Aviation commitment

[Gris]

Not sure, I reduced some as they were set to 9 and I really don't need 9 air recon squadrons at a single base.  I tried using AIR TRANSFER mode last turn, couldn't get it to work.  It is too bad the manual only tells you what it does, and not how to do it.

Hi Weasel, (I'm back, man was I sick, lol!)

This is another example of the Macro vs Micro game in WITE. As you posted, this is covered in rule 8.4.3.Air Group Unit Commitment System. It is an easier way to move Air Groups from/to the National Reserve to the air base. Ricky B was spot on.




1. Right click on an Air Base

2. At this air base I have 4 Air Groups. Red circles on the left - 4 attached units and number and type of aircraft.

3. At this point you could proceed manually and select the assign button next to the attached units (in this case 4) and pick which units you want from the reserve.

Note: if you want to send the unit to the National Reserve, select the unit and then the send to reserve button.


or....

4. Use the commitment system.

Aviation commitment is the number of Air Groups I want at the base. In this case is says 5. I only have 4. When I hit the MOVE button the AI will select a unit from the National Reserve and place it at the Air Base. The ADD and SUB button changes the commitment number. If you have 9 Air Groups, use the SUB to lower it. The reverse is true also. If I have 9 Air Groups at the base and set my commitment to 6, 3  Air Groups will move to the National Reserve, selected by the AI.

5. The ranges are a very basic way to filter out certain aircraft types base on their range.

Less than 20 - Fighters, Transports
Less than 40 - Tac Bombers, LR Fighters
41 or More - LR Bombers
All ranges - Everything

I think at some point this was changed or happens under the hood (just can't remember, ignore the divide by math), there was a bug in it a while ago too. I have not found anything in the documentation to verify this, but in my experience the numbers above apply to the "radius" characteristic.  Click on the Air Group name and you can see the characteristics of the aircraft. Look at radius. The type of aircraft above are my generalization of the kind of aircraft  the AI will pick. In my experience it appears the AI takes into consideration the type of Air Base too. Anyone with insight, please add to this, it would be good to know info.

Few Pro Tips: Review these rules for more insight.

5.3.10. Air Transfer Mode (F10) & 16.3.7. Air Group Unit Transfer - If you are going to transfer air groups conduct the missions before you do anything else in your turn. If they will not transfer, make sure they are in day mode. I ran into night mode being a problem (don't know why)

8.2.1. Air Base Unit Attachment Restrictions - Important to know for the Axis Player, saves a lot of frustration.

18.1.5. Creating New Soviet Air Base Units - The AI will automatically create bases if you have high commitment levels at a 6 (air groups) to 1 (airbase) or more ratio.

The Air Commitment system is the Macro game. You selecting ASSIGN and picking each unit is the micro game. For the Soviets I use the Air Commitment (Macro) and for the Axis the Micro. One important point to take away, the air groups move to and from the National Reserve, this not for transferring from air base to air base. If you have no Air Groups in the National Reserve, you have nothing to commit. Both work equally well. The Macro is quicker and the Micro can make the difference between victory and defeat.

Hope this helps. See you on the Steppe!