STRATEGIC OPERATIONS OFFICER
Report #20, 18 November 2013

Opening Comments

Its been 4 weeks since my last report and what can I say that could possibly summarise recent activity... Probably very little, so I'll content myself with welcoming back old friends, happily too many of them to name, but its certainly good to see many names I last recall attached to titles like Avenger, ASF, TCBG, old and gone but most certainly not forgotten. I can't help but take encouragement from the fact that even now we still have the potential to be a fun group united by a common interest. The recent opening of Beta under CPT Kroan has been the icing on the cake to a fantastic few weeks that has seen highlights from Dempsey's GOE for an excellent year of activity in command and as a pilot, to an almost epic conclusion to Karana Phase 4 with the title of TCCOMs Own switching hands by the hour. Honours go to Gamma for stealing it on points, admittedly thanks to Impulse and Zosite's two-man onslaught, to Delta on keeping so close to them as they threatened to break away early on, and to Alpha and Epsilon on their own contributions to make the comp a whole-wing affair. A brief break between now and the next round should allow for a relaxed festive period and a great place to start anew in 2014.

On to more mundane admin, MoCs will be awarded very soon and any outstanding transfers or assignments at this point are in Dan's hands, thankfully I'm not trusted with ultimate power quite yet. I'd like to thank Dan for his award to me of a GS, its one I treasure and I look forward to earning more in the future. It's evident to you all I hope that I care enough to stay and do my utmost, even if that utmost means dodging round a real naval career.

Fleet Status

A very busy period with a number of crowning glories, a well earned break for a week is undoubtedly deserved, but as the holidays approach we need to head into them at pace, ready for 2014 and a fresh year of potential growth and success. With Beta at a solid 5 bodies there's room for expansion, and with a number of FL spots vacant its never been a better time to seek advancement. No more career LCs and MAJs!

Weekly Orders

The recent outburst of activity in the tertiary operating area is a worrying sign of Raptor resurgence, resistance was sporadic and uncoordinated, but the vessels encountered were fresh and well maintained, their crews largely untested. Intel as yet has been unable to locate the source of these reinforcements and it is becoming clear that an agency farther afield may well be backing this insurgency. Whomever they are their tracks have been carefully covered and until we dispatch the Raptor's completely every month that passes will see them regain strength and harry us from another, unexpected angle or front. With that in mind additional units have been tasked from fleet groups across our sector and beyond - we cannot afford to leave our borders weakened, but this rot cannot be allowed to fester. A single open engagement would see us victorious, however the Void Raptors know this and will never risk their full or even partial strength in the open, so we need to follow them into their dens and lairs, burn them out by any means. Prisoners have been few and far between of late, with increasing use of slaved and automated systems, whether this is a front or a lack of manpower we will undoubtedly find out in time.

Val Duquesne remains at large and elusive, but a number of her lieutenants have been foolish enough to make themselves known. For now the Hammer will continue interdiction ops along the edge of the conflict zone while we mass our strength. When we are ready we can cut out the rot wholesale and leave nothing behind. Security level and alert status remains heightened, Delta is duty CAP squadron, with Epsilon in close support at alert-15. Beta and Alpha are to be ready for short notice drills and launches as we increase readiness. Gamma will be assigned by flight for additional operations including long range recon and TCCOM Escort as we liaise with additional assets and keep the holonet and comms dark. I will be departing the Hammer for a brief period, no escort required, on a separate mission to allied forces over the NR border.

Conclusion

Pilots stand ready

In Service,

FA La'an, SOO
ISD Hammer