what makes the FSO fun

[captain1ma]

not trying to provoke any kind of negative response, but what makes it fun to me, is getting orders, given an assignment and sticking to the mission. Sometimes, within your plan, on where you are headed, opportunities arise! That's when you have to put the blinders on and stick to the mission.

I've noticed a few times things have not gone as planned and wonder if people are jumping at the first opportunity rather then sticking to the mission that they have been tasked with.

everyone has the impulse to jump the first thing you see, but sometimes that can sacrifice the main plan. the CIC's and the CO's at times go through a lot of trouble to come up with a good plan, just to have it dashed by a fighters sweep for an opposing base to hit a bomber group, rather then call it it and let the defenders of the target deal with them.

Mission is #1. after that everything is gravy. that's what it means to me!

this is not an attack or slight on any one or any group..... I'm just saying! that's all!!

<S> to all that play the game and participate in the FSO

[j500ss]

To me, it seems when things do not go as planned, we are on the smaller maps.   The containment area of targets is smaller as well of course.

Then factor in radar.......  Most will try to run gaps, or NOE's with their strike packages.  Everyone is hedging the OPFOR will not trying to use the same airspace. We always hope that does not happen, but sometimes it does.  Sadly when enroute, and 2 opposing escort forces cross paths.......  It can get ugly, bombers can get left unescorted  ( which should NEVER happen in FSO unless it was planned that way ) and over target they get mauled badly, sometimes totally wiped out.

I agree, MISSION IS #1!!  That statement alone makes sure everyone on both sides has an equal chance of seeing action, and equal chances at success.

It's working with your squad, and others for a common goal. 

The goal should always be MISSION success..... It should NEVER be about numbers, score, or that nonsense at the bottom of the logs.

 

[Squire]

Agree it's important to not let the first group of cons distract a plan.

Mission is #1. after that everything is gravy. that's what it means to me!

Indeed. 

[Big Rat]

I agree sticking to mission is #1 and we always try to.  We easily were in position to hit the 111 strike Ju-88's for example, as our scout found them way out from target, and weren't sure if they were our strike our not.  So we held back until we figured their exact heading. Some of the defense in this FSO its hard to determine which target an enemy is going for.  Our and G3MF's defensive targets were like 5 miles apart, a sector out it could be either of ours strikes.  I think one of our scouts actually attacked the 110's intended for their target, then again they helped us out with the 88's on our target, which we welcomed, only fair right.

 
BigRat

[Devil 505]

I see it this way, if you break from a mission to score some easy kills then you are potentially ruining the night for three groups. First, the bombers in your mission have a lesser or no escort. Second, the defenders that are waiting for those bombers now have less or nothing to intercept. And third, the bombers you picked off get sent to the tower early - even their time is wasted.

Everybody loses if the missions are broken.

[KCDitto]

I agree with devil on this one.

I remember when we (JG 11) were in an escort role and were flying along with our bomb group in FWs We saw the enemy bombers lower than us at our 1:00. It was one of my early FSOs and I spotted them and yelled over the vox to attack.

Stampf called back and ordered us to stay on mission. We flew right in from of all these fat bombers in ICON range and let them go. It was explained to me not in the exact words that Devil used, but close enough to the same point.

We could of wiped out that attack and it would of ended the night for the bombers and the guys waiting at the target... We did however radio altitude position and heading 

[waystin2]

Keeping to your mission means everyone on both sides gets a piece of the action and it also insures that the objectives are met.  Even with careful planning by both sides, a plan rarely survives contact with the enemy force.  First frame I saw all the JU-88's fly under us and one Dora the whole frame.  Kept my guys on their escort duty for the B-26's and called in the 88's.  Most of us never fired a shot the whole frame.  Frame 2 I saw enough 410's, 110's, Dora's and JU-88's to last a life time.  Eventually found myself the last Pig standing after a crazy fight around A111.  You never know what you are gonna get, and it's why we will keep coming back. 

[Dantoo]

Maybe on crowded maps we can pull back the flashing distance a bit.  This would open up more routes into targets on maps with narrow fronts.

[LilMak]

Pulling back the flash distance would be cool IMO. Add a little to the fog of war and give avenues for attacking aircraft. Defense is the easiest role and that's part of the reason why.

[Nefarious]

Pulling back the flash distance would be cool IMO. Add a little to the fog of war and give avenues for attacking aircraft. Defense is the easiest role and that's part of the reason why.

It's already set to 12 miles in most FSO's. How much less are we talking?

[ImADot]

It's already set to 12 miles in most FSO's. How much less are we talking?

And in this current FSO, the range is 10 miles. I've seen some as small as 8 miles.

[LilMak]

6 maybe? As far as I'm concerned the enemy could be nearly on top.