eburger68

"Operation Desert Storm" for Strike Fighters 2 This package contains an updated, "Strike Fighters 2" compatible version of the "Operation Desert Storm" mod package originally released for "Strike Fighters Project 1" (SFP1). In addition to making the original mod compatible with "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E), this updated version also adds a number of other mods that were released in the years subsequent to the original release of this mod for SFP1. This mod package should be installed to "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E) installations (or merged installs incorporating SF2E) that are patched to the Mar2012 or later patch level. If you are running SF2E at an earlier patch level and do NOT intend to update to one of the later patch levels mentioned above, you should NOT install this mod package. Note that this is a COMPLETE mod package. There is no need to install the original "Operation Desert Storm" mod for SFP1. If you have installed the previous SF2 version of ODS, it is recommended that you NOT install this refreshed and updated version over that earlier version. Create a new install. NOTE: this mod is distributed as set of THREE 7zip archive files. If you did not download all three 7zip packages from CombatAce.com, then this mod will not work properly. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Minimum Requirements ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To install and play this mod, you must have the following installed: SF2 VERSION: Strike Fighters 2: Europe (SF2E) PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher This mod does support installations that include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA), however, SF2NA is not required. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Update Notes ~~~~~~~~~~~~ This mod package is a refreshed and updated version of the original version that was released in April 2012 on CombatAce. It incorporates all the updates included in the "Update 1" package released on CombatAce in January 2013. It also includes further updates, fixes, and additions beyond what was included in the "Update 1" package. All told this refreshed version of the mod includes the following major additions to the "Operation Darius" mod package: - new aircraft: H-6D, Mi-8 Hip, IL-76, IL-76B2, NimrodMR1, SH-3D - new SF2NA aircraft: EA-6B_86, A-6E_90, E-2C - new optional aircraft: A-10A_87, Mirage5AD, Mirage5EAD - new aircraft models: F-1CR, F-7B, F-7M, F-16C_B30, F-16C_B40, F-117A, JaguarA3_DS, Mirage2000EAD, Su-25 - new ships: USNTransport ...plus numerous other fixes, updates, and skin additions to dozens of aircraft and ground objects. ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Installation ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Before installing this mod package, please ensure the installation of Strike Fighters 2 that you intend to use is updated to at least the Mar2012 patch level. The latest patches for Strike Fighters 2 can be downloaded from ThirdWire: http://thirdwire.com/downloads.htm Also, please be aware that the mod requires "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E). This mod can be installed to SF2E installations that incorporate "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). If SF2NA is part of your target install base, there are some additional items for you to install. The main installation process consists of three main steps -- or, four if your target install base incorporates SF2NA. Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly. ----------------------------------- * STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER * ----------------------------------- This mod requires a separate mod folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as NATO Fighter 4+ or the SF2V Expansion Pack. - Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2 Europe.exe or StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe (if your target install base includes SF2NA). Rename the copied .EXE file to StrikeFighters2_ODS.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer). - Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your "Operation Desert Storm" mod install will have been created in one of these locations: Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder] Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder] Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder] ...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created. You will install the "Operation Desert Storm" mod files to your Mod Folder. - Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it). Now you're ready to install the "Operation Desert Storm" mod proper. ------------------------------------------------- * STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER * ------------------------------------------------- This is the easiest step. - Unpack the three "SF2 ODS" archive packages to a temporary location on your hard drive. - Move the contents of the \To_Mod_Folder directory from all three unzipped packages to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install.) If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories. ---------------------------- * STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI * ---------------------------- This last step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention. Open the Options.INI in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Instant Action" section and replace it with the following: [instantAction] AircraftType=F-15C MissionMap=DS StartTime=05:30:00 StartDate=01/19/1991 StartTimeDeviation=120 TextureSet=0 NationalMarking=0 SquadronMarking=0 AircraftNumber=0 KillMarking=0 Just below the "Instant Action" section is the "Single Mission" section. At minimum you should change the EndYear= statement to 1992 or higher. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows: StartYear=1990 EndYear=1992 Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following: [Campaign] CampaignName=19910117 Desert Storm PlayerService=USAF PlayerUnit=336th TFS AircraftType=F-15E Difficulty=NORMAL Length=NORMAL AircraftSupply=NORMAL WeaponSupply=NORMAL LoadCampaign=FALSE CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave Save your changes and close the Options.INI file. -------------------------------------- * STEP 4: Extra Step for SF2NA Users * -------------------------------------- This last step is for those whose install base include "Strike Fighters 2: North Atlantic" (SF2NA). Included with this mod are a number of custom files that allow SF2NA users to enjoy some of the new functionality included with SF2NA, including: - Updated F-14 cockpits and avionics that use the new AvionicsF14A.dll included with SF2NA; - Carrier battle groups in campaigns - SF2NA US Navy ships that are restricted to actual vessels that participated in Operation Desert Storm. - New mission types in campaigns, including Escort_Jamming missions for the EA-6B and EF-111A (AI only) as well as Early_Warning missions for the E-2C and E-3A. TO INSTALL: drag and drop the contents of the \_For_SF2NA folder into your Mod Folder, allowing Windows to merge and overwrite any folders and files it prompts to. * * * * * THAT'S IT. Your ""Operation Desert Storm" for SF2" mod should now be ready to use. You may consider installing some of the "optional" items as described in the next section. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Optional Installs ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This mod includes a number of optional files that you can add to your Desert Storm installation. Note that some of the following optional installs require you to have other ThirdWire products beyond those listed in the minimum requirements. A. SF2NA Tomcat Updates Included in the \Optional\3W_F-14s folder are some optional items that you may consider installing, if your installation base includes SF2NA. Included are: - DATA.INI files for the F-14 Tomcats that use the ThirdWire flight model - COCKPIT.INI and AVOINICS.INI files for the Tomcats that use the ThirdWire cockpit To use these files simply drop them in the appropriate F-14 folders in \Objects\Aircraft. (Note: the *.TMF versions of these files are copies of the files you replace when using these optional files.) B. Optional Aircraft 1. A-10A_87 Included in the \Optional\Aircraft directory is an optional A-10A Warthog, using a new model and released by Spectre8750. To install it, simply copy the \A-10A_87 folder to the \Objects\Aircraft folder in your Desert Storm Mods folder. Once installed this A-10A version will be used in campaigns in lieu of the stock A-10A_78. 2. Mirage 5AD & 5EAD Also included in the \Optional\Aircraft directory are two aircraft used by the UAE -- the Mirage 5AD and Mirage 5EAD. Please note that these aircraft require you to have the following additional products from ThirdWire installed as part of your base installation: - Mirage 5AD: Mirage 5D from Strike Fighters 2 Israel (SF2I) - Mirage 5EAD: Mirage IIIO from DLC #17 To install these aircraft, simply copy the \Mirage5AD and \Mirage5EAD folders to the \Objects\Aircraft folder in your Desert Storm Mods folder. These aircraft are not used in campaigns but will be available for single missions. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Note on Anti-Ship Missiles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For this mod most third-party (i.e., non-stock) anti-ship missiles have been converted to use the ASM/cruise missile functionality introduced w/ SF2NA. At the same time, the older versions of these missiles have been preserved, as the new ASM cruise missiles can be used by AI only against ships. So, for many anti-ship missiles you will now find two versions: 1) "Standard" guided version These versions are the "old" style missiles setwith WeaponDataType=1. They can be used by AI against land and sea targets. These missiles retain their familiar names (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon, Kh-59M Ovod, etc.). 2) ASM/cruise missile version These versions utilitize the new cruise missile functionality set by WeaponDataType=7. They can be used by AI only against ships. These versions can be distinguished by their names: - U.S./NATO missiles have the ASM tag (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon ASM). - Soviet/WP missiles follow the naming convention used by ThirdWire's Soviet cruise missiles (e.g., Kh-59M AS-13 Kingbolt). At the same time aircraft that typically carry these missiles have been updated to accommodate the ASM versions. Loadouts for these aircraft have been updated to use ASM versions by default for Anti-Ship, Naval_Attack, and Cruise_Missile loadouts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Note on Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AI pilots in Strike Fighters have long had problems employing LGBs. AI pilots in the player's flight can drop LGBs, but will treat them as dumb bombs. AI pilots in flights not controlled by the player (i.e., AI-only flights) cannot use LGBs at all, and will typically get stuck circling the target. To address this problem I have created EOGB versions of all LGBs for AI pilots to use (AI pilots have no problems with EOGBs for some reason). These AI versions are identical in all respects to the LGB versions save for the Guidance Type, which is set to "Electro-Optical Guided" instead of "Laser-Guided." By default aircraft that use LGBs for certain loadouts (usually Stike, Attack, SEAD, or Anti-Ship) are loaded with these AI (EOGB) versions instead of the LGB versions. You should make it a habit to check the Loadout screen and switch the bomb version on your own aircraft to the LGB version. You can distinguish between the AI (EOGB) and LGB (Player) versions by the weapon name -- for example: LGB version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II LGB AI version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II (AI) While this solution introduces an extra step for the player in the preparation to start a mission, it allows AI pilots and AI-only flights to use these weapons. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Note on the Water Shader Effect ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This updated version of ODS for SF2 implements a different water shader effect from Fubar512, replacing the water shader effect from the original release that caused costal tiles to have an odd, shimmering appearance. If you run into problems with this replacement water shader, do the following: 1) Remove the following files from the \Terrains\DS folder: DiffuseMap.tga WATEREFFECT.FX WaterNormal.tga Water.dds WNormal16.tga TERWATEREFFECT2.FX At this point, the game will revert to using the stock SF2 watershader and WaterNormal.BMP. If you wish to restore the water shader used in the original release of this mod, proceed to the next step. 2) Restore the water shader effect from the original release by unpacking WaterEffect_Fubar512.zip (found in \Terrains\DS\_Water) to the main DS terrain folder (\Terrains\DS). If you later decide you prefer the new water shader effect included in this updated version of the mod, simply unpack WaterEffect_V1.zip (found in \Terrains\DS\_Water) to the main DS terrain folder (\Terrains\DS). If you do encounter problems with this replacement water shader effect, please report them to the forums at CombatAce.com. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Changes, Fixes, & Additions ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This mod is a conversion and upgrade of the original "Operation Desert Storm" mod released for SFP1. This version incorporates the following major updates and additions over the original: New Aircraft ------------ A-6E_90 F-15D MiG-23BN_IRQ A-10A_87 F-16C_B40 MiG-23MF_IRQ AC-130U F-16C_B40_RBAF MiG-23MLAE_IRQ AH-64A F-1CK MiG-23MS_IRQ Buccaneer-S2B F-1CR Mirage5AD C-130E F-1EDA Mirage5EAD C-130H FA-18C Mirage2000C C-130K H-6D Mirage2000EAD C-130K-30 Hawk65 NimrodMR1 E-2C IL-76/B2 SH-3D EA-6B JaguarA3_DS Su-20B EA-6B_86 KA-6D Su-22 EC-130H KC-130F Su-22M F-7B/M KC-135A Su-22M3 F-14A+ KC-135E Su-22M4 F-15C_RSAF Mi-8 Su-25 Upgraded Aircraft * ----------------- A-10A_78 F-14A F-117A A-4KU F-15C JaguarGR1A_DS B-52G F-15E MiG-25PDS EF-111A F-16C_B30 Tornado_GR1_DS F-4E_86 F-111E Tornado_GR1_RSAF F-7A F-111F Tornado_IDS_IT * The above are aircraft that were either converted to newer models or that received major upgrades of some kind. All aircraft from the original version of this mod were updated or tweaked in some way -- at the very least for SF2 compatibility. New Ground Objects ------------------ AH-64 CG-59 M167-VADS AMX-30 CG-60 Iowa80s AMX-30B2 CGN-25 M1939 Arab_DSHK Chieftain2 M1939_G Arab_DSHK_G Chieftain5 PAC2_AMG Avenger Chieftain11 PAC2_LS CG-16 CVN68 PAC2_RS CG-47 Humvee RolandRad CG-52 Humvee_M1025 USNTransport CG-53 Humvee_M1046 ZPU-1 In addition to the above updates and additions, the following major changes were made: - All aircraft brought up to SF2 standards - All naval aircraft made SF2NA compatible - All ground SAM & radar ground objects brought up to SF2 standards - All ships made SF2NA-compatible - All weapons & guns converted to SF2 format - All major modded INIs made SF2 compatible - All effects made SF2 compatible - DS terrain made SF2 or SF2NA compatible - Overhauled "Desert Storm" campaign - Added Red-side "Mother of All Battles" campaign Please note that the above list does not constitute an exhaustive change log, as this update incorporates too many minor fixes and tweaks to list or account for here. Suffice it to say that this version of "Operation Desert Storm" for SF2E represents a major overhaul of the original mod for SFP1. ~~~~~~~ Credits ~~~~~~~ This release adds a number of new items to the "Operation Desert Storm" mod package. These new items are from the following modders, who generously allowed their use: Home Fries ..................................... Optional 3W A-6E_90 & EA-6B_86 Spectre8750 .................................... Optional A-10A_87 Dels ........................................... AH-64 Apache helo & ground object Crusader ....................................... Harrier avionics mod Dels & wpnssgt ................................. B-52GH MegaPack (for B-52G) ravenclaw_007 .................................. Buccaneer S2B Dels ........................................... AC-130U, C-130E, C-130H, EC-130H Daddyairplanes ................................. C-130E/H upgrades & new skins Dels, Sundowner, & Dave ........................ RAF C-30K Super Pack Hawker/Agemmenon & 331KillerBee ................ EA-6B Prowler Fubar512 & Wrench .............................. EA-6B upgrades & fixes Paul Nortress .................................. EA-6B skins The Mirage Factory.............................. F-7B & F-7M Airguard The Mirage Factory ............................. F-4E ARN-101 (F-4E_86) Crusader ....................................... F-5E avionics mod The Mirage Factory ............................. F-14 Tomcats Spectre8750 .................................... F-14 fixes & upgrades JSF Aggie, Paul Nortress, Hrntfixr ............. F-14 skins Dave, Caesar, & SupGen ......................... F-14A SF2NA avionics & cockpit upgrade FastCargo & team ............................... F-15C & F-15E Viper Crew ..................................... F-16C_B30 & F-16C_B40 FastCargo ...................................... EF-111A, F-111E, F-111F slick_cowboy ................................... F-111E/F new skins liamp51 ........................................ re-textured F-111A cockpit Dels ........................................... F-117A new model The Mirage Factory ............................. F/A-18C model & skins Spectre8750 .................................... F/A-18C upgrade RussoUK2002 .................................... Hawk 65 model RussoUK2004 .................................... Hawk Mk.65 updates Veltro2K ....................................... IL-76 & A-50 (IL-76B2) Oli & Sundowner ................................ Jaguar GR1 Bpao, Jeanba, Tom Venom, & Sony Tuckson ........ Jaguar A Stary .......................................... Jaguar & Mirage F1 cockpit repaints Monty CZ & wpnssgt ............................. KA-6D Tanker Paul Nortress .................................. KA-6D skins Daddyairplanes ................................. KC-10 new skins Pappychksix & 331KillerBee ..................... KC-130F Bpao ........................................... KC-135A/E Tankers Marcfighters ................................... Mi-8 Hip Paulopanz ...................................... MiG-21PF skins Rafael & BPAo .................................. MiG-23 models Lindr2 ......................................... MiG-23 upgrade packs eburger68 ...................................... MiG-23 SF2 upgrades CrazyhorseB34 .................................. MiG-25PDS upgrade Baffmeister .................................... MiG-25 updated flight model RussoUK2004 .................................... MiG-29A updated model The Mirage Factory ............................. Mirage F-1CK, F-1EDA models Bpao, Centurion-1, Brain32, & Ludo.M54 ......... Mirage F-1CR model FRPignon/cangas ................................ Mirage F-1CR mod/update Paulopanz, Denis Oliveira, Coupi, & Ludo.M54 ... Optional Mirage 5AD/EAD The Mirage Factory ............................. Mirage 2000C Ace888 & The Mirage Factory .................... Mirage 2000EAD Veltro2K & Wrench .............................. Nimrod MR.1 Florian ........................................ SH-3D Sea King ArmourDave & AmokFloo .......................... Su-20/22 models Lindr2 ......................................... Su-20/22 upgrades eburger68 ...................................... Su-20/22 SF2 upgrades Florian, Baffmeister, & Paulopanz .............. Su-25 (new model & skins) WingsOverIsrael ................................ Su-25 IrAF camo skin Sundowner & Ianh ............................... Tornado IDS Bobrock, X-Ray, & Soulman ...................... Tornado IDS skins & decals Sundowner, AD, & Dave .......................... Tornado GR1 Ianh ........................................... Tornado GR1 fixes & updates Paulopanz & Spillone104 ........................ H-6 & Tu-16 Packs for SF2 whiteknight06604 ............................... Tu-22 Iraq AF camo skin -------------------- Stefano ........................................ AMX-30 & AMX-30B2 EricJ .......................................... Arab_Dshk Abhi ........................................... AN/TWQ-1 Avenger WhiteBoySamurai ................................ Leahy, Ticonderoga, & Bainbridge class ships Florian ........................................ USN AOE Transport Fubar512 & MiGBuster ........................... Carrier Deck Illumination package SFP1Ace ........................................ Chieftain tanks aleks1 ......................................... CVN-68 SUICIDAL & TORNO ............................... Humvees ID(io)T Team, Torno, YeYeYe, & Spitwulf ........ Iowa '80s battleship Fubar512 ....................................... Iowa '80s configuration JSF_Aggie ...................................... ThirdWire LHA upgrade Julhelm ........................................ Firecan radar (new model) BANIDOS TEAM ................................... M-167 VADS bigal1 ......................................... M270MLR rebel ryder & Nicholas Bell .................... M1939 flak guns YEYEYE ......................................... PAC-2 system Florian ........................................ RolandRad CrazyhorseB34 .................................. RolandRad desert skin Kesselbrut ..................................... ZPU-1 SUICIDAL ....................................... New Destroyed Tank LODs ------------------- Kout ........................................... Main screen cellinsky, Insky/Orsin, & PanamaRed ............ Environment mods Fubar512 ....................................... Improved water shader effect Spectre8750 .................................... Fake Afterburner Node Capitaine Vengeur .............................. Coalition Pack (medals & icons) Brennus ........................................ ODS desktop icon OldDiego, Pappy, Wrench, Pasko, Florian/ ....... Pilots AmokFloo, & PureBlue Malibu43 ....................................... Revamped ground campaign Dave, Sundowner, Crusader, JSF_Aggie, Dels, .... Testing & minor fixes Caesar, Gocad, Malibu43, & CrazyhorseB34 -------------------- (Used in an earlier release of this mod package) Swede & Wpnssgt ................................ F-16C_B30 & F-16C_B40_RBAF models Oli & Sundowner ................................ Jaguar A Erwin Hans ..................................... Mirage 2000EAD model TORNO/Banidos Team ............................. Mirage 2000EAD skin 101tfs, YEYEYE, Erwin Hans, & Lindr2 .......... Su-25 (based on Su-39) Credit for the original "Operation Desert Storm" mod package goes to Dave, JSF_Aggie, and the team of modders that contributed to that original release for SFP1. For a list of all the modders whose work is used in the complete "Operation Desert Storm" mod, see the original ReadMes included in \_OriginalReadmes. If we have neglected to credit anyone here, please let us know. We will get it fixed ASAP. -------------------------- eburger68 & USAFMTL (Dave) 28 April 2012 26 November 2014

ODS for SF2: Part 2 of 3. Eric Howes

ODS for SF2: Part 3 of 3. Eric Howes

"Black Sea Crisis" for Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic September 1994. Conspiring with senior elements of the military, a coalition of hard line Russian nationalists and former communists in the State Duma deposes President Yeltsin, who makes a dramatic escape from Russia in the middle of the night aboard a hastily commandeered Aeroflot airliner. Declaring the December 1991 dissolution of the Soviet Union to be an illegal act of high treason, the new powers in the Kremlin announce their intention to bring "renegade" former Soviet republics back into Moscow's orbit. Within days Russian tank divisions are massing on the Ukraine's eastern border. Alarmed at the rapidly mounting threat to their newly independent country, Ukraine's leaders turn to NATO and the United States for assistance. The United States responds by sailing the Eisenhower carrier group through the Turkish Straits and into the Black Sea, while simultaneously deploying several USAF bomber squadrons to Incirlik Air Base in Turkey. As tensions continue to rise, a Marine Amphibious Group is also dispatched to Sevastopol with its complement of battle-ready U.S. Marines. Despite the show-of-force by Washington, the revanchist hardliners in Moscow press on with the build up of military forces on the Ukrainian border, all the while demanding that U.S. military units withdraw immediately from the Black Sea area. Ignoring pleas for talks to resolve the crisis, Russian tanks cross the border in the early morning hours of September 29 as part of a full scale invasion of the Ukraine. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Minimum Requirements ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ To install and play this mod, you must have the following games as part of a merged install: SF2 VERSION: Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic Strike Fighters 2 Europe PATCH LEVEL: Mar2012 or higher ~~~~~~~~~~~~ Installation ~~~~~~~~~~~~ This mod requires "Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic" (SF2NA) as well as "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" (SF2E) in a merged install. Before installing this mod package, please ensure the installation of "Strike Fighters 2 North Atlantic" and "Strike Fighters 2: Europe" that you intend to use is updated to at least the Mar2012 patch level. The latest patches for Strike Fighters 2 can be downloaded from ThirdWire: http://thirdwire.com/downloads.htm The main installation process consists of three main steps. Please read the following instructions carefully and follow them religiously. If you wind up with a non-working mod install, then you likely failed to follow the instructions properly. ----------------------------------- * STEP 1: PREPARE THE MOD FOLDER * ----------------------------------- This mod requires a separate mod folder. Please do not attempt to install this mod over or combine it with other mods such as "NATO Fighters 5," "Operation Desert Storm," or the SF2V Expansion Pack. - Open your SF2 Installation directory and make a copy of StrikeFighters2 NorthAtlantic.exe. Rename the copied .EXE file to StrikeFighters2_BlackSeaCrisis.exe (or whatever unique name you prefer). - Run the newly copied and renamed .EXE file, then exit back out to the Windows desktop after navigating through a few menus. A custom Mod Folder for your "Black Sea Crisis" mod install will have been created in one of these locations: Windows XP: \Documents and Settings\[username]\My Documents\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder] Windows Vista: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder] Windows 7: \Users\[username]\Saved Games\ThirdWire\[YourModFolder] ...where [YourModFolder] matches the name of the copied .EXE file that you created. You will install the "Black Sea Crisis" mod files to your Mod Folder. - Open your Mod Folder and delete the \Objects sub-directory (including everything in it). Now you're ready to install the "Black Sea Crisis" mod proper. ------------------------------------------------- * STEP 2: INSTALL MAIN COMPONENTS TO MOD FOLDER * ------------------------------------------------- This is the easiest step. - Unpack the four "Black Sea Crisis" archive packages you downloaded to a temporary location on your hard drive. - Move the contents of the \To_Mod_Folder directory from all four unzipped packages to your Mod Folder (created in Step 1 above). (Note: do not simply drag and drop the folder named "To_Mod_Folder" or you will end up with a non-working install. You should drag what's INSIDE the "To_Mod_Folder" directory.) If you've moved everything correctly, you should have a new \Objects sub-directory in your Mod Folder, along with a few new other sub-directories. ---------------------------- * STEP 3: EDIT OPTIONS.INI * ---------------------------- This last step involves a bit of text editing, so please pay attention. Open the Options.INI in your Mod Folder. Locate the "Single Mission" section. At minimum you should change the EndYear= statement to 2000 or higher. I recommend setting the StartYear= and EndYear= as follows: StartYear=1992 EndYear=2020 Finally, a little further down you should find the "Campaign" section. Replace it with the following: [Campaign] CampaignName=1994-0929 Black Sea Crisis (Full) PlayerService=USN PlayerUnit=VF-142 Ghostriders AircraftType=F-14B_87 Difficulty=NORMAL Length=NORMAL AircraftSupply=NORMAL WeaponSupply=LIMITED LoadCampaign=FALSE CampaignSavename=DefaultCampaignSave Save your changes and close the Options.INI file. * * * * * THAT'S IT. The "Black Sea Crisis" mod should now be installed on your PC and ready to play. If you start the mod and it crashes or you don't see any new aircraft or campaigns, then you didn't install the mod properly (and that's exactly what I'm going to tell you if you post to the CombatAce forums and ask me if I have "any ideas?" as to what the problem is). ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Note on the Included Campaigns ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ This mod includes five different versions of the same underlying campaign: - 1994-0929 Black Sea Crisis The basic Blue campaign. Blue-side forces include the Ukrainian Air Force, the Eisenhower carrier battle group and its air wing, the Nassau Amphibious Group with its complement of AV-8Bs, and USAF bombers at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey (which are not player-flyable). - 1994-0929 Black Sea Crisis (Full) A variant of the basic Blue campaign. Blue-side forces include the Ukrainian Air Force, the Eisenhower Carrier Battle Group and its air wing, the Nassau Amphibious Group with its complement of AV-8Bs, USAF fighters and attack aircraft deployed to Ukrainian air bases, and USAF bombers at Incirlik Air Base in Turkey (these last not being player-flyable). - 1994-0929 Black Sea Crisis (Red) A Red variant of the "Full" 1994 campaign discussed just above. In this variant the player flies for the Russian Air Force. - 1996-0929 Black Sea Crisis Another Blue-side variant of the "Full" campaign above, but set in 1996. The Eisenhower's carrier air wing now includes F/A-18Cs in lieu of the A-6Es and A-7Es of the 1994 campaign. The Nassau's AV-8Bs are an upgraded version. - 1996-0929 Black Sea Crisis (Red) A Red variant of the 1996 campaign described above. Russian forces are essentially the same, but some fighters now use AA-12s in lieu of AA-10s. ** Conventional SF2 Campaign Variants ** The game engine for SF2NA brought many welcome new features to the world of Strike Fighters 2. As useful as those new features are, the SF2NA campaign engine (i.e., the engine that allows for "naval campaigns" with battle groups and cruise missile strikes) was clearly designed specifically for the SF2NA Iceland/North Atlantic campaign, as it attempts to turn every campaign into North Atlantic, Part II. Once battle groups are "discovered" by the opposing side, the campaign engine will throw everything at that battle group, mission after mission, until all the ships are sunk or the attacking side runs out of aircraft capable of performing strike missions. This can become a bit wearisome, and it is extremely difficult to prevent those battle groups from being "discovered" and attacked. In the standard SF2NA-style campaigns listed above, this usually happens around the fifth mission of the campaign. To give players an alternative to the standard "North Atlantic" duel-to-death naval campaign, I have included standard SF2-style campaigns that put the campaigns' focus squarely on the battle for the Ukraine. The carrier battle groups will no longer be attacked. (One can imagine a scenario in which the Kremlin -- based on a combination of military and political reasons -- elects not to directly attack American carrier groups while still engaging U.S. aircraft flying in defense of Ukraine.) The upside to these "conventional" campaigns is that the campaign engine no longer gets stuck in the same cycle of hurling strike aircraft at the battle groups over and over. The downside is that carrier battle groups no longer move together. The carrier moves, but the escort ships are static terrain elements. Also, the big bombers on both sides tend to make less frequent appearances from their off-map air bases. How to Use the Conventional Campaigns: If you wish to try the conventional campaigns, you will have to install them from \Optional\CampaignsAlt (found in the directory where you unpacked the "Black Sea Crisis" downloads). 1. Drag the \Campaigns folder to the Mods folder where you installed the "Black Sea Crisis" mod, allowing Windows to overwrite files as prompted. 2. Drag the \Terrains folder to the "Black Sea Crisis" Mods folder as well, again allowing Windows to overwrite files as prompted. When you re-start the game, the listed campaigns will play as conventional, SF2-style campaigns. Please note that in the above install process you are effectively converting the Black Sea terrain into a conventional SF2 terrain. While the terrain is coverted into a conventional, non-naval terrain, naval aircraft in Single Missions will fly from land bases, not carriers. To convert the terrain back into an SF2NA-style "naval" terrain, copy these files from \Terrains\BlackSea2 (in the directory where you unpacked the "Black Sea Crisis" download files) to the \Terrains\BlackSea2 directory in your Mods folder: BlackSea2.INI BlackSea2_TARGETS.INI BlackSea2_WATER.bmp That's right -- those are the only files that need to be restored. I would recommend restoring the original SF2NA-style campaigns at the same time. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Note on Anti-Ship Missiles ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ For this mod most third-party (i.e., non-stock) anti-ship missiles have been converted to use the ASM/cruise missile functionality introduced w/ SF2NA. At the same time, the older versions of these missiles have been preserved, as the new ASM cruise missiles can be used by AI only against ships. So, for many anti-ship missiles you will now find two versions: 1) "Standard" guided version These versions are the "old" style missiles setwith WeaponDataType=1. They can be used by AI against land and sea targets. These missiles retain their familiar names (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon, Kh-59M Ovod, etc.). 2) ASM/cruise missile version These versions utilitize the new cruise missile functionality set by WeaponDataType=7. They can be used by AI only against ships. These versions can be distinguished by their names: - U.S./NATO missiles have the ASM tag (e.g., AGM-84D Harpoon ASM). - Soviet/WP missiles follow the naming convention used by ThirdWire's Soviet cruise missiles (e.g., Kh-59M AS-13 Kingbolt). At the same time aircraft that typically carry these missiles have been updated to accommodate the ASM versions. Loadouts for these aircraft have been updated to use ASM versions by default for Anti-Ship, Naval_Attack, and Cruise_Missile loadouts. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ A Note on Laser-Guided Bombs (LGBs) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ AI pilots in Strike Fighters have long had problems employing LGBs. AI pilots in the player's flight can drop LGBs, but will treat them as dumb bombs. AI pilots in flights not controlled by the player (i.e., AI-only flights) cannot use LGBs at all, and will typically get stuck circling the target. To address this problem I have created EOGB versions of all LGBs for AI pilots to use (AI pilots have no problems with EOGBs for some reason). These AI versions are identical in all respects to the LGB versions save for the Guidance Type, which is set to "Electro-Optical Guided" instead of "Laser-Guided." By default aircraft that use LGBs for certain loadouts (usually Stike, Attack, SEAD, or Anti-Ship) are loaded with these AI (EOGB) versions instead of the LGB versions. You should make it a habit to check the Loadout screen and switch the bomb version on your own aircraft to the LGB version. You can distinguish between the AI (EOGB) and LGB (Player) versions by the weapon name -- for example: LGB version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II LGB AI version: GBU-12D/B Paveway II (AI) While this solution introduces an extra step for the player in the preparation to start a mission, it allows AI pilots and AI-only flights to use these weapons. ~~~~~~~ Updates ~~~~~~~ This mod was released in October 2014. In September 2015 it was updated with the following additions, fixes, and changes: New Aircraft: - AH-1W Cobra - AH-64A Apache - Ka-27 Helix - Mi-24P Hind-F - P-3C Orion - Su-27M Flanker-E New Skins: - AV-8Bplus new skins - C-5A new skins - C-17 new skins - C-141B new skins - HC-130P new skins - S-3B new skins Other Updates: - minor fixes & tweaks to most other aircraft - minor updates to terrain - addition of new aircraft to campaigns - other minor updates to campaigns - addition of around 200 new weapons & guns ~~~~~~~ Credits ~~~~~~~ This mod package incorporates a large number of items from the following modders: Aircraft ----------------------------------------------------------------------- HomeFries ........................... A-6 Superpack for SF2 Wrench .............................. A-7 low-viz skin Spectre8750 ......................... A-10A (new model) & cockpit yakarov79 .......................... AH-1J_80 EricJ ............................... AH-1J camo skin Dels ................................ AH-64 Bobrock & Brain32 ................... AV-8B-da & AV-8Bplus Wrench .............................. AV-8B updates 331KillerBee & USAFMTL .............. AV-8Bplus skins Crusader ............................ Harrier Avionics Mod Dels ................................ B-52G Dave (USAFMTL) & team ............... B-52G upgrades USAFMTL, JSF_Aggie, Dels & wpnssgt... B-52H Dels & the Bone Team ................ B-1B Kesselbrut .......................... B-52 cockpit Veltro2k ............................ C-5A, C-17, & C-141B Wrench .............................. C-5A, C-17, & C-141B updates Daddyairplanes ...................... C-5A, C-17, & C-141B skins Dels ................................ C-130E, C-130H, EC-130H Daddyairplanes ...................... C-130E/H upgrades & new skins The Mirage Factory .................. E-3A USAFMTL ............................. E-3A AEW Update Daddyairplanes ...................... E-3A skins & SF2 updates HomeFries ........................... EA-6 SuperPack for SF2 The Mirage Factory .................. E-8C J-Stars Fastcargo ........................... F-111F & EF-111A liamp51 ............................. Re-textured F-111A cockpit slick_cowboy ........................ F-111E/F new skins Dels ................................ F-117A The Mirage Factory .................. F-14A & F-14B Spectre8750, Caesar, SupGen, ....... F-14 Superpack & Crusader FastCargo & team .................... F-15C & F-15E The Mirage Factory, ................. F-16A_Blk10 & F-16A_Blk15 Viper Crew .......................... F-16C_B25, F-16C_B30, F-16C_B40, F-16C_B42, F-16C_B50, & F-16C_B52 The Mirage Factory / ModMafia ....... F/A-18A & F/A-18C Wildcat, column5, SidDogg, & BPAo ... F/A-18 skins Veltro2K ............................ Il-76, Il-78, & A-50 WhiteboySamurai ..................... Ka-27 Marcfighters......................... KC-10 Daddyairplanes ...................... KC-10 new skins Pappychksix & 331KillerBee .......... KC-130F Bpao ................................ KC-135E & KC-135R tankers Marcfighters & Kreelin. ............. Mi-8 Hip YEYEYE .............................. Mi-24P emresukhoi .......................... Mi-24P skins ArmourDave & Sal .................... Su-17 cockpit (used for Floggers) Paladrian ........................... MiG-21 cockpits AtariBaby ........................... MiG-21 Complete Pack for SF2 The Mirage Factory .................. MiG-29A Fulcrum Russouk2004 ......................... MiG-29A updated model Russouk2004 ......................... MiG-29C Fulcrum Jv44kt, Erwin_Hans, & Lindr2 ........ MiG-31 Florian ............................. P-3C beta FoxMonter ........................... S-3B Wrench .............................. S-3B updates slick cowboy ........................ S-3B skins Florian ............................. SH-3D Sea King Veltro2k & Lindr2 ................... Su-24M, Su-24MP, Su-24MR Mikeymead ........................... repainted/updated Su-24 cockpit NATO Fighters 4+ team ............... Su-25 Florian, Baffmeister, & Paulopanz ... Su-25 (updated model & skins) Marcfighter, Erwin Hans ............. Su-27 SayWhat!, Massimo, Erwin Hans, ...... Su-27 skins & Diogo Marcfighter, Erwin Hans, ............ Su-33 (Su-27 w/ canards) Bpao, & Jv44KT tarru & Drdoyo ...................... Su-33 skins Orsin & Lindr2 ...................... Su-27 & Su-33 flight models YEYEYE .............................. Flanker cockpits Paulopanz & Spillone104 ............. Tu-16 Badger Collection Veltro2K ............................ Tu-95KD, Tu-95MS Snailman ............................ Yak-38 Vertical Pack Komrad .............................. New Yak-38 skins Gabilon, Oliver, & Bpao ............. Yak-41M Snailman ............................ SF2NA Vertical Pack Ground Objects ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Kesselbrut .......................... CommTrailer, HQTrailer Pasko ............................... D-20, 155mm Howitzer, M-59, EW_Radar rebel ryder ......................... BMP-1, BRDM-2, BRDM-3, & M-109 BANIDOS TEAM ........................ BTR-60 Razvan Stanciu & EricJ .............. BTR-80 Gepard .............................. T-64s BPAo, Fubar512, 331KillerBee ........ T-80BV Gerald14 & Kesselbrut ............... M3A1 Bradley & M6 Linebacker Pasko & Kesselbrut .................. M60A3, M60A1AOS Kesselbrut .......................... M1 Abrams, LVTP-7, 105mm Howitzer, ZiL-157 trucks SUICIDAL & TORNO .................... Humvees Spectre8750 ......................... Ural-375 trucks, GAZ-66 trucks, & GAZ-66_ZPU23 bigal1 .............................. M270MLR BANIDOS Team ........................ M167 VADS Gerald14 ............................ "Russian Defence/ZSU-23-4 Pack" SUICIDAL ............................ New Destroyed Tank LODs Monty CZ............................. Stinger site YEYEYE .............................. PAC-2 system Pasko ............................... Hawk launcher/radars, Chaparral, SA-7 Fubar512 & Wrench ................... Hawk INI tweaks Gabilon ............................. 2S6, Tor-M1, & SA-13 Abhi ................................ AN/TQ-1 Avenger, Pantsir-S1 Pasko ............................... SA-3 launchers, Flatface, Sidenet FastCargo ........................... SA-5 & SquarePair Kesselbrut, BPAo & Sundowner .........SA-9 Monty CZ............................. SA-10 & Flaplid, Stinger site Fubar512 ............................ SA-10 INI tweaks EricJ ............................... SA-11 & SA-17 YEYEYE .............................. TubeArm Crusader ............................ Soviet MANPADs for SF2 Stary ............................... Soviet MANPADS (new models) Fubar512 & MiGBuster ................ Carrier Deck Illumination package WhiteBoySamurai ..................... Bainbridge & Leahy class ships WhiteBoySamurai ..................... Ticonderoga & Arleigh Burke class ships WhiteBoySamurai ..................... Kidd Class DDG WhiteBoySamurai ..................... Kirov, Sovremenny, & Nanuchka missle boats Cocas ............................... Trawler & Soviet Trawler Raven ............................... Trawler skins Kesselbrut .......................... Trawler 1 & 2, Small Cargo Ship, Navy Tug Kesselbrut .......................... Kilo Class submerged (November) AleDucat ............................ Kilo Class Sub (ARA Salta) JSF_Aggie ........................... ThirdWire LHA upgrade Florian ............................. USN AOE Transport Julhelm ............................. USN Tanker & Kresta II Orsin ............................... Udaloy & Slava classes WhiteBoySamurai ..................... Udaloy & Slava Upgrade Packages Other ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Pfunk ............................... Black Sea 2 terrain Stary ............................... seasonal terrain tiles (Baltic terrain) cellinsky, Insky/Orsin, & PanamaRed Environment mods OldDiego, Pappy, Wrench, Pasko, ..... Pilots Florian/AmokFloo, & PureBlue Stary ............................... new gun tracers Spillone104 ......................... custom engine sounds Spectre8750 ......................... Fake Afterburner Node Stary ............................... Ejection mod If I have neglected to credit anyone here, please let me know. I will get it fixed ASAP. The works of art used for the campaign end screens -- "The Black Sea" (1881), "Russian Black Sea Fleet on a Parade Review" (1849), and "Pushkin on the Coast Black Sea" (1887) -- are all by the 19th century Russian maritime artist Ivan Aivazovsky. You can see more of Aivazovsky's works online at Wikiart: http://www.wikiart.org/en/ivan-aivazovsky -------------------------- Eric Howes eburger68 25 October 2014 22 September 2015

Part two of the "Black Sea Crisis" mod for SF2NA.

Part three of the "Black Sea Crisis" mod for SF2NA.

Part four of the "Black Sea Crisis" mod for SF2NA.