I would very much welcome combined ops scenarios. The AI can take the major part of the activity while the players fulfill specific tasks to support them. This can remove the need for large player groups without even resorting to HC.
For example:
1. Friendly AI is conducting a wide scale armored attack and the players support them. Something like one player team with Heavy AT , one team with sniper rifles, third flies CAS.
2. Friendly AI conduct aerial operations and the players support them by taking out AA positions.
AI unpredictability would make it hard to measure players success criteria, so just avoid that by making the success of the AI attacks optional, and add another objective afterwards which is more traditional in nature.
For example:
1. Friendly AI is conducting a wide scale armored attack and the players support them. Something like one player team with Heavy AT , one team with sniper rifles, third flies CAS.
2. Friendly AI conduct aerial operations and the players support them by taking out AA positions.
AI unpredictability would make it hard to measure players success criteria, so just avoid that by making the success of the AI attacks optional, and add another objective afterwards which is more traditional in nature.
The fewer men, the greater share of honor