Try opening the single mission in Mission Editor and change the experience of the DDs to 'Veteran'.

There's also a way through SH3 Commander to change the amount of time they will stay in contact. I think the default is that they will stop looking after 30 mins of no contact with your boat. You could increase this to 60 or 90 mins and that should give the effect you're after. I don't have the files in front of me but will look them up tonight if no one beats me to it.

Thanks very much for that!:up:
I will certainly give it a go.
KUrtz
Ps. sorry for the delay in replying:damn:

You can even set it to "Elite". And I will add that they are a bit more aggressive than "veteran".