Command: Modern Operations Command:MO LIVE - Aegean in Flames

Command: Modern Operations Command:MO LIVE - Aegean in Flames is a scenario set during an escalation between Greece and Turkey amid the COVID-19 crisis. Dated 11 June 2020 and set in the Eastern Mediterranean, it casts you as Greece, the main side, or Turkey, the opposing force. Each side has different strategic goals in an evenly matched conflict across a theater stretching from Crete to the shores of Lebanon.

Background

The scenario's fictional present follows rising tensions over disputed maritime zones and exploration activity in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean. It draws on events from the 1987 crisis, when Greece and Turkey came close to armed conflict over drilling zones, and on later disputes over Turkey's Mavi Vatan plan and the Turkey-Libya EEZ agreement. Further pressure comes from the COVID-19 crisis, Turkey's economic troubles and the countries' differing positions on maritime claims.

Turkey announces exploration in areas claimed by Greece and Cyprus, with naval escorts for the vessels. Greece must decide whether to accept this change in the status quo or resist. Jamming disrupts civilian AIS, and a US submarine operates in the area after leaving Suda port; an attack on it would be treated as hostility toward the US. Civilian and allied casualties could also trigger diplomatic turmoil.

Forces and operations

The scenario features researched callsigns, equipment lists, real-life stocks of precision-guided munitions and BVR missiles, and a current order of battle. Greek forces include most Hellenic Air Force (HAF) and Hellenic Navy (HN) assets, while Turkish forces include Turkish Navy TDK (Türk Deniz Kuvvetleri) and Turkish Air Force THK (Türk Hava Kuvvetleri) assets. As Turkey, you can also carry out an amphibious assault on Lesvos Island.

Special operations ground units can conduct reconnaissance and sabotage, as well as designate targets for precision-guided munition strikes. A search-and-rescue script covers downed pilots. The scoring system rewards you for focusing on strategic objectives.

Weapons and defenses

Both sides have dense integrated air defense systems. Greek defenses include Patriot PAC-3 (MIM-104), S-300 PMU-1 (SA-20), Crotale NG, HAWK (MIM-23), Buk M1 (SA-17), OSA AKM (SA-8) and Tor M1 (SA-15). Turkish defenses include the recently delivered S-400 (SA-21b), upgraded Rapier B1X, Altigan and HAWK (MIM-23).

Strategic weapons include Greece's SCALP EG cruise missile and AM-39 Exocet anti-ship missile, and Turkey's SOM-A/SLAM ER cruise missile, HARPY SEAD killer UAVs and Koral Electronic Warfare OECW. Civilian vessels and aircraft are present in significant numbers, so attacks on strategic installations require attention to collateral damage.