"Operation Chunky Bandit #19 (Air)" Topic

All,

It's 1715 on 24 July 1990 in the country of South Leon. We are with the Cuban Air Force's 301st Tactical Fighter Squadron, deployed to South Leon several months ago. So far there hasn't been much to do, just some routine Combat Air Patrol (CAP) and close air support missions every now and again for the grunts, but no air-to air engagements to date. The squadron, also known as "The Flying Boxcars," is led by Major "Viper" Culero, a former US Navy fighter pilot that earned himself four kills and the Estrella de Bronce (Bronze Star with 'V') during the Cuban War of Liberation. He normally keeps a two-ship CAP up, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, but this morning he had bumped it up to four on account of a bunch of chatter about something major going on up North.

What the good Major then found out is that the Communist Army from Federation Socialiste Nationale de Leon (FSNL), South Leon's malignant neighbor to the north, launched an all out invasion of South Leon, and they are rapidly rolling towards that nations capital. Accompanying them is an all out blitz by FSNL's Air Force, and the Flying Boxcars are now involved in some of the most intense aerial action since WWII.

To kick off their offensive, the FSNL Air Force put 6 x MiG-21s in the air on a classic fighter sweep, looking to clear the skies for follow on strike aircraft, while the Cubans answered with four F-4 Phantoms of their own. The results were indecisive, with the Communists losing three MiGs and the Cubans losing two Phantoms.

The enemy returned to base and launched a strike force with fighter escort a couple hours later. Major Culero sent two flights up to meet them. The Cuban fighter pilots did well, downing three MiG-21s and five Su-22s to only one lost Phantom, but they did allow one enemy bomber through. The Su-22 bombed the SLA HQ in the nation's capital, causing substantial damage (10/30).

It's a few hours later and the bad guys are keeping up the pressure. The Cubans scrambled two more flights to meet the enemy strike force.

F-4 Phantoms close on the enemy strike element.

And begin feasting!

Some fun dogfighting.

But not all is peachy in South Leon.

To see how the fight went, please check the blog at:
link

That's it for the batreps this week, gotta hold you guys to two or ya start getting too demanding ;) But I'll post some recent paintings stuff (WWII 6mm) in a couple days, then post the next batrep on Monday. This weekend I plan on playing another KG Klink (WWII Fall of France in 10mm, if you're not familiar), then some more of these dogfights. I also have a hankering to play some Vietnam skirmish action, thanks to my buddy Joe Legan over at the Platoon Forward blog.

V/R,
Jack

Hey Jack, glad to see you are back posting your Cuba Libre AAR's here. I really enjoy your blog and am amazed at your dedication to your campaigns. And, thanks again for unwittingly helping me get through post bypass surgery a couple of years ago, reading your original Cuba Libre campaign.

Cheers!

Mark

Mark,

Hey man, yes, I remember you, glad you're still amongst the living! I hope all is well and you've made, or are making, a full recovery.

Yeah, I've had real life intrude on wargaming a few times over the past couple years, but I'm here, and happy to be back playing and posting, having a good time. Thanks for commenting, it's great to hear from you again, and always good to hear from folks that are enjoying the batreps.

V/R,
Jack