Current Campaign

FalkOperation Neptune Vigil 

(Late 2008 – mid-2009) 

The global financial crisis severely strains UK defense budgets, leading to drastic cuts. The British government quietly abandons sustained military presence on the Falklands to redirect resources closer to home. Mount Pleasant Airbase is largely demilitarized, with only a token civilian/military caretaker force and minimal air defense remaining. The islands are left exposed.  

China, seeking to exploit global distraction and expand its influence, launches an unilateral surprise multi-phase offensive in the South Atlantic. The campaign begins with a rapid assault on Chile, targeting key ports, airfields, and southern territories like Punta Arenas and Patagonia for their strategic location and resources. After occupying significant portions of Chile, Chinese forces push eastward, conquering parts of Argentina. The final objective is the seizure of the Falklands as a forward outpost.  

Beijing’s strategic goals:  

• Dominate critical South Atlantic sea lanes; Cape Horn routes, global shipping, and Antarctic access 

• Secure ports, fisheries, minerals, and vast territory for long-term power projection 

• Test blue-water naval and expeditionary capabilities far from home amid Western economic weakness.  

Chile and Argentina mount fierce but fragmented resistance. They form an ad-hoc coalition while waiting for UK/US forces to repel the invasion. 

Campaign Structure 

• Stage 1 (Missions 1–8): Recon, anti-shipping, SEAD, air supremacy, and the decisive Falklands liberation. 

• Stage 2 (Missions 9–16): Operations in southern Argentina. 

• Stage 3 (Missions 17–24): Push into southern Chile and airfield recapture. 

• Stage 4 (Missions 25–30): Northward pursuit and final withdrawal battle. 

Key Assets 

• CVN-75 Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 

• CG-67 Hue City 

• CG-70 Lake Erie 

• DDG-103 Truxtun 

• DDG-108 Wayne E. Meyer 

• DDG-112 Michael Murphy 

• DDG-115 Raphael Peralta 

• T-AO-199 USNS Tippecanoe 

• T-AKE-1 USNS Lewis and Clark 

• T-AKE-4 USNS Richard E. Byrd 

• Carrier Air Wing 3 (CVW-3) 

• 100 VFA-105 Gunslingers 12x F/A-18Cs 

• 200 VFA-32 Swordsmen 12x F/A-18Cs 

• 300 VFA-83 Rampagers 12x F/A-18Cs 

• 400 VMFA-323 Death Rattlers 20x F/A-18Cs 

• 500 VA-65 Tigers 6x A-6Es 

• 600 VS-32 Maulers 6x S-3Bs 

• 700 VAW-126 Seahawks 4x E-2Cs 

• LHA-1 Tarawa Amphibious Ready Group (ARG) 

• LPD-17 San Antonio 

• LSD-49 Harpers Ferry 

• CG-71 Cape St. George 

• DDG-104 Sterett 

• DDG-109 Jason Dunham 

• DDG-114 Ralph Johnson 

• T-AO-204 USNS Rappahannock 

• T-AKE-6 USNS Amelia Earhart 

• Tarawa ARG Air Combat Element (ACE) 

• VMA-231 Ace of Spades 8x AV-8B Harriers 

• HMH-323 Death Rattlers 8x CH-46 (CH-47) 

• HMLA-323 Death Rattlers 4x AH-1Ws (OH-58), 4x UH-1 

• 2x AWACS (E-3 Sentry), 4x KC-135 tankers, 2x KC-130J: Falklands-based from Mission 9+. 

• 8x F-16C Vipers: Falklands-based from Mission 9; moved to mainland (Punta Arenas) from Mission 17. 

• OH-58 Kiowa, CH-47 Chinooks, UH-1 Hueys: Operate from the Tarawa after the initial amphibious landing (from Mission 6 onward) for supply transfers to Falklands FOBs/airbases, scouting/strikes, and CSAR. They can also operate from land bases when secured. 

• Tankers: S-3 Viking and A-6 Intruder from USS Truman (all missions) + KC-130J and KC-135 MPRS from land bases when available (Falklands from Mission 9+; mainland from Mission 17). 

Victory Condition  

Complete Chinese withdrawal from southern South America by Mission 30.