Eagles Of the Gulf
Part II

Scenario: EOG-24:
The Sultan's Air War!
Autumn 1975

by J.D. Webster

Background:

The Sultan of Oman's Air Force was actively pitted against the Dhofar rebels from 1970 through 1975. Hunters and BAC Strikernasters saw their heaviest use in the final months of 1975 during the security force's push to crush Yemeni backed rebels. The Sultan's jets bombed and strafed numerous rebel hide-outs and strong-points, some even in Yemeni territory. The small Yemeni air force either could not or would not challenge these strikes.

This scenario supposes that some Yemeni MiGs did try to interfere with an Omani strike.

Ground Units:

(Dhofar Rebel Base): one Large building and one small building, both in J-1412. Two small buildings: one each in J-1513, 1512. Three entrenchments: one each in J1312, 1413, 1612. One infantry HQ, four infantry, two infantry SAM (SA-7B): one per entrenchment or building. Three ZPU- I light AAA: one per entrenchment. Two trucks and one artillary unit; all in J-1511.

Omani Strike Aircraft:

Four Hunter Mk. 6 and four BAC-167 Strikemasters.

Yemeni MiG Patrols: Choose either one foursome, or two pairs of MiG-2117s, or two threesomes or three pairs of MiG17Fs.

Game Length: 30 turns.

Notes

1. All aircraft enter unspotted, all are camoflauged. The Omanis enter from the East edge of play area, the Yemenis from the West edge.

2. MiG Patrol rules.

One aircraft, the leader of each formation of MiGs (foursome, threesome or pair) must follow one of the formation routes given below. The other aircraft must remain in adjacent hexes and at the same altitude and speed as the leader. Additional formations, if any, may follow the same or a different route. All route selections are chosen before play.

The first MiG formation enters on turn one at cruise speed and at any altitude in the LO, ML, or MH bands. A die is secretly rolled for each following formation. The result is the number of game-turns behind the preceding formation that it will enter play on.

Route 1: From J-0111 head SE to J-1920 then E to F0520, NE to F-1017, NNE to F-1313, N to F-1308, NNW to 1003, NW to F-0501, W to J-1901, SW to exit at J-0110.

Route 2: From J-0124 head E to J-1 124, then NE to F0417, NNE to F-0713, N to F-0709, NNW to F-0404, NW to J-1902, W to J-1302, SW to exit at J-0108.

Route 3: From J-0105 head E to J-1705, then SE to F0207, SSE to F-0512, S to F-0517, SSW to F-0221, SW to J- 1724, W to J- 1124, NW to exit at J-0 119.

3. Omani Attack Route. The Omani strike force must plot a route as above using EZ turns only from an entry hex on the East edge of Map F to within 9 hexes of a ground unit. The strike force must follow the route until the leader is within 9 hexes of a target at which point they may all maneuver freely. The BAC-167s enter on turn 1 at speed 4.0 and at any altitude in the LO or ML band. The Hunters enter on turn 4 at speed 5.0 at any allowed altitude. Both groups follow the same route. All like Omani aircraft must remain within two hexes of and at the same altitude and speed of their formation leader who follows the route.

4. Each MiG formation is treated as a seperate entity and may not deviate from its chosen route unless it sights an Omani or is attacked by one, even if other formations engage Omanis. The Omanis may all maneuver freely the instant either group spots a MiG or comes within 9 hexes of a target hex. Additionally, if neither side spots the other before the Omanis are freed, then any Omani within 9 hexes of a ground unit is not allowed to search for air targets until it has expended or jettisoned all its air to ground underwing ordnance. If MiGs still have not been spotted when an aircraft depletes its underwing weapons, that aircraft must turn and head directly East (unless engaging a SAM), climbing as necessary only to avoid terrain until it exits the map or a MiG is sighted by any Omani.

5. Aircraft Loads. NEG-21 s: stations 1,3 = AA-2B; 2= 600L Fr. Conf. = DT, Load = 5. MiG-17s: stations 1,4 = 250L FF. Conf. = 1/2, Load = 4. BAC-167s: stations 4,5 = 7501b. Napalm; 2,7 = 500lb. HE (low drag); 1,3,6,7= four med. RK each. Conf. = DT, Load = 15. Hunters: stations 2,3 = 800L FT; 5 to 12 = two heavy RK each. Conf. = DT Load = 23.

6. Victory: the Omani player must score damaging hits against any one or more targets in each hex containing buildings (the buildings are targets too), and have more points overall to win. The Yemeni player must have more points overall to win, anything else is a draw.

7. Optionals. Fuel: determine start and bingo for each MiG formation as in Scenario G-9 of Air Superiority. BAC start/bingo = 100/60, Hunter start/bingo = 200/120. Generate all aircrew from the Desert Falcon tables. Omani pilots are NATO quality (British and Jordanian Mercenaries).

8. Variation (later time frame). Substitute Jaguars for the Hunters, loaded as desired with BB (any except FAE), and/or RP, a centerline Fr and optionally: two AIM-9P missiles. Start/Bingo fuel= 280/150.

Eagles Of The Gulf Part II (Subpart A)

Eagles Of The Gulf Part II (Subpart A) (AP # 11)

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© Copyright 1990 by J.D. Webster
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