Vehicle/Aircraft Operations
In almost all missions here at Coalition, vehicles will be used in many different capacities. It is important that you understand both ground and air vehicle operations if you plan on using them within sessions.
Ground Vehicles
Ground vehicles can range from an ATV to an M1A2 Abrams main battle tank during sessions.
Transport
Transport vehicles range from anything between light cars to heavy transport trucks. They are vehicles with very little to no combat effectiveness that are used to transport troops or supplies.
Transport vehicles are used to get from point A to point B. While most vehicles we use will be armed, you should not rely on them to provide as a frontline combat unit. With little to no armour and no crew protection, they make for easy targets. Instead you should try to use them as a base of fire, or to partially dismount and advance with the infantry.
Combat Capable
These are armoured personnel carriers, infantry fighting vehicles and main battle tanks. Refer to vehicle identification for a detailed list of such vehicles. APCs and IFVs are capable of transporting troops into the battlefield with added protection.
Your role when you are crewing a combat capable vehicle is to support the infantry. The infantry will keep anti-tank crews away from you, while you support their advance and knock out any armor they encounter. You should never lead a push into a city or through hedgerows without infantry support. You have a mutually beneficial relationship with the infantry so use it to your advantage against enemy forces.
Air Vehicles
Rotary Wing
Helicopters are an extremely powerful tool for the Platoon when used well. They can provide transport to infantry and light armor to insert a fully-armed force to the combat zone rapidly and with little warning to the enemy, as well as provide significant firepower with more precision than fixed-wing aircraft.
The following is a general overview of what helicopters can do for the platoon leader:
Transport
Transport helicopters come in three categories. Light, medium, and heavy.
Light (example: MH6 Littlebird) Light helicopters are easy-to-fly and can land almost anywhere, including some rooftops and city streets. However, they are also unarmored and not suitable flying into contested LZs. They typically carry a fireteam-strength element. They can only sling-load lightweight objects like supply crates.
Medium (example: Mil Mi-8) Medium helicopters carry a squad-strength element and require more space to land in, but are also typically more heavily armed and armored than light helicopters and can potentially fly into contested LZs. Many medium helicopters can also sling-load small vehicles and supply crates.
Heavy (example: CH-47 Chinook) Heavy helicopters can transport two squads or sling-load light armor. They can be very heavily armed. However, they require very large LZs.