COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 15: Fail Safe Part 3

World War III continues to escalate out of control. Boston and New York have been devastated by nuclear weapons. Retaliatory Strikes have been ordered by the National Military Command Center, targeting several Soviet power stations, shipyards, naval bases, and one major population center, the city of Arkhangelsk.

In Parts One and Two of this nightmare scenario a pair of B-52s went rogue and had to be shot down by US interceptors. The remainder proceed on their mission. The B-52s used dozens of AGM-69A SRAMs, 200kT nuclear missiles, to "suppress" Soviet air defenses, including SAM sites and interceptor bases. One of these strikes takes out the naval administrative city of Severomorsk, a primary target. But the majority of targets still exist and must be destroyed.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 15: Fail Safe Part 2

In Part One of this nightmare scenario, the war continues to escalate out of control. Boston and New York have been devastated by nuclear weapons. Retaliatory Strikes have been ordered by the National Military Command Center, targeting several Soviet power stations, shipyards, naval bases, and one major population center, the city of Arkhangelsk.

This is disconcerting news at best. The alert B-52s move towards their targets, but then one B-52 flight is found to be non-compliant with orders. The US Air Defense fighters are ordered to seek out the non-compliant B-52s and destroy them. Two of the three non-compliant B-52s are found apparently returning to base and are reluctantly shot down, with the loss of one F-101B Voodoo interceptor that got caught in the blast of his own weapon. The last B-52 is apparently continuing onto his target. Whichever way he is going, I can't stop him because I have no fighters with enough fuel to reach him. In the meantime, the remaining B-52s proceed to their targets.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 15: Fail Safe Part 1

Introduction
The line has been crossed: Soviet submarine-launched ballistic missiles have detonated in the heart of New York and downtown Boston Mass, incinerating over 40,000 residents in just 15 seconds. More than 50 percent of the population living within a 1-mile radius of the explosions is either dead or gravely injured.

NATO officials were horrified. But they were also confused: Once the launched missiles were detected, an all-out Soviet nuclear strike was expected. Instead, only 6 SLBMs were launched and no other launches were detected. What is going on?

Premier Leonid Brezhnev has been on the hot line to Air Force One and the US President, the Soviet Premier pleading it was a rogue SSBN which had disobeyed orders and the launch was not authorised.

The whole world is on a knife edge. Is the Cold War suddenly going to get a whole lot warmer?

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 14: Needle in a Haystack

Introduction
With Iceland back under NATO control, the remnants of the Soviet forces are slowly been mopped up or have surrendered to USMC forces.
The Soviet Premier Brezhnev has now ordered Soviet strategic nuclear forces to a high state of readiness, likewise NATO has followed suit with the United States now at DEFCON 2, the highest alert state since the Cuban Missile Crisis.

Peace talks are at a stalemate after an attempted assassination on the US Ambassador in Geneva, with the Soviets blaming a right wing faction of the European Alliance for this.

Over the last 12 hours, there has been a number of unconfirmed reports by fishing boats off the east coast of Nova Scotia of periscope sightings of submarines, and one sighting of a submarine diving. In the latter case the fishing boat's skipper, an ex-Canadian Navy submariner, recognised it as a Hotel-class SSBN.

If such a submarine is allowed to roam in these waters, the US will be under constant threat of a sudden decapitation nuclear strike. Accordingly, Canadian and US forces have rapidly deployed to the area to close the net on this latest sighting.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 13: Deliverance Part 5

In Parts One, Two, Three and Four of this scenario, the NATO surface groups tasked with retaking Iceland from the Soviets have undergone some severe trials. They have been sustaining incessant air attacks from Keflavik and also cruise missile attacks from Soviet submarines. The damage has been extensive, including the loss of one ship and several others heavily damaged. But the USS Oriskany and the FS Clemenceau managed to launch counterstrikes.

The strikes hit Keflavik hard, and is sufficient to severely curtail flight operations. In fact, the Soviets manage to get a few MiG-23 Floggers airborne as a CAP, but that's it. Follow-up strikes on Keflavik suppresses its air defenses and manages to destroy many more aircraft on the ground. The way is clear now for the amphibious assault.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 13: Deliverance Part 4

In Parts One, Two, and Three of this scenario, the NATO surface groups tasked with retaking Iceland from the Soviets have undergone some severe trials. They have been sustaining incessant air attacks from Keflavik and also cruise missile attacks from Soviet submarines. The damage has been extensive, including the loss of one ship and several others heavily damaged. But the USS Oriskany and the FS Clemenceau managed to launch a counterstrike.

The strike hits Keflavik hard, destroying several aircraft on the ground and damaging all of the Runway Access Points in hopes of putting the airfield out of action. Every Runway Access Point is damaged, but it remains to be seen if they are damaged enough to curtail flight operations. If the Soviets manage to get off another strike against my surface groups, I'm in serious trouble.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 13: Deliverance Part 3

In Parts One and Two of this scenario, the NATO surface groups tasked with retaking Iceland from the Soviets have undergone some severe trials. They have been sustaining incessant air attacks from Keflavik and also cruise missile attacks from Soviet submarines. The damage has been extensive, including the loss of one ship and several others heavily damaged. But the USS Oriskany and the FS Clemenceau have managed to launch a counterstrike, which is due to attack soon.

The NATO F-8 Crusaders have proven to be no match for Soviet MiG-23 Floggers with their radar guided missiles, and so the air battle has been difficult. The current strike against Keflavik was launched without air cover as none of the fighters are available to escort it, but it could not be helped. The airfield simply has to be taken out of action immediately.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 13: Deliverance Part 2

In Part One of this scenario, my surface groups set a course for Keflavik to retake Iceland from the Soviet occupation. The Soviets want to keep it, however, so immediately I had to start fending off air attacks. The first raid cost me some F-8 Crusaders, but I wiped it out before it could launch any missiles. The second raid was nearly wiped out, but managed to get off some missiles and damage the USS Harry E. Yarnell, a Leahy-class cruiser defending the Iowa group, significantly reducing the air defense capability of that group.

And now, with all of my fighters refueling and rearming, a third raid is inbound, the largest of them all. If I can take out the raiding aircraft, I will have severely reduced the striking power of the Soviets, leaving Iceland open for my own strikes. But first, I have to survive...

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 13: Deliverance Part 1

Introduction
Over the last few weeks intense fighting has broken out along all fronts in Europe. NATO forces in Germany are fighting a delaying action in the Fulda Gap area, halting Soviet armour and mechanized units but with heavy loss in men and equipment.

Massive naval engagements, including US and UK carrier groups, have resulted in the loss of HMS Ark Royal and US carriers. On the other hand the Soviet Red Banner Northern Fleet has been practically decimated in the Norwegian Sea and North Cape area. Both sides are reaching the end of their reserves.

Soviet-occupied Iceland over the recent few months has been under constant attack by NATO Forces. Even after these attacks the airfields are still operational, but restricted in their ability to launch or recover anything larger than a Su-24 Fencer or MiG-23 Flogger. The remains of the 61st Kirkinesskaya Red Banner Marine Brigade are dug in around Reykjavik and Reykjanesbaer near Keflavik.

Iceland still remains a thorn in NATO's side. The Oriskany CVBG, Clemenceau CVBG and the Iowa MEU have been ordered to retake Iceland. All forces are now in position to the west of Iceland to conduct an air- and sea-borne assault to retake the island.

Whoever prevails, the rocky western shores are sure to turn bloody red...

NOTE: This scenario includes the USS Iowa configured as a "Heavy Assault Amphibious Battleship", from a conversion proposed in 1966.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 12: Hunter or Hunted

Introduction
With the continuing war heading towards a stalemate, peace talks are now underway in Geneva.

Meanwhile the Red Banner Fleet has deployed its flagship, the STOVL carrier Kiev, with heavy escort into the Norwegian Sea.

Soviet forces have now fallen back to within 40nm of the border in Norway, after suffering continuous strikes by NATO carrier battle groups.

The NATO carriers themselves have also pulled back to Jan Mayen island, to lick their wounds after murderous strikes by Soviet bombers using nuclear-tipped AS-4 missiles. With the Kiev on the prowl, the only units available to tackle her are a small force of UK and US nuclear submarines which now stand in their path.

The Silent Service is now tasked to silence the pride of the Northern Fleet.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 11: Fire and Brimstone Part 3

In Parts One and Two of this scenario, The USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Saratoga CVBGs advanced on northern Norway, their mission to destroy Soviet forces in the vicinity of Bardufoss and Banak, supporting the hard pressed NATO ground forces attempting to keep the Soviets from taking Narvik. I've been diligent in wiping out Soviet recon planes, and thus far have succeeded in keeping the locations of my CVBGs unknown.

I have been striking Bardufoss constantly, but so far it remains in operation. My ground forces north of Narvik have been sustaining both air and ground attacks.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 11: Fire and Brimstone Part 2

In Part One of this scenario, The USS John F. Kennedy and the USS Saratoga CVBGs advanced on northern Norway, their mission to destroy Soviet forces in the vicinity of Bardufoss and Banak, supporting the hard pressed NATO ground forces attempting to keep the Soviets from taking Narvik.

I wiped out a bunch of MiG-21s which foolishly came out to fight, and took out multiple Tu-95 Bear aircraft searching for me, and I think that so far the exact location of my CVBGs remains unknown.

I managed a strike upon Bardufoss, causing limited damage, and I sank a Soviet submarine that got too close for comfort. I need to keep up the pressure and prevent the Soviets from locating my CVBGs, because if I'm found, then they'll send in the Backfires and Badgers against me, and that's something I want to try very hard to avoid.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 11: Fire and Brimstone Part 1

Introduction
The Buccaneers of the Ark Royal CVBG successfully attacked Soviet airfields with WE.177 nuclear bombs - but the carrier group did not survive the operation. Cornered off Bear Island between multiple Soviet submarines and subjected to a barrage of nuclear-tipped torpedoes and cruise missiles, the Ark Royal group has been eliminated.

Now on station to the north-east of Jan Mayen Island are the Saratoga and John F. Kennedy carrier groups. Their primary role now is to support NATO land forces to stem and turn back the Soviet units present in the north of Narvik.

Two airfields are now in Soviet hands, Banak and Bardufoss, providing critical air support to their land operations.

Norwegian Army units have engaged in fierce delaying actions to slow down every step of the invaders' advance. The defending Norwegian brigades have been decimated by continuous Soviet attacks, and the only remaining viable formation is the hollowed-out 15th Infantry Brigade supported by USMC, Royal Marine and Dutch Marine units.

This polyglot tactical group and the remains of a few tank units with M48 tanks and M113 APCs are holding the line 20 miles from Narvik; but they are short on men, equipment and supplies. The next big Soviet push may well dislodge them out of the area altogether. To prevent collapse of the front, the Saratoga and John F. Kennedy CVBG's have been tasked to support these units.

The two carrier groups, tied down to a finite area by necessity (to support the ground troops) instead of roaming free in the open sea, could hardly go unnoticed by Soviet surveillance. Numerous Tu-16 Badger and Tu-22M Backfire bomber squadrons have been redeployed from the quiet Southern Front to nearby airfields. These fresh and unhurt units, trained and equipped for the task of destroying NATO carrier groups, will now attempt to do just that.

Can the carrier groups protect themselves while also holding the line in Norway?

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 10: An Eye for an Eye

Introduction

Despite early warning, the Soviet use of nuclear weapons against mainland UK RAF bases came as a rude shock. The Prime Minister, with consultation with his Defence Staff, have agreed to order a retaliatiory strike against the Kola Peninsula.

The use of Polaris SLBMs or Vulcan B.2 bombers for a nuclear strike has been ruled out as their employment could escalate the situation into full-scale nuclear war, and these precious assets need to be withheld as the ultimate bargaining chip.

The majority of RAF bases in Scotland have been wiped out in a second-wave strike conducted by Soviet SSGNs firing nuclear cruise missiles, and RAF's nuclear-capable Buccaneer strikers in the UK midlands do not have the necessary range to conduct a strike, as recent losses have severely limited tanker support.

This means that the Fleet Air Arm must undertake the mission. 809 Sqn Buccaneer S.2Ds based on HMS Ark Royal have been ordered to conduct nuclear strikes on the Kola Peninsula.

The Ark Royal group now enters the Soviet backyard, to deliver the Queen's vengeance.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 9: Fox Two

Introduction
For the past few weeks northern Norwegian airfields have been pummeled by Soviet forces, rendering them unsuitable for fixed-wing operations. Forward-deployed RAF units have now withdrawn to airbases in Scotland to bolster home defence.

So far the United Kingdom has not been directly attacked; but now intelligence has suggested that the UKADGE and northern airfields are next on the target list.

Recon flights and satellite imagery have detected multiple bomber regiments fueled and armed with supporting assets in the Kola Peninsula. These forces are expected to be the spearhead of an attack on the UK mainland.

Will the RAF be able to protect the Crown and country once more?

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 8: Damn the Torpedoes Part 3

A NATO convoy is headed across the Atlantic to a safe haven in the English Channel. The convoy is absolutely vital--it must get through. The primary threat is from submarines, and undoubtedly there are a lot of them. In the first day of the mission, I lost the frigate USS Pharris early on to a cruise missile attack, but I repaid the favor by sinking several Soviet submarines.

Then, overnight, things got worse. An air-raid sank two ships of the convoy, and then as the sun rose over the convoy, things went from bad to much, much worse.  A larger air raid struck, sinking several more ships and the USS Lexington itself, the flagship of the convoy.

Yet there are still seven ships in the convoy left, and I still need to make a dash to safety. The problem is that there is still over 500nm to go to safety.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 8: Damn the Torpedoes Part 2

In Part One of this Scenario, a NATO convoy is headed across the Atlantic to a safe haven in the English Channel. The convoy is absolutely vital--it must get through. The primary threat is from submarines, and undoubtedly there are a lot of them.

In the first day of the mission, I lost the frigate USS Pharris early on to a cruise missile attack, but I repaid the favor by sinking four Soviet submarines. But there is a long way to go still, some 730 nautical miles.  The first day is over, now my convoy must make it through the night.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 8: Damn the Torpedoes Part 1

Introduction
The Soviet Union has warned NATO that any further reinforcement of Europe "will dramatically escalate the situation". The Red Banner Fleet deployed most of its submarines before the conflict erupted; as a result, the surviving ones are now well-placed to interdict NATO shipping in the Atlantic LOCs (Lines Of Communication).

With Iceland still in Soviet hands, even after strikes by the Oriskany CVBG, the airfields are still in operation after Soviet engineers repaired them.

A large, vital convoy is currently approaching Europe with cargo, container ships as well as oil tankers.

The US 2nd Fleet with NFR (Naval Fleet Reserve) units has managed to assemble a motley collection of escorts together including the training carrier USS Lexington with an air group thrown together with reserve squadrons of S-2 Trackers and SH-3 Sea Kings.

The Royal Navy has spared 4 escorts from the Home Fleet to cover the Western Approaches. RAF will also be deploying Nimrod MPA as long-range ASW cover and Sea Kings from RNAS Culdrose when in range; STANAVFORCHAN and MCM 3 groups are also patrolling the South-Western Approaches and English Channel areas.

This convoy must get through, period. Nothing less will do.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 7: The Mighty "O" Part 4

In Part One of this series, I did the mission planning for the Alpha Strikes against Soviet-held Iceland by the USS Oriskany CVBG along with USAF assets out of Greenland.  In Part Two I began the mission, and immediately had to deal with multiple attacks from Iceland by Soviet Forces. In the meantime my USAF Fighter Sweep was refueling and preparing to attack, with the SEAD units behind it, and the B-52s behind them, tasked to destroy the runways. In Part Three my fighter sweep arrived on station, resulting in a furious air battle west of Keflavik.

And now my strike aircraft are starting to arrive over Iceland. Time to dish out some pain.

COMMAND: Northern Inferno Scenario 7: The Mighty "O" Part 3

In Part One of this series, I did the mission planning for the Alpha Strikes against Soviet-held Iceland by the USS Oriskany CVBG with USAF assets out of Greenland. In Part Two I began the mission, and immediately had to deal with multiple attacks from Iceland by Soviet forces. In the meantime my USAF Fighter Sweep was refueling and preparing to attack, with the SEAD units behind it, and the B-52s behind them, tasked to destroy the runways.

So far I've fended off the attacks with the loss of a single fighter, and now it's my turn to strike.