HISTORICAL NAVAL MAGAZINES:
The Naval SITREP

For modern naval enthusiasts, the special attraction of this newsletter is its focus on the latest naval developments. The Alerts column provides information on new weapons systems, new ships, the changing equipment of current ships, and all matters related to modern naval warfare (including land-based air and even coastal artillery). Most issues provide updated forms for one or more naval weapons systems; a recent issue provided forms for both the MiG-31M Foxhound B and the French La Fayette FF class (at the time of publication, a year from becoming operational).

When it comes to scenarios, the newsletter covers both historical and modern periods. For instance, a recent issue devoted one-fourth of its space to a WWII encounter in the Mediterranean Sea, pitting an Italian convoy and escort against the Royal Navy (a preview of a scenario due to be released in an upcoming Command At Sea supplement).

Other articles discuss proper naval tactics, provide ship histories, discuss books or magazines of interest, or even reveal such items as the reading list for the U.S. Air Command and Staff College (and you thought you were widely read...). Optional rules and forms are also introduced upon occasion.

Although the newsletter is published by Viking Forge, the publisher uses restraint in promoting his products. For instance, in an article on WWII Italian aircraft carriers (written by the publisher), the fact that Viking Forge makes a miniature of one of those ships goes unmentioned.

The Naval SITREP is clearly the newsletter of choice for players of Harpoon and Command At Sea, and should be recommended reading for any late-20th-Century naval miniatures player (just for the Alerts column alone).