NationStates Jolt Archive

Royal Broadcasting Service-At the top of today's news is the military coup in the small nation of Saharani by the leader of the army, General John Lucas. The leader of Saharani, Prime Minister Gordon Boyd, has fled the country and is currently residing in Telvira. Prime Minister Edward Caithana in Parliament today said the coup was an "affront to civilized government," and has promised to respond.

Westport, United Kingdom of Telvira
The aircraft carrier Elegance, along with 3 Zumwalt-class destroyers, left their moorings in Westport and headed southwest, towards the island nation of Saharani. There they would stay until either the coup collapsed, or the Telviran Royal Army went in and collapsed it. Already en route were the 2nd and 3rd Royal Marine Brigades. If this show of force failed to persuede Gen. Lucas, then an additional infantry division and an armored division would be sent.

Corazol, Capital of Saharani
The coup had been swift and effective. Gen. Lucas' soldiers and tanks had overwhelmed the few loyalist forces. Now General Lucas had to deal with the Telviran response. His forces began preparing for air and ground attacks. And the small Saharani Navy, comprised of 11 Osa-class missile boats, would be an effective tool for combating the Telviran navy.

Map of Saharani- http://www.armedassault.com/images/pic_sahranimap.jpg

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The Dante Peak Aircraft Carrier Group Valiant was in the area and was observeing the coup taking place. They had detected the Missile Boats on Radar and were keeping a track on them.

The Telviran battlegroup was now within 30 miles of Saharani. Gen Lucas ordered the Osas to attack.

The Osa-class missile boats were each armed with four Styx anti-ship missiles. 8 miles from the Telviran battlegroup, they fired. 44 missiles flew at the battlegroup. The Telviran's anti-missile weapons knocked down a few, but several got through. Four slammed into the Zumwalt-class destroyer Purity, and another 3 hit the Type 23 frigate Markos III. Both ships were badly damaged. Thankfully, no missiles hit the carrier. Return fire from the destroyers sank all but 5 Osas.

In Metros, Prime Minister Caithana made an announcement. "The attacks on our ships, in international waters, has made it clear that this regime does not understand anything but force. As such, today Parliament has voted unanimously for a declaration of war against the new Saharani regime. Offensive operations will begin at a time of our choosing."

Onboad the carrier Elegance, flights of F/A-18F Super Hornets were prepping for takeoff. In a few minutes, these aircraft would decimate the Saharani Army, their communications network, and what remained of the navy. Then the 2nd and 3rd Royal Marine Brigades would land and take control of the island, to permit Prime Minister Gordon Boyd to return and resume control.

A Flight of F/A-18's from the Valiant, we're watching this conflict, yet remaining at a respectful distance from the other ships. They were watching to see the outcome of the conflict.

At 7:00AM the day after the attacks, Operation Restore Democracy began. F/A-18F Super Hornets took off from the Elegance and began striking key targets. The Saharani Air Force was quickly overwhelmed. The few aircraft not destroyed on the ground were shot down by flights of F-14D Tomcat interceptors. The Super Hornets were unopposed except for a few SAMs and AA guns in the capital.

As the air campaign continued, the ships of the Telviran battlegroup began launching cruise missiles. At around the same time, teams of Royal Marine Commandos were para-dropped throughout Saharani to pave the way for the main landings.

Another flight of F/A-18's joined the first flight, the overwatch was just handing over and the first flight would soon return back to the carrier.

Outside Paraiso
Northwestern Saharani
9:00AM
The sound of jet engines was the first indicator to the citizens of the city of Paraiso that something was happening. Then the AA guns opening up. The civilians stopped their morning wakeup routines and looked out windows, or went outside to see what was amiss. What they saw was a blanket of parachutes descending on the city. Panic set in among the civilians as the military garrison began to battle to paratroopers in the streets. The Parachute Brigade had arrived.

10:00AM
Southern Coast of Saharani
The landings began after 3 hours of airiel attacks. The 2nd and 3rd Royal Marine Brigades hit the shores of Saharani near Everon on the northern part of the southern coastline, and near Guala on the southern part. From here they battled scattered local militias and government troops until they had secured two beachheads. From there they slowly expanded as their armor, artillery, and heavy weapons were unloaded onto the beach. For now, the linchpin of the Marine's defenses was overwhelming air superiority, which was used to spoil any counterattacks in the works.

"Valiant to Alpha One, we've waited long enough, take all eight aircraft towards the mainland, take a look and see what's going on futher into the land" The Valiant ordered.

The Eight aircraft turned to heading towards the mainland, their Afterburners engaged.

The Aircraft were soon approaching the coastline.

Onboard the Elegance
The radar chief saw the eight aircraft headed towards the coastline. They didn't check out with any of the carrier's aircraft. "Unidentified aircraft, please ID yourselves. You are in a combat zone."

Over Corazol
A flight of four F-14D Tomcats were alerted to the unidentified aircraft and were told to intercept and ID. The Tomcats flew in an intercept formation, all channels open.

Alpha and Bravo Flight

"COMMing personnel, we are Aircraft from the Dante Peak Navy, we are monitoring this conflict at this time" Alpha one replied to the Elegance

"Roger that. We advise, however, that you leave the area, to avoid friendly fire. The area is still a combat zone. You may continue monitoring if you wish."

On the ground, the Marine Brigades had begun moving. Their objectives were simple: Take the capital, capture General Lucas, and provide for a secure return for Prime Minister Boyd. The remnants of the Saharani army had either been destroyed, surrendered, or defected. Now all that remained was the peacekeeping, as the militias and paramilitaries still loyal to Lucas were eliminated one by one.

Alpha and Bravo Flight

"What are the causes of this conflict?" Alpha one asked interested, havin received a message from the Valiant.

"We are currently helping smash a coup attempt and reinstate the rightful Prime Minister of the island."

OCC
Is Saharani a puppet state of yours and are you expecting people to help it as well as you.
Just wanting to clarify before I put my foot in it somewhere.

OOC-Saharani is one Telvira's close allies and the Saharani Prime Minister is a personal friend of the Telviran PM. You're free to help them but the coup is pretty much dead and now its just restoring order and hunting down the General. Now for the IC equivalent of what I just said

IC-With a last gasp of resistance, the remnants of the Saharani Army surrendered. General Lucas was nowhere to be found. It was believed he was still on the island, since all transportation had been locked down. The Royal Marine Brigades turned to restoring law and order, while teams of Royal Marine Commandos fanned out in search of the former dictator.

OCC - ok I will bow out of it - thanks for the prompt answer.

With the coup crushed, the Royal Marines went straight to nation-building/peacekeeping mode. Power grids were reestablished, basic needs provided for. The Marines quickly earned the respect and admiration of the Saharani populace. However, it was now believed General Lucas was hiding out somewhere in the Sierra Madres, in the southwest of Saharani. This was also the power base for the Honor Guard, a collection of militias and paramilitaries loyal to Lucas. Soon southwestern Saharani resembled a battlefield, as Royal Marines clashed with the Honor Guard. Prime Minister Caithana was getting impatient for the Marines to crush the Guard before Prime Minister Boyd returned.

A major Honor Guard attack, including Saharani's remaining T-54 tanks, sends the small Royal Marine forces stationed there running. In a week, General Lucas' forces were in control of Pesto, Yoird, and Bonanzia. The Royal Marine's were short on heavy firepower; it had not been deemed necessary for this mission. The heaviest armor was the Marine's LAVs ans Strykers, and the Parachute Regiment's M551 Sheridans.