I'm happy to report that things are getting more active on the ISD Challenge. I returned from my 3-week leave to find everything in good order except for the sudden loss of CMDR/Typhoon Daisuke Airyu. He was replaced by CM Triji Boliv from Inferno. Shortly afterwards, CM Garrett of Cyclone was asked to step down due to inactivity and failure to submit reports. WC/GN Darklord and I are currently considering applications for a new Cyclone CMDR.

For his excellent work in serving as Acting-COM, I have awarded General Darklord the Bronze Star of the Empire. He is VERY happy about it. He will be on leave for Friday and Saturday only, and I will handle any urgent WC matters until then.

The job of sifting through all the e-mails of July has worn me down a bit, and for a time I was considering stepping down. However, the excitement of upcoming fleet-wide competitions and the hints of another Battlegroups-wide competition has me thinking that Challenge can once again rise to her former glory! Despite being the biggest ship in BG, I have to admit that we had gotten a little soft in spots over the past year. It looks as if we are getting back in shape!

New Typhoon CMDR, CM Triji Boliv, is overseeing a resurgence in the membership of his squadron. All have welcomed back COL Blackbird, and the return of COL Callista has everyone smiling. Typhoon is now in a good position to take on Tornado (under the command of COL Mairin Astoris). Tornado's "old fogies" are all excited to get their first SubLT (Assassin) in a very long time. As can be expected of anyone in Tornado ... he very soon moved onto LT rank. It looks as if the old rivalry is back!

COL Striker of Tornado has served notice to the SSSD Sovereign that we are STILL waiting for the announcement of the final results of the very poorly managed Sovereign Squadron League 2000. (yes, it started January 2000!). Tornado made it to the final four, along with a few elite squadrons. 4 out of 6 Wing X squadrons made it to the final eight, and their commanders (at the time) should have been getting some nice medals according to GN Wolly's promises.

CM Sephiroth (our Challenge Ace) will be facing off against MAJ Locke and COL Jack, flying FREE-TIE 157. I find it wonderful that ALL of these pilots once flew under me in Inferno squadron. Inferno alumni are doing great things on the Challenge, but their successes have left Inferno itself a bit thinner than times of old. One element to consider is that Inferno has always encouraged pilots to have fun, and to never put EH activities ahead of family, social life, and school. This means that sometimes Inferno pilots are less active, but are ALWAYS well rounded. Their command skills are very evident when we look at Calvin, Jack, Locke, Boliv, Corran Halcyon, and Sephiroth.

Fresh off their VERY narrow loss to Sigma Squadron (quite an accomplishment!) Thunder squadron are taking on Zayin currently, and we wish them success as they continue a strong rebuilding after dwindling a few months ago to just four pilots. MAJ Beef has always been an excellent cheerleader for Thunder and the entire wing.

MAJ Locke (AKA Nurse Locke) stepped in admirably during my absence as both Acting SMS and Acting Doctor when Ship's Doctor and Acting-Senior Medical Supervisor (and Typhoon CMDR) Daisuke Airyu resigned from the Challenge. He ensured that the Challenge and the Battlegroups submitted regular morale reports and has been awarded with a Bronze Star of the Empire for his efforts.

Locke has also been assigned as the new ISD Challenge Doctor, and CM Sephiroth of Tempest will become our new nurse as soon as the FMC reopens new promotions and assignments in a few weeks. DOC Locke (I just LOVE the sound of that title) will be starting a humor competition for the entire ship very soon.

Tornado Squadron is fresh from their stunning victory after the five week long "Wing X League." Tempest managed to get MAXIMUM points throughout the competition - something to be proud of :) For this, Tempest have earned the honor of Wing Commanders Own for June/July. This competition, begun by GN Darklord, pitted the squadrons against each other in a contest of strategy and flying. GN Darklord hopes to run this one again in the future, but use free missions instead of battles to encourage greater participation. Inferno CMDR, MAJ Calvin Nunb was the overall "top gun" of the competition, winning an Iron Star - Silver Wings, and COL Striker took second place with an Iron Star - Bronze Wings. Eight pilots acheived 100% participation throughout the competition: MAJ Calvin Nunb, COL Striker, MAJ Beef, CM Rover, CM Sephiroth, MAJ Locke, COL Piett, LCM Chris McCollum!

The final Squadron Standings were:
Tempest: 15
Tornado: 8
Typhoon: 8
Thunder: 7
Inferno: 4
Cyclone: 3

Respectfully submitted:

SMS/CPT Manitsas/TC-Battlegroups [DOC]
COM-OPSA/RA Manitsas/ISD Challenge [CAVL] #295
GoE/SS/BS/PCx13/ISMx8/MoI/CoL/CoB/LoCx4/MoT-gh/OA-4E
{IWATS-GFX-IIC/1/2/3-SM/1}
http://members.aol.com/InfernoHQ/sickbay.html