CBG Route
Carrier Battle Group begins the Frame at 10,6,2,3 on the horizontal 6 line steaming 045 degrees until reaching the vertical 12 line or one hour, which ever comes first, then turns to a heading of 360 degrees for the duration.
352nd FG: Lowest-numbered carrier. Provide (1) step of Fleet CAP. Takeoff at T-0 with CAP flight. Stay within 60 miles of the boats until T=45 minutes. Be aware that the enemy land base for scout/strike aircraft is in the SW. Fleet CAP should be busy for the entire Frame. Provide (1) additional step of Fleet CAP aircraft which will depart at T+45 from the CBG. CAP operations need to be aware that the Japanese dive bomber aircraft retained significant altitude on ingress in previous operations. The Fleet CAP should consider one step which can maintain significant altitude until the dive bomber attackers present themselves. If the initial wave(s) are engaged at low altitude with all available resources, the high dive bombers get a free pass setting up their runs. While doing all this, please provide as wide a bar cap for the Fleet as is practical.
American Eagles: Second lowest-numbered carrier. Provide close escort fighters for the Strike Group. Depart your CV at T=45. IF resistance is evaluated as "light" in the target area, and since you will be at altitude, consider the possibility of an early return to the CBG area for one step of aircraft which can assist with the higher-altitude Japanese dive bomber aircraft while they are staging.
Doolittle's Radiders: Third lowest-numbered carrier. Assemble a strike package with the available escort fighters from the AEs. Co-ordinate your route to target with your fighter escort.
Night Stalkers/Nomads: F-33 or highest numbered carrier. Use either or both. Your choice. Scout aircraft, your choice. Find the enemy Fleet. Kill Kaga-class carriers!
In Frame 4, the enemy put pretty much all but a couple of steps of their pilots in strike aircraft out looking for our Fleet, and they happened to find it. (4) Aircraft carriers were lost by our side. This plan attempts to split our available fighter aircraft between escorting our Strike Package to target, AND protecting our Fleet. Fighters on CAP duty should expect action, even if it is a bit delayed. Distances, discovery time, and RTB availability will all have influence on the possibility of a second Strike sortie. On First Strike, pilots are encouraged to be as accurate with your ord as possible for maximum effect first time out.
Please note slight role changes for our CBG fighters. Squads had been split between tasks, which is likely less than a great idea. Squads will be able to operate in their "normal" fashion with the above changes.
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