Operations: CSG República

[Iverica]

CARRIER STRIKE GROUP

REPÚBLICA

Operations and Activity Abroad

 

"The High Seas, a vast unconquered frontier. These are the voyages of the Carrier República and her strike group. Her eternal mission: to serve and protect Iverica's citizens abroad, to conquer threat posed by foreign aggressors, to aid those beleaguered, huddled masses wherever they may-"

-Sudden feedback cuts through the message-

"Who is this?! What's your operating number??"

"Pepe, if this is you again, I'll have your fingers turn brown from scrubbing latrines- all of them, and on chilli night!!!"

#transmission ends#

The CSG República, is an Armada Iverica blue-water, direct response unit. Designated as the Iverican Expeditionary Fleet's command unit, the group is led by the aircraft carrier VRI República, and is supported by a core complement consisting of the guided-missile cruisers--VRI Intreimor and VRI Sant Ignacio, the multi-role submarine--VRI Sicario, a destroyer squadron, and a support flotilla. 

República is tasked primarily with long-range patrols of the North Oriental Ocean, securing Iverican shipping interests and conducting counter-piracy operations when needed. Additionally, the strike group is tasked with intercontinental operations when peacekeeping, power projection, or response to a foreign threat is required. As a result, the group maintains a constant alert level of REDCON 4, with reserve units ready to assume the CSG's patrol duties when activation orders are given.

Like other carrier strike groups, the República utilises the Aegis weapon/ballistic missile defence system to intercept short to intermediate-range missiles, while also granting capability for BVR anti-ship, anti-air or ground attack capability. Additionally, the carrier maintains a marine taskforce available for boarding or amphibious mechanised assault via the aft well-dock.

Main Vessels

Name	Class	Role
VRI República CV-01	República	Aircraft Carrier, Amphibious Assault ship, flagship
VRI Sicario SSM-01	Sicario	Attack/Guided-Missile Submarine
VRI Intreimor CG-02	Saragossa	Guided Missile Cruiser
VRI Sant Ignacio CG-03	Saragossa	Guided Missile Cruiser
VRI Jalapeno DDG-07	General Luna	Destroyer
VRI Sant Salvador DDG-08	General Luna	Destroyer
VRI Consuela DDG-09	General Luna	Destroyer
VRI Ese LCS-012	Redentor	Anti-Mine, Anti-Submarine LCS
VRI ¡Ay Caramba! LCS-014	Redentor	Anti-Mine, Anti-Submarine LCS
VRI Sr. Bob Sanchez T-AOE-07	Cigonya	Supply & Refueling Ship

 

OOC: For when I finally get around to joint-exercises with @Fleur de Lys and maybe some other fun while they're in international waters *rubs hands deviously

Edited December 19, 2017 by Iverica (see edit history)

[Iverica]

||ORIONII CHANNEL-  19°57'7.78"N, 134°31'36.74"E||

0520 Hours, Eastern Europan Time (+2)

-Aboard the VRI República-

Almirante Juan Lluc Ricardo, was woken by alarm at precisely 0520 hours. He spent approximately 42 seconds shouting at the smart display mounted beside his bed to unlock and give him the weather. 368 seconds were spent in the cramped shower, accompanied by the dulcet tones of Carlos Gardel. 912 seconds were spent neurotically adjusting his blue no. 3A duty uniform, with 198 of those seconds spent on cursing his service pin which missed its catch and buried itself into his thumb instead.

"Everything alright in there sir?", came the light knock and muffled query of the duty watchman.

"Yes, yes. Carry on", he hollered back, sucking on the slowly growing bulb of blood.

At 0544 hours, his aide, Teniente Guevara knocked and entered with a small column of mess staff in tow. The cabin's bolted-down table was given a little tablecloth, with a respectable fare of plates and a pot of black coffee lain out. The short pile of pandesal, an Iverican omelette, and small cup yoghurt took about 18 minutes to finish, with the Almirante chewing slowly and starring into the bulkhead as Guevara droned on last night's missed happenings.

"-and the Sant Ignacio reported some intermittent radio anomalies at 0210, Comms Chief noted issues ever since that flock of gulls defecated-"

"Any word from Corregidor?"

"er... sir?"

"CMC, have they forwarded the final details for the Afropa Op?", Ricardo set down his coffee cup, dabbing his lips lightly.

"Regrettably not sir. CMC hasn't received Afropa's intel update and command doesn't want to finalise any plans without their latest reports on VLA strengths and LZ surveys. However, the airborne company that came with Representative Brau has been greenlit to stretch their legs and get some intel and recce done for us."

Ricardo nodded, setting his napkin down on the table.

"Walk with me", he said, donning his greatcoat and sitting his peaked cap over his receding hairline. 

---

Ricardo may have been an admiral, but the master quarters of the República were far from opulent. Armada standards gave him a few more square meters, slightly nicer furniture, a private bath, and larger bed. By armada standards, spartan as they were, these were the very benchmark of luxury. Ricardo himself was glad to step out of their claustrophobic cell-like confines and put as much distance between him and those walls, relentlessly relaying the never-ending, maddeningly subtle thrum of the generators belowdecks.

Naval quarters had a certain oppressive geometry about them, utilitarian to a tee and placed, by necessity, in the ship's deepest, stalest central compartments. Portholes were impossible this far from the outer hull, and the air itself had been through a few other compartments first before reaching the officer's quarters making for a rather stuffy, dim atmosphere that Ricardo was glad to be out of.

Personnel snapped to, saluting as the Almirante and his aide walked along. Ricardo offered a few nods, queries and motivational expressions as they weaved through the tight passages, and stepped through thick hatchways, the clanking sound of their boots on the textured deck adding a steady beat to Guevara's flat prattling of changing drifts, soundings, and headings.

"Any updates from the Lysians? Flight plans, requests for code?", inquired Ricardo.

"None, for now, CMC advises that we maintain our heading, and loiter around the Pirilao Bay. Rendezvous coordinates from @Fleur de Lys remain the same for now. Brass expects us to idle at the RZ, and use the time for some light exercises while on standby."

"ETA?"

"Eight hours, bearing and drift maintaining."

Ricardo nodded as they rounded the corner and emerged through one of the outer hatches. He had deliberately foregone the lift and priority passages that would have whisked them to the bridge in a matter of moments. Instead, he had taken the detour that brought them to República's small promenade deck.

Chilly winds and chopping waves awaited outside. The skies were washed with purple, whilst emerging orange crept slowly from horizon's curtain, shyly rising from the white-streaked wrinkles and ripples of the Orionii Channel's fast flowing currents.  

The promenade was situated rather low on the hull, so every now and then, a high wave would lap up and flick playful bursts of sea-spray, misting the pair from the wide rectangular openings that perforated like belt holes around the ship's waist. Guevara kept silent, allowing the old Almirante some time to turn that lined, scarred face- accented with the fading wisps of hair and neat whiskers- towards the morning calm of foreign sea and sky. A sight and site once seen and been by exodite ancestors fleeing eastward, whereas now- they coursed west.

"Bridge and CIC can wait. We shall inspect the flight deck first, see to the groundcrews and the Falcós", said the Almirante, making for the column of ship ladders (stairs).

 

The aide nodded and resumed his robotic reporting of the galley's chilli-con-carne mishap.

Edited November 9, 2017 by Iverica (see edit history)

[Iverica]

November 10, 2017- 0618 Hours

"Guevara, update on Phase Zero? How fares the forward break-off group?", said Ricardo, as they walked past the República's sizable mess area.

Upon entering, officer and marinero alike snapped to. All heels striking a castanet's note, all backs ramrod straight, and some with bits of scrambled egg and chorizo still garnishing their chins. At a gesture from Guevara, they returned to their meals, the low rumble of breakfast conversations filling the air.

"Almirante! Capitan Castor reports that all marines on the break-off group have disembarked safely, and have arrived at the camps. No resistance so far, and acclimatisation training has commenced nearly 36 hours ago. Afropan personnel have been accommodating so far", replied the Teniente, swiping through his device, but casting some lustful looks at a passing marine's heaped tray.

Just moments ago, they had inspected the carrier's flight deck, reminding the crews that leadership was ever watchful of their day-to-day. They looked on, as the alert fighter flights underwent a "passing of the watch", pilots and machines alike being recalled to the holds and quarters below as fresh faces and aircraft took their places. The fresh Falcós and Aguilas were wheeled out from the massive lifts to port and starboard of the vessel- assuming vigilant perch just behind the magnetic locks of the catapults. The rested and fed attendant crews likewise ascending from access steps throwing jabs and jokes as they passed their less loquacious counterparts. As both fresh and fatigued crossed the other, they traded in trust, sleep for the guard's keep. Until the cycle would repeat, resuming again their sentinel's seat.

Now, Ricardo walked passed the serving area, noting the perfect state of every well-fluffed field of egg, every crisp-fried pile of chorizo, and every moist sheen of freshly-sliced fruit. It paid to care, or at least, seem to care about the state of meals in a military vessel. Morale was paramount to the opening of an operation. A poorly fed force was liable to make more mistakes- and every mishandling of CATOBAR take-off and landing, of hundred-tonne gas turbines, and of complex sensory equipment- was another small tap on the coffin's nail. Afterall, Ricardo himself always said, "Defeat sneaks up on you, one small step at a time- you can't ignore the smallest".

"and when does the Palá want to go public with the announcement?", he asked as the two exited, cutting through a connecting hallway, and into a nearby set of steps leading to the well-dock.

"Sir, the Primo's Chief of Staff has informed us that it will be within the next 24 hours, in keeping with our Operational Security media blackout. Airborne element has reported that all LZs and primary FOB sites have been cleared. No sabotage or VLA observers have been noted at this time", replied Guevara as they reached the landing. Before them, lay the cavernous space of the well-dock.

Ricardo nodded and took some time to inspect the scene below. The total space, stretching from stern to midship was quiet and still, the only disturbance came from a few mechanics fiddling with the torsion bars of a UCA-Tercio amphibious assault vehicle. The vaulted structure of beams and supports sticking to the sides had always reminded Ricardo of Jonah and the whale. The belly of the seventy-thousand-ton beast was calm and settled now, but come zero-hour, the dock's elevator would submerge into the sea, filling half the space with lapping hissing seafoam. It would come alive with rumble and roar, smoke and sulfur as vehicle treads would shake every adjacent deck with the fury of waking. Ricardo could almost hear it ringing in his ears, the sounds of shaken shields and beating bronze. The ritual of the eager, waiting warriors- a din of bellowed threats and glory-pining, resonating off the steel lining of the war-beasts belly. The clang and echo of-

 

-shouted cuss. The mechanic below had slipped tightening a lug nut, planting his tailbone on a stool's edge.

 

"Just keep the reports at combat intervals, without real-time intel, anything could go wrong", Ricardo finally replied, amidst the howls of pain, which scarcely overpowered his partner's hooting laughter.

"Aye, sir. Very good sir."

The brief cacophony faded into echo, and echo- into the low prevailing thrum of turbines. Lighting faded to a bare minimum, as crews finished their duties and dimmed the overhead lamps. The landing vehicles were thus left, in silence once again- lying still and immovable in a quiet reverie- broken only by the brief occasional patter of a dripping pipe somewhere.

OOC: Shut up. I just felt like it okay?

 

Edited November 10, 2017 by Iverica (see edit history)

[Iverica]

Communique

 

November 14, 2017

To: @Fleur de Lys Force de l'air,

Relevant Command Personnel

From: Almirante Juan Lluc Ricardo,

Overall Commander of CSG República

 

RE: Joint Exercise

Sir or Madame,

It is with great pleasure that I send this missive confirming all relevant details of our first inter-service exercise. After long periods spent by both our superiors and subordinates in planning this operation, I speak for my staff and crew in saying that we will be honoured to interact, train with, and host Lysian Force de l'air units.

Given this event's historic nature, the República's crew shall be assembling in ceremonial order to greet your arrival. Likewise, we will be clearing the immediate airspace above the strike group beforehand, both for safety and to allow your aircraft to perform any aerobatic entrances, at Lysian protocol's discretion.

Attached below are files containing the necessary IFF and air traffic codes to be used in communication with the VRI República CATCC. On behalf of the strike group, and the Republic of Iverica, we look forward to your arrival.

---

 

Details

Please note that:

-The Strike Group's Air Defence Ship, VRI Consuela, will be checking in at repeated intervals as soon as radar contact is established. IFF and squawk codes are provided in the attached file.

-The VRI República will be trailing safe but visible levels of coloured smoke in Lysian and Iverican colours. We assure you that this will not interfere with established landing procedure.

-There will be an assembly of marines, crew, and pilots present on deck to receive your personnel in a ceremonial manner. A press team from INBC will be covering this. Should your own associated press companies wish to do personal coverage, they may send a team in advance

[Iverica]

OOC: Will follow-up on the special insignia. Still editing

"República CATCC to Lafayette 5, check speed 280, angle 9° off-keel", radioed the controller to the last Lysian Rafale coming out of the penultimate "Donut" turn.

"Lafayette 5 to CATCC, check", came the pilot's lilting and slightly nasal accent.

"Lafayette 5, looking good. On glide path, on-course. You have the ball--call it", replied the controller.

"República, I have it. Touching down."

---

Almirante Ricardo was on deck to welcome the first of the Lysians as they touched down. It was expected that it would take some elements more than one, or even two passes to make landing.

For a unit that seldom practised naval landing, the Lafayette and Longueville formations had landed in short order, exercising an efficient discipline.

The welcoming event spared no pomp, necessitated by the historicity of the event. It was rare that the Republican Armed Service coordinated, let alone cooperated with Europan militaries. This was the first in many years and the first of the century with the almost land-locked country of @Fleur de Lys, a state where mutual interests rarely crossed.

The ship had put out special coloured smoke. Lysian colours flying off the port side and Iverican colours on the starboard. The Armada had its core officers assembled in their antargic white and iverican blue dress uniforms, aiguillettes trailing in the sea breeze. Behind them, standing in phalanx-like formations and clad in midnight blue dress, were the rigid rock-cut forms of several Republican Marine companies. The squares of honour guard marines were arrayed in perfect line-abreast, each hoisting a unit banner--the central and grandest being the device of the joint-operation "Bison". 

Each member of the Force de l'Air was welcomed personally by the Almirante as they stepped off their aircraft. A small ribbon and decoration made for this unique event was pinned on each one. As the final Rafale M landed, the Armada officers led the Lysian pilots to a raised dais in front of the ship's "island" for a photograph.

---

The Lysians were shown to their billets by a smaller procession of officers. It had been decided to ready the staterooms usually reserved for visiting officials and diplomats for this occasion. The ordinary crew billets deep within the ship made for terrible camera time and definitely did not have comfort as the highest priority.

The visitors were given an hour to rest and refresh themselves in the considerably more spacious quarters located nearer the outboard of the ship, where ventilation was less of a problem, and portholes were a given. After some rest and washing, the Lysians were shown to the messdeck, where a special luncheon had been laid out. Iverican specialities such as the cold-cut Hamón a la Argon (seasoned for months in allspice, peppercorns, fennel, and sage), the soft and creamy Arzúa cheese, the sharper Manchego cheese, a large pot of simple white garlic soup, some Paella Mariscos (with fresh local shellfish), a few platters of Ossobucco, and bowls of sweetly-dressed salad with almonds, dates, and apricots (to settle the acidity).

A concession was made in the case that some of the Lysians would prefer their own cuisine. As Iverican mess officers were not specially trained in Lysian culinary, it was decided that in order to avoid looking-pretentious and failing at complex foreign dishes--the kitchen staff would only serve simple and traditional Lysian recipes that were similar to some Iverican ones. Bowls of Lobster Bisque (Lobster bought fresh from some local fishermen), a few plates of Salmon Terrine, and some dishes of Pot-au-feu were found in between the Iverican selection.

The wide array of dishes were spread across a long table with some attendants standing by to provide dishes as called or pour wine and other refreshments. For wines, the best Tempranillo and Monastrell from Argon and Altaria for the meat courses had been flown-in the week prior and an oak-aged Lysian Chardonnay for the seafood courses. A light Amontillado was served with the hamón and cheese as an apértif but towards the end, Amaro Altaria (infused with anise) and Amaro a la Baya (Juniper) was served with the Pana Cottas (lemon-ginger or strawberry).

After the luncheon, the commanding officers of the Lysian unit would be invited for coffee (or tea) with the senior Armada brass to discuss in brief expectations and general plans for the deployment in Afropa.

OOC: May write about the welcoming and lunch from Lysian perspective, or may proceed right to the discussion (with coffee).

Should you choose to go right to the discussion: It will be held in one of the briefing rooms. A large planning table and projector screen will be in the room with intelligence and briefing dossiers provided for the Lysians to update them on the latest need-to-know information in Afropa. Coffee will be single-origin arabica, citrusy and medium-bodied Iverican (similar to Panama Coffee), or Afropan cacao-like and heavy-bodied coffee (similar to Ethiopian)

Edited December 26, 2017 by Iverica (see edit history)

[Iverica]

It was nice to see the Lysians taking part in the offered Iverican cuisine. They were very polite in taking half-and-half of each offered.

At the table, the Lysians were introduced to several Armada and Marine officers, Armada Air Corps pilots, and Armada Intelligence personnel that they would be cooperating with the most in the coming operation.

Almirante Ricardo was among them of course, being Master of the Ship and Overall Commander of the República Group. There was also Intelligence Officer Ameli Corasson, who had flown in just a few days ago from the Camp Osmena, ground headquarters of the peacekeeping mission in @Afropa. With them were the notables of the Armada Air Corps, Voul-Coronel Januario David (Group Commander), Voul-Comandante (Wing Commander) Jose Sant-Ignacio, and Voul-Capitán (Squadron Leader) Enrico Bolívar, all chatting away affably about the differences and similarities between the two foreign air forces.

---

 

Once coffee had been served (Ivericans typically enjoy a second, much stronger cup after lunch), Comandante Ameli Corasson stood at the head of the room.

She looked on at the assembly, seated around the briefing room and gave a brief smile to welcome the union.

What briefing rooms in carriers look like IRL. Luxury is hard to pull off at sea.

"I don't need to bore you with all the details ladies", she addressed collectively (even the men), a translator standing by in case there were any miscommunications with her (almost nonexistent) Iverican accent.

This garnered a few chuckles, even from the Almirante, who stood unintrusively by the entrance hatch (he had prefered to leave this briefing to Intel and Pilots)

"All the long explanations are in the dossiers being handed out", she waved her hand at the junior officer passing the documents.

"This is mostly intelligence collected from our Airborne surveyors, drones, and recce aircraft", Corasson began, the projector overhead coming to life and displaying a map of Afropa

"For this meeting our goal is simple. We are to plan for the next big stage of this operation--that being joint-sorties to be undertaken in the interest of Peacekeeping in Afropa. The Carrier Group is expected to reach the coastal waters of Afropa in Rivdon Bay in less than 5 days from our current position (Northern Konstantinopoli Sea). From here, two scenarios can play out. One being that Force de l'air is granted permission to perform strikes on VLA positions within Afropa. Two being that Afropan authorities either fail to respond or fail to license such an action. We are prepared to make suggestions to the commander of the Escadrille for both", she paused, making a slight nod to the Captain of the Lysian outfit.

The projected slideshow shifted to show the same map, but now with markers indicating potential VLA positions.

"In the case that airstrikes from the Force de l'air are not permitted, we have drawn up some operations that will involve flights of Rafale to fly reconnaissance sorties over a number of positions suspected by our intelligence gathering to be VLA covert facilities. An alternative option for greater cooperation between our forces on the field itself would be for Rafale to designate targets for strikes by our Falco. In the other case where Force de l'air strikes are permitted, we have drawn up plans where flights of Rafale can conduct airstrikes under guidance from Iverican AWACS. All this can be undertaken in support of Phase 2 of Operation Ultra-Violet (name of Iverican peacekeeping op) where ground forces are to perform more aggressive actions to eliminate small covert VLA cells in the Eastern Regions."

The slideshow went through a number of aerial and satellite reconnaissance photos indicating hints at VLA activities such as the presence of gun truck "technicals", improvised but flawed camouflage nets, and the like.

"Now, this has been but a brief and over-simplified summary of what our forces can undertake together in this operation. I assure you that the dossiers contain much more specific details on these potential sorties. I understand some of you may want to address some concerns now, we are open to questions. If there are any queries about your accommodations, the ship, her group, supply, or about the speculative sorties--I'm all ears", she finished, offering the briefest of polite smiles. Her face quickly returning to its natural state of passive, almost critical neutrality.

Edited January 11, 2018 by Iverica (see edit history)

[Iverica]

I would like to call a Time Out on this RP.

Requesting that the concerned parties not commit any RP actions on the above post. I would like to discuss some details of this operation with @Fleur de Lys first, as it does concern my naval assets and procedure.

Thank you