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Red Tide (Operation Radiant): Realistic Groups, Deployment Conditions, and Accurate Cold-War Air Asset Locations

Operation Radiant | Date: 5 June 1987 | Time: 0045 hours | The Soviet Northern Fleet, stationed in Cuba, receives urgent orders to intercept and neutralize NATO vessels heading toward Puerto Cabezas in Nicaragua.

Task Force Radiant, led by the aircraft carrier Novorossiysk, sails out of Cienfuegos for a night deployment. Two Slava-class cruisers glide over the waves alongside the imposing Soviet carrier. A Sovremenny-class destroyer pulls ahead while, to its right, Victor-class submarines dive into the fiery waters of the sunset.

As darkness envelops the warm tropical night, Task Force Radiant begins its search for the shadow of the adversary. Tu-95 reconnaissance planes are already in the air, cruising at 30,000 feet. The loud, heavy aircraft power up their formidable radar systems. In no time, initial reports start coming in. Two aircraft carriers are spotted off the coast of Honduras. More reports follow, and as the number of enemy vessels becomes clearer, it seems likely that NATO will gain the advantage in the impending engagement. However, Task Force Radiant is ready for the challenge. With unwavering determination, the Soviet Northern Fleet surges forward, a beacon of red might amid the starlit Caribbean Sea.


MISSION BRIEF

Operation Name: Radiant

Date: 5 June 1987

Time: 0045 hours

Mission Priority: Top

Primary Threats:
Aerial reconnaissance reports that the enemy force has twice as many vessels as Task Force Radiant. Because of the number of enemy ships, we can expect dense air-defense shields around their aircraft carriers. Task Force Radiant vessels have superior range with the P-500 Bazalt missile (SS-N-12 Sandbox) armaments. However, we recommended postponing an initial missile barrage until the Victor-III attack submarines are within torpedo range of NATO vessels. A multifaceted attack will defeat enemy defense systems and preserve friendly forces.

Avoid moving close to the coast. The waters of the Nicaraguan Shelf are shallow, averaging less than 40 feet in depth. Submarines will be unable to submerge below periscope depth. Maneuvering in such shallow waters will be difficult and dangerous for larger ships.

MiG-23 and Il-38 aircraft from Cuba will provide additional air cover. Ensure no enemy surface combatants remain operational near Nicaragua.

Phases of Operation:

Phase 1: Deployment
Task Force Radiant sets sail from the coast of Cuba towards the Caribbean. Initial positioning off the coast of Puerto Cabezas.

Phase 2: Reconnaissance and Intelligence Gathering
Tu-95 reconnaissance planes conduct surveillance and reconnaissance to confirm the presence and position of NATO naval assets. Submarines perform sonar sweeps to detect any hostile subsurface threats.

Phase 3: Engagement Preparation
The Slava-class cruisers and the Sovremenny-class destroyer arm their vertical launch systems for engagement. Submarines achieve optimal firing solutions for torpedo engagements.

Phase 4: Initial Engagement
Tu-95 reconnaissance planes provide real-time updates on NATO naval assets. Submarines execute torpedo attacks on escort vessels to disrupt the enemy's screen formation. The Slava-class cruisers and the Sovremenny-class destroyer fire long-range anti-ship missiles targeting high-value units as enemy aircraft carriers.

Phase 5: Air Strikes
Aircraft from the Novorossiysk flagship conduct combat air patrol and launch coordinated air strikes on NATO naval assets. Priority targets include the flight decks and critical systems of enemy aircraft carriers to neutralize their air power. Tu-95 reconnaissance planes perform live battle damage assessment and provide updates.

Phase 6: Surface Engagement
The Slava-class cruisers and the Sovremenny-class destroyer engage any remaining NATO vessels with Surface-to-Surface missiles. Submarines continue eliminating residual threats and providing continuous surveillance on enemy movements.

Phase 7: Defensive Maneuvers and Withdrawal
Task Force Radiant regroups and performs evasive maneuvers to avoid retaliatory strikes. Maintain formation and prepare for potential secondary engagements. Withdraw to a safe distance for further orders and replenishment if necessary.

Contingencies:
In the event of unexpected heavy resistance, Task Force Radiant conducts a tactical retreat and reconstitutes for a secondary offensive. Evacuation protocols are in place for any severely damaged vessels to ensure crew survival and extraction.

End State:
Complete neutralization of all NATO naval threats.
Safe return of Task Force Radiant to base with minimal casualties and damage.

Strategic Significance:
Preventing a NATO invasion of Puerto Cabezas is crucial for the friendly socialist FSLN (Sandinista National Liberation Front) government of Nicaragua to remain in power. NATO military presence in Nicaragua will inevitably lead to a coup d'état by the Contras, staged by the CIA.


VISUAL EFFECTS (OPTIONAL)

For using the light enhancement filter shown in the Steam preview images, locate the red_tide_night_vision_reshade.ini file in the Visual Effects folder.

To find the Visual Effects folder:
1. Go to the Steam root folder. On Windows, this is typically located in
C:\Program Files (x86)\Steam\
or wherever Steam was installed on the disk.

2. From there navigate to
steamapps\workshop\content\

3. Locate the folder with the Id for Sea Power: 1286220
(the Id is visible in the Sea Power Steam Store link https://steamhost.cn/app/1286220).

4. Inside that folder, find the folder matching the Id of the Red Tide mod: 3429626395
(the Id is visible in the Red Tide mod Steam Workshop link
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3429626395).

5. Open missions and inside is the Visual Effects folder.

ReShade Installation:
Visit https://reshade.me and download ReShade. Open the ReShade .exe file and:

1. In the following "Select a game or application" window, select Sea Power.

2. In the "Select the rendering API Sea Power uses" window, select DirectX 10/11/12.

3. In the next window, find the input box labeled
"Choose a preset file (.ini) to install only the effects it uses:".

4. Click Browse and select the red_tide_night_vision_reshade.ini file from the Visual Effects folder.

5. Click Next and complete the installation.

The light enhancement filter will run when you start Sea Power.
Press the F6 key in-game to turn it off / on.
Press the Home key in-game to modify the filter settings.

To uninstall ReShade:
1. Open the ReShade .exe file.

2. In the "Select a game or application" window, select Sea Power.

3. In the "Select the rendering API Sea Power uses" window, select DirectX 10/11/12.

4. Select "Uninstall ReShade and effects" and click Next to complete the process.


ADDITIONAL MISSIONS

Attack Narvik port as Force Red:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3420067403

Defend Narvik port as Force Blue:
https://steamhost.cn/steamcommunity_com/sharedfiles/filedetails/?id=3421747554