Forward the Arcadia! (TGOD-ish) (CVBG)

[Noble Ire]

I've noticed that the Alamo, the amphibious transport dock, is still lacking a commanding officer. Could I take that position? I am not familiar with naval vessels, so I can't make any recommendations to modify the ship, though I might request more helicopters loaded aboard, and a few less Ospreys. Also, would my ship have a landing force stationed aboard constantly, or would I take them on as needed? If it's the latter, do I have any contingent of marines aboard?

Your welcome to it.
I've been hoping someone would come along to fill the post.

As to the Marines, I suspect I might end up quartering a majority of the Marine Brigade onboard the Omaha and Alamo, so I think you might end up having more than you can handle.

[Speaking of which, Admiral, I'm assuming Colonel Tychu and I have the entire Brigade at our disposal (I believe around fifteen hundred men) at sea? Or would we keep some units at a base in port?]

[Lonestar]

Protecting the Arcadia seems like a wise plan *sagely nod*. I hear that her incompetant commander has no idea what the fuck she is doing *more sagely nodding.*

This means more work for the actual CSG boss, won't it?

[DesertFly]

[I feel obligated to remind you that I also am in command of a submarine that may or may not possess enough firepower to glass a sizeable Baltic state. Of course, you are completely correct about the Arcadia. Captain. ]

[I feel obligated to remind you that this submarine you speak of (which may or may not have nuclear capabilities), is an independent nation, and her captain considers himself more of an adjunct than specifically under command. He is very likely to go along with orders that are issued to him, but not guaranteed, especially if they go against his principles or some law that he's established for Alania.]

[Ar-Adunakhor]

[I feel obligated to remind you that this submarine you speak of (which may or may not have nuclear capabilities), is an independent nation, and her captain considers himself more of an adjunct than specifically under command. He is very likely to go along with orders that are issued to him, but not guaranteed, especially if they go against his principles or some law that he's established for Alania.]

[I feel obligated to inform you that there is no fucking way in hell the US or Russia/USSR would allow you to run around with your very own personal boomer. You would be hunted down like a 17th century fox.]

[Surlethe]

[I feel obligated to remind you that this submarine you speak of (which may or may not have nuclear capabilities), is an independent nation, and her captain considers himself more of an adjunct than specifically under command. He is very likely to go along with orders that are issued to him, but not guaranteed, especially if they go against his principles or some law that he's established for Alania.]

[I feel obligated to remind you that if your boomer (which may or may not have enough nuclear firepower to glass a sizeable Baltic state) so much as sneezes without the written personal consent of Admiral Christy or his delegated authorities, you will realize just how effective a task force with dedicated ASW ships can be at hunting submarines.]

[phongn]

Personally, I carry a 20/72/30 (2x61 VSL cells) loadout, 20 Harpoons/Tomahawks, 72 SAMs/ESSMs and 30 ASROC torpedoes. I never argued that a Tico outgunned the Kirov-class, only that they are comparable in effective offensive armament.

Actually, probably more like 2x64 - the USN deleted the reload crane because it didn't work at sea. You already have 8 Harpoons in canisters; I don't know if you'd need anymore via VL-Harpoon. ESSMs are quadpacked in a cell - and that is a lot of ASROCs.

I think the Irascible will enter ESG-28 as a mostly unmodified second production run Ticonderoga; I'll mull over possible overhauls, but nothing for a while yet. I'm thinking of some minor additions -- adding two ten-round RAM launchers in addition to the existing CIWS, to be specific, as well as possibly another ten-round Harpoon system.

You could replace the two Phalanx CIWS mounts with two SeaRAM 11-cell launchers. I'm not sure if you could cram in another pair of Harpoon quad launchers, though if VL-Harpoon exists in this timeline you could probably spare some VLS cells.

[Uraniun235]

This means more work for the actual CSG boss, won't it?

Nahhh, we can just hire a good XO who'll keep the ship running while Pick gets up to speed on her command.

[another way out of character moment: Out of curiosity, what exactly does a carrier captain do? I mean I figure they must do the usual paperwork, and ordering the ship to go here or there based on orders, and telling the crew to please shoot down those incoming missiles, but other than that... ? Do they order the planes to launch or is that the purview of the CAG?]

I've noticed that the Alamo, the amphibious transport dock, is still lacking a commanding officer. Could I take that position? I am not familiar with naval vessels, so I can't make any recommendations to modify the ship, though I might request more helicopters loaded aboard, and a few less Ospreys. Also, would my ship have a landing force stationed aboard constantly, or would I take them on as needed? If it's the latter, do I have any contingent of marines aboard?

Do you want to be referred to as "Captain CDiehl", or would you prefer something else?

[Surlethe]

I think the Irascible will enter ESG-28 as a mostly unmodified second production run Ticonderoga; I'll mull over possible overhauls, but nothing for a while yet. I'm thinking of some minor additions -- adding two ten-round RAM launchers in addition to the existing CIWS, to be specific, as well as possibly another ten-round Harpoon system.

You could replace the two Phalanx CIWS mounts with two SeaRAM 11-cell launchers. I'm not sure if you could cram in another pair of Harpoon quad launchers, though if VL-Harpoon exists in this timeline you could probably spare some VLS cells.

Actually, after 2001, the USN has been replacing the two Phalanx mounts with SeaRAMs; I was thinking of keeping the CIWS, however, and trying to find space to install the RAMs. [It also looks, to my untrained eye, like there's plenty of space on the bow behind the bulwark to put a couple of quad launchers.] Of course, I'm going to be carrying Harpoons in the VLS as well. I just figure, though, that if those damn dirty pinko commies with their big-and-mighty "Heavy Cruiser" decide to do something funny, I'd better be prepared to dish out a can of all-American whooop ass.

[Lonestar]

The Arcadia is keeping the Phalanx Block 1B, thank you. If I have anything to say about it.

[Carrier captain takes his instructions from his boss, just like other captains. He has to carry it out at his/her discretion if he's given leeway.]

[Pcm979]

As long as everyone's throwing around armaments and upgrades and stuff, does anyone have a suggestion or two on how to arm/spruce up my Duke?

[Lonestar]

Racing stripes.

[Duckie]

Racing stripes.

Does this mean that K-502 is allowed to have gratituous fins? Thay Makes It Go The Fasterer!

[Vanas]

We need more distictive paint schemes to go with my crazy-paving WWI/II camo. I second racing stripes.

[Batman]

@Surlethe:Who in his right mind puts a Harpoon in a launch cell that can hold a TASM?
Not that I knew there were VL capable Harpoons anyway.
@phongn:And what's this with the reload crane? From what I gathered it's 61 cells per Mk41 vs 64 because the other 3 cells in the 8-by-8 block hold the electronics. Please elaborate.
@Surlethe again:While I don't see the need for any more Harpoons-any ship getting within TASM range of our Task Group means us flyboys have failed, nevermind RGM-84-but even a standard Tico should offer ample space for another quartet or so of launchers.
@everyone:I'd consider replacing CIWS with RAM for all our ships, period.
And we maybe should start thinking about what toys we get to play with. Using ASROC is moderately pointless if we get Sea Lance, the Intruder drivers probably want to know what they get to move mud with, and so on.

[Pcm979]

Okay then. My Duke has racing stripes. Red ones. Because dey go fasta!

More seriously though, are there any recommendations people can make? Or is it fine as-is?

[Ar-Adunakhor]

I might have to cave to the pressure of Wank and get some SeaRAMs too...

Okay then. My Duke has racing stripes. Red ones. Because dey go fasta!

More seriously though, are there any recommendations people can make? Or is it fine as-is?

Of course it is fine as-is... this is a deployed modern warship we are talking about. They would not be in service if they were incapable of performing their duties.

The ability to modify your craft is something that we are using to incorporate hyper-advanced systems that are in the design stages or far too expensive to normally use. So, as I said, you would be fine as-is... but you could be better with modifications. Don't you want to be hyper-advanced and the envy of the world?

[Pcm979]

Okay, then. Time for a rephrase.

What hyper-advanced systems that are in the design stages or far too expensive to use could I incorporate into my craft?

[Ar-Adunakhor]

Let's take this to PM, it could get... long and spammy.

[Surlethe]

@Surlethe:Who in his right mind puts a Harpoon in a launch cell that can hold a TASM?
Not that I knew there were VL capable Harpoons anyway.

[Someone who has very limited knowledge of naval weapons systems, and is flying it very much by ear right now.]

@Surlethe again:While I don't see the need for any more Harpoons-any ship getting within TASM range of our Task Group means us flyboys have failed, nevermind RGM-84-but even a standard Tico should offer ample space for another quartet or so of launchers.

That's what I was thinking; there's plenty of space forward the superstructure.

I might have to cave to the pressure of Wank and get some SeaRAMs too...

That's my Numenorean emperor right there!

[phongn]

@Surlethe:Who in his right mind puts a Harpoon in a launch cell that can hold a TASM?
Not that I knew there were VL capable Harpoons anyway.

THe project was cancelled in OTL; and TASM was withdrawn because targetting it is too much of a PITA. In one wargame a captain "hit" himself with his own missile! Our main antiship asset is Arcadia, anyways.

@phongn:And what's this with the reload crane? From what I gathered it's 61 cells per Mk41 vs 64 because the other 3 cells in the 8-by-8 block hold the electronics. Please elaborate.

No, those three cells were for the reloading crane. It didn't work very well, though (apparently in one trial they broke open an SM-2's propellant case) so it's been withdrawn from service.

The Arcadia is keeping the Phalanx Block 1B, thank you. If I have anything to say about it.

Any particular reason, Lonestar? Shouldn't RAM be sufficient when coupled with ESSM?

I just figure, though, that if those damn dirty pinko commies with their big-and-mighty "Heavy Cruiser" decide to do something funny, I'd better be prepared to dish out a can of all-American whooop ass.

I had originally wanted the mighty "maximal" CSGN, complete with mini-flight-deck, but that was veto'ed after we determined that we had way too many surface combatants.

[Uraniun235]

[Speaking of which, Admiral, I'm assuming Colonel Tychu and I have the entire Brigade at our disposal (I believe around fifteen hundred men) at sea? Or would we keep some units at a base in port?]

[Unless it's infeasible for a reason I'm unaware of, the entire brigade is at your disposal.]

[Civil War Man]

[I feel obligated to remind you that this submarine you speak of (which may or may not have nuclear capabilities), is an independent nation, and her captain considers himself more of an adjunct than specifically under command. He is very likely to go along with orders that are issued to him, but not guaranteed, especially if they go against his principles or some law that he's established for Alania.]

[And I feel obligated to inform you that the Vengeance and her crew are much closer to being rogue than the Gnisial or whatever you call it, but even the illustrious Captain of the Vengeance would not be stupid enough to go "Eh, I'm not going to follow some of your orders" in the face of a much superior naval force. Now, as a businessman, I may act unilaterally to serve my own interests, but not if it contradicts a direct order coming down from command. There's the Code to consider.]

Now, as for modifications, the Vengeance going to remain almost entirely stock (except when technology allows upgrades to current weapon systems and electronics), though the entire structure is going to be almost entirely matte black. And flying the Jolly Roger.

[Lonestar]

Any particular reason, Lonestar? Shouldn't RAM be sufficient when coupled with ESSM?
.

[I'd rather keep something that's more trustworthy and proven (such as it is). I would plan on keeping the standard RAM in addition to the Phalanx Block 1B, not replace it with the See-RAM]

[Batman]

[Um-there's no such thing as the standard RAM. In fact prior to RIM-166 there was no such thing as RAM, period, where the USN was concerned. I can't recall a single real life missile ever being downed by CIWS.]

[Ar-Adunakhor]

I had originally wanted the mighty "maximal" CSGN, complete with mini-flight-deck, but that was veto'ed after we determined that we had way too many surface combatants.

In that vein, are your modifications adequate? Poke.

Of course, I'm going to be carrying Harpoons in the VLS as well. I just figure, though, that if those damn dirty pinko commies with their big-and-mighty "Heavy Cruiser" decide to do something funny, I'd better be prepared to dish out a can of all-American whooop ass.

Please come with us, Comrade; we already have a complementary suite prepared for your stay in the Motherland. During your visit you will learn of the glory of both our Battlecruisers and our superiority to the West.