MostGloriousLeader

Airbase Survivability Program In its early days of the nation's existence the Air Force embraced measures to ensure the survivability of base operations in the event of an attack due to the more pressing geopolitical atmosphere of the time. Since then the nation and the Air Force grew rapidly and standards were relaxed to accommodate. Now the Air Force operates a total of 102 major air bases (defined as having the on hand command and logistics capabilities to operate at least two squadrons of aircraft) and the Navy and Marine Corps operate another 11. This does not include civilian airports being readily capable of supporting military aircraft if required which easily number in the dozens, if not hundreds. As it stands, the only air bases currently classified as semi-survivable are less than a dozen on the east coast. The new initiative provides funding to upgrade air bases to the current, updated survivability standards. Standards for a hardened aircraft shelter are to be capable of withstanding a direct 2,000 lb armor piercing bomb or cruise missile hit and offer protection against nearby nuclear strikes and electro-magnetic weapons while also providing climate control features and being able to operate in an NBC environment. Shelters are to be provided for each combat aircraft permanently assigned to a base at the bare minimum, with high risk areas receiving the best upgrades first. An interesting development is a new design for large aircraft such as strategic bombers, tankers, and AWACs aircraft. It is able to accommodate up to 12 large sized or 36 fighter sized aircraft and is capable of withstanding cruise and ballistic missiles with penetration warheads. Such shelters will be constructed to provide protection for larger combat and mission critical aircraft. Hardening measures also include the critical base and logistics components needed to direct, coordinate and maintain air operations such as command and control, fuel and munitions dumps, airfield and taxi-way repair, etc. The current standards generally vary. Airfield repair capabilities are overall excellent with base maintenance and repair personnel well trained and equipped to deal with and clear battle damage. On the other hand most bases have large above ground fuel and munitions depots. As such measures will be taken to appropriately disperse fuel and munitions supplies around bases in hardened underground storage facilities using materials and techniques much like the hardened aircraft shelters. Command and control assets will be hardened with survivable command bunkers able to coordinate control of aircraft and base operations. Other measures to be implemented include expanding the length of airfields in excess of require lengths as well as the implementation of redundant taxiway pathing and auxiliary taxiway runways. These steps will ensure that air force bases can survive heavy conventional or WMD attacks and maintain the ability to operate aircraft. Alternate basing was one of the measures initially adopted by the air force for survivability. The American Commonwealth has one of the most extensive highway and road systems in the world and the ability to use them as alternative air strips is valued. Numerous appropriate sites are available to sustain aircraft operations and they have been surveyed and noted, providing many dozens of potential alternate bases for combat aircraft. They will be prepared during local highway "maintenance" to be able to operate jet aircraft in order to have the sites remain secret. If activated they can be readied in 24-48 hours for flight operations.

National Population Census The national census has been conducted and its findings published by the Census Bureau. The growth indicated is in part to an increased birth rate and larger than normal immigration levels. With the census complete, the process of re-apportioning the House of Representatives according to the new population data has begun.

Strategic Materials Act At the behest of the President, Congress has passed the Strategic Materials Act with bipartisan support giving the executive branch the authority to establish reserves of items and materials deemed vital to the national security of the nation. While stockpiles currently exist for oil and oil products for a six month's supply no other such stocks exist for other strategic materials. The Act provides the funding needed to expand or build and maintain facilities to store such materials as well as to purchase them to stockpile. The Strategic Petroleum Reserve requirements have been doubled to a one year supply of not just crude oil, but also refined petroleum products such as gasoline, heating oil and jet fuel. The National Helium Reserve has been ordered to halt large scale sell offs of helium after reaching a predetermined point. New reserves include the Strategic Uranium Reserve, the Strategic Metals Reserve (for rare earth minerals), and the Strategic Grain Reserve (stockpiling 10 million tons of store-able grains for possible food shortages). The SMA is not just limited to efforts of the federal government. State governments are being encouraged to examine the feasibility and benefits of maintaining their own smaller reserves. Private companies involved in activity deemed vital to the nation's security have been mandated to begin building up a six month reserve of required essential materials and will be provided assistance through government subsidies. Analysis of consumption and availability indicate that in the event of a shortage or cut off from foreign supplies, the Commonwealth will have ample time to expand and develop domestic sources to meet production needs.

Conversation with Denard:

With the festivities beginning, President Marston would arrive with the rest of the Commonwalth delegation and begin to mingle and meet with the other party guests.

"I have a copy right here" said the Deputy Secretary as he motioned to an aide who brought in an official looking paper.

"No thank you" he said, politely declining the offered tea. "Historically the American Commonwealth and Faraway have had good relations and that is something we would like to replicate. However, recent events in your nation have made my government uncomfortable. It has been the long standing policy of the Commonwealth to promote the growth of democratic and republican institutions in the areas we maintain and such is a requirement for any new nations, including the new Faraway. Your government's re-institution of social classes is a disturbing development considering that such institutions were abolished after the Commonwealth assumed the role of administering the country and has never been re-used by subsequent nations that developed in the area. Democracy necessitates a basic equality when it comes to political access and representation, which institutionalized social classes tend to hinder and even destroy outright. As such these developments may have an adverse impact on future relations between our nations until they are rectified".

"Hello" McNutt said as he shook hands. "Thank you for inviting me up here. So what can I do for you today?".

"Well that's something you're gonna have to talk to a Department of Defense liaison about. I can make one available to you after the meeting. They'll be able to point you out to the right contractors and what not".

"I apologize for this apparent misunderstanding. What we propose is not meant to be a military organization or a regional military pact. The purpose of this organization is the fostering of free trade and economic growth across the western hemisphere as well as to provide a forum to solve regional issues and provide a sense of cooperation and brotherhood between American states. Healthy economic development is the main guarantor of stability and it is our hope that we can achieve such a goal through large scale cooperation with all other American states".

A positive reply would be sent to the Faraway government as Secretary McNutt, in one of the busiest weeks of his life, dashed about various diplomatic affairs, finally heading north to Quebec to meet with the new government.

"I'll be sure to forward an request for the exchange of embassies to the State Department to establish formal diplomatic ties. As for your request for military cooperation, the Commonwealth is open to such activity".

The Mexican and Tikal delegations would be provided accommodations at the Willard Intercontinental Luxury Hotel where the meeting would be held, each delegation receiving penthouse suite floor. Security would be ensured by over a hundred Diplomatic Security Service agents and DC Metropolitan Police officers. The foreign delegates would be allowed time to rest and refresh themselves after which they would be brought to the hotel's conference center where the Commonwealth delegation was waiting, headed by Secretary of State McNutt. After taking their seats refreshments would be offered before starting. "My fellow delegates" said the Secretary of State. "I would like to start off by thanking you for attending this meeting. For the longest time the Western Hemisphere has been very fluid in stability and direction. Numerous nations have risen and fallen over a short time span interfering with long term regional stability and preventing lasting development of the entire Hemisphere. What we propose as a solution to this cycle is the establishment of a regional organization designed to promote diplomatic, political and economic cooperation between all American nations. For that reason we have asked that Mexico and Tikal attend this meeting and participate in the initial discussion of such an organization as our three nations represent the most stable, longest lasting and economically successful nations in the Western Hemisphere. My government believes that now is the right time to form such an organization with a resurgence in new nations in both North and South America. What are your thoughts on this matter?".

Units will be delivered as soon as they are ready. Note there will be a slight delay in filling out the order as current production lines are almost at capacity.

Encrypted Response Pricing for the basic version of the Combat Fast Assault Craft comes to $2 million per unit. Costs for the Fast Response Cutter amount to $50 million per unit.

President Marston would attend the party himself and arrived in Air Force One along with aides, diplomatic and security personnel. Additional Air Force transports would fly in additional security equipment and vehicles ahead of the President's arrival. After arriving the Commonwealth delegation would proceed to whatever accommodations the Stormland's government had arranged and settle in before the main festivities.

The following secure diplomatic cable was sent to the governments of Mexico and Tikal:

"I'm sure we can arrange for a more extensive tour of the city after our meeting is concluded" said the Deputy Secretary. "As for the business at hand. The American Commonwealth always seeks to improve its relations with other nations but our diplomatic activities in Europe have been rather lackluster and we have nothing much beyond a basic treaty with the Athenian Federation. Considering Europe is among our top trading partners we seek to establish closer ties with Europeans willing to do so via diplomacy and trade agreements".

Landslide Election President Marston has won a landslide re-election with the polls closed and the numbers now fully counted. While thought by most to be the eventual winner, nobody imagined that the incumbent would win a whopping 91% of the votes, with the next closest candidate barely reaching 5%. The Democrat Party seems to be doing well for itself between Marston's re-election and gaining several new senate seats. They still only hold a slim majority, however, in the House with Republicans gaining numbers there. Over two dozen moderate incumbent republican congressmen being unseated by members deeply associated with the so called "Tea Party" movement, making for a potentially interesting set up in a congress that has, for a long time now, mostly been able to work together in a bi-partisan manner.

Victor Williams would be sent to Caledonia as the American Commonwealth's ambassador to that nation along with a sizeable staff once an embassy could be acquired. On arrival he was instructed to meet with the Caledonian government to discuss matters of mutual importance.

A positive reply would be sent to the Prussian government notifying them that the American Commonwealth would accept their invitation and dispatch a diplomat. Secretary of State McNutt and several aides and attaches would fly to Prussia on an official government aircraft to meet with the Prussians. OOC: you can rp out the arrival to speed things along

Naval Developments As part of its 20XX budget, the American Commonwealth Military has set aside funds to procure large amounts of additional fast attack and surface craft to bolster its green and brown water capabilities for the Army as well as extended blue water patrol vessels for the Navy along additional cutters for the Coast Guard. Due to the scale of the addition of these new boats and vessels along with the upcoming line of naval ships, the Commonwealth military is utilizing shipyards all over the country to get them all produced on time in shipyards from the east and west coast to the Gulf of Mexico and even Cuba. Pentagon officials say that major surface combatant development and production was not delayed by the additional pressure on the budget and that they would be completed on schedule and within cost limits. Combat Fast Assault Craft The Combat Fast Assault Craft is a small, multi-purpose, boat with a wide range of capabilities and functionality. It is able to conduct missions like coastal patrol, interdiction, amphibious assault and riverine operations. The base model is capable of traveling over 250 miles with a top speed of 40 knots, being propelled by powerful, twin waterjet engines that also provide it with excellent maneuverability and is able to transport 21 fully equipped combat personnel. Its shallow draft allows it to navigate inshore and river areas with ease and land troops directly onto the shore. The weaponry is also varied, with provisions for three weapons mounts for heavy machine guns and grenade launchers, although heavier weapons can be added on remote weapon mounts, such as hellfire missiles or light auto-cannons. Additional capabilities exist to mount mine dispensers or depth charge racks if required. All baseline models are armored to be able to resist small arms fire and possess an NBC overpressure system allowing for operations in contaminated environments. Commonality is maintained between the various service's craft and all are able to be deployed by davits from medium to large vessels. All in all over 240 units have been ordered by the Commonwealth military and its various branches. The Army will be provided with 80 for its Riverine and Special Forces units while the Navy and Marine Corps will receive 160. Prowler class Offshore Patrol Vessel The Prowler class OPV is the first vessel of its kind to be operated by the Commonwealth Navy. Designed for littoral and blue water patrol, the Prowler OPV is capable of conducting extended patrol missions both inshore and offshore. The main feature of the Prowler OPV is its advanced air, surface and sub surface sensors, capable of monitoring air and surface activity in excess of 200km away. It also possesses hull mounted and towed array sonars which, coupled with its helicopter, enable the Prowler to detect underwater threats. Designated as a light patrol vessel, the Prowler class is not overly heavily armed but is more than capable of defending itself with its advanced stealth features and weaponry. Weapons include a 57mm gun, Phalanx CIWS, an 8 cell VLS containing Sky Guard point defense missiles with a range of out to 25km and optional mountings for launchers of the Joint Strike Missile and NLOS missile system. The Navy has ordered 28 vessels to be organized into squadrons of four which will be stationed in Greenland (1) and the Caribbean (2) as well as the East (2) and West (2) Coasts. UASPV The Unmanned Anti-Submarine-Warfare Patrol Vessel is the first vessel of its kind in service with the Commonwealth Navy. A completely autonomous, unmanned vessel tailor made for anti-submarine warfare, it is a cost effective measure of providing wide area sub-surface detection capabilities at only $20 million per vessel. Autonomous functions include patrol routes, collision avoidance and automatic tracking. The current design offers an stable and stealthy platform, above and below the surface, for sonar arrays. The hybrid electric propulsion system has a maximum speed of 20 knots and is able to operate for over 60 days without having to refuel or undergo maintenance. Trials conducted with 24 UASPVs were concluded successfully prompting the navy to purchase an additional 76 to begin full operations in the Atlantic, Pacific and Gulf of Mexico. Another improved version is currently being developed which is a larger trimaran design but with better speed and endurance. National Security Cutter The National Security Cutter is the Commonwealth Coast Guard's newest and most advanced cutter class in service. Designed to replace the High Endurance Cutters currently in service, the NSC offers a large leap ahead in terms of performance and capabilities. The NSC's primary missions are maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, EEZ patrol and enforcement, coastal patrol and anti-terrorism but can be called upon to serve in a military capacity during wartime. Its sensor suite provides excellent detection capabilities with its advanced 3D radar system and sonar capable of detecting mines and underwater swimmers. Its flight deck and hangars are capable of supporting a mix of helicopters and UAVs. The stern ramp is able to deploy or recover two RHIBs while underway but can be modified to support mine laying or depth charge dispensers or towed array sonars instead. Armament is light with a 57mm cannon, Phalanx CIWS and various machine guns, although there is space to deploy NLOS missiles if desired. Adding to its defensive capabilities is a full electronics warfare suite and decoy system. The Coast Guard has acquired 8 NSCs and intends to acquire 16 more considering the large areas of ocean that need to be covered. Offshore Patrol Cutter Similar in purpose and design to the National Security Cutter, the OPC is essentially a scaled down design providing for a less expensive and more numerous class of cutters to replace the Medium Endurance Cutters in service. Featuring much of the same capability as the NSC, the OPC has smaller aviation facilities and a stern ramp capable of operating one RHIB. However, the sensor suite and basic armament are the same. The OPC is capable of blue water operations although with less endurance than the NSC but still an improvement of the Medium Endurance Cutters. The Coast Guard currently has 36 cutters on order. Fast Response Cutter The Fast Response Cutter is a smaller vessel intended to provide a larger presence for the Coast Guard through numbers. Designed to be swift and maneuverable, the FRC is capable of moving over 30 knots and has a stern launch ramp able to operate a RHIB while underway. Its armament consists of several machine guns and a stabilized, remote controlled 30mm cannon. The Fast Response Cutter is able to conduct patrol, search and rescue, and interdiction missions with ease. The Coast Guard currently operates 23 vessels with an additional 57 under construction. Other In addition to the new classes entering service, additional orders have been placed for existing vessels as well. Several dozen Sea Shanty class trawlers are being ordered in secret, to expand clandestine surveillance capabilities to the Pacific and improve existing capabilities in the Atlantic and Gulf of Mexico. To improve sealift capabilities orders have been placed for 20 additional Algol class Vehicle Cargo Ships, 40 additional JHSVs and 40 Modular Auxiliary Vessels. Amphibious assault capabilities will be bolstered with the acquisition of 36 more HALCACs and 20 LST-1s.

With successful elections monitored by Commonwealth observers, troops and protectorate administrative officials would begin to withdraw and hand over control to the new government which has been recognized by the American Commonwealth government.