The Crystal Mountains
29-07-2007, 01:27
The Commonwealth Tribune
All the News that fits.
Vol. I Issue 1
CSA Launches Historic First Satellite
In a spectacular pre-dawn launch on Monday, the Commonwealth Space Agency launched the first domestically produced satellite into orbit on a Titan II booster from the Hanson Space Center facility.
In a press release the CSA described a nominal launch of the Alpha-1 Satellite which circled the globe four times and burned up on re-entry as planned.
The Alpha series satellites are described as a technology test beds for several key equipment experiments. Three more Alpha series launches are planned over the next three months. If these tests are successful, the CSA plans to launch its first science mission in June called the Geo-Explorer.
The Geo-Explorer is a sophisticated satellite that will be deployed in geo-synchronous orbit over the region. It will then do extensive mapping of the region with infrared, ultraviolet and microwave imagers. It will monitor environmental conditions, study the geology and look for resources in the region.
The Alpha-1 mission cost 35,000,000 US$: the Titan II booster was purchased as surplus and the Alpha-1 satellite was developed jointly by CSA scientists and a team of four Commonwealth Corporations.
____________________________________________________________
Commonwealth Military Undergoing Reorganization
The Ministry of Defense announced that after extensive studies, the Commonwealth Army and Marines will be reorganized and expanded to better handle the changing roles and mission requirements of those forces.
General Henderson of I Corp based at Fort Kirkland said that the Army will be much more mobile and will feature the LY-4 MBT and the Ironheart series APC. In a 5 year, 120 billion US$ deal, the Commonwealth will purchase and produce under license at least 10,000 LY-4 and an undisclosed number of the Ironheart APCs.
This deal is expected to generate 20,000 new jobs to the Northshore and Midlands Region.
There are other aspects of this reorganization that are apparently going on force wide. A new consolidated command center is scheduled to take command over Commonwealth operations force wide.
The Corps of Engineers will be expanded to 150,000, the Militia is expanding to 140,000 and the Youth Corps will have additional slots this summer over a four year period.
The Air Force reorganization will divide the Air Forces into regional commands for Air Defense and Overall Command for unified operations. Four squadrons of Tornado fighter/bombers were added and more aircraft are expected.
The Navy has purchased ships and aircraft to form two new carrier battle groups. Four additional carriers are on order.
The Coast Guard will add an additional 12 cutters. Two Command Cutters have already been deployed. The command cutters are larger, feature helicopter capability and expanded medical facilities.
_______________________________________________________________
Citizens Grow Impatient With Counter-Terrorism Measures
There have been a number of protests of various sorts over the Counter-Terrorism measures put in place in the wake of the NPE/Corp Alliance Conflict. Although the Commonwealth was neutral in that conflict, experts caution vigilance.
Special Branch never gives press conferences or grants interviews.
Walter Brice, retired Director of Special Branch spoke to a veterans group this past Thursday and addressed the issue of the alert:
"Special Branch does not take these measures lightly. For the Director to raise our alert status to Critical, there has to be a credible threat detected by our field officers or those of our allies."
_______________________________________________________________
Commonwealth Busy with Humanitarian Efforts
The hospital ship Restoration and her escort responded to provide aid to Alfegos due to a flooding emergency. Helicopters from the Inchon rescued 600 survivors from trees and rooftops. The Restoration provided medical attention to several hundred people as hospital facilities were overwhelmed. This mission is ongoing.
An Engineering group provided environmental cleanup to Cazalia after her conflict and occupation.
The Commonwealth provided a grant of 100 million US$ and set up a trust for the recovery of Aqua Anu Hurricane after hurrican Karen.
________________________________________________________________
Business News
Northshore Iron Works new shipyards on the island of Cape Titan are nearing completion. In anticipation of the changes, Northshore Iron Works is changing its name to Commonwealth Iron Works and is moving its headquarters to Cape Titan to be closer to its larger facilities.
Crystal Air announced that it is joining the Star Alliance- an international network of air carriers. In related news, Crystal Air announced daily non-stop widebody service to regional ally Calizornistan.
Shamrock Aviation delivered 48 A-6 Intruders to the Commonwealth Navy. While this type is obselete, it is still one of the best airframes for carrier based mid air refueling. This aircraft will be offically designated A-6CT for C = domestic and T = tanker.
All the News that fits.
Vol. I Issue 1
CSA Launches Historic First Satellite
In a spectacular pre-dawn launch on Monday, the Commonwealth Space Agency launched the first domestically produced satellite into orbit on a Titan II booster from the Hanson Space Center facility.
In a press release the CSA described a nominal launch of the Alpha-1 Satellite which circled the globe four times and burned up on re-entry as planned.
The Alpha series satellites are described as a technology test beds for several key equipment experiments. Three more Alpha series launches are planned over the next three months. If these tests are successful, the CSA plans to launch its first science mission in June called the Geo-Explorer.
The Geo-Explorer is a sophisticated satellite that will be deployed in geo-synchronous orbit over the region. It will then do extensive mapping of the region with infrared, ultraviolet and microwave imagers. It will monitor environmental conditions, study the geology and look for resources in the region.
The Alpha-1 mission cost 35,000,000 US$: the Titan II booster was purchased as surplus and the Alpha-1 satellite was developed jointly by CSA scientists and a team of four Commonwealth Corporations.
____________________________________________________________
Commonwealth Military Undergoing Reorganization
The Ministry of Defense announced that after extensive studies, the Commonwealth Army and Marines will be reorganized and expanded to better handle the changing roles and mission requirements of those forces.
General Henderson of I Corp based at Fort Kirkland said that the Army will be much more mobile and will feature the LY-4 MBT and the Ironheart series APC. In a 5 year, 120 billion US$ deal, the Commonwealth will purchase and produce under license at least 10,000 LY-4 and an undisclosed number of the Ironheart APCs.
This deal is expected to generate 20,000 new jobs to the Northshore and Midlands Region.
There are other aspects of this reorganization that are apparently going on force wide. A new consolidated command center is scheduled to take command over Commonwealth operations force wide.
The Corps of Engineers will be expanded to 150,000, the Militia is expanding to 140,000 and the Youth Corps will have additional slots this summer over a four year period.
The Air Force reorganization will divide the Air Forces into regional commands for Air Defense and Overall Command for unified operations. Four squadrons of Tornado fighter/bombers were added and more aircraft are expected.
The Navy has purchased ships and aircraft to form two new carrier battle groups. Four additional carriers are on order.
The Coast Guard will add an additional 12 cutters. Two Command Cutters have already been deployed. The command cutters are larger, feature helicopter capability and expanded medical facilities.
_______________________________________________________________
Citizens Grow Impatient With Counter-Terrorism Measures
There have been a number of protests of various sorts over the Counter-Terrorism measures put in place in the wake of the NPE/Corp Alliance Conflict. Although the Commonwealth was neutral in that conflict, experts caution vigilance.
Special Branch never gives press conferences or grants interviews.
Walter Brice, retired Director of Special Branch spoke to a veterans group this past Thursday and addressed the issue of the alert:
"Special Branch does not take these measures lightly. For the Director to raise our alert status to Critical, there has to be a credible threat detected by our field officers or those of our allies."
_______________________________________________________________
Commonwealth Busy with Humanitarian Efforts
The hospital ship Restoration and her escort responded to provide aid to Alfegos due to a flooding emergency. Helicopters from the Inchon rescued 600 survivors from trees and rooftops. The Restoration provided medical attention to several hundred people as hospital facilities were overwhelmed. This mission is ongoing.
An Engineering group provided environmental cleanup to Cazalia after her conflict and occupation.
The Commonwealth provided a grant of 100 million US$ and set up a trust for the recovery of Aqua Anu Hurricane after hurrican Karen.
________________________________________________________________
Business News
Northshore Iron Works new shipyards on the island of Cape Titan are nearing completion. In anticipation of the changes, Northshore Iron Works is changing its name to Commonwealth Iron Works and is moving its headquarters to Cape Titan to be closer to its larger facilities.
Crystal Air announced that it is joining the Star Alliance- an international network of air carriers. In related news, Crystal Air announced daily non-stop widebody service to regional ally Calizornistan.
Shamrock Aviation delivered 48 A-6 Intruders to the Commonwealth Navy. While this type is obselete, it is still one of the best airframes for carrier based mid air refueling. This aircraft will be offically designated A-6CT for C = domestic and T = tanker.