Order of Battle
Scope
This document is intended for leadership in the assembly of sorties and for the concise, structured dissemination of information during briefings.
Any given engagement is subject to the following order of events leading to armed conflict;
Observation, Orientation, Decision, Action, known as an OODA loop.
Standard role specific sortie compositions will allow commanders to quickly assemble effective resources to react to any situation and have the necessary assets to identify, assess and respond to threats in their immediate area of responsibility in order to disrupt the enemy’s OODA loop and defeat them in combat.
Table of Contents
1. Role and Composition
Ship types by role:
i. Civilian, Transport and Mercantile
Civilian crafts are not designed for combat, but rather fulfill other specific roles; generally the transportation of goods or personnel. Others are privately owned leisure vessels. In certain extenuating circumstances; and under specific regional laws, they may be armed. Nevertheless, they are unlikely to mount an effective defense from deliberate attack.
ii. Fighters
Fighters are military craft designed primarily for ship-to-ship combat against other fighters. They are usually designed to be fast, maneuverable and small.
iii. Bombers, Gunships and Heavy Fighters
Bombers, can be defined by two separate classes: The strategic bomber, and the tactical bomber. Strategic bombing is carried out by heavy bombers that are primarily designed to engage their targets at range. They target supply infrastructure, shipyards and cities in order to diminish the enemy’s ability to wage war by limiting access to resources. Tactical bombing is designed to counter enemy military activity and support offensive operations. They are generally assigned to fighter squadrons and operate on short ranges near the forward edge of the battle area. Gunships are primarily used in support of other craft and specialize in overwhelming firepower.
Heavy Fighters are ground based fighters which specialize in survivability and heavy firepower.
iv. Combat Support/Command & Control
Combat support craft are military craft designed to deliver fuel, ammunition and repair abilities to the front line. Command and control craft designed to deliver advanced warning and control the traffic in their immediate area; hence the abbreviation AWACS also fall into this category. Cruisers and frigates often fill the roles in this class.
v. Capital Ships
Capital ships are large specialized ships that generally possess the heaviest firepower and armor. These craft will likely be the primary ship in a fleet and house the headquarters. They consist of battlecruisers and carriers. Destroyers and Frigates are not conventionally considered capital ships, but may fill the role if the larger class vessels are not on operation.
It is important to note that in all cases below, the composition of a sortie will be defined by the flight leader or overall commander based on the threat perceived and assets available at the time of the sortie.
Nevertheless, to achieve victory in any given engagement, it is prudent to have at least three times the force the opposition is capable of fielding at one time. For this reason, the smallest sortie should consist of at least three Fighters, under the assumption that any sortie has the possibility of encountering a minimum of one hostile contact. The only exceptions are special sorties in which the objective requires elements to remain undetected, at which point the minimum craft can be reduced to a single vessel.
*NOTE: All following compositions have recommended roles assumed. i.e. Most sorties are recommended to be supported by an AWACS, but this is not always possible/necessary.
I. Patrols
Patrols are conducted for a multitude of reasons from reconnaissance to a simple show of force. The following paragraphs will define each given patrol and their standard composition.
A. Roving Patrol:
Composition:
i. Fighter x3 min.
ii. AWACS
A roving patrol is a defensive posture patrol that aims to protect a stationary point, structure, or operation. Generally, roving patrols will consist of a complement of fighters supported by an AWACS. The range of a roving patrol is minimal, and will remain within sensor range of the objective. Roving patrols often work in tandem with sector and system patrols to extend the security range of the overall operation.
B. Sector Patrol:
Composition:
i. Fighter x3 min.
ii. AWACS
A sector patrol is a defensive posture patrol that bridges the gap between a system patrol and a roving patrol. This kind of patrol will often circumnavigate the outer limits of a roving patrol in order to provide early warning and create a buffer space between hostiles and the objective under defense.
C. System Patrol:
Composition:
i. Gunship/Corvette
ii. Fighter x3 min.
iii. Tac Bomber x1 min.
iv. AWACS
System patrols are offensive posture patrols that are expected to operate under a greater measure of autonomy and should be capable of assessing and engaging threats without need of immediate support. System patrols are mid-to-long range patrols that focus on maintaining a presence in any given system as a show of force and a deterrent to criminal/hostile activity.
D. Inter-System Patrol:
Composition:
i. Gunship/Corvette
ii. Fighter x5 min.
iii. Bomber x1 min.
iv. AWACS
v. Frigate
vi. Fueler *Optional; requires more security
Inter-System patrols, much like System patrols, require autonomous operation outside the range of support. These patrols are required when a presence is necessary in a system that has no safe harbour or assets that provide sustainability. The patrol would launch from System A, Travel to System B to provide presence as a show of force, and return either to System A, or a third location that can provide the services required to continue operations. Inter-System patrols are likely to come into contact with criminal elements since systems of such a nature make it easy for said elements to operate. Responding to distress calls will also be a common occurrence in lawless areas that have no safe harbor for legitimate entities; units responding to distress signals should always be wary of the possibility of ambush..
E. Reconnaissance Patrol:
*Composition:
i. Fighters x 1 or 2 (preferably with optimized sensor/optics packages)
Reconnaissance patrols are designed to gather intelligence on the enemy situation or nearby resources. They are special patrols in the sense that they can be comprised of any number of craft. That being said, the most effective forms of reconnaissance operations are those that are never detected. With this in mind, fast ships with a negligible sensor footprint, which operate solo, or with only one wingman, are the most effective at avoiding detection or evading enemy pursuers.
II. Escorts
Escort operations are necessary to ensure supplies or tactical infrastructure reach the designated location dictated by the commander’s intent or the overall mission objective. Maintaining the status quo of supplies is an operational requirement that should be considered a top priority if any particular unit expects to sustain itself in a region for an indefinite period of time. Asset shortages should only remove manpower from escort operations in an emergency situations where the immediate threat is greater than the lack of incoming resources.
A. Resource Escorts
Composition:
i. Fighter x3 min.
ii. AWACS
iii. Any Transport
A resource escort mission requires protection proportional to the value of the resource itself. A minimum escort package is similar to a patrol, with the addition of a transport element.
B. Bomber Escorts
Composition:
i. Fighter x3 min.
ii. AWACS
iii. Bomber (objective specific)
A bomber escort must be capable of defending the bomber assets on route to their objective. This ensures the bombers are not forced to dispense ammunition in their own defence; leaving all ordnance for the specified target as dictated by the mission objective. Bomber escorts differ from Offensive Operations in the sense that the target is not expected to have heavy fighter attachments or an overarching echelon of support craft.
C. Fleet Escorts
Composition:
i. Gunship/Corvette
ii. Fighter x6 min.
ii. AWACS x2
iii. Frigate
iv. Capital Ships/Fleet Support Craft
Fleet escort missions are comprised of security elements protecting Capital Ships and their support craft while in transit. These escort missions emphasize early warning, taking full advantage of the powerful sensor suites and AWACS; using them in tandem with overlapping sensor fields ensuring a clear path for the fleet.
III. Emergency Response
Reacting to an emergency a is priority above all other activities. Utilizing proper reactionary assets is critical to a successful response. The secondary tasks of an emergency response team is the recovery of any assets that have been compromised during the engagement.
A. Quick Reaction Force
Composition:
i. Fighter 3x min.
ii. AWACS
ii. Any other assets capable of combat and free of priority tasks
A quick reaction force responds to unexpected engagements within the range of their AOR. This force can often be a skewed number and class of ships due to the fact that any non-priority vessels should immediately respond to the situation at hand.
B. Search & Rescue
Composition:
i. Fighter x3 min.
ii. Apollo Triage
iii. AWACS
Search and Rescue operations are undertaken to recover personnel from ships that are damaged beyond repair, or pilots who have ejected. A standard security element is attached in the event of counter-attack and additional security may be required to interdict an ongoing engagement.
C. Recovery & Salvage
Composition:
i. Fighter x3 min.
ii. AWACS
iii. Repair/Salvage Support
Recovery and salvaging operations are implemented in order to mitigate the loss of resources and replenish raw materials. These operations are also a form of interdiction to ensure any material left in the battlespace remains out of enemy hands.
IV. Offensive Operations
Offensive operations are undertaken when an enemy force is identified and the assessment of their strength is deemed to be an acceptable objective. These actions are deliberate confrontations with the intent of destroying or delaying the enemy. The following offensive operations are divided by objective.
A. Interception
Composition:
i. Fighter x6 min.
ii. AWACS
Interception missions involve a fighter element, with optional attachments, forcefully overtaking an enemy fighter element. These sorties are generally used to counter long range enemy patrols in order to undermine their presence in a given system or sector.
B. Interdiction
Composition:
i. Fast Attack Craft x3 min.
Interdiction operations involve blitzkrieg style strikes on enemy units, emphasizing a destabilization of order rather than complete destruction of the opposing force. Interdiction is designed to stall, or otherwise impede or “tie up” enemy assets. Fast craft are used in order to encourage survivability of the pilots undertaking the sortie. Undue risk is not to be taken.
C. Anti-Cap
Composition:
i. Fighter x5 min.
ii. Corvette
iii. Gunship x2 min.
iii. Frigate x1 min.
Anti Capital ship operations involve the concentration of force on the capital ship objective. Fighter elements are to protect bomber and anti-cap assets by seizing superiority of the battlespace. Overall completion of the offensive action is through the disabling or destruction of the objective capital asset. Complete destruction of the Capital asset is only worthwhile if minimal losses are expected from enemy resistance.
D. Denial
Composition:
i. Fighter x5 min.
ii. Gunship x2 min.
iii. Corvette
Denial operations are designed to undermine the resources and reinforcements of a given sector or system. These operations are offensive in nature and aim to blockade the transit of ships to an enemy location. The formation would remain static or roving in an adjacent sector to the enemy and engage hostile units as they approach.
V. All Aspect
All Aspect operations are offensive in nature and require the full cooperation of every available asset. These operations are designated for use in situations where an overwhelming force is required to be neutralized with all possible arms brought to bear, or when a given entity is pushed to the brink of destruction and has no other option but to retaliate with what remains of their forces.
A. Everything Available
Composition:
i.Civilian . Max
ii. Mercantile . Max
iii. Transport . Max
iv. Fighters . Max
vi. Bombers . Max
vii. Support . Max
viii. Capital Ships . Max
All Aspect requires every asset available to be brought forward at one time. It is the cornered rat tactic, the last resort assault. It is better to burn out than to fade away.
2. Battle Order
Battle orders help give an all-encompassing vision of the mission to personnel. The dissemination of information builds a sense of duty to all ranks. It helps to cultivate a purpose; creating a more motivated and knowledgeable crew that functions with a higher degree of efficiency. A set of completed battle orders will be shown as an example at the end of this document. This is a template to be filled by flight leads in accordance with the Ops Orders.
Date: dd/mm/yy
Sortie #:
Sortie Lead:
Unit:
I. Situation
A. Enemy
1. Location
2. Composition
3. Capability
4. Most Likely Course of Action (Defend, Reinforce, Attack, Withdraw, Delay)
B. Friendly
1. Location
2. Current Mission/Intent
3. Adjacent Units
i. Sector
ii. System
4. Supporting:
i. Attachments and Detachments
ii. Neutral considerations
II. Mission
1. Who:
2. What(task):
3. Where:
4. When:
5. Why:
III. Execution
A. Commander’s Intent
1. Objective
2. Critical Vulnerability
4. End State
B. Concept of Ops
1. Composition
2. Loadout
3. Scheme of Maneuvers
4. Support Plan
C. Tasks
D. Coordinating Instructions
IV. Service and Support
A. CasEvac/SAR/Salvage
B. Repair/Rearm/Refuel
V. Command/Area Warning and Control Systems
A. Command
1. Primary Channel/Personnel
2. Alternate Channel/Personnel
3. Emergency Channel/Personnel
B. AWACS
1. Primary Callsign
2. Alternate Callsign
3. Contingency Callsign
3. Index
Example Battle Order #1
Date: 18/05/2944
Sortie #252
Sortie Lead: Bloggins
Unit: Knight 1
Classification: Offensive Operation
Type: Inter-System Interception
I. Situation
A. Enemy
1. Location: Pyro System, Sector Seven
2. Composition: 5x Fighters
3. Capability: Denial/Interception
4. Most Likely Course of Action: Withdraw to Taranis System
B. Friendly
1. Location: Nexus System
2. Current Mission/Intent: Inter-System Patrol to enforce adjacent Systems
3. Adjacent Units
i. Sector: Blue Horizon Flight in Nexus System
ii. System: Cappelan Flight in Ellis system
4. Supporting:
i. Attachments and Detachments: none
ii. Neutral considerations: Traders may be travelling through Pyro, avoid civilian collateral damage
II. Mission
1. Who: Knight 1
2. What(task): Intercept enemy flight
3. Where: Pyro system, Sector seven
4. When: Twenty minutes, notice to move at 1340 hours today.
5. Why: Area Superiority in Pyro System
III. Execution
A. Commander’s Intent
1. Objective: Area Superiority in Adjacent Systems to Nexus System.
2. Critical Vulnerability: Overstretching assets, lack of defense at HQ
4. End State: Minimized and manageable hostile presence in surrounding systems.
B. Concept of Ops
1. Composition:
Fighters x10
AWACS x1
2. Loadout: Stock
3. Scheme of Maneuvers: Knight 1 will travel to nav 1 and secure Nexus exit jump point before transit. Once in the Pyro system, flight will navigate to Nav 2 where they will perform a sensor sweep for no more than five mikes. If no contacts are detected, flight will continue to nav 3 in Sector Seven and conduct a second sensor sweep for no more than five mikes. If no contacts are detected, flight will return to nav 2 and so on until contacts are detected. Enemy contacts are to be engaged and eliminated.
4. Support Plan: No support is provided for this mission, you’re on your own.
C. Tasks: Eliminate enemy fighters and recover any intelligence from the surrounding area.
D. Coordinating Instructions: No other units are coordinating with this sortie.
IV. Service and Support
A. CasEvac/SAR/Salvage: Service/Support Alpha is Red: unlikely.
B. Repair/Rearm/Refuel: Service/Support Bravo is Black: unavailable.
V. Command/Area Warning and Control Systems
A. Command
1. Primary Channel/Personnel: Discord Channel Three: Capt Bloggins
2. Alternate Channel/Personnel: Discord Channel Three: Capt. Bliggins
3. Emergency Channel/Personnel: Discord Channel Seven: Major Blaggins
B. AWACS
1. Primary Callsign: Eiris Six
2. Alternate Callsign: N/A
3. Contingency Callsign: N/A
Example Battle Order #2
Date: 06/06/2944
Sortie #: 372
Sortie Lead: Bloggins
Unit: Knight 1
Classification: Patrol
Type: System Patrol
I. Situation
A. Enemy
1. Locations: Unknown
2. Composition: Unknown
3. Capability: Unknown
4. Most Likely Course of Action: N/A
B. Friendly
1. Location: Oberon System
2. Current Mission/Intent: System Security
3. Adjacent Units
i. Sector: 127th Motorama in Sector 2a
ii. System: Ballistic Logistics in Idris System, sector 5c
4. Supporting:
i. Attachments and Detachments: N/A
ii. Neutral considerations: Some civilian/ mercantile
II. Mission
1. Who: Knight 1
2. What(task): Security System Patrol
3. Where: Oberon System
4. When: Ten minutes Notice to move at 2145 hours today.
5. Why: Improve security in accordance with alliance to 127th Angry Angels
III. Execution
A. Commander’s Intent
1. Objective: Increase security for motorama
2. Critical Vulnerability: Raids from nearby Vulture System/Pirates
4. End State: Low threat level for Motorama
B. Concept of Ops
1. Composition:
Fighter x 5
Tac Bomber x 2
AWACS x1
2. Loadout: Stock
3. Scheme of Maneuvers: Knight 1 flight will depart the Motorama in Sector 2a and travel to Nav 1 to perform sensor sweep for no less than 5 mikes. If no enemy is detected, Charlie flight will continue to Nav points three through five and continue sensor sweeps at each location. Report and eliminate any hostile forces.
4. Support Plan: The 127th’s security package is in support in case of an overwhelming force. Contact them on Contingency Channel, Discord Channel 6 to speak directly to their leadership.
C. Tasks : Patrol the System and eliminate any hostiles.
D. Coordinating Instructions: The 127th “Watchdog” security attachment will contact us if an overwhelming force enters the Motorama’s sensor fields. We will assist the 127th in the event that they require reinforcements.
IV. Service and Support
A. CasEvac/SAR/Salvage: The 127th has Casevac capability on Emergency channel 7.
B. Repair/Rearm/Refuel: The motorama will repair and refuel, but Ballistic Logistics is our only nearby rearmament option. They currently have a setup in the adjacent Idris system.
V. Command/Area Warning and Control Systems
A. Command
1. Primary Channel/Personnel: Discord Channel 1: Captain Bloggins
2. Alternate Channel/Personnel: Discord Channel 2: Major Blaggins
3. Emergency Channel/Personnel: Discord Channel 3 and 127th TS Channel 6 and 7: Major Bliggins of the 127th.
B. AWACS
1. Primary Callsign: Eiris Six, AWACS
2. Alternate Callsign: Ding Dong, 127th AWACS
3. Contingency Callsign: Shego , 127th C&C Frigate