I'm glad you enjoyed using the Para LMG and it wasn't as bad as you maybe feared! Personally I think it's a good weapon and I can see why SF's use/used it.
My thought process goes along the lines of; a wide choice of weapons is for the public server or mess-around missions...in an official Op the mission maker has (perhaps) created a back story to add further realism to the situation, and in that story, as in real life, you are equipped with whatever weapon might have been real/feasible to back up the story. Players needing to adapt to work within the limitations imposed by the mission maker, whether it be unusual weapons, shortage of ammo, lack of armoured vehicle for HQ, not enough binoculars/scopes etc can be part of the fun/challenge. Either plonking down unlimited VAS ammo crates or using MCC to spawn in equipment (*cough Marshall cough*) seems to me to somehow cheat players of some of this challenge and may be a de-motivational factor for the mission maker to create more 'stories'.
Taking Urban Locker specifically as an example, we were playing the role of a rapid-reaction special forces unit moving into a base that was only just secured. We weren't intended to have great logistical support, hence the limited choice of weapons, no armoured vehicles, no fixed wing aircraft. The story's not water tight (perhaps not even that good, I hope the author will excuse me saying so), but that was the rationale for equipment provision.
From watching Cat's video there are a few things that stand out that could have changed the dynamic for a few players somewhat:
1) the UAV could have been employed by the FAC to forward scout the AO and monitor the battle
2) the CAS heli's could have been more aggressively employed against soft targets (although I had expected them to be used against armoured vehicles too, not knowing that there is a bug with their rocket effectiveness)
3) HQ section could have been more in the action, perhaps as a longer range support fire-team (two had scoped rifles with UGL's) especially given the shortage of man-power (Special Forces, only 2 sections, not a full Brigade to command), giving the Troop medic more work, relieving Cat's boredom and earning Goodson some respect.
The UAV / Heli's / Sniper team could have been just as effective as eyes-in-the-sky / overwatch aiding HQ with the tactical decision making?
These are not criticisms of command decisions, but alternative views as to how things could have been done differently to work with the story-line that we wouldn't normally consider.
However, at the end of the day everyone seemed to have a great fun time, and that really, is all that counts.
