Operation Sky Sentinel: Close The Sky

In July 2024, after two years of intense combat, Russia's stalled invasion of Ukraine takes a dark turn as banned chemical weapons are unleashed across the Donbas. Seeking to break fierce resistance, Moscow launches a devastating thermobaric and nerve agent bombing campaign killing thousands of civilians. With banned weapons now causing mass casualties, outrage sweeps Europe over this breach of civilized norms. Emergency NATO leadership meetings lead to a fateful decision - direct intervention is required to halt further atrocities. NATO issues demands for Russian forces to withdraw as planning begins for a systematic air campaign. Reluctantly, the alliance agrees to force Putin's hand as diplomacy has only enabled violence so far. NATO imposes a No-Fly Zone over all sovereign Ukraine, including Russian-occupied Crimea and Donbass territories. Ready air forces across Europe and North America stand by for immediate deployment. As NATO aircraft surge towards the embattled region, Russia refuses to acquiesce. Instead they vow to meet this "imperialist" coalition with "hundreds of advanced fighters and a layered integrated air defense system the likes of which the world has never seen." The clock strikes 22:00 over Ukraine on July 13, 2024 - the first missiles rise into the dark skies as NATO rushes headlong into the inferno of all-out aerial warfare against a nuclear superpower. In the balance hangs the fragile peace of Europe in the 21st century. In this scenario updated for Command: Modern Operations, take operational command of NATO's combined air power as it seeks to overwhelm Russia's formidable air force and anti-access area denial defenses. Coordinate F-35s, Rafales, Typhoons, F-16s and more from 13 different countries into a coherent air campaign. Take risks smartly to achieve escalation dominance - as the spectre of tactical nuclear warfare looms large. Manage battle rhythm, munitions, communications, and crucial intelligence - neutralizing hundreds of SAM sit