NationStates Jolt Archive

Phase One - The Liberation of Tonga (Operation Hornet)

It was dawn on a typical Pacific summers day. The blue ocean an oasis of life. However, the postcard scene was overshadowed by more sinister events. The Royal Celtayoshi Navy, Air Force, and Army, were set to launch Operation Hornet, the siezure of Tonga, part of Celtayoshi's plan to take some Pacific Islands into its Empire.

A total of five carrier groups had been despatched to the Pacific, and four were to be used in this operation. Along with an invasion force of 100,000 men and the 4th Expiditionary Air Force.

Currently Jagonian territory the Celtayoshi Army felt its smash and grab tactics of massive ariel bombardments beforehand, and then a frontal assualt, setting up a base camp and striking out from there would be enough to neutralise the Jagonian Army.
Celtayoshi propaganda was rife, several people had been smuggled in and were spreading pro-Celtayoshi and anti-Jagonian propaganda around the area. They were going on a massive charm offensive to help the people to welcome the Celtayoshians.

The first strikes would be long range cruise missiles in less than a day. The monarchy of Celtayoshi was going to war for the first time.

The Cottish naval forces in the Pacific, in French Polynesia more precisely, noticed the large fleet moving thru the waters. The fleet was first spotted by the ICS Pitcairn, a Virginia class SSN and the most silent submarine in the world, when it was on rutine patrol in the Pacific. Having been out of the home port in the Austral Islands for only ten days, the captain decided to tag along and see where is was heading.

Silently trailing the fleet, who quickly were identified as Celtayoshians, in a distance of 35 000 meters, within range of the ADCAP torpedoes and 'sub-Lance' missiles she carried, the Pitcairn recorded everything she could. She even dared to go to periscope deapth for two minutes to get some snapshots of the fleet moving along.

ooc: TAG

Pelepian forces stationed in Palmyra Atoll have picked up the Celtayoshi fleet picking it's way through the jumbled maze of islands on radar and in satellite imagery. The alert level was raised, but aside from that not much attention was paid to it.

Tag

Ottowa, Celtayoshi - Official Press Release

"By now many nations are probably aware of the movement of the Celtayoshi fleet in the Pacific, we have not made any secret of it. Any attempt to prevent these ships from reaching there destination will result in swift action. We mean no harm to most nations. Our ships are under strict orders not to engage patrol ships in international waters, nor will they stray from international waters until their destination.

Any nation that feels threatened by the presence of the battlegroups should contact our Ministry of Foreign Affairs Immediately. Thank You."

Meanwhile, in the Pacific, onboard RCYN - Toronto

"Captain, 6 hours to engagement point weather is set to be fine just like they said." said First Mate W. Fottry

"Good, how are the troops holding out in the Wasps?"

"Sir, they are land lubbers, they think this is a storm"

Both men had a good laugh at that, still, each new the value of the Light Infantry.

"Any contacts?"

"One possible, three definates, but its a big ocean, I would be mroe worried if we didn't find anything."

"Good, continue as planed, operations will commence at Dawn, bring her to the East of the island, that should put the rising sun behind us."

"When do you want me to signal for the pre-attack air strike?"

"In about 4 hours, let me check with the admiral."

"Yes Sir!" The First Mate left with a smart salute.

ICS Pitcairn

The captain of the Pircairn sat in the control room and looked bored. In fact, he was bored. Out of his brains. Rising suddenly, he walked over to the sonar room and looked inside. "Any changes?" he asked them.

"Not a sound sir. They don't know we're here." The sonar operators looked back at him. "Did you have something in mind sir?"

The captain grinned. Things were going to become a whole lot more interesting.

"Get me active sonar. One ping. Only one. Understand?"

The sonar operators nodded. It suddenly became cold in the small sonar room. Cold sweating, the operators prepared the ASADS-TG active detection sonar for an active sweep of the area.

In the control room, the various sections reported that they were on action stations, ready for action. Hopefully, with a distance of 35 000 meters, the Celtayoshians wouldn't detect them after the evasions that would be preformed once the sweep was over.

"Sonar, now."

A scaringly loud PING flew out into the sea, announcing that there were a submarine in the area.

RCYN - Toronto

The fleet begtan to scramble, upon recieveing the ping each ship began preplanned counter measures, they had to be preplanned to prevent collisions.
At once alarm bells sounded throughout the ships.

"BATTLESTATIONS!"

"We have Ping, Northwest direction, bearing coming up now.!"

Within minutes the ASW Frigates and the carriers had there anti-sbmarine helos in the air and dropping sonobouys, looking to create a net around the intruder.
The Celtayoshi subs went full quiet and began passive sonar operations on the area, looking for 'blackholes', areas where there was no natural noise, created by a silent submarine.
The surface frigates went full active sonar, and pinged away. There was virtually no chance pf escape or so they hoped.
Fortunately the Captain on Toronto was being a little less hasty, he ordered all ships to maintain sonar operations only, and not to provoke any sub, saying ti was probably just some skipper playing mind games. He did however radio for a thermo-satelite image of the area to be linked to the fleet to attempt to detect any submarines near the surface.

RCYN - Toronto

The fleet begtan to scramble, upon recieveing the ping each ship began preplanned counter measures, they had to be preplanned to prevent collisions.
At once alarm bells sounded throughout the ships.

"BATTLESTATIONS!"

"We have Ping, Northwest direction, bearing coming up now.!"

Within minutes the ASW Frigates and the carriers had there anti-sbmarine helos in the air and dropping sonobouys, looking to create a net around the intruder.
The Celtayoshi subs went full quiet and began passive sonar operations on the area, looking for 'blackholes', areas where there was no natural noise, created by a silent submarine.
The surface frigates went full active sonar, and pinged away. There was virtually no chance pf escape or so they hoped.
Fortunately the Captain on Toronto was being a little less hasty, he ordered all ships to maintain sonar operations only, and not to provoke any sub, saying ti was probably just some skipper playing mind games. He did however radio for a thermo-satelite image of the area to be linked to the fleet to attempt to detect any submarines near the surface.

ICS Pitcairn

The control room was silent. 'Damn the captain and his stupid ideas' the crew thought. He'd done this before, against a Elephanti frigate, causing it to chase them for 17 hours before the skipper of the frigate gave up.

Now, they started to get pinging from the "enemy", giving the Cots even more information on the sonar systems of the Celtiyoshians. The captain, being the tactical genious that earned him the captain seat, pulled the Pitcairn deep, down to 600 meters. Not much room to manouver in case something went wrong. Just 150 more meters down, and they'd be pulverized by the pressure. She was already on ultra-quiet. Anything that wasn't nessicary for operations were shut down in order to prevent noise to give them away.

The captain wispered to the helmsman "Ease us out. Give me 6 knots."

"Yes sir" the young helmsman replied. He was only 19 years old, fresh off submariner training. It was his first cruise, and he might be dead soon.

"Torpedo, conn. Get a MOSS in the water. Quietly. Set it to activate 5 minutes after we launch it."

The torpedo bay replied, and started to get the MOSS in the water. It was basicly a modified Mk48 ADCAP without the weapons, but with a taperecorder set to play the engine sounds of the Virginia class. It was something that everyone, even sub-skippers who should know better, was fooled by.

As the MOSS exited the sub, it started to circle, and activated after 5 minutes. When it activated, it played sounds loud enough to camoflage the Pitcairn so she had a chance to slip away unnoticed.

A small carrier battle group stopped near Tonga to do some minor repairs. The cruiser RNS Fargo's long range radar picked the Celtayoshi fleet. Petty Officer 3rd Class Roberts ran out of the CIC and entered the Commodore's quarters. "Sir, we just picked up a fleet heading for Tonga." he said. Com. Parterson said. "Great company ordered the fleet on battle stations, NOW". A E-2D Hawkeye II takes off to provide water over the group.

"We have Virginia class engine plant in the water."

"Where?"

"Right around the ping area."

"What, why would a sub kick up some noise now after having been trailing us for so long? PING it, twice, on active. Also watch in case it is a decoy. Look out for a sub looking to go closer to the fleet, if the captain is feeling clever."

Just then an ensign burst into the room.

"CAPTAIN, we have enemy light carrier group on Tonga!"

"What?"

"They just launched an E-2D, heading our way."

"Right, give it some company, 2 CY-X1 on direct frontal path, 5 hold back and wing round both flanks to cover the approach, peactime engagement rules. Track the carrier group and get me a message dispatch.

To: Brydog Fleet
From: Royal Celtayoshi Navy, RCYN - Toronto

Clear the area at once or we shall consider you action hostile, fighters dispatched to watch your E-2D, make no attempt to engage. We repeat please leave the area. You have one hour to respond. Any attempts to engage us will result in your destruction, we remind you it is 4 Heavy Carrier Groups and Air Force support against 1 Light Carrier Group.

Message End.

"Continue with Operation Hornet as planned, draw up a battleplan for this submarine and the Brydog group, now designated Black Force and Silver Force respectively.

ICS Pitcairn

The Pitcairn were 58 000 meters away from the Celtiyoshians, moving away making 6 knots. When they were 60 000 meters away, he brought the Pitcairn to the surface, just to show off to the Celtiyoshians. He also prepared and sent the following message for them.

To: Celtiyoshian fleet
From: ICS Pitcairn

Boom.

End message.

Com.Parterson order the fleet to leave the area and head back to Isalel Island. The ships leave and the E-2D turns back and heads back to the now repaired carrier.

To: ICS Pitcairn
From: Celtayoshi Fleet

Next Time...

Also, avoid this area if possible, we do not want an accident during
hostilities.

End message



To: Brydog Fleet
From: Celtayoshi Fleet

Thank you for your cooperation, Celtayoshi does not mean for the closure of
international waters, but it is in your interests to avoid this area.

End Message



On board the Toronto final preparations were being made for the assualt. The radio message had been sent for the first strike of long range bombers to attack, it was now just over 1 hour until the invasion of Tonga.
Anything that moved in the water was now being considered hostile, and little time would be wated identifynig it.

Pilot Furshov Pentroski would lead the strike.

To: ICS Pitcairn
From: Celtayoshi Fleet

Next Time...

Also, avoid this area if possible, we do not want an accident during
hostilities.

End message


To: Celtayoshi Fleet
From: ICS Pitcairn

Understood. Happy hunting.

End message

The Pitcairn dived again, this time to 260 meters in order to exploit the thermal layer there. She headed for her original patrol area making 11 knots, still not enough for anyone to hear her unless they had really really good ears and really really good sonar equipment.

-tagged-

Dawn, Day of Hornets (Attack Begins)

The CY-B1 flew straight and true to their tragets, flying rapidly at high altitude they aquired lock on their targets, SAM sites and air bases. Clearly Celtayoshi was going for ariel supremcy in this war. The aircrafts were carrying 30 JDAM missiles, giving a munitions total of 300 JDAMs. As they came withing range both the satelite and missiles linked up, all the pilots selected their targets, they launched, the would continue to selected the pre-planned targets until they ran out, at which point they would return back. If they came under heavy fire they were ordered to fly straight to the carriers, were a force of several hundred aircraft would protect them.

Of the missiles fired almost all flew straight and true, roughly five failed to explode, there was utter chaos on the ground...

OOC: Now waiting for the current territory owner to reply...

bump for current owner (if he logs in)

bump

bump for the last time

IC: The battle went well for Celtayoshi, two armoured divisions had now been landed, and two light infantry divisions were making inroads towards major military bases. With full air support coming from the fleet attacks came day and night. Resistance was low from the general populace, they were disheartened at the swift destruction of the nations parliament and air force. Only the army posed any real threat, and it was systematically being air-striked into the ground. Celtayoshi forces were manouvering into position to sieze the town of Nuku’alofa, from where they would finally claim operation Hornet to be over, and Phase One of Pacific Dominance finsihed.

The current Tongan military was massing in the town, but they were expected to be rapidly out muscled by the brute force tactics to be employed by Celtayoshi.

OOC: Now rp this thread by decree 12 of the E2 charter.

OOC: Sorry have not responded to this. Have been away. I kinda think that I'm dead now, but I suppose its my fault. Sorry to all for being inactive.

OOC: Yes, yes it is :)

IC:Finally they began the assulat on the streets of Nuku’alofa. Road by road they moved, infantry rushing through every building, before tanks were stationed at the main intersections. Overhead, helicopters began to circle the occupied areas, snipers hanging out the doors. Regular patrols ran. In the contested areas force of numbers began to show, the Celtayoshian forces were superior trained, but the built up areas meant they needed some luck as well. Finally, at just after noon, on the third day of the assualt the white flags flew. A senior leader of the last defenders came to give their surrender.