Date/Time: 07-04-2018 / 11:00:00 Zulu
Location: Korea

Introduction

US, Japanese and South Korean forces had received a devastating blow. The Chinese attack was precise; however North Korea followed up with a large rogue strike of its own using a mix of conventional and chemical warheads, in some cases striking bases but in others the population centers around them. Principal installations across the Pacific had been significantly damaged, aircraft destroyed and personnel lost. Civilian loss of life was great in both South Korea and Japan, overwhelming emergency services and hospitals. Chinese and North Korean cyber and space forces went into action, causing significant disruption in the US military’s ability to see, communicate and command its forces. By all accounts, the alliance was facing the biggest challenge of its existence.

The American public and part of the government were in near-panic. A day had passed since the missile strikes, which allowed the media’s news cycle to flood the televisions and internet with imagery of burning aircraft, destroyed shelters and casualties. Punditry and hubris by the American media itself was far more effective at impacting the American psyche than significant efforts by the Chinese intelligence service’s cyberwarriors and propagandists. A space- and cyber-battle had erupted, impacting key infrastructure in maintaining America’s high quality of life. The American stock markets had taken a dive soon after their opening bells. The American people were facing the greatest challenge since World War II.

International reaction continued to be mixed. Japan and South Korea were quick to declare war against both the PRC and DPRK. NATO quickly met and was debating their Article Five commitments outside of Europe with only the United Kingdom currently pledging active support to the United States. Russia announced that it was "monitoring the situation closely" and wished that all parties "conduct restraint in such a vital region to the world’s economy". Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam and the Philippines all condemned the attacks and began their own defensive mobilizations. Indonesia collapsed with several different statements being released supporting all involved and there were credible reports of the army in the streets of the capital.

The current US President and Congress evacuated Washington once the ballistic missiles launches were detected. Normally operating from remote underground bunkers and aircraft while communication systems were under attack would present difficulties, but in this case it actually helped as the President and congressional leaders were able to quickly declare war against China and North Korea and get key war-fighting mechanisms started without most of the bureaucratic maneuvering that occurs with the normal process. The Pentagon received what it needed to carry out a war without the usual rigmarole.

US military commands were analyzing what had happened and determining the best strategy to remove all Chinese and North Korean threats to the region.

The PRC had taken advantage of the US strategy of concentrating all its forces in a few key bases and launched a large percentage of their conventional missile force that neutralized these bases in the short term and destroyed the USS Ronald Reagan. They had suffered damage in the US Navy’s Tomahawk counterattack, but knowing it was coming they were able to neutralize or absorb the strikes. While exact PRC strategic objectives are unknown, they were clearly attempting to roll back US forces in the region.

The DRPK seems to not have acted in coordination but response to the Chinese attack. Their key targets were South Korean and Japanese population centers and US airbases, using conventional warheads as well as several with chemical weapons causing panic, chaos and death. US airbase operations on the peninsula were suspended until the chemical weapon contamination was cleared. The assumption was their leadership was taking advantage of the sudden war and these attacks were meant to disrupt both nations prior to a general attack on South Korea.

Command’s current focus is mobilizing US forces and attacking where possible. The US Navy has begun surging forces worldwide toward the Pacific. Two carriers are moving from the Arabian Sea to link with an amphibious ready group in Australia and move into the South China Sea. Ships and submarines are surging from the US West Coast and Hawaii, however no additional carriers will be ready for at least another month. US Army and Airforce are mobilizing for a push west. Air expeditionary packages are forming and getting ready to cross the Pacific, and US airborne divisions have been recalled. This mobilization and movement will take time, but the US does have several key global power projection capabilities that can be used to bring the attack to the enemy and disrupt their ability to attack. Many of these forces are already in motion and it will turn into the DPRK leadership’s final nightmare.

 

Scenario Notes:

This is an AAW scenario playable from the United States Air Force side only.

Please make sure to evaluate your weapons values for the targets. There are many hardened targets that require specific weapons types.