OH SO CLOSE!...or support waypoint posibilities.

[Otterbear 10]

OK, So I just learned how to add support way-points for support units.

I thought "I know, I'll link an AH-64D and an A-10 to my Medical support chopper, and I'll get a realistic group of support aircraft to come to my pos and help me."...not quite.

For some reason linking them causes them to move from their "assigned" positions in the editor to some arbitrary location at startup/preview. So most of my "brilliant" plan ends up as "Crash debris" before I've even mounted up and set off. When I could get them to actually stay put...(I had grouped them in the wrong order...I think), the chopper never takes off. The A-10 and the Apache Longbow circle waiting - I think, for the Support chopper to leave but he apparently never does.

Has anybody gotten something like this to work? Or can you think of something I may have done wrong?

I placed the support Helo at the airport, along with the A-10 and the Apache.

I placed the A-10 at the beginning of the runway. (cuz he tends to get lost.)

I placed the support way-points for the support chopper.

I grouped the A-10 and the Apache to the Support chopper.

I placed a section of troops about 2 clicks away in open terrain.

I made the section leader the player.

I start preview and call for an ambulance.

I either end up with a pile of wreckage at/near the airport, or I get nothing at all. Sometimes the air assets start airborne...is this a clue or normal?

Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.

[stupidwhitekid75 11]

Simple fix. All you need to do is place your A-10 at the start of the runway, and when you go into the unit there should be a setting that is listed either as "In Formation" or "Flying" you need to go in, and change it to "None". This will cause the A-10 to start on the ground at the beginning of the runway. Do the same for the Apache and MH-60 MEV (assuming that is your support helicopter), and keep them off the immediate path the A-10 will take to take off, but still close by. Group the Apache and the A-10 with the MH-60 so that the MH-60 is the group leader (change it's rank to something higher than whatever they are) and create a support waypoint nearby.

This will set things up so that when you request support in game, each unit will take off and fly to your location. The MH-60 will hesitate landing if you come under heavy contact so it might land to a safer or more flat position while the Apache and A-10 both circle. Once support is completed, they will return to there locations and await until support is called again.

Hope that helps!

[Otterbear 10]

Fantastic! (I managed last night to get it working, but it was mainly trial and error.)

Your insights into Formation/rank and so forth have really explained what I needed.

This is just a phenomenal game at times.

[Otterbear 10]

I thought that once you had been "serviced" the support units were available to help you out in the future. As it stands, it looks to me like they will support you once but never go back to a ready status for another mission. IE:They wont come a second time to a different location.

I'm in "Recruit" mode and the leader always says "ready" for me, so I can't see that being the problem, although it could very well be.

[cyop 10]

Once support is finished, you have to go through the support menu and select DONE.

[Otterbear 10]

Once support is finished, you have to go through the support menu and select DONE.

AH!, that may be the problem. Although, I thought I looked there.

I'll test again and find out.

No apparently my Medical Helicopter pilot was killed while standing around on the battlefield waiting for new orders. (or in the air, cuz he had moved.) Found the chopper in mint condition but the pilot was a dead man.

This is something I need to learn to do right, or a major flaw in the logic. I have an A-10 and a AH-64D providing cover for my Med. chopper but AGAIN, they don't seem to be able to stick around after the first rescue. (leaving my lone pilot on a live battlefield with his ()*)) in his hand.

I've been doing little else but reading and watching videos on how to play this game for days now and, I have yet to see any way to make support vehicles/men return to base to await further orders.

If this is the case, it renders the whole idea moot.

Do I have to attach a whole battalion of men and armor to protect my Support vehicles?

Will they too, in return, leave my support drivers standing around on the battlefield helpless?

I have ACM and Spec-ops active. So anybody standing around is going to be shot in short order.

I do have my base secured with a "kill-all-enemy's" trigger and, have set a marker so no Opfor will be spawned there. But, I fail to see the point if the min I call them they are going to be blasted from the sky or shot like sitting ducks in the middle of nowhere.

Edited November 14, 2010 by Otterbear

[stupidwhitekid75 11]

When you call your support chopper in, the A-10 will circle a greater distance above and search for targets while the Apache will stick to a medium distance and provide cover (at least this is what I've noticed testing it out). The best thing I have found to do is go to groups, and place a US Army Infantry Squad, then go to units and create three more medics. Group each member of the squad with the MH-60, and make sure instead of each infantry unit saying "In Formation" or "None" that they say "In Cargo" (the MH-60/Apache/A-10 will still say "None"). Once done, when you call support the MH-60 will land and the infantry squad will disembark and provide security close to the chopper, hopefully keeping your pilot from being killed from anyone too close by. The medics will be able to move to each of the wounded and heal them instead of each wounded person crawling up to the chopper one by one. The A-10 and Apache will still circle. Once everyone is healed, go to the same menu where you requested support and choose "Done" and your player should say "Ready" and get "Roger" as a response. After a little bit of waiting, all the men will board the MH-60, and everyone (including the A-10 and AH-64) will return to the support waypoint. What you have to realize is that if there are any other squads on the map that you don't control can also request support if any of there men get wounded.

You have to remember also, that your support squad is not invulnerable during combat. If there's a lot of fighting going on around you, it might be in your best interest to keep fighting or take out key targets that would normally easily take out your helicopters. If you're unable to do that, or things are way too intense, fall back until fighting is either at a minimum or not at all and then call support. Your helicopters will land wherever you request support on the map, always keep that in mind.

Edited November 14, 2010 by stupidwhitekid75

[Otterbear 10]

When you call your support chopper in, the A-10 will circle a greater distance above and search for targets while the Apache will stick to a medium distance and provide cover (at least this is what I've noticed testing it out). The best thing I have found to do is go to groups, and place a US Army Infantry Squad, then go to units and create three more medics. Group each member of the squad with the MH-60, and make sure instead of each infantry unit saying "In Formation" or "None" that they say "In Cargo" (the MH-60/Apache/A-10 will still say "None"). Once done, when you call support the MH-60 will land and the infantry squad will disembark and provide security close to the chopper, hopefully keeping your pilot from being killed from anyone too close by. The medics will be able to move to each of the wounded and heal them instead of each wounded person crawling up to the chopper one by one. The A-10 and Apache will still circle. Once everyone is healed, go to the same menu where you requested support and choose "Done" and your player should say "Ready" and get "Roger" as a response. After a little bit of waiting, all the men will board the MH-60, and everyone (including the A-10 and AH-64) will return to the support waypoint. What you have to realize is that if there are any other squads on the map that you don't control can also request support if any of there men get wounded.

You have to remember also, that your support squad is not invulnerable during combat. If there's a lot of fighting going on around you, it might be in your best interest to keep fighting or take out key targets that would normally easily take out your helicopters. If you're unable to do that, or things are way too intense, fall back until fighting is either at a minimum or not at all and then call support. Your helicopters will land wherever you request support on the map, always keep that in mind.

Excellent Help stupidwhitekid75! (Boy, does that sound mean or what? :o )

I have tried saying/selecting "Done" repeatedly but maybe I just didn't realize that they will stick around as long. Also I never get the "Roger" reply.

You think this may have something to do with my testing?

I'm in Recruit mode...And I had "miraculously" managed to get everybody fixed up before the chopper arrived. (My medic healed himself.) So I think that my team-leader/ME said "Done" before the chopper landed.

I am using the "vanilla" ACM module and the Spec-ops module. So fighting isnt too intense...although I think the Spec-ops Module may have spawned a "target or group of opfor" near where my chopper landed. (So, I will definitely try your suggestion about protection.)

There are no other "independent" Blufor units other than my support teams at the "protected" base/airport.

It's a bit tough to test this...It's kinda hard to "almost" die. :D

Last time I was being hunted by a BMP!...I was hiding on the edged of a wooded area, there was a clearing to my front that was big enough for the MED Chopper...but it appears he landed about a mile away. :eek:

I would like (and have tried), to use the "Simple support" Module, but that seems to replace the 'Normal' support options in your action menu. (Like ambulance,medic,repair, ect.). Any thoughts?

Thanks again, for your great explanation and help

Edited November 15, 2010 by Otterbear

[Koga1211 10]

Bit of a problem here, when I use a MEDVAC type chopper and group it with an assault type chopper and call in the support, the MEDVAC lands (or tries to, he seems to try and land with too much speed and forward velocity) but when it does land, or crashes, the AH lands too and the pilots get out...:confused:

If I use a ground vehicle for the MEDVAC bit, the AH stays in the air and provides cover, and doesn't try to land. So.....any ideas? Also, the pilots of the MEDVAC also get out if they land, is that part normal?

Any help would be appreciated =\. Also any tips on getting the chopper to land like a normal "person"? If there's a way.

I'm using the Mi-8 Russian MEDVAC Chopper, and KA-52 for support, though I tried using the Hind-E as well. I'm grouping them together with the medvac as lead, putting a support marker next to where they're parked, and thats pretty much it. Correct, yes? Its driving me a bid mad because it takes the Vodnik forever to get to me, so I'd prefer the chopper, obviously.

Edited November 15, 2010 by Koga1211
Figured out why the medics weren't healing - still waiting for help on the other issue

[Otterbear 10]

I'm still working the "kinks" out myself, but it maybe that particular vehicle isn't coded quite right. The Medical Support chopper on the USMC or US side seems to land OK.

EDIT:

You might try some of the suggestions posted earlier. I think if you link the "protection" units too- the medical support chopper, instead of the other way around, maybe the KA-52 will keep pace with the Mi-8, instead of the other way around. It sounds like the Mi-8 is trying to match the speed of the KA-52 which could cause the fast landing problem. (just a guess.)

New problem, I got killed and team-switched to continue, got a call from HQ asking if I wanted reinforcing, and I said yes...went to the reinforcement "drop" site and they never came.

Edited November 15, 2010 by Otterbear

[Koga1211 10]

I'm still working the "kinks" out myself, but it maybe that particular vehicle isn't coded quite right. The Medical Support chopper on the USMC or US side seems to land OK.

EDIT:

You might try some of the suggestions posted earlier. I think if you link the "protection" units too- the medical support chopper, instead of the other way around, maybe the KA-52 will keep pace with the Mi-8, instead of the other way around. It sounds like the Mi-8 is trying to match the speed of the KA-52 which could cause the fast landing problem. (just a guess.)

New problem, I got killed and team-switched to continue, got a call from HQ asking if I wanted reinforcing, and I said yes...went to the reinforcement "drop" site and they never came.

The units are linked to the Mi-8, so it shouldn't be that. I'll try it with the USMC, I'll report back when I can.

[stupidwhitekid75 11]

No problem, I am happy to help, I know how nice it is to have someone there to explain things.

Not sure if I have mentioned this yet or not, but when you place the SUPPORT waypoint, set the behavior to "Careless". Recently I was working on a mission and I needed choppers to land when enemy AI were around, they wouldn't do it unless it was set to careless.

You think this may have something to do with my testing?

I'm in Recruit mode...And I had "miraculously" managed to get everybody fixed up before the chopper arrived. (My medic healed himself.) So I think that my team-leader/ME said "Done" before the chopper landed.

I am using the "vanilla" ACM module and the Spec-ops module. So fighting isnt too intense...although I think the Spec-ops Module may have spawned a "target or group of opfor" near where my chopper landed

Try setting up a mission without using ACM or SecOps, place your own enemy AI and give them waypoints that say "SEEK AND DESTROY" near your position/intended position. Once you start taking casualties, call support and go through the motions, then select "DONE" when you are finished. Watch the pilots/anyone else you had in the helicopter and wait for them to get back in, don't expect them to say "roger/finished/copy/oscar mike" until they are all on board. Let me know what happens, if it's still not working I'll mess around with it tomorrow and see what I can do to help ya.

I would like (and have tried), to use the "Simple support" Module, but that seems to replace the 'Normal' support options in your action menu. (Like ambulance,medic,repair, ect.). Any thoughts?

I think that if you put the other support module in, you access it by entering the communication option on your interface. To request things like a MEDEVAC, etc. you press 5 on your keyboard. That's what I remember, if that's not the case I will try and figure it out for you tomorrow.

If I use a ground vehicle for the MEDVAC bit, the AH stays in the air and provides cover, and doesn't try to land. So.....any ideas? Also, the pilots of the MEDVAC also get out if they land, is that part normal?

I'm not sure why your other helicopter is attempting to land. When I've done this it has always stayed in the air and flown around until support was done. Keep testing it out. Try making a quick mission with no enemy AI and shoot your teammate in the foot. Request support and observe what happens. Keep trying to build off that/let me know what happens.

I'm using the Mi-8 Russian MEDVAC Chopper, and KA-52 for support, though I tried using the Hind-E as well. I'm grouping them together with the medvac as lead, putting a support marker next to where they're parked, and thats pretty much it. Correct, yes? Its driving me a bid mad because it takes the Vodnik forever to get to me, so I'd prefer the chopper, obviously.

Putting it right next to where they are parked is good. As far as I'm aware, you can place the waypoint anywhere you'd like and they will not move until called for. Don't quote me on that though. Anything that is on wheels is really only intended for close by engagements. If your operating far away, helicopters always the way to go.

New problem, I got killed and team-switched to continue, got a call from HQ asking if I wanted reinforcing, and I said yes...went to the reinforcement "drop" site and they never came.

I've had mixed results with reinforcements. Sometimes, depending on where on the map I am, a MH-60 will fly in and parachute something like a 7 man infantry squad. Other times, it will fly ridiculously far away (like waaaaaay off the map) and drop the units in, and it would probably take them years before they caught up with you. And on the rarest occasions, the chopper will come, and go to drop the units, except only empty parachutes come out - no AI. I think it's just because it's a little buggy and they haven't worked out all the bugs just yet.

Also, keep in mind for the above, AI pilots aren't the most skilled. If your near somewhere hilly, your reinforcement helicopter might hit a mountain and explode. It's extremely annoying but it happens.

[Otterbear 10]

Thanks again stupidwhitekid75,

During my testing...so far...the supporting AH-64D does land with the MED chopper...and it was hilly (really hilly) Chandarus(?), anyway he landed amongst some smaller trees ...the helo moved on the ground to a safer landing spot and I saw the pilot get out...but when I went to investigate he was gone but the Apache was full of holes...he was very close by and I saw/heard no action. I can only assume he was shot during ingress.

EDIT: Maybe he was forced down...but that is twice now...coincidence? I'll keep testing.

I added the support troops to the MED helo. How many can it take? I added about 4 men. 1 medic, 3 specialist. (1 machine gunner, 1 sniper, one regular...I think).

The result was less than optimal. (although in theory, I know it works), the units dis-embarked and all, but again, my guy said "done" before they landed. I should have let the poor guy bleed for a while longer. LOL

The real problem arose when (I guess), they were trying to leave and one of the leaders/pilot got stuck jogging behind the chopper and couldn't/wouldn't move...end result ...chopper stayed put...enemy began arriving and the rest is history...or smoke. :)

I guess I could test this in a less realistic way...but, with their(AI) limited logic, getting in a REAL bind is going to prove problematic in the extreme.

Another annoying feature is the short amount of time to agree to be reinforced. I end up (sometimes), loosing more men in the meantime...and get no offer of replacements for them. (BIS still have some loose ends to tie up on that I guess.)

I did see a friendly chopper about a click and a half away circling a completely different area than where I was...and was told to go. He did eventually get shot down. I can only assume it was my reinforcements that went up in smoke.

I'm thinking of just making battalion of M1's or something an adding a few medics just to be sure I can get the help eventually. :D

Edited November 15, 2010 by Otterbear

[Koga1211 10]

Out of curiosity, are either of you using 1.55 Combined Ops? I saw people on another heli related addon talking about how, supposedly, the patch messed up some things with the way choppers land and behave in general.

[Otterbear 10]

Out of curiosity, are either of you using 1.55 Combined Ops? I saw people on another heli related addon talking about how, supposedly, the patch messed up some things with the way choppers land and behave in general.

Yes, I have the combined ops package and its patched up to 1.55.

Thanks for the heads-up.

I still can't get the normal Spec-ops reinforcements to arrive.

EDIT:Ok, it worked once. :)

Just discovered that the "spec-ops" module ALONE, includes support such as Medic, repair, ambulance and so forth. (I did not know this...nor have I finished testing is accuracy/effectiveness.)

EDIT:They are listed under "call Support" but there are, in fact, NO support assets, unless you add them yourself.

On the other hand...I did notice, that although I am the ONLY unit on the map with the "spec-ops" and "ACM" modules active...whenever I get a "downed pilot" scenario, the support choppers come to their aid as well as mine. (and no they did not leave afterward...I waited 30 min's.) I even overheard the pilot say "ready"...I even said "ready". Still testing...and praying.

Edited November 17, 2010 by Otterbear

[splatsh 10]

My AH-64D does not fly around to support, it does land as my support chopper with medic does.

And my A-10 fly in air to support until the support group say Ready.

After that the plane will fly to runway and land, after that the pilot leave the plane and run to the support group.

And my AH-64D crew does the same, they land when ready is on, and then they leave the chopper and run to support squad.

And then all will stay there. No dirent if I press 5-1-6 (Done) to my support medic call.

And the medic that is in the support group is not healing my wounded men until I run request medic one more time after they have give ready order and I give done order.

Is there any better way to get support then the game support waypoint does?