Archive through May 18, 2005
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Archive through May 18, 2005
To: Command and J-3
From: GMG-6
Re: Clarification
You have directed "GMG: 1 shields, 4/5 transporters. (Will transport 2 BP to each GDS on B and F to prevent simple capture by possible Klingon infiltrators."
There are no GDS at these GCLs. (clarified by SPP on Sunday, March 02, 2003 - 05:37 pm in this topic) There ARE control station equivalents, ie good places in the terrain to command the areas of interest.
At this time, each of these GCLs has 3 BPs occupying these control stations, 2 from the augmented General Defense COmpany and 1 from the P4 security detachment.
"By Michael C. Grafton on Monday, May 02, 2005 - 04:08
To: Lt. Doug Lampert
CC: J-3, Maneuver Company, and all base commanders
From: GMG-6
1) Defense Company, with attached NG leg infantry company, is deploying several dets to Control Stations. The 5 GCLs with bases have 15 Control Stations which will thus require 15 BPs to be manned fully. This is more than the strength of Defense Company (plus attachments, I have 10 BPs, 2 heavy weapons squads, plus a Legendary Marine Captain). See earlier comm traffic.
NOTE, "Legendary" IS NOT very congruent with "skillful" in the case of Marine Captains
2) Be advised that some of the BPs integral to each base are expected to partially (ie half inside and half outside) deploy to man local control stations. Specifically, each base is expected to provide 1 BP to assist manning the exterior perimeter as defined by the GCLs array of Control Stations."
except that there are only 4 GCLs with bases, the above is fait accompli
If Marc Baluda is not here, no one is beaming around the National Guard troops unless Major Ford agrees to it (acts as Bat Com in Baluda's absence).
I think Colonel Knight just wants the added boarding parties at the stations to protect them if intruders break inside, not defend them from the outside.
I will confess that I have no idea what "SF#21" means.
In response to the attack being announced, all ground bases are now being swarmed by civilians seeking to shelter inside arriving by local transport, including mules and horses. Have a nice day.
I do need to know what the status of the scatter packs is before I can post Turn #1, but have no fear that anything arriving on map is going to be anywhere near enough to the planet to be engaged by a phaser-1, or a phaser-2, or even a phaser-3 on Turn #1. The only thing with an engagement window on Turn #1 is going to be the phaser-4s.
Paul: Thanks.
On turn one I suppose there will be extra power. If there's room it should go into ECCM for better scanning. Nothing is going to reach the planet on T1 so it's not quite so critical.
You are correct about the possitions of the SP. On Impulse 1, T1 they are on the ground. I still want a hint on what the G1s are doing. The drones hit R100 on Impulse 25 of T1 so we have more than four turns before they reach the planet.
Major Wile: I concure about the Def Sats. Do you have a suggestion as to who can handle them? I assumed I would or you but maybe someone else should be given a role.
GAS shuttles should be in orbit (R1), one over each GBDP-4. Their mission is to target damaged drones.
Michael Grafton: I paid BPV for a GDS at each of the GCS's on B and F sides. They need to be manned. One squad each is enough.
SPP: SF#21 mean Sensor Function #21. Sorry, I guess I just made that up but thought you guess. Maybe I should have wrote SSf#21?
You are right about the extra BP's.
Major Wile! Get Baluda on the Comm and find out why these people aren't being directed to the established shelters. They been through this before. They should know better!
From "Lt. Trauger
"Col Knight,
GAS #1-3 ordered to orbit for drone defense, altitude 5000km, equatorial orbit, evenly spaced. Each shuttle to be positioned over a separate non-habited regions to give option of concentrated fire over inhabited ones.
Orders?
The Spare LT"
Loren Knight:
As discussed before, I do not think the GWS can loan ECCM or ECM to another ground base.
Second, I thought you were going to gather intelligence, and if you switch the GWS from Special Function #29 to some other special function, then they gather intelligence based on being a standard, i.e., non-scout, PF.
Please note also that you need to include what the fighters are doing for Turn #1, we know that on Turn #0 they turned from range 75 and began moving towards the planet, and this was judged (by me) to have happened in mid turn, meaning both groups of fighters have moved 13 hexes closer to the planet (even allowing for the extra sensor pod on one fighter) and are thus now at range 62 and still heading toward the planet.
Basically at that point people can start "role playing" and I will drop in once in a while to tell you guys what the Klingons are doing, and revaal the Cloaked Romulan Condor Dreadnought that is . . . oh wait, you do not know about that yet . . .
SPP. The R-section text describes GWS as [paraphrase] "providing EW support to the defenses" - how would this not include other ground bases?
This is not a huge deal for GBDP, but for smaller GBD bases (more common in MY), it's huge since EW can render them completely impotent without the ablitity to have EW support.
Col Knight:
Col Baluda has not responded to hails and a squad sent to locate him has reported that they could not locate him.
Major Ford has reported in, but noted in his last message that he may be infected by that "Venusian Thing"...
I have been in contact with the other officers of the National Guard element of the Cassandra IV defense forces, and all units are active and reporting per SOP (standard operating procedure) to the OP1A (operational Plan 1A) positions.
The Field HQ squad is set up in the main lobby of the GMG (anapolis hex side) and plugged into the battalion Comm net. (Senior NCO with the squad is waiting for either Col Baluda or Major Ford to report in.)
(SPP if you or Col Knight would care to "appoint" someone to assume the duties of the NG CO, it would be somewhat helpful. I do not have a recommendation to make at this time.)
SPP: I had the same thought as Andy when I reviewed that same section. I occured to me that there might not be any other defese than ground bases so they would be included.
Regarding EW. My sillieness for switching from SF#29. I was thinking ECCM was doing just that but at these ranges #29 is the smarter bet. Both GWS's should be using SF#29 for T1.
FIGHTERS: T1, Imp 1 - still heading to R45 where they will turn paralell to the planet. This is pending addition Tac Intel.
Romulan Condor??? 
Ya, well, I think things just got real simple. All GWS's are to send a maximum level distress signal to Star Fleet. Fighter are to land and the GMG will signal our surender (which we may or may not actually do). Then I'd have to ask how the Romulans made it so far accross Fed space to the western side.
To be honest, a more frightening enemy would be five Buckaneers instead of G1K's showing up in the other directions.
Concentrate on the task at hand!
Don't let SPP rattle you... besides, just 1 Romulan Condor wouldnt be here alone... it would have a frigate squadron, a scout, possibly a mauler and a commando ship... not to mention the Klingon PF's that are headed in bound.
Besides, it might be a Federation Trap designed to kill the Condor! (we just didnt have the necessary "NEED to KNOW"...) 
Andy Palmer:
Anything that wants to attack a ground base has to come within five hexes range (R1.14C2), the maximum range of Offensive electronic warfare is 15 hexes. By lending Offensive Electronic Warfare to an enemy ship you, in effect, lend six points of ECM to every base that ship could attack (and effectively to the DefSats). Add in the value of the ECM the atmosphere provides (bases do not get the Ground Clutter Bonus, but do get the atmosphere ECM) that ship's fire will always be shifted by at least one even if the ship goes to full ECCM. If the ship were to counter with full ECM, well most ground bases can generate six ECCM if they have direct-fire weapons other than phaser-3s, and their fire is not affected by the atmosphere meaning that there is always a shift in favor of the ground bases, but not a shift against the ground bases.
Now, the problem will always be that a given GWS can only lend to one target, which means that if there are multiple targets in the attack it cannot accomplish much, and of course the one target might have the support of its own scout, but ground defenses have always had that problem.
So the text is entirely correct.
So, yes, it provides EW support to the defenses.
Andy Palmer:
I will also note that the reason the GWS has nine APRs is because I talked SVC into adding extra APRs to the original design (which if I remember correctly only had three) precisely for the task of lending O-EW.
Also note that Electronic Warfare Support is NOT LIMITED TO LENDING ELECTRONIC WARFARE, but includes all those things that a special sensor can do.
SPP: To be frank, it is not protective EW that concerns me, but the ability to break through enemy ECM. At range 5 or less, its only a matter of time before the weak ground base shields get punctured, whatever ECM protection they have. What has been problematic, IME, has been the ability for non-Ph-4 ground bases to counter the EW protection of ships, which can can easily get a 1-2 shift.
Andy Palmer:
You are not making a very good case that I can see. A GWS has just one special sensor. It can have maximum protection effect versus an attack by jamming the ship that is trying to fire. If the ship that is trying to fire is itself trying to force a two shift, it generally would have to be using erratic maneuvers or have its own scout lending it ECM. A Ground Based Disruptor firing an overloaded shot needs five points of power (allowing for shields), and does not need more if it is not firing the phaser-3s. That leaves it three points for ECCM, plus the two built-in points. Same for a ground based Fusion Beam or a ground based photon spreading the power over two turns. Ground Based phaser-1 or phaser-2 would have the full six points of ECCM.
If a ship at range five is generating six ECM and doing erratic maneuvers, then its weapons are shifted by two just by its own erratic maneuvers. If the GWS hits it with six OEW, then its fire is shifted by three, and its phaser-fire will be shifted by four (atmosphere effect on phasers).
Sure, he can have eleven points of ECM (6 ECM, 4 erratic maneuvers, 3 ECM drone) without a scout, or twelve (assuming an MRS lending four ECM) which will get him that shift of two your ground base's fire. But his fire is affected still by an automatic plus one on his phaser fire (atmosphere), added to 4 ECM from his own erratic maneuvers, and 1 ECM for firing through an atmosphere, and 6 ECM firing through the OEW, meaning the Ground Base also has three shifts in its favor (four shifts versus the phasers) even allowing for the two points of ECCM an MRS could provide. Plus atmosphere has additional deletorious effects on direct-fire weapons fired through it not from a ground base.
So, I am sorry, I just do not buy what you are getting at. Are you trying to change the rules so that every Ground Base is treated as part of a PF Flotilla? Not going to happen, no such rule currently exists, and no such rule is going to be added.
OK, rules question since I haven't played SFB in years.
Can a non-minesweeper purchase a Mine Laying Shuttle and equip it with T-Bombs or NSM with Commander Options?
Had a thought for the post combat analysis and wanted to know if I was completely off base.
Craig Tenhoff:
No.
It could buy the Mine-laying shuttle, but could only equip the MLS with mines that it could purchase itself.
For example, a Federation Police Cutter could convert one of its Admin Shuttles to a minelaying shuttle, but as the ship can only buy two T-bombs, that would be all the mines the MLS could lay (and if the MLS has the ship's T-bombs, then all the ship has left are its dummy T-bombs).
A Federation DN could convert one of its admin shuttles to an MLS, but all the MSS could lay would be the six T-bombs the DN is allowed to purchase.
Now, of course a Romulan Condor is allowed to buy one NSM, and if it converted one of it Admin shuttles to an MLS, that MLS would have access to that NSM and to the maximum of six T-bombs the Condor could also purchase.
This ruling is actually very old, and goes back to people thinking that by purchasing an MRS, which is a minelayer (J8.21), they could then purchase as many NSMs (and T-bombs) as they could afford, causing SVC to intervene and say that the purchase of an MRS, MLS, or MSS did not give the ship gaining the shuttle access to any more mines than the ship could purchase legally. The MRS ability would depend on the ship during a battle going to a minesweeper/minelayer to have an NSM loaded aboard it (the exception being the Romulans, of course).
SPP wrote "no one is beaming around the National Guard troops unless Major Ford agrees to it..."
Correct, in an earlier message, Major Ford attached the "leg" infantry company to the General Defense Company...
By Michael C. Grafton (Wednesday, April 27, 2005 - 11:21 am: to Maj Ford "3) Request permission to have leg infantry squads from your Batt deployed to the most important control stations ASAP to man them."
Reply by Raymond Ford (Thursday, April 28, 2005 - 01:17 am "3. Permission granted. Deploy Home Defense Battalion leg infantry where needed."
Col. Knight wrote "Michael Grafton: I paid BPV for a GDS at each of the GCS's on B and F sides. They need to be manned. One squad each is enough" As currently deployed I have 9 BP from the NG and 2 of my own. UNORDIR, I have deployed them, with the BPs from the various bases in A, C,D and E 1 per control station previously.
To: Operations
CC: J-3, Major Ford
From: GMG-6
1) General Defense Company is now deploying, per Col. Knights orders to Control Stations at B and F.
2) Command, do you want 1 BP PER control Station on B and F or do you want 1 TOTAL in the GCS? NOTE, it will take 6 BPs to fully man these control stations (to use the defense stations). I do not think General Defense Company has sufficient manpower, even with the use of the attached NG leg units. There are no military installations AFAIK in these GCLs.
3) per Major Fords earlier comm traffic, he is currently commanding the NG.
4) I have NOT, repeat NOT been notified of Command Cadre reporting in to control manuver company of the PDU. I do not have have contact, nor do I know of their present status or location.
Grafton, commanding
MCG: If the each GCS is not manned then it takes only one BP with no risk to take one. A free foothold as it were. They need to be manned.
SPP: Just a thought. Wouldn't it be logical that a GWS tied in a power grid with other bases could lend to those bases in it own power grid? Lending ECM would be surounding that target with static and letting the target know what the counter codes are to that static. Lending ECCM would be mostly sharing targeting data. At least that's my technobabble explaination.
So, I can see it not being really workable to lend to bases on other planetary sides but bases in a power grid are hardwired together. Hard data lines and close proximity would seem to allow for lending. Maybe I should propose this to SVC?
[edit] The reason I think this is usable is that a GWS could then lend ECCM to a GBDP-4 to help overcome enemy ECM at long range. Say there is a PF flotilla coming in with the PFT just behind. There is no chance for the PH-4 to do damage for quite a bit short of it's maximum range.
[edit again] I do suppose that with that explaination ground bases tied together on a power grid would have to be allowed to narrow salvo together too, since all targeting data could be shared and tied together.
Loren, my defense plan has been as follows (and I will OF COURSE change any earlier decisions to comply with your desires).
1) Each base has 2 BP, I asked that one from each base be deployed outside to assist manning the Control Stations (CS) on their applicable hexside. I presume that has been done as I have not heard any bases call me and say "HECK NO." At Annapolis, I supplied 1 from the General Defense Coy leaving me with a HWS as my sole reserve. Currently it is lurking outside at Annapolis and is specifically prepared for transportation to any point of contact.
2) Major Ford gave me his leg coy. I deployed some (2 to each) to C and E to make the control stations there fully manned, with no reserves onsite, except for the remaining BP in the base(s).
3) I deployed (NG) 1 BP to D to assist the 2 (1 from the fighter base and 1 from the EW station) tehre. They have no reserve, except what what remains in the basses (1 BP each).
4) Therefore, I have a central reserve of 3 BP and 1 HWS from the NG at the GMG and my own HWS, before I deploy to B and F. Plus myself as a Legendary Marine Captain (NOTE legendary is NOT equal to skillful in Marine Captains). I literally do not have enough troops to send.
5) I sent my Admin to the A fighter base for shatterpack use. The GAS, etc are not under my control. I DO still have my Trans Arty prepped, plus pilots for inert shuttles on standby.
6) as I understand the situation, we are currently prepared to defend our installations from a possible dagger team. I have kept a reserve, so we can redeploy rapidly (or try takeover attempts on any G1 that tries to shoot it out with us).
7) AFAIK, there is NO mechanism within the rules for a BP deployed outside to be attacked/ damaged by "devestation" bombardments. BUT we need at least one BP inside to prevent a INSTANT overrun of the installation by a BP deployed by a G1L or other transporter equipped vessel. I cannot remember, but AFAIK, ground assault pfs DON'T have transporters...
8) AFAIK, there is no means in the rules for enemies to take over GDS, CS yes, but GDS no. I would wiat em out, there are no short term objectives there. Let the bombardment and G1s leave and THEN use our mobility advantages to kill them.
Loren Knight:
There is no such rule in the power grid rule or any place else. I do not think one is going to be written now, or is likely to be written in the future. Ground Bases have a lot of advantages now, and are just going to have to make do with them. You might also consider the BPV of your battalion versus the BPV of a full flotilla of PFs. Say 315 for a flotilla of Tholian Arachnid pluses (includes leader and scout) plus 132 for a PFW (to have enough power to move fast and lend EW) for a total of 487 BPV without Commander's Options. Your Battalion has only 440.8 BPV INCLUDING COMMANDER'S OPTIONS.
To confirm earlier messages: as acting Home Defense Bat Com, I have already agreed to have Home Defense Battlion leg infantry deployed to ground control stations as needed.
Loren:
OOC
I'm a little confused by your comment (Wednesday, May 18, 2005 - 11:23 am): "Major Wile! Get Baluda on the Comm and find out why these people aren't being directed to the established shelters. They been through this before. They should know better!"
This was something that we have discussed before. I realize, however, that there are other demands on your time and attention.
I put the following question to SPP (Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 07:24 pm): "Is there enough time for the HDB to move the civilian population to shelter before the drones arrive?"
I saw no reply from SPP. However, you replied (Tuesday, April 26, 2005 - 07:32 pm): "There is already a local authority handling the people to shelters. The GAS shuttle are also helping and on standby to imediately join the battle when called."
"At this point there isn't much need for troops to just stand there and guide people. There just isn't enough of us anyway to make a difference. The local police, fire and other emergency services are adiquate."
"It is better we remain ready for our primary duty."
"Use of the trucks and such are also not of much help as there is only minutes involved here and they just aren't fast enough in this case."
I cannot recall seeing anything else on the subject of an evacuation until it was brought up today. Thus, I had nothing but your last statement to go on.
Is the HDB participating in moving civilians to emergency shelters? Please clarify.
SPP. I am not suggesting a Flotilla-esque ability, merely the ability to loan ECCM to a single base.