Rolling Thunder

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NATO tank platoons storm northern Everon and neutralize all hostile forces. Mission Description

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Rolling Thunder
Time	06:20 AM
Date	21-06-1985 (timeline, canon) 22-06-1985 (in-game)
Location	South-east of Saint Phillipe, Everon
Previous	Hind Attack
Next	Airborne

Rolling Thunder is the twenty-seventh mission of ArmA: Cold War Assault's Cold War Crisis campaign.

Diary

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Jun 22, 1985 - The weather is disgusting here on Everon. I hate this place. But we've got a job to do - and, hey, thanks to that last success I'm now in command of an entire tank platoon. Not bad for a few days' work. The infantry did a good job taking the airport here, and now it's up to us to push down to the south. Those Special Ops guys have apparently cleared the route for us, so we shouldn't meet any choppers on the way. Sure, we'll probably come up against a load of infantry and maybe some armored vehicles... but we're a group of four Abrams - the most kick-ass tanks on the battlefield. They don't stand a chance. Our orders are to take the city of Montignac. Funny - isn't that the last place our troops conquered when we were here earlier?

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Overview

The player controls U.S. Army tank commander Lieutenant Robert Hammer. Everon's airport has been successfully liberated by allied troops and Soviet air power has been neutralised by black ops fireteams. With both threats eliminated, Hammer's tank platoon can smash through faltering Soviet defences and clear a path towards Montignac.

Hammer's role/class:

• Armour / Crewman

Default loadout:

• Primary weapon: XM-177E2 (4× magazines)
• Secondary weapon: None
• Equipment: NV Goggles, Grenades (6×)

There are no alternate pieces of equipment to choose from.

Objectives

Primary

• (1) Your first objective is to neutralize the enemy defensive position at Tyrone
• (2) Continue to Montignac
• (3) Seize and hold Montignac

Optional

• (4) Eliminate heavily defended enemy position

Mandatory

• Hammer must survive
• Avoid collateral damage/friendly fire (point score must not drop below 1,201)
• Your platoon must not be overrun
• Allied forces must not be destroyed
• Remain within the combat area

Walkthrough

Primary 1: Your first objective is to neutralize the enemy defensive position at Tyrone

Unlike Hammer's previous missions, you'll be playing the role of platoon commander for the rest of the campaign so get used to commanding on the fly while leading your own crew. Don't forget to assign an appropriate formation for your subordinates to adopt.

You'll be starting off in the woods south-east of Saint Phillipe. Proceed south along the road towards the village of Tyrone. When you're approximately ~ 500 metres out from the outskirts of the village, you will spot some trucks and BMPs. Focus down the BMP first; the trucks can be dealt with using the coaxial machine gun (or let your subordinates take care of it).

Continue driving towards the village but do not enter it yet. You will run up against an enemy weapons squad with several RPG gunners waiting to ambush you at the guard post. Switch to HEAT or stick with the coax and gun them down as quickly as possible. Keep an eye on the south-west as a T-72 at grid Dg32 (where the Beware! markers are located on the map) may break away from its idle position to flank you.

Primary 2: Continue to Montignac

Repair and refuel if needed from the supply trucks before moving out again. Do not go south-west as there's a minefield and barricades blocking the road. Divert south-east along the edge of the forest (not through it).

You should spot another enemy truck coming from the east ferrying reinforcements to the front line. Give the truck's driver an explosive gift and continue south towards Eb33. Slow down as you get closer to Eb34 and look for a camp with several tents at Ec37. A heavy AT squad with RPG/missile soldiers will be waiting for you. Send several HEAT shells their way and mop up any stragglers with the coax.

The objective will be completed once you're within visual range of Montignac. Save your game once Hammer radios HQ that he's in position.

Primary 3: Seize and hold Montignac

Switch back to SABOT shells for the main gun if you haven't already.

Look for a Shilka at grid Dh44 and take it out first. Now drive forward slowly and keep your distance from the town as there's a weapons squad garrisoned inside, several of whom are AT soldiers. Use your coax to sweep through the streets until all infantry threats are eliminated.

As you begin the attack, watch out for another BMP coming from the south. It is ferrying a rifle squad and will attempt to unload its cargo at Di46. Another BMP accompanied by a T-80 will also attack from the west. The combined firepower of your platoon should easily knock out all three vehicles.

The mission will end once all remaining enemy forces have been defeated.

Optional 4: Eliminate heavily defended enemy position

After seizing Tyrone, you can choose to drive south-west as opposed to sticking on the east side to attack the fortified position at grid Df34. Two sandbag bunkers will be garrisoned by fourteen AT soldiers. In addition, a nine-man weapons squad will approach from the west to reinforce it.

There is no reason to go after this objective other than for bragging rights. It is incredibly risky to attempt and doesn't make the rest of the mission any easier. Should you insist on going after it, be sure to make a save just before attacking as you will most likely be hit by two-three RPG/missile strikes simultanously once the AI return fire upon your platoon.

Tips

• When initiating the attack upon Montignac, you may want to pre-emptively order two of your subordinates to break off and hold position on the western side of the town at Dh46. They can intercept the T-80/BMP attacking from that direction if you're too occupied dealing with the mechanised rifle squad from the south.

Trivia

• Two T-80s guard Lamentin while a BMP Ambulance remains idle at Morton. None of these three vehicles will move from their starting positions unless provoked by Hammer's platoon, however.
• If Hammer takes too long to capture the town, an Mi-24 will eventually fly in and attempt to strafe the player's position.
• Upon release, the events of Rolling Thunder were stated to have taken place on June 22nd (a date that is still shown on Hammer's diary entry). This was later retconned to the 21st by the official Armaverse Timeline.