STRATEGIC OPERATIONS OFFICER
Report #14, 23 July 2013

Opening Comments

Two weeks have flown by as they are wont to do, but it has been a very busy, and more importantly productive, fortnight. The conclusion of the latest Karana phase was hard fought and went down to the wire. I was happy with both the quantity and quality of submissions, while the level of support shown between pilots and CMDRs as problems and unsteady tactics were queried and resolved was exactly the kind of co-operative spirit I have been looking to foster for the last few months. My personal congratulations are extended once again to Alpha for their late seizure of the competition and title of TCCOMs Own Escort Squadron. Their well fought victory may be all too brief however as Phase 4 (TIE) looms on the horizon. The competition battle that will be used is in the final stages of testing and when the TAC is happy with the product we will initiate the next section of flight competition.

I am aware that campaigns and storylines such as these start off with a sense of urgency that rapidly tails off as the reality of long competition rounds, therefore my gratitude goes to all of you for persisting with it as phase gives way to phase. It may well be that the next phase (TIE) may be the last flight component of this particular story, allowing us to conclude the campaign with a simple narrative element or fiction comp, this will depend on consultation with the TCCOM, COO, and TAC at a later date - an MP element of future phases could well be a good idea if sufficient activity can be generated! Anyway, my apologies for the last few LoAs, unnoticed or not, as RL work has kept me busy overseeing RN recruitment for a large part of Northern England. It's far from ideal and has led to numerous short absences, but hopefully they will continue to be unnoticed as it means we are all capable of looking after ourselves.

Fleet Status

Everyone has earned a break following the last comp phase, but bear in mind that the last week of this month is closing in. That extra bit of activity at this stage may well earn you that higher medal, or tip the scales in the continuing quest for promotions and appointments. Well done to all 10 recipients of the 25 comp medals, as well as the recently promoted CM Kroan, LC Dempsey, and LC Elwood the Brave. MoCs and MSE medals from June were equally well earned and congrats to their new owners!

Weekly Orders

We have just passed through the latest phase of conflict, pursuing Void Raptor elements back into their last few areas of operation. The tempo of our assault has kept them firmly on the back foot, keeping their attention away from our convoys and more isolated frontier worlds. The Verstoren's efforts in particular have caused equal pride and concern, their pursuit of Raptor elements engaged in black market trading for arms and supplies was tenacious and uncovered a layer to their operations rarely exposed so publicly, however their encounter with an unidentifed MC90 cruiser has led to a major strategic rethink. I am aware of no non-Republic force utilising such a major capital vessel, and its presence within the border regions is alarming in the extreme. The exact border continues to be argued and redrawn by our own diplomats and those of the upstart Republic, however the fleets of both sides have generally held back from the region deliberately to avoid any unintended excuse for conflict. Until the agreement is formalised we restrict our activity to minor patrols and smaller task groups, hence the use of the VSD Verstoren.

The only alternative would be that the MC90 was one of our own, from that handful of capitals ships captured during our previous decades of conflict and maintained by the ITF, however to my knowledge all those ships are withdrawn in strategic reserve and far from operational. Either premise raises more questions, suffice to say the Intel Division and the fleet's intel cells are currently chasing leads and interrogating the prisoners captured during our most recent engagements.

Wary of heightening tension in the border regions the Hammer will withdraw for now, allowing the battlegroups minor capital vessels to continue prosecuting the remaining Void Raptor insurgents. Despite their shattered sorces, splinters of their strengths have gone to ground, and like any splinter will need careful extraction. The location of Val Duquesne remains unclear and until I am sure of her presence in an interrogation cell I will not allow our guard to fall... All pilots are to maintain readiness, increased programmes of live fire training and tactical exercises are currently being handed down to CMDRs and supporting forces. A 72 hour liberty will be granted on the surface of Karana as we return there to rearm later this evening. I am aware of the particular complexities at work on Sahare, particularly after the civil unrest caused by Raptor activity, and as such all personnel are to consult VA Schueler's standing orders and warnings regarding the world (see Logistics Office annex 54-Sigma-Sahare). No personnel are to travel beyond the starport without authorisation, and shuttles to Evartet will require line manager authorisation. Consult watch commanders for further details.

Duty squadron will be provided by the platform Destrier, standard recall protocols are in force, be advised that upon the return of the TCCOM from his nuptials I will be transferring my own flag to the FRG Perseus and departing for a recon mission independent of the Hammer, backed up by Phantom Squadron of Wing XI. Enjoy your well earned break, and take suitable precautions to avoid trouble with the locals; particularly their law enforcement agencies and any DB personnel visiting from Kaiburr or the adjoining planets.

Conclusion

All pilots are reminded of the dangers of foreign alcohol, risk of foreign substances, and the temptation offered by those EH citizens grateful for our intervention with the Raptors, standing orders on fraternisation will be enforced...

In Service,

FA La'an, SOO
ISD Hammer