Exercise Desert Hawks 2016 [Semi-Open|MT|OOC]

by **Riysa** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 12:02 pm

November 11-21

(Click the picture for the theme song.)

Welcoming Statement

Welcome, eagles from around the world, to the 2016 iteration of "Desert Hawks"! Opened for the first time to outsider air and aviation forces, this exercise will test every single aspect of the pilot and machine he/she flies to its limit. The opponents are tough and experienced, and will fight their hardest to make you bleed; there is no script here, just death simulated up high, so neither the allied nor the opposing force is guaranteed to win or lose. To the victors goes the acknowledgement of their skill and a trophy celebrating their win, and for the losers, the knowledge that they still have much training to complete.

Now, all that remains is one question - are you ready?

Overview

Background and History

Held at airbase T11, near Tiyas, Riysa, "Desert Hawks" is a biannual exercise held by the Riysian Air Force. The purpose of the exercise is to train Riysian Air Force pilots and commanders in tactical and operational skills, involving combined air-air, air-surface, and surface-air tasks common to a high-intensity conflict. The exercise is typically held at the end of the summer (Desert Hawks-1) and the winter (Desert Hawks-2) training cycles for the Riysian Air Force, serving as a sort of final exam for graduating pilot-officers.

The exercise was created by Major-General Qusay Bek Khaddam, a former fighter pilot who had studied air combat in the various wars of the 70s and 80s. Dissatisfied with how little relevance most training regimes had to actual combat, and the resulting poor performance of pilots, General Khaddam sought to create a grand training exercise that would give fresh pilots a taste of what actual warfare would be like. Recruiting elements from all across the Air Force, Khaddam combined both active ground and air assets with a "do as you please" mentality, creating an open brawl more like actual warfare than the rigid, scripted exercises previously used. With the first exercise kicking off successfully in the summer of 1988, Desert Hawks has been an integral part of the training curriculum ever since. However, one major complaint in the past has been the lack of dissimilar aircraft, as both sides are played by the Riysian Air Force; something changing in this iteration.

Designed to be as realistic as possible, Desert Hawks is a comprehensive simulation of the first week of a high-intensity conflict, believed to be the most important time in deciding the outcome of an air war. Featuring aircraft squadrons with surface-to-air missile batteries, combining all means of air and air defense operations, the exercise pits a notional enemy - the opposing force - against a near-equivalently sized allied force. The opposing force has a central theme to its structure each time, with recent exercises simulating a "generic" peer enemy with access to the global market and COTUS technologies, with a resulting force using a significantly high mix of modern to old equipment. The units playing OPFOR are generally among the more experienced, with several years of flying under each pilot's belt. Comparatively, the allied force has traditionally been new pilots, flying the latest Riysian aircraft, simulating the typical vanguard of the Riysian Air Force.

The exercise stands unique among its peers in its relative lack of scripting. While there is a notional scenario and overarching story, the allied force is not guaranteed to win, and the opposing force is not guaranteed to lose. Indeed, OPFOR is encouraged to try to win, and with the right pilots and commanding officers, poses a viable threat. With both allied and opposing forces offered rewards for success, there is no mercy to be found here, with some veterans of SACTO interventions noting that the exercise tends to be harder than the actual combat they experienced. Indeed, this fits in with the mentality of Desert Hawks, and of modern Riysian training in general - train hard, fight easy.

2016 marks a special year for the exercise. Previously, it was Riysian only, and even close allies were not invited to observe, let alone take part. However, in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the famed TaH-29 Daqanoush's service in the Riysian Air Force, and in acknowledgement of Riysa's leading role in SACTO and Astyria, the second (winter) iteration of the exercise was opened for allies and nations sharing good relations with the Riysian Arab Republic. Now, those not from Riysa finally get to experience the infamous gauntlet that has humbled many a pilot, and both Riysians and ajnabiya will take home experience in fighting a foe operating dissimilar aircraft.

Exercise Area

The combat arena is located 50 kilometers to the east of T11, in a mostly empty area of the southeastern Riysian desert. It is rectangular in shape, measuring roughly 200 km wide and 200 km tall, for a total of 40,000 square kilometers of airspace. In terms of altitude, the arena goes up to an altitude 18,000 meters, with a minimum of 4,000 meters - the nominal "ground", providing a safety cushion for the participants in the event of an accident or for those leaving the battlespace. During the course of the exercise, all simulated combat must take place within the bounds of the arena, including surface-to-air missile batteries, which must drive via the Autostrad to the arena. Actions taking place outside the arena will not be counted, and straying out of the arena will result in being considered shot down.

In terms of terrain, the battlespace is flat and open, dotted by surface microterrain that has no real bearing on the exercise. To the northwest, on the approach from T11, lies the Jabal Tiyas mountain range, with the highest point just above 1,000 meters ASL (500 meters relative to surrounding flatlands). While not exploitable in the exercise, the mountains provide a useful navigational landmark and orientation point, as does the river - Nahr Bukamil - and farmland at the eastern border. A highway, "Autostrad M20" runs from west to east, linking Tiyas and T11 with the nearby cities of Maadin and Deir ez-Zor.

Regarding climate, the area at this time of year is mild during the day time despite the desert conditions, with average temperatures during the daytime lying between 20 and 25 C. At nighttime however, the temperature drastically drops to 4-5 C or even less, providing unique maintenance and sortie problems. Very little rainfall or cloud cover is normally present, allowing for clear, open skies perfect for air-to-air combat, though adverse weather - especially during the fall or winter - is not unknown.

Logistics and Accommodation

Each participating force is responsible for transport and maintenance of their equipment, and supply of munitions when necessary. Fuel will be provided at the airbase, and emergency in-flight fueling services will be provided by the 418th Aerial Refueling Section.

During this exercise, allied and opposing force aircrews will be kept separate until the conclusion of the last day. Allied aircrews and their equipment will be housed on-base at T11's dormitory barracks, and will fly their aircraft out of T11. Briefing rooms reserved specifically for the allied force are available. Opposing force aircrew will instead be housed at the nearby airbase T14 by Maadin, using their facilities. Judges for the air combat, known as controllers, will be housed in T11 and use its own radars and command posts, but will live in separate dormitories and use separate facilities from the allied force team.

Combat

The two teams participating here are the allied force and the opposing force. The allied force will consist of and be RPed by all signups. The opposing force will consist exclusively of Riysian units, and as such be RPed by myself. Some missions will OOCly come from me, ICly from the controllers, but since the objective is to simulate realistic combat, the allied force should be coming up with their own strike missions as well.

OOCly, combat is the traditional action-reaction posting scheme, where one posts an action, the other side posts a reaction and suffers appropriate losses, etc. Any disputes should go here, into the OOC thread.

ICly, combat for obvious reasons is simulated. Aircraft will be controlled by the neutral controllers, who will track the position of both side's aircraft with on-location radar and data-link downlink points. To attack, the target must be acquired by an aircraft's sensors as determined by the controllers, and held for five seconds. The pilot must then say the appropriate brevity codes over the radio, and/or mechanically attempt to fire, which would be recorded by the flight computer. The pilot being attacked has the chance to defend himself through various means, and after tabulating the results along with a random number generator, the controllers alert both aircraft if the one being attacked was shot down or if it survived. SAM missile targeting, and air-to-ground actions rely on a similar principle, though air-to-ground munitions may be carried during runs on metal training targets (simulating ground forces).

For both sides, losses are regenerating, simulating air/air defense assets being rushed to reinforce a particularly important sector. If a plane is shot down, it will stay out of action for 24 hours, the time representing the time taken to send a new plane from reserves over. Due to high pilot survivability in modern conflicts (eg. Kosovo saw over 80% survival from Serbian pilots shot down), the pilot will not have any restrictions placed on him/herself.

Due to not knowing the size of the allied force, OPFOR does not currently have an ORBAT. Regardless, numerically it will be exactly the same size as the allied force, so that it will be a fair fight. Some scenarios will be small unit (2v2, 4v2, 4v4, etc) combat missions, which will restrict how many participants can be airborne at one time. To make it so that more people will have a chance to fight, the arena in such a case will be divided up in "zones", with each combatant responsible for combatant in his/her own zone only. I/the controllers will announce when such a thing will happen.

Awards

At the end of the exercise, there will be awards presented to those pilots and units that performed in an exceptional manner, as well as a certificate of completion given to all pilots to mark them being some of the few to challenge Desert Hawks. Some of the awards include:

For the winning team, as well as the air unit with the greatest shootdown-loss ration, a gilded model of a TaH-29 on a cedar-wood base will be presented commemorating their victories.

For the surface-to-air missile unit with the most "kills", a little statuette on a cedar-wood base will be presented, in the form of a brass hand reaching up into the sky, smashing an aircraft in its hand.

For all pilots achieving a shootdown-loss ratio of greater than 5-1, as well as SAM units achieving more than 10 shootdowns, a Tayyar ("Aviator") series silver and platinum watch made by the renowned Riysian jewelry firm Semiramis will be presented.

Various other awards exist for pilots or units displaying exceptional valor and skill as well, depending on the situation.

Itinerary

Currently, the itinerary is as follows:

November 9-10: Arrival of crew and equipment. Free days.

November 11, 7:00 pm: Welcoming ceremony and briefing. Signups will mostly close by this point. RP will start at the end of the ceremony.

November 12, ?:?? am: Start of exercises. IC time of day will be randomly chosen.

November 20th, 12:00 am: End of exercises.

November 20th, 6:30 am: Debrief and tally.

November 2st, 8:00 am: Closing ceremony and awards presentation.

Application

Allied Force Participants

For those wishing to take part in the exercise, please fill out this form. There are only a limited number of spaces, for the sake of simplicity. SACTO has preference in such a case.

Code: Select all: (Delete everything in parentheses once complete.) [b]Nation Name:[/b] [b]Participating Branch Name(If sending multiple branches, make different applications per branch):[/b] [b]Units Participating:[/b] [b]Commanding Officers:[/b] [b]Equipment list:[/b] [u]Fighter/Strike Aircraft (Max of 12): [u]Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs (Max of 6):[/u] [u]Bomber and Support Aircraft (Support jammers, tankers, etc.; Max of 6):[/u] [u]Surface to Air Missile Systems (Max of 1 Battery Equivalent):[/u] #StrikeEagle (do not remove this tag)

Observer Application

For those who wish to attend but can not send a force, sending observers to T11 is another option. They will have the chance to speak to everyone, but will be barred from interacting with any controllers during combat missions. Weapons must be cleared with administration before being allowed. Security will be provided by the Riysian Air Force.

Code: Select all: (Delete everything in parenthesis once complete.) [b]Nation Name:[/b] [b]Participating Branch Name(If sending multiple branches, make different applications per branch):[/b] [b]Attendees (No more than 5, please go into depth):[/b] #Watcher (do not remove this tag)

Participants

Combatants/Allied Force

Observers

by **Riysa** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:02 pm

RIYSIAN ARAB AIR FORCE
OPERATIONS REPORT
Operation Caesar
2016-11-09; 06:00
Major General Talal Rabah

Situation

The Hamra People's Republic, a neighboring nation, has long held imperialist-revolutionary interests in the region, with a strong desire to export its Marxist-Leninist revolution to its immediate neighbors and annex territory it asserts as rightfully belonging to itself.

Following this year's annual October Uprising celebrations, Hamra has become increasingly belligerent, declaring its intent to annex several of its neighbors. Since November 3rd, Hamran Air Force assets have been launching mock attacks and probing our air defense network with increasing regularity. Intelligence sources and reconnaissance work has identified massive buildup of men, materiel, and aircraft at Airbase 14 near the Hamran border, implying this direction being the main axis of attack.

Enemy Forces

Enemy forces are known to consist of multiple air superiority, interceptor, and multi-role aircraft squadrons, supplemented by short and medium range surface to air missiles. They currently reside at numerical parity with us, but are expected to be reinforced in the event of conflict.

The main enemy aircraft present is the TaH-27. This twin-engined light fighter is comparable to the MiG-29 in terms of energy-maneuverability performance. However, the TaH-27s have gone through a successive series of upgrades, with the primary TaH-27T variant utilizing a modern R-15 radar set alongside improved IRST, and an AEKR-208 superheterodyne RWR capable of intercepting LPI emissions. Earlier, less capable TaH-27Bs are also present; these will probably be kept in reserve, or used for supplementary missions.

Limited numbers of the newer TaH-29 have been spotted, specifically the TaH-29B-3 variant. This is a highly capable, modern aircraft, only recently acquired by Hamran. The TaH-29 has excellent all-around detection capabilities and features modern sensor fusing techniques, all on an airframe optimized for maximal energy performance. It is unlikely that they will be committed immediately to battle, but should be treated with extreme caution.

A detachment of TaH-30 interceptors rounds out the fighter complement at Airbase 11. Broadly comparable to the MiG-25/31 line of interceptors, it is unlikely that they will be used extensively, but will pose significant problems to our strategic assets if/when deployed, and should be targeted immediately if identified.

The enemy order of battle is thus known to be as follows:
F/GA Squadrons
The 28th "Tishreen" Fighter Squadron, flying 20 TaH-27Ts (+4 stored).
The 34th "Adnan Sayyah" Fighter Squadron, flying 20 TaH-27Ts (+4 stored).
The 88th Reserve Fighter Squadron, flying 20 TaH-27Bs (+4 stored).
A detachment from the 14th "Storm Wind" Fighter Squadron, flying 12 TaH-29B-3s.
A detachment from the 1st Night Fighter Squadron, flying 4 TaH-30Bs.

Supporting Aircraft

Multiple detachments of airborne early warning craft, totaling 12 Ha-29ERs and 4 Du-4ERs.
Multiple detachments of tanker craft, totaling 10 Ha-6TJ.
A detachment of secretive SIGINT craft, believed to be Ha-15ISEs.
The 108th "Shaybah" Electronic Attack Squadron, flying 12 (+2) Ha-29HEs.
The 112th Electronic Attack Squadrons, flying 20 (+4) TaH-27HEs.
Elements of the 110th Electronic Attack Squadron, flying 8 TaH-29HEs.

Surface to Air Missiles

The 8th Air Defense Missile Battalion, using medium-range NDJ-50 Sayaad systems.
Assorted short-range anti-air artillery and SHORAD systems for troop defense.

Friendly Forces

All friendly forces are united under Task Force Caesar. This consists of the following:

The INAAA 69th Aviation Regiment, flying 12 A18Ts.
The HRAF 13th "Eagles" Fighter Squadron, flying 6 Mirage 2000s and 6 TaH-29BHs.
The AAF 75th Fighter Squadron, flying 10 MC.82s.
The OSMC 321st Marine Attack Squadron, flying 12 F/A-28s.
Elements of the OSN 12th Fleet Fighter Composite Squadron, flying 8 F/A-28s.
Elements of the OSN 106th Fleet Strike Fighter Squadron, flying 4 F/A-28s.
Elements of the ROVAF 63rd Tactical Wing, flying 6 F-15Vs and 6 F-26As.
The KAF 1st Fighter Squadron, flying 12 F-22Ks (F-14).

Along with supporting tanker, EW, and AEW elements and ground/security crews.

Flight Planning and Information

The weather forecast indicates mostly clear skies for the entire week. Sporadic cloud cover can be found at altitudes of 6,000 to 10,000 meters. Temperatures will stay mostly constant, with highs of 23-25 C achieved during the day and lows of 4-10 C achieved at night. All planning should take this into account.

The airspace local airspace is trafficked by commercial and private aircraft. While this would disappear in the event of a war, initial planning must take this into account.

In terms of terrain, the sector is flat and open, dotted by surface microterrain. To the northwest, on the approach from T11, lies the Jabal Tiyas mountain range, with the highest point just above 1,000 meters ASL (500 meters relative to surrounding flatlands). The mountains provide a useful navigational landmark and orientation point. As does the river - Nahr Bukamil - and farmland located across the border. A highway, "Autostrad M20" runs from west to east, linking Hamran to friendly territory; this is a likely axis of advance, and care should be taken to avoid short-range air defense systems stationed along this route.

Commander's Intent

I intend to defend allied airspace with our composite task force, and effect attacks and counter-attacks against Hamran air and ground assets as necessary.

Mission

The mission of Task Force Caesar is to act as a force in being, acting as a deterrent to Hamran aggression against our sector. As hostilities have not been declared, we are to avoid overflights of Hamran territory, but we do have permission to intercept Hamran aircraft entering our airspace. In the event that hostilities are declared, we will form the main effort against the Hamran Air Force, and provide close air support and interdiction for our allied land forces. Friendly surface-to-air missile systems will provide fire support and GCI services to our operations.

Orders

1. I order Task Force Caesar to set up immediately at Airbase T11, and assume an offensive posture until further information.

2. I order Task Force Caesar to establish a three-tiered layer of defense, consisting of a Quick Reaction Alert section, a First Echelon section, and a Second Echelon section, following the following schedule:

Saturday: Nifon and Kobolis (QRA)|OS Navy and Prov IAF (First)|Republic of Vietnam and Aquitayne (Second)
Sunday: Hutanjia and Pakiranistan (QRA)|OSMC and Aquitayne (First)|Nifon and OS Navy (Second)
Monday: Prov IAF and Republic of Vietnam (QRA)|Pakiranistan and Kobolis(First)|Aquitayne and Nifon (Second)
Tuesday: Hutanjia and OS Navy (QRA)|Aquitayne and Kobolis (First)| OSMC and Prov IAF (Second)
Wednesday: OSMC and Kobolis (QRA)|
Thursday: Nifon and Aquitayne (QRA)
Friday: Pakiranistan and OSMC (QRA)|

3. I order Task Force Caesar's air defense systems to begin deploying immediately, while rotating activity among the same schedule as above.

Readiness Times

Aircraft and crews on quick reaction alert should have four aircraft be ready to take off for engagement in 5 minutes or less.
Aircraft and crews on first echelon duty should have four aircraft be ready to take off for engagement in 15 minutes or less.
Aircraft and crews on second echelon duty should have four aircraft be ready to take off for engagement in 30 minutes or less.
All other aircraft and crews should be ready to take off for engagement in 2 hours or less.

Signals

Callsigns: All callsigns are to be determined by each squadron, and be registered with GCI and airborne controllers no later than 24 hours after our arrival, to avoid confusion.

Radio Frequencies: A common radio frequency of 1.86 GHz shall be established for inter-service communications. Backup frequencies will reside on 1.13 GHz, 1.35 GHz, and 1.99 GHz. Those capable of communicating through the same datalinks (eg. Link 16) should make use of it as much as possible.

Wire/Line connections: N/A.

Satellite communications frequencies: N/A.

Non-electromagnetic signals (eg. signal flares): N/A.

Logistics and Support

Materiel, POL, and Servicing: All munitions (captive carry dummies) will be provided by their owning nation's service. POL will be supplied locally at T11. All servicing of aircraft will be done by support crews brought with each element.
Personnel: Personnel services will be handled locally at T11. Replacement crews are the responsibility of each participating service.
Medical: Medical services will be provided locally at T11.

Commander's Location

I will be located in the T11 command bunker.

Chain of Succession

If I am unable to command, then the most senior officer in the composite force available to take control will succeed, and so on.

by **Riysa** » Sat Oct 01, 2016 3:07 pm

-Reserved for links to IC-

by **Riysa** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 7:52 am

And with that, I would like to announce Desert Hawks 2016 as being open! Remember, participation preference is given to SACTO members.

by **New Aeyariss** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:09 am

Nation Name: The Empire of Greater Nihon
Participating Branch Name: Imperial Nihonese Army Air Arm (Which is in fact Air Force)
Units Participating: elements of 69th Mixed Aviation Regiment
Commanding Officers: Col. Tachibana Shouhei
Equipment list:

Fighter/Strike Aircraft: 12x A18T

Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs: 3x Type Ku-519

Bomber and Support Aircraft: 2x Type Yu-18 AWACS, 2x Ki-56 Tanker, 4x Ki-87 Electronic support aircraft

Surface to Air Missile Systems: 1x Type 7 Chu-SAM battery

#StrikeEagle (do not remove this tag)

by **Hutanjia** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:30 am

Nation Name: Republic of Hutanjia
Participating Branch Name: HRAF (Hutanjian Republican Air Force)
Units Participating:
13th Multi Role Squadron ['The Ekaras'] (Eagles)
20th Support Wing ['The Otereti'] (The Owls)
Commanding Officers:
CO: Lt. Col. Guillaume Sonaga
XO: Maj. Barrett Gjatovo
CO (of 20th Support): Lt. Col. Maxwell Olargu (will be on station in the RCC General)

Equipment list:
Fighter/Strike Aircraft:
6x TaH-29BH Shrikes
6x Mirage 2000Ds

Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs:
6x U9 Camar Microlight Surveillance UAVs

Bomber and Support Aircraft:
1x RCC GA72 General
2x KC-45A Air Refuelers
2x UH-100 Helicopters
1x LIRCAS Sergeant

Surface to Air Missile Systems:
1x Battery of S-400 Triumph SAMs from the 49th AA Defense Brigade (Attached to the 20th Air Support WIng)

#StrikeEagle

by **Aquitayne** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 2:03 pm

Nation Name: The Constitutional Monarchy of Aquitayne
Participating Branch Name: Aquitaynian Air Force
Units Participating:75th Fighter Squadron; 71st Aerial Refueling Squadron; 122nd Air Defense Battalion
Commanding Officers:
75th Fighter Squadron: Major (MAJ) Arkan Reina, CMAAF, commanding
71st Aerial Refueling Squadron: Major (MAJ) Alyssa Cornara, CMAAF, commanding
122nd Air Defense Battalion: Captain (CPT) Thomas Grech, CMAA, commanding
Equipment list:
Fighter/Strike Aircraft (Max of 12):
x10 M.Cs 82 Illusion
Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs (Max of 6):
x4 MQ-9 Reaper, from the 112th Aerial Reconnaissance Squadron, attached to the 71st Aerial Refueling Squadron for the purposes of the exercise.

Bomber and Support Aircraft (Support jammers, tankers, etc.; Max of 6):
x2 T565 Modular Tanker/Transport
x1 RCC GA72 General
x2 EA-18 Growler
x1 TH-300 Lakota
Surface to Air Missile Systems (Max of 1 Battery Equivalent):
x1 battery of LMI-100 Soteria (MEADIN)

#StrikeEagle

by **McNernia** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 7:53 pm

I have had some problems with people who have had problems with my combat. So I wont partake of the combat.

Nation Name:The Kingdom of Mcnernia
Participating Branch Name:Mcnernian Royal Air Force
Attendees :1
Name:Michael Ronan
Rank:Group Captian
Picture:

Service Record
His service record is commendable, a product of the recent civil war and the service of his family to the Nation and the crown. It was a Ronan who was on the first rocket into space. And it was a Ronan who was the pilot of the first jet prototype fighter. Dont let Michaels pedigree fool you into thinking that the man earned his rank from the fact that he is descended from good men who flew. He is a man who was taught the way that you get anything is through sacrifice. The motto of the Ronans is what drove him from an early age to attend the Royal Air Force colledge and to become a pilot. The man qualified on the F.29 and the LY109 proudly being one of the youngest pilots. Raised in a family that praised aviation meant that he may have had some advantages but he clawed his way through flying and fighting.

He was soon as he was promoted was assigned as a Military Observer. His family ties rumored to be the reason he was out of the cockpit.

#Watcher (do not remove this tag)

by **The United Remnants of America** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 8:24 pm

So this is the exercise. Observer Apps a-go.

Nation Name: The United Remnants of America
Participating Branch Name: Air Force
Attendee: 1st Lieutenant Jerry McCormick
History: Lieutenant McCormick earned his stripes in the early days of the Remnant-Korean War as an AH-80 Blackfoot pilot in the 2nd Air Force, where he was credited with three vehicle kills while being one of the few survivors of his squadron. After that point, McCormick became the poster child of the Remnant Air Force, especially for the rotary corps. McCormick, years later, would fight in the Remnant War of Expansion, then flying a Remnant-made H-5 Attack Helicopter. McCormick flew perimeter duty as part of the 13th Rotary Wing Squadron on the Zhanguanese border, supporting ground troops as they pushed into the neighboring nation to overthrow the despotic government. The pilot earned himself a promotion and a move to the lead aircraft of the squadron.

Not only is McCormick the poster child of the Air Force, but he is also a famous face for the Remnant Christian minority, breaking the Remnant stereotype that Christians are pacifists and refuse to stand and fight for their nation. McCormick has spoken publicly on his faith and his nationalism.

Nation Name: As Above, So Below
Participating Branch Name: Navy
Attendee: Commander Stephanie Jenson
History: Commander Jenson is the commanding officer of the URS Twilight, the aircraft carrier and flagship of the 6th Fleet of the Remnant Navy, one of the most decorated strategic military forces in the Remnant Military, and especially within the Navy. Due to this, the Twilight, her crew and complement are some of the most experienced crewmen and pilots in the Navy. Jenson is hands-down considered the most experienced Naval officer below the admiral level.

Her experience includes her fleet providing support for Leningrad Union's offensive of Caxan, the Gallium War, offensive support for a rebellion against the Namenian government, support to put down a rebellion in the Robertson Islands, support actions to defend the Arcadonisian government from foreign invaders, and the war to defend the island of Topkekkia. On top of this, Jenson has worked tirelessly to look for modernization options for the Remnant Navy, up to an including new aircraft models that the URA is unable to copy due to technical expertise limitations.

Nation Name: You get the point
Participating Branch Name: Contracted Personnel Division
Attendee: 1st Lieutenant Tobias McLeod
History: Tobias McLeod grew up the foster son of an air force family. His foster brother and foster father were both fixed-wing pilots, and both helped Tobias to enter into the family business as a mercenary pilot. Flying in a flight including family friends, his brother, and father, McLeod was devastated when the flight was brought down, leaving McLeod as the lone survivor. After recovery, McLeod flew once again, and was shortly found and contracted by the URA, being brought into the CPD as a consultant for Military and CPD pilots alike. While McLeod's simulated rank is a lieutenant, he carries the respect and experience of a pilot with a higher rank from his time as a mercenary operating outside the realm of government oversight.

#Watcher (do not remove this tag)

by **Aeyariss** » Thu Nov 03, 2016 11:45 pm

Nation Name: Aeyariss
Participating Branch Name: Royal Aeyariss Air Force (RAAF)
Attendees:
Brigadier General Alesia Hosaz, Deputy Director, Air Force Training and Doctrine Development
Colonel Samantha Harrington, Squadron Commander, 21st Fighter Sqn, 1st Air Force
Colonel Mikhail Saraz, Air Force Training and Doctrine Development

Aeyariss Empire delegation has been tasked to assess and evaluate Ex-Desert Hawks which lessons expected to be incorporated into the Aeyariss Air Force own training and doctrine. Though Aeyariss will not be sending in pilots and air craft in this series.

#Watcher

by **Free Asian Ports** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 6:21 am

Nation Name: Free Asian Ports
Participating Branch Name: Free Asian Ports Air Force (FAPAF)
Units Participating: 341st Tactical Fighter Squadron, 24th Electronic Attack Squadron
Commanding Officers:
341st:
CO: Lieutenant Colonel Tenzin Subaru
XO: Major Daimiro Haru
24th:
CO: Major Masashiro Aoi
Equipment list:
Fighter/Strike Aircraft:
12x F-14J Kai Super Tomcats

Bomber and Support Aircraft:
2x EA-6B Prowler

#StrikeEagle (do not remove this tag)

by **The Unified Isles** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 6:22 am

(Delete everything in parentheses once complete.)
Nation Name: The Unified Isles
Participating Branch Name(If sending multiple branches, make different applications per branch): The Isle'ish Royal Army lacks a branch organization. The "Task Force Desert Hawk" will be formed by the "Tactical Air Command", the "Royal Field Intelligence", the "Strategic Air Command" and the "Royal Air Artillery".
Units Participating: 16th Air Superiority Squadron "The Indian Horse"; Rear Flight, 9th Field Reconnaissance Squadron "Colonel-General's Own Banshees"; Rear Flight, 1st Strategic Bomber Squadron; Rear Flight, 6th Electronic Reconnaissance Squadron; Rear Flight, 5th Tactical Refueling Squadron; A Battery, 11th Regiment of Air Artillery "The Honourable Highland Air-Defence".
Commanding Officers:
Wing Commander Sir Walther Curran - Task Force Commandant
Squadron Commander Sir Harald White - 16th Air Superiority Squadron

Equipment list:
Fighter/Strike Aircraft (Max of 12):
12x RO-ASF "Myrmidon"

Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs (Max of 6):
6x RO-UAV "Watchdog"

Bomber and Support Aircraft (Support jammers, tankers, etc.; Max of 6):
2x RO-SBC "Artemis"
2x RO-ART "Zephyrus"
2x RO-AWACS "Charybdis"

Surface to Air Missile Systems (Max of 1 Battery Equivalent):
9x RO-SRSAM "Coldstream"

#StrikeEagle (do not remove this tag)

by **Organized States** » Fri Nov 04, 2016 9:48 pm

Went a little above twelve, was slightly confused if it's a maximum of twelve aircraft per service, or twelve aircraft per delegation period. Let me know if you want it changed.

by **Hatay** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 5:26 am

Nation Name: The Republic of Hatay
Participating Branch Name: The Hatayan Republican Air Force
Attendees: 1st Luitenant Kamil Nur, Captain Suhail Zia. Both pilots and officers in the HRAF, very experienced, and eager to see a powerful air force exercise. They come only to watch and meet other military officers. They each are very approachable, friendly, intelligent men, who love to talk to people, especially military officers. They each have a Glock-17 for personal security.
Kamil Nur-Born and raised in a poor town in the south, he joined the Army after high school, when in the army he learned how to fly smaller transport planes. He used this experience to join the Hatayan Republican Air Force where he piloted in an F-15 over Iraq during the 2003 invasion, where Hatay sent a few air superiority fighters to keep order in the skies, before pulling out in 2006. He then flew a few airstrikes over Hatay against jihadis insurgents. He has retired from active air duty, doing a few airstrikes against Jaysh Al-Nimcha, but serves as an advisor for the HRAF.
Suhail Zia-Born and raised in Kamijama, the capital, he went to flight school and joined the HRAF. He flew Strategic Bombers like the B-1 Lancer, and also flew F-15s against jihadists within the country, he is very experienced, and very skilled with dogfighting. He retired from active service in 2007, but also serves as an advisor and a diplomat for the HRAF.

#Watcher (do not remove this tag)

by **The Selkie** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 8:31 am

Good evening,
with your kind permission, Riysa, I would like to participate in this, if only as an observer.

Nation Name: The Free Lands of the Selkie.
Participating Branch Name: SDF-Army Air Combat Command.
Attendees:

Brigadier Eitil.
(OOC-picture source: Last Exile Wikia.)

Major Dóire.
(OOC-picture source: FMA-Wikia.)

Sealgaire

Captain Ainnir.
(OOC-picture source: Sora no Woto Wikia.)

#Watcher (do not remove this tag)

by **Republic of Vietnam** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 3:42 pm

Nation Name: Republic of Vietnam
Participating Branch Name: Air Force
Units Participating:

63rd Tactical Wing (Không đoàn chiến thuật 63)
- Members of 536th Fighter Squadron (Phi đoàn khu trục 536) flying F-15V and EF-15G
- Members of 540th Fighter Squadron (Phi đoàn khu trục 540) flying F-26A

33rd Tactical Wing (Không đoàn chiến thuật 33)
- Members of 716th Reconnaissance Squadron (Phi đoàn quan sát 716) flying Boeing 737 AEW&C and controlling RQ-4B
- Members of Transport Squadron 416 (Phi đoàn vận tải 415) flying KC-46

Commanding Officers: Colonel Nguyen Van Minh
Equipment list:
Fighter/Strike Aircraft:
6 x Boeing F-15V
6 x North American F-26A
Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs:
2 x RQ-4B Block 30
Bomber and Support Aircraft:
4 x Boeing EF-15G, EW variant of the F-15V
1 x Boeing 737 AWE&C
1 x Boeing KC-46A
Surface to Air Missile Systems:
6 x KM-SAM launchers

#StrikeEagle (do not remove this tag)

by **Kobolis** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 4:10 pm

Nation Name: Federation of Kobolis
Participating Branch Name: Kobolis Air Force (KAF)
Units Participating:

Flights A, B and C, 1st Fighter Squadron (1 FS), 4th Operations Group (4 OG), 4th Fighter Wing (4 FW)
4th Maintenance Squadron (4 MXS), 4th Logistics Group (4 LG), 4th Fighter Wing (4 FW)
Flight A, 4th Security Forces Squadron (4 SFS), 4th Support Group (4 SPTG), 4th Fighter Wing (4 FW)
53-4905, Flight A, 403rd Airborne Air Control Squadron (403 AACS),34th Operations Group (34 OG), 34th Air Control Wing (34 ACW)

Commanding Officers:

Colonel Mark Clifton (Exercise Force)
Major Vincent Boom (1 FS)
Major Dianne Free (4 MXS)
Captain Joe Blackburn (4 SFS)
Captain Raman Pixus (403 AACS)

Equipment list:
Fighter/Strike Aircraft (Max of 12):
12 x F-14 ((As discussed with Riysa, this is the designation for the Kobolis aircraft most comparable to an USAF F-22 except upgraded.))

Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs (Max of 6):

Bomber and Support Aircraft (Support jammers, tankers, etc.; Max of 6):
1 x E-3 Sentry ((Will be replaced with domesticated designation ASAP))

Surface to Air Missile Systems (Max of 1 Battery Equivalent):

#StrikeEagle (do not remove this tag)

by **Riysa** » Sat Nov 05, 2016 8:06 pm

New Aeyariss wrote:-snip-

Hutanjia wrote:-snip-

Aquitayne wrote:-snip-

Mcnernia wrote:-snip-

The United Remnants of America wrote:-snip-

Aeyariss wrote:-snip-

Free Asian Ports wrote:-snip-

The Selkie wrote:-snip

Republic of Vietnam wrote:-snip-

Kobolis wrote:-snip-

All you guys accepted. Welcome! Glad to see the rest of SACTO show up, and some more faces as well.

The Unified Isles wrote:-snip-

Rejected. You know why.

Hatay wrote:-snip-

Hatay...really? Trying to apply to a SACTO-sponsored event?

Organized States wrote:-snip-

12 per branch, so since you're going with two, it'll be 24 total. You'll need to fix your Navy ORBAT too, you have 8 instead of a max of 6 support aircraft. Otherwise, of course, accepted.

by **The Selkie** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 3:00 am

Riysa wrote:[...]
The Selkie wrote:-snip

[...]

All you guys accepted. Welcome! Glad to see the rest of SACTO show up, and some more faces as well.

[...]

Thank you - I look very much forward to this. Watching some of the best military-RPers in action is going to be a treat.

by **The Unified Isles** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 3:21 am

Ey Ris, I don't know if you're aware of this, but the issue you refused me for has been dealt with. If you still have a problem with me, I suggest that you contact me privately and let me explain myself.

by **Hatay** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 9:10 am

I just want to watch and talk…….

by **Neu Engollon** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 9:45 am

Nation Name: The Confederacy of Neu Engollon
Participating Branch Name: Neu Engollon Defense Air Force
Attendee: Colonel Louis De Perle; Commander of the 206th Fighter Squadron ('Black Kites')
History: De Perle took over the Black Kites from the retiring Colonel Vincenzo DeCazzio, who led the unit during peacekeeping actions in some of the worst hot spots in Teremara. The squadron has seen considerable action and has been decorated numerous times since their inception a century ago. De Perle has led the unit for the last couple years. The squadron's most recent action was in a border skirmish with the neighboring Austraks, a common occurrence over the centuries. Louis De Perle has a spouse and two children in town near Enbrun AFB. He is mostly dedicated to the squadron, and finds little time for leisure, but when he can, he also plays on the NEDAF base rugby team that regularly plays against local club teams and their NEDM counterparts.

Nation Name: The Confederacy of Neu Engollon
Participating Branch Name: Neu Engollon Defense Navy (Air Arm)
Attendee: Lieutenant Commander Angelo Goermann; Commander of the 204th Naval Support Squadron ('Peskaerva')
History:
Lt. Com. Goermann has ably led the Peskaerva on several exercises and patrols in Teremara in support of peacekeeping operations. However, the squadron itself has never seen combat action, despite being kept honed for action. The 204th is the CAG (Carrier Air Group) of the NEDS Patrice Fendault, the flagship carrier of the NEDN 2nd Fleet. Like many NEDF personnel, Caldreau left national service in order to serve as a flyer for the USG PMC air arm, where he obtained combat experience in Hutanjia against the Falkasian and Cardwithian enemies. He was accepted back into the NEDN air arm with his departure being swept under the rug, as has been the practice with most NEDF personnel seeking combat experience and some extra premium pay in the PMC. Beyond peacekeeping experience, this is how the NEDF gains combat experienced veterans to help bring along the newer waves of those serving in the Confederacy's Defense Forces. It is not an official policy, but has been an unstated accepted practice for generations.

Nation Name: The Republic of Terre Des Gaules
Participating Branch Name: Forces Aériennes Des Gaules
Attendee: Lieutenant Colonel Gilbert Caldreau; Commander of the 6th Escadrille Chasseur ('Les Moineaux')
History:
Terre Des Gaules, or Gaul, is the western neighbor of Neu Engollon and for the last several decades has had a close mutual defense alliance with the small neutral nation. The 6th Fighter Squadron has seen action in some of the same peacekeeping actions that have involved the NEDAF, where Lt. Col Caldreau really earned his wings. The 6th Squadron calls Arnoux Air Base, Feng Guo, Dachine home. Their primary mission is to defend the tropical Gaul protectorate from hostile forces across the Wishton Sea. Caldreau is single but rumored to have several native girlfriends throughout Dachine. He is also a fairly good surfer, taught by native boarders in the islands.

#Watcher

by **Atmaera** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 2:20 pm

Ah at last

Nation Name: The Grand Republic of Atmaera
Participating Branch Name: Grand Army Air Force
Units Participating:
[*] 212th tactical fighter wing
[*]53rd Electronic Combat Squadron
[*]63rd AA regiment
Commanding Officers: Major Mikael Antaerus, Colonel Aryn Maro
Equipment list:
Fighter/Strike Aircraft (Max of 12): [*] AV-23 Seraph #8

[u]Remotely Piloted Aircraft/UAVs (Max of 6):
#6 MQ-9 Reaper

Bomber and Support Aircraft (Support jammers, tankers, etc.; Max of 6):
Boeing E-3 Sentry AWACS #2, AV-23 Apalis EW configurations #2, KC-135 Stratotanker#2
Surface to Air Missile Systems (Max of 1 Battery Equivalent): MIM-104 Patriot

#StrikeEagle (do not remove this tag)

by **The United Remnants of America** » Sun Nov 06, 2016 10:11 pm

Riysa wrote:
Hatay wrote:-snip-

Hatay...really? Trying to apply to a SACTO-sponsored event?

#LetHatayDebate.

But really. I want to see the threatening passive-aggressive comments that the Hatayan representatives get from the others.

by **Neu Engollon** » Mon Nov 07, 2016 12:26 pm

The United Remnants of America wrote:
Riysa wrote:

Hatay...really? Trying to apply to a SACTO-sponsored event?

#LetHatayDebate.

But really. I want to see the threatening passive-aggressive comments that the Hatayan representatives get from the others.

Or maybe this could not be turned into another SACTO vs IFC or somebody thread, IC or OOC? Some of us don't care about all that political BS. I trust Riysa to reject who he feels would bring the unnecessary drama and drag down the RP.

Exercise Desert Hawks 2016 [Semi-Open|MT|OOC]

Exercise Desert Hawks 2016 [Semi-Open|MT|OOC]

Just to Observe

Who is online