NationStates Jolt Archive

ooc: This is an international military exercise between the nations of Agrigento and East Islandia. If any other nations would like to join in the proceedings on either side they should telegram either one of us.
ic:


Scenario: Recent terrorist attacks have severely diminished the oil production of several key petroleum suppliers to Tropical Paradise. As Agrigento's Strategic Oil Reserves are tapped experts estimate that if current oil consumption continues at this pace they will run dry by the end of the year. Gas prices soar, and despite recent gains in the struggle to discover efficient alternative sources there will not enough time to implement them and avoid the major energy crisis that is sure to ensue.

The Agrigentian Government has declared a state of national emergency and several expeditions to find oil in the region were commissioned, however all of them return unsuccessful. As panic sweeps across the nation and the gasoline rationing begins to spark up violence in major urban centers large portions of the Strategic Reserves are rerouted to keep the military at maximum efficiency for the longest period of time possible.

The Agrigentian Military High Command has issued a general alert to all its troops, and the mobilization of several national guard units has been commenced.

The lack of oil has sparked widespread protests among the East Islandian populace, and, in combination with recent financial hardship, has caused widespread chaos and anarchy. Many are already calling for an ouster of the central government, and several armed attacks have been undertaken by disaffected civilians.

As such, Second Flag (reserve) units have been called to active duty to enforce martial law in several of East Islandia's largest cities. Further, Marine brigades and Air Force rapid response units have been mobilized, and are ready to be deployed against the populace if so needed. However, this is to be used only as a measure of desperation, and few doubt that the East Islandian military can stomach a battle along the lines of the one fought at Tiananmen Square.

At around this time, the central government has begun to authorize several expeditions. One of them, located in the East Lotus Sea, in a barren (but particularly pretty) area previous overrun by West Islandian separatists, seems particularly promising. It has been labeled the Western Resources Area, and though it is somewhat near the Agrigentian held stronghold of North Islandia, preliminary drilling teams are sent to establish several stations to collect data.

Lines of people at petrol stations. The masses huddling together in unheated apartments. Armed soldiers in front of library's, postal offices, and public works facilities, their machine guns ready to turn the tides of protestors into heaps. That was the scene in Agrigento months ago.
Televisions glowing at night. Warm homes on the volcanic slopes, the hum of air conditioners on the seaside streets. The bright neon lights of the hotel strips. Gasoline for under a dollar.
That is the scene in East Islandia today.

Now the protestors in the streets do not yell chants against the government, nor do they sling insults at the military police on their corners. Instead they stand in line waving placards and signs: "Agrigentian Oil for Agrigentians!" and "Islandian Thieves Off our Wells!" Many foreigners might ask themselves what could have happened to these once closest of allies, the answer is simple to us. The Islandians have invaded our territory and are stealing our oil. The Government's response might be more formal, but it simply echoes the thoughts of the people.

"We feel betrayed by the Islandians, who have begun drilling on sites that have been traditionally considered Agrigentian Territory, and are today inside our Economic Exclusion Zone. Their refusal to share these oil resources at a reasonable price to us is an unforgivable insult. The people of those tropic isles are living in the lap of luxury while our people die in the streets," was President Corleone's official response, but not his only one. Amid crowds of cheering on-lookers several divisions of the Agrigentian Marine Corps began to arrive at forward naval bases in North Islandia.

It is unknown how the Islandians will respond to these bold moves, but one High Command Official was quoted as saying, "Whatever their response may be the Agrigentian people will not be denied their right to these oil supplies." How this event will play out over the next few months remains a mystery, and the once impossible threat of war between these two nations has rolled in with the latest cold front. Regardless this winter will be hard for the people of Agrigento.
_______________
Enzo Mulcini
La Repubblica, Staff Writer

Indignant at being labeled traitors and thieves, Islandians have begun to protest also. In one instance, firebombs were hurled at the Agrigentian embassy before riot police could subdue protestors and beat them senseless. For the most part, a general consensus reigns among the Islandian government: the Western Resources Area must be drilled in and held at all costs.

The government of East Islandia issues a communique to the Agrigentians, reminding thier erstwhile allies that North Islandia had once belonged to Greater Islandia, and that economic exclusion zones were not clearly defined. It even suggested that the two nations meet for negotiations.

In the meantime, submarines belonging to the Navy's Green Group (tasked with patrolling the eastern oceans) put to sea, secretly stalking Agrigentian ships. The Pearl Guards Brigade, a unit specializing in littoral and amphibious warfare, puts to sea for what Forces Command calls "exercises". in the past, exercises were held with the Agrigentians, but in this time of crisis, even asking has not occured to the brass.

Outside Il Senato, Piazza della Repubblica
Sicilia, Agrigento ~ 0900, Thursday
__________________________________

President Corleone stood upon the historic stage in his usual unassuming garb. His hair was growing thin with years, and his large vivid eyes shown with an opaque glitter. The creases of decision folded deep into his face, he stood solemnly as the Agrigentian National Anthem played loudly in the background. The thousands of citizens present at the square mimicked him as close they could, but fighting the cold was a demoralizing battle.

First up to the podium, which seemed out of place amongst the ancient wood of the structure it rested up, was a man of indeterminable age. The fringes of his scalp showed streaks of white, yet next to the stocky president he stood pale and wary, the son-in-law waiting for the powerful old man to talk. His introduction was brief and all the more unnecessary.

Finally the five-foot-nine head of state walked resolutely to the wooden bulwark. His face looked tired, yet intimidated the great bulk of on-lookers close enough to peer into them. His breath broadcast forth in great bursts from his mouth and into the freezing night air.

"My great citizenry, my brothers and sisters, at home and in these very streets, I welcome you to this most grave occasion. No matter how hungry we are, we dare not feast on despair. No matter how cold we may be, we dare not cloth ourselves in misery. We are a hardy people, we have survived war, and we shall not perish in a most bitter peace! Many say we are already at war, that our nation is being slowly killed by those we once called allies, who deprive us of a fuel for life. A fuel that is most rightfully ours, issuing forth from territory that knows only our name. Our territory has been invaded; our people are being killed, so I say, 'Indeed we are at war.' A war that we cannot lose if we hope to survive. Today I issue forth an ultimatum, from this crucial time, and this hollowed place, I say to the government of East Islandia, if it has any thoughts for the safety of its people, for the friendship we once shared, it will surrender immediately those islands to their rightful owner the proud, the enduring, the lasting Republic of Agrigento."

The crowd stood in silence, as seconds seemed to last longer than their entire lives. Then suddenly, like few had ever witnessed before, the eerie stillness burst into a great explosion of sound and sense. The deafening roars shook cars blocks away, and broke windows across the city. Through the car alarms, crying babies and barking dogs only one thing was audible: "Forza Agrigento!!!!"

_______________________________________


Ships of the 2nd Fleet began to speed toward the islands, known in Agrigento as «Isole dei Viaggiatori» , or the Islands of the Travelers, they were closely followed by the 2nd Pursuit Group, the 10th Strike Group, and the 1st Marine Amphibious Group along with their respective Submarine Forces.

Aboard diesel attack submarine War Tide
Near the Western Resources Area

Of the myriad branches of hte Islandian military, it had long been known to any perceptible observer that the submarine forces were the best, in terms of performance. In the Dra-pol wars and the Islandian wars, they had, ton for ton, sunk more ships than they had lost, and carried out more missions than all the sorties carried out by the combined Islandian air forces (Marine strike/interdiction, Naval aviation, and Air Superiority Force).

Captain Chuang reflected on this as he sat in his ready room, pouring over photographs taken by spy satellites and high-altitude reconaissance aircraft of the Agrigentian fleet. They had dispatched their Marines, which would cause trouble; aside from being formidable warriors, the Agrigentians also outnumbered Islandian ground forces by at least two to one. Further, the Islandian Marines were approximately half the size of the Agrigentians, and worse, the combined ground forces only totaled to about two hundred eighty thousand troops.

That was where the submarines came in; acting in pairs (not in wolfpacks, as used to be the custom), they would have to disable and destroy as many enemy ships as they could, with both SLCMs and, if chance allowed, wire guided torpedoes. The problem, however, was surviving the formidable submarine defences put forth by such a large group...no, Chuang realized that he would have to act in concert with other ship launched cruise missiles, aerial attacks, and perhaps a few EMP salvoes to make things effective.

Captain Chuang headed for the communications console and typed in a quick message, to be relayed by a series of underwater communications arrays back to whichever command had jurisdiction of the area. He asked for a concentrated airstrike on the Agrigentian ships (which his submarine was following at a safe distance, at ninety kilometers away and several hundred meters down) and a cruise missile attack, if possible, in a day.

He headed back to the bridge and ordered the submarine to be put on a war footing; half the crew would sleep, and the other half would work.

All told, six submarines in three pairs followed the Agrigentians; two trailed them, another two were to their right, and a third pair were on the left of the battlegroup. All were at least eighty kilometers away and two hundred meters deep, riding at the edges of the convergence zone in teh East Lotus Sea.

Capo del Mare Command Ship
Central Position, Second Fleet, 150 nm NE of North Islandia
________________________________

The tactical situation was a familiar one for Admiral Balducci. In the countless times that he had led the second fleet into hostile areas never had it been so capable or so well accompanied. Since the addition of the Invictus, the overhauling of the Hippolyta and the redesign of the Fleet Guardian classes of ship he had not had a chance to exchange blows with any enemy fleet, High Command instead relying on the smaller Pursuit and Strike Groups that lay on his flanks to handle recent crises. However, nothing inspired more fear, or respect in the Marina Militare than the deployment of one of its fleets. The Second fleet was perhaps the most storied one, and he was certainly the most decorated commander. As the head of SANCOM, the StrAtegic Naval Command, he could choose, like his SAFCOM counterparts often did, to remain at base and send one of his less senior officers out to sea, but he never once missed the chance to lead this flotilla into combat.

Looking out over the decks of his flagship, the Capo del Mare, he could see the gentle waters of the pacific rocking back and forth, confident that no submarine could pass these solid depths undetected. This was not general boasting, the fleet ASW capabilities were equal to none, and years of training and fighting with the Islandians had left quite an impression on him of just how dangerous a pack of submarines could be. They indeed would be his most dangerous opponent upon these calmly rolling waters, but the silhouette of his picket ships against the horizon and the many objects dotting the mid-day sky were a source of great comfort, and even greater responsibility to the veteran flag officer.



M.M. Manzini, Uccellino del Mare class Aircraft Carrier
Central Position Inside Primary Defensive Picket, Second Fleet
__________________________________________________

The C-3000 rocketed off the criss-cross runway of the capital ship, ready to join the latest shift of Combat Air Patrol over the 2nd Fleet's most forward, and vulnerable position. Checking in with its E-2D Super Hawkeye Air Controller it was now the veritable tip of Agrigento's force projection spear.

While the arrival of the Invictus might have concerned some of his counterparts across the fleet, the Air Boss sat comfortably in the CIC, secure in the supremacy Aircraft Carriers have enjoyed since their inception. Comandante Quadrofino made the short walk to the Joint Intelligence Center (JIC). Already there was the Commander of Fleet Marine Forces, Comnandante Giangrasso, who had made the trek from his LFOC much earlier.

"Well the CAP is hot, and our picket ships are in good position. Captain Veritano is on the horn with Admiral Balducci confirming that," was Quadrofino's only greeting.

"Aye aye. I still think this op is about as squared away as a soup sandwich. War Plan Orange hasn't been rewritten in years,"

"Well who would've thought we would have to use it??"

"It still should be up to date," he looked at the busy consoles around him, "these men have been working since 0500 trying to amend them to include our new equipment. Luckily most of Orange isn't applicable, we only need to update the capture of dei Viaggiatore. Otherwise I would've had them working in the goat lockers." Francesco Giangrasso was not happy with the situation High Command had left him in. We need more time was his only complaint, which of course, was mostly unheeded.

"I am sure you boys can handle it. They don't call you the Marines for nothing."

"Urghh-ah," was his solid, and very loud response.



M.M. Fantasma, Seawolf class Nuclear Attack Submarine
Southern Position, Outside Secondary Defensive Picket, moving away from the 10th Pursuit Group
_______________________________________________

"Captain, we are now entering the weapons free zone. Message from fleet: Commence Unrestricted Submarine Warfare."

"Thank you, XO. Rig for silent running, we know the Islandians are out here somewhere, and they have the advantage. Make sure Fiero is still on passives."

"Check passives," the XO echoed.

"Aye, Aye," was his response.

Like so many other subs of the 11th force he was now operating to the southern flank of the probable engagement area, its 660mm tubes loaded with Fenice ASM and Mark 10 Mod 3 Heavyweight Torpedoes.

Western Resources Area
Aboard Minesweeper/Minelayer Ago Daryeh

"Reconaissance reports the presence of Agrigentians," Flotilla Commander Agdash announced. "Are the mines ready?"

"Awaiting the activation order," a subordinate replied. "We only have about forty mines in teh water though."

Agdash shook his head. "That will have to be enough," he said, checking his watch. "Next satellite overpass is in several minutes. Airplanes can finish the job...any available bombers?"

"Not within a hundred kilometers."

Agdash shook his head. "Hurry then," he said. "Get fifty more mines into the water, and activate them as soon as all the oil drillers are out of range. And notify the submarines too."

Lab Echo, Bureau of Naval Ordinance
San Giuseppe Naval Base, North Islandia
______________________________________

Sodium: Water's wonderful antagonist, and one of the Earth's most plentiful elements. Sodium metal: the key to the Islandian's submersible naval dominance. They used it in practically every piece of Naval munitions they could, from 7.62 rounds to torpedoes. Like the most bitter of married couples, sodium metal and water were granted a violent divorce from one another. More commonly sodium has been used in its liquid metal form as a coolant and even energy source in underwater vehicles, however it is impossible to deny the relationship between it and H20. This antithesis has not surprisingly been used in torpedoes for quite some time, the first real applicable experiments taking place in the mid 1930's. However those ill-fated magnetically detonated weapons found that in order to cause real damage it is most critical to know the nature of your target and the depth to which it displaced water. Then only a detonation directly under the target's beam would provide the desired result. With the advancement of targeting and fuse technology, as well as the Islandian habit of using copious amounts of the substance, these problems were largely eliminated. Sodium would be the Marina Militare's worst enemy, and Ivano (pronounced more like Eve, and less like Ivan) Gatini knew that, as he looked over his laboratory notes.

Elemental Sodium's reaction with water is strongly exothermic: The piece of sodium melts (melting point of sodium: 97.8 °C) and the heat transferred to the local environment ignites the hydrogen that is produced.

2 Na + 2 H2O > 2 NaOH + H2

All alkali metals such as sodium react with water to produce elementary hydrogen and the corresponding alkali hydroxides. The reactivity increases with increasing periodic number. For example the metals rubidium and cesium explode when brought into contact with oxygen.

The only way the Agrigentian's could defeat such a weapon, whether it be sodium torpedoes or mines, would entirely rely on their ability to detect enemy submarines before they come into range, destroy any in bound torpedoes before they detonate, or clear the water of any mines prior to amphibious operations. Luckily Ivano knew the limited capabilities of these weapons, magnetic detonators would be ineffective: the Islandian's could not risk the Sodium metal's self-detonation. Torpedoes must be wire guided, and the mines would have to be proximity fused. Here lied the Marina Militare's only advantage, and their only option: Take the initiative.



ooc:An example of Sodium exploding upon reaction with Water (http://www.pc.chemie.uni-siegen.de/pci/versuche/pics/anim/natrium.gif)


1st Strike Force, 39th Air Wing, AMA
300 kms out, approaching the airspace over Isole dei Viaggiatori
________________________________

The first squadrons would enter the engagement area a full 6 hours ahead of the Naval Forces already en-route. They had already refueled once, to maximize their time aloft, and would refuel once more on their way home. Now, however, the long boring flight was almost over, and the brief moments of extreme excitement and violence were about to begin. The two squadrons of Eurofighters were going in first, loaded with supersonic Fenice ALR-ASMs, and ALARMs. They would not be alone. 2 Squadrons of Drago 3000's, each of them loaded with six Meteor BVRAAMs and 2 Artiglio AMRAAMs were follow immediately thereafter. Protecting the AWACs just miles back were F-15Z Aquilas, prepared to spearhead the second wave. These first forces would not only supply Air Superiority but complete Air Dominance.

Aboard attack submarine War Tide
Western Resources Area, shadowing Agrigentian fleet

"Floating antenna records movement," the sensor officer reported, listening in carefully. "Sounds match with EF2000 and F15Z Aquilas. Carrier may also be launching fighters."

"Retract floating antenna," Chuang ordered. He had heard all he needed to, and he quickly ordered his communications officer to relay a message back to Forces command, and then to local troops stationed on the "oil drilling" platforms, of which there were two. "Alert them that there are inbound fighters, and a naval squadron coming right after them. Tell them to set whatever booby traps ad automated systems they have, and get the hell out of there."

******
Western Resources Area
Off the coast of North Islandia

There were five islands in the Western Resources Area; two were approximately one-two hundred kilometers in length, and forty kilometers across. Another was fifty kilometers in length, ten kilometers wide, and the remaining two were shaped in a small atoll, two inverted Us. It was in the atoll that the Islandians had established their command bunker, but outside the two largest islands that the "oil drilling" platforms were built.

Containing around fifty surface-to-surface missiles, each platform was a regular arsenal. Strangely, however, the platforms were only about twenty meters off the surface of the ocean, and were painted in a mottled blue-gray-green camouflage, incidentally the camouflage used by Islandian naval ships and Islandian border policemen.

On the islands, several batteries of automated air defence systems (firing Chinese built FT2000 SAMs) swung to life. The Islandians quickly hurried off the platforms and onto waiting boats, which took them to two moored submarines, older Russian Kilo-class diesel subs (retired from active duty and kept in reserve) nearby.

One of the submarines was finished loading in a matter of minutes. The second one, however, had to wait another twenty minutes (for heavy equipment to be destroyed and booby traps to be set for marines). If worse came to worse, however, the second Kilo had around twenty anti-aircraft missiles in its launchers and another ten cruise missiles in its main tubes, in addition to several sodium torpedoes as a weapon of last resort.
*******

Two hundred kilometers away, the amphibious group carrying the Pearl Guards Brigade steams slowly towards the Western Resources area. Their submarine screen (six submarines) are dispersed towards the front and back, and cruisers, destroyers, and frigates keep a careful watch.

To the east, a carrier group comprising sixty aircraft and fifteen ships (cruisers, destroyers, and frigates) head for the Agrigentian fleet. They are, however, three hundred kilometers away, and it will be another few hours before they reach anywhere close enough to launch. Hopefully, the amphibious assault group will have enough firepower to take out the Agrigentian Marines.

Air Force strategic bombers begin uploading target data and bombs, and the first five are airborne in minutes. Their ETA, however, is an hour, even at supercruise.

The Islandian forces were caught off guard by this development, and they will pay for losing the initiative.

"Shit, I was just painted!!", shouted Red-Actual over the radio.

"Where? AWACs has nothing!" was Blue-Actual's response.

"Sweep shows nothing. Could it be a glitch?", added one of the other pilots

"Negative, floating array, signature is positive ID." Red-Actual resounded coarsely."Eagle Eyes, this is Red-Actual, we have been painted, positive make on submerged target,"

"Roger, forwarding coordinates." The Forward Air Controller opened the frequency to all pilots, "Be advised we have been made. The target area will be hot, I repeat TA is hot. Uploading firing data now. Red-Actual, Blue-Actual, Green-Actual, Free to engage targets on my command", the officer quickly switched channels. "Spooky-Actual, weapons free!"

The only resposne was a high frequency click, and soon the radar displays on-board the E-3 showed a cluster of outgoing missiles. The 39th Air Wing's 2 Special Operations: Forward Aircraft, Fantasma for short, began to let loose a barrage of what looked like Fenice sea-skimmers. The Active Radar Cancellation and stealthy profile of the Fantasmas was betrayed by this launch, but that was not only expected but counted for. They were a mere blink on the screens, as they quickly turned back. The missiles continued on target toward the western most oil-drilling platform. Totaling 36 projectiles theywere nothing more than extremely expensive decoys, their warheads replaced with radar transponders that gave them the appearance of the ALR-ASMs. Upon visual inspection they would be easily identifiable, but at this range there was no chance for that. Now they appeared as three-dozen very threatening blimps on the Islandian Radar Screens.

"39-Actual, Weapons free!" shouted the FAC, to both Strike Squadrons.


As the Eurofighters approached the TA they are painted by enemy radar. "Target Acquired" is shouted loudly over the radio, and the v-shaped wedges of aircraft let loose their heavy loads of Advanced Long-Range Anti-Radiation Missiles.

Red Squadron was the first in, and all 12 fighters were in Radar Suppression Configuration, which meant 6 ALARMS per plane. Letting loose two per target, the missiles streaked across the sky at Mach 3, homing in on the enemy radar sites. This volume of fire should effectively eliminate the Islandian Surface to Air Missile threat in the immediate assault area.

"This is Red-Actual, I've got Tone. No visual confirmation - but missiles are away!"

Blue Squadron followed shortly thereafter, all twelve planes, in Maritime Attack Configuration, launch four Fenice ASMs, two per target, at the Islandian ships attempting to flee the area. They then followed Red's lead super-cruising back home to San Giovanni Air Base, North Islandia.

The Dragos were covering their retreat, hopping around the fighters and the straggling AWACs that now scanned the skies for enemy planes and incoming missiles. The F-15Z's would be the Parthian shot of this confrontation, releasing their hail of Storm Shadow Cruise missiles at the Platform (total 12), and emptying their counter-measures into the darkening sky from over 200 kms away.

Aboard carrier Empress Moon
East Lotus Sea
Three hundred kilometers out from Agrigentian task force

The catapults on the medium carrier Empress Moon, a medium sized carrier (fifty airplanes) flared as the first of the ship's J37X fighters slid off the deck and stumbled into the air, before gaining speed and quickly accelerating. Carrying four Long Range Advanced Engagement Missiles-Air (LRAEM/A) Type II, three D-7 Type V HARMs, and two SRAEM/As, the planes were well equipped for naval air combat.

The ten J37s were followed by ten J16N7 interceptors, a W-5 AWACS aircraft, and one squadron of J10NXs, modified Chinese built J10s used for strike duties. Five J16s split off, staying behind to escort the W-5 AWACS, and the rest of the craft sped off towards the Agrigentian fleet, hundreds of kilometers to the north.

*****
Aboard amphibious assault carrier Phosphorus Lagoon
East Lotus Sea

In the meantime, aboard the amphibious assault group, people were uneasy. For one, the Agrigentians had arrived on-scene earlier, and air superiority would not be guaranteed. Still, the forces were fairly well matched, but this was of little consolation to anyone.

As such, orders had been given for the amphibious group to launch part of its strike fighter detachment to lend the Empress Moon's fighters some support. To help things along, another carrier group, comprising two light carriers this time (30 airplanes each) and twenty ships, were steaming in from the south, though it would be another hour or so before they could launch their planes at maximum range.

********
Western Resources Area
East Lotus Sea

On the island, three radar sites were immediately destroyed by the oncoming barrage. However, the last one, controlled by an automated system, was given directions, relayed via floating antenna from one of the Kilos offshore, to shut down for half a minute, weathering the first barrage carefully. Another radar was heavily damaged, but still operational (thanks to the reinforced construction of the bunker it was built in), and it was from these two arrays that the counter attack would be launched.

Forty Sunburn SS-N-22 sea-skimming missiles were launched from the first platform before it was blanketed in a cloud of fire and destroyed. The second one, comprising MRS Mod 7 cruise missiles with an engagement range of 300 kilometers, immediately launched, relying on satellite imagery to guide the missiles to their target.

On the islands themselves, the FT2000 batteries, buried in bunkers dug into fibersteel shelters, were launched quickly. Two were knocked out in the previous strike, but most managed to get their active radar homing missiles out before they too, were destroyed.