NationStates Jolt Archive

Bureau for Scientific and Education Affairs Press Release

The Protectorate of Angelico’s Bureau for Scientific and Education Affairs has announced today that Dhaalu Atoll in the Maldive Islands of the Indian Ocean will be settled as a scientific outpost. As of this morning, an expedition of three cargo vessels, one barge carrier, and the Angelican Navy Frigate Intrepid departed the Angelican port of Varna on the Black Sea. Their trip is expected to travel through the Mediterranean Sea, through the Suez Canal, and into the Indian Ocean. Though Angelico is not presently engaged in the recent tensions in the Canal Zone, the expedition is prepared to make the ‘long passage’ around Africa.

Upon arrival at Dhaalu, a settlement shall be established on the large island to the southwest of the island, to be named New Sofia. This settlement shall be equipped with the following:
750m Unpaved coral landing strip with control tower, ILS navigation beacon
Two-pier dock complex for the loading and unloading of supplies
Housing complex for 100 personnel
Water purification station to provide 100% of station’s water supply
Hydroponics facility to provide 50% of station’s provisions
Solar, wind and tidal power generation experiments
Backup diesel generator
Weather station
Satellite communications uplink
Radio relay
3x 45’ motor launches
225’ Barge Tender vessel equipped with 1 manned, 4x unmanned deep submergence vehicles and their associated support equipment, plus
90’ High endurance sailing vessel
Though most of the station’s 100 billets are dedicated to the scientific staff, meteorologists, and support crew, the Bureau for Scientific and Education Affairs has announced that ten positions shall be held in reserve for members of the international scientific community. The other members shall be:
5x Station command, security and administration (Naval Infantry)
5x Station maintenance and facilities upkeep (Naval Infantry)
5x Meteorological systems operators (Naval Infantry)
5x Communications technicians (Naval Infantry)
5x Station Medical/Psychological/Dental Support (Naval Infantry)
10x Boat operators (Naval Infantry)
10x Geologists (BSEA)
10x Anthropologists (BSEA)
5x Pharmacologists (BSEA)
15x Biochemists (BSEA)
15x Marine Biologists (BSEA)
Among other missions, the crew will undertake to provide medical services to the indigenous population of the atoll, emergency rescue services to mariners at sea, and weather data for passing ships and aircraft. Important data is expected to be collected in the areas of marine biology, biochemistry, and pharmaceutical research.

Bump

Bump

Bump

Bump

Semi-Secret IC:

The expansion of the atoll began secretly, on Vilu Reef Island. A bunker complex and pier were established first. These bunkers would eventually be filled with prepositioned supplies in the case of a crisis in the Indian Ocean necessitating quick deployment of Angelican armed forces. This construction was masked from the scientific facility on the opposite end of the atoll, and would appear to be simple warehouse complexes if they were indeed found. An automated intrusion detection system protected the division's worth of heavy supplies, as did a network of anti-personnel mines. From the air, the bunkers would be masked by thermal equalization systems, ensuring they would appear to be the same temperature as the surrounding coral.

Nearby, on Velavaru Island, a third complex was built. Considered to be a continuation of government facility, a moderate yet comfortable complex of thatched-roof houses connected by elevated wooden causeways could accomodate up to 80 people. A bunker was build deep into the coral of the island, reinforced against nuclear, biological, chemical, or environmental damage, and was provisioned to accomodate 80 people for two months. It was equipped with satellite communications equipment, radios, and other systems necessary to command the government in the case of disaster in Sofia. When not used in emergency, the facility could serve as a retreat for the president and his trusted advisors and friends.


OOC: Essentially, this is a Diego Garcia-style prepositioning and command center, built under the guise of scientific research, though said research will continue to be done.

Bump

One. Last. Bump.