Archive through February 26, 2003
Star Fleet Universe Discussion Board: Star Fleet Battles: SFB Proposals Board:
New Rules:
Orbital Defense Platforms:
Archive through February 26, 2003
Colonel Knight:
Drone Speed Upgrades are NOT part of the calculation for Commander's Options (S3.211).
If the fighters are simply F-16Ms, then their BPV is a base of 7, plus 3.5 for Megapack for a total of 10.5 per fighter. 11 fighters would have a BPV of 115.5. The EW fighter would be based on the base fighter (7 points) converted to an EW fighter (+2 points) for a total of 9 points. Adding the mega pack to it adds 4.5 points for a final value of 13.5, which added to 115.5 gives you a squadron value of 129. Multipy that by .2 gives you a value of 25.8 points for Commander's Options. Drone speed upgrades for the 22 type-IF and 24 type-VIF drones (mandatory for the year, although you could purchase slower drones if you wished) would then add 34 points to the squadron total, but would NOT add any points for calculating Commander's Options.
So the Squadron has a total value of (Fighters 129 + Commander's Options 25.8 + drone speeds 34) 188.8 points, not 195.6.
As to the purchase of deck crews, (S3.23) specifically says that the points for the fighters can be used to purchase deck crews, and each base could purchase 4. Ground bases are a little odd. They are both separate carriers, but they are operating a single squadron. It is no different than if a Romulan Warhawk Group wanted to purchase deck crews for each of its Warhawk Carriers, each is a separate carrier even though they operate a single squadron.
So the figures now are:
Fighters: 11xF-16M (115.5), 1xF-16EM (13.5): BPV 129, Commander’s Option Points available (these only for use to purchase fighter supplies): 25.8.
DRONE SPEED UPGRADES: 22 type-IF for F-16Ms +22, 24xtype-VIF for F-16EM +12, 18 type-IF for Defense Satellites +18, total BPV 52. Commander’s Option Points available: 0.
Warp Booster Packs for GAS shuttles +3, for Admin Shuttles +5, total 8. Commander’s Option Points available: 0.
BPV OF BATTALION:
Total of Bases, DefSats, and Fighters, less drone speed upgrades, Commander’s Options, and warp packs: 329.
Total of non-Fighter Commander’s Option Points: 26.
Total of Fighter Commander’s Option Points: 25.8.
Total of Drone Speed Upgrades: 52.
Total of Booster Packs: 8.
Total BPV of Battalion: 440.8.
And if nothing else, the number of dogfight drones will contribute to drone defense.
Colonel Knight, will you be informing the fighter ground bases as to what they will recieve, or shall we requisition as we see fit? Or, will you be taking requests?
SPP: Oh my god! I told myself to subtract that figure first and forgot! Derrr...
I will be posting the entire layout soon, including all Comm. Ops.
I'm having dinner with my family. Everything is on paper.
SPP:What is the intelligence estimate for enemy forces in this sector? say going back 6 months? If a B10 and supporting forces have been seen operating near present location 429th is deployed, the intel record should show.
Normally, Battalion officers would have this access available for down load, but obviously we are missing it due to the nature of this exercise.
Not sure what other officers would request, but for my need to establish operational planning for the Battalion at large, It would seem to be part of my responsibility to assess the level of risk facing the battalion and detail range of planning documents for any reasonable contigency.
Examples of queries would include(but not limited by):
1. Has Naval intellingence determined enemy force structure?
2. Is the name and bio details of senior officers been established?
3. Any patterns in the operation temple of enemy forces been noted(This last could be key, does the klingon commander have a history of attrocities against civilians? do unarmed civilians fare well under Klingon occupation? does the Klingon command take prisoners? If prisoners are not taken, should Federation personnel be advised?
4. What commando ships are known to be in the sector, and how long has it been since they have participated in an operation?
5. Is the current location of 429 PDB such that we are with in the operating area of one or more Klingon Bases(ie, could the potential OPFOR be reinforced by the BATS Fighter and PF wings?) How many PF tenders are known to operate in the area? should we be prepared to multiple PF squadrons?
6. What is the past history of Klingon use of auxillerys? could or would the Klingons use small or large carriers? Could we be the tarket of a swarm attack by large numbers of obsolete fighters supported by frigates and PF's?
7. Are there any Lyran ships known to be operating in the area?(could make a difference in the use of type VI drones that other members of staff were discussing.
8. Is there danger of Prime teams(dagger team?) involvement?
9. Not sure how to evaluate the risk to planet population...intellectual property rights of existing art would make logiocal target for Orion Pirates. What is the danger that OP's may want to take "slaves" in the form of trained artisans for sale in less demanding area's than the Federation.
10. Any monster sightings?
11. What is the "weather" forcast? any danger of an ION storm? Tactically, is there a posibility that an OPFOR could use an ION storm to cover it's approach?
SPP-
The hits keep on coming!
Several other thoughts occurred to me after I sent thhe last inquiry:
12. Are there any drone bombardment ships active in area?
13. Any missing ships reported? unexplained losses? Any reports from PDB detachements in sector?
14. Any named pirates with exceptional notoriety operating in sector? Any predispositions? (could be problem if he fancies himself as "art collector" see # 9 above.
To: Col Knight.
From: Major Wile
Re: Operation Planning - Simulations.
Sir. The training simulators for all base facilities are now online (note this is independent of actual deployment status.)
On my responsibility, have loaded the initial exercise to act independently on all training terminals, no battalion wide exercise scheduled at this time, but various locations can paricipate on their own schedule at will.
The initial scenario chosen is "the monster that ate Sheboygen III." all factors except speed increased by 400%. Initial results have not been good in that each of the first 20 times scenario run has resulted in 100% loss rate and destruction of planet. The problem is lack of coordination and little cooperation between departments.
SPP-
Inquiry #15. Any personnel attached to 429 PDB with experience in Prime teams? (would be nice to "pick their brains") Thinking of running a intruder drill, and it is more effective to have people "on the Ground" instead of relying only computer simulations...(Funny how a security grunt takes a whole new interest in life and duty after a drill where instead of just reading "you have been taken hostage by unknown asailant" he is grabbed from behind and a tooled steel sharp edged implement is held to his throught and a whispered"one move and yuo will die!"echos through his brain.
I am not sure on this score, but with the reduction in drone launch ability of the attached fighters, might the defenses be better served by altering the Defense Satellites to phaser models?
Richard wells:
No problem - two words! Shatter packs!
There is plenty of shuttle ability and there are deck crews available.
The problem is tac intel restrictions, if the wily and crafty OPFOR commander waits until his ships are in orbit to deploy all those targets for the type VI drones....
(just how fast can your boys and girls crash load a shatter pack in an emergency?)(Grin!)
We'll be ready. Just get those shuttles on my deck, and we'll have em locked and loaded.
429th Planetary Defense Battalion
Lt. Colonel Loren Knight, Commanding.
To: 251st Construction Battalion Commander Scott Fitzgerald
Stardate: 20224.
RE: Base Deployment on Cassandra IV:
Commander Fitzgerald, please accept my thanks for the hard work you and your personnel have performed this mission and my thanks in advance for your assistance in deploying the 429th PDB.
Your report on the completion of the six Ground Controls Systems is encouraging. I look forward to inspecting the Ground Defense Systems once they are deployed around my bases.
The following is a copy of the entire deployment plan including all Star Fleet Supply requisitions as you requested.
• Six GCS code named Annapolis (A), Biloxi (B), Chico (C), Dallas (D), Encino (E) and Fargo (F).
• Three Drone armed DefSats in 8,000 KM GSO over B, D, and F. (Completed, thank you.)
• GCS Annapolis to accept the GMG (+4 BP (with 4 T.A.), +1 HWS (bought outright) and +1 GCV), one GWS (+1 Tank, +2 BP, +2 Trucks), one GBDP-4 Battery1 (+2 GCV, +1 BP, +1 Truck) and one FGB-S (+1 GCV, +2 BP, +2 Trucks). All bases are to be active on one power grid. Deploy the GDS around the base location. Also clear land for one casual fighter base outside the GCS.
• GCS Biloxi, prepare one full GCS with an operational GDS on location prime. NO bases deployed here.
• GCS Chico, to accept one GBDP-4 Battery2 (+2 GCV, +1 BP, +1 Truck). Deploy the GDS around the base.
• GCS Dallas, to accept one GWS (+1 Tank, +2 BP, +2 Trucks) and one FGB-S (+1 GCV, +2 BP, +2 Trucks). Bases active on power grid. Deploy the GDS around the base location. Clear land for one Casual Fighter Base out side the GCS.
• GCS Encino, to accept on GBDP-4 battery3 (+2 GCV, +1 BP, +1 Truck). Deploy the GDS around the base.
• GCS Fargo, prepare one full GCS with an operational GDS on location prime. NO bases deployed here.
Fighter Deployment is as follows: One full squadron (two Flights) of F-16M equipped with fast drones. This squadron includes one F-16EM.
• Banshee Flight includes five F-16M and one F-16EM based at FGB-S Annapolis. Additional requisitions include: 4 EW Pods, 6 Phaser Pods, 2 Extra Deck Crews, 12 A.D.D. rounds.
• Ghost Flight includes six F-16M based at the FGB-S Dallas. Additional requisitions include: 6 Phaser Pods, 11 A.D.D. rounds, one Seeking Weapon Control Pod, and two extra Deck crews.
Main stores consist of the standard equipment (drone allotment is 66 Type 1F and 88 Type VIF drones) at each FGB-S. Additionally, all GAS and Administrative Shuttles have WBP.
To All Command Staff.
From Lt. Colonel L. Knight.
The following is a briefing on why I chose what I did.
First on your minds must be the Tanks. Ultimately I chose the Tank for the very reason that is remains at full operational value until fully destroyed. Both Tanks will not be redeployed and will remain under all circumstances in defensive positions at GCS Annapolis and Dallas. Each Tank will always be accompanied by two or more local trucks (to absorb casualties) and one GCV.
I would initially station 5 BP and one GCV at GDS Biloxi(B) and Fargo(F). Specifics as to troop deployment will be posted soon.
I chose F-16Ms because I wanted a good mix of drones. I would be loathed to have to launch Type-1s at other drones. Additionally I purchased a load of ADD rounds because these are cheap and could be used as a last ditch effort to stop a wave of drones. They are in fact much cheaper that a Type-VIF (0.25 to 1). Why 11 ADDs for Ghost flight? Because that gave me an extra 0.25 to add to the final 0.8 to purchase a Drone control pod for Ghost flight in case the EWF is destroyed (We can still retain quality drone control).
At last comes the reason for the casual base. The casual base is there partly for backup landing for the fighters but primarily to protect the drone stores. If an enemy attacks the FGB-S and destroys the cargo they will destroy valuable drones needed for the fight. A Casual base provides under those rules 30 virtual boxes for which to have drones ready and land fighters. The box itself is not destroyed but anything in it is. The extra deck crew will, if the situation warrants, move some of the drone stores to these locations (about two drones per box). That way it will require much more damage to destroy the same number of drones. If the enemy chooses to destroy these drones in detail let him. He's NOT firing those phasers at the base. Effectively, if he wants to destroy all our extra drones it will cost him an extra sixty damage points to do it (plus those to take out the FGB-S).
End of briefing.
Ok, call me crazy, but what is going to be firing the ADDs? Did you buy RALADs?
The fighters will launch the RALADs since ADDs and RALADs are indentical (at least in my copy of J12). Admittedly, I am challenged to identify a situation so extreme that the defense force would need RALADS to support the approximately 80 phaser-3 shots in one turn without using a shuttle as a WW to create a mine equivalent. (Friendly collateral damage.)
To:Maj Wells
From:Maj Wile
Re:ADD usage.
Is your concern re ADD/RALADs based on the apparent redundancy in capability or the fact that once the F16's are expended the RALAD's are effectively useless?
To:Col Kight, 429 PDB
From:Maj Wile, 429 PDB
Re
perational Planning Concerns.
Most steps discussed to date seem to be on the efforts at or immediately following landing by OPFOR.
SPP has stated that the operation commences at range 101 hexes.
What is are your intentions concerning forward defence of planetary approaches? The options seem to consist of:
1. No opposition, wait until OPFOR makes close approach and then launch fighters insuch way fighters have benefit of atmosphere?
2. minimal opposition? rely on Phaser 4 fire during approach phase?
3. #2 plus Drone bombardment on OPFOR using Fighters timed so that Fighters can land and be rearmed and relaunched prior to OPFOR acheiving orbit?
4. #3 plus selected scatter packs launched to thicken the drone wave?
What changes will you want made to the ready loads on the fighters in the event that:
a. OPFOR is composed entirely of fighters and PF's? (especially if PF's turn out to be grand assault versions?)
b. OPFOR is a well balanced squadron including a troop transport for ground assault? priority fire on Transport or concentrate on the support ships and hope for kills so that the Phaser 4's will be able to scrap the transport prior to its getting into orbit?.
c. what changes of the OPFOR is revealed to be Orion Pirates?
d. If the attack is directed initially at Cassandra III and assistance is requested, what will you send? anything? Fighters? Shuttles? your complements and the hope that the defenders 'die honorably'? (not sarcasim, just trying to cover all options?)
e. what if the OPFOR disregards both Cassandra III, IV and VI and moves towards moon of Cassandra VI(the unstable small ice ball discussed previously?) with the intent of establishing a base there(just because Star Fleet engineering determined it was too unstable for Star fleen forces does not mean that Klingon Corp of engineers will make same judgement) will we oppose such a move? with what? full squadron attack? wait until OPFOR moves ships out? what if Klingons plant bomber bases and start war of attrition?
SPP,
Another question.
Are the defsats..
Reliant on a particular base for control?
Controlled from an essentially impregnable hidey hole somewhere?
Something else?
Thanks
Loren,
I think should point out that.
a. You haven't costed your GDS or specified their number.
b. A reliance on mechanised forces can run the risk of OPFOR exploiting D15.41 (capturing GDL by picking off our infantry)
c. We need a plan to deal with OPFOR just blowing up our bases and leaving,and a plan to cope with thme being content to just inflict general destruction from range.
Lieutenant Fant: As noted previously, Colonel Knight will be making decisions, so he is the one that is going to be assigning points, and will be the one that says "move fighter A to hex Y" and so on. You guys can make "suggestions" and help him to avoid rules problems and develop better tactics. Beyond that, you can put in "color", i.e., comments about how the action is affecting you and your element.
Major Wile: In some cases you are asking for more background data than can be provided for the purpose of the exercise. It is not that you are asking bad questions, they are good concerns, in most cases, and in most cases things you would be discussing with Colonel Knight Captain Howell.
For our purposes, the planet has obviously at one point been "in Klingon controlled space" for some period of time (it is Y182, the Klingons have been forced back to their original line of pre-war bases at that time, Federation efforts are geared towards breaking that line and advancing into Klingon space at this time). What effect that had on this planet, and how many years it was in Klingon space I do not know, not that significant to the back story for this situation. Something, however, makes this planet worth the establishment of a Defense Battalion, or you would not be here. That fact implies that there was a Klingon garrison of some type on (or around) this planet.
Intel on the enemy in the last six months would be a long list of ships that came into the sector, then moved on to other sectors. The biggest thing is that there have been raids on various planets and logistic assets in the sector. These have ranged in size from a few frigates, to (in an apparent major effort) a task group of cruisers and smaller ships. There has been some Orion activity, mostly the usual single ships, but a few cases of raids built around at least one larger ship (CR, BR, or CM) with as many as four smaller ships. There have been some sighting of Andromedans I the sector, but reports of actual combat with them are few.
As to your specific questions:
1. Has Naval intellingence determined enemy force structure? RESPONSE: Enemy forces in flux with mobile forces constantly shifting to support their border stations in an effort to maintain their frontier. Raiding forces of a few frigates, to (in an apparent major effort) a task group of cruisers and smaller ships have been active in an effort to keep the logistics situation from stabilizing in the "devastated zone".
2. Is the name and bio details of senior officers been established? RESPONSE: See attached file.
3. Any patterns in the operation temple of enemy forces been noted RESPONSE: Klingons have been conducting desperate defensive operations to maintain their border stations and have been conducting raids where ever they perceive a weakness and can spare the ships to do so.
(This last could be key, does the Klingon commander have a history of atrocities against civilians? RESPONSE: Klingons will usually only commit atrocities where it supports their policies. Civilian populations are bombarded where a planet cannot be occupied only in so far as they are closely located near economic and military targets, i.e., no general massacres except as examples of "do not resist" in response to guerrilla operations on occupied worlds.
Do unarmed civilians fare well under Klingon occupation? RESPONSE: The Klingons view civilians as a labor force, and while living conditions are not "good", working them or starving them to death is counter-productive. Food is provided as it is available, although hardly "cordon bleu", it is sufficient to maintain the population, although it too might be withheld, i.e., cut back, to help break a recalcitrant population. Casual cruelty is the norm, but killing civilians on occupied planets is frowned on by the empire as a waste of resources.
Does the Klingon command take prisoners? If prisoners are not taken, should Federation personnel be advised? RESPONSE: The Klingons take prisoners whenever they can both to gather intelligence information and to exchange for Klingon nationals captured by Federation forces. Conditions on Klingon prison planets are barbaric to say the least, as captured starfleet personnel are technically trained experts and given access to technology might be able to convert it into weapons.
4. What commando ships are known to be in the sector, and how long has it been since they have participated in an operation? RESPONSE: Various command type ships have entered and departed the sector at various times. There is not one known to be continuously operating in the sector. Most, but not all, raids on planetary, lunar, or asteroidal positions have involved troops delivered by normal warships as opposed to commando ships.
5. Is the current location of 429 PDB such that we are with in the operating area of one or more Klingon Bases (i.e., could the potential OPFOR be reinforced by the BATS Fighter and PF wings?) RESPONSE: Had the battalion been in range of such a base or bases, more defenses would have been provieded when the battalion was deployed. Would make no sense to deploy a battalion that would be promptly wiped out by a couple of PF flotillas operating from Klingon bases.
How many PF tenders are known to operate in the area? should we be prepared to multiple PF squadrons? RESPONSE: It is always possible that a PFT will be deployed on a raid, or that a raiding force will bring several casual PFs along. The likelihood that several PFTs will present themselves and their flotillas to attack the planet is low.
6. What is the past history of Klingon use of auxiliaries? RESPONSE: Not viable units for use in a raid.
Could or would the Klingons use small or large carriers? RESPONSE: Use of a carrier group on a raid is always a possibility, the use of carrier groups for sudden strikes is always a factor.
Could we be the target of a swarm attack by large numbers of obsolete fighters supported by frigates and PFs? RESPONSE: Unlikely. A swarm attack has only been seen one time, when the Klingons attacked the Tholians in Y178 (the attack on the Zhukov has not occurred yet). It is doubtful that the Klingons would repeat such an attack, and certainly not against a target such as this planet.
7. Are there any Lyran ships known to be operating in the area? (could make a difference in the use of type VI drones that other members of staff were discussing). RESPONSE: It is always possible that Lyran ships could be deployed into the sector, but unlikely due to logistic problems with deploying any significant numbers of Lyran ships.
8. Is there danger of Prime teams (dagger team?) involvement? RESPONSE: Always.
9. Not sure how to evaluate the risk to planet population...intellectual property rights of existing art would make logical target for Orion Pirates. What is the danger that OP's may
want to take "slaves" in the form of trained artisans for sale in less demanding area's than the Federation. RESPONSE: Always possible.
10. Any monster sightings? RESPONSE: Beyond the occasional Andromedan, none.
11. What is the "weather" forecast? Any danger of an ION storm? Tactically, is there a possibility that an OPFOR could use an ION storm to cover its approach? RESPONSE: An Ion Storm front could always be used to shield an approach. And obviously there are ion storms every once in a while.
12. Are there any drone bombardment ships active in area? RESPONSE: As noted, Klingon ships are always circulating. A drone bombardment mission against the planet is possible as a low cost operation.
13. Any missing ships reported? Unexplained losses? Any reports from PDB detachments in sector? RESPONSE: With Orion operations, not to mention Klingon raiders, there are always unexplained losses all through the sector. But not more than would be expected. In the last six months within the sector, not more than three merchant ships have been lost for unknown reasons. Two convoys have been attacked with some losses (one by Klingon raiders, one by Orions). Three planets have been raided by Orions, one by Klingons.
14. Any named pirates with exceptional notoriety operating in sector? Any pre-dispositions? (could be problem if he fancies himself as "art collector" see # 9 above. RESPONSE: There is a cartel operating in the area. The needs of the Cartel seem to vary with the seasons. They might raid the planet for art, they might raid the planet because the Klingons paid them too.
Inquiry #15. Any personnel attached to 429 PDB with experience in Prime teams? (Would be nice to "pick their brains".) Thinking of running a intruder drill, and it is more effective to have people "on the Ground" instead of relying only on computer simulations . . . (Funny how a security grunt takes a whole new interest in life and duty after a drill where instead of just reading "you have been taken hostage by an unknown assailant" he is grabbed from behind and a tooled steel sharp edged implement is held to his throat and a whispered "one move and you will die!" echoes through his brain.) RESPONSE: Nope, sorry. And I do not think Colonel Knight wants a Prime Team, or that the Federation would assign one to a planet.
My answers as just a player:
Jeff Wile: ADDs, I had bought enough Fighter Only supplies and felt that a good double load of RALADS was a good inexpensive choice for the extra points (all 23 cost 5.75 out of 25.8).
I will be presenting some options and contingencies soon. I have several in mind.
Paul Stoval: Re. DefSats...I don't know exactly. SPP could you guide us here. Where exactly does the DefSat control come from and is that control redundant?
Re. Deployment: I felt I had chosen a good diversity of forces. I do not want to leave A and B uncovered ever so I felt the Tanks were the most survivable force and GCV are indeed a good value in that they can transport troops, be trasported, and have the best combat to cost ratio. However, BPs are the easiest to move so I didn't ignore those either. Do you feel I relied on mechanization too much?
I have plans for dealing with space threats. It's a big work day and Star Trek night so I'll present those after my previous posts sink in. I'm sure SPP will be posting so interesting stuff, like in regards to the GDS being deployed around the base instalations. Speaking of the GDSs. THey are part of the force total and no Comm. Ops. and don't add to Comm. Ops. (12 BPV more of enemy was worth it to add a full layer of protection between the enemy and the bases, ground assault wise).
Aboard DD Saratoga meeting room zeta.
Captain Paul Stovell looks studiously out from behind his glasses at the view screen. It is showing a tranquil seeming Cassandra IV hanging in space like some glorified christmas tree decoration. A wonder such traditions survive really he muses. Just then the door chimes.He rises from his chair to greet his juniour officers and NCO's feeling somewhat self concious in his number one
uniform.
" Gentlemen take a seat I'll try to keep this brief I know we have a party to get to "
He briefly outlines the ACE deployment pattern Colonel Loren has already described and they have all been reading.
" Three points I want to stress for the deployment. First get the big guns settled in as fast as possible I don't want to be caught with our guns not fully calibrated for the atmosphere. Secondly, I want training in the GCV's as soon as that is finished. That brings me the third point. Particulary in at Chino and Encino positions we will be the first point of contact for the locals. I want our boys to have a good time when they have a leave here and that means making a good impression with the locals. No shooting up the countryside for practice without clearing it with the locals as well as through proper channels."
The Captain then feilds any questions.......
Captain Stovell pulls at his collar with one finger.
"Okay that's it go and have a nice relaxing evening, while you can. Lieutenant Lambert a moment please"
The rest file out.
"Doug I know you wanted a more concentrated deployment its one of the reasons I've given you the Annapolis site.
I want you to work up your tactics for the power grid there as soon as we are settled in."
Colonel Knight:
I am assuming your reference to "Ground Control Systems" is actually to "Ground Combat Locations". A "Ground Control System (I think you meant "Station")" is simply a "Key Terrain Feature" found in a "Ground Combat Location". We are, for our purposes, simply assuming that each Ground Combat Location has three Control Stations.
You are aware that the DefSats are "in orbit" and will orbit the planet under the procedures of (P8.0), i.e., they might start over B, D, and F, but they will move as they orbit.
You have made frequent references to GDS. I do not think you understand what these are. One GDS is one single small pillbox/bunker with a phaser-turret, and adding one to a GCL costs 2 BPV. No message has provided you with any as part of your force mix, there is a message noting that it would cost 12 BPV to add the normal six to one Ground Combat Location. They are purchased as part of the "overall force" and do not bring any extra commander’s Options with them. If you want them, let me know and tell me how many you want (the norm is six per GCL deployed two per GCS, which would add 72 BPV to your battalion). Perfectly willing to discuss adding more, or using less (maybe you do not want any at Biloxi or Fargo since you have no troops there reducing the cost to 48 points, maybe you only want three at Chico, I do not know), but tell me or make clear to me what it is you are doing. I have no problem with adding a few BPV points to your battalion for the GDS, but we need to be clear about how many GDS there are and where they are.
Major Wile and Captain Stovell:
We are not to the point of discussing tactics. We are still at the deployment stage.
First, we need to figure out the GDS situation, and once that is done I want to ask why two Fighter Ground Base Smalls are used rather than one Fighter Ground Base Medium.
Remember, much of this is a learning exercise. Why do X instead of Y.
Captain Stovell: The article in CL#22 establishes that the Satellite Control Station is basically a "cave" and not represented as a base. The Satellites will in essence remain operational until they are destroyed.
SPP-Understood.
If you are asking for my opinion, I would suggest two small Fighter Cround Bases for dispersion purposes...gives the OPFOR two targets instead of one big one.
Would also give OPFOR reason to appear within line of sight of Ground based phaser 4 unit that otherwise might not be engaged (unless by fighters flying 'nape of earth' as previously discussed.
A 2ndary concern would be control channels of the fighter ground bases, one large base on planet would lose targeting on enemy forces that fall 'below the horizon' where as 2 bases on oposite sides of planet would control 360 degrees of approaches.