AAR 31-05-2952 - OPERATION BENGAL BLAZIN'
After consulting with Star Eagle Wing officers, a decision was handed down from the Silent Professionals Commanding Officer, Colonel “Duke” - the UEE Navy has betrayed its teachings from the old ages to protect the citizens of the Empire, and must be immediately instructed on the importance of this lesson. A strike, leveraging the full tactical prowess of the Eagle and Sparrow squadrons, was orchestrated and scheduled for 0130 Zulu, 31-05-2952. After a successful rendezvous of all assets at Accipiter Aerie Asteroid Base, preparations were completed for the fleets to be sortied.
Prior to the launch of the Eagle and Sparrow squadrons, a single craft from the Sparrow Squadron’s “Emperor Penguins” Special Operations Group was tasked with infiltrating the surroundings of Baijini Point Orbital Station and confirming the disposition of enemy forces in the AO - piloting a Drake Interplanetary Herald fit with the necessary visual and electronic detection equipment - Flight Lieutenant Ryndir, callsign “Insta”, acquired the intricately detailed fleet dispositions needed for this operation’s success. His intelligence was corroborated with extant sources within SPG, together confirming the docked presence of the Javelin-class Destroyer UEES War Hammer, as well as the imminent arrival of the Bengal-class carrier UEES Krugeri, and her escort fleet containing the Idris-class frigate UEES Stanton and numerous corvettes.
[7:18 PM]
After completion of the briefing as required, Eagle and Sparrow squadrons sortied from FAB Accipiter Aerie and journeyed to the Stanton 3 planet ArcCorp for final formation preparation and weapons checks. At 0155Z, Eagle squadron pushed into the Baijini Point AO, but were met with only the docile UEES War Hammer and scant local defenses. Deciding to complete scouting runs prior to the fleet’s arrival, Eagle’s First and Second flights - Gold and Finch, under the command of Flight Commander M. “Milkman” Shepherd and Flight Major G. F. C. “Raiders” respectively - were able to efficiently disperse in the AO to ensnare the fleet the moment it arrived - Raiders was the one to spring the trap!
The arrival of the fleet was swiftly detected by Finch Flight, but in the opening moments of the battle, a potentially critical error was made by Wing Commander Milkman - after not receiving radar returns of any UEE fighters deployed around the main fleet vessels, the radio call to push the bomber element into the AO on their strike was called moments before the fighters appeared on their secondary jump! With all forces merging into the AO simultaneously, the situation rapidly deteriorated into a sprawling furball in full low orbital view of the ArcCorp populace - a sweltering fireball of point defense tracers and fighter-launched missile warheads cascaded into the heavens.
[7:18 PM]
Eagle Squadron rapidly categorized the popup-fighters according to pre-briefed priority listings, and energetically merged with flights of F8 Lightnings and A4 Hurricanes, supported by an armada of carrier-launched F7A Hornets. Despite being forced to dogfight within the CIWS engagement zone of a majority, if not all the fleet, Gold and Finch teams successfully ground the enemy fighter elements into celestial dust. In the midst of it all, torpedoes arced through the cosmos and fell onto the frigates.
Sparrow Squadron wasted no time getting to work. While the Eagles were clawing their way through the piercing defense of the UEE Naval Pilots, Kestrel and Buzzard teams - commanded by Flight Lieutenant Commander C. M. “Malek” and Flight Captain J. R. “Fiddler” respectively - commenced their assault on the fleet vessels around the port - with both teams focusing on the Idris, salvo after salvo bombarded the area with armor piercing and high explosive munitions, but the fleet’s combined CIWS proved too effective - a ra