In this guide, I will share proven ways to complete gold medal missions. I should immediately note that there are different approaches to their implementation, and your experience may differ from mine. However, here I will analyze in detail the tactics and strategies that personally allowed me to complete gold medal missions.

This guide is based solely on my experience of multiple playthroughs. I have tried to take into account all the key points that really work, but if you have had any other experience, I will be glad to hear it in the comments.

As I complete new missions and earn gold medals, I plan to update this guide regularly.

Stay tuned — with each new completed mission, the guide will become more complete and useful!

• Complete the mission in less than 30 minutes

To complete this gold medal mission, you will need not to make mistakes and follow the route. In this case, you will have +- 8 minutes left for the final part of the mission related to aviation, which should be quite enough.

The route itself:

The optimal route at the reconnaissance training area:

• Rollback at the exploration training area if units have been detected
  
• Slow capture of a point in the training area of urban combat
  
• Absence of laser irradiation of the target in the aviation part

• Complete the mission on hard difficulty
  
• Don't lose a Unit

Let's start the mission with maximum difficulty and prepare our defense. It will consist of 3 stages:
First of all, our task is to occupy the initial positions with infantry and equipment.
Infantry positions:
Vehicle positions:
The order of the reinforcements will be important only in the first stage:

• 2 infantry squads on strykers (strykers are then deployed as infantry support)
  
• Supply trucks with two tons for each squad
  
• 2 ATGM strikers (one per direction)
  
• Additional 2 infantry squads on strykers (infantry in reserve position, and the strykers themselves in support of ATGM)
  
• Supply trucks for ATGMs of 3 tons each
  
• The rest is to choose from

At this stage, our main task is to keep enemy infantry and equipment at a distance from the key intersection for as long as possible.

The rest of the intersections can be ignored, as they are located too far away. It is not possible to organize an effective defense there.

The main forces should be focused on protecting the main area.
At this stage, the enemy will already bring up artillery, which will begin to process your positions. This creates a critical problem for us, as such shelling can lead to losses among the units. These losses, in turn, will deprive us of the opportunity to receive a gold medal for completing the mission.

In this regard, we are withdrawing equipment and infantry to pre-prepared reserve positions, surrendering the crossroads. A part of our infantry and reconnaissance groups, as well as several pieces of equipment for support, should already be in these reserve positions. Supply issues can be resolved later, when the situation stabilizes.

The main task now is to hold these positions until the AC-130 approaches. As soon as the air support arrives in the area of operation, we will be able to destroy most of the attackers. It is important to preserve the main forces and not expose them to unnecessary risk.

Infantry retreat route:
New infantry positions:
New positions of vehicles:

At this stage, our primary task is to maintain the combat capability of our existing units and prevent the loss of strategically important reinforcements, in particular the AC-130.

When flying these planes, take extreme care not to lose them. Special attention should be paid to the dangerous intersection, from where enemy armored personnel carriers can fire effectively at them.

An intersection from which armored personnel carriers can fire:

• Complete the mission on hard difficulty
  
• Don't lose a single vehicle

We begin the mission at the maximum difficulty level. First of all, we form two combat groups. We have tank units in the vanguard, and Bradley combat vehicles follow them as fire support.

At the same time, we are planting infantry assault units in the forest, which will attack the second checkpoint.

Additionally, we are acquiring two M1287 MCV units — these vehicles are critically important for suppressing enemy positions, especially those where infantry with ATGM are located.

The first position of the ATGM:
The second position of the ATGM:
The third position of the ATGM:
The fourth position of the ATGM:
The fifth position of the ATGM:
The sixth position of the ATGM:
Seventh ATGM position:

The passage of the mission is based on a clear algorithm of actions:

• First of all, we use mortar crews to destroy enemy positions with ATGMs. This allows us to secure our equipment during the subsequent assault.
  
• Next, we will organize an assault on the checkpoint, involving infantry units with the support of armored vehicles. We pay special attention to competent micromanagement - we carefully control the movement and placement of armored vehicles in order to minimize the risk of loss of units.
  
• After capturing point C, we place infantry squads along its perimeter. This will create a reliable defense against enemy counterattacks.
  
• At the next stage, we will definitely replenish the stocks of active protection complexes and smoke grenades.
  
• The cycle repeats for each subsequent checkpoint. This approach allows you to capture all objects without losing armored vehicles.

The final stage is waiting for the convoy to pass through all the captured points. After successfully fulfilling this condition, we receive a well-deserved gold medal for completing the mission flawlessly.

• Complete the mission on hard difficulty
  
• Don't lose a Helicopter

We start the mission with maximum difficulty. Choose one or more MH-60M helicopters (at your discretion) and guide them along the route, avoiding collisions with the enemy. The rest of the helicopters remain in their original position — later we will simply send them to the base.

Helicopter route:

After that, we wait for all 4 Delta units to complete their task. It's not even necessary to call for reinforcements for them — they will be invulnerable up to a certain point. As soon as the target is detected, we will attack it using HIMARS.

• Complete the mission on hard difficulty
  
• Don't lose a single unit to an Iskander missile

We start the mission with maximum difficulty. We deal with all enemy scouts and deliver supplies to the Patriots. Then we will form an assault group, which will include all our equipment, as well as additional short-range air defense vehicles.

We draw this group along the edge of the map. Towards the end of the route, the mission enters the second phase — the first group of Iskanders is transferred to the city.

Route to the first Iskanders:

In the second phase, we continue to move the assault group along the edge of the map to the "rally point". There we regroup the troops and begin the final attack on the Iskander positions. Since there will be almost no enemy forces there, annihilation shouldn't cause any problems.

Rally point:

The route of the final attack:

• Complete the mission on hard difficulty
  
• Don't lose a Plane

We start the mission with maximum difficulty. Then we prepare for the defense of the aircraft carrier as follows:

• All F/A-18 Hornet must operate in pairs - this significantly speeds up the destruction of air targets and increases the survival rate of the group.
  
• It is not necessary to intercept every enemy aircraft. The key task is to prevent a breakthrough to the aircraft carrier: Su-25 attack aircraft, Su-24 bombers, attack helicopters.
  
• For better micromanagement of aviation and to avoid missiles hitting you, switch to manual use of traps and use them before hitting.
  
• Also, to avoid missiles, I can recommend maneuvers to change altitude and use the afterburner (as it turned out, you can "escape" from the rocket)

After the end of the air battle, we move on to the ground phase of the operation, where it is necessary to establish control over three key intersections.

Capturing the first intersection as quickly as possible is crucial for creating a secure perimeter around an aircraft carrier that remains vulnerable to ground attacks.

The time to prepare for the capture of intersections is unlimited, which allows you to accumulate significant resources to form a powerful assault group, but the enemy will constantly carry out counterattacks using serious armored forces.

Based on this, I recommend the following strategy:

• Sequential capture of intersections (one after the other)
  
• Organization of permanent anti-tank defense
  
• Gradual build-up of forces before each new attack

• Complete the mission on hard difficulty
  
• Win the mission without the Leopards

We start completing the mission at the maximum difficulty level. We move sequentially to the stage where it is necessary to attack two key points.

The main condition, in addition to the main tasks, is never to put our units in the white zones on the map. If this happens, the leopards will automatically come under our control, making it impossible to receive a gold medal for completing the mission.
In the current situation, we have the following:

• First of all, we have unlimited time to attack both checkpoints. This allows you to accumulate a significant number of points and form a powerful strike force of armored vehicles and infantry. Even in case of serious losses during the assault, we always have the opportunity to gather new forces and repeat the attack.
  
• Secondly, after capturing the points, the game sets the task of defending them. However, here we have freedom of choice — we can organize defense, but this is not a prerequisite. According to the mission scenario, the enemy will in any case retreat on their own after a certain time.

Considering these factors, it can be concluded that this mission is one of the easiest to obtain a gold medal. The absence of a strict time frame and the possibility of repeated assault attempts practically exclude any difficulties during the passage.

• Complete the mission on hard difficulty
  
• Capture the city in less than 40 minutes

We begin the task at the maximum difficulty level. First of all, we move to the positions where Batalin holds the defense. Here it is necessary to wait for the completion of all plot dialogues and the arrival of supplies.

As soon as reinforcements with supplies arrive, we promptly distribute the equipment among all the platoons attached to us. After preparing under the cover of smoke screens, which are exposed with the help of deva, we begin a systematic assault on high-rise buildings. To successfully capture each position, it is enough to use two motorized rifle squads to clear the buildings.

After completing the first part of the task, we proceed to the second stage of the operation. Now we have to organize a reliable defense of a strategically important bridge, while simultaneously searching for missing platoons.

We will use our available forces to strengthen the bridge's defenses. As for the strike force, we will form it from the lost platoons found during the search operations. This distribution of forces will allow you to complete all assigned combat missions as quickly as possible.

The position of Infantry in defense:
The position of vehicles in defense:

In parallel with the gathering of the strike group, we are beginning to suppress enemy firing positions. To do this, we will use akatsia, destroying:

• Stationary firing points
  
• Air defense systems
  
• Enemy artillery

Infantry positions on the near approaches:
Infantry positions on distant approaches:

After completing the artillery preparation, we proceed to the decisive assault. At this point, you should have +- 18 minutes left for the assault. We strike the main blow at the enemy headquarters, choosing the direction of attack from the right bridge. This direction provides:

• Convenient approaches for vehicles
  
• Minimal resistance from the defenders

Also, during the assault, you need to protect your air defense systems, as the enemy will counterattack with helicopters.

Then we capture the headquarters, followed by a short defense and the gold medal is received with a time reserve of +- 8 minutes.