What bothers me is that EVERY TIME that map is on a server I join, I have yet to see people use the assets correctly to support each other. There is always a lack of coordination, and people will usually just grab vehicles and haul *** to the different objectives (even those not next up for grabs). Tanks will hide in the hills trying to snipe, snipers hide in the hills trying to get a "l337 kill" (even though they usually choose a horrible spot that outlines their image against the sky like the twin towers), and the AA usually sit at base because people don't like being a huge SHOOT ME sign.
I feel that the best tactic to run this map in a realistic and effective manner is the proper use of all assets in a true combined-arms fashion. You have a lot of equipment at your disposal, but it means jack if your team can't use it effectively.
The tactic I think would work best is to send a few advanced-party scouts out to the different front flags with the lightest and fastest vehicles available such as the transport jeeps. 1-2 men per vehicle, each headed in a different direction. The scout helo should also be getting airborne at this time, staying near the rear uncapped flags and spotting any incoming vehicles that might cause trouble for your team while they take the flags.64 Player
8 x Tank (20 minute respawn)
4 x APC (20 minute respawn)
4 x AAV (20 minute respawn)
4 x Support Jeep (20 minute respawn)
4 x Transport Jeep (5 minute respawn)
2 x Fighter Jet (20 minute respawn)
1 x Attack Jet (20 minute respawn)
1 x Transport Helicopter (20 minute respawn)
1 x Scout Helicopter (20 minute respawn)
At the same time those scouts are headed out, normal squads of troops should be kitting up and boarding the APC's to roll into the first flag. Armor crews should be getting into tanks AND the AA vehicles, and all other vehicles should be manned as they spawn in.
The armor should remain in 2-3 tanks per formation, supporting each other and increasing their survivability by volume of fire. Each tank should have an engineer as TC, who can hop out and repair the tank as needed. He can also assist in spotting targets, engaging air threats with the deck-mount, and engage danger-close targets if needed. The TC/Eng can also dismount and be used to advance to the crest of a hill to spot targets, after which the tank rolls up to break the crestline and engage targets that the TC has spotted.
The AA should stick with the tanks, usually one AA per tank formation. A tank's worst threat isn't other armor, but air. An AA's worst enemy isn't air, but other armor. The two should work together as a team, with the AA slightly to the rear and seeking cover from the crestline. This should help ensure survival of both units.
If enough people are available, the support vehicles can also be assigned to each armor/AA group as desired, driven by an engineer instead of having them sit in the TC slot. TC's are good sniper targets, while the support jeeps offer slightly more protection and also act as a resupply point.
The attack jet should be used to target heavy ground units, in order of priority. The fighter jets should be used to safeguard the attack jets by maintaining air superiority in the AO. If done correctly, you should never lose your air assets. Priority for Warthogs and Frogfoots should be AA, then armor, then APC, then commander trucks, then support trucks, then any other vehicles or emplacements. Single troops on foot are NOT to be engaged by air, as it's a waste of ammo and prevents the air from engaging more valuable targets.
The transport helos should be used for limited function, such as transporting reinforcements back to the front lines. Transport helos are NOT scout helos, nor are they super-special gunships. Door guns are meant for DEFENSIVE use, not OFFENSIVE. Don't waste your helo and your onboard crew just because you want to go zap some troops at a flag.
Too many times I see some retard grab a tank and drive off solo, thinking they can effectively gun and drive at the same time. Now I can understand if you have a squad member who will drive or gun for you, but do NOT try to operate a tank or APC solo. You will only end up losing your vehicle and pissing off your whole team. Don't use the aircraft unless you KNOW you are going to do it GOOD, not just because you want to try and fly that cool jet. STAY THE HELL OUT IF YOU CAN'T FLY! I don't know how many times I have died in the back of a transport helo because the jackass pilot failed to inform us that he never flew before. This is NOT vBF2, aircraft work different here. Practice dying on your own private server, save the public server flying for the real pilots. Mkay?
Share the vehicles. DOn't stand around base for 20 minutes waiting for that jet, get your *** a different kit and join in the battle. If you missed it the first time, maybe you'll get it after your next respawn or next game. There is more to PR than just flying, and if you play just to fly then maybe you need to go buy Falcon 4.0 or something and stay off PR servers. I have several screenshots of stacks of gimps just standing around the main bases waiting to TK for an aircraft or armor when their team is losing because nobody else is helping out. Act maturely and do your job, even if it means driving instead of flying.
Think more than 10 seconds ahead, use scouts, and never leave a flag undefended. Commanders should set up defenses at the second-tier flags, anything to help keep the enemy out and your flag secure. Don't close it off and make it a deathtrap to anyone spawning there, but do what you can to ensure the baddies don't get in.
Don't take a vehicle if you plan to abandon it. It's a big desert, and walking across it really sucks. If you need a ride, ask for one. That's what the transport helo is for. Trucks left out in the desert also give the enemy just one more place to rearm their HAT from.
This is in no way intended to be a formal "Go here, Do this" guide. I am just posting a few suggestions on things that have worked for me in the past and should work for everyone if done correctly. Learn the capabilities of your vehicles and the layout of the map. These techniques should help prevent your team from getting slaughtered in the first 5 minutes of the game.
