TFA2 24.5 – Upgrade of TF Amethyst
Vex spent three days studying and integrating the adjustment on the Amphibious Strike Group. Then, on the morning of the fourth day, he held a second meeting with Admiral Reed, Admiral Mendel, Major General Ingram, and Heiko.
“I have finished the adjustment for aerial assets,” Vex said, opening the meeting as he turned on the projector. “If you have a question or input, please say it.”
As soon as a long list of aerial assets was displayed on the white board, everyone in the meeting room immediately focused their eyes on it.
Fighter/Attack (264 units):
144 units F/A-18E/F Super Hornet,
24 units E/A-18G Growler
96 units AV-8B Harrier II
Special Mission (60 units):
36 units P-8 Poseidon
16 units EV-22D Grey Osprey
4 units E-737D Seraph
4 units RC-737E Spyhawk
24 units SH-60R Raven (ASW, ASuW, Sigint, Reconnaissance)
Transport (102 units):
56 units C-130J Hercules (26 units will be on reserve status when all Ospreys are in service.)
20 units C-17 Globemaster III (Intercontinental)
8 units US-2 ShinMaywa (Amphibious)
6 units C-27 Executive (VIP)
12 units B-737 Express (Business)
Air Refueling (24 units):
8 units KC-130J
16 units KC-737
Tilt-rotor (98 units):
60 units MV-22 Osprey (along with the kit for Basic Medevac and Tanker)
32 units AV-22 Black Osprey (Air Assault, Deep Insertion, C-SAR)
6 units HV-22 Blue Osprey (Dedicated Medevac)
Rotorcraft (360 units):
42 units AH-1Z Viper
64 units OH-58H Kiowa Warrior
24 units UH-1Y Venom
54 units CH-47H Chinook
12 units CH-53K King Stallion
32 units MH-60K Knighthawk (Assault, Insertion, CAS, C-SAR)
108 units SH-60S Seahawk (ASW Support, ASuW, Transport, SAR)
UAV (188 units):
32 units MQ-9 Reaper
18 units MQ-9B Sea Dragon (Aircraft Carrier Operation)
120 units MQ-8C Fire Scout
18 units MQ-4C Triton (Broad Area Maritime Surveillance)
After studying the list Admiral Mendel said, “We will station 48 Super Hornet on two aircraft carriers. Are the remaining units enough to secure the home sky?”
“Colonel Patricia said 96 units are enough to cover two continents. ACG also has Harrier to back up their combat air patrol operations.”
Admiral Mendel nodded and said, “Okay. We will become the third largest F-18 user after Canada and US Navy then.”
“Mr. Vex,” Heiko asked, “instead of the old Harrier, why don’t we choose F-35B?”
“ACG emphasized a high rate of availability, reliability, and maintainability. It’s very hard to meet those parameters if they use F-35B while we don’t operate on earth or adopt conventional procurement lines.”
“Harrier is old but not bad, actually.” Major General Ingram casually added, “In Desert Storm and the early phase of Iraqi Freedom, it was the only tactical fighter that could provide close air support day and night for 24/7.”
“Well, a flying Harrier is a hundred times deadlier than F-35B that has to be grounded for lack of spare parts,” Admiral Mendel calmly said.
“I see,” Heiko replied and slightly nodded.
After a moment of silence Admiral Reed asked another question, “Vex, do we really need VIP and business airlifters?”
“ACG encountered an operation to airlift around 16,000 children once. After that, airlifts became popular among local nobles. We received a lot of requests to provide it, and ACG decided to provide it specifically.”
“I see.”
After sipping his coffee Major General Ingram asked, “The assault Osprey, is it the same bird that USMC developed?”
“No, we developed our own.” As he projected a close-up picture of Black Osprey on the white board, Vex continued, “It had an under-nose M230 30 mm. The shoulder doors are being replaced with shoulder windows, and stub wings are installed below them, two hardpoints each.
Each hardpoints can carry the guided and unguided rocket, Mini-gun M134 7.62 mm, Longbow radar pod, Longbow Hellfire, Air-launched Stinger, or external fuel tank. The cabin can also accommodate a fully equipped 9-man infantry squad.”
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“I see. It’s pretty similar to Russian’s Hind.”
“It is.” After a moment of silence Vex asked, “Other question?”
“…”
“No? Let’s continue with ground combatant then.” In a casual tone Vex explained, “In summary, GCG will increase the number of its combatants from 12.000 to 85.000. Their scalpels are Surveillance and Target Acquisition Company, CQB Company, and Tunnel Rat Company.
As for the hammer, GCG will have a few combat brigades. Their doctrine, tactics, and equipment are a combination of Green Beret and Airborne Ranger. This is the map for their home base.”
Wasting no time, Vex projected Amstell Continent’s map to the white board, and some information was written on a few specific locations.
White Blank, a snowfield on the north coast of Amstell Continent. Home base for 2nd Marine Arctic Brigade, main airlifter is Chinook, equipped with an airfield, docking port, and three-in-one depot (fuel, ammunition, and logistic) to prompt the operation of naval and aerial assets.
Brone Desert, west coast of Amstell Continent. Home base for 4th Mechanized Brigade and their fleet of M113, equipped with an airfield, docking port, and three-in one depot to prompt the operation of naval and aerial assets.
Herron Mountains, 30 km south of Magwurt City. Home base for 3rd Mountain Brigade, the average peaks are 4600 meters above sea level, even in summer, snow can appear at any time on elevations 3200 meters above sea level, main airlifter is Chinook as only Chinook can operate well in extreme altitudes.
MCG will build a mega hydropower plant and water purification facility in one of its peaks, while Agriculture Development Group will build its HQ and research center in one of its valleys.
Harley Quinn, center of Amstell Continent. HQ for Ground Combat Group. Home base for 1st Airborne Brigade and special mission unit under the command of GCG.
Bluefin Naval Station, south coast of Amstell Continent. HQ and homeport for Amphibious Strike Group, along with the home base for Frogman Company.
Lagra City, Sandhur Region, south coast of Amstell Continent. Home base for 1st Marine Expeditionary Brigade
After people in the room studied the map for a while, Vex put Buriek Continent’s map on the white board and said, “And because we don’t have Tomahawk as a means for long-range land attack, we will have to form 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade.
It will be stationed on Buriek Continent, along with 2nd Air Assault Brigade. They will have 75% of Osprey fleet to support their mobility.”
Major General Ingram immediately said, “I will make sure the 2nd Marine Expeditionary Brigade is ready in two months.”
“Very good,” Vex replied in cheerful tone.
“How about Air Combat Group? Do they have combat unit on the ground?” Heiko asked in a curious tone.
“They have Base Security Regiment, Pararescue Regiment, Special Tactic Regiment, and Combat Control Team. Their numbers are few, but those four are Tier One and Tier Two units. Their strength doesn't lie in numbers but in mobility, elements of surprise, and firepower.”
Heiko slightly nodded. “I see.”
“I will stay on earth for the next few months. If you have other questions or input, don’t hesitate to send it to me.” Vex enjoyed a mouthful of his lemon tea before continuing, “Now, let’s talk about the shipment.”
Without delay Admiral Reed explained, “We can start it tomorrow. Once Logistic and Support Group receives more LCAC, we can conduct unloading in three spots around Antarctica simultaneously.”
A question mark immediately popped up on Vex’s forehead. “Do you mean the southern tip of Pacific Ocean, Atlantic Ocean, and Indian Ocean?”
“Yes,” Admiral Reed firmly replied.
Vex nodded before asking again, “Can we include intelligence analysts in the first shipment? IDG is in dire need of them.”
“We can.”
“Good.” Vex immediately smiled in satisfaction.
After some small talk, Vex then ended the meeting and made preparations for his meeting with Andrew Fox. He had to immediately take care of the delay in the first purchase, and also placing the order for second purchase.
*****