Introduction
Welcome back, comrade-cadets. Today's lesson covers the Afgantsy air assault battalion, a special formation unique to the Soviet forces in Team Yankee.
Overview
This series of articles will explore the Soviet ground forces in detail and instruct rookies and veterans alike on the principles of Soviet combat doctrine and list-building in Team Yankee, which will be applicable in V1 and the upcoming V2 of the game. In this article we will discuss the combat-hardened veterans of Afghanistan and their unique force structure, as well as formations best suited to support the air assault battalion in their tasks.
Airborne operations in the Soviet Context
Soviet planners had grand ambitions for airborne operations post world war 2. With major advances in military science and the advent of helicopter-borne forces, it was envisioned that large scale strategic operations against potential targets in the Bosphorus straits would be a principal component in any conflict versus their capitalist rivals. Airborne forces would be deployed in a manner best suited to the needs of the operational theater under 4 broad categories: Special purpose, Tactical, Operational and Strategic.
The most common deployment would be in the Tactical capacity, where airborne forces would not be deployed more than 100km into enemy rear areas. Conducted on behalf of divisions and armies, company or battalion sized forces would be assigned to the following tasks:
- Capture/destruction of major operational objectives in the enemies' tactical and operational depth
- Capture of lines and objectives of tactical importance (major crossings, roads, bridges and airfields)
- Interdiction of enemy troops
- Destruction of rear areas (supply and logistics)
By the 1970s, helicopter-borne forces largely supplanted airborne troops in the tactical role. Drawn from frontal forces, these tailored airmobile troops perform tactical landings under a broad range of climates and terrain. Supporting the advance of forward detachments, helicopter troop insertions would be performed by night to secure key areas for the main body to advance.
The Afgantsy formation
In the context of Team Yankee and the Red Thunder Book, airborne forces would be drawn from VDV veterans from the then-ongoing conflict in Afghanistan.
Presenting a singularly unique force structure, the single battalion offers only 2-3 Afgantsy air assault companies and 2-3 MI-24 Hind squadrons as the only units available in the formation. This is the only way that Soviet players will be able to field more than 1 unit of Hinds in their force.
Additionally, as the battalion represents the foremost troop units on the battlefield, this is represented by the formation rule that units from the air assault battalion must always take priority for deployment in missions, which creates unique challenges for gameplay.
With a combination of superior training, combat experience and numbers, the aggressive and skilled Afgantsy air assault company are equipped to take on the best NATO can offer. Able to advance under fire and dig in with reliability, Afgantsy excel in both attack and defense as medium sized platoons toting the full complement of support weapons. Although limited to 1 heavy weapon each, the support is dearly needed as the airmobile company has to fight with everything they have till support can arrive to take out harder targets. Take note that they are still hit on a base 3+, so caution is still required to advance on objectives.
Mi-24 Krokodil / Hind
The legendary flying tank, this airborne beast packs a nasty punch and is the only helicopter unit to have a moving ROF for its anti tank missiles, making it a supremely deadly asset in large numbers.
Equipped with global movement, a good save and a nasty AT23 sting from the AT-6 Spirals, Hinds are the bane of any NATO armor in large numbers.
As the Afgantsy battalion requires you to take at least 2 units, and as these are your only heavy support units available in the core formation, it is prudent to double down on them and take as many as you can afford to squeeze into the list (and into your carry case, seriously BF why is it so huge). This is why you're playing the battalion, isnt it?
It is highly recommended to start the game with all squadrons of Hinds in loiter and drop them into position as needed to deliver their payload of missiles. Although the relatively short range of the Spirals means that the Hinds will take some fire, their armor should see them through most situations. However, it will not be enough to penetrate a dedicated AA umbrella and care should be taken to destroy as many anti-air assets as possible before calling them in. Additionally, being relatively slow flying aircraft, care should be taken to not expose them to large numbers of ATGMs which can take them out quickly.
Airlandings with Air Assault Battalions
As mentioned in the above briefing, in-game air-landings should only be attempted under nighttime conditions, at least 24inches away from any enemy units. To do so in daylight is akin to suicide as the massive Hind will not be able to hide from enemy retaliation.
Highlighted Support units
Taking into account the formation rule which demands the Afgantsy battalion be on board, support units and formations prioritize mobility and firepower as core tenets as the second echelon. For this reason, we eschew static components for options that are able to support the Afgantsy the moment they come on board.
Air support
The mighty SU-25 Grach / Frogfoot brings incredible firepower to bear. Effectively acting as artillery for your heliborne troops, a 6-plane contingent of SU-25 is able to effortlessly take out the heaviest tank or decimate dug-in infantry with concerted ATGM strikes. Coming in at a hefty 21 points, the 6 Frogfoots will be an integral component to your Afgantsy forces.
Infantry support
Just as how it was in Afghanistan, the VDV covered the advance of their motor rifle brethren along the valleys and mountains of the region. In the European plains, the massive manpower and mobile firepower of the BMP platoons can be brought to bear to support or relieve infantry fighting on objectives.
Tank Support
Tank support, while not mandatory for Afgantsy seeing as they already have flying ones, is helpful as their firepower can be brought to bear as soon as they arrive on board. A single unit of T64 or T62m will suffice as mobile fire support for problem spots.
ATGMs
Best utilised as filler units for reserves, vehicle ATGMs are not optimised for Afgantsy lists.
Recce
The Afgantsy ARE the recon. That said, if you are able to squeeze in additional units, a small BMP platoon can get the infantry into better positions up the board before the game starts.
Anti-air
One of the quirks of the Afgantsy list is that you double down on air units, while having no organic air defenses to speak of other than gremlins. As Afgantsy do not have much in the way of armor to begin with, they do not need as much AA other than Shilkas, which conveniently double as anti-IFV and infantry support. Gaskin teams can also be used as filler for reserves.
Artillery
Not really possible in the Afgantsy list, aircraft are your artillery. A small unit of Hails should suffice for rudimentary smoke and artillery support at most.
Air assault operations in Team Yankee
As outlined above, Soviet heliborne troops can be employed in a number of scenarios. In the attack stance, Afgantsy troops can bring to bear the entirety of their force on an enemy weak point, bypassing key defences to strike at objectives. In defense, the VDV hold out for as long as possible to give their air support time to destroy attacking enemy forces. In maneuver, Heliborne troops are able to get to unoccupied objectives. Dawn scenarios work best for Afgantsy as they are able to advance unmolested at night and bring in the thunder when day arrives.
Target priority should be as follows:
- Anti air assets
- Enemy troops on objectives
- Tanks
Uniquely among Soviet forces, the Afgantsy do not suffer from a glut of troops blocking LOS to enemy targets, so this allows for a great concentration of force on any point of the table. Conversely, because the list has very clearly defined weaknesses, namely being something of a one-trick pony with little of the meatiness Soviet forces have, all effort should be directed towards capturing or holding objectives while you still have troops to spare.
Overwhelming enemy air defenses
Because the air assault battalion is heavily reliant on maintaining air superiority, every effort should be made to suppress anti air assets in the AO. While the VDV troops are normally not able to reach anti air units in the rear, your multiple hind squadrons and frogfoots should be sufficient to take out a unit at a time with each strike. One key timing of note is to drop the hinds from loiter the same turn the frogfoots arrive on board to maximise this potential. Priority should be given to the following targets:
- Heavy missile AA (Rapiers, Chaparrals, Rolands, Gophers)
- Heavy SPAAGs (Gepards*, Yorks)
The range of your ATGMs should be able to comfortably situate most of your air units out of range of light SPAAGs like Shilkas and VADs. Understanding the total coverage on board is crucial to deliver your air units to the area of least resistance.
*Always prioritise and kill Gepards on sight, these things are deadly.
Sample list build (100 points)
Air Assault Battalion
CO
Med Air assault company w/spigots x3
4 Hinds x 3
Formation Support
6 Frogfoots
3 Spandrels*
2 BMP-1 recce*
4 Gaskin SAMs*
Total 100pts
No. of platoons: 11
*These are filler units for reserves in V1 team Yankee to ensure that you have at least 5 Units on board in any scenario.
How would you build your air assault battalion?
Closing
This is the last article about Soviet forces from Red Thunder. In our next article, we will discuss the usage of Soviet and Warsaw Pact Artillery and how their use impacts your army.
About the Writer:
Eddie is an avid painter who also enjoys anime, studying military history and hopes that Girls Und Panzer will come true one day so that everyone can resolve their differences with tank Airsoft.
Resources:
The Soviet army: Operations and tactics FM 100-2-1 ,1984, Headquarters, department of the Army (USA)
The Russian way of war, 2016, Lester W. Grau & Charles K. Bartles, Foreign Military Studies Office
The Soviet Airborne experience, 1984, David M. Glantz, US Army Command and General Staff College
Soviet Airborne operations in Theatre War, 1986, Dr. Graham H., Turbeville Jr, Foreign Policy Vol. XIII, Nos 1-2, Pgs 160-183
