JSTE Primer
Downloaded from Firedrake.org, Filename JSTE.

1.0 BACKGROUND

1.1 This scenario is entitled JSTE Primer. JSTE stands for "Joint Systems Training Exercise," and is usually pronounced "Justy." JSTEs are real. They are conducted by FORSCOM that is now also the Army component command of USACOM (US Atlantic command). 

1.11 This scenario has been inspired by the JSTEs; however, it has absolutely no formal linkage to them. (At least not yet!)

1.2 There are a number of JSTEs every year. JSTE 94-3 is scheduled for later this summer. It presupposes the need for a forced re-entry into Southwest Asia (think Desert Storm, the sequel). JSTEs concentrate on training forces in all of the Services to cooperatively support a Joint Air Campaign. The Marines will operate the JFACC (Joint Forces Air Component Command) from Cherry Point. (That's right; they are NOT going to SWA to conduct this exercise.) Other units from the other Services all around the country will be electronically linked with them, and will train in garrison.

1.21 This scenario sets the stage for JSTE 94-3. Starting in the winter of this year, a series of events will first see the creation of a pan-Islamic League, and then the not so courteous invitation to the Western Powers to leave Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and other SWA states. They will oblige.

1.22 At the time this scenario begins, all US Forces have departed the region except for a Marine brigade presently completing embarkation at Kuwait City, and elements of two squadrons of the Air Force still in Saudi Arabia. US Forces are now at their most vulnerable. To compound matters, a serious storm has hit the Gulf, severely restricting air operations. The worst of the weather has now lifted, however. A Carrier Battlegroup is stationed outside the Gulf, ready to escort departing forces home.

1.3 The Islamic League believes it is important to dispel the aura of invincibility that has surrounded Western Forces since the conclusion of the Gulf War. To further that aim, they have twice moved up their "unconditional" departure date for all "infidel" forces from the Holy Lands. Even still, the Americans now seem on the verge of meeting their deadline. Although a full day yet remains until their most recent deadline expires, they have decided to attack.

1.4 As the BLUE commander, you will have to deal with a series of coordinated attacks launched against your departing forces on three separate axes. Iraq will attack (of course). Iran will attack. And Saudi Arabia will both attack and attempt to screen against any intervention from the US CVBG waiting outside the Gulf. You will be attacked from the air and from the sea.

1.41 The victory conditions reflect the political/military expectations raised by the "zero death" war fought in 1991.



2.0 ORDERS

2.1 RED ORDERS: not available HERE.

2.2 BLUE ORDERS: You are to safely escort ALL of your amphibious units past Farsi Island in the next twelve hours. If the Islamic League attacks (do you think they won't?), you must destroy the Bases sourcing those attacks. Rules of Engagement are weapons tight; do not attack unless attacked.



3.0 SITUATION REPORT

3.1 Your amphibious units (group ABS) are now departing Kuwait City. Only helos and Harriers now remain in the City, along with a few USAF Falcons. Ahead of them is an escorting group centered on the Lake Champlain (group ACS).

3.2 The weather has now improved to the point where air operations can be resumed (hint, hint!).

3.3 Before the storm struck, J2 (your intelligence section) alerted you to the gathering of several small warcraft near both Farsi and Kharg islands. Some of these are capable of launching either Exocet or Harpoon missiles. Your J2 also reminded you that several months ago an entire shipment of Harpoon missiles destined for Australia was hijacked. They have not been recovered, and it is plausible that the League has now come into their possession.

3.4 Your J2 estimates that the League has more than one hundred combat ready aircraft arrayed against you. The most advanced of these are in the Royal Saudi Arabian Air Force and include both F-15 Eagles and Tornados. The Iranians continue to fly their old Phantoms. Both they and the Iraqis also employ a variety of ex-Soviet and Chinese aircraft.

4.0 VICTORY CONDITIONS

4.1 MINVIC: Group ABS reaches Farsi Island without loss of an amphib unit.

4.2 TOVIC: Destruction of five League Bases.

     
5.0 DISCUSSION

5.1 This scenario can be won (TOVIC). Although it is intended primarily to be played from the BLUE side, it can be played from the RED side also.

5.2 The RED side in this one has the more variable of starting conditions. The BLUE side actually doesn't have any. This reflects the fact that the League will know pretty much where the US forces will be (have to be!).

5.3 An alternative name for this scenario is Hammer of God. 

5.4 A key element in this scenario is the use of cruise missiles. Harpoon is (understandably) deficient in modeling these awesome weapons. Their ranges and destructiveness are admirably modeled, all considered. What is lacking is allowance for their programming. These are "smart" weapons (not dumb ones and not "brilliant" ones). You simply do not walk over to the gunwales and say to your exec as you wave your hand, "Shoot them over there." They have to be programmed. They have to be told what to "look for." They have to be told where to fly. All this takes time -- and intelligence -- on the parts of their "flyers." This is a time consuming process. You simply do not "draw and shoot." Unfortunately, that is exactly what Harpoon 1 allows you to do!

5.41 There are several ways to allow for this, if you want. Here is one way. Start the scenario and inventory all of the TLAM-Cs in your arsenal. (tube-launched land attack missiles, conventional). You have quite a few in Group ACS, and some in your Carrier Group, ADC. Do this ship by ship. You can do this for the Tomahawks (ASMs) as well since they can be employed in much the same way as the TLAMs. (ASM is anti-ship missile, by the way.) If you don't, then limit Tomahawk ASMs to just their anti-shipping role. Allocate these cruise missiles to designated land targets. Make a note of this, and then restart the scenario. Once you restart the scenario, stick to these allocations, or change them if appropriate. But, if you do change them, then wait six hours (that's right, six whole hours!) before you order their launch.

5.42 The RED side has the following land bases in this scenario:

	ZZb: Bandar Abbas
	ZYa: Tehran
	ZXa: Baghdad
	ZWa: Riyadh
	ZVb: Farsi Island
	ZTb: Kharg Island

5.43 It will take more than thirty cruise missiles to completely reduce any of these targets; even more for the larger ones. By the way, this "short list" of targets is itself a simplification since there are more than one hundred Bases in the real AOR that are capable of supporting the aircraft depicted in this scenario. Your J2 and J3 folks in the JFACC would have to consider all of them in selecting targets, and your targeteers on board your ships would have to know how to "fly" missiles at all of the nominated targets.

5.5 You might want to disable the auto formation option in this scenario, if this is not a routine step on your part already.

5.6 One last thing. Ask yourself, what next? What would YOU do after such an attack as depicted here? Would you continue to exit the region as originally intended, or would you turn your folks around and re-secure a beachhead in the region? Such are the choices of politicians as much as Generals. It is easy to second-guess them on the nonce. But what about going in? In JSTE 94-3, they go back...


<from the workshop and temporal stores
 of Cobalt Shiva, 73577,1755>

(c) 1994 Cobalt Shiva
