[ARG] Antarctic Summer Campaign 1996/1997

[Naio90]

​

ANTARCTIC SUMMER CAMPAIGN 1996/1997 Classified Information ​

Operation Background

In support of the century old antarctic claim of Argentina, and in response to the recent international attention and presence on the Antarctic Continent, the Government of Argentina has decided to launch a full scale summer campaign to establish a scientific and logistic base on the Antarctic Peninsula, within the claimed territory. The campaign will consist on a first survey stage to determine the exact location for the station,meeting the requirements for the construction of a dock for large sized vessels and a runway to allow continuous aerial operations between the south american continent and Antarctican. A second stage will consist of the construction of the first structures and the establishmend of a permanent crew. Phase 1: Survey (Active) Phase 2: Construction and development Phase 3: Manning Phase 4: Expansion (projected) During Phase 1, preparations would be made for Phase 2, preparing crates and containers and recruiting staff.​

Deployed Forces
Arktika-Class Icebreaker ARA Almirante Storni (A624) x189 Navy Personnel and mission specialists x1 Ka-27 helicopter in transport configuration Prospecting equipment Fuel and food supplies

Logistical Details
FD to GC Argentine and international waters on the most direct route, following usual safety standards, considering the special hazards of antarctic navigation. All radars and systems active. Target destination. Joinville Island group, norther Antarctic Peninsula. Pre-launch stage.

 

[Naio90]

Connor

 

[Naio90]

With everything in place, the fully loaded and prepared ARA Almirante Storni would leave the port of Ushuaia through the Beagle Channel and once in open seas it would begin crossing the treacherous waters of the South Atlantic heading southwards at a steady speed. The safe, direct preestablished route would be mantained. The journey was estimated to take only few days. Meanwhile, having been informed of the swedish incursion and illegal detention of australian scientists in the area by force, the armed forces high command decided to prepare an aerial component to be on standy by in case anything should happen.

For this purpose, the 8th Naval Air Attack Squadron and 3rd Maritime Patrol Squadron would be readied. Based in Ushuaia, they would be capable of reaching the Antarctic peninsula in less than 3 hours. 4 Tu-22M3's would be prepped and loaded with 3× Kh-22 each and their pilots be put on high alert to be table to take off in a matter of minutes. The rest of the Squadron would also be briefed and prepared for potential supporting role. 1 of the P-3B Orion's of the 3rd Maritime Patrol Squadron would also be readied to take off, fully crewed, fueled and with their systems and sensors ready. The 2nd aircraft would also be prepared in order to replace the former when it had to return to base for resupply. Alpha (the first Orion) would be ordered to take off as soon as the ARA Almirante Storni was within 500km of the antarctic peninsula and head southwards to provide long range coverage for the icebreaker at a safe and fuel-saving altitude and speed. The Argentine Air Force would also be ordered to be ready, with the preparation of Section's A and B of the 8th Fighter Squadron based in Rio Gallegos. Both Sections would be prepared and loaded with 4x R-27ET, 2x R-73M and 1x Kh-31A. Section A would be put on high alert, while Section B would act as support. Their Phazotron Zhuk-M radar and OEPS-29 electro-optical targeting system would be finetuned. They would be able to reach antarctic airspace in less than 2 hours if needed. The Orions would prepare everything to serve as liaison and datalink for both the Tu-22M and MiG-29M.

Connor

 

[Connor]

Antarctic Peninsula​

TOP SECRET
Argentina Invasion
The Swedish Department of Defence would immediately gain knowledge from the publicly available information in respect to the ARA Almirante Storni leaving port and crossing the South Atlantic via a classified route. Without doubt this causes immediate concern for the Swedish given that the only reasonable destination south of Argentina is Antarctica and the recent hostility in the region, coupled with international interest in the territory has the central government on edge for further tests of their national security and boundaries. In a matter of minutes an encrypted message is sent towards the Swedish Royal Navy in both mainland Sweden and Antarctica, a legally controller overseas territory of the Kingdom of Sweden.

Fortunately amongst the 3rd Naval Warfare Flotilla, currently stationed to ensure the defined territorial waters and mainland of Antarctica is protected, would be the 2nd Frigate Division and 1st Submarine Division, both of which remain positioned at the Antarctic Peninsula and consist of seven deployable Oslo-Class Frigates and two Ula-Class Submarines. An interception is pre-empted and without delay the 2nd Frigate Division would begin the movement of all seven vessels to form a front to Argentine naval movements; in order to adequately cooperate and understanding that the position of ARA Almirante Storni was purely the vast area of the South Atlantic but not having a defined publicly available route plan they would form their front with even spacing throughout FC, GC and HC - this region was selected as the Swedish government had recently invested in infrastructure on the Antarctic Peninsula and whilst interception would be ideal, the priority would be to secure assets. All movements remain highly TOP SECRET and in-line with the Operational Orders set forth by the Swedish-run Operation Molybdenum which put the Swedish in Antarctica in the first place. All vessels and equipment deployed and/or deployable would refuel at the temporary TPOL station built in the area.

Whilst the frigates work to intercept the submarines are deployed to scout the South Atlantic, equipped with the Kelvin Hughes 1007 Surface Search radar, Atlas Elektronik CSU83 sonar and Sintra flank array, would be pushed out of Swedish territorial waters towards Argentina for the monitoring of maritime traffic. They would travel, fully fuelled and submerged, via FC > GD.

Without hesitation and in the upmost secrecy the Department of Antarctic Affairs authorises the deployment of the newly acquired Svalbard-Class Patrol Vessels (HSwMS Immunitet, HSwMS Ledning, HSwMS Försvar, HSwMS Tillflykt, HSwMS Fristad, HSwMS Skydd and HSwMS Säker) equipped with ammunition for both the mounted Bofors 57mm and 12.7mm machine guns onboard in addition to sufficient missiles to make use of the Simbad Surface-to-Air Missile System. A total of 350 active personnel are drafted from the Swedish Royal Navy to man these vessels due to ongoing restructuring work as part of the Defence White Paper commissioned 1996. Arrangements are made for the local preparation of the HSwMS Söder (Belos-Class Submarine Rescue Ship) and her URF MkII and the HSwMS Scott, HSwMS Georgia, HSwMS Orkneys, HSwMS Sandwich and HSwMS Shetlands (Koster-Class Mine Countermeasures Vessel).

Information is secured and held as part of Operation Molybdenum. The Nordic Council is immediately alerted to the intelligence gained and their regional support capabilities are requested should the continued invasion by both Australia and Argentina (should it be identified as such) begin to escalate into a threat to national security. A notice is sent forward to the Department of Antarctic Affairs by the Department of Defence to cease agreements in relation to foreign research interests.

Naio90 Odinson

 

[Naio90]

After about 10 hours, the ARA Almirante Storni would have reached antarctic waters (according to MN transit map times). As stated before, the Orion P-3B has effectively taken off the moment the icebreaker reached the indicated limit and was now cruising on their 2 engine fuel saving mode at an altitude of 17,000ft, remaining in the vicinity of the navy vessel scanning the surface for potential swedish threats. It’s on board AN/ALR-66(V)2 ESM would provide a 900km+ ELINT w/ OTH Targeting, providing a very long detection range. This would be reinforced with a more local AN/APS-80A medium range surface search radar, with a max range of about 150km. The aircraft would remain at all times less than 10km from the Almirante Storni. The crew would remain vigilant, on continuous encrypted and private communication with the ship below and its continental base. As the massive unarmed argentine icebreaker would continue its course towards the Joinville island group, the Orion P-3B would soon pick up the radio and system emissions from the swedish frigates and track their position - direction from a distance of over 850km away. This would be effective given the swedish surface fleet was not conducting any radio or emission silence. The information on the detected frigates operating in sectors FC and GC would be immediately reported to the Almirante Storni and HQ. Ships navigating on sector HC would apparently be out of radar range, being over 900km away. Since it was not stated how the 7 swedish frigates would split among those sectors, it would be assumed it would be done evenly, meaning that 4 of the frigates would be operating in FC and GC and would be detected and tracked by the argentine maritime patrol aircraft. Radio emissions from and to the frigates would be backtracked to pinpoint the exact location of the illegal swedish antarctic base. Back on the continent, the Tu-22M3’s on the tarmac would be positioned near the runway, ready to take off, if ordered. The P-3B Orion would await orders (encryted and private line) and once received proceed to contact on open HF radio the assumed swedish trespassers.

“Unidentified vessels, you are operating unauthorized on argentine antarctic waters, please identify and state your business.

If unanswered the message would be repeated. If no answers where pick up, HQ would be informed. The swedish frigate would continue to be tracked.

Operational details would be secret, unless stated otherwise.

Connor

 

[Connor]

AWS-9​

TOP SECRET
HSwMS Snö
The Argentine predictions were correct, in order to cover the given area effectively they frigates of the 2nd Frigate Division would have dispersed evenly across the given coordinates to create a form of radar-enabled barrier across the waters essentially allowing them to govern in-coming and out-coming traffic effectively whilst also demonstrating a clear and undoubted ability to respond to incoming threats. The approach of the ARA Almirante Storni would be detected by HSwMS Snö whom operates the AWS-9 air/surface search radar system on-board which has the capability for ranges sufficient with the weapons systems onboard which include, but is not limited to, the Bofors 40mm/70 anti-aircraft gun and cannons onboard. Needless to say, the vessel would be detected without difficulty and her position reported via encrypted channels amongst the rest of the division. Once receiving the radio transmission from the ship, one would be sent in return from HSwMS Snö.

"Unidentified vessel, unidentified vessel, this is warship Snö of the Swedish Royal Navy. You are entering Swedish territorial waters, please divert your course immediately and state your intentions."​

Given the Oslo-class Frigate extensive radar capabilities she too would identify the Orion P-3B navigating above, whilst obviously out of visual view the anti-aircraft systems on-board were more than capable of reaching an altitude of 17,000ft and given the AWS-9 radar alone has the capability to extend to at least the range of on-board weaponry systems she would track the aircraft with ease. Within the operations room on HSwMS Snö she would begin recording speed, altitude, direction of travel and any relevant information which may be prudent to the identification of said aircraft. Due to the technology operated on the vessel a warning message is transmitted to the aircraft:

"Unidentified aircraft, unidentified aircraft, this is warship Snö of the Swedish Royal Navy. You are operating in close proximity to Swedish airspace and you must divert your course now. Our vessel is operating a high powered radar system which may unintentionally and adversely effect your on-board systems. Please identify."​

Meanwhile, in Sweden, the Swedish Royal Navy dispatch the Trossö-Class Command Ship, HSwMS Trossö, equipped with ammunition for the onboard machine guns alongside the newly acquired Svalbard-Class Patrol Vessels (HSwMS Immunitet, HSwMS Ledning, HSwMS Försvar, HSwMS Tillflykt, HSwMS Fristad, HSwMS Skydd and HSwMS Säker) equipped with ammunition for both the mounted Bofors 57mm and 12.7mm machine guns onboard in addition to sufficient missiles to make use of the Simbad Surface-to-Air Missile System. A total of 350 active personnel are drafted from the Swedish Royal Navy to man these vessels due to ongoing restructuring work as part of the Defence White Paper commissioned 1996. These vessels depart Sweden, in company with the Etna-Class Replenishment Oiler and Logistic Support Ship, HSwMS Vesuvius whom would escort the vessels via JO > IN > IM > IL for refuelling in Las Palmas, Canary Islands, as agreed as part of Operation Molybdenum before moving onwards via HK > HJ > HI > HH >HG > HF > HE > GD > FC where they would refuel independently at the temporary TPOL facility on the Antarctic Peninsula. Throughout the route HSwMS Vesuvius would make the shuttle to and from the nearest refuelling facility, if necessary, in order to replenish the vessels. All vessels are equipped with sufficient essentials to ensure crew safety and nutritian throughout the voyage which, given the fact they are travelling across the globe, will take days.

Naio90 Odinson

 

[Naio90]

The Oslo-Class Frigate would indeed be able to detect the argentine maritime patrol aircraft, which would also receive the swedish message and report it back to HQ and the ARA Almirante Storni. The distance between the argentine icebreaker and Orion and the nearest Swedish frigate (HSwMS Snô” would be of around 200km (Max. detection range of the AWS-9 radar). The icebreaker would by now be near the coast, watchfully slowing its speed to guarantee safe navigation in the treacherous Antarctic waters.

“HSwMS Snô, you are violating argentine territorial waters. You are ordered to change course and leave the area immediately. I repeat, you are ordered to change course and leave the area immediately.” (P-3B Orion)

In response to this, argentine command back on the continent would order the immediate take off of the prepared Tu-22M3s with the previously stated configuration. They would safely enter the runway one after the other and take off in an orderly fashion, with South-heading. The Tupolev’s would have all their systems turned on and active and adopt a low altitude flight to avoid any possible radar detection. They would flight together at a safe distance and pace while remaining in visual range from one another. They would carefully monitor their distance to the targets to avoid being detected by them, while using the advantage of the Orion’s long detection range to instead being able to track the invading ships. The remaining Tupolevs on the Squadron would be also readied and put on high alert ready for takeoff. Further north, at Rio Gallegos Air Base, Section A of the 8th Fighter Squadron would also take off with the previously stated configuration and all systems operative. They would head south and remain at the rearguard of the Tu-22M3 providing aerial coverage. Section B would be readied at the Air base and remain on stand-by. Fuel levels and other indicators would be monitored at all times to guarantee safety procedures are followed.

In the meantime, to cut off any potential reinforcement the swedish might have in the Atlantic Ocean, and to protect the continental argentine EEZ, the Navy would prepare and dispatch 10 Gotland-Class Submarines from the Puerto Belgrano Naval Base, with each carrying 4x Tp 613. They would be fully crewed and armed and with all its systems operational. They would set out in an orderly fashion and once on open waters, they would dive to a safe navigational depth. As soon as they leave the argentine EEZ, they would surface for a short period to recharge its batteries and then dive again, only using its passive sonar. They departed from FF and would head directly and disperse among sectors GF, HF, GE and HE. They would receive orders to patrol and look for potential enemies heading southwards, if they detect any Swedish ship, they would be ordered to shadow them. Their rules of engagement would state that they would open fire if these ships crossed the 60ºS or if being fired upon by them first. The submarines would always follow their operational safety procedures. To avoid any potential side conflict, they would be ordered to remain clear of the Malvinas islands. 4x P-3B Orion’s from the 1st Maritime Patrol Squadron would also depart from their HQ and begin sweeping the area and sectors mentioned above with all their systems active and a safe and fuel-efficient altitude and speed. They would return to refuel if necessary, and to exchange or rest the crew.

Coordinates of the illegal Swedish naval base in Antarctica would be confirmed and transmitted to the Air Force, privately.

Connor

 

[Connor]

Ula-Class Submarine​

TOP SECRET
Evidence
The crew of HSwMS Snö would almost roll their eyes at the petty political games being played by the Argentine vessel and rather than take any immediate action would simply position themselves immediately in the direction of travel, preventing the vessel from reaching or penetrating any closer than the EEZ surrounding the Antarctic Peninsula, under no circumstances would the frigate permit the safe passage of the ARA Almirante Storni given that Sweden has lawfully occupied Antarctica in-line with international law thus recognised as Swedish sovereign territory by the Global Assembly - whilst Argentina was not apart of the Global Assembly she was still subject to international law, especially the Law of the Sea.

"Unidentified aircraft, this is warship Snö of the Swedish Royal Navy. I am acting on behalf of His Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of Sweden. You are required by international law to identify yourself as an aircraft within a controlled airspace."
"Unidentified aircraft, unidentified aircraft, this is warship Snö of the Swedish Royal Navy. We are operating a highly powered radar which may unintentionally and adversely effect your on-board systems - divert now for your own safety."​

Undoubtedly by this stage the submarines that were deployed to scout the South Atlantic, equipped with the Kelvin Hughes 1007 Surface Search radar, Atlas Elektronik CSU83 sonar and Sintra flank array, would now begin patrolling the Antarctic Peninsula and the exterior of the Argentine EEZ, this patrol is done via ED > FD >GD > HE and conducted with all internal electronic navigation components activated to ensure their safe conduction whilst also ensuring that noise pollution and electromagnetic pollution were kept to an absolute minimum to avoid detection. The patrols would be conducted in a pendulum motion with the submarines working at ED and HE separately and coming to meet between FD/GD, this ensured that a submarine was at either end of the patrol sector at all times working as an invisible gateway to the Antarctic Peninsula.

The Swedish vessels would now begin recording their interaction with the Argentine deployment, both in the air and on the surface - all radio communication, radar detection, electromagnetic interference, projections and research are retained and forwarded securely to the Department of Defence in Sweden. For audit purposes a message is transmit to both the surface and air combatants.

"This is warship Snö of the Swedish Royal Navy, I am authorised by His Majesty's Government of the Kingdom of Sweden, you are on course and headed towards Swedish territorial waters. You must identify and state your intentions."
"I repeat, you must identify and state your intentions. Over."​

Alarms begin to sound on the frigates as the vessels and aircraft fail to identify themselves and without delay the senior officers on board each ship would bellow down the microphone:

"HANDS TO ACTION STATIONS, HANDS TO ACTION STATIONS - ASSUME YOUR QUARTERS. HANDS TO ACTION STATIONS, HANDS TO ACTION STATIONS - ASSUME YOUR QUARTERS!"​

This, without undue delay, prompts all those onboard to don their appropriate personal protective equipment and begin the cycling on onboard weaponry for use if deemed necessary. The instruction from the Department of Defence was absolutely clear: there is to be no contact unless there is a serious threat to life, limb or property - at least until the reinforcements arrived.

Naio90 Odinson

 

[Naio90]

Public declaration of Argentina:

Being the Republic of Argentina not a member of the GA it is not bound to its decisions, among whom there is no Resolution supporting Sweden's unfounded claim anyway. The Republic of Argentina continues to mantain its historic and righful claim and blames Sweden for sparking an international conflict on a previously peaceful continent by attempting to "annex" in a almost colonial fashion new territory.

Argentina would announce it is conducting logistical and scientific operations on argentine antarctic territory through unarmed assets and would point out that should anywhing happen, blame would fall on Sweden's illegal militarization of the continent.

-----------

The ARA Almirante Storni, informed of the movements of the swedish frigates and its messages, would be ordered to continue its planned route, now well inside the coastal waters of the Argentine Antarctic Territory. All personnel on board would be ordered to have their swimvests and protective gear ready, while escape routes and lifeboats would be reviewed, just in case the swedish attempted to attack an unarmed ship. The crew on the bridge would record all radio communications and navigational information, as well as have their front and side cameras turned on recording and livestreaming to its naval base in Ushuaia, where the situation was being monitored. Once at the designted position it would begin preparations for the unloading of equipment and crews on the southern island of the Joinville group to begin logistical and research work there.

At the same time, the Orion would continue to track the movements on the swedish frigates and rely the positional information to the icebreaker, to the HQ and also to be Tu-22M3 roaming north outside detection range of the swedish. The aircraft would continue to track the position of each of the swedish ships secretly while also mantaining a fuel efficient altitude and speed. Same would be done by the MiG-29M. All aircaft would monitor their instruments and in case of emergency proceed to the Ushuaia airport, less than 1h away from their area of operations.

After checking with HQ, the Orion P-3B would respond to the HSwMS Snô over an open line:

"HSwMS Snö, HSwMS Snö, this is an Argentine Navy Patrol Aircraft operating on argentine airspace, you are trespassing argentine waters, the Kingdom of Sweden has no authority here. The Republic of Argentina does not recognize the illegit and unfounded claim over Antarctic territory and immediatly orders you to leave the area. I repeat, you are not authorized to operate on argentine antarctic waters. Any threat or endangering of the unarmed argentine vessels operating in the area will be seen as an act of war. Change your courses to avoid unnecesary conflict and leave the area."

Meanwhile, further north, the 10 Gotland-Class submarines and Orion P3-B would have reached their positions and be patroling the area with the indicated systems and long range radars.

All operational activities would be secret unless stated otherwise.

Connor

 

[Connor]

HSwMS Snö​

TOP SECRET
Collision Course
The public declaration is again recorded clearly displaying the intent of Argentina is of aggressive stature rather than progressing with the ideology of 'peaceful' research in the region. Again, as with the exhibits previously obtained from Australia, the recordings of all this information will form part of the case put forward to the Global Assembly Antarctic Summit.

As previously stated the Swedish frigates would have positioned themselves directly in the direction of travel of the ARA Almirante Storni thus, at their continued projection, would collide directly with a military warship if they were not to divert. Onboard the HSwMS Snö the weaponry systems would now be armed and immediately diverted towards the direction of the Argentina vessel, for the most part this would remain completely unnoticeable externally other than the rotation of large hull-mounted turret systems; an emergency broadcast is spread across the network informing nearby vessels of the impending collision:

"Unidentified vessels, unidentified vessel, this is warship Snö, you are crossing Swedish controlled territorial waters and are on a course to collide with out vessel. Divert your course immediately to prevent harm or damage to property. I repeat, you are on course to collide with our vessel, divert immediately. Acknowledge."​

In addition to the monitoring of surface fleet, there would also be a consistent monitoring of the airspace and the position of the Argentine Orion P-3B, as well as any other aircraft which enter the radar radius. The communication would be passed through to the Department of Defence for analysis, it was determined at the time that this radio contact was an act of aggression by the Argentina Navy and was blatantly an attempt to cause the Swedish Royal Navy to act in a way which could be deemed unlawful internationally or significant damage the future of the Swedish claim within Antarctica. One thing was for sure, there was no way the frigates present would allow the ARA Almirante Storni to penetrate any further towards Antarctic territory. A clear response is sent in return, purely in text-format, as the responses received from Argentina were not acknowledging their violation of international law.

"YOU ARE VIOLATING INTERNATIONAL LAW. DIVERT YOUR COURSE IMMEDIATELY."​

The reinforcements, the Trossö-Class Command Ship, HSwMS Trossö and the Svalbard-Class Patrol Vessels (HSwMS Immunitet, HSwMS Ledning, HSwMS Försvar, HSwMS Tillflykt, HSwMS Fristad, HSwMS Skydd and HSwMS Säker), would now not be far from Antarctica and easily traversed three quarters of the required distance, having refuelled on the way and governed by the support of HSwMS Vesuvius. The necessity for further air-support was becoming clear and the need to show force was essential, plans to cooperate with the Nordic Council are escalated to the Department of Defence.

Naio90

 

[Naio90]

"Swedish vessel, swedish vessel. Unarmed icebreaker ARA Almirante Storni of the Argentine Navy. You are endangering safe navigation standards by positioning aggresively into our course. We will not alter any direction and order you to IMMEDIATLY get out of our trajectory and leave argentine antarctic waters. You are tresspassing on argentine waters. The Republic of Argentina does not recognize any swedish claim in the area, whatsoever.

Obstructing and endangering an argentine vessel on argentine waters will be considered an ACT OF WAR against the Republic of Argentina and Sweden will be made accountable for it.

Over."

The Icebreaker would slow its pace a little, but mantain its course unchanged. Personnel on board would begin taking precautions anticipating a possible collision considering Sweden's aggresive maneuvering. Everything would be recorded and filmed and relayed to the Orion in the sky as well as to the HQ. With no much more room for alternatives, if the swedish ship did not move, the argentine icebreaker would be cut off by it and a collision would ensue.

---------------------

Meanwhile, along sectors GF, HF, GE and HE, the argentine Gotland-Class Submarines would have detected the south-heading swedish ships. Same would happen with the Maritime Patrol Aircraft in the air. While the submarines would remain undetected and safely shadow the swedish patrols ships from a safe distance (The patrol ships are not meant for ASW, and even in that case, they did not had their ASW active and where thus unable to detect the argentine submarines), the Orions however could eventually be picked up with some of the Swedish patrol ships at a long distance, far outside attack range of any SAM the ships may have on board. The submarines would remain within attack range of the torpedos they had on board. With the exact location and tracking of the swedish patrol ships crossing all along the argentine coast, argentine military command would ready aerial assets to intercept and finish off the job of the submarines, as well as eventually dispatching SAR missions to help any survivors. The 1st Naval Air Attack Squadron, consisting of 16 Tu-22M3 would be prepared to take off. Fully crewed, serviced and with a loadout of 3× Kh-22 each they would be put on hold and only an order away from launching. They would have been previously briefed on what the exact composition of the swedish fleet was, since they were detected and tracked (live) by the Maritime Patrol Aircraft. They would be only minutes away from the swedish fleet.

----------------------

Back South, the first batch of Tu-22M3 would select and divide objectives and begin configuring their Kh-22 AshMs. They would use their on board long range radars as well as the data provided by the Orions (still outside any potential detection range from the swedish). Each of the Tupolev's would select 1 of the 4 swedish frigates and prepare everything to launch a first volley of 2 of their 3 Kh-22. The frigate which was cutting the argentine icebreakers trajectory was however only identified, since launching a strike against it could endanger the argentine ship due to its proximity. The other 3 frigates would have been selected and the aircraft positioned, but no target lock would have been done as off now.

War was only seconds away if the swedish did not get out of the way.

On continental argentina, all radar operators would be called on duty and aerial and maritime surveillance would be on high alert. Armed Forces would receive a general alert message. All operational activities would be secret unless stated otherwise.

Connor

 

[Connor]

HSwMS Snö​

TOP SECRET
Penetrate Me
Their radio is working... immediately upon receiving the communication all details provided would be noted down and passed to the Department of Defence. The Argentina maritime element had been given ample opportunity to divert their course not only via open radio communication but also having the capability to physically see the obstruction to their safe passage would not only reaffirm the fact they were actively seeking aggression and opposition but also confirm their blatant ignorance to open air transmissions, violating international law. If Argentina was so eager to work in cooperation with the Global Assembly, violating the very root of it's existence probably wasn't the best start. Nevertheless, a response was sent:

"ARA Almirante Storni, this is warship Snö, you are crossing Swedish controlled territorial waters and are to divert your course immediately."​

To indicate the possibility of catastrophe the crew on the deck would deploy an open air flare in the direction of the ARA Almirante Storni which upon hitting the water would stay lit floating atop of the waves. This was standard procedure for a vessel in imminent danger and served as a warning. The positioning of the vessel remains unchanged and the Argentine movements would continue to be recorded and fed back to the Department of Defence.

Fortunately the eight additional vessels were now fast approaching Antarctica, once arrived they would simply traverse directly to the TPOL station on the Antarctic Peninsula where they would assist the HSwMS Vesuvius whos crew, undoubtedly, would be exhausted from the extensive amount of work required to assist Swedish vessels across the globe. On their way past however they would maintain distance to which they would be no-where near on ongoing tense stand-off between Swedish and Argentine vessels, in-fact they were likely to go past out-of-view and undetected as far as radar span goes. All movements of the Swedish fleet were forwarded, via encrypted channels, directly to the Nordic Council NORSCOM for projection analysis. Despite the situation now being heard in the Global Assembly Antarctic Summit there was no doubt in the mind of the Swedish government that Argentina was determined to plough directly into Swedish territory irrespective of the ongoing peaceful negotiations.

The ball was in the court of Argentina, is the ARA Almirante Storni going to intentionally and without just cause going to obliterate a fully loaded warship which would undoubtedly kill the majority of if not the entire ships company or do they seek peaceful resolution like the rest of the globe? Time will tell.

Naio90 Odinson

 

[Naio90]

The argentine vessel, which did not alter its course at any moment and that had followed an evident and predictanle linear path, would have now no more time to evade the swedish frigate that had intentionaly crossed its line of navigation in utter disregard of all nautical and navigational procedures. AIS recordings of the ships would be saved and sent on encrypted lines to HQ. On them it was clearly shown that the argentine ship mantained at all times a coherent and linear navigational path even reducing its speed at the sight of the bold swedish maneuver, in sharp contrast with the frigate's trajectory of directly position in the path of the far bigger, heavier and slower argentine icebreaker.

The ARA Almirante Storni would sound its horn, and while a deep long and penetrating sound crossed the chill air and icecold waters of the antarctic peninsula the big icebreaker collided with the swedish light frigate. Damage to the bow of the argentine ship would be substantial, but the reinforced hull would allow for the ship to remain safely afloat. The same could not be said about the small swedish frigate.

The crew on board the icebreaker would immediatly being doing damage control situation and try to reach shallow waters to guarantee remaining over the waterline in case of the ship sinking. This maneuver would be done carefully due to the damage.

The situation would be immediatly reported to Argentina, and the Orion would witness everything. The Tu-22M3s would be ready to fire.

All swedish ships in the area would be detected and tracked thanks to the 900km+ radar range of the Orion, incuding their arrival to the illegal swedish antarctic base (which was stated to have been detected without counter in post #7). This would remain unknown to the swedes.

Connor

 

[Jamie]

OPERATION ANTARCTIC RESCUE MINISTRY OF DEFENCE ROYAL NAVY , ROYAL AIR FORCE

​

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OPERATIONAL DIRECTIVE
NOVEMBER 1996
TOP SECRET​

[1] OVERVIEW

[1a] BACKGROUND​

[1b] OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES​

[1c] CASUALTIES AND LOSSES​

[2] BELLIGERENTS
[3] ORDER OF BATTLE
[4] OPERATION STAGING AREAS
[5] CAMPAIGN REGISTER

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[1] OVERVIEW

[1a] BACKGROUND
The 1995 Defence Summit provided the Ministry of Defence of the realisation of the lack of power Britain has across the globe, with no standing deployments since 1994 with the exception of Operation Bolus. This huge reduction in standing deployments has left the Navy with the inability to respond to an area in the event of conflict or disaster.

[1b] OPERATIONAL OBJECTIVES

1. Conduct a Search and Rescue operation to recover casualties of the Swedish Frigate.
2. Mark the location of the Frigate as a hazard, assess the area for any threats to the environment.
3. Return all located casualties to Sweden.

[1c] CASUALTIES AND LOSSES

BLUFOR	OPFOR	NON-COMBATANT

[2] BELLIGERENTS

Blufor United Kingdom Opfor

[3] ORDER OF BATTLE

[1] HMS Protector (Endurance-class Icebreaker)

[126] Royal Navy Personnel
[4] Boats (James Caird, Nimrod, Eddie Shackleton and Dudley Docker)​

[1] Lockheed Martin TriStar (ZK1064, COYOTE003)[/u]

[25] Fleet Diving Group 1
Aeromedical Evacuation Configuration, Fully Supplied and Crewed​

​

[4] OPERATION STAGING AREAS as of APR1995

DESIGNATION

LOCATION

STATUS

[5] CAMPAIGN REGISTER

Campaign	Location	Objective(s)	Dates	Status
Operation Antarctic Rescue	Antarctica	Search and Rescue Mission for those on the downed Swedish Frigate	NOV1996 - JAN1997	Completed

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Following authorisation from the Global Assembly and under offical business for the assembly, HMS Protector which was held in Port Stanley, supplied and ready to go didn't waste time in departing. Its crew of 126 personnel from the Navy boarded and departed from Port Stanley to begin heading south for their operation. To conduct a thorough search of the wreckage area to locate those lost due to the collision. Although departing, the location wasn't entirely known. With that in mind, the Captain of the ship would use his VHF radio to contact the Argentine Authorities to request coordinates for the location of the frigate.

During the journey, the crew ensured AIS was turned on and all their movements communicated between the forces present, including that of Sweden and Argentina. It was advised that a specialist diving unit will be arriving from the UK as soon as possible and the 2nd British IceBreaker was to deploy to assist in the search and recovery. (Naio90 Connor )

From the UK, Tristar ZK1064 was deployed with an aeromedical evacuation setup, containing stretches and plenty of supplies to save a life or to deliver the dead. Joining them was a medical unit from the RAF and 25 Personnel from Fleet Diving Group 1. The aircraft departed within 2hours of notification with their route taking them to RAF Mount Pleasant (IO>IN>IM>IL>IK>IJ>II>IH>IG>HF>GE>GD). From there, the diving team would deploy on the 2nd British Icebreaker in the region and join the search. Again, Argentina and Sweden would be made aware of the plan and deployment.

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​

 

[Naio90]

The Argentine Navy would provide military command with the coordinates of the collision between the icebreaker and the swedish warship, which in turn, through the Ministry of Defence, would give the information to the British embassy in Buenos Aires. The information would contain the exact coordinates of the incident, as well as weather information and the satellite phone number of the ARA Almirante Storni, which was currently still at the site, unable to maneuver due to the yet unclear damage.

Jamie

----------------------------------

(After 24hs with no reply from Sweden)

Within the exclusion zone, the ARA Almirante Storni would be on halt, with every man in their survival suits and swim vests while the repair crew of the ship tried to get a closer look at the damage on the bow of the icebreaker. It was unsafe to navigate on these waters without knowing the extend of the consequences from the collision. Nevertheless, the captain would order to release some of the lifeboat capsules and hope for the current to move them towards the place where, between patches of oil and debris, Swedish sailors were still to be seen. He could do nothing else at the moment.

In the sky both the Orion, and further away, the Tu-22M3's would turn around and return on a direct and safe route to the airport in Ushuaia to resupply and rest. They would be immediately replaced, crossing safely midair, by their respective back up units which where being hold ready to launch at the air base. They would carry the same configuration as their previous shift.

The new Orion would this time venture further south, to provide more radar and signal coverage on potential movements, while still keeping the ARA Almirante Storni within range.

2 of the Tupolevs would begin to patrol the air in sector FC, with their long range surface radars active, looking for Swedish units not engaged in SAR operations. If spotted they would maintain a safe distance to avoid being detected by enemy radars and SAM's and report back to the continent for orders. At the same time, the other 2 Tu-22M3 would have a more critical mission. They would both lower their altitude to try evade potential enemy radars and head directly on a safe path towards the coordinates of the Swedish base. They would do so with all their systems and sensors active, continuously looking for enemy units. Under no circumstances they would enter within close range of any enemy units, unless it was the base itself.

Once close to it (the base is located less than 1 hour flight time from the south american continent at the speed of the Tupolevs) they would make a steep ascend to about 1500ft and make a roaring flyover over the Swedish base. Afterwards they would climb again, and begin gathering information on the present units, base size, visible features of the structures and area, before breaking and leaving the sector to take cover at a long distance.

Since non of the ships still docked at the base were mentioned to have their radars or SAM's active, it would not have been possible for any Swedish unit to anticipate the arrival of the Argentine aircraft, let alone try to engage them.

The eight additional Swedish vessels would have arrived successful to the Wilkes Land (location of the TPOL station), around 5,000km away from the site of the sinking of the HSwMS Sno and the Antarctic Peninsula.

The submarines trailing them would remain undetected shadowing them, while always looking on their technical information to keep safe navigation. The Orion's scouting the South Atlantic would continue with their mission, resupplying when needed. They would eventually pick up the Norwegian fleet heading south. 2 of them would be redirected to Ushuaia, and resume their Maritime Patrol duties in sector FD and FC, actively looking for enemy ships and keeping safe distances in case detected. They would also provide data to all Argentine units operating in the area.

-----------------------------------

With the Swedish base having being located and under surveillance a task force would be assemble to navigate there and evict the usurpers.

Neustrashimy-Class Frigate
ARA Buenos Aires (F200)
210x Navy Personnel
x1 Ka-27
8x SS-N-25
32x VLS for SS-N-9
1× 12-tube RBU-6000 launcher
1× 100mm gun
2× Kashtan
Torpedoes: 6× 533mm SS-N-16
ARA Cordoba (F201)
210x Navy Personnel
x1 Ka-27
8x SS-N-25
32x VLS for SS-N-9
1× 12-tube RBU-6000 launcher
1× 100mm gun
2× Kashtan
Torpedoes: 6× 533mm SS-N-16
ARA Rosario (F202)
210x Navy Personnel
x1 Ka-27
8x SS-N-25
32x VLS for SS-N-9
1× 12-tube RBU-6000 launcher
1× 100mm gun
2× Kashtan
Torpedoes: 6× 533mm SS-N-16
ARA San Miguel de Tucuman (F203)
210x Navy Personnel
x1 Ka-27
8x SS-N-25
32x VLS for SS-N-9
1× 12-tube RBU-6000 launcher
1× 100mm gun
2× Kashtan
Torpedoes: 6× 533mm SS-N-16
ARA La Plata (F204)
210x Navy Personnel
x1 Ka-27
8x SS-N-25
32x VLS for SS-N-9
1× 12-tube RBU-6000 launcher
1× 100mm gun
2× Kashtan
Torpedoes: 6× 533mm SS-N-16

Dolphin-Class Submarine
ARA Turbulento (S511)
x45 Navy Personnel
4× 650 mm diameter torpedo tubes
Normal stock of DM2A3 Seehecht torpedoes
2x UGM-84A missiles
ARA Velocidad (S512)
x45 Navy Personnel
Normal stock of DM2A3 Seehecht torpedoes
2x UGM-84A missiles
ARA Gigante (S513)
x45 Navy Personnel
Normal stock of DM2A3 Seehecht torpedoes
2x UGM-84A missiles
ARA Perpicaz (S514)
x45 Navy Personnel
Normal stock of DM2A3 Seehecht torpedoes
2x UGM-84A missiles
ARA Inteligente (S515)
x45 Navy Personnel
Normal stock of DM2A3 Seehecht torpedoes
2x UGM-84A missiles
ARA Capaz (S516)
x45 Navy Personnel
Normal stock of DM2A3 Seehecht torpedoes
2x UGM-84A missiles

San Giorgio-Class LPD
ARA Pampa (A600)
180x Navy Personnel
5x LCU Mk.II
1x FRISC Raiding Craft
4x Agusta Bell 212
250x fully equipped marines
ARA Patagonia (A601)
180x Navy Personnel
5x LCU Mk.II
1x FRISC Raiding Craft
4x Agusta Bell 212
250x fully equipped marines

The ships would be prepared for navigation and operations on very cold environments such as Antarctica. Marines on board would have also their cold weather equipment with them. Food, medical supplies, fuel and all other vital supplies would be stocked and prepared. Once ready, the fleet would depart from its base in Puerto Belgrano and head on Argentine waters to Antarctica on FF-FE-FD-FC. Once having left the southern end of the Argentine EEZ, the would cross international waters heading towards the Swedish base, taking all precautions necessarily to operate in this waters. They would remain at a safe distance form the base and position themselves awaiting orders.

At all times they would navigate in a safe formation, keeping distances between the ships and with all their radars and systems on, actively surveying for hostile units. The 6 Dolphin-class submarines would create a perimeter around the surface fleet, employing their active sonars to look for any unwanted presence. On the Frigates, the Ka-27 would be configure on their ASW role and ready to take off in case an enemy submarine was detected.

The Argentine navy would also provide aerial coverage from the Rio Gallegos Naval Base thanks to the 16th Fighter Squadron ,which would maintain continuous presence of 4 aircraft above them with their Su-30MK carrying each 6x R-27ER and 2x Kh-31P. They would have their sensors and radars active at all times. As soon as replacement was needed due to lack of fuel or other technical issues, a new group of 4 Sukhois would depart and replace the 4 aircraft leaving. They would be in constant communications with the fleet and HQ. The aircraft would always fly to and from the fleet on a direct and safe path to/from base. Once above the fleet, they would maintain a fuel efficient speed and altitude, unless informed of a threat. They would have their sensors and radars active, such as the surface fleet. Once closer to it than to the original base, resupply of the Sukhoi's would be conducted at Ushuaia Air Base.

Also, 4 other Tu-22M3 would remain on hold at the Ushuaia air Base, belonging this time to the 9th Naval Air Attack Squadron, and equipped with 3x Kh-22 AshMs, ready to take of in case needed.

Finally, 3 Orion P-3B, belonging to the Argentine Coast Guard, would be reassigned from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia and operate form there in SAR configuration.

All argentine units would be in permanent contact over encrypted lines of communication. All operational information is secret unless stated otherwise.

Connor Odinson

 

[Naio90]

(After 24hs with no reply from Sweden)

The ARA Almirante Storni would have been inspected and it was concluded that, despite the big collision and the sinking of the swedish frigate in the process, the integrity of the hull was not compromised, and aside from an urgent paint job and the fixing of some bumps, the ship was in condition to navigate, although with some additional precautions. With this information, the icebreaker would approach the area where the swedish sailors should be and lower lifeboats to the antarctic sea to try rescue any survivors, each of the lifeboats would have a crew of 3, including medical staff with blankets and warmers. Once done, any floating bodies would also be recovered to be eventually returned to the swedish authorities and the families of the victims.

Illustrative photo​

Everything would be carefully recorded and registered.


---------------------------------

Further south, the big argentine fleet would now have arrived to the area of the illegal swedish antarctic base and the surface units would have taken safe defensive positions there (40km from the swedish base, at safe depth and water conditions). The submarines would continue to sweep the area around the fleets position for potential enemy activity with their active sonars. The surface ships would do the same from their static positions with their surface radars. The Su-30MK would continue providing air cover with the previously indicated configuration, returning to refuel if necessary.

In the air, all operating Orions would continue their respective surveillance duties, following security guidelines and returning to Ushuaia to refuel or repair if necessary. Same would happen to the 3 Argentine Coast Guard Orion's which would have been operating in the are where the collision happened, aiding the Storni in the lookout for survivors and dropping rescue rafts.

The Tupolevs would also continue their mission of looking for potential hostile targets. The remaining 6 swedish frigates would be within radar range at all times, but the aircraft themselves would remain always beyond the ships radar range. They following security guidelines and returning to Ushuaia to refuel or repair if necessary.

After processing the data gathered by the earlier overpass of the 2 Tupolevs over the swedish base, and with the visual and radar information gathered from the argentine fleet stationed outside it, it would be concluded that the following units were still docked at the base (according to swedish navy structure, and taking out of consideration that the other 7 frigates and 2 submarines are out navigating):

- 7x Frigates (Oslo-Class)
- 2x Submarines (Ula-Class)

The ships would be determined to be currently non-active, as indicated by all ESM/ELINT sensor readings. Given it was not mentioned that they were on a state of readiness to depart, it would also be assumed they were currently not manned, with most of their crews on land.

Illustrative photo​

Target locks would be conducted by the argentine frigates, targeting the bulks of docked and secured vessels with their on board SS-N-25 AshMs, with orders to fire in case any of it attempted to conduct offensive maneuvers. Anyway, any booting up of the onboard systems would require at least some minutes, giving enough time for the argentine ships to detect and retaliate. The swedish ships we basically caught off-guard.

In the meantime, the San Giorgio-Class LPDs located in the heart of the protective circle of the fleet (submarines patrolling the outskirts and frigates surrounding safely the LPDs) would begin making preparations to deploy marines to the swedish base. In total they would have 8x Agusta Bell 212, 10x LCU Mk.I and 2x FRISC, with a total transportation capacity of over 700 armed personnel combined. The agusta helicopters would be armed each with 1x FN MAG and stocked with its respective ammunition.

The argentine marines would be wearing special Antarctic protective gear, reinforced winter helmet, kevlar, googles, antarctic boots and gloves and armed with FAMAS F1 and spare 5,56 mm rounds, Heckler & Koch P7 sidearms with their respective 9mm ammunition and spares, army knifes and 2x GME FMK-2 Mod. 0 frag grenades each.

Illustrative photo​

Considering that the swedish structure does not mention how much personnel is currently deployed at the antarctic base, it would be assumed that there was only the minimum necessary to operate the ships docked there, which would be around the 800 to 900, but mostly sailors and officers of the docked ships, which would have to face trained marine infantry units. There was also no information of any arsenal on the base, leading to the assumption that they would be mostly unarmed, but for some side weapons they could have on board the ships.

An open VHF transmission would be made to the base:

"Illegal swedish military base, illegal swedish military base, this is the commander of the argentine antarctic task force on board the ARA Buenos Aires, as per the existing state of war between our nations I demand the immediate surrender of the base. I repeat, we demand the immediate surrender of the base. We have you surrounded by air and sea. Any threatening action will be considered hostile and we will be forced to engage.

Please stand down and we will guarantee the treatment of all swedish personnel according to the Geneva Conventions."

All argentine units would be in permanent contact over encrypted lines of communication. All operational information is secret unless stated otherwise.

Connor

 

[Connor]

HSwMS Snö​

TOP SECRET
Collision
As the Argentine vessel got closer the company aboard HSwMS Snö, the flagship for the interests of Sweden in Antarctica, would begin to come to the realisation that they may not make it home from their once in a lifetime deployment across the globe. The crew was fairly young, as was a lot of the Swedish Armed Forces, yet full of experience and eager to serve their country. Needless to say tension was extremely high and having done everything that could possibly do to divert the course of the ARA Almirante Storni, within the last few moments an urgent message was broadcast across the vessel in a tone that sent chilld through the spines of those onboard:

"BRACE FOR IMPACT, BRACE FOR IMPACT"​

Three words that were likely to be the last the ships company would ever hear as the ARA Almirante Storni ploughs through the hull of the warship like a knife through butter, needless to say the severing of essential electronics, fuel lines and internal structures completely demolished all capability of the vessel continuing to sail and would very quickly begin to take on the freezing Antarctic waters. Crew members on-board would immediately find themselves trapped in their quarters, some of which would begin to drown whilst others desperately attempt to make their way to upper desk and ultimately to the surface however the chance of survival was becoming slimmer and slimmer. The sounds of steels and other hard materials on-board echoing across the waters and making an audibly catastrophic and cringe-worthy sound. The damage was undoubtedly irreparable.

The time elapsed with no support from the Argentine Navy would see personnel die as the clock ticked by each second, the freezing Antarctic waters eating away at the nervous system and the strength of their internal organs as they froze to death if they did not drown. The support from the British was absolutely essential to ensure that any personnel still surviving within air-tight compartments on the ship received support as soon as possible however this was extremely unlikely - almost impossible. Meanwhile, with the ships remaining in contact throughout, the remaining frigates in the area would begin to descend on the location of HSwMS Snö; they would ditch their last attempts to retain a cordon across entry to the Antarctic and instead travel towards and begin to circle the collision area. The Argentine instructions would be completely ignored and Sweden would continue to deploy all that necessary in order to ensure the security and safety of those deployed in the region, the equipment onboard these frigates would remain operational throughout and they would continue to detect all aircraft that flew within the perimeter of onboard systems. Argentina, despite their best attempts publicly to manipulate the world, had been caught red handed as the aggressor in this conflict; fortunately in this case Sweden had beaten them to the race to the camera and recorded the entire incident from start to finish, the carefully selected moments of the Argentine Navy would not suffice.

Meanwhile at the Antarctic Peninsula TPOL Station, the only operational TPOL Station of the Swedish Royal Navy, the eight additional vessels remain in a state of readiness, having never been deployed to Wilkes Land. With that in mind, however, the plans for the development of the Wilkes Land TPOL Station are put on hold pending the decision of the Global Assembly. In addition to this the operational radar equipment on Palmer Land, Antarctic Peninsula, would begint o very easily detect the outgoing aircraft from Argentina, with a range of over 5000+km makes it very easy for the radar to cover the majority of Argentina mainland and thus the lifting aircraft would begin to be monitored in the surrounding airspace - a very similar radar, part of the Swedish Strategic Defence Network, Antarctic Air Defence Company would also cover a huge portion of the other end of the continent with exactly the same range. It would be impossible for the Argentine Armed Forces to be aware of this equipment given their extreme secrecy and their location being some distance from the TPOL station they have been focused on - all attempts to locate the location of the radar would be jammed with decoys.

Whilst it was accepted that the Argentine Icebreaker had a substantially reinforced hull in order to penetrate ice, this was not at all equal to the penetration of armoured steel which was substantially tougher than that of ice. The damage to the ARA Almirante Storni had to be more substantial than paint damage and denting, it has just collided and pieced straight down the middle of a warship. The damage of the steel piercing through the weaker points of the hull, as after all it is not the entirety of the ship reinforced to the extent that the bow, would see the ARA Amirante Storni significantly wounded even if she were still in an operational state.

Nonetheless the half-assed attempt by the Argentine Navy to recover their reputation was too little too late, the bodies would be distributed across a significantly wide range given the extreme collision that had just taken place dragging debris and pushing the vessel itself into the hands of the current. Much of the HSwMS Snö and her crew would not begin to sink to the bottom of the ocean, having become fully saturated and engulfed by the rippling freezing blue waters.

In-line with Operation Molybdenum the remaining seven frigates and two submarines are currently deployed to Wilkes Land would remain in situ having now returned the Australian scientists and materiel. The Argentina fleet would fail to reach the area given that their crew had no idea of their direction of travel (coordinates required from Transit Map) and that the distance to travel exceeded 100+ hours travel time. A substantial amount of time... days infact, on this basis the personnel would not make land and much rather remain onboard the fleet destined to nowhere, currently remaining outside the FC boundaries.

An emergency, yet encrypted, broadcast was sent to the British Ministry of Defence by the Swedish Department of Defence to better understand the scope of their operation and their expected arrival time.

Naio90 Odinson Jamie

 

[Naio90]

The operational AN/FPS-123 PAVE PAWS radars, belonging to the Swedish Strategic Defence Network at the illegit swedish antarctic station on Palmer Land would be completely unable to detect any of the argentine aircraft, since they are designed strictly to "detect and characterize a sea-launched ballistic missile attack”. As indicated in its specifications it is aimed to detect ballistic trajectories and space objects, meaning any argentine aircraft would be flying well below its radar range anyway. No other swedish radars were mentioned/structured to be stationed in antarctica.

Anyway, specifically regarding the radar operating in Wilkes land, and according to the previous swedish post saying that the Palmer TPOL is “the only operational TPOL Station of the Swedish Royal Navy”, it would be assumed that the Radar structured and said to be on Wilkes land (not yet constructed/completed Wilkes TPOL) would be completely without any supporting infrastructure, just sitting on the icy and windy surface with not facilities at all. As a result, it would be either in a very poor condition or its personnel rendered incapable of operating it due to lack of infrastructure.

Finally, regarding the “location being some distance from the TPOL station” when speaking of the PAVE PAWS radars:

1. This was nowhere mentioned, and no specification is made on the swedish structure being separated from the TPOL, so it would not be valid to change it now.
2. Same as before. Sweden said Palmer is “the only operational TPOL Station”, so when he speaks in plural mentioning “THEIR location being some distance from the TPOL station they have been focused on”, they are refering to a non existent Wilkes TPOL.

As a result, the PAVE PAWS on Palmer would not be able to detect any argentine aircraft, while also being located within the Palmer TPOL (therefore having been spotted by the argentine Tu-22M3 who flow recon flights over the Palmer TPOL, un-countered), while the PAVE PAWS mentioned to be on a non-existent base would be not only unable to detect anything beyond a ballistic missile, but it would also possibly not exist or be just not able to operate due to lack of supporting infrastructure.

As for the icebreaker, as stated, damage was not significant and SAR operations would continue as mentioned in previous posts. (Opportunity was given after post #13 to counter with the damage Sweden considered the argentine icebreaker suffered, but given the lack of response within the 24hs stipulated in the rules and guidelines, roleplay was continued without a swedish counter. It is not possible for this to be rollbacked at the present point as it would disrupt the flow of RP).

Meanwhile, the main argentine fleet (frigates, submarines and LPDs) would indeed be 40km in front of the Palmer TPOL, since the exact location of the base was known to Argentina:

Post #5 “Radio emissions from and to the frigates would be backtracked to pinpoint the exact location of the illegal swedish antarctic base.”
Post #7 “Coordinates of the illegal Swedish naval base in Antarctica would be confirmed and transmitted to the Air Force, privately.”
Post #15 “2 Tu-22M3 would have a more critical mission. They would both lower their altitude to try evade potential enemy radars and head directly on a safe path towards the coordinates of the Swedish base.”

No counter to this was mentioned at any point, meaning that it was validated. Their route was also mentioned in post #15 “the fleet would depart from its base in Puerto Belgrano and head on Argentine waters to Antarctica on FF-FE-FD-FC” having, according to the Transit Map, around 25 to 27 hours of navigation from their port of departure to the Palmer TPOL.

As clarified by Sweden, the present units at the Palmer TPOL would be the crew of the previously mentioned PAVE PAWS radar, consisting of 35x personnel from the swedish 2nd Antarctic Air Defence Fireteam and the 8 swedish patrol and resupply ships that were dispatched as reinforcements:

Sweden post #12 “eight additional vessels were now fast approaching Antarctica, once arrived they would simply traverse directly to the TPOL station on the Antarctic Peninsula where they would assist the HSwMS Vesuvius whos crew, undoubtedly, would be exhausted from the extensive amount of work required to assist Swedish vessels across the globe”. Also, as informed in post #6 by Sweden, they appear to be 9 ships, not 8, unless one of them went MIA during the journey.

Their arrival would also have been known by Argentina since they were being shadowed by the Gotland-Class Submarines (no counter):

Post #11 “Meanwhile, along sectors GF, HF, GE and HE, the argentine Gotland-Class Submarines would have detected the south-heading swedish ships”

Once the 9 swedish ships (HSwMS Trossö, HSwMS Immunitet, HSwMS Ledning, HSwMS Försvar, HSwMS Tillflykt, HSwMS Fristad, HSwMS Skydd, HSwMS Säke and HSwMS Vesuvius) arrived at the Palmer TPOL, and the argentine fleet was there as well, the Gotlands would be relieved from their mission and they would directly sail navigate back to Ushuaia Naval Base on the most direct and safe route.

--------------------------------------

With no reply from the swedish Palmer TPOL the message would be repeated.

"Illegal swedish military base, illegal swedish military base, this is the commander of the argentine antarctic task force on board the ARA Buenos Aires, as per the existing state of war between our nations I demand the immediate surrender of the base. I repeat, we demand the immediate surrender of the base. We have you surrounded by air and sea. Any threatening action will be considered hostile and we will be forced to engage.

Please stand down and we will guarantee the treatment of all swedish personnel according to the Geneva Conventions."

The boarding crews would be made ready and begin boarding their respective assigned transportation units (air and sea), always respecting and following the safety regulations regarding the maximum capacity limits of each transport. The helicopters would be ready on the flight deck of the San Giorgo-Class LPDs while the naval transports would begin to be lowered safely and in sequence to sea.

In the air, all argentine aircraft would continue their safe flights, following all safety parameters regarding fuel consumption, resupply and allowed airtime, heading back to Ushuaia airport on the most direct and safe route if required. The Tu-22M3 operating in the area would maintain their positions and tracking of the swedish Frigates rushing to the sinking site of the whacky swedish frigate, while remaining out of their radar range. Engagement of them was posposed for now sin ce they were considered by the argentine navy to be conducting SAR operations related to the sinking of the HSwMS Snö. They would be observed by the Orions nontheless. Safety guidelines and procedures would also be followed on all surface abd submarine units, heading back to Ushuaia naval abse on the most direct and safe route if required.

The argentine surface fleet would maintain their target locks for their SS-N-25 AshMs on the docked swedish ships at the Palmer TPOL. Radar emissions would be continually monitored to detect any booting up of swedish fire radars, which would be automatically classed as an offensive action and result in a potential engagement. At the moment, all air and surface radars of the swedish ships at the Palmer TPOL would be inactive, since it was never mentioned for them to have them active, not even in their initial deployment Post #6.

Records of all activities would be kept, both logged writing as well as digital recordings.

All argentine units would be in permanent contact over encrypted lines of communication. All operational information is secret unless stated otherwise.

Privately, information of norwegian ships in the area would be relayed to the argentine forces operating in Antarctica. (Detected in post #15). AS a result, the Orion’s operating in the area would be aware of what it was, should they appear on radar. The UK deployment as also informed privately and strict orders to not interfere with their operations were given.

Connor

Jamie Odinson (only last paragraph)

 

[Jamie]

---

HMS Protector, the British Endurance-class Icebreaker had arrived on scene and begun its search of the area, using the exact coordinates provided by the Argentine Navy as the main point, the ship, which contains 4 smaller vessels, would deploy all four with small crews on to begin an expanding square search pattern in different areas within proximity of where the frigate went down with the intent of locating any bodies that may have floated to the top. Despite remaining optimistic, realistically, it was a recovery mission. Not a rescue. The depth sounder on-board Protector was laying over the frigate, identifying it and the split off point. It also had the potential of locating any of the crew members on board.

At the Falklands, the Tri-Star arrived and saw the movement of the Diving Group to HMS Arctic Circle. The second and last Icebreaker under the Royal Navy which, shortly after, departed to make way to the scene. This would be the primary team to go investigate the wreckage with Protector confirming the location, state and searching the surface with its technology reviewing beneath the water. During this search and due to how close they were to the location, some small chunks of debris was located and recovered. A few hours into the search with smaller vessels and a VHF message on channel 0, a search and rescue frequency they were using that came through:

"HMS Protector, HMS Protector, this is James Caird, James Caird, Over."

Due to their training and understanding of procedure, a conversation followed:

"James Caird, HMS Protector, Over."

"HMS Protector, James Caird, for your information we have taken on board a casualty with a Swedish Flag insignia and are returning to Protector, Over."

"James Caird, HMS Protector, that is all received, we will relay the information on and will have a team ready for your arrival."

"HMS Protector, James Caird, Many thanks, out."

With that concluded, James Caird made its return to its home vessel where a number of medical personnel were waiting to retrieve the casualty. Transferring them from one to another, and quickly taking down to the safety and privacy of the medical bay. The medics begun to assess and shortly confirmed the person had been deceased for some time. Marking the first, official death. They were placed into a body bag to be preserved. In an encrypted response, the Swedish Department of Defence would be notified that searching had begun, and had, sadly, confirmed the recovery of one casualty that has been confirmed deceased by on board medical staff. (Connor ) Throughout the rest of the day of intense searching, multiple crew changes and assessments taking place of the ocean floor. Only a further two casualties, both deceased, were recovered. Marking the total located to 3 out of the 120 that went down with the Swedish Vessel. With each body recovered, the Swedish Department of Defence would be informed via private means, as it is not for the British Government to confirm any deaths on behalf of Sweden. The Swedish Government were also advised that the search so far is restricted to the surface and surrounding area. The diving team, each equipped with high intensity underwater torches, recording devices to show their findings from the damage on the vessel to verify the amount of bodies recovered, their full SCUBA gear was with them at all times for the diving operations and the diving group were all moving in groups of five to protect each other. With all briefings and equipment on hand, they will be arriving and beginning to enter first thing in morning for more intense recoveries.

---

 

[Odinson]

Secret​

The Argentine Orion would be unable to detect the Norwegian fleet, sine they were well-over 4000 kilometers away. For all they knew, the Brazilians were being dishonest in their report of Norwegian ships in the area. However, because it was known that efforts were being made by the Argentinians to detect vessels in the Southern Ocean, all of the monitoring equipment and radars on the fleet would be turned off in order turned off in order to avoid further detection. Electrical engineers would be asked what further methods could be taken to ensure that the ships were not being detected by any kind of air-based, long-range radar. These measures were being considered, but the ones already being taken for now would be considered acceptable.
Naio90
Connor