---
name: Caucasus - Operation Vectron's Claw
theater: Caucasus
authors: Starfire
recommended_player_faction: USA 2005
recommended_enemy_faction: Russia 2010
description:
  <p><strong>Background</strong>  - The United Nations Observer Mission in Georgia (UNOMIG) has been actively monitoring the ceasefire agreement between Georgia and its breakaway region of Abkhazia. Recent developments have escalated tensions in the area, leading to a precarious situation for UN observers and affiliated personnel.
  </p><p><strong>Current Situation</strong>  - UNOMIG observers, along with a contingent of international troops, have found themselves isolated due to the intervention of Russian forces supporting the separatist ambitions of Abkhazia. The UNOMIG headquarters located in Sukhumi has fallen into enemy hands. A smaller group based at the Zugdidi Sector Headquarters now faces the daunting task of navigating to safety with the aid of offshore naval air support.
  </p><p><strong>Objective</strong>  - The immediate goal is to orchestrate a strategic withdrawal of UN forces to the coastline, leveraging support from US naval aircraft positioned offshore. The critical mission objective is the rapid recapture of Sukhumi. This action is essential to enable the landing of friendly ground forces and the ferrying in of land-based sqwuadrons from Incirlik.
  </p><p><strong>Operational Constraints</strong>  - It is crucial to note that reinforcement of ground units will not be possible until Sukhumi is successfully recaptured. This recapture can either be performed using existing UN personnel and ground vehicles, or via heliborne assault troop insertion.
  </p><p><strong>Assets & Support</strong>  - Available assets include two Huey helicopters for close air support. Commanders may opt to initiate the operation with light vehicles, such as Humvees, employing breakthrough tactics to avoid direct confrontations with enemy forces. Alternatively, the use of heavier ground units is an option for commanders seeking a more conventional combat engagement. Upon the recapture of Sukhumi, additional squadrons from Incirlik, Turkey, will become operational.
  </p><p><strong>Secondary Objective</strong>  - Consider prioritising the capture of the Batumi airfield, located to the south, for its strategic value as a forward operating base. Commanders should be aware of the inherent risks, as the airfield is relatively small and lacks air defence systems, posing a significant threat to any stationed aircraft.</p>
miz: operation_vectrons_claw.miz
performance: 1
recommended_start_date: 2008-08-08
version: "10.7"
control_points:
  Squadrons from Incirlik:
    ferry_only: true
squadrons:
  Blue CV-1:
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - F-14B Tomcat
      size: 16
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - F/A-18C Hornet (Lot 20)
      size: 60
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - S-3B Viking
      size: 8
    - primary: AEW&C
      aircraft:
        - E-2C Hawkeye
      size: 2
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - S-3B Tanker
      size: 2
    - primary: Air Assault
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - UH-60L
        - UH-60A
      size: 2
  Blue LHA:
    - primary: BAI
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack
      size: 20
  Squadrons from Incirlik:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - AH-64D Apache Longbow
      size: 4
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - A-10C Thunderbolt II (Suite 7)
      size: 6
    - primary: DEAD
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - F-16CM Fighting Falcon (Block 50)
      size: 16
    - primary: BAI
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - F-15E Strike Eagle (Suite 4+)
      size: 8
    - primary: Refueling
      aircraft:
        - KC-135 Stratotanker
      size: 1
  Bombers from RAF Fairford:
    - primary: Anti-ship
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - B-52H Stratofortress
      size: 4
  Bombers from Base Aérea de Morón:
    - primary: OCA/Runway
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - B-1B Lancer
      size: 4
  #FARPs
  UNOMIG Sector HQ:
    - primary: Transport
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - UH-1H Iroquois
      size: 2
  Dzhugba:
    - primary: CAS
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - Mi-24P Hind-F
      size: 4
  #Sukhumi-Babushara
  20:
    - primary: TARCAP
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - MiG-29S Fulcrum-C
      size: 8
    - primary: BAI
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-25T Frogfoot
      size: 12
  #Sochi-Adler
  18:
    - primary: Escort
      secondary: air-to-air
      aircraft:
        - Su-27 Flanker-B
      size: 8
    - primary: SEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-24M Fencer-D
      size: 20
    - primary: DEAD
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Su-34 Fullback
      size: 20
  #Maykop-Khanskaya
  16:
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Tu-22M3 Backfire-C
      size: 20
  #Anapa-Vityazevo
  12:
    - primary: Strike
      secondary: air-to-ground
      aircraft:
        - Tu-95MS Bear-H
      size: 16
  Red CV:
    - primary: BARCAP
      secondary: any
      aircraft:
        - SU-33 Flanker-D
      size: 16