Central America/Caribbean D+21 (30 July, 1987) Part II

As the Third World War teetered on the brink of escalating to a global nuclear war on D+18, Panamanian strongman Manuel Noriega remained indifferent to events going on in Europe and North America. Whereas the leaders of Cuba and Nicaragua saw the writing on the wall and attempted to reach accommodation with the US government, …

Central America/Caribbean D+21 (30 July, 1987) Part I

The use of nuclear weapons on D+18 almost set Central America and the Caribbean on the backburner for the US permanently. But the fear and uncertainty that came in the hours following the nuclear exchange ended up working to Washington’s benefit. The remaining appetites for further conflict in the region were extinguished, with one significant …

2021 Holiday Tournament: Round 2 Operational Outside Europe, Naval Operational

Operational Outside Europe #1 Gulf Strike vs #3 Korea 1995 The mark of a classic wargame is the title’s ability to accurately simulate the changing realities in a particular theater’s era of conflict. Gulf Strike exemplifies this, having offered not only a game but a simulation tool that served gamers well through the volatile period …

Central America/Caribbean D+17 (26 July, 1987)

Just after 0200 hours, Central Standard Time, US Air Force F-111s appeared in the skies over Managua. The fighter-bombers struck eight targets; The Foreign ministry and Ministry of the Interior buildings, as well as a restrike against the Defense Ministry headquarters. Sandinista party headquarters, and the residences of four high-ranking party officials were also on …

D+16 Primer Part II

Southern Flank- With NATO’s control of the Mediterranean near certain, Sixth Fleet is looking to extend that dominance into the Black Sea, as the next phase of the war at sea. Meanwhile on land, Pact forces continue to advance in Thrace despite absorbing high casualties in exchange for minimal gains of territory. Romania has been …

Central America/Caribbean D+15 (24 July, 1987)

0030- Violence breaks out again in Panama City as pro-Noriega crowds converge on the US embassy and US military installations across the Canal Zone. The Panamanian police and paramilitary units that had spent much of the previous afternoon fighting anti-Noriega protesters in the streets are now nowhere to be found. Automatic gunfire is heard around …

A Look Ahead Through Mid-March, 2021

Evening, everyone. I wanted to take a few minutes and bring all of you up to speed on the plan for WWIII: 1987 over the next week and a half. Also, I’d like to discuss the novel since some of you have been asking about it lately on Twitter and even through email. First thing …

Central America/Caribbean D+14 (23 July, 1987

For the second morning in a row, American airpower was in action over Nicaragua. Bombs and rained down on military targets across the country. Battlegroup Romeo joined in as well, launching a limited number of TLAMs against government buildings in Managua. The airstrikes marked the first use of F-111s in Southern Command’s AOR. Eight of …

Status of US Combat Divisions D+13 (22 July, 1987)

I thought it would be a good idea at this point in the blog to work up a cheat sheet of sorts briefly laying out the statuses and locations of US Army and US Marine Corps combat divisions and select independent brigades on D+13. At this point in the conflict there is a lot to …

Central America/Caribbean D+11 thru D+13 (20-22 July, 1987)

D+11 (20 July, 1987) Nicaraguan President Daniel Ortega condemns Cuban leader Fidel Castro during a 90 minute speech. He accuses Castro of ‘cowardice’ and ‘betraying the revolution.’ Ortega vows that Nicaragua will continue the fight against American imperialism, and promises to assist Manuel Noriega in evicting the Americans from Panama. A short time later additional …