Somewhere over the North Sea CVN-69 Bridge:

“This is the Captain speaking action stations, this is not a drill. We are striking back at the Soviet Union’s

forces and infrastructure today!

Come about for launch, ready 1 onto CAP. Strike packages designation IcePole1 will co-ordinate with our sister the USS Eisenhower off of our port bow. Our mission today is to destroy what is left of NATO Airfield designated 303#, Bardufoss. The Soviets are repairing the base. Lets wipe it off the map. Forrestal’s package designation is Popsicle1, they are striking at the 7^th Guard Alpine. Make the bastards pay, shoot first kill them all. Out”

The aircraft were awaiting life from the ready deck via the elevators to the flight deck, pilots did last minute system checks, reviewed nav details they would be flying high and fast with tail winds going in and head winds coming out. The flight plan was tight. Really tight. In fact the A7’s had to lighten up their weapons loads for extra range. Paveway bombs would be limited for their load out. Meanwhile the A6’s had full stacks Paveway laser guided bombs, and Maverick A2G missiles for targets of opportunity, and of course their 20mm cannon with 1,000 rounds of ammo.

“Flight Leader 101 Popsicle ready to launch.”

As the aircraft formed up and headed up the Northern coast of Norway the Flight Leader marvelled at the rugged beauty. A pity he thought that he was about to tear this countryside apart with his payload. “Form up & tighten up 301, we are 3 minutes from target.”

The jets streaked in from 30,000 feet dropping quickly, picking up the laser signals while barely any flak or ADA was present, one A7 took damage and turned for base, the rest carried on. Flight Group designated Popsicle had a tough mission at the edge of their range, with reduced payloads they had to make every bomb count. Unfortunately, the impact was negligible until the last flight group swung onto target, they had seen the drift occurring and adjusted their AN/APN doppler and weapons delivery guidance computers on the fly. The last handful of A7’s released GBU-8 HOBOs an electro-optically guided glide bomb. They circled, using up precious fuel to ensure the target was hit.

“Damn..thats a bonus hit! Look at that fireball! We musta hit a dump” [7^th Guard Alpine were rocked by the first round of bombs, but nothing prepared them for the massive direct hit on their munitions dump and command HQ. Caught in the midst of resupply casualties were high ] {One strike craft rolls 20 for the boomer hit on the two table for Ground strikes!}

The A6’s had a little further to fly, they had more advanced weapons control systems, and better range. At range they launched SLAM missiles guided by one aircraft in the flight its nose bulb housing the control and guidance mechanisms. As they reached the target they dropped the welcome to Norway special gift.

Mk 20 Rockeye II cluster bombs, CBU 72 Fuel Air explosives and 1,000 lb general purpose bombs. As the Intruders banked and clawed their way up at 38.7 m/s all the pilots rocked their wings over so they could watch the mayhem unfold below. 10’s of thousands of tonnes of equipment exploded, the airfield and everything around it was a black hole..

“IcyPole1, package delivered, On Target. On Time. Total destruction courtesy of the USN, Flight Leader Hudson out.”

[Game result: 1 step loss to unit in hex. 5 SP destroyed that were to be used for Airfield rebuild/repair]

The two CV’s had delivered a body blow, not a knock out punch. The Alpine guard were damaged. The airfield would have to be resupplied and protected. But the Tromso port was open for business and soon enough, Divisions of Soviet troops would find their way to the foot hills of Narvil to pay their respects, and seek a little retribution.