NationStates Jolt Archive

RNS Echo, Northern Hamptonian Sea, 300km Southeast of "Havenic Neutral Zone 34"

The ships and aircraft of Navy Special Task Force 120 had originally been mobilized and deployed to Southeast Haven to undertake part of Operation Haven Express and the fight against the Questarian Commonwealth, however, with the war's end a mere week after the initiation of hostilities and very little in the way of fighting, the task force was quickly reassigned to a more important role as it changed its course and made for one of the neutral zones which were now ripe for the picking. Vice Admiral Gregor Roland, the task force commanding officer, stood on the bridge of the vessel as he took a break from the carrier's darkened CIC to view the open sea. On the deck roared the engines of a pair of F/A-115A Cormorant fighters shot off the bow catapults and followed the other aircraft of their flight as they set themselves up to relieve the previous aircraft on CAP around the carrier and task force.

The task force was small compared to most others in the Aequatian Republic Navy, but consisted of the newest vessels constructed and trialled until they were deemed the most fit for service. As part of a quick reaction force, Task Force 120 duties also included escorting the amphibious assault vessels carrying the Marine Corps No.6 Commando Brigade, who would be sent ashore during the coming operation to provide security for the 6th Naval Construction Battalion which would be working to build temporary airstrips, artificial harbours and barracks until additional engineers could be deployed to construct more permanent structures for the coming colonists.

RNS Adams, Northern Hamptonian Sea, 300km Southeast of "Havenic Neutral Zone 34"

Onboard the amphibious assault ships, the marines awaited for the landing that was to follow another eight hours of sailing by preparing their personal weapons and equipment, for the third time over, playing cards, listening to music or running lectures on battle drills and landing procedures. First Sergeant Phillip Hannon, a senior company non-commissioned officer, rehearsed the loading procedures for the landing craft, as his battalion was slated to land with the second wave with a fellow battalion, as the first two battalions landed via amphibious tractors and helicopters. The LCU boats were larger than the standard mechanized craft and were capable of carrying an entire rifle company or field artillery battery. The lights mounted on the ceilings and walls of the amphib's "well deck" provided the marines and sailors with more than enough coverage in the growing darkness of dusk as they continued their exercises, morning would bring about the operation.

As the sun finally set over the task force, MV-22A Osprey tiltrotor aircraft lifted off the decks of the carriers and moved ahead of the ships towards the first of the islands that would be landed carrying Navy Commando teams which would mark the landing zones and provide important reconnaissance for the Navy and Marine officers aboard the command posts. Twenty minutes later, once close to the island, codenamed "Emerald Alpha", the aircraft moved low over the water and the commandos jumped from the rear cargo compartment into the water and proceeded towards the shore under their own power. Reaching the coastline and establishing their positions by planting a number of radio frequency relays which would allow for the Marines to be aware of their landing zones, the naval special forces soldiers moved inland to provide a security overwatch and await the coming Marines.

The early morning hours afforded the Marines of the first wave a view of the stars as they walked from the enclosed compartments over the flight deck to the waiting CH-47Z Chinook transports, a pair of AH-85C Sidewinder gunship escorts sat at each end of the flight line and those positioned at the bow were the first to take off into the morning air. Sergeant Lance E. "Easy" Russel, a squad leader, shrugged his shoulder into the arms of his 45 kilogram loaded rucksack as he directed his squad to their platoon's Chinook, his hands filled with carrying his G109 8.5mm rifle and a disposable SRAW-90 rocket launcher. As he took his own seat and dropped his ruck to the deck of the compartment, a young man in the same temperate woodland combat uniform as the other Marines, armoured vest and helmet, although carrying a civilian market shoulder bag and his rifle replaced with a camera, jumped aboard the aircraft, "Harold Chase, ANN photojournalist, I'll be coming with you boys... uh, sergeant."

The non-commissioned officer rolled his eyes as he adjusted his helmet to look at the reporter, "Fine, just keep with me and be careful where you walk, if anyone's planted mines on this island, I don't want you killing me or any of my men," He said coldly as the Marine loadmaster lifted the rear ramp and the aircraft lifted off the deck and followed the attack helicopters towards the island along with the other companies in the initial landing. The water held the amphibious assault vehicles, driven by hull-mounted waterjets, the tracked vehicles moved towards the shorelines and their respective landing beaches.

"Emerald Alpha", Northern Hamptonian Sea, "Havenic Neutral Zone 34"

The airmobile force was the first to reach the island, having come through a light rain squall, the chinooks formed in loose columns of three-aircraft teams, each column escorted by the gunship pairs on front and back. As the helicopters came in over the coastline, the AH-85C aircraft used their FLIR cameras to scan the treelines and surrounding grasslands for any hostile contacts as the CH-47Z transports landed and disgorged their loads, the Marine platoons hurrying to their defensive positions as the large helicopters lifted off the ground and moved back to the waiting ships. High above, FA-115A aircraft armed with a variety of weapons ranging from air-to-air missiles to guided and cluster ground attack munitions. One of the landed company's platoons, like those selected from the other two rifle companies which had landed, were sent forward of the positions to link up with the Navy commando units and absorb them into their numbers at the beachhead positions. Harold Chase took numerous photographs of the infantry at the landing zone as they immediately began to dig into their positions as they awaited the reinforcements from the task force, one photograph was captured of Sergeant Russel as one of his fireteams hoisting the Aequatian flag onto a telescopic flagpole behind him, the veteran fighter directing his troops with the rusk still on his back and rifle in hand as his voice was transmitted through the external vocalizer speaker in the new M98 respirator, worn by all of the assault troops as per the long-standing operational regulations set in place since the campaign in Iesus Christi. It would be that photograph though of the sergeant that was displayed throughout the world and the Republic as the government announced its claims and annexation of the chain of islands.

On the beaches, still covered by the AH-85C gunships, the Mark IX Amphibious Assault Vehicles powered themselves onto the sand as they climbed inland. Once they reached the end of the beaches, the vehicles deployed smoke screens and hydraulics whined as the rear ramps were lowered and the Marines poured from the vehicles and took up their defensive positions. They would be tasked with preparing the landing zones for the coming personnel and heavy equipment from the 6th Naval Construction Battalion, which required a good number of the force's landing craft, especially the massive air-cushion hovercraft transports.

Aboard the vessels, First Sergeant Hannon and his Marines were loaded into the Navy-crewed utility landing craft as they disembarked from the assault ships and started in towards the shoreline, above could be seen the Marine aviators in their F/A-116A Deacon VSTOL ground attack aircraft as they flew cover for the landings. Aboard the vessel, the senior sergeant watched as the young men worried about hitting the beach, although he knew after speaking with the Navy intelligence officers in the briefings that the islands were uninhabited and the landings would be unchallenged.

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http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/aequatio.jpg
A Declaration from the President of the Aequatian Republic

Citizens of Aequatio and those of Southeast Haven,

Today is the day that the Noble Eagle has spread its wings further in its attempts to extend its own variation and influence of National Socialism throughout the world with the claim of the island chain known as "Neutral Zone 34" on the most recent production of the map of Haven.

The development of the islands will be conducted in the most environmentally friendly and peaceful manner as they soon come under the civilian administration of the Aequatian Republic Havenic Authority (ARHA) and civilian contractors are sent to complete the work initiated by the workers of the Aequatian Republic Navy.

We ask only that our new brothers and sisters of Haven leave us to build our new lives in the region and to welcome us in a most peaceful manner, we wish no ill will or belligerence towards any nation in the region and hope for a more productive future.

Signed,

Holden Reid.
President of Aequatio.

Presidential Mansion
Hudson
1500 Hours Local Time

President Gannon sat at the ornate oak desk in the Oval Office, signing bills into law. Nothing of significance had come up of late, just the usual pork-barrel budget measures. Returning to his computer, he read the latest breifs from his advisers. After several unimportant suggestions for foreign policy and one long-winded letter about what to do about the increasingly militant New Stalinist Front, one letter peaked his interest. It was a declaration from the Aequatian Republic, declaring annexation of Havenic lands. "Well, this should get interesting. With the Seven Day War over, you'd think that Gholgoth would be done with Haven. Apparently the ceasefire never reached Aequatio. Well, why not inform them? I'm sure they can see reason.

Official Prestonian Statement

The Prestonian Republic is alarmed at the recent decision of Aequatio to colonize land within Haven. Granted, these lands are uninhabited and small, but nonetheless we feel that the presence of another NATO nation, one in Gholgoth no less, may upset the fragile balance of Haven postwar. We respectfully ask the Aequatians to take their landgrab elsewhere in the interest of preserving balence within Haven.

Sincerely,
Justin M. Gannon
President, Federal Havenic Republic of Prestonia
Vice-Chairman, Prestonian Democratic Party
Order of the Republic, First Class

Five hours of flight at speeds above Mach 2 were straining, having already refueled the flight of three IR-33 Nightmare Interceptors headed on their current vector towards the site that had recently been claimed by the Aequatian Republic. Though they worried a bit for their safety they carried no armament beyond drop tanks to extend their range, however the Nightmare was new enough to most likely not be recognized by a foreign power outside of the Mekugian Commonwealth and would probably start quite stir if any international Photographers were present, since they knew photos would get on the web eventually, might as well make it grand.

Nearing the announced landing area they waited to be recognized and hailed, they were under orders to proceed in flyover pattern until hailed, and then perform their mission, till they received such a hail however they merely decreased their speed in recognition of the newly acquired territory and waited. Chatting Idly to each other about what a crink in the neck they'd have the next day.

IR-33 'Nightmare' Area Interceptors in Saito Island Colonies Colors. (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v203/jay3135/phones/nightmare31cmek.png)

"Emerald Alpha", Northern Hamptonian Sea, "Havenic Neutral Zone 34"

The initial hours of the landing had been most uneventful as many of the Marines were shuttled back to the landing ships by helicopter as the company of Naval Engineers were brought ashore with their heavy equipment aboard the massive LCAC transports while supplies were carried underneath in slingloads from Navy SV-22B Osprey tiltrotors. First Sergeant Hannon and his company of Marines would be staying on Emerald Alpha as a security element for the engineers as they began the work of developing the island for a relay station for the other ten major islands in the chain. The first priority of the Seabees would be the construction of the airstrip for the handling of the Air Force C-181A Starlifter II transports hauling the pre-fabricated personnel housing for the landed personnel. The strategic airlifters, which were already en route, would unload their cargo and the base would have instant facilities for use and work on more permanent structures could begin as Army Field Engineers were airlifted in to support the operation.

Sergeant Russel sat in the passenger compartment of the CH-47Z Chinook as it returned his platoon to the waiting deck of the RNS Adams, one of the task force's amphibious assault ships. Task Force 120 would be leaving a pair of destroyers to patrol the island while the other ships, many of which had moved on and performed the same operation on the island to the North dubbed Emerald Bravo, and would begin the work on developing all of the islands in the chain. The same procedures would continue for the other islands as they were performed on Emerald Alpha, Marines landing to secure the landing, 6th Navy Construction Battalion personnel landing to construct airstrip and finishing off with the airlifting of the pre-fabricated structures and Army Field Engineers. By the end of the week, all of the islands would have their work started, in a month's time they would be ready for the civilian contractors to begin work on the larger structures, such as the airports and harbour facilities.

RNS Echo, Northern Hamptonian Sea, Aequatian Defined "34th Exclusion Zone" near island Emerald Charlie

The Task Force had mostly split itself as multiple landings were taking place and half a dozen of the islands had Aequatian personnel landed and working on them. Vice Admiral Roland watched over the command consoles in the ship's CIC as orders were received from CENTNAVCOM, concerning the task force's actions once the landings had been completed and work was initiated on all of the islands in Zone 34. News had been received and spread throughout the ships of the Prestonian objection to their arrival and most of the crews felt that it was unfounded, Aequatians never saw themselves as conquerors when arriving in Haven, the operation was started in an effort to provide the nation with an independent zone to operate from should the Republic's allies become threatened again by aggression.

Unfortunately the orders stated that Task Force 120 and No.6 Marine Commando Brigade would be staying for at least six months in-theatre until the work on the islands had been fully handed over to the Army's Corps of Engineers and civil contractors. Roland disliked the idea of babysitting the infant colony, but he knew that they would stand little chance again a xenophobic Havenic nation with something to prove without the Navy's power projection of ships and aircraft. It was then that the communications officer noted to the admiral that the Mekugian aircraft had arrived outside of the combat air patrol perimeter, as expected, and were to be duly hailed by the comms station.

"Mekugian flight, you are cleared to proceed, escorts are 'Echo-Alfa Flight' with Lieutenant Davis leading, over," Said the communications officer as he waited for the reply. In the air, four of the F/A-115A Cormorant fighters banked as they changed course to make visual contact with the newly-arrived aircraft.

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http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/aequatio.jpg
An Open Letter to the President of Prestonia

President Gannon of Prestonia,

You are mistaken to fear the presence of Aequatians in Zone 34 in upsetting what is post-War Haven, the peace process as of now is more stable than ever and it is in this period of change that we feel is the most appropriate point in time to establish ourselves in Haven for the benefit of the region and our own allies.

However, we do understand that the colony's proximity to Prestonia may cause your citizenry and leadership to worry, we feel this is a matter of trust which may be worked out with the opening of discussions between our nations and the improvement of economic and diplomatic relations. I invite you, Mr. Gannon, to open the talks between us in the hopes of future relations.

Signed,

Holden Reid.
President of Aequatio.

The three Interceptor craft were huge compared the CAP planes, but different roles called for different Airframes and the Mekugian Planes were here to do a job, and that they were about to do.

"Echo-Alpha, Come in..."

The Pilots and WSOs of the three planes turned to each other and grinned or banged on the control console for luck as the flight lead did his 'diplomatic' work.

"Our flight path or profile is of no means hostile... but please try and keep up..."

The flight lead had barely spoken before the three craft kicked in their Afterburners and opened it up to full throttle accelerating towards the busy beaches of the landing zone, the Nightmares climbed above 13,000 meters and rolled inverted the aircraft breaking the sound barrier progressively first once then again as it pushed to mach two upside down. Now admittedly this wasn't the show as the planes now almost directly overhead of the men working below the planes dropped the throttle hard, deployed their air brakes and tipped her slowly forward while special pods on their wingtips released colored dust to form a dark gray(black is hard to do with dust), white, and red tri-color of the Aequetian Republic in a vertical banner above the landing zone pushing the engines to max the planes broke mach three in the dive sending the shockwave, loud but essentially harmless as a sounding to anyone nearby. Cannon could not do any better.

Dropping their throttle back they again deployed their air brakes and pulled hard back on the stick one of the WSO's blacking out in the process as the flight pulled up and leveled out their flight path over the carriers on an exit path.

"I was told to deliver a fruitcake as a welcoming gift but we were afraid you'd mistake it for a kinetic.... welcome and good hunting."

The planes tipped their wings and set course for a refueling point in the Ambrose sea. Five hours still left to go, it would be a long trip.

"Roger that, Echo-Alfa lead here, nice to see you boys housewarming our new colony," Said Lieutenant Davis over the comms channel as his four Candrian-designed fighters stressed to keep up as the Mekugian aircraft sped off towards the islands. In the usual, and paranoid, Aequatian manner, the fleet defence cruisers kept their radars slewed to the aircraft as they tracked the flight paths. It was unnecessary though as the aircraft passed over the landing zone on Emerald Delta, to the cheers of the Marines and SeaBees as they raised their weapons and tools in the air in celebration. Sergeant Russel stood next to the journalist Chase, as the latter captured several photographs with his professional grade Digital SLR camera, they would later be sent home to the ANN offices in Arrio via the Navy's satellites and broadcast throughout the Republic and world.

Aboard the RNS Echo, Admiral Roland took the handset for the comm as the officer at the terminal set it to the Mekugian aircraft frequency, "Thank you for the warm reception, have a safe flight home."

[New Saris, Tarina Adminstrative Region, Northern Aralonia]
[The Nonagon]

“It's been a while since we've heard from these guys, hasn't it?” Archon Doned Hopkins sipped some tea from an ornate cup, placing it in its saucer and turning it twenty degrees while looking at a readout on an LCD built into the table.

“Yes, yes it has. I take it you want to make a single statement to them? Though, then the rest of the Havenic powers would wonder where we have been and demand to know the status of our government. We were, after all, immensely dormant in the previous war that laid waste to most of our region. Coupled with these Communists in Questers...” Minister of Generic Activities Conrad Aptekar twirled a pen in his fingers.

“You're right. Maybe it's a good time to re-enter world affairs after our period of dormancy. And this time, we're a bit more prepared than before. Right?” Hopkins pulled up a text editor and started drafting a letter.

“Right.” Aptekar set his pen down and rolled it across the table to Hopkins. “Get crackin'.”


[OFFICIAL COMMUNIQUE FROM THE ROYAL SOVEREIGNTY OF ARALONIA]

The Royal Sovereignty of Aralonia wishes the state of Aequatio good welcome to entering the region of Haven. While the amount of military force in taking over several islands in a non-national region seems a bit over the top, we nonetheless will not take part in reacting against military might in the region unless it is pointed at us.

In any case, we hope that you make good use of this land in peace and for the further development of humanity.

[Archon Doned Hopkins]
[The Nonagon, New Saris, Tarina AdminZone, Aralonia]

http://www.nationstates.net/images/flags/uploads/aequatio.jpg
An Open Letter to the Sovereign of Aralonia

Archon Hopkins of Aralonia,

The use of our military was purely out of convenience as they were the most immediate personnel to begin the development of the islands, once they have established the islands, civil engineers and contractors will be transported to them to finish the work being done.

We thank you for the welcome and hope that this colony can better improve our Republic's relations with the states of Haven.

Signed,

Holden Reid.
President of Aequatio.

"Hollow Point" Colony, Southeast Haven, Northern Hamptonian Sea

It wasn't any shock to see the Aequatians claim a territory in Haven, it was expected, although it was expected to happen during the war and result in fighting with the QC and other Havenites, but now it was happening in a much more peaceful manner.

The Skyians were glad that the Aequatians picked out a location so near to Hollow Point, as they did not have to worry as much about someone attempting to invade the colony so far away from other allies. Skyian politicians were also hopeful that this would foster better relations, as since the joint invasion of Red Tide, the two power's relations had been on the decline.

So now, a single cargo ship was sent towards the main landing zone bearing the flag of NATO, the Mekugian Commonwealth and of course The Armed Capitalist Republic herself. It was ladden with thousands of pounds of alcohol, confectionaries as well as various other, more extravagent gifts from their allies in The Silver Sky, including a memorial dedicated to the various Aequatian service men and women who had died during the invasion of Red Tide so long ago

[OOC: craptacular I know, but I have to go to work!.]

Aequatius Decca Archipelago, Ambrose/Hamptonian Seas

The arrival of the Skyian vessel and its gifts were gratefully welcomed by the Aequatian sailors and marines. The Aequatian Republic Navy ships, from frigates to carriers, drew their NATO flags up their masts in greeting as CH-47Z Chinook helicopters were used to haul the cargo aboard the various vessels and ashore, to be dispersed among the eleven islands in the chain. The memorial though, was a different story, as Vice Admiral Roland and Marine Brigadier Charles Hook, commanding officer of No.6 Commando Brigade, were brought ashore to the island which would act as the colony's capital, Port Brook, where the memorial was inlaid with the help of the Naval engineers as they cordoned off the area for the ARHA headquarters. A short ceremony with the raising of the Aequatian, NATO and ARHA flags on the bare ground were performed as images of the ceremony and the Skyian vessel were broadcast throughout the world.

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Open Letter to the Citizens of Hollow Point

Citizenry of Hollow Point,

We thank you and your homeland for its gifts of welcome in this time of celebration. These are days of change as we seek to improve the unfortunately damaged relations our two Republics have suffered through, we can only hope that from now on, we can seek to improve together.

Signed,

Holden Reid.
President of Aequatio.

Emerald Hotel, Aequatius Decca Archipelago, Ambrose/Hamptonian Seas

The landings around the island chain had been moving more and more smoothly as the Navy and Marines clicked into their routines for the landings, although with helicopters being divided off to support construction efforts, the last landings on the island codenamed "Emerald Hotel" were conducted with the lightweight mechanized landing craft. For their size, Sergeant Russel and his squad were formed with another squad plus their platoon Gunnery Sergeant in command while the Lieutenant and the other half of the unit were split onto the landing craft next to them. Once the landing craft had beached themselves against the shoreline, the large frontal ramps fell forward as the Marines marched forward, shedding their flotation lifevests at the bow as they trudged through the shallow wake and up onto the sand. Within an hour they were ready to receive the first of the Navy engineers.

Emerald Hotel possessed one of the more unique landmarks of all the islands in the form of Hill 670, it would be named much later by a government cartographer, and it was witnessed by all of the Marines as they came ashore and set up their security positions. Not wishing to pass up a viable photographic opportunity, the young captain in command of the company approached Sergeant Russel and his squad as they collected fresh water from the 750kg tanker trailer, the non-commissioned officer nodded in acknowledgment to his commander, field regulations for the removal of overt saluting introduced by the Russkyans now service-wide throughout the Republic, "Morning, Captain, what brings you to the watercooler?"

"Sergeant, I want you and your rifle squad to march up that there Hill 670 and plant the flag," He said as a lance corporal accompanying him handed a metal case and a telescopic pole to one of the riflemen, "It'll be much more fruitful if it's planted up top that hill than down here on the beach."

"Yes Sir, but who's really going to see it?" Asked the sergeant as he sealed his canteen and replaced it in his webbing, "Even the company flag is fairly small."

"The world will see it, sergeant, since you'll be taking that Chase boy and his cameras along with you," Replied the captain, "I want you and your boys to be on the march in fifteen, all right?"

"Right, Sir, we'll be good to go in five," Said Russel as one of his automatic riflemen filled his own canteen. Once they were ready and loaded out with full ammunition loads and one poor rifleman hauling the flag pole and case on his back, the squad marched off towards the hill with the photojournalist, Chase, walking in the single-file formation.

The young blond-haired man tapped the shoulder of the Marine in front of him as they walked, "Where are you from, soldier?"

The rifleman snorted in disdain as he turned his head to the side as he responded, "We're Marines, you dumb fuck, soldiers are Army."

Sheepishly the journalist turned to speak with the machine gunner's assistant marching behind him, the long 100-round belts of 8.5mm ammunition slung over his shoulders, "How long have you been serving with the Corps, Lance Corporal?"

"Long enough to know not to say shit to you people," Replied the Marine as he shrugged his shoulder and adjusted the belts of ammunition, "Keep your pace up, you're falling out of formation, shitheel."

The rest of the march was uneventful as the squad reached the base of the hill and Russel noted, along with the rest of the Marines and Chase, the rising stacks of smoke on the other side of the peak. The sergeant sighed as he grabbed the handset off his RTO's set and he called down to the captain, "Charlie-Papa-One, this is Alpha-One-One, have spotted smoke on hillside, request intel, over."

The receiver chirped, "Uh, Alpha-One-One, we've had no identifiers that there are any indigenous populations on the islands, proceed as ordered, over."

"No identifiers?" Sergeant Russel said aloud to the back of his RTO before pressing the transmit button on the handset, "Charlie-Papa-One, this is definate smoke, possible vil, request orders, over."

A short pause ensued, "Proceed as ordered, ROE still in effect, over and out," Came the response as the sergeant replaced the handset and pointed to the hilltop and gave the hand signal and the squad proceeded in a partial "vee" formation, the machine gun team armed with the medium-weight MG260 assembled on the left flank of the team as the automatic rifleman armed with the MG84A2 marched on the right with his assistant. Chase readied his digital video camera as he began recording the advance from his point of view behind the sergeant on the right flank.

The squad advanced two thirds of the distance up the slope when the earth around them was kicked up by small arms fire and the Marines, plus Chase, dropped to the ground immediately, desperately searching for what cover could be provided by the scarce rocks or tree stumps. The chatter of the MG260 broke the brief silence as the hostile fire ceased and the arch of orange tracers sped up the hill as one of the grenadiers prepared his 40mm launcher. The squad assistant leader spotted one of the enemy gunmen and pointed to direct the grenadier's shot, the concussive "whump" of the low-velocity round was heard as the munition was lobbed through the air and exploded at the feet of the gunman. Just as the corporal rose to a knee, the enemy fire streamed down from the hilltop and forced him to the ground again, Sergeant Russel fired a few rounds from his G109 at the enemy positions as he muttered to himself, "Cocking shit," Which was captured by the camera's shotgun microphone along with the chattering of the machine gun.

Russel composed himself and shouted to the squad, "Fix swords!" As the Marines responded with securing their bayonets to the end of their rifles and the gunner on the MG84A2 set his fire selector to "High-Auto". The sergeant gave another hand signal to the corporal and was greeted with a nod in reply as he pulled a smoke grenade off his webbing and lobbed it towards the top of the hill and it released an expanding cloud over the hilltop, it was then that Russel again shouted, "Assault! Forward!"

The marines rose to their feet and sprinted up the hilltop just as the MG260 team had loaded a fresh belt of ammunition into the weapon and suppressed the enemy gunmen, the loose rocks and dirt gave way for the squad's first section as one Marine stumbled slightly before being righted by his comrade as they continued to advance. The corporal and a rifleman were the first to reach the top as a pair of gunmen leaped forward towards the infantry, the corporal piercing the man's shirt with his bayonet and kicking him back before firing a "double tap" into his chest as the rifleman struggled as the attacker had taken hold of the man's G109 and attempted to push the soldier down. The marine quickly shifted his boots and caught the man off balance as he forced the attacker to the ground, letting go of his rifle at the same time, and fell on top of him, using his clenched fists to pummel at the man's face until the attacker's arms had stopped clawing at the Marine's webbing and body armour vest.

On the right-hand side of the assault, Sergeant Russel and his pair of a rifleman and grenadier had stumbled upon a group of a half dozen natives in a covered position behind a boulder as they opened fire from the shoulder, wounding several of them in the process and allowing a few to break and run as they jumped down behind the boulder and checked the wounded. The grenadier fired semi-automatic bursts at the retreating men, dropping one as the rest tumbled down the other slope as they raced towards the village that was now in plain view of the Marines atop the hill. Russel grabbed the handset off the radio as he called the command post as the MG260 team reached the crest of the hill and rejoined the squad, "Charlie-Papa-One, Charlie-Papa-One, this is Alpha-One-One, encountered enemy resistance on Hill 670, over. Casualties are seven dead, one wounded, none for my people, request medevac for wounded hostile, over."

"Negative, Alpha-One-One, deal with it," Came the reply, "There are to be no POWs in this operation, over."

"Jesus christ, Captain, there's a whole goddamned village up here," Russel said, now sweating as he removed the straps on his helmet, "This is something you'll have to deal with, over."

"Fuck... fine, Charlie-Papa-One out."

The entire battle that had ensued on Hill 670 lasted a mere six minutes, but it had been recorded by Chase's camera as he continued to record the "cleaning up" of the dead and wounded, the latter being given field dressings until the Navy SH-105B helicopter arrived to retrieve him, as well as the raising of the flag by the dirt-covered troops as they then waited for their own retrieval back to the beachhead. Within an hour, the video had been released by the ANN and the natives were branded as "aggressive and savage" after their attack, although the world would never know of the village's fate as the development continued.

(ooc: "LET'S DO THE VILLAGE, LET'S DO THE WHOLE F**KING VILLAGE!")

Aequatius Decca Archipelago, Ambrose/Hamptonian Seas

The two weeks since the initial landings at Emerald Alpha had gone quietly, separate of the short engagement on Emerald Hotel, and work continued with the increased support provided by the newly-arrived Army Reserve Corps of Engineers Construction Brigades, consisting of mostly professional contractors and workers, they began work on the more advanced features on the islands, including the tarmac airstrips, barracks and storage structures, petroleum and oil storage facilities and helicopter landing pads. Rudimentary infrastructure was also manufactured using many of the local features, rivers were dammed and generators hooked up while fresh water lakes were connected to a basic piping system to be used for drinking water and other uses. Once the initial work had been completed, an even larger number of civilian contractors would be brought in by air to begin the work of the city on Emerald Alpha for the colony's capital, Port Decca.

The 6th Naval Construction Battalion personnel had been consolidated to full strength on Emerald Alpha in order to construct the first components of the island's new harbour. The positioning of the new harbour placed it at the corner of two edges of land and allowed for ease in construction of a sea wall and a number of concrete breakwater structures off the shoreline. In addition to the work being done to construct the outer perimeter, the engineers also began dredging the harbour for full use of ocean-going vessels and port facilities to accept the cargo and RO/RO transport ships hauling the necessary tools, equipment, resources and personnel required for the development of Port Decca. Until then, all supplies and personnel would continue to be airlifted by the Air Force thanks to the work of the Military Airlift Command and the massive C-181A Starlifter II and C-225B Cossack aircraft.

Around the islands, the ships and aircraft of Task Force 120 provided the essential security element for the work being done. F/A-115A Cormorants in their separate flights would run combat air patrols while E-2F Hawkeye II airborne early warning aircraft watched the skies with their radar systems for enemy aircraft. Vice Admiral Roland stood on the command deck of the RNS Echo as it sat on station 125 kilometres Northwest of the island chain, he watched the ship's Air Boss manage the aircraft as those finishing patrols landed and fresh aircraft ran catapult shots off the bow. Once the work on Naval Air Station Emerald was completed, the aircraft would be transferred to the islands and the ships would be provided with an opportunity to "come off the line" and provide the crews with rest.

OOC: So sorry to butt in, but Aequatio, think you could check your storefront?

Aequatius Decca Archipelago, Ambrose/Hamptonian Seas

The development of the entire chain of islands had been consistently well-managed since the initial landings and was now being completely conducted by personnel from both the Army Corps of Engineers and civilian contractors from the Arrio Heavy Manufacturing Corporation. Most of the Navy's assets had been assembled near Hunt Island, formerly Emerald Alpha, as Task Force 120 and the embarked No.6 Commando Brigade and the 6th Naval Construction Battalion, now completely rested and resupplied with building materials aboard newly-arrived cargo ships, prepared to set sail from Port Brook towards the north. Vice Admiral Roland, despite his personnel's and his own wishes, accepted the order for their continued deployment to Southeast Haven as the ships and aircraft of Task Force 120 were sailing for the island which sat nearly 800km from the Illiorian Burning Bay.

The naval engineers would have a much easier job to do once they landed on the island when it came to the establishment of the first airstrip as all of the needed materials were available to them aboard the cargo vessels, which would be ferrying the materials ashore in LCU boats and brought onto the beach via transport trucks borrowed from the Marines' No.6 Brigade Support Group. Although the work would be conducted much quicker than those on Aequatius Decca, there would not be immediate support from the Army Corps of Engineers or civilian contractors, the Naval Seabees would be working alone in establishing most of the bases on the island.

A week of sailing had passed before the task force arrived at the island, just off the coast of the Illiorian colony of Burning Bay. There was no coverage of these landings compared to the mass media records during the "Emerald operations" as the engineers and marines were brought ashore aboard helicopters and landing craft. The first duties included the laying of rolls of metal netting over the sand of the beach to create "cross tracks" so that vehicles, mainly the ARMC 7,000kg-capacity transport trucks hauling construction materials, would have an easier time moving inland once they rolled off the landing crafts. The first of the materials that the engineers began working with were the same steel plating as all the other islands for use as an interim airstrip until concrete could be poured and smoothed over for hard-surface runways.

As the engineers worked, the task force's combat elements maintained a tight perimeter around the island. The marines were flown to strategic points and established observation posts and consolidated their support elements such as artillery and air defence while the Navy and Marine aircraft formed combat air patrols to detect and engage targets if they approached closer than 300km of the island's coastlines. Once again, the cycle continued as the Aequatians worked to develop the island, the claim symbolized by the raising of the Republic's flag as it was caught in the ocean wind. Another flag-icon pushpin on a strategist's map back home and a cartographer's job to fill in the area as Aequatian.

OOC: Shit, I never even saw this. Reply's a bit late, but better than nothing.

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An Open Letter to the President of Prestonia

President Gannon of Prestonia,

You are mistaken to fear the presence of Aequatians in Zone 34 in upsetting what is post-War Haven, the peace process as of now is more stable than ever and it is in this period of change that we feel is the most appropriate
point in time to establish ourselves in Haven for the benefit of the region and our own allies.

However, we do understand that the colony's proximity to Prestonia may cause your citizenry and leadership to worry, we feel this is a matter of trust which may be worked out with the opening of discussions between our nations and the improvement of economic and diplomatic relations. I invite you, Mr. Gannon, to open the talks between us in the hopes of future relations.

Signed,

Holden Reid.
President of Aequatio.
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Official Prestonian Communique

Upon further review with my advisers, I have recanted my stance on your colonization. Your acquisition has thus far gone smoothly in the Havenic community, and I expect such sentiments to remain. I accept your invitation to establish relations with your nation. One can never have too many allies.

OOC: Just a small post for now including the official order of battle for Aequatian Republic Forces, Haven

Aequatian Republic Navy (ARN)

Commander, Aequatian Republic Eastern Haven Fleet (COMEASTHAVENFLT)
OC: Fleet Admiral Bernard Stahl
HQ: Howe Naval Base, Port Brook, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca

Commander, Naval Surface Force, Aequatian Republic Eastern Haven Fleet (COMNAVSURFOR)
OC: Admiral Zachery Campbell
HQ: Howe Naval Base, Port Brook, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca

Task Force 401
OC: Vice Admiral Raven Loewentsein
HQ: Howe Naval Base, Port Brook, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca

6x Carrier Battle Groups

Carrier Battle Group (CVBG)
2x Enterprise Class CVN
2x Pegasus Class CGN
4x Mansel Reese Class DDG
2x Sanders Class AOE
2x Ocean II Class SSGN

Commander, Naval Submarine Force, Aequatian Republic Eastern Haven Fleet (COMNAVSUBFOR)
OC: Admiral
HQ: Howe Naval Base, Port Brook, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca

20x Attack Submarine Squadrons
12x Espandor Class SSBN

Attack Submarine Squadron
4x Avenger Class SSN

Attached Units

Special Task Force 120
OC: Vice Admiral Gregor Roland
HQ: Howe Naval Base, Port Brook, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca (Temporary)

- RNS Echo Carrier Battle Group (Echo CVBG) - OC: Rear Admiral Frances Dale
RNS Echo (CVN-192), Enterprise Class Fleet Carrier
Carrier Air Wing 21 (CVW-21)
RNS Eastview, (CVN-193), Enterprise Class Fleet Carrier
Carrier Aiw Wing 22 (CVW-22)
RNS Pegasus (CGN-238), Pegasus Class Guided-Missile Cruiser
RNS Manticore (CGN-239), Pegasus Class Guided-Missile Cruiser
RNS Mansel Reese (DDG-632) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Gordon Clyde (DDG-633) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Phyllida Appleby (DDG-634) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Nigelia Wilks (DDG-635) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Sanders (AOE-46) Sanders Class Fast Combat Support Ship
RNS Stone (AOE-47) Sanders Class Fast Combat Support Ship
RNS Barracuda (SSN-152) Ocean II Class Guided-Missile Fleet Submarine
RNS Bass (SSN-153) Ocean II Class Guided-Missile Fleet Submarine

- 6th Amphibious Readiness Group - Special Operations Capable (6th ARG-SOC)
OC: Rear Admiral Heather White
HQ: Howe Naval Base, Port Brook, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca (Temporary)

RNS Adams (LHAN-81) Adams Class Landing Ship, Helicopter Assault
RNS La Belle (LPDN-61) La Belle Landing Ship, Platform Dock
RNS (LPDN-62) La Belle Landing Ship, Platform Dock
RNS Troy (LSL-1) Troy Class Landing Ship, Logistics
RNS Bedford (LSL-2) Troy Class Landing Ship, Logistics
RNS Sanborn (LSL-3) Troy Class Landing Ship, Logistics
RNS Sphinx (CGN-240), Pegasus Class Guided-Missile Cruiser
RNS Bolla (CGN-241), Pegasus Class Guided-Missile Cruiser
RNS Kurtis Camp (DDG-636) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Dominick Elsas (DDG-637) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Dorian Congdon (DDG-638) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Janey Tomco (DDG-639) Mansel Reese Class Guided-Missile Destroyer
RNS Ruch (AOE-48) Sanders Class Fast Combat Support Ship
RNS Eckert (AOE-49) Sanders Class Fast Combat Support Ship

Aequatian Republic Air Force (ARAF)

51st Air Force
OC:
HQ: Brampton Air Force Base, Millberg, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca

- 1st Air Division, Brampton Air Force Base, Millsberg, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca
201st Air Control Squadron
211th Fighter Wing
212th Fighter Wing
213th Fighter Wing
214th Fighter Wing
215th Fighter Wing
216th Fighter Wing
217th Air Refueling Wing
218th Airlift Wing (Tactical)
219th Airlift Wing (Tactical)

Air Control Squadron
6x E-14 Capricorn Airborne Early Warning and Control Aircraft

Fighter Wing
96x F-115A Cormorant Strike Fighters

Air Refueling Wing
18x KC-767A Supertanker Aerial Refueling Aircraft

Airlift Wing (Tactical)
24x C-130Q Hercules Tactical Airlifters

- 2nd Air Division, Grange Air Force Base, Hunt Island, Aequatius Decca
202nd Air Control Squadron
221st Bomber Wing
222nd Bomber Wing
223rd Bomber Wing
224th Bomber Wing
225th Bomber Wing
226th Airlift Wing (Tactical)
227th Airlift Wing (Tactical)
228th Refueling Wing
229th Reconnaissance Wing

Bomber Wing
60x B-12B Vanquisher Supersonic Strategic Bombers

Reconnaissance Wing
12x RQ-4D Global Hawk Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

3rd Air Division, Wake Air Force Base, Ternak Isle, Kampfers
203rd Air Control Squadron
231st Airlift Wing (Strategic)
232nd Airlift Wing (Strategic)
233rd Airlift Wing (Strategic)
234th Airlift Wing (Strategic)
235th Airlift Wing (Strategic)
236th Airlift Wing (Strategic)
237th Refueling Wing
238th Refueling Wing
239th Refueling Wing

Airlift Wing (Strategic)
24x C-181A Starlifter II Strategic Airlifters
-or-
18x C-225B Cossack Super-Heavy Strategic Airlifters

4th Air Division, Arnold Air Force Base, Innovata
204th Air Control Squadron
241st Fighter Wing
242nd Fighter Wing
243rd Fighter Wing
244th Bomber Wing
245th Bomber Wing
246th Air Refueling Wing
247th Air Refueling Wing
248th Airlift Wing (Tactical)
249th Airlift Wing (Tactical)

Innovata (formerly part of Neutral Sector H1), Northern Ambrose Sea

The engineers of the 6th Naval Construction Battalion, despite a month of daily work schedules on Aequatius Decca, they continued to work effectively in the development of Innovata, the newest addition to the Aequatian Republic Havenic Authority. They worked from the materials provided aboard the chartered cargo vessels as SH-105B Tsunami heavy-lift helicopters lifted the massive containers ashore while more was shuttled from off-shore right onto the beach from the Navy's LCAC transports, the ships using their cranes to lower the containers onto the flat decks of the massive hovercrafts.

for Admiral Roland's eyes only, he read over the plans laid out for the island and concluded that they were most simple from a strategic standpoint, used as a forward position from Aequatius Decca and for the Easternn Haven Fleet, the island would be used for bases housing submarines and tenders as the former patrolled the Southeast corner of Haven, mainly Aralonian and Cravanian Channels at first, although the Hamptonian Sea was another area soon to be pulled into the jurisdiction of HAVENCOM as they gained more administration away from those at CENTCOM, who formerly took control of all operations outside of the Republic's immediate area. Although the military apparatus was fully prepared for any mission within Haven, it was feared that the civilian leadership at home in Magna Casa would be foolish and fail in providing the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Commander for HAVENCOM with a proper mandate for its purpose in the region.

There was no doubt that Aequatians were here to stay in Haven, all that needed to be determined was a purpose as the mandate for the new command was still being evaluated and drafted.

Ternak Isle, Kampfers

The ink on the leasing agreement for the island had barely dried when the first Aequatian Army and civilian engineers arrived on the island decidedly named Ternak Isle to begin the work in constructing the massive Wake Air Force Base which would become part of the massive infrastructure effort to support operations with HAVENCOM. The workers started immediately as vehicles and other equipment was unpacked and quickly put to use as trees were cleared and the earth was hardened. Work would be relatively fast for the base as it was to be the only facility built on the island and the base would remain mostly empty as it was to be a hub for the transport of personnel and equipment between Eastern and Western Haven. The runways would be long, nearly 6,000 metres in length to accommodate the largest of the Air Force's largest airlifters while the hangers and storage facilities were constructed to hold massive amounts of supplies and other equipment that would be necessary to support operations in the region.

Aequatius Decca Archipelago, Ambrose/Hamptonian Seas

The large number of military installations had been constructed as the construction personnel of the separate branches continued the work on the more specific elements of the bases. With a majority of the basic work completed on the facilities, the first units began to arrive, especially those of the Air Force and Navy, which would form the basis of the Republic's power projection in the region.

The Republic's position in Southeast Haven was now strengthened by the initial elements of the East Havenic Fleet with the arrival of six aircraft carrier battle groups, each containing a pair of Enterprise class fleet carriers, and enough vessels to form three amphibious readiness groups to transport the elements of the Seventh Marine Expeditionary Force, the basis of which was the 21st Marine Division. Port Brook, which was little more than a temporary township of construction contractors surrounding a blue-water harbour, Howe Naval Base, Pelco Naval Air Station and Marine Corps Base Camp Tarrack.

The other side of the island was home to the Army/Air Force team bases which consisted of Brampton and Grange Air Force Bases and Fort McGee, the former would house the units and headquarters of the Aequatian Republic's 51st Air Force while the latter would be home to the 2nd Airborne Corps, the Army's rapid reaction unit for operations in Haven.