You can use the JTAC slot to drive a ground unit. However, that requires you being on comms with cmdr operators to avoid confusion and/or causing problems to their attacks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequencies:

EWR / GCI: 124 MHz - Channel 0 for MiG-21's and L-39's. Channel 2 for MiG-19's. Mi-24's R-863 - Channel 0
EWR-MiG-15 (Callsign: 15): 4.95 MHz (tuned in by default)

FARP Podkova: 127.5 MHz - Mi-24's R-863 - Channel 18
R-828, ARC Channel for Podkova FARP: Channel 6 - 32 MHz, FM

NDB for Khasab Airbase: 385 kHz
NDB for Bullseye, Fujairah Intl: 625 kHz

**********************************************************************************************************************************************************************************

Blue Objective:

F-5's, F-86's and C-101's:

- Provide CAP 10-50 miles north and northeast of Al Maktoum Intl.
- Escort strikers if needed.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A-10A's, AJS37's and AH-64's:

Waypoint-1: Al Maktoum Intl Airbase (BLUE at mission's start).
Waypoint-2: Al Minhab AB Airbase.
Waypoint-3: Dubai Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-4: Sharjah Intl Airbase.
Waypoint-5: Ras Al Khaimah Airbase (RED at mission's start).
Waypoint-6: Fujairah Intl Airbase.

Search and destroy enemy ground units at the assigned waypoints mainly, but also anywhere you find them.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
UH-1's:

Deploy whatever is needed to capture the airbases. Contact the GCI operator if available and provide your service anyway he sees fit. If not available, makes sure you cooperate with other helicopter pilots and friendly fighters.

UH-1's -> Picking up crates:
Bring up your radio menu, select F10 for CTLD and then whatever type of crates you want to pick up.

*** You can only pick up one crate at a time ***

For picking up a crate, maintain hover over it for 5 seconds, while keeping an altitude of at least 25 feet and a maximum altitude of 50 feet.

To unpack a crate, make sure you're at least 3 miles away from the FARP.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Combined Arms:

The 2 cmdr slots are for players controlling ground units while being on SRS with each other and other players to coordinate their attacks.
You MUST be on SRS as a cmdr operator!
You can use the JTAC slot to drive a ground unit. However, that requires you being on comms with cmdr operators to avoid confusion and/or causing problems to their attacks.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Frequencies:

EWR / GCI (Callsign: Axeman): 251 MHz
AN/ARC Channel 1 for F-5's and F-86's
Special 1 for AJS37's
V/TVU Channel 1 for C-101's
ARC-164 - Channel 1 for AH-64's

ATC: 256 MHz
AN/ARC Channel 4 for F-5's and F-86's
Special 2 for AJS37's
V/TVU Channel 2 for C-101's

TACAN Al Ain Intl: 15 X - callsign: TKR

FARP Dallas: 252.5 MHz - ARC-164 - Channel 4 for AH-64's
Available UHF AN/ARC-51 Frequency:
FARP Dallas: Channel 16 (261 MHz, AM)

Edited April 5 by Alpenwolf

[Rigo]

GREAT, can't wait to try it out

[Brown Floyd]

Adding the ability to shuttle the MiG-29/M2000 to the main airbase is a nice touch.

[Alpenwolf]

Server News:

- In the mission When The Mountains Cry Cmdr slots are now available instead of the JTAC slots.

- AWACS planes' script in the mission Two Towns fixed.

- In the missions Once Upon a Time in Abu Dhabi and Search & Destroy MiG-29A's and M-2000C's will be available at the main airbases if transferred over there.

 

 

Teaser:

The next mission will have 2-4 nuke bombs available! Conditions must be fulfilled to enable those. A good number of B-52's will play a big role too.

[Domestos]

Can you bomb runways?

 

I another sim, you can disable a runway using Durandal's or similar. Can you disable a runway in DCS? I thought they couldn't be deaded.

 

Domestos.

 

P.S. I'm loving the server. I understand the missions and when there's a GCI it's great fun!

 

I 'liberated' a M2000 last night and took off without remembering to align my INS, thanks to the GCI who vectored me back home as I was out of range of the VOR's etc by the time I realised

DOH!!!

Edited May 14, 2020 by Domestos