Tim (Seahawk Helo): Starting off between 600 and 700 feet at a
modest 49 knots, I coordinated with Smuook as to which sectors of the convoy
each of us would protect from the air. We decided that he would take the
southern flank of the convoy and drop a field of buoys, and that I would fly
out ahead, dropping my own buoy pattern. Smuook's buoy field was a 2-row
string that intersected the convoy's base course, while mine was a somewhat
more randomized field about 10nm off to the east.
Neal (Perry-class frigate):
While the good guys were prepping the field for action, the
Kilo and the rogue 688(I) were making some plans of their own.
Mission Time: 1050
Bill (688(I) sub): In command of USS Annapolis, my orders are
to intercept a group of merchants before they can reach the Strait of
Gibraltar to enter the Mediterranean Sea. Intelligence is that they are
being escorted by surface and air assets. Also in the vicinity is a friendly
Kilo-class diesel sub.
In my patrol location west of Gibraltar, the first indications of the enemy
convoy are multiple contacts to the North West on my TB-16 towed array. I
come to periscope depth to take a quick look and ESM scan -- all is clear.
Heading deep, I launch an XBT to find the thermocline. My plan is to go
beneath the layer and work my way North to intercept the convoy. The layer
turns out to be at about 850 feet. I make my depth 1000 feet and commence
TMA. Soon, I begin getting active sonar intercepts from one of the contacts.
I designate him Master 1.
Ramius (Kilo sub): Started off to the SE of the convoy at 75m / 5 kts.
Decided to go up to PD to have a listen. Gained contact with an AN/APS 137
almost straight away off to the NW - couldn't remember if Tim has picked a
P3 or Helo at this time. About 5 minutes later i started getting active
pings from the NNW, possibly from Neal in the frigate.
From EW, I could see the P3 was tracking nicely South. So I took a guess
this was an AI P3 and not Tim. So now the question - "Where is he?" arose.
I decided to surface to try and increase my surface sensor ranges. Not sure
if this is actually implemented but it does seem to work. i.e., the higher
up the mast the further you can see out of the scope. Still nothing, so
dived again and headed North, deep and fast (well fast for a SSK).
Neal (Perry-class frigate):
Good thing for me, the Kilo surfaced. A definite no-no, my surface radar
painted him and now I know where one of my adversaries lies. I promote my
contact to the datalink so Tim and Smuook in the plane and helo can share the
good news.
I shut off the sonar and order a major course change to close the distance
between me and the Kilo. I figure my Perry-class frigate can handle one ol'
rusty Russian sub.
That leaves Bill in the 688(I) as an immediate and unknown
threat. Hopefully he's not in the same area as the Kilo.
I'm bearing down on his position at almost 30 knots with my Nixie decoy
streaming along behind me. I've got torpedoes, I've got missiles, and I've got
a Phalanx close-in weapon support system. What could go wrong?