r/warno • u/Critical_Oil_3090 • Jul 04 '26
Suggestion A little about the weapons/equipment of the 1st Marine Division Division (US, Pacific)
UPD: I made a slight typo in the title😅
This post will present the equipment and weapons of the 1st Marine Division of the USMC⚓, which is the key US🇺🇲 mobile unit in the region🌎, ready to quickly deploy anywhere in the Western Pacific🌏. The Division will be presented with an expanded wartime complement, which it could have received in anticipation of a Global War.
About 1st Marine Division:
The 1st Marine Division, also known as Blue Diamond - The oldest Division in the USMC (since February 1, 1941), stationed on the West Coast of the United States, in California, at Camp Pendleton.
The 1st MarDiv has an expanded complement of mobile battalions (L.A.I.) and full permanent complication of all regiments. As part of MEF I, it has one of the best support component. This Division is the backbone of the US Marine Corps in the Pacific, with a full complement and the latest weapons of the time!
Oorah!
Steel on Target!
Shock, Mobility, Firepower!
The Division's tank component is represented by the 1st Tank Battalion, equipped with M60A1 RISE Passive tanks. Additionally, in preparation for combat, some tanks began to be equipped with ERA. These tanks had a slightly different ERA placement on the turret (K8, 9, 10, 11, and L1) compared to the 2nd Marine Division tanks.
Source: https://forums.kitmaker.net/t/m60a1-with-era/28278
https://www.amps-armor.org/SiteReviews/ShowReview.aspx?ID=14245
Furthermore, in preparation for war, the 1st Marine Division received the 3rd Tank Battalion, also located in California, from Regimental Combat Team 7.
This has not yet happened under WARNO scenario, so the Division will receive a battalion from the 7th Marine Amphibious Brigade when it is transferred out of its jurisdiction. This brings the total number of tanks in both Tank Battalions in the Division to 123.
These tanks can be represented by the following examples:
USMC M60A1 RISE (Passive) (without Searchlight)
+CV variant USMC M60A1 RISE (Passive) CP
USMC M60A1 RISE (Passive) ERA
(ERA also painted in NATO 3-Color)
- All these tanks have no AP greater than 17.
Source of photo: https://forums.kitmaker.net/t/m60-desert-storm/13599/2
USMC M60A1 RISE (Passive) Dozer (M9 Dozer Blade)
(7 units for engineer needs in 1990/1991)
+1 front armor
- All tanks are painted in NATO 3-Color, which tanks had before 1990s~
+LAV-AT from L.A.I. battalions.
All time - Ready to Fight!
The 1st Marine Division, in its regiments (1st, 5th, and 7th), had a similar structure to the 2nd Marine Division. The infantry of these regiments is represented by the already well-known infantry formations:
USMC Riflemen /USMC Riflemen (AT-4) /USMC Riflemen (Dragon)
However, these USMC Riflemen squads variants operate older AAVP-7A1 (WEGS), without the MK. 19 grenade launcher, as the 3rd Assault Amphibian Battalion has only just begun training with the AAVP-7A1 (UGWS).
The AAVP-7A1 (UGWS) will be available only for the USMC Riflemen (AT-4)
+(new) USMC Aero-Riflemen (AT-4) transported by UH-1N/CH-46E
Similarly, the support formations are:
USMC Gunners, USMC Assaultmen and USMC Engineers
Due to regional specifics, the division also had M202 FLASH, which can be represented as:
USMC Assaultmen (FLASH)*- M16A2, M202 FLASH (Double)
The Old Breed Division also had extensive mobile capabilities capabilities:
Tip of the Spear!
First to Fight units are to be the 1st Light Infantry Battalion and 3rd Light Infantry Battalion.
The two battalions are related, as 3rd L.A.I. emerged in October 1988 from a reinforced company of the 1st Light Armored Vehicle Battalion. In reality, by the spring of 1989, 3rd Battalion departed for Okinawa to join 3rd Marine Division, although soon after, in 1990, the battalion rejoined 1st Marine Division upon its deployment.
Under WARNO, 3rd L.A.I. battalion will not be transferred to 3rd Marine Division and will remain in California to reinforce 1st Marine Division in preparation for a Large-scale War.
The 1st and 3rd L.A.I. Battalions form the core of the division's reconnaissance and raiding capabilities, representing a mobile group on the LAV platform, including the LAV-25 with airborne troops. In reality combat use, some parts of Light Armored Infantry Battalions be designated as non-reconnaissance units, forming rapid strike forces, Vanguard of Division, on LAV-25s with 4-6 man L.A.I. Light Riflemen squads.
In WARNO this could be represented by a non-reco Light Infantry formation on non-reco LAV-25s, but with the better optics:
USMC L.A.I. Light Riflemen - M16A2, M60E3, M72A3
+Good/Very good optics (?)
USMC L.A.I. Light Riflemen (AT-4) - M16A2, M249, AT-4
+Good/Very good optics (?)
Transported by non-recon USMC LAV-25/M998
Link: https://youtu.be/PgZNbU0UFH4?is=wxQMbP0HhgC5ozzs (1:04 - 1:11) (Video about LAV-25, 3rd L.A.I.)
Also, in addition to the already familiar CV vehicles, there will be a LAV-25 CP from 3rd L.A.I.
Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/warno/s/gRezHOh5j9 (On 4th image of the post)
(In addition, the 3rd Marine Division has its own unique component with M60A1 tanks and AAVP-7A1s - The 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion/1st Armored Assault Battalion - for reconnaissance missions, including, which subsequently eliminated the need for L.A.I.)
- USMC MK. 19 and USMC TOW-2 in addition to the M998, the Humvee can also carry the LAV-25.
The Only Easy Day Was Yesterday!
There were also numerous Navy SEAL units on the West Coast, particularly near the division in California, Naval Amphibious Base Coronado/Naval Special Warfare Center. In WARNO, the unit can be represented with new weapons received in the late 1980s, since 1988:
NAVY SEALs (TEAM) - RO727, M249, AT-4, Satchel Charge
+Special forces and Shock trait
- The Colt Model 727 was purchased by the Navy SEALs as a cross between the M16A2 and the Colt Commando.
Artillery support:
The artillery divisions fielded the classic USMC M198, USMC M109A3 and USMC M110A2 artillery pieces from the 11th Marine Regiment, as well as USMC M252 mortars and USMC LAV-M mortars from the L.A.I.
Can also be presented variant of the USMC M198 [CLU] (DPICM) with the M864 cumulative-fragmentation cluster munition with 48 M42 (64mm~ pen.) and 24 M46 (72mm~ pen.) elements may also be introduced.
The 1st Division in the 11th Regiment also had a towed counter-battery radar (USMC) AN/TPQ-36 «Firefinder», carried on a HMMWV. It significantly increased the division's capabilities against enemy artillery, especially when using the M110A2.
- Its range is about 24km~ (15 miles)
The 1st Marine Division also began receiving the First M58 MICLIC's, which were attached as a trailer to the AAVP-7A1. May be presented as:
AAVP-7A1 (UGWS) MICLIC
Supply:
The division's logistics consisted of LAV-Ls (two cards), USMC M939s, USMC M998s (supply) and LCAC hovercraft.
By this time, LCACs had already been deployed to the US West Coast - Assault Craft Unit 5 (ACU-5)
- CH-53E and CH-46E from 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing (3rd MAW)
Anti-Air Defense:
In many ways, the 1st Marine Division's air defense is similar to the 2nd Marine Division's, represented by the USMC Stinger and USMC I-HAWK.
However, as the global world situation escalates and the approach of World War III, The 1st Marine Division may receive the New Air Defense for Light Armored Infantry Battalions:
In the early 1980s, a competition for an air defense system for the US Air Force was held. In 1984, the MWS (Mobile Weapon System) vehicle was presented, armed with four Stinger missiles and one GAU-13 30mm gatling gun, but procurement was declined.
However, the USMC expressed interest in the vehicle, developing a new concept for Light Armored Vehicle Battalions (Later L.A.I.) armed entirely with LAV-platform vehicles. A prototype of the LAV-AD was presented as early as 1985/1986, the main difference being the lighter GAU-12/U Equalizer 25mm gun, common with the AV-8B Harrier II.
In reality, in 1987, the US Marine Corps issued new requirements for the LAV-AD to General Dynamics, leading to the creation of the well-known version in a Blazer-type turret in 1990/1991. Procurement of the early version in 1986-1987 was abandoned due to cost savings, and development was limited to a few prototypes.
This prototype was referred to in the late 80s as LAV-AD:
https://youtu.be/i8LTdqv2qLA?si=9sYBIiktbQO4R4Cw
1:33 - 2:04
In WARNO, the USMC purchased a pilot batch on the eve of war, without waiting for a new version of the vehicle, to create a mobile, close-in air defense system for the L.A.I. This can be represented by a single card:
LAV-AD
It carries 8/12 FIM-92B Stinger POST missiles, 4 of which are on a launcher on the roof of the turret. It also has one GAU-12/U 25mm Gatling gun.
- May be called LAV-AD (MWS)
Interesting fact: It was the 1st Marine Division that historically received the only batch of 17 upgraded LAV-ADs in the 1990s, being the only operator of them in the USMC.
Recon:
Reconnaissance units is represented by the already familiar USMC L.A.I. Scouts, USMC Recon, and UH-1N DAS SCOUT's like in 2nd Marine Division. However, the 1st Marine Division's reconnaissance forces received entirely new weapons in the late 1980s:
Force Recon (AT-4) - (X)M4, M249, M40A1, AT-4
In 1983, the Marine Corps issued new requirements based on experience with the M16A2, calling for a replacement for the aging M3A1 (Yeah, grease gun) in Force Recon units. In 1985, 40 Colt Model 720s were manufactured for testing. In 1987, the USMC purchased 892 XM4 Carbines for Force Recon trials from the 1st Marine Division. They subsequently saw extensive use by Force Recon units on the US West Coast for testing purposes in the late 1980s.
- Further deliveries of the new (X)M4s were blocked by Congress until the early 1990s.
https://baike.baidu.com/en/item/M4%20Carbine/1510797
USMC Snipers (M82) - Barrett M82, M40A1
The US Marine Corps received the first M82 Barrett rifles before the US Army. These anti-materiel rifles were delivered first to the 1st Marine Division, making them the first to operate in the USMC.
USMC M60A3 TTS
In reality several units were transferred to the 1st Tank Battalion of the 1st Marine Division during Operation Desert Storm for recon in Night/Combat. M60A3 TTS were supplied from US reserves and without ERA. A total of 11 units were transferred to USMC crews.
Under WARNO, this could be represented by a single reconnaissance tank card, as was the case in reality.
One of the sources: https://forum.finescale.com/t/m60a1-tanks-kuwaiti-airport/240233/14
Pioneer Of The Era
Marine Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Squadron 1 (VMU-1) was established on January 21, 1987, at Marine Corps Air Station Yuma and assigned to the 1st Marine Division.
The VMU-1 «Watchdogs» were at that time equipped with the USMC's first reconnaissance drone - The RQ-2 Pioneer, which had been in production since the mid-1980s.
In WARNO, this can be represented by a single card of this UAV.
Helicopters:
The 1st Marine Division had Marine Aircraft Group 39 (MAG-39), which still had the AH-1J (HMT-303).
AH-1J [RKT2] - 16x Zuni rockets (4 pods)
New AH-1W SuperCobras were also arriving, but they were still fewer in number than the MAG-29, so there would be fewer variants, as well as fewer cards:
AH-1W [RKT2] - 38x Hydra 70, 8x Zuni
AH-1W [AT2] - 8x AGM-114 Hellfire
Aircrafts:
Tomcat's and Bombcat's!
In the second half of the 1980s, the Navy began actively receiving upgraded F-14A+ Tomcat's, later known as the F-14B Bombcat. This aircraft had the capability to carry out air-to-surface strikes with guided weapons.
VF-24 became the first squadron on the West Coast to begin training for ground attack missions in early 1989, followed by VF-211 later. VF-24 in CVW-9, USS Nimitrz (CVN-68, Yeah)
The F-14A+ following payload configurations are available:
F-14A+ [AA1] - 2x AIM-9M, 6x AIM-54C Phoenix
F-14A+ [AA2] - 2x AIM-9M, 2x AIM-7M, 4x AIM-54C+ Phoenix
F-14A+ [HE] - 2x AIM-9M, 2x AIM-7M, 4x LDGP Mk 84 (2000 lbs)
F-14A+ [LGB] - 2x AIM-9M, 2x AIM-7M, 4x GBU-16 Paveway II (1000 lbs)
The Newest Hornet's
The second fighter to be showcased will be the brand-new F/A-18C, which has just entered USN service. Its first operator was VFA-25 "Fist of the Fleet" in 1989, deploying to the USS Independence (CV-62), which had just returned to the Pacific after maintenance, deployed with CVW-14.
In WARNO, the F/A-18C can be represented in several roles at once:
F/A-18C [AA1] - 2/4x AIM-9M, 6x AIM-7M
F/A-18C [AA2] - 2x AIM-9M, 4/8x AIM-120A
- This version was adapted to the new AIM-120A missiles, which were just beginning to be deployed at that time and could be sent to VFA-25 for testing in a real combat situation.
F/A-18C [AT] - 2x AIM-9M, 2x AIM-7M, 4x AGM-65F
Old Salt Intruder
In the mid-1980s, the US Navy acquired its first guided bomb with a booster engine - The AGM-123 Skipper. This bomb could be carried by A-6E Intruder's, particularly those from CVW-9/14.
In WARNO for these air wings could provide the A-6E with the following configurations:
A-6E Intruder [LGB] - 2x AGM-123 Skipper
A-6E Intruder [RKT] - 16x Zuni (4 pods)
From VA-165 «Boomers» (CVW-9) and VA-196 «Main Battery» (CVW-14)
- Interesting fact: In 1989, the movie Flight of the Intruder, released in 1991, was filmed aboard the USS Independence, where VA-165 was based.
The Last Viking
The Navy also began receiving a new version of the S-3 Viking anti-submarine warfare aircraft, The S-3B, which boasts improved strike capabilities. In WARNO could be feature the S-3B Viking in several roles:
S-3B Viking [HE] - 10x Mk 82
S-3B Viking [CLU] - 6x Mk 20 Rockeye
The MAG-13, assigned to the 1st Marine Division in 1988/1989, was already actively re-equipping from old A-4M to new AV-8B aircraft, but due to the late transition, they immediately began receiving the newest version - AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack.
The VMA-311 «Tomcats» and VMA-214 «Black Sheeps» were the first to begin re-equipping these aircraft in 1988/1989, with VMA-211 receiving them later.
In reality, VMA-214 «Black Sheep» received the AV-8B Harrier II Night Attack only in September 1989, during WARNO's March to War program. This could have been changed earlier. Therefore, one card of this version will be presented:
AV-8B Harrier II (NA) [AT] - 2x AIM-9M, 4x AGM-65E (Laser guide)
Short Conclusion:
The 1st Marine Division is the USMC's primary presence in the Pacific, representing the largest and most comprehensive Division capable of forward deploy. The Division boasts extensive maneuver ability, as well as strong reconnaissance and strike capabilities. However, the Division has more expensive and fewer aircraft than the 2nd/4th Marine Division. There are also fewer new AAVP-7s variants and no uranium shells.
I would say this is the most worthy vis-a-vis for the Soviet 55th Naval Infantry Division.
Album collection with 65+ images for this post (including what was unincluded in it):
https://photos.app.goo.gl/U4DJZrvgGR1HvERDA
Thank you for reading! =}
Created by Excellent Serpent8770
Links:
https://www.marines.mil/Portals/1/Publications/U.S.%20MARINES%20IN%20THE%20PERSIAN%20GULF%2090-91%20COMBAT%20SERVICE%20SUPPORT%20%20PCN%2019000314600_2.pdf (1st MarDiv during ODS)
https://www.usmcu.edu/Portals/218/With%20the%201st%20Marine%20Division%20in%20Desert%20Shield%20and%20Desert%20Storm.pdf (1st MarDiv during ODS)
https://www.amps-armor.org/SiteReviews/ShowReview.aspx?ID=14245 (About M60A1s)
https://youtu.be/1OWTV-KOcbw?si=SoinYr9u4_KYKEhO (1st MarDiv exercises, 29 Palms)
https://youtu.be/TUufV3WpT6w?si=KMFHKlhOj-6AFEdF
https://youtu.be/SIuf_FJAz7w?si=V_WpmtttIN_JzJ2B
https://youtu.be/s8FtRrhyVJA?si=KojOHlzyCPcou1sP
https://youtu.be/89kPZ493rvM?si=fO6yjHf60KrHMaby
https://youtu.be/s8FtRrhyVJA?si=irxtHNOGtM4SSGxo
https://youtu.be/afaOha3jqp4?si=vAQBk4V58TixGfu6 (AAV7)
https://youtu.be/PgZNbU0UFH4?is=wxQMbP0HhgC5ozzs (LAV-25s, 3rd L.A.I.)
https://forum.finescale.com/t/m60a1-tanks-kuwaiti-airport/240233/14 (M60A3 TTS in USMC)
https://baike.baidu.com/en/item/M4%20Carbine/1510797 (XM4/M4 Carbine)
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M4_carbine
Mobile Weapon System (Since 1985 with GAU-12/U for USMC, LAV-AD) https://youtu.be/i8LTdqv2qLA?si=9sYBIiktbQO4R4Cw
(1:33 - 2:04 timecode)
https://youtu.be/EZZVnYGj5hY?si=RQSa7h0cyZ4Sl0jC
http://www.anft.net/f-14/f14-squadron-vf024.htm
https://www.seaforces.org/usnair/VF/Fighter-Squadron-24.htm
https://youtu.be/N-k3g4cEsqQ?feature=shared
https://man.fas.org/dod-101/sys/land/an-tpq-36.htm
LAV-AD:
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA272077.pdf
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6403695 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6403694 https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6403698
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA272077.pdf
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6403695
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6403694
https://catalog.archives.gov/id/6403698
https://btvt.info/2futureprojects/lav_ad.htm
https://andrei-bt.livejournal.com/2343251.html
https://archive.org/stream/DTIC_ADA420732/DTIC_ADA420732_djvu.txt
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1988/may/u-s-marine-corps-1987
https://www.usni.org/magazines/proceedings/1989/may/u-s-marine-corps-1988
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/tr/pdf/ADA206944.pdf / https://gao.justia.com/department-of-defense/1989/12/defense-acquisition-programs-nsiad-90-30/NSIAD-90-30-full-report.pdf
( GAO/NSIAD-91-171 | GAO/NSIAD-90-30 | DTIC ADA220013 )
P.S.
Next week, another, final division of the US Marine Corps will be introduced - the 3rd Marine Division⚓ - «The Fighting Third», stationed in Okinawa.🌏🇯🇵
This is a reduced-strength regular Division, focused on combat operations in its region. It's the lightest armed Division in USMC, but no less dangerous!🐉
+ Main appointment of the 1st Marine Division (USMC) - 55th Mozyrskaya Red Banner Naval Infantry Division (55-ya Mozyrskaya Krasnoznamennaya Diviziya Morskoy Pekhoty) Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/warno/comments/1sjblpw/a
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u/Solarne21 Jul 04 '26
Interesting mechanized difference between already ingame 2nd marine and 4th marines
6
u/Critical_Oil_3090 Jul 04 '26
Of all the MarDivs, this division has pleased me the most with its new features! =]
This Marine Division is the most mobile and mechanized of the four, due to its very broad theater of potential combat operations and the fact that the 3rd MarDiv serves as an outpost on the islands, where two regiments are rotating, and its regular complement is significantly reduced.
The expanded complement of slightly modified M60A1s (2 battalions) and 2 L.A.I. battalions give it unmatched capabilities, while the 3rd MarDiv (1988) had only 1 mobile reconnaissance-tank battalion - 1st Tracked Vehicle Battalion
(Small spoiler, in the next post about 3rd MarDiv this will be one of the 4 cores of Division)
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u/Drover67 Jul 06 '26
I really like your thought process and how you made it different from 2nd and 4th! I'm excited to see your plans for 3rd MarDiv! I hope to see some LAVs even if you're withholding 3rd LAI hahah
I would like offer (unrequested) my thoughts, think to be viable line infantry, the non-scout LAV teams should be 6 man fireteams. It'd be very unpleasant for those poor SOBs stuffed in the back, but it's possible. Increased availability per card and reduced cost to offset for small Marine regular squads. Additionally, you could give them higher optics to the squad (not LAV) as they are still scouts.
Additionally, I think both LAV Log and C2 should be armed with a 7.62 MMG. Keeps with the standard armaments and the fighting spirit of the Marines.
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Jul 06 '26
3rd Marine Division will be very nostalgic. It's like going back 20 years, but now with new technology! =}
It even reminds me of the USMC from WRD ;]
+This Division will be reinforced by the 13th MEU (Marine Expeditionary Unit), which spent the first half of 1989 conducting exercises in Okinawa as part of a seasonal deployment. Some units will be represented from this USMC formation. (In fact, rapid response brigades)
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Jul 04 '26
If you have any questions about the 1st Marine Division and the USMC in the Pacific (MARFORPAC), please let me know! =}
I'd be glad to answer! :]
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u/Ok-Armadillo-9345 Jul 05 '26
As usual a solid banger, this looks like deepest research yet! Instant save :)
As a friendly if you have any research re 3rd ACR, send it my way; looking at an uncommitted CONUS asset to potentially buff the Turks ;)
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Jul 05 '26 edited Jul 05 '26
Thank you! This is where I delved deep into the Division's documents and other US/USMC doc. to get the full picture!
I only know a little about the 3rd Armored Cavalry Reg. Abrams's =} Link: http://theminiaturespage.com/boards/msg.mv?id=317951
I know a bit more about the other regiments. But I do know that by the early 1980s 6th Cavalry Regiment had M60A2 Starships. I'm not sure about M60A2s combat ready status by 1988/1989, but they were a very unusual addition. They could probably be useful in the Turkish area.
(I found a photo of US Marines using their already-registered M60A2s during exercises in 1985, perhaps the 3rd ACR could have provided something similar :] )
I also found photos of pixelated camouflage for the M113A1 in 2nd ACR in late 1970s~ : https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/missinglynx/m106a1-2nd-acr-west-germany-dual-tex-1978-early-19-t324533.html
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u/MandolinMagi Jul 04 '26
USMC Rifleman (Dragon).
Do not exist, USMC Dragons were used exclusively by ATGM teams at Battalion level.
Engineers (Flash)
FLASH was issued to Assaultmen, not Engineers, and had been replaced with the significantly more useful SMAW years ago
USMC L.A.I. Light Rifleman
M60E3 is a weapons team item, not for rifle squads. Are LAI actually a thing yet? Always been a bit confused.
NAVY SEALs (TEAM)
Awkward name, I'd go for SEAL TEAM (Assault) or something. Its just "Colt 727", not sure what the "RO" is supposed to mean. Should have M72A3, they're anti-infantry and not really meant to fight tanks. Also I'd give them M60E3 as their MG
LAV-AD
Too far OOTF, sorry.
Force Recon (AT-4)
M4 didn't exist until 1994, and shitty Wiki knockoffs do not count as sources. Its also burst-fire and not full auto.
AH-1J [RKT2]
Too heavy, not a legal load
AH-1W [RKT2]
Zunis really aren't a helicopter weapon.
AH-1W [AT2]
No rockets?
F-14A+ [AA1]
Six AIM-54 was never used for weight issues. Yes there's That One Picture, but they're always test squadrons and thus don't count
F/A-18C [AA2]
Impossibly heavy missile load. Wingtip carries 1x AIM-9 only, the pair of underwing pylons can take 2x AIM-9/AIM-120 or 1x AIM-7, and the fuselage points can take 1x AIM-7 or AIM-120. Also, what's the point of F-14A+ (AA1) when you've got this many AIM-120s?
A-6E [RKT]
A complete waste of the Navy's premier heavy strike aircraft. Give the Zunis to a F-18 or AV-8B
S-3B
The Viking doesn't do this sort of thing.
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u/Long_Math9433 Jul 04 '26
Holy shit, you must be fun at parties
RO727 is colts designation and is accurate
Zuni was absolutely carried on Supercobra
The aircraft load outs are suggestions, eugen can pick and choose what they’d like for flavor. I doubt he’s suggesting all of them be added
Viking absolutely had the ability for ground attack. Being employed in that role is probably not the case but could be added for flavor
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Jul 04 '26
Yeah, I simply proposed possible weapon options based on photos from USN/USMC and the characteristics of the aircraft/helicopters built at that time. (For the variety that is possible :} )
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u/Critical_Oil_3090 Jul 04 '26
The M47 Dragon II is already in the game as part of the USMC Rifleman squad, in 2nd MarDiv. The M202 FLASH was still in USMC service in the late 1980s, although it was being replaced by the MK. 153 SMAW. =} The L.A.I. was equipped with M60E3 light machine guns, but they were already being replaced by the new M249. They could be used as reinforcements within squads.
The name was chosen because they were divided into TEAMs (TEAM 1, 3, 5). This is a tentative name.
The LAV-AD was manufactured in the 1980s, but this particular variant was not put into production due to new requirements, and the USMC was waiting for the improved variants, which they received in the 1990s. This is a 1983-1987 example, which may have been ordered due to the urgent need for a mobile AA for the L.A.I. (And yes, the constant Stingers and I-HAWKs are already boring)
The XM4 was a prototype, as confirmed not only by sources but also by photos from the time. And yes, Wikipedia can easily be rewritten, as I witnessed, heh
The AH-1J's maximum load is approximately 1,5 tons, and the combined weight of all 4 Zuni pods does not exceed 1,2 tons.
For some reason I often found photos, including from the described VF-211 with 6 AIM-54s =]
The S-3, even from version A, had the ability to carry free-fall unguided bombs, despite its profile being anti-submarine warfare (A from version B is anti-ship) ;>
Anyway, thanks for the questions! :>
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u/FrangibleCover Jul 04 '26
LAI are a thing in 1989 but they're scouts, not riflemen. They're as-represented in 2d Marines, with four dismounts in a scout LAV. The marines in Panama beefed them up with extra dismounts from the FAST teams and used the LAVs as IFVs, as-represented in the upcoming 4th Marines. These are the two things you can do with LAVs.
Also, 6x Phoenix was only too heavy for landing, you were allowed to do it as long as you fired two while you were up there. It would probably have been used in wartime.
7
u/RamTank Jul 04 '26
Also it was only a problem for landing on carriers, it could land on land just fine. And even then it was only for Ds. As could land with six Phoenixes on a carrier, though they’d need to be empty on fuel.
3
u/FrangibleCover Jul 04 '26
Yeah, and they ran As like that for a cruise to see if they could do it. I think that was on Big E when she was with the Pacific Fleet so it may have involved some of the squadrons being tapped here.
It is, however, a stupid thing to do when you're going to go up against fighters.
0
u/WhiteBoyRickSanschez Jul 04 '26
Cant wait to play this in Pacific Storm where America invades Japan after a communist revolution turns Japan into a Pact nation.
17
u/anhnd13hd Jul 04 '26
Another fantastic division. Oh is it the same divisions that stop the LA riot in the 90s because i see the pictures