Aces High Bulletin Board
Special Events Forums => Friday Squad Operations => Topic started by: perdue3 on October 26, 2012, 11:00:32 AM
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I have some ideas that may help some CO's or whoever does orders for your squadron. I am not belittling, singling out, or picking on any squads in particular. I have noticed a trend over the last 6 months. If all of you dismiss this post I will not be offended. If it helps one squad I consider it a success.
With that said, let me say that I have seem some things in orders that concern me. Mostly Axis due to my participation as an Axis player, but also last month as Allied. Basically I just want to point out some things to try to do and try to avoid when CiC of a frame.
Avoid:
1-Copy and paste the previous orders. I consider this to be cheating the system. You are using someone else's work, ideas, and time. Although they may not mind you doing so, you are not pulling your weight when you copy and paste from last week. If you do not have extra time to put into doing orders, delegate it to a squad member or ask for a replacement for that week. Someone will cover for you, I promise.
2- Assigning squads bombers consecutively or twice in one month unless requested. Let's face it, none of us want to fly bombers all the time. Some squads enjoy it more than others I will grant you and in the right situation some squads may request bombers for all 3 frames. This is rare. A squad should never have to fly bombers twice in one month if they request fighters.
Try to do these:
1-Give squads what they request. We all know this will never work out perfectly. But, at least try to give squads what they want. Be mindful of what the squad in question has flown recently compared to their request. If a squad requests FW 190A-5 and have flown Bf 109's or Ju 87's all month, give them FW 190's. On the same note, if they flown FW 190's both frames it is time to give someone else FW 190's. The only time I would not follow this rule is if it is strategic reasons only. Strategic reasons and expectations should never justify assigning bombers, necessarily. I am not going into detail on that particular statement but I can if needed. I will say I dont mean it the way most of you will understand it.
2-Be mindful of minimums and maximums. Understand what planes may be flown and how many. Also note planes that do NOT have a minimum and maximum and understand the lack of consequence for assigning these. Last month, the P-38J and F4U-1A did not have a min or max. Therefore, 80 people could fly one type or the other at no penalty. In situations like these, be mindful of it and give squads the option to fly either if indeed one of those planes were assigned to them. The reason for this is simple and was exemplified last month for the Allies. The P-38 and F4U are two totally different aircraft and most people would prefer one over the other. Not to mention, they may be more successful in one or the other. Using this tactic ensures that the squad in question is happy and more success considering that the CO will choose the plane he knows his squad is better in. In most cases, the 109G-2 and G-6 are in this same situation. These two planes are also very different and some would prefer a G-2 over a G-6. In essence, do not assume that the squad wants that plane or make the bold statement that one plane is better than the other. Allow the squads the choice.
This is an educational post. This is not one of my normal ranting complaints. As stated earlier, if most of you dismiss it, fine. If one CiC decides to pay attention to these 4 points I have made, I consider it successful.
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Good post.
Also be mindful in your orders to stay within the General Rules for FSO and any Frame-specific additions/changes...things like attacking the assigned targets with ords (strafing won't do) by T+60; assigning a single mission to a squad - you can't task them to hit one target and move on and hit another target; a squad can fly two different aircraft, but cannot have two separate objectives (bomber/escort or bomber/sweep is Ok, but they cannot attack two separate targets).
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I didnt mention those because I have not seen that occur recently. I actually assigned a squad 3 different planes about a year ago. Luckily, a CM told me that wasnt legal before the frame. Fortunately, the FSO CM team has done a fantastic job of closing loopholes in the interpretation end of the rules.
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Yep, things have been going well. :salute
I only mentioned it because of some new squads/leadership might not have had CiC duty lately (if ever). ;)
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I am no good with this type of stuff...would it be bad to have someone else do it when it is your time :headscratch:
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Actually it is a squad responsibilty for doing the battle plans. Usually the squad CO has done it but I have known plenty of times in the past that various squads had either the XO or another squad member entirely draw up the plans for the frame. So as long as somebody does it from your squad you will be fine.
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Actually it is a squad responsibilty for doing the battle plans. Usually the squad CO has done it but I have known plenty of times in the past that various squads had either the XO or another squad member entirely draw up the plans for the frame. So as long as somebody does it from your squad you will be fine.
cc that :salute
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I have some ideas that may help some CO's or whoever does orders for your squadron. I am not belittling, singling out, or picking on any squads in particular. I have noticed a trend over the last 6 months. If all of you dismiss this post I will not be offended. If it helps one squad I consider it a success.
With that said, let me say that I have seem some things in orders that concern me. Mostly Axis due to my participation as an Axis player, but also last month as Allied. Basically I just want to point out some things to try to do and try to avoid when CiC of a frame.
Avoid:
1-Copy and paste the previous orders. I consider this to be cheating the system. You are using someone else's work, ideas, and time. Although they may not mind you doing so, you are not pulling your weight when you copy and paste from last week. If you do not have extra time to put into doing orders, delegate it to a squad member or ask for a replacement for that week. Someone will cover for you, I promise.
2- Assigning squads bombers consecutively or twice in one month unless requested. Let's face it, none of us want to fly bombers all the time. Some squads enjoy it more than others I will grant you and in the right situation some squads may request bombers for all 3 frames. This is rare. A squad should never have to fly bombers twice in one month if they request fighters.
Try to do these:
1-Give squads what they request. We all know this will never work out perfectly. But, at least try to give squads what they want. Be mindful of what the squad in question has flown recently compared to their request. If a squad requests FW 190A-5 and have flown Bf 109's or Ju 87's all month, give them FW 190's. On the same note, if they flown FW 190's both frames it is time to give someone else FW 190's. The only time I would not follow this rule is if it is strategic reasons only. Strategic reasons and expectations should never justify assigning bombers, necessarily. I am not going into detail on that particular statement but I can if needed. I will say I dont mean it the way most of you will understand it.
2-Be mindful of minimums and maximums. Understand what planes may be flown and how many. Also note planes that do NOT have a minimum and maximum and understand the lack of consequence for assigning these. Last month, the P-38J and F4U-1A did not have a min or max. Therefore, 80 people could fly one type or the other at no penalty. In situations like these, be mindful of it and give squads the option to fly either if indeed one of those planes were assigned to them. The reason for this is simple and was exemplified last month for the Allies. The P-38 and F4U are two totally different aircraft and most people would prefer one over the other. Not to mention, they may be more successful in one or the other. Using this tactic ensures that the squad in question is happy and more success considering that the CO will choose the plane he knows his squad is better in. In most cases, the 109G-2 and G-6 are in this same situation. These two planes are also very different and some would prefer a G-2 over a G-6. In essence, do not assume that the squad wants that plane or make the bold statement that one plane is better than the other. Allow the squads the choice.
This is an educational post. This is not one of my normal ranting complaints. As stated earlier, if most of you dismiss it, fine. If one CiC decides to pay attention to these 4 points I have made, I consider it successful.
These are all good points and I agree. I just have one thing to add. I always try to give squads what they request where possible. Don't expect the person writing the orders to be a mind reader. If you want a specific ride, then request it. If you simply request "fighters" don't be offended when you get a fighter you don't want. If this occurs, most CiCs are flexible, and will usually switch your ride with another available ride for the same assignment.
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I am no good with this type of stuff...would it be bad to have someone else do it when it is your time :headscratch:
If you get CiC duty, I am sure Spikes will be more than willing to aid with orders.
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1. It would be helpful to any CiC, if the squadron CO updates their ride preference each time after the first and second frame with what they flew that frame. Don't put it on the CiC to search through all the squadrons and multiple frames on what you have flown before. He has enough to do.
i.e.
Ride Preference Frame 1: flew F4F
Ride Preference Frame 2: flew SBD
Ride Preference Frame 3: P-38
2. Don't list any aircraft that you do not want to fly. Be a team player. Most CiC's will try and honor your requests, but sometimes objectives, rules and manpower will be the over riding considerations.
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I am no good with this type of stuff...would it be bad to have someone else do it when it is your time :headscratch:
ink....check this page sir.
http://www.ahevents.org/fso-example-cic-orders.html
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ink....check this page sir.
http://www.ahevents.org/fso-example-cic-orders.html
thank ya :salute
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Nice posts fellas. WxMan, great idea with the "flew Xy 000".
I do my homework and actually have a squadmate do the research and put it all on a spreadsheet. This way I know what they have flown recently. I know Devil does not enjoy it, but it is necessary if we want to make most people happy. If Devil said he would not do it, I would.
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Chris,
You waxed in detail on the tracking of preferences and assigned rides. Do you want a copy of the ride matrix that I have always used to match your practice with your words?
v/r
Jamie
Tull XO, 367th FG :old:
JAMES W GENTRY III
Contractor, Northrop Grumman
Mission Command Training Support Program (MCTSP)
Senior Training Advisor (STA)
278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, TN ARNG
"Crapgame: Hey, Oddball, this is your moment of glory. And you're chickening out!
Oddball: To a New Yorker like you, a hero is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three tigers."
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Chris,
You waxed in detail on the tracking of preferences and assigned rides. Do you want a copy of the ride matrix that I have always used to match your practice with your words?
v/r
Jamie
Tull XO, 367th FG :old:
JAMES W GENTRY III
Contractor, Northrop Grumman
Mission Command Training Support Program (MCTSP)
Senior Training Advisor (STA)
278th Armored Cavalry Regiment, TN ARNG
"Crapgame: Hey, Oddball, this is your moment of glory. And you're chickening out!
Oddball: To a New Yorker like you, a hero is some type of weird sandwich, not some nut who takes on three tigers."
If yourw willing, Id be glad to take a look. Email it.
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Good post.
Also be mindful in your orders to stay within the General Rules for FSO and any Frame-specific additions/changes...things like attacking the assigned targets with ords (strafing won't do) by T+60; assigning a single mission to a squad - you can't task them to hit one target and move on and hit another target; a squad can fly two different aircraft, but cannot have two separate objectives (bomber/escort or bomber/sweep is Ok, but they cannot attack two separate targets).
I don't want any confusion on this tricky part of the FSO rules for CIC planning. Here's the full text orders.
CiCs shall not organize a mission with orders to attack more than one objective in succession. More simply stated, one objective, one mission. If there are 8 offensive objectives for one side during a frame, the CIC shall ensure that there are eight attack missions, each assigned to attack a single objective. This rule is intended to prevent CIC's from overwhelming the defenders of a single target. For example, a large combined force of 60 aircraft attacking three bases that are each singly defended by a squad of 15 or 20. Please see examples under the Example CiC Orders section:
That just states taking an extrememly large force that would be evenly split for several targets to attack one target with a lesser sized defense force overwhelming them and move unto the next target continuing the same tactic giving the attacking force complete supieority. Which is a good rule to make an evenly based fun for all concerned.
I don't want any new or inexperienced CIC think it has to be only say 4 seperate attack missions to 4 seperate objectives and then RTB for the night and call it a day. Depending on map used, aircraft used, and squad numbers, a good CIC can devise Orders that will satisfy all FSO rules with minimums and maximums for aircraft, defending targets protected with minimum pilots, single attack missions per single objectives with minimum attack pilots plus the creativity to have secondary attack objectives once the primary objectives have been hit.
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:aok
Great post!!! I look at the rides, special rules, and plane restrictions. I also look at the few months prior attendance to obtain a better understanding of who is showing up and who isn't and try to predict or envision how it will appear on the frame I am CiC. The better I predict, the better the mission outcome is. Looking and assuming based on the min/max numbers is a craps shoot. But having some history behind that assignment can make a world of difference in mission planning.
Often times, I go through 10 front and back sheets of paper until I find the balance I am looking for. If the plane restrictions are heavy that month, then often times it is extremely difficult to put guys in the rides they requested but I normally look at previous rides from that month and try my best to put squads in their a. historic ride, or b. requested ride.
I believe most squads understand they may not get the ride they requested and carry out the mission to the best of their ability. That is part of the fun of the game. But, as a CiC, I do my best to place peeps in their rides.
For the most part, I try to keep all the squads happy while meeting all the guidelines as set forth by the CMs in the objectives.
I think the key to most mission success (and this is for the new COs) is to use the www.ahevents.org squad email feature. This really helps. Even if you are not the CiC, you can reach out to the other squads that are on the same mission together and prepare your attack well in advance. This best works if all the other squads on that same mission communicate as well. I have had good success doing this. I do apologize for the amount of emails that take place during the week in preparation, but I appreciate the respose I have been seeing.
Overall, great topic Perdue! Appreciate you posting it.
:cheers: