Serhiy's Decision
Although formally established by presidential decree on a warm summer day in August 1992, the slow and painful partition of the Soviet Black Sea Fleet between Ukraine and the newly independent Russian Federation took several more years. Arguably, the first ship of the Ukrainian Navy came into being on 26 January, 1992 and in considerably less peaceful fashion. The collapse of the USSR in December 1991 caused the crew of the Project 159A (NATO Petya II) class light frigate SKR-112 (most of them Ukrainian by nationality) to make a fateful decision. That morning in January, Captain-lieutenant Serhiy Nastenko raised the state flag of Ukraine aboard his ship and together, he and his crew, took an oath of allegiance to their new motherland. Black Sea Fleet Command was outraged; compelling Nastenko and his crew to eventually flee from the Russian Naval base at Donuslav to see refuge in Odessa. Ships and aircraft of the Black Sea Fleet still loyal to Moscow set out in pursuit of the mutineers.
This scenario is a re-make of the Harpoon Classic scenario written by Brad Leyte and has been re-written for compatibility with Harpoon3 and the PlayersDB with the consent of the author.
Author: Herman Hum
Black Eye Down
"The Strategic Space Command's stealth satellite fleet was a diplomatic sticking point for the United States, the cause for many a protracted screaming match on the floor of the U.N. Many nations, primarily those who lacked stealth satellite technology, vehemently protested their use as an unwarranted threat to other nation's space travelers.
The United States continued to launch the stealth birds while stolidly refusing to confirm or deny their deployment. But the SSC duty officer who "opened" a Black Eye without valid justification would be falling on his or her professional sword."
"The First Cup of Coffee War", James H. Cobb, 2007
Author: Herman Hum
Somali Convoys
2008 saw a huge increase in pirate activities in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean.
In the absence of an effective government in Somalia, whole fishing families took to piracy and hostage-taking as a means of income.
NATO's navies, vastly over-designed for the task (with poor HumInt and even poorer ROEs), are forced to carry out the oldest Navy mission of the alliance, keeping the Sea Lines of Communication open.
The task of preventing attacks by pirate ships nearly indistinguishable from regular fishermen is virtually impossible.
Ships operators refuse to let their ships sail only in escorted convoys (the Big naval lesson from the 20th Century!), but have agreed to report the positions of all merchant ships in transit to the NATO Operations centre in Djibouti to pass onto the NATO ships.
Author: Freek Schepers
Somali Pirates
2008 saw a huge increase in pirate activities in the Gulf of Aden and Western Indian Ocean.
In the absence of an effective government in Somalia, whole fishing families took to piracy and hostage-taking as a means of income.
NATO's navies, vastly over-designed for the task (with poor HumInt and even poorer ROEs), are forced to carry out the oldest Navy mission of the alliance, keeping the Sea Lines of Communication open.
The task of preventing attacks by pirate ships nearly indistinguishable from regular fishermen is virtually impossible.
Ships operators refuse to let their ships sail only in escorted convoys (the Big naval lesson from the 20th Century!), but have agreed to report the positions of all merchant ships in transit to the NATO Operations centre in Djibouti to pass onto the NATO ships.
Author: Freek Schepers
Argo (Redux)
"Ex-fils are like abortions. You don't want to need one but when you do, you don't do it yourself."
- Tony Mendez, ex-filtration specialist
L.A. Times reporter: "What does Argo mean?"
Lester Siegel: "It means, Argo f*** yourself"
A top Iranian scientist within the nuclear energy enrichment program has been amassing information for years. He has the smoking gun and has contacted the CIA for extraction to the West out of fear for his life and those of his family. His intelligence is deemed invaluable and could save incalculable lives when it comes time to neutralize those facilities.
Over the weekend, the scientist and his family have sought refuge in the Italian ambassador's residence. Come Monday, his absence will be noticed. A CIA "Moses" operative has flown into Teheran to extract him and his family.
"There are only bad options. It's about finding the best one."
- Tony Mendez
A CIA ex-filtration specialist, codename "Vincenzo", has flown into Teheran under the guise of a comic book writer supposedly working on a Persian-friendly response to the comic book, "300", by Frank Miller. He has been warmly received by the Iranian Ministry of Culture and Islamic Guidance for his efforts to correct the mis-representation of Persian history and cultural traditions.
This scenario was inspired by the motion picture Argo (2012).
Author: Herman Hum in collaboration with Vincenzo Beretta
Carrier Exercise
Halfway through 2008, Europe started to realize that the Asian nations' sustained economic growth would eventually lead to a strong new powerhouse. Asian countries already built or bought several very effective carriers and, with China laying down both a 45000 ton and a 96000 ton aircraft carrier, Europe decided that carriers would become critical in the future.
While England's 2 new carriers are still years away, the time was ripe for some serious exercise.
This scenario has been designed for play with any combination of 1 to 4 players.
Author: Freek Schepers
Nicobar Vengeance
Friction has been growing between Indonesia and her neighbours. Amongst other issues, Indonesia claims that other nations have been illegally fishing in her waters while other nations accuse Indonesia of not doing enough to reduce piracy.
Four days ago, an Indonesian submarine in the waters between the Nicobar islands and Sumatra sank an Indian merchant vessel that it mistook for a commercial fishing boat. Sixteen Indian sailors were killed in the incident.
Author: Herman Hum
Beida-La Boom
History is replete with interesting surprises.
The mercurial leader of Libya, having made much of his reputation as a foe of the West, ultimately decided that the future of his country (and his own future) might be secured more easily by adopting a policy of moderation.
He was promptly ousted and forced into exile.
The new regime is openly hostile to the West. Its ultimate goal is to dominate North and Central Africa and it has started an agressive campaign of purchasing weapons from nations such as China, North Korea, Russia, and Iran. In addition, it has purchased materials necessary for the creation of chemical and biological weapons.
This scenario is a re-make of a Harpoon Classic scenario by Mark Gellis and has been re-made with the author's permission.
Author: Herman Hum
The Third Temple
A surprise attack by Egypt and Syria on Israel during Yom Kippur yesterday has been astonishingly successful.
Using the element of surprise, the Egyptian and Syrian Air Forces destroyed scores of Israeli planes in their revetments. Under cover of the strongest SAM-belts the world has ever seen, Syrian ground forces have broken through Israeli defences along the Golan Heights and are pushing south towards Jerusalem. Israeli ground-attack planes destroyed scores of tanks, but were decimated by SAMs.
As the Syrians are moving out of the protection of their SAM belt, they rely on the Air force to support the advancing tanks.
In desperation, Israel and has ordered the arming of F-4 Phantoms with Nuclear bombs.
Author: Freek Schepers
Rescue A Sailor
On March 23, 2007 Fifteen Royal Marines were captured by Iranian patrol boats while on routine inspection of an Indian freighter.
The UK must look for options, through political or military means, to get its people back.
At the same time, US presence in the Gulf is at a high with two CVBGs amidst great tension over Iran's nuclear program.
Author: Freek Schepers
Gulf of Sollum
On March 7th 1983, at the height of the Cold War, Hr Ms Zwaardvis is leaving Den Helder, Netherlands for a five week underwater transit to Naples, Italy. The SSK has been added to Task Force 69, and will carry out Recon missions of Soviet fleet anchorages just outside the Libyan 12-mile zone in the Gulf of Sollum.
The Soviet Black Sea Fleet, faced with being bottled up behind the Bosporus, has taken to basing numerous warships in deep anchorages in International waters off North Africa in the Med. Sollum is the biggest of these.
NATO MPA's keep a permanent watch on these offshore bases; but submarines are better able to observe Soviet activities, doctrine, training exercises and take hullshots of newly arrived ships and subs.
This, then, is the mission of Hr Ms Zwaardvis, a modern Dutch submarine designed for the Cold War.
Author: Freek Schepers
Nicobar Waltz
For reasons which are not entirely clear, Indonesia has invaded and occupied part of the Nicobar Islands.
Normally, the United States would leave the matter to India, but, by unhappy coincidence, the Indonesians chose to invade while an American film company was on Car Nicobar shooting scenes for a movie. In the confusion of battle, there were a number of American casualties, including two popular young American starlets (one of them a friend of the President's own children and a frequent visitor to the White House). A few days later, an amateur video showing the bodies of Americans killed in the attack surfaced on the internet.
To make matters worse, the Indonesians have refused to release those Americans who survived the attack; the Indonesians are holding them as hostages to prevent American involvement in the conflict.
With American public opinion inflamed, the President has little choice but to act. Whether the Indians like it or not, America will be taking the Nicobar Islands back for them.
This scenario is a re-make of a Harpoon Classice scenario written by Mark Gellis. It has been re-made into Harpoon3 with permission from the author.
Author: Mark Gellis, Herman Hum
South China Sea 1987
The world is on the brink of war. A coup in the Soviet Union has sent Mikhail Gorbachev to exile in the West with a hardline Communist government siezing power in Moscow.
The Soviet General Staff has decided that the time is ripe for a world-wide Communist revolution. Soviet forces are inciting revolutions and conflict world-wide providing propaganda, arms, and advisers.
1. Suppress insurgent ground forces
2. Intercept and destroy any shipments to Zamboanga by communist forces.
3. Escort amphibious task group to reinforce Philippine soldiers in Zamboanga
4. All cargo ships and convoys are to proceed to Subic Bay
Author: Fred Galano
That's Our Oil
After the discovery of huge oil reserves in the coastal waters of the Dutch ABC-Islands, the Venezuelan Government decides to invade the Islands and get control of the oil reserves. The Dutch, however, respond by sending a naval Task Force and F-16 fighters to the region. A military conflict between the 2 nations is imminent.......
Author: Frans Koenz
Oil on the Fire
It started when the Swedish Euro Vote failed the second time. Denmark followed. Finland pledged to stay out of NATO. Norway left NATO, the EU grew eastward and crumbled northward. Having received much praise for their social and peaceful policies, the Dutch and Norwegian economies have floated for years on bubbles of gas and oil, North Sea Oil. Nicely divided up by treaty when oil was plentiful, the Norwegian and Dutch oil companies, StatOil and Shell, respectively, co-operated to make a killing.
However, the traditional fields ran out at a time of high oil prices. Shell and StatOil discovered a rich new field right underneath the demarcation line between both countries' claims. An ownership fight ensued. The Dutch and Norwegian governments talked and talked until the Dutch elections. The Netherlands elected radicals that would look after their future even at the cost of others. Talk soon stopped and ships sailed with orders "to send a message".
Author: Freek Schepers, Herman Hum
RORSat Study
A carrier group is in transit across the Atlantic enroute to England. A Russian RORSAT satellite is on a realistic Polar Low Earth Orbit and it is looking for the Enterprise.
Can the Enterprise navigate safely to England? It is a well known fact that US carrier groups can evade detection by RORSAT if they choose.
Author: Freek Schepers
Antilles
Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao - three islands more known as beautiful cruise ship ports than as drug stop-overs enroute to Europe. The U.S. has made these islands their forward base for drug interdiction efforts by stationing F-15s and F-16s there (which cooperate with a permanent Dutch Navy and Marine Corps detachment) to interdict smugglers.
With corruption rife both in the Antilles government and in neighbouring Venezuela and the U.S. withdrawal of combat units to fight the war on terror, these three quiet islands are very near an unpredictable neighbour and in desperate need of reinforcements.
Author: Freek Schepers
First Blood - Operation Dreamland
Recent demonstration of stealth technology begs the question: Could this high-technology penetrate the equally high-technology radar and missile systems of the 21st century. NATO and PACT are again poised for combat. You are the 21st century Mission commander of project Dreamland. Bring down the Pact AEW and its bridges.
Author: Freek Schepers
Operation Dreamland
This is the 25th anniversary of the release of the iconic techno-thriller, "Red Storm Rising". NATO and PACT are poised for combat in this remake of Tom Clancy's "Red Storm Rising".
NATO has put together a small highly trained team of deep strike specialists to drop the Elbe bridges along the East German border and thereby slow down the Soviet advance.
In deep secrecy, the brand new F-19A Stealth fighter has been pushed into service to perform this mission.
Author: Freek Schepers
Siberia
In the decade since the breakup of the Soviet Union, the world has occasionally heard rumours of Nukes being smuggled out of the former USSR. Most experts believe the public has only seen a fraction of what has really happened.
Two month ago, officials of the PRC notified the IAEA in Vienna that they had intercepted a "suitcase-sized nuclear device" being smuggled out of the Far East Russian Millitary District into China. Last week, the PLAN boarded a Russian freighter which had left Vladivostock and was entering the Yellow Sea. Aboard, they discovered a 155mm nuclear artillery shell. Immediately, China demanded from the Russian government a commitment to take "Public, Swift, and Verifiable steps to conform fully to draft resolution 3454 or face the consequences imposed by an international coalition of countries dedicated to non-proliferation of WMDs." Russia has publicly denounced the ultimatum as "a declaration of war".
Author: Freek Schepers
Forced Into a Corner
Chaos reigned in the aftermath of the fall of Saddam Hussein and his regime. The United States failed to obtain sufficient support from the international community for its exercise in nation-building. With the body count rising and a new Administration in Washington, US forces withdrew in late 2004. Continuing political friction with the European Union was only aggravated by the turn of events in Iraq.
The withdrawal of all significant Western presence in the Middle East led to a power vacuum that soon twisted itself into a nightmarish scenario. The intifada in Israel intensified when the USA pulled out of Iraq. The Israelis responded with a heavy hand. In turn, the long-time enemies of Israel sensed an opportunity and moved with shocking speed.
Author: Herman Hum, Brad Leyte
That Bloody Gulf
The Persian Gulf is undoubtedly the most volatile theatre of war. Recent decades have seen major wars from terrorist attacks through covert mine-warfare against oil tankers to open warfare between nations. In this hypothetical scenario, the region is semi-stable, but under a high level of threat from terrorists. Your mission is simple. Escort US oil tankers through these dangerous waters without losing them and without starting a war.
Author: Freek Schepers
Baltic Tide
World War III has been raging across the globe for three days already. Casualties have been high on both sides. Where the Soviets expected to make rapid gains on land, they have not. And where NATO expected to quickly gain control of the skies above Europe, the Pact has made more than a fight of it.
At sea, there are only the quick and the dead. What were supposed to be set piece battles turned into bloodbaths with the winner being whoever fired first. While no American carriers have been sunk, yet, three have been heavily damaged in the GIUK Gap alone. One of the few things going as planned is NATO's campaign against Soviet subs in the Atlantic and North Sea. With the combination of first-class sonar, excellent signals processing, and land and ship based aircraft, NATO has been able to smother almost any sub contact they run across.
Reinforcements are being rushed into the meat grinder that is the North Atlantic. Here, at least, NATO has the advantage of unrestricted access to the sea. Any Pact units in transit to the Atlantic must pass through restricted (and often NATO-controlled) seaways.
NATO Orders: The Soviets have already sustained very heavy losses to the naval forces they had pre-positioned in the North Sea and Atlantic prior to the outbreak of hostilities. Satellite reconnaissance indicates that a major Surface Action Group will attempt to surge through the Danish Straits. In order to support this breakout, East German airborne units and Polish Marines have landed on several Danish islands. And, while Pact losses in these landing have been high, they are still stubbornly holding their positions. We also have indications of a large number of Soviet cargo aircraft marshaling at Russian airfields as well as cargo ships leaving the port of Leningrad. We believe they are trying to push supplies and equipment forward to support their efforts on the central front.
Close the Danish Straits. Do not allow the SAG to complete its transit to the North Sea.
Soviet orders: NATO surface fleets in the North Sea and around Denmark have suffered great attrition from our naval air forces. Expect only light forces to oppose your transit. The threat of NATO subs is high, however. NATO air forces and ASW units pose the greatest danger to your mission.
Get the SAG through the Danish straits and into the North Sea for follow-on commerce raider operations against the UK and the French coast.
Author: Dave Steinmeyer
Beach Reconnaissance
Soviet submarines have scored many successes in the Atlantic convoy lanes through the profligate expenditure of torpedoes and missiles. By the third week of the war, many submarines are suspected to be low on fuel and munitions. However, the number of submarines returning to ports in the Kola Peninsula is far lower than expected.
The level of subsurface activity in the Spitzbergen area is higher than expected. Investigate and see if these anomalies are coincidental or correlated. If the Soviets can replenish away from the Kola Peninsula, this would be a significant and strategic force multiplier.
Author: Herman Hum
Axis of Evil II
The largest scenario ever written for Harpoon3 has now been digitally re-mastered and is hereby re-released for your enjoyment. It is the Mother of All Monster scenarios. Be forewarned. Examine the Readme.txt file carefully. The magnitude of this scenario may cause problems for your computer and should not be attempted by those with processor-challenged systems.
The Chinese economic bubble has burst and it has fallen into recession. The economic picture is mirrored worldwide. Russia is plunged ever further into social and monetary chaos. In an effort to raise hard currency, Russian resorts to selling almost everything within its arsenal. China moves to maintain its market share and matches prices and terms. Iran takes advantage of the prices and buys from both nations. A radical fundamentalist regime very similar to the Taliban is elected in Iran. Iran announces its nuclear power status with an atmospheric test. NATO leaders unanimously demand the immediate removal of the missiles and the extradition of Bin Laden.
Author: Herman Hum, Tim Eastburn
Cuban Missile Crisis
In this scenario the forces are arranged as they were in the Caribbean on October 22nd 1962; the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis.
After the Bay of Pigs invasion in 1961, Cuba started re-arming with the most modern Soviet weapon systems. MiG-19 and -21 fighters armed with Atoll-AAM, SSM-armed missile boats, and SA-2 SAMs have been supplied to Cuba in early 1962. Training has been provided in the USSR and Soviet advisors and training units were moved to Cuba.
Early 1962: US recon planes spotted construction activity of what were evaluated to be missile launch pads and fleet harbours suitable for nuclear submarines.
Early October: Soviet merchant ships with covered tube-like deck cargo were spotted in the Dardanelles and in the G-I-UK gap heading southwestwardly. Submarines were also detected moving into the Atlantic by the brand-new but imperfect SOSUS sensors.
At the height of the Cuban Missile Crisis, these ships are approaching Cuba, where Intermediate Range Ballistic Missiles are thought to be near operational status...
Author: Freek Schepers
Operation Jaya Wijaya
When Indonesia became independent in 1949, The Netherlands held onto New Guinea, a vast island group in the east of the archipelago. The Netherlands maintained permanent army (KNIL), navy, and air force units on the islands. In the early 1960s, President Soekarno started guerrilla operations against the British in Malaysia and against the Dutch in New Guinea to force them to relinquish their colonies. Indonesia built up its military with modern Russian weapons and, in 1961, Indonesia had the strongest air force in the Southern Hemisphere while The Netherlands post-war economic position had allowed it only limited military investments.
A visit of the Dutch aircraft carrier "Karel Doorman" to the region in 1961 inflamed the situation and serious incidents started the next year. In March of 1962, Dutch patrol planes sank an Indonesian Schooner and, in July, Dutch destroyers sank the Indonesian torpedo-boat Matjan Tutul carrying soldiers to New Guinea. Dutch Neptunes intercepted and shot down some of the Mitchell bombers and Dakotas dropping paras in company strength in the jungle. During the summer, a bloody guerrilla war started between these para's and Dutch Marines in the jungle of New Guinea.
Politically, the Soviet Union was rattling its sabre in Cuba, Vietnam, and gave overt support to Indonesia (including supplying crews to Indonesia's newly built submarines). President Kennedy was very worried about the threat of Soviet influence in Indonesia with its strategic sea lanes. The Dutch Prime minister de Quai and his foreign minister Luns refused to negotiate with Soekarno and tried to make New Guinea a UN-protectorate only to face a Russian veto.
Finally, in August of 1962, Soekarno gave orders for the liberation of New Guinea by force through operation Jaya Wijaya. Merchant ships and the Indonesian navy formed up east of the Celebes and the Indonesian Air Force was deployed to forward bases. Still, the newly formed Indonesian navy faced a small, though battle-hardened Dutch navy. The operation was by no means a sure thing. This changed when Russia deployed Badger bombers and long-range submarines and dressed up their crews as Indonesian 'volunteers'. The Netherlands had good intelligence, Dutch submarines had crossed the Pacific, and, for the first time in decades, the Netherlands sent conscript troops to defend the colonies.
On August 18th, Prime Minister de Quai gave in under severe pressure from President Kennedy and agreed to hand over New Guinea to Indonesia later that year. This scenario investigates what would have happened if the Netherlands would have let the conflict erupt. Soekarno had already ordered his invasion fleet to sail from the Celebes and, although some sources maintain Soekarno had not yet achieved the 3:1 superiority in forces required, the Russian forces would have played a decisive role in the battle.
Author: Freek Schepers
Bay of Pigs
On April 14th, 1961, six ships departed a Nicaraguan training camp where they had spent months training with CIA instructors. Brigade 2506 was to land at the Bay of Pigs in southern Cuba to overthrow Castro's regime. Sixteen B-26C Invader medium-range bombers were ready in Central America to support their invasion.
Cuba's army and militia, while numerically strong, were thought to be poorly motivated and likely to switch sides when the invasion took place. Cuba's air force was poorly equipped, had low servicability, and would be destroyed on the ground by the rebel B-26s and by US strikes on the main airbases. After all, it was the CIA who had organised the invasion.
In reality, President Kennedy had inherited the operation from his predecessors and, while unwilling to pull the plug, he severely limited the support that could be given and personally ordered a veto against air strikes on Cuban airbases.
This scenario starts on April 15th 1961 and lasts 24 hours.
Author: Freek Schepers
Pirates
The Malakka strait, Sunda Strait, and Java Sea are notorious Pirate waters. Attacks have increased to over 200 per year. Often crews of attacked vessels are put overboard, the ship is quickly searched for valuables, and then sunk. Many pirates are individual criminals, but organised gangs have emerged who have excellent Intell, and have purchased some of the hundreds of obsolete Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, and Australian 1960s and 1970s gunboats.
While Pirates have no chance against modern naval ships, the Navies in the region have other priorities; and rumour has it that some Pirate gangs are headed by ex-navy personnel. With over 50.000 ships passing the Malakka Strait annually of which 2000 are Ultra Large Crude Carriers, private enterprise has stepped in with the creation of the United Escort Service.
Author: Freek Schepers
Philippines
When Mt. Pinatubo covered Clark AFB in the Philippines, it signaled the end of US protection of this nation. By 2008, the Philippine Air Force had no operational jet fighters and its Navy had not acquired SAM- or SSM-armed ships.
Insurgents and terrorist groups made good use of the stricken military and, by 2008, the Philippines opened discussions with China, Japan, and Korea on military and economic cooperation. The Philippines' closest neighbours, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Brunei, perceived a repeat of the WWII invasion threat from the north and each decided to widen their spheres of influence.
Author: Freek Schepers
Shetland Squabble
As fish populations collapsed around the world due to overfishing, nations began to come into conflict. Some nations were not overly careful about whether or no they strayed into some other nation's fisheries or territorial waters.
In the last few months, Norwegian fishing boats have violated British waters. The British government intends to send a strong message. The British task commander is ordered to capture or sink Norwegian fishing boats found north of the Shetland Islands. The task force is currently south of the Shetland Islands.
Author: Herman Hum in collaboration with Mark Gellis
Baltic Sea Struggle
In the winter of 2011, tensions between NATO and Russia increased.
A Russian strategic pipeline was cut during winter, causing a giant environmental disaster. Sweden, Finland, and Russia accused each other of negligence, terrorism, and state-initiated protectionism of their own industry.
All three nations sent their ready squadrons of patrol ships into the Baltic.
Author: Freek Schepers
Operation Journeyman
Tensions in Argentina were high throughout the 70s. Border conflicts with Chile, a poor economic situation, and a lingering dispute over the Falkland Islands made UK Prime Minister Callaghan regularly check how fast SSNs could get to the South Atlantic as a deterrent to Argentina.
In November 1977, Britain announced that a nuclear submarine had arrived in the South Atlantic in response to the setting up of a naval base on South Thule by Argentina.
Britain warned that the British citizens in the South Atlantic had elected to remain part of the British Empire and that its deployment of a RN SSN was aimed to deter further violence.
Author: Freek Schepers
Haiphong or Bust
This scenario is based upon an incident described in the book, Blind Man's Bluff, by Sontag and Drew.
"Submarine spying had received a boost in Kissinger's and Nixon's eyes in mid-1972, when U.S. surveillance subs detected one of the rare overt Soviet moves to intervene in the Vietnam War. Shortly after Nixon announced the mining of Haiphong Harbour, the Soviet Navy sent three Echo II subs toward Vietnam. After they were detected by U.S. subs, Washington sent a message to Moscow, essentially saying, send them back home or they're history. The subs left."
Author: Herman Hum
Warhead
The three most powerful men in the world are:
The President of the United States,
the Premier of the Soviet Union, and
the Captain of a ballistic missile submarine.
The Blue Crew of the SSBN Michigan won the annual Fleet Achievement Award. As a reward, the Navy paid for their family members to join them in Scotland. The homeward flight was hijacked enroute and diverted to Beida, Libya.
A Marine Expeditionary Unit - Special Operations Capable - and elements of Detachment Delta is sitting offshore awaiting permission to enter Libya in order to liberate the aircraft and occupants. Meanwhile, negotiations continue and hostages are being shot every six hours.
After the third hostage was murdered, an uncoded message was transmitted from the Michigan and recorded by several international agencies.
"To the President of the United States
Believing the Soviet demand that negotiations at Beida be conducted only by a United Nations team to be an inhuman and criminal political manoeuvre precluding swift and safe release of our families, we, the majority of the officers and crew of the USS Michigan do hereby serve warning upon the Soviet Union. Unless our families are released unharmed by 2400GMT 7 August, we will launch a Trident missile.
Mike Dawson, Commanding"
This scenario was inspired by the F. Robert Baker novel, "Warhead", Bantam Books, 1981.
Author: Herman Hum
Dangerous Waters
Captain Hardy is commanding USS Memphis on one last voyage "North" before the aging sub is scheduled to decommission. The President has ordered a survey of the East coast of Nova Zemblya to search for evidence of nuclear waste. Dr. Patterson, an environmental specialist and Presidential Science Advisor has embarked as mission commander. With her comes a pair of special UUVs able to detect sources of radiation.
To book "Dangerous Waters" of Larry Bond.
Author: Freek Schepers
White Phoenix
CVBG Roosevelt has been conducting Exercise Nordic Spring with Norwegian units over a series of weeks. One final graduation exercise is underweigh before we head to Scotland for much needed rest and recration.
The scenario was created to simulate a key event in the comic-book "The Witching Hour" currently being written by Vincenzo Beretta. It is not supposed to be "fair"
Warning: "Solo i giocatori con Dio dalla loro parte possono vincere questo scenario." (Only players touched by God can win this scenario.)
Author: Vincenzo Beretta and Herman Hum
War of the Euro
Following the financial crises of 2008 and 2010, the Eurozone was transformed.
Greece was bailed out in 2011 with 260 billion Euro and Spain took 490 billion in 2012.
Draconian measures were enforced across Mediterranean countries. This included offering for sale Spain's sole Aircraft carrier, 6 Santa Maria-Class frigates, and the announcement of the disbandment of the Italian submarine force. Crews were laid off with immediate effect.
In spite of these rescue funds, on Jan 2013, Spain and Greece defaulted on their debt payments.
Northern Europe, facing a collapsing Euro and economy, bailed out both countries again. However, on June 9th 2013 Europe woke up to a surprise announcement. Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Greece all left the Euro at the same time. They announced that all debts would be converted to their new currency, the Certecius. In addition, the countries left the European Union, left NATO, formed a new pact called the Mediterranean Union, and appointed as its first President: Silvio Berlusconi.
Immediately the Certecius halved in value against the Euro, which itself halved against the US dollar. The Eurozone creaked under pressure of the written-off debt to Italy, Spain, and Greece, and under the burden of debt to the Americans.
EU president Guy van Rompes abdicated and Frau Dr Merkel, widely seen as the European equivalent to Margaret Thatcher, took the EU role. She promptly issued an ultimatum: the Mediterranean Unions debt, which largely matures on January 6 2015, is to be re-paid in Euros.
Author: Freek Schepers
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