Battlegroups Report 25

FLEET-TYPE NEWS

Been some stuff going on in the fleet. OPS has resigned, which means that all medals are on hold until a new one is appointed. This does NOT include the CoLs, which will be awarded as usual. Applications are being taken for a new OPS. See http://www.emperorshammer.net/news.asp for more information.

NEWS FROM THE BGS

As you all should know by now, MAJ VinDoros, Vampire Squadron, Wing XI, ISD Immortal, was recently awarded a Gold Star of the Empire for his outstanding work in a number of areas. Sadly, RL duties are requiring him to step down as CMDR at the end of the SSL. Join me in wishing him the very best and hoping that he’ll be able to return to the BGs soon.

We have a CMDR opening in Wing IX. Shield Squadron’s long-serving CMDR, COL Gunman, stepped down to take a look at the world again as a FM. Shield’s a good, steady Squadron in need of a leader. If you think you’ve got what it takes, contact the WC (e-mail) for specifics.

In other news…Top Gun will be launching by the end of August. Top Gun is a new, interactive pilot training program that will be open to all BGs pilots. The qualification mission will be announced towards the end of the month, and anyone who’s interested is welcome to try to get in. The first training cycle will be for XWA, with a follow-on class planned for TIE as well.

What’s Top Gun? Simply put…it’s a four week training program where you and up to six other pilots improve your flying skills and maybe learn a thing or two about yourself in the process. You have to fly well to get in, and you can be washed out of the course at any time if you fail to meet the standards expected. And, just to make it interesting, we don’t tell you what those standards are! You’re expected to fly and do the very best you can during the course. Scores are important, but so is an active mind and the ability to ask questions and help your classmates through the course. Not everyone who tries out for Top Gun will make it into a class, and not all those in a class will graduate. But it will help you become a better pilot, and you’ll also help make the BGs a better place in the process. That’s because as you go through the class, you’re also helping to improve and refine the training process. Top Gun isn’t static, with web-based tests you can cut and paste to finish. No two classes will be exactly alike, and graduates will have access to special competitions and other things.

Many people have contributed to Top Gun, both in XWA and TIE. We hope it’s something you’ll enjoy.

On a related note, planning is underway for this year’s Exercise Cantina Run. For those of you new to the BGs, this is the yearly exercise run to pick the flagship for the coming year. In past years it’s been fixed in three phases: fiction, graphics, and flying. We’re looking to change some of that. Drop me a line if there’s anything you’d like to see (or don’t want to see) in this year’s ECR. Without giving too much away…there will be some surprises this time around.

STANDING ORDERS AND PROCEDURES

Remember to make your required reports AND post them to the database. I know it’s summer, and if you’re like me RL is taking a serious toll on your time, but we need to keep this stuff as current as possible.

CLOSING THOUGHTS

Some of you may have seen my comments on the various Forums about changes to both the medal system and our current rank structure. Times change, and with them our membership. What worked in the past may not work in the future, so I think it’s important that we discuss all options. I’ve talked to some of you about introducing a Warrant Officer rank system for people who want to fly (and get promoted for activity) but don’t want command responsibilities. If any of you have any comments, questions, or concerns, please let me know.

That’s all for now. Keep flying and having fun!

BGCOM/AD Krax Tarnisar/TIE Corps Battlegroups