Carrier, 001: Embarkation and First Week
19 Mar 2023Glen van Ross
FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) and Carrier Air Wing Five (CVW-5)Summary Report 3309-03-10 to 3309-03-18
From: Commander, Carrier Strike Group Seven (CSG-7)
To: Chief of Naval Operations, (OP-05 Aerospace Warfare Division)
Via: Commander, 15th Fleet
Subj: Action Review and Summary Report for the period 10 Mar 3309 through 18 Mar 3309
Ref: (a) OPNAV Inst. 5480.4 of 09 Aug 3308
PART I - COMPOSITION OF OWN FORCES AND MISSION
Pre-Commissioning Unit Saratoga (T6Q-48H) completed her trials assessing performance and general spaceworthiness, and returned to Kepler Gateway, Kruger 60 system. Vessel was certified for commissioning and acceptance by the Federal Navy Auxiliary, and subsequently moved to the Ross 775 fleet yards.
At 0400Z on 10 Mar 3309, vessel was commissioned as FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H), Commodore Glen van Ross, FNA, commanding. Shipboard services were limited to the Armory, Refueling, Repair, and Concourse Bar, until the carrier is directed to undertake longer-ranged exploration and exobiology missions.
FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) preparing to get underway from Ross 775. (Federal Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Serena Barnett) 331941-N-HG955-1875
Twelve vessels comprising the battle group and elements of the carrier air wing were embarked. The mission of this force in the short term was to conduct training, familiarization, and engineering tasks; bringing crews and equipment to state of readiness for future combat, research, and humanitarian operations.
COMBATANT VESSELS | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TYPE | VESSEL | IDENT | DESCRIPTION | STATUS |
| Federal Corvette | FNS Eisenhower | SCV-27 | Heavy combatant for deployment to conflict zones in support of major foreign policy objectives. Carries ship-launched fighters. | FMC (Full Mission Capable) |
| Alliance Chieftain | Foe Hammer | E-419 | Medium anti-xeno combatant for deployment to AX conflict zones. | FMC |
| Cobra Mk III | Spirit | 509 BW | Agile light combat vessel. | FMC |
| Eagle Mk II | Hammerhead | VMFA58 | Strike fighter for CAP and CAS missions. | FMC |
EXPLORATION & SURVEY VESSELS | ||||
| TYPE | VESSEL | IDENT | DESCRIPTION | STATUS |
| Beluga Liner | Axiom | AGS-20 | Extended-duration deep space exploration and survey vessel. Carries ship-launched fighters and two Scarab SRVs. | FMC |
| Asp Explorer | Discovery | AGS-17 | Medium-duration exploration vessel. Equipped with both Scarab and Scorpion SRVs. | FMC |
FLEET LOGISTICS VESSELS | ||||
| TYPE | VESSEL | IDENT | DESCRIPTION | STATUS |
| Imperial Cutter | FNS Venture Star | AKR-33 | Heavy transport / strategic spacelifter. | FMC |
| Imperial Cutter | Deepwater Atlas | V7KR2 | Civilian-owned and operated heavy laser-mining vessel, under long-term charter to Military Spacelift Command. | FMC |
| Python | Orion III | EPF-68 | Medium passenger transport. Passenger capacity 48 business class, 44 economy. | NMCD (Not Mission Capable, Depot) |
| Python | C.J. Parker | RESCUE | Medium evacuation transport. Passenger capacity 142 economy. | FMC |
| Federal Assault Ship | FNS Grapple | ARS-53 | Combat salvage vessel. Engineered to withstand Thargoid Maelstrom caustic environments. | NMCS (Not Mission Capable, Awaiting Parts) |
TRAINING VESSELS | ||||
| TYPE | VESSEL | IDENT | DESCRIPTION | STATUS |
| Sidewinder Mk I | Goshawk | VT-9 | Advanced flight training Vessel. Equipped with Scarab SRV. | FMC |
PART II - CHRONOLOGICAL ORDER OF EVENTS
3309-03-10: Escort vessels and Carrier Air Wing Five embarked at 0447Z. Battle Group departed to Howe City, LHS 3593 for resupply. This ship replenished from FNS Venture Star (AKR-33), taking on 728T of tritium.
3309-03-11: Flight operations commenced at 2330Z. Discovery (AGS-17) was dispatched to reconnoitre Zelano system and obtain clearances for ports of call in Imperial space. Local officials in Zelano were ambivalent about our presence, so port calls at Shavyrin Terminal and Mueller Station were brief.
3309-03-12: Flight operations continued uninterrupted from previous day. Survey vessel Discovery (AGS-17) moved on to reconnoitre Beker system, and gain clearances. FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) arrived near Curtiss Hub and FNS Venture Star (AKR-33) began loading bertrandite, indite, silver, and gold for transport to other systems.
3309-03-13: Flight operations commenced at 2053Z, with heavy transport FNS Venture Star (AKR-33) finishing up commodity resupply. Discovery (AGS-17) was launched to assess independent Buricasses system in preparation for jump; FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) followed, arriving near Walotsky Gateway. FNS Venture Star offloaded bertrandite and indite in support of commercial mining expansion at Walotsky. At the request of local government and other parties, corvette FNS Eisenhower (SCV-27) began anti-piracy patrols in the neighbouring Setesuyara, Djalibara, and Boloch systems. A total of three patrols were flown, with 45 pirate craft neutralized.
3309-03-14: Flight operations continued uninterrupted from previous day. FNS Eisenhower (SCV-27) continued patrolling Setesuyara, Djalibara and Boloch, with an estimated 16 pirate vessels neutralized. FNS Venture Star continued spacelift of bertrandite and indite in support of commercial mining expansion.
3309-03-15: Flight operations commenced at 2047Z. FNS Eisenhower (SCV-27) flew ten anti-piracy patrols, with 81 pirate vessels neutralized. During final patrol, Eisenhower suffered serious damage in combat with notorious pirate Myssu Sunderstorm, and had to withdraw for extensive repairs. Discovery (AGS-17) inspected LTT 15574 prior to carrier jump; FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) took up station near Haxel Port. FNS Venture Star (AKR-33) transferred gold to the port in exchange for bertrandite, indite, and gallite.
3309-03-16: Flight operations continued uninterrupted from previous day. Discovery (AGS-17) departed for LHS 2936 and secured clearance for carrier to enter Alliance territory; FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) took up station near Fraser Orbital. FNS Venture Star (AKR-33) unloaded silver at the station in exchange for agronomic treatment. Discovery (AGS-17) flew on to Aryak system to verify tritium prices and found a favourable situation at Garneau Port; FNS Saratoga (T6Q-48H) arrived nearby. Resupplied 1,320T tritum from FNS Venture Star (AKR-33).
3309-03-17: Flight operations commenced at 1900Z. Discovery (AGS-17) departed for Kepler Gateway to collect encoded materials from spacecraft scans. Two Engineered FSD V1 were procured from Technology Broker at Solo Orbiter; four Sirius Inc. modified heatsinks were procured from Spirit of Laelaps megaship. Several other major outfittings for maelstrom exploration vessel FNS Grapple (ARS-53) were procured and shipped back to the carrier.
3309-03-18: Flight operations continued uninterrupted from previous day. Discovery (AGS-17) acquired Enhanced AX Missile racks from Jameson Memorial, and a new Diamondback Explorer (subsequently Hawkeye VAW123) at Schmidt Orbiter. Four Engineered Detailed Surface Scanner V1 were acquired to upgrade escorts and CVW-5 craft with existing DSS equipment. Discovery returned to carrier at 0151Z. Hawkeye (VAW123) and FNS Grapple (ARS-53) were fitted with an Engineered FSD V1 and began flight testing and carrier qualifications. Major outfittings for Hawkeye (E2-125) were procured and shipped back to the carrier.
PART III - ORDNANCE MATERIAL, EQUIPMENT and AMMUNITION EXPENDITURES, REPLENISHMENT OPERATIONS
The following ordnance expenditures were recorded during this period:
| VESSEL | IDENT | TYPE | ORDNANCE/STORES TYPE | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FNS Eisenhower | SCV-27 | Federal Corvette | Multi-cannon rounds | 16,151 cr |
| FNS Grapple | ARS-53 | Federal Assault Ship | AX Multi-cannon rounds, AX Missiles (unguided), heat sinks, caustic sinks | 33,890 cr |
The carrier reprovisioned two times as follows:
| DATE | DELIVERY SHIP | IDENT | MARKET PORT | QUANTITY TRITIUM | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3309-03-10 | FNS Venture Star | AKR-33 | Howe City, LHS 3593 | 728T | 36,243,480 cr |
| 3309-03-16 | FNS Venture Star | AKR-33 | Garneau Port, Aryak | 1,320T | 63,036,714 cr |
PART IV - BATTLE DAMAGE
The carrier was not attacked during this period and sustained no battle damage.
Damage inflicted on enemy forces by Saratoga Battle Group and Carrier Air Wing FIVE:
| TYPE | # | FACTION | ASSESSMENT | REWARD |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pirates | 57 | Boloch Blue Brotherhood | Neutralized / Mission Kill | 12,978,156 cr |
| Pirates | 16 | Djalibara Society | Neutralized / Mission Kill | 13,201,988 cr |
| Pirates | 57 | Setesuyara Crimson Organisation | Neutralized / Mission Kill | 30,048,995 cr |
| Pirates | 12 | Independents | Neutralized / Mission Kill | 5,377,736 cr |
Damage inflicted on escorts by enemy action:
| VESSEL | IDENT | TYPE | DAMAGE | CAUSE | COST |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FNS Eisenhower | SCV-27 | Federal Corvette | Modular Cargo Bay Door INOP, Hull 19%, Canopy breached. | Pirate Myssu Sunderstorm (Wing Mission, Threat 8) | 198,670 cr |
PART V - PERFORMANCE OF PERSONNEL AND CASUALTIES
Personnel performance during this initial week of operations was generally good. Morale is excellent, due to the frequency of port calls and the combat victories obtained without serious casualties.
Crew of FNS Eisenhower (SCV-27) was cautioned against recklessness, however, after taking on a high-threat target that intelligence had specifically designated for action by a squadron / multiple ships. It almost resulted in total loss of vessel and serious loss of life. Critically, they failed to employ Eisenhower's shield cell banks; activation of which would have limited the amount of damage the corvette sustained, and kept it mission-capable and in the fight. Additional crew training and experience will be required to mature their decisionmaking processes while under fire.
A future concern is how to train for and gradually introduce inexperienced crews to anti-xeno operations. A particular challenge will be managing the escalation of risk and tailoring it to their level of competence and confidence. Thus far only those crews who have served on the unarmed SAR vessel C.J. Parker have actually encountered hostile Thargoids, during station evacuation and humanitarian operations.
PART VI - COMMENTS
Command of a carrier generally is the capstone of a naval aviator's career; those that aspire to it will have spent two decades in the Navy preparing for this moment, serving under leaders along the way who—let's be candid—will range in ability from outstanding to poor. Concomitant with that journey we will have formed our opinions on styles of leadership and management, and which are most effective.
Society (and certainly popular media) perpetuate a false dichotomy; to be loved or respected, to work hard or have fun, to get quality or to pay a low cost. In reality, this choice is frequently an illusion. Goals that, on the surface, seem to be in conflict can actually reinforce one another.
Over the course of their career, an observant officer should come to recognize that fear is not an effective motivator. You cannot lead an organization to its full potential through fear. This truth is sometimes lost on leaders from all walks of life—civil, military, government—even at the highest echelons of policy-making. Fear stifles initiative and innovation, slowing things down. Fear hesitates when faced with decisions, presenting problems without proposing solutions. It chooses the safe and easy path of waiting for direction, avoiding any risk of criticism or censure for expressing independent thought and initiative.
On a ship, as in many organizations, there are thousands of decisions every day. If they all funnel through one person, nothing is going to happen quickly—a fatal flaw for a dynamic organization. An entire ship's company collaborating toward a common goal are more effective than one person can ever be. A healthy organization depends on each of its members being invested in its success.
A crew is only as good as its captain, and it is my goal during this command tour to provide positive leadership to the Saratoga team, and for the carrier and its embarked air wing to achieve their best operational potential.
PART VII - RECOMMENDATIONS
Discussions between CO (Commanding Officer), CAG (Commander, Air Group) and other space and planetary warfare officers were instrumental in identifying the following gaps in capability and mission profiles.
- Reconnaissance and Spaceborne Early Warning: Despite her 56LY jump range, multirole fittings, and SRV capability, it was felt that the nine jumps required for Discovery (AGS-17) to scout systems at maximum carrier jump range (500LY) would unduly extend flight crew duty time, and exacerbate fatigue. A longer-ranged (60-70LY) small reconnaissance vessel with SRV deployment capability was desired, and this was the rationale for the acquisition of Diamondback Explorer Hawkeye (E2-125).
- Engineering Materials Collection: Discovery did not routinely carry collector limpets or a frame shift wake scanner as a matter of course, though she did occasionally carry them when dictated by mission requirements. Adding these capabilities permanently would require reductions in cargo space and overall shield strength, and the added weight would further reduce her jump range. Eliminating her offensive weapons would alleviate jump range concerns, but this sacrifice of combat capability was considered untenable. A major rework of internal systems would be required, including changes in Guardian FSD booster, cargo racks, shield generator and shield booster.
- Caustic Materials Research: Craft from Carrier Air Wing Five had supplied Aegis with materials during its caustic sink research, and been gifted a single launcher in return. In order to obtain further caustic sink launchers, additional materials would be required, and these could only come from Thargoid constructs located within maelstroms. Federal Assault Ship FNS Grapple was selected with this role in mind, but at present requires additional engineering to improve thermal profile and hull durability for effective maelstrom operations.
- Tactical / Medium Spacelift: Ostensibly the role of Orion III (EPF-68), awaiting conversion from passenger sightseeing cruiser back to utility transport. Unfortunately, her spaceframe was old, her fittings had been extensively de-rated after conversion to passenger service, and it would require an entirely new set of high-performance components. In order to allow rapid conversion between bulk cargo and passenger transport, 19 outfittings would have to be maintained in equipment/parts stores, and there were doubts about whether this was practical or desirable given that the carrier only had 20-30 bays remaining for spares.
Aside from these deficiencies, the Battle Group's state of equipment and readiness is generally above satisfactory for all contingencies excepting anti-xeno operations.
The coming week will focus on engineering tasks in order to narrow or close remaining gaps in mission capability.
G. van Ross, Commanding