[quote=SyrianHamster]
Okay, but before you include these posts, we're to assume that it's "business as usual" on the barracks? Or would the PACT forces be secretly deploying along the border? I'm sorry for all the questions, I'm just trying to work out where I start :)
[/quote]
Yea, the way I played it out was my unit was preparing to go to Able Archer. It had not happened yet. So essentially, the unit was prepped and ready to go to the field; meaning they didn't have a lot of vehicles down for maintenance. Everything was squared away and ready to go.

The unit had not yet departed for Able Archer when the balloon went up. The unit was alerted and then went to their General Deployment Positions.

As far as the actions of the WARSAW Pact, it would go something like this...
1. No, there is no sneaky movement to the border. Any movement at all would be detected by someone and NATO would be on alert. 
2. To move one vehicle, capable of 50MPH over a stretch of road is much simpler than moving a few hundred capable of those speeds over the same distance of road. Generally, armies set a convoy speed designed to keep the vehicles together. The worst thing you can do is rush your units into the fray at top speed. Someone will have problems. There will be breaks in contact and you would end up sending your units in against the enemy piecemeal. Convoy speed for tracked vehicles on hardball road is 25MPH (40 KPH) and for wheeled vehicles is 50MPH (80KpH) on Autobahns and 30MPH (48KpH) in built up areas. Since your tracked vehicles are leading the convoys, they determine your rate of march.
3. Once WARSAW units reach the 1K zone, the separation between east and west, they will encounter NATO Reconnaissance and Cavalry units patrolling the border. In the US VII Corps sector (Bavaria) that would be the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (ACR). In the US V Corps Sector (Central/Fulda Gap area) that would be the 2nd ACR. In the Northern Army Group Region where we are fighting, this would be the 16th/5th The Queen's Royal Lancers (UK) with elements of The Blues and Royals (Royal Horse Guards and 1st Dragoons) attached.
4. The Queen's Royal Lancers (UK) would operate in Squadron-sized formations in an attempt to slow down the the WARSAW Pact Nations. They would use Indirect Fire and Close Air Support (CAS) to attrit enemy forces in the Dutch I Corps sector. NOTE: A British "Squadron" equals in size to an American Cavalry Troop (14 - 17 vehicles). Cavalry units have their own inherent Artillery which is very responsive. They would also use Attack Helicopters to help attrit the enemy.
5. By 1983 standards, The Queen's Royal Lancers, US 2nd ACR and US 11th ACR would have been able to slow down the WARSAW Pact in order to provide Dutch I Corps, US V Corps and US VII Corps 48 - 72 hours to dig in and prepare a defense.

You would not have seen a "Surprise Attack" by either side during this time period. Tensions were high, everyone was on edge and both sides were expecting an attack by the other side at any moment.

Rare, Did my information on the FSB help at all?