"...and that concludes the specifics of the mission."

Admiral Chen Loo paused to take a sip of tea and looked around the briefing room at the Republic of China's Navy and Air Force commanders gathered there.  Although outwardly displaying measured professionalism he detected a faint, acrid scent permeating the air - the sweat of men about to face battle.

"To recap the situation", he continued. "The PRC, in collusion with their puppet regime in Manilla, has initiated open conflict in the South China Sea."  

"Their goal: to sieze the Spratly chain and claim them - along with their enormous energy reserves - as their own."

"An elite PLA paratroop unit using leased C-130s in ROCAF markings launched a suprise attack on Taiping Island shortly after it was suppressed by PRC bombers.  Taiwan's only base in the Spratlys has been siezed.  Although a reenforcement convoy to the facility had been dispatched it was recalled when it was obvious the island could not be taken without amphibious assault."

Chen was particularly incensed about the loss of Taiping.  He had warned the Defense Minister about the possibility of a coup de main there but was told that the frigate protecting the island would be sufficient protection against attack.

"The situation is now grave", Chen intoned solemnly.  "The PRC has escalated to a high offensive posture at their bases threatening Taiwan.  Enemy aircraft, ships and submarines are aggressivly probing our defenses and threaten to blockade or outright attack our small island."

And it gets worse, thought the admiral. "The United States is unable to send their usual response, a carrier battle group, due to the crisis in the Middle East.  Our diplomats tell us that the PRC is also exerting extreme political and economic pressure on the Americans - saying the issue with the Spratlys is not covered by any defensive arrangement between Taiwan and the US.  Our only allies in this battle will be our partners in Malaysia who are to share our claim on the oil reserves."

"Although we managed to interdict a critical parts convoy to the Chinese enclave at Subic Bay it appears the PRC has activated several combat air assets there to support their position in the South China Sea.  Additionally a squadron of Philipino F-7Ms reported to be piloted by PLAAF crews has deployed to Laoag City at the northern tip of Luzon."

The ROC military commanders had already been briefed on the situation but sat attentively as they contemplated the strategic situation.  The PRC had outmaneuvered them at every turn to date, only superior planning and execution would keep them from slipping on the razor's edge.

Admiral Chen motioned to the force projections displayed behind him.  "Our response, Operation Golden Dragon, has finished Phase One.  Using SBSN", he referenced the ultra secret Taiwanese Sea Bottom Surveillance Network - their version of SOSUS strung along critical approaches to the island, "we managed to actively detect and drive intruding PLA-N subs from the Luzon Strait without firing on them.  This has created a temporary gap that should allow Task Force 27 to enter the South China Sea undetected."

"TF 27's lead surface action group is to act as a screen for the following amphibious attack force.  Their goal is to reach Taiping Island and retake it.  Once in place they are to continue to engage PLA-N elements and degrade PRC facilities in the area.  Limited support will be available; a cadre of attack and support aircraft has been assembled to assist with the naval force's transit but lack range to reach Taiping."

It was a risk, Chen knew.  Although the ships chosen for this mission were the very best the ROCN had to offer and were more than a match for their Chinese counterparts, sheer numbers and air attacks could take their toll.  Still they had other assets to count on.

"Once in the operational area TF 27 will coordinate with Malaysian forces.  They have two airbases up and running on Borneo and have set up the small strip at Swallow Reef as a refueling point to forward stage their MiG interceptors.  Also the destroyer _Zuoying_ has been modified to host a pair of AH-1 Sea Cobras for additional fire support."

The door to the briefing theater opened and Chen's adjutent poked his worried face in, his eyes darting toward the clock.  Time was a luxury they didn't have and the admiral decided to wrap up.

Straightening he paused and looked for a moment at the men seated before him.  Some would find glory while others would not come home.  Now was the time his whole nation had prepared generations for.

"Gentlemen", he said.  "May Heaven smile upon you and the Republic of China.  Good luck."

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Designer's Notes:

This one looks at a PRC/Taiwan battle without actually involving the Taiwan Strait!  Your primary mission will be to guide your SAG and Amphib groups from Taiwan past enemy units from the Chinese and Philipino sides trying to locate them.  Use every trick you can think of because once you're spotted it can easily become a slugfest.

Be very careful how you husband your air assets.  They are generally outmatched in AAW by Chinese Sukhois and though they may give as well as they take, you can't afford a battle of attrition.  Know when to run and when to sacrifice.  Also be aware that the Chinese are operating at extended range compared to your assets on Borneo.  Use your small tanker force to their potential, they are a huge asset.

As a matter of play flavor I only used Swallow Reef (AAa) as a refueling point for the short ranged MiG-29s and even then never more than four landed at a time.  Any aircraft that had to divert there after combat I loaded for Ferry and returned to a Borneo base to rearm later.  Swallow Reef is a conglomerate of two atolls with the intervening space filled in by sand to create a larger artificial island capable of handling a small airstrip.  In a similar vein I also only refueled the RC-135 on Guam for to maintain their Top Secret cover.

I decided to make most of the island facilities Mobile Groups centered on Oil Rigs to give a sense of the facilites in place in the South China Sea.  You will need to go hunting a bit for them (they're not hard to find) but in case you have trouble here are the charted locations of the Spratly facilities in reference to their range/bearing to Thitu Island (ZZb):
     Fiery Cross Reef (ZYm) - 112nm at 221 degrees
     Taiping Island (ZMm) - 43nm at 172 degrees
     Mischief Reef (ZOm) - 102nm at 133 degrees
     Subi Reef (ZNm) - 90nm at 350 degrees
     Spratly Island (OBm) - 226nm at 226 degrees

This Scenario was created on Harpoon Commander's Edition Version 2005.b10b with HCDB-060103.

Have fun!

CRS - Feb 06


