BOREALIS 17

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 12:20 pm

A simple attempt to try and paint a bit of the pewter mountain over the summer Months.

BOREALIS 17

In order to increase military capabilities, the Balzac Self Defence Forces will conduct Exercise Borealis 17 in mid September â€“ a national exercise that will build a stronger defence and increase the overall capability to face an attack from a larger and qualified opponent.

Deterrence lies at the core of a strong defence, one that rises to all threats and overcomes all challenges. It is designed to deter potential attackers, and force them to carefully consider the risks of attacking Balzac. For a deterrent to be effective, it needs to be credible and visible.
Borealis 17 will be conducted in the air, on land and at sea. Units from all over Balzac will be involved, but the main exercise areas will be in the South of the capital area, on and around Goatland, and the coastal plain.

The fact that Balzac decided that they have to put troops back on Gotland is a very clear indication of what's going on in the region at this time.
Despite the fall of the Camastan Government last year, there are still a number of major players in the region with large modern military forces and unpredictable foreign policies.
Balzac is known as a moderate, credible and alliance free Nation. Nevertheless Balzac felt that it was necessary to show our resolve in securing the strategic Island of Goatland.
The planned exercise will be the largest seen in Balzac in over 20 years.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Sun Jul 30, 2017 11:29 pm

Glad to see that Balzac is serious about its responsibility in the global sphere, improving the capabilities of its military. It appears it will be a suitable assessment opportunity to see of BSDF can sustain itself over an extended period of time, even though it is not a great distance. I am expecting the the BSDF will need to utilize the MV Horton, so will not expect next months tractors, semi-tractor trailers that we purchase monthly.
Is the BSDF expecting any resistance from some guerrilla groups from Camastan, or any others from the local citizenry? Be aware of the Gator State, not militarily, but politically. Their leader will probably sound off about the acquisition of territory as they did with the Azores and Canary Island groups voting to join the Commonwealth.
The Commonwealth understands and respects the rational of the effort to stabilize Goatland and to protect the citizens that live there.

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Mon Aug 07, 2017 10:36 am

chrisswim wrote:I am expecting the the BSDF will need to utilize the MV Horton, so will not expect next months tractors, semi-tractor trailers that we purchase monthly.

Chris, the MV Tim Horton is not scheduled to take part in EX BOREALIS 17 so the monthly trade will flow as normal.
The Goatland car ferry may experience some delays in mid September but this is after the Summer holiday rush.
Also the Balzac Ship Fearsome is hoped to return to service by this date.
14 Leopards are stored on Goatland at the moment with the crews flying in when required.
The permanent "Battle group Goatland" is still working up, last I counted they had 12 CV9040 plus a bit of logistics.

"Is the BSDF expecting any resistance from some guerrilla groups from Camastan, or any others from the local citizenry?"

No hostile activity from Camastan has been noted, we wish their citizens well.

The main trouble is, the areas to the S.W. of Balzac have large and sometimes capable populations. The area is rich in resources and the economy is showing signs of a recovery. We keep an eye on the local arms market and we have noticed a mass of high end equipment of late. This sleepy backwater could change quickly and we need to be ready.

Also over the last few years Balzac has been very active in peacekeeping and development assistance. The home defence task has taken a back seat to international deployments.
We recognise there are several Nations out there that can field hundreds of modern MBT's. More of these Nations are working on the ability to project that power.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Sat Aug 26, 2017 12:17 am

Some information and news reports are that the Operation EX BOREALIS 17, the training exercise and occupation operation of Goatland, reports are that it has hit some SNAFUs, That an armored vehicle was almost lost, sinking in the sea, but that recovery was made. Did all the crew make it out safely? Has there been any small arms fire, or is that the migration of the Duck, Goose or Dove hunter?
.
What has the resistance been, organized? We do appreciate the farm vehicles and tractors, Next shipment, please pick up some BMWs and Mercedes Benz vehicles in Germany. Need some G-wagons by Mercedes. Is the MV Horton able to deliver some 120mm ammo? We were granted a requisition order and funds have been sent. About 12,000 APFSDS-T rounds, 10,000 training rounds, and 9,000 HEAT rounds. Also, expect to have couple of dozen MAN 10 ton trucks. There may be an delivery of 40 or so Leopard 1s. Surprisingly, the Leopard 1 are without specific cost.... except we are to purchase 105mm ammo that is surplus to Bundeswehr. So 15,000 rounds of 105mm ammo. and parts.
.
If there is not any room, let our logistics office know. Delivery in two shipments is acceptable.

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 8:58 am

Exercise BOREALIS 17 came to an end this weekend and is being hailed as a great success. All units have now returned to their home bases after a couple of weeks of intensive and demanding training.

(I never get much done with regards to the minis in the Summer Months and this was just an attempt to get a jump start for this Winter's metal mayhem. I had a small pewter mountain building up and wanted to get a least a base coat on most of it.
I also needed to form units from the long lines of Leo 2 and CV90 etc.
This for the most part has been done allowing a new requirement and shortfalls priority to become clear ie a new shopping list!
No great big board or maneuvers I'm afraid but over the coming weeks as the units fill out I will try to complete them and add photos.
It has also become clear that I just do not have the time for my badly rendered 3 tone splinter camo and this will start to be replaced with a single green colour.
I have found one that I thinks works well to show the GHQ detail and is close to the newer Swedish military which my little Balzac force is loosely based upon)

I have not got around to the port yet. Soon.

BOREALIS 17 involved over 100 Leopard 2 MBT, 100 CV90 IFV, 80 M113 APC, 60+ wheeled IFV/APC, 30 artillery pieces, 30 BV snow cats and many, many trucks and 4x4.
After the major mobilization and deployment of units on the mainland the Isle of Goatland is reinforced.

In the early hours 18 Goatland Group holds the ground as the lead elements from 41 Mec Bat move from the port and out on to the Island.

M109's add some weight to the local 120mm mortar sections.

By daybreak the buildup is well under way.

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 9:16 am

12 Guards motor Bat rolls quickly into town off a second car ferry.

The newer XA-360 are part of the 71 Motor Bat trials unit.

On and around the training areas hold and delay is the key word.

Air defence moves with the armored units too.

Newer units carry the better IR reduction paintwork.

At the airport the command and signals Bat has set up shop.

Followed by the field hospital units.

The air-mobile units fly in with the C130's and 4 Gripens arrive to operate as a FOB.

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 9:48 am

The much larger concentration of training and deployments is on the mainland. The bulk of the Balzac Self Defence Force is involved.
While the Leo 2A6 is now the most numerous MBT some 2A4's are still fielded by reserve units.

Seen deploying from storage in the sandy Tylenol-Toque training area are several Leo 2A4's. Also proof of a war reserve with a troop of old Centurions in the back ground (not used in BOREALIS 17)

More next week.

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 4:18 pm

I like your tank transporters.

Where did you get those from?

redleg · Post by **redleg** » Mon Oct 02, 2017 10:42 pm

That's awesome! Did you make the C2 and field hospital tents and containers?

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Tue Oct 03, 2017 12:27 pm

Battler. Man tank transports are very old Heroics & Ros from the UK. (1/300),

redleg. Yes sir all home made. I need to redo some of the tents to look more inflatable.

BattlerBritain · Post by **BattlerBritain** » Tue Oct 03, 2017 5:37 pm

Thanks 7.62.

chrisswim · Post by **chrisswim** » Tue Oct 03, 2017 9:37 pm

Mick,
Great pics, thank you, need some pics, close ups of the CV90 AA system and engineer CV90 vehicles. Thank you.

Hoth_902 · Post by **Hoth_902** » Tue Oct 03, 2017 10:13 pm

Agreed, they are awesome and I especially like the Tank transports. There is a company here in america that makes some Oshkosh tank Haulers that I plan on getting once my house is unpacked. Tank Haulers have been a favorite of my, even though there practicality in a game is minimized to a convoy ambush.. or ground clutter.

panzergator · Post by **panzergator** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 6:06 am

Both, what's the company?

7.62 · Post by **7.62** » Wed Oct 04, 2017 7:58 am

Panzer. I believe the Oshkosh are done by Allan at gamecraft.

Chris. The newer CV90's are just a base coat and need details, tracks etc added. Getting dark early here, see what I can do this weekend. If not.....
I'll have some of each ready for the Defence expo in a few weeks. I'll make sure the nice new exhibition center has white floors and good lighting.
That way any other exhibitors can also add photos (on a white card/paper background) if they wish.

The Defence expo is run on the sidelines and coincides with the Nationally sponsored "Trade and Industry show" in Balzac, mid Oct.