Info

The SP International council is holding a vote to see what actually happened. Both I and PilotMario post stories that must be voted on. I'm not familiar with SP formatting so bare with me while I figure this out, K? I wasn't able to look this through with PieGuy before posting. Expect edits, not huge ones.

From Pilot’s RP Post (Edited)

“The Battle of the Arctic Sea, also known as the Operation Tropic, was a naval and air battle over the New Siberian Islands and Wrangel Island between the Paternian Republic and the Iridium Federation. Taking place between 8-19 April 2032, the results were largely inconclusive due to the variety of accounts.
While the unopposed Paternian landings by British Marines and subsequent reinforcement of the islands with British Army Gurkha regiments is certainly not disputed, all other aspects are. Paternian and Iridian accounts are quite contradictory in the conduct of the battle. Both sides claimed victory.
Paternian accounts state that their small naval task force was able to challenge numerically superior Iridian naval forces on account of their superior training, equipment, cohesion, and morale. Where Iridium employed conscripts extensively, all Paternian forces were recruited on a voluntary basis. Paternian service members typically choose to fight, where Iridian servicemembers had little choice in the matter.” -PilotMario
Iridium Forces were able to build large amounts of formidable quality equipment from large amounts of imports by aircraft, underground railway systems, and convoys on the surface across friendly borders. These methods of import and export were largely effective as the only way to stop a plane from getting to its location is by shooting it down, which Paternia avoided to prevent war. Along with the secrecy of the underground railway systems from Paternia. Bribed local police forces under Paternian control or influence were not killed unless they open fired on the military convoy first for treason.
Iridium forces were extremely eager to engage Paternian forces. Iridium Naval forces didn’t fight the blockade as it would start conflict. The military forces and citizens were angered at the government for holding back, and see the Paternian blockade as an insult to their sovereignty. Upon hearing invasion has begun by Paternia, the Northern Iridium Forces fueled with morale engaged the enemy giving it their all.

Prelude [Pilot Mario] [Edited]

“Tensions between the Iridium Federation and the Paternian Republic were high by this point, in part due to Paternian concerns regarding Iridium military buildup. The buildup was based on fears the Paternian Republic, a relatively liberal democracy with progressive leanings, would invade Iridium, a conservative quasi-monarchy with an extensive military-industrial complex. Thus, the Iridium government decided to conduct industrial espionage alongside a massive rearmament campaign to match the Paternian military in capability and power.
As a result, Paternia, concerned about the secretive nature and the high tempo of the rearmament, implemented a blockade of Iridium, as well as imposing sanctions on the sale or transfer of military equipment. This was later extended to items of "military value." Interpretation of this term has resulted in varying restrictions over time including food imports to the nation.
The Iridium Federation saw this as a breach of sovereignty, and threatened to fight the blockade. However, the Iridium Navy held back to prevent conflict as long as possible and maintain the peace; the Paternian Navy controlled much of the naval chokepoints, and thus was in a position to enact these provisions. Some overland traffic could be passed through, but sympathetic local authorities in foreign states, assisted by Paternia's Information Control Agency, worked to cut off the transfer of military equipment. The effectiveness of local authorities were extremely low stopping only one land convoy before the militaries threatened to open fire on local authorities for treason. Along with bulk naval imports of military grade materials and food traveling within Korama territorial waters to the Gulf of Ob.
The Iridian Navy in response imposed a similar act on Paternian naval and commercial vessels near Korea and Japan. Paternian response was swift, sending warships through the Sea of Okhotsk in freedom of navigation patrols.
Here, international law was contested. Paternia did not recognize the artificial islands built by the Iridium government in the Sea of Okhotsk as sovereign territory, comparing them to the legal status of oil derricks. In accordance with international law, they only recognized a 12 nautical mile limit from the natural shoreline as Iridium territorial waters.
In contrast, the Iridium government claimed the whole Sea of Okhotsk as territorial waters, and recognized that the artificial islands it has built as sovereign territory of the Iridium Federation.
Both Paternian and Iridium militaries knew a conflict was inevitable, and both have prepared extensively.”

Order of Battle

Both Paternia and the Iridium government have deployed extensive military assets in the battle.

Paternian Forces Can Be Found Here https://docs.google.com/document/d/1ODkziY9RLIwMUfNGdcSQE1rP8ut9LZNoxGSlRCTMuh8/edit

Iridium Federation

The Iridium Army was largely inactive, having little sealift capability by the Iridium Navy. Thus, the Iridium Navy and Air Force had to take up much of the strikes.
Iridium Island Forces
14 Bunkers
13 Coastal Forts
8 Off Main Cit. System
85 Zhatka and Phalanx Tanks
38 Mammoth Tanks
20 Aurora CAP fighters
2,000 troops (New Siberian Islands)
175 troops (Wrangel Island)

Iridium Prestigious Academy/Spetsnaz (New Siberian Islands)
Forces rarely participated
419 Spetsnaz Forces (10 Soldiers)
81 Hicks Elite Sniper Forces (2 Soldier)
77 Stalker Sniper Forces (1 Soldier)

Iridium Navy
59 Aki-class DDG
28 Hariken-class DDG
5 aircraft carriers, converted from Iro-class battlecruiser
73 Okhotsk-class PGM
31 Abyss Class Ballistic Missile Submarine
29 North Sea Class Ballistic Missile Submarine
225 vessels
1 Musashi (Command vessel, Undetected)
Additional forces present

Iridium Air Force
537 Aurora fighters, (318 Operational)
427 Longbow fighters, (281 Operational)
38 Arukiri, (20 Operational, 2 Participants)
81 AWACS Nakajima, (71 Operational)
690 total Operational

Iridium Central Force
210 Aurora fighters, (64 Operational)
192 Longbow fighters, (84 Operational)
7 Nakajima Airborne Refueling Stations (6 Operational)

Paternian Invasion

On 8 April, Paternia launched Operation Tropic, the simultaneous occupation of the New Siberian Islands and Wrangel Island. The Paternian forces were held back by the threat of Hypersonic Missile Batteries. Sending their fighter aircraft to deal with them before they can proceed. The air units after suffering moderate losses disabled the radar systems and eventually the railgun batteries and missile batteries.
Almost all of the defending forces were captured in the first days. The Marines, assisted by Navy engineers, prepared defensive positions in the New Siberian Islands and Wrangel Island. These included the installation of Defender anti-aircraft missiles, GATOR multi-purpose radar systems, truck-mounted HSLAM anti-ship missile batteries, and Sentinel vehicle-based air defense systems.
In addition, Paternian Air Force engineers set up airfields on Kotenly and Little Lyakhovsky Island, stationing several F-45B Barracuda and F/A-17C/D Wasp fighter aircraft in addition to a defensive perimeter against a ground invasion, naval attack or air attack. The numbers of the forces have been lowered due to the sinking of 2 Guam Class transports by submerged launchers deployed by the North Sea Class submarines.

Naval War

The Iridium government's response was swift, mobilizing much of their air force and naval assets in the area. The Federation had known an attack would come one day and has extensively prepared for this exact scenario. Drill training recorded that the Federation would be able to deploy an average of 760 Fighter Aircraft in the event of an attack for the past six years.
The Iridium military, knowing they could not retake the islands without dislodging the Paternian Navy, launched a massive assault against the defending Paternian Navy.
With intel reports of a potential attack from the North, the service members were pulled from their homes to their action stations at DEFCON 2. Communications to the service members were quick as the high quality electronics were for civilian usage to improve every day devices, while the smaller amount of military grade electronics were used in military units. On 10 April, the Iridium force struck the Paternian Navy holding the islands.
Federation Airforces with their overwhelming numerical advantage, and the weakening of the Paternian Airforce by the immense amount of anti aircraft armament on the islands were able to protect the Corvettes and Missile boats and provide spotting of enemy vessels. The Federation decided to start the attack with long range weapons first. Longbows and Auroras were able to maintain air superiority over the island and spotting for targets long enough for Ballistic Missile launched MIRVs loaded with thermobaric and conventional warheads reached their targets and leveled anti aircraft batteries striking very close to the carrier forces, but no direct hits were reported. The blast happened close enough to cause severe burns to men on the deck and moderate hull damage. But the lack of ability to transport troops overseas, Iridium Army wasn’t able to take the island. You can lay siege, but you can’t really capture it. The Federation suffered heavy losses from AA Batteries.
At the same time, the missile boats charged into range, escorted by the first wave of Longbow fighters, launched Zircon X Hypersonic Missiles. The missiles are designed to approach the given location, along with spotter missiles designed to lead the missile group and prevent its detection by leaving the group and approaching from a different angle. The spotter missiles lack of warhead allowed it for more fuel. Spotter missiles were able to direct the group toward Paternian forces. Paternian forces did not field laser CIWS weapons and were unable to effectively defend against the Hypersonic Threats. 3 Monarch Cruisers , 4 California Classes and, 3 Endurance Class Destroyers, 8 Frigates, and accidentally a hospital ship were hit. The speed of the missiles caused large amounts of over penetrations. 1 Monarch Class Cruiser was reported sunk, 2 California Classes and 3 Endurance Class were forced to fall back from damages. The Hospital ship took a severe hit below the waterline and capsided. 5 Frigates were reported to be afloat but completely disabled. 14x Okhotsk Class were destroyed when a group of unidentified aircraft broke through equip with HSLAMs from behind the Missile Boat force falling back for reloads. The Missile Boats encountered heavy losses from land based batteries.
2 California Classes and 4 Frigates spotted 2 Iridium Hariken Class Destroyers and 3 Aki Class Destroyers. Firing first, Paternia sunk 2 Aki Class destroyers but lost 1 California Class from the counter attack. Both forces disengaged each other. With the lack of air superiority from the Federation numerical advantage the Paternian forces were unable to launch a full missile retaliation.
One Hariken Class was struck by two torpedoes after intercepting 4 with counter torpedo armament. She later broke in two and exploded.
A Federation converted carrier was forced to return to port after the deck caved in and caused a Longbow to detonate.
Paternian fighter forces lured a squadron of 10 Longbows close enough to the destroyer forces for A deadly salvo of anti aircraft missiles. 4 Paternian Aircraft were downed during the bait process along with all 10 Longbows.
All islands fell to the Paternian forces but most of the air and a large portion of the sea was under control by the Iridium Airforce and Navy.

Negotiations [Pilot Mario]

Paternian and Iridium diplomats convened in Prussia to discuss a peaceful resolution to the potential onset of hostilities.

While both diplomats agreed that the withdrawal of Paternian forces would be certain, the conditions which they would withdraw were contested.

The Paternian delegation stated that they will withdraw from the islands if the South Kuril Islands, specifically Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islets were ceded.

The Iridium delegation stated that an unconditional withdrawal was the only acceptable solution. If this was not agreed to, then they would drive away the remaining Paternian Navy and Air Force and lay siege to the islands.

The Paternian delegation, seeing that the Iridium government would not concede to anything, withdrew from talks on the 13 April.

Paternian Withdrawal

Wrangel Island was considered indefensible by the Paternian Joint Command, and was vacated on 11 April. Iridium forces did not reoccupy it until 19 April, after the Paternian Navy withdrawal.
Iridium Naval and Air Forces allowed for all Paternian forces to withdraw from the islands without resistance.
Two Auroras, against orders, attempted an attack on withdrawing troops. Both aircraft were reported to have been shot down.

Iridium Losses

167 Aircraft of all varying types were lost engaging targets and sacrificing themselves to maintaining air presence in areas for spotting targets.
20 Okhotsk Missile Boats were Destroyed. Of the 20, 8 were found with emergency floatation inflated and towed back to port.
2 Hariken Class Destroyers were Destroyed, 1 was found with emergency floatation deployed. The vessel later sunk during the tow process.
4 Aki Class Destroyers were lost. 2 sunk by island missile batteries.
1 Iro Converted Carrier. Thermobaric warhead detonated enroute to port. Carrier was towed to port but determined unrepairable.

Paternian Losses

62 Aircraft Lost. Majority were of fighter aircraft in the air attack to suppress the Missile and Railgun batteries on the islands.
1 Monarch Class cruiser capsized and broke in two after taking 6 hits, all detonating within the vessel.
3 Frigates were hit with Hypersonic missiles detonating within the vessel causing flooding which later caused them to sink.
1 Hospital ship took heavy damage from a Hypersonic Missile
1 California Class in a counter attack against Iridium forces
30+ ground vehicles and anti aircraft batteries.

Aftermath

Iridium agreed to demilitarize Iturup, Kunashir, Shikotan, and the Habomai Islets if Paternia lifted quarantine of the nation. The Federation abolished the 15 year mandatory service in military act (for people who didn’t work in the industry or agriculture) and lowered it to 2 years mandatory service with voluntary 1 year extensions. Troops serving over 7 years have been dismissed. Current troops if under a year, must finish their current year if over two years.

Credits

A large portion of the RP was taken from Pilot Marios account of the event.