NationStates Jolt Archive

STEAMEARTH BOMBERS BOLSTER SOUTHERN WASTES FORCES
Southern Wastes pilots to be trained in Balmoral bombers!

Aviator Cadets training at the North Air Station at West Plains got a thrill earlier this week when a flight of Balmoral Type 140 bombers came skimming in over the waters of the nearby coast. But this was no sneak attack—the bombers sported freshly painted Southern Wastes insignia, courtesy of artists aboard the SteamEarth military carrier zeppelin IFS Agincourt. The delivery had been kept secret for security reasons, but with the planes now on the ground, speculation regarding the Confederacy of SteamEarth's latest military aid to the Southern Wastes forces is in no short supply.

Major Blair Valentine of the CAC, commanding the Agincourt, was eager to point out that the Confederacy of SteamEarth is not becoming involved in disputes in the Southern Wastes outlaying areas. "We've just about end a war with Ruskkia and we are looking to build relations with other nations," the Major stated. But word has it that the Agincourt will be remaining at West Plains for an indeterminate period of time, and that some of her crew will be quartered at the base temporarily. Officials were less inclined to discuss that matter, or the question of where these aircraft might be deployed, or against whom.

"Naturally we can't discuss military movements," stated Colonel Dwayne Shelby, commander of West Plains AS. "Our boys are going to need some training on the new aircraft, and SteamEarth have agreed to let us use their zeppelin for drop training. I don't have to tell you all that we'd rather not pull a zeppelin off the border just for training. We're grateful for the loan...which I must stress is for training purposes only."

The Balmoral is a particularly tricky aircraft to deploy from a zeppelin, due to its size. In order for the bomber to fit through the hangar opening, the Balmoral is equipped with folding wings. When dropped from the belly of its carrier, the Balmoral pilot must start his engines and deploy the aircraft's wings while in free fall. "We have insisted on repeated, thorough training and practice specifically because of the hazards involved in launching the Balmoral from a zeppelin," Shelby added.

West Plains AS has been growing steadily since its founding in 1913, and now turns out over 200 Southern Wastes pilots each year. But the training of a large number of cadets in the Balmoral begs the further question: "Will there be more SteamEarth bombers arriving for these cadets to fly?" Not surprisingly, the answer from Southern Wastes and SteamEarth officers is a stern, "No comment."

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v33/stormwell55/Nationstates/aaw_27.gif

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v33/stormwell55/Nationstates/wastes.jpg

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v33/stormwell55/Nationstates/awn_4b.gif

Southern Wastes Now Protectorate Of SteamEarth!

In shock news for some, just last week the government of Southern Wastes declared that the nation was now a protectorate of the Confederacy of SteamEarth. This news comes after the (supposedly) much talked about leading of Confederate Blamoral Light Bombers to the government of Southern Wastes.

It has been stated that a squadron of SteamEarth's Colonial Air Corps is to be based in the nation of Southern Wastes.

It has also been stated that talks about this have been going on between Southern Wastes and SteamEarth for quite some time and not surprisingly the national flag of Southern Wastes only ready carries the national insignia of SteamEarth.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

In Other News.......

Rumors are abound about a Ruskkie Expeditionary Force present in Southern Wastes, thou the Empire of Ruskkia has stated, "No comment."

STEAMEARTH ZEP DOWNED OVER SOUTHERN WASTES
RUSKKIES BLAMED!

http://img11.photobucket.com/albums/v33/stormwell55/Nationstates/blimp.jpg

Shortly before noon yesterday, the nation's air defense warning sounded and fighters scrambled to intercept a large contingent of unknown fighters. The Southern Wastes' defense flight managed to destroy the majority of attacking planes, but at least two squadrons of the interlopers successfully evaded Southern Wastes' defenders.

"The planes bore no markings," according to Air Marshal Matthew Sterling, who directed the nation's defense. "The lack of markings is unusual, but not unheard of, for air pirates—or perhaps mercenaries. Though we have not as yet identified the pirate group in question, our investigation is ongoing."

The initial assault was not the end of the matter, however. By three o'clock yesterday afternoon, the two attacking squadrons that had successfully evaded capture struck again. An estimated sixteen planes attacked the SteamEarth zepplin and destroyed several structures. Bomb damage to much of the nation's capital is "extensive, but, fortunately, local police had evacuated the buildings. There were no civilian casualties in the attack."

"As I said, our investigation is ongoing, but I doubt it'll be anything more than a particularly audacious attempt to scare off SteamEarth forces from the local area."

Ruskkie forces are believed to have been behind the attack, though there has been no statement made by Ruskkia as of yet.