Whispers of a Dream Imagined

[TheShammySocialist]

The pronouncement of independence by the Independence Council from Brisbane would be hailed by several people who had seen several years of disorganization and factionalism within the Australian continent and Tasmania. The country had been stagnant for several years, with the loss of central government blamed on partisan politics that had left political unity in shambles, and pitted factions against one another. Although civil war had been avoided altogether, the people of Australia would spiral without the ability to truly find peace as a whole. The country had existed more or less, but without effective governance, and sporadic fighting and conflict throughout the land forced had forced the population in a much more isolated mindset.

 

The Independence Council that met in Brisbane was the first true effort by leaders from several disciplines to truly try to reestablish the nation as a politically unified state, realizing that infighting was simply eroding Australia as an effective nation in the Southwest Pacific Region and beyond. Australian nationalists, business leaders, political faction leaders, academics, health specialists, economists, military officers, they all came from several regions of Australia to Brisbane to form the Council that announced independence. The road to a newly-realized independence was far from a smooth one, debates would go into the wee hours of the night, and resume bright and early the next morning, handshakes had to be made with gritted teeth and stiff arms. The efforts of one man, now the newly-christened Lord Protector, Solomon Winder, would stand out amongst the other delegates, exhaustively securing agreements and friendships amongst the other delegates, to fuse the nation back together once again.

 

The dozens of delegates that stood behind the Lord Protector at Brisbane City Hall, the meeting place for the council, before several thousand citizens and media from across the country could be proud in what they had accomplished. Winder spoke with authority when the council emerged again after proclaiming independence, to make a more generalized statement, words that hadn't been able to spoken for so long. Words that hadn't been heard, words that satisfied all Australians, that tipped hats to those that had been there since time had begun, to those who had come from across the sea. The perchance to grasp a dream that had been suppressed for so long was nigh.

 

The words that the Lord Protector used would invigorate any Australian, simple and straight to the point, meant for those that toiled in the fields with their tractors and backs, to those who rode the elevators into the mines in the west, to those who made their commutes to their offices along the East Coast. The Union of the Southern Cross had now emerged with a vengeance, the resurgence of Australian identity, a people who had long been respected for their hard work and hard play prowess, living life to the fullest, whilst providing balance and martial skill that was nearly unrivaled. This was a newly redefined society that the Lord Protector spoke of, embracing the past, while laying out a dream for the future.

 

All it would require was the average citizen to embrace it, and those who would hear those simple, yet telling words that night, would find themselves going to bed, their minds afloat with what could come with a new sun the next day...

[TheShammySocialist]

With the formation of the Union of the Southern Cross, the Constellation Council has outlined the reformation of, and official christening of the Southern Cross Defense Force, or 'SCDF', the armed forces of the Union of the Southern Cross. The SCDF has been appropriated as a tri-branch service, with a ground, naval, and air component, like most other nations that feature such forces.

 

The sworn, basic duty of the SCDF is the commitment to the strategic interest that it is to "prevent, resist, and repulse any armed invasion or aggression that threatens the shores of the Union" and "protect the interests of the nation as a whole, and her citizens, both at home and overseas", with a "robust and flexible combined arms approach". To accomplish these basic goals, the SCDF is committed to the "active defense of the approaches to the Union, near and far, as well as the Union itself". Combined with this active defense, the priorities of "ensuring a cohesive, stable, and secure Southeast Asian and Southwest Pacific community is paramount to the objective of a secure Australia". To this end, the SCDF is sworn to "provide assistance to, through humanitarian relief or stabilization missions to ensure continued stability" in ensuring this common goal of regional community security and stability.

 

Furthermore the SCDF must "be able to have the power to project itself on an international scale, utilizing air and naval assets particularly" in the interest of "meeting potential threats to the Union, or region" and "deterring them through both the use of soft and hard power in cohesion with diplomacy and goodwill gestures". The overall goal remaining the "security of the Union of the Southern Cross as a whole, ensuring its continued sovereignty, and the sovereignty of its friends and partners in Southeast Asia and Southwest Pacific regions for the common good". It is these principles that will "guide and ensure that the Union of the Southern Cross will ensure the security and prosperity of her citizens, and partners who share a similar vision".

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Private[/b]

 

The wind whipped across the surf and sand gently, and the man who stood staring into dawn's rays on the eastern horizon heaved a sigh as the cool water of the Coral Sea lapped at his feet. The wind was heavy with humidity, and every time his tongue licked at his lightly chapped lips, Solomon Winder tasted salt that had collected on them. He smiled wistfully as the dawn started to break further, rays of sunlight breaking through the cloud cover that was plaguing what would otherwise be another spectacular sunrise on the beach along the Gold Coast.

 

"You've spent a lot of time out here since the Council started meeting," said a voice behind him, as Solomon closed his eyes, he knew that voice.

 

He turned to look at Elizabeth Varinis, affectionately known to other members of the Independence Council as "Lizzie", a woman with sound experience in political science, and now a patriot, a hero of the Union, like most Council members were.

 

"The Council meetings went into the late night, but they always started at nine in the morning sharp, I came here a lot to clear my mind before they started," responded Solomon, with a smile, as he turned to look at her. He could feel his feet sinking in the sand as the waves washed over his bare digits, his cargo pants rolled up around his ankles and tied off, he must have been a bit of a sight to see. He was probably even a little disheveled, he hadn't combed his hair or cleaned up after he rolled out of bed that morning.

 

"And here you are again, the Independence Council has become the Constellation Council, it's lost a few members, the great debates have ended, for a big extent. But, yet again, here you are," said Lizzie, with an enigmatic smile, as she walked into the surf with him.

 

"Old habits die hard, Liz. I don't know as if I want to ever give up coming here almost every morning religiously," said Solomon, turning to look back at the sunrise. "I think this place has allowed me to keep my sanity intact over the last few weeks, maybe it can continue to do the trick."

 

"You picked one hell of a place to find your sanity in, I remember coming here as a young child, and as a teenager. I think I had my first kiss here about two miles down the beach that away," declared Liz, waving her arm expressively down the almost desolate beach. A few figures could be seen walking or running along the beach, some with dogs, some as a couple, others just alone.

 

"You picked one hell of a place to share your first kiss with someone, then, Liz," replied Solomon, looking at her with a smile, before looking back out at the sea.

 

"It was really short, we didn't know what we were doing," she chuckled, as she stepped up next to him and looked out at the sun.

 

"Just like we are now? Most of us have no experience guiding a nation as a whole, these are uncharted waters for many of us," stated Solomon, shaking his head, and sliding his hands into his pockets. "I was able to bring together a group of a hundred or so delegates to bring us to new independence, now I'm leading a nation of millions, and its my job to bring them together, hold them together."

 

"If you can do it with a diverse group of a hundred or so, you can do it with any number. There are others that are behind you, Solly," smiled Liz, using a name that few had heard spoken before. "The people who followed you out the door to proclaim a new independence, they followed you because they believed in something bigger than themselves, its bigger than you, than me, everyone. Its an idea that we could all stand together and show the nation that all the infighting was for naught, its time to come back to the fold."

 

"So much still to be done," nodded Solomon, heaving a sigh as he looked down at his colleague with a gentle smile.

 

"So much still to be done, but all of it, from here on out, is improving the Union, its about improving us as a nation, as a government. You're just going to have to learn along the way, we were able to rally around the man from Northern Queensland for a reason. All of us have learning to do, we'll make decisions that effect our people, and other people, but we do it for the good of our nation. That's the basis of governance for thousands of years, our people before others," said Liz, looking up at him with a smile, her eyes deep and a little mystifying. "You ready for the day now?"

 

"Yeah."

 

"Good, because I was sent here to fetch you, the Constellation Council wants to meet over government policy, as well as possibly formulating a response to new developments in Asia."

 

He nodded, as he heaved in one more sigh of salty air, licking his lips, and then turning to Liz, "Lead on McDuff."

 

"With pleasure."

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Public[/b]

 

With the renewal of centralized government in Australia, one of the first priorities of the newly-formed Constellation Council was ensuring the Union of the Southern Cross could adequate and safely manage navigation and the sea lanes that fed to and from the continent. Aside from the SCDF Naval Forces, the Constellation Council would approve the creation of the Southern Cross Maritime Safety Authority (SCMSA), which would essentially serve as the governing body of overseeing the Union's territorial waters and exclusive economic zone.

 

The sworn duties of the SCMSA were to "ensure the safety of all forms of water traffic around Australia and Tasmania" including "managing and prosecuting individuals and vessels involved in illegal pollution, illicit activities, and other forms of maritime crime". To this end the SCMSA was also given the authority to "extend these duties into international waters leading away from the Union, in an effort to curtail maritime crime, including smuggling and piracy" as well as "leading and/or participating in search and rescue and/or recovery operations beyond the waters of the Union".

 

To this end the SCMSA was to "work vigorously with the SCDF Naval Forces, Southern Cross Coast Guard (SCCG), Southern Cross Fisheries and Maritime Resources Enforcement Authority (SCFMREA), Southern Cross National Police (SCNAP), and the National Office of Environmental Affairs and Protection (NOEAP)" to "coordinate such authorities in their relevant disciplines".

 

Although all of the waters around Australia would be effected by these new developments, the SCMSA's true authority and aim was to ensure the safety and security of the trade lanes moving into the treacherous waters of the Southern and Indian Oceans, which had always been rough bodies of water to navigate and sail. With a blessing from the Lord Protector, and the Constellation Council, the SCMSA would move to consolidate and strengthen its position particularly in the Eastern Indian Ocean and Central Southern Ocean, in a cohesive move made with the SCDF Naval and Air Forces, and high endurance assets from the Southern Cross Coast Guard.

 

A multi-pronged effort would then commence, to re-establish autonomous governance in the Cocos (Keeling) Islands, and Christmas Island, by task force elements made up of officers from the National Police and delegates from the Home Ministry and Foreign Service, with the help of a couple aerial transports. These movements would be made aware to the several regional powers as a matter of courtesy. This would be coordinated with an effort by a few long endurance cutters from the Southern Cross Coast Guard, alongside SCDF Naval Forces replenishment vessels to move on several Southern Indian Ocean islands. These would include [i]Ile Amsterdam[/i] and [i]Ile Saint Paul[/i], as well as the Kerguelen Archipelago further south, and Heard Island and the McDonald Islands southeast of the Kerguelens.

 

These latter moves into the Southern Indian Ocean would be made in partnership with the University of Perth's Faculties of Biology and Botany, as well as the Southern Cross Fisheries and Marine Resources Enforcement Authority as an "effort to ensure the long term protection of unique natural areas". To this end, the SCMSA hoped to utilize the islands as both research stations, as well as navigational and communications relay centers, which would ensure the protection of international maritime traffic in the region, as well as strengthen the ability for the Southern Cross to monitor as well as respond to situations of maritime peril or illicit activity in the Southern Indian and Southern Oceans.

[TheShammySocialist]

Private

 

As perhaps the most important branch of the Southern Cross Defense Forces, the SCDF Navy has been determined as the branch that shall receive the most allocation in budgetary purposes, as ruled in a closed door session of the Constellation Council. Although the other branches will be afforded quite hefty sums, it is the Navy, as one council member put it, "that provides the most stern deterrent and ensures the sanctity and sovereignty of both our lands, and the oceans beyond". Furthermore, the Lord Protector himself stated that the SCDF Navy is "the arm of the SCDF that would allow us to hold any potential threat, be it from maritime crime, or a hostile nation at bay, and or prosecute the threat with impunity".

 

It was thus recommended throughout a series of meetings with various newly-appointed flag officers of the SCDF, that the Navy shall compose a fleet "possessing the ability to combat any enemy, near or far, in any maritime environment, be it littoral or blue water". After these recommendations, the Constellation Council approved a fleet composition of the following vessels, with clearly defined roles, to be the core of the Union's maritime combatant fleet;

 

Valor-class Fleet Carrier - 2 Units (Valor, Victory)

Queensland-class Combat Carrier (CVG) - 3 Units (Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania)

Triumph-class Amphibious Assault Vessel - 5 Units (Triumph, Tangible, Thunderer, [i]Trounce[/i], Thrasher)

Indomitable-class Amphibious Assault Vessel - 7 Units (Indomitable, Indefatigable, Intrepid, Independence, Ironmonger)

City-class Guided Missile Cruiser - 9 Units (Brisbane, Canberra, Sydney, Adelaide, Perth, Hobart, Darwin, Melbourne, Townsville)

Bunyip-class Heavy Guided Missile Destroyer - 3 Units (Bunyip, Yowie, Akurra)

Dragon-class Guided Missile Destroyer - 5 Units (Dragon, Decisive, Direwolf, Damnation, Daring)

Covert-class Special Support Vessel - 3 Units (Covert, Cunning, Clandestine)

Fearless-class Frigate (Multipurpose/ASW) - 7 Units (Fearless, Resolute, Brave, Tireless, Victorious, Spirited, Follower)

Swift-class Frigate (Guided Missile) - 7 Units (Swift, Pursuit, Viper, Melee, Striker, Charger, Lancer)

Unbent-class Corvette - 13 Units (Unbent, Unbroken, Unyielding, Undying, Unfettered, Untarnished, Undisturbed, Unremitting, Unimpaired, Unceasing, Unflagging, Unremitting, Unfailing)

[i]Assassin[/i]-class Diesel AIP Submarine (SSD) - 6 Units ([i]Assassin[/i], [i]Agent[/i], [i]Saboteur[/i], [i]Assailant[/i], [i]Adversary[/i], [i]Cutthroat[/i])

[i]Kraken[/i]-class Guided Missile Submarine (SSGN) - 2 Units ([i]Kraken[/i], [i]Titan[/i])

[i]Contender[/i]-class Attack Submarine (SSN) - 6 Units ([i]Contender[/i], [i]Combatant[/i], [i]Competitor[/i], [i]Challenger[/i], [i]Champion[/i], [i]Contester[/i])

Edited June 5, 2014 by TheShammySocialist

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Public[/b]

 

As part of ongoing efforts to ensure relative peace and stability within the regions of Southeast Asia, the SCDF's [I]Valor[/I] and [I]Victory[/I] carrier battle groups would be dispatched to the southern reaches of the South China Sea, and the southeastern reaches of the Philippine Sea. These movements would coincide with preparations to provide humanitarian relief supplies into the wartorn reaches of Far East Asia, which would hopefully bring some relief to the suffering civilians of the individuals caught up in the ongoing clash. The movement of naval forces would be made public to both domestic and international broadcasters, as part of an effort to alert fellow regional partners of the intent to provide security to humanitarian goods.

 

"The war between Japan and China is just that, a war, we must accept the fact that the devastation it has wrought also extends to those who cannot be held accountable for government actions. The Constellation Council approves the SCDF Naval movements as a measure of security and if needed, defense of transferring humanitarian goods to the effected regions. We stand by the hope that an agreement of peace can eventually be fashioned out of this conflict, but refuse to takes sides in this spate of useless violence over territory. We do, however, extend our arms to the citizens of the countries effected by this massively destructive war, and we pledge that the Union will stand by them in their time of need, and we will do what is necessary to provide aid to those who have little chance of receiving it."

 

The statement was read by a Council spokeswoman, and was considered a group statement, that included the force of the Lord Protector behind it. The government has announced the move as a "refocusing of efforts" meant to "restore a semblance of balance to peoples' lives who have been badly scarred by this tragedy". Reports from several harbormasters along the East Coast have confirmed that the auxiliary forces of the SCDF are loading humanitarian goods, and that there have been several reservist call ups for medical staff who have had to report to local armories for muster. At the moment, it is unclear what kind of response is in store, but the preparations have been noted as "substantial" by several sources close to the SCDF General Staff.

 

[b]Private[/b]

 

As part of acclimatization training and conditioning, the 4th Battalion, RAR has been deployed the Kerguleun Archipelago for cold weather operations training, including amphibious maneuvering and remote operations. The Battalion would also serve as a source of labor alongside deployed Field Engineer elements to construct an all-weather airfield on the island, to serve the growing research and sovereignty outpost that now served as the nexus for SCMSA's Central Indian operations. Similar deployments, including the 2nd Battalion, RAR and the 2nd Battalion, Loyal Australian Irish Regiment have occurred for desert training in Central Australia, which will include combined air-armor-mechanized infantry arms training.

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Public - Defense[/b]

 

In light of a request by the Constellation Council, the SCDF has announced the adoption of the [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/6.5mm_Grendel]6.5mmx39mm[/url] "Grendel" as its standard cartridge for all assault rifles and light machine guns. The 7.62 NATO round will continue to fulfill the role of designated marksman round, as well as for most general purpose machineguns, and both will see continual mass production for both defense, government, and public consumption. In light of the announcement by the SCDF, Denel Australia has pledged to set up two new production facilities in the interior of Victoria, north of Melbourne.

 

"The adoption of a new standard cartridge marks a significant shift by the SCDF in setting itself apart from other militaries throughout the world," noted one ground forces spokesman. "The Grendel round performs very well at the ranges intended for the combat most would see with assault weapons of this day and age, and we expect it to perform admirably on the new [url=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AK-12]ARX-14[/url] assault rifle."

 

[b]Public - Agriculture[/b]

 

The Home Ministry has approved plans to strengthen the Union's agricultural sector with a new initiative that is aimed at rebuilding honey bee hives and pollenation rates amongst farmlands. A government study earlier in the year cited that "a weak honey bee population can severely and adversely effect the entire agriculture sector, and by extension, food prices at market". The study cited that "food prices were rising due to reduced pollenation, which was leading to weaker crop yields, mainly due to colony destruction from increased use of pesticides and non-concern of the welfare of existing hives and colonies".

 

The new initiative has begun to give money to several nation companies that have pledged to increase the health of Australia's honey bee population, and ensure its continued growth, rather than contraction. Many agribusiness and farming communities have cited that this will ensure prices at market stay at a stable level, especially for agricultural products. Several other initiatives have been introduced to help the ailing agribusiness economy, including urban development loans, for building indoor greenhouses for agricultural production, particularly in abandoned warehouses and large buildings that can be easily adapted for use.

[Mogar]

:Classified Message:

"While the Imperium recognizes your desire to assist all of those who are in desperate need due to the unwarranted escalation of hostilities in the region, we do not wish to see any harm come to any 3rd parties vessels, should you wish to travel in the active war zone, we would respectfully request you contact the Imperium so we may relay your positions to the allied fleet operating in the region.

[spoiler][/spoiler]

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Private Dispatch[/b]

 

"As a matter of principle, for the security of our vessels and the sailors who man them, the Union is not in the business of disclosing fleet locations or movements for obvious reasons. For the moment, our vessels are currently operating outside of the indicated 'war zone' that you gave to us. For these reasons, the relative location of our fleet assets will remain relatively guarded for the security of our ships.

 

However, this policy will change if these vessels do move into the indicated 'war zone' that you have provided to us, and all warring parties will be made aware of Southern Cross movements and their intent. We assure you that any movements within this zone will be of a humanitarian nature, provided that no one engage our ships during these operations. Our Navy is on station to protect any and all humanitarian vessels, no matter which flag they fly."

 

[b]Public[/b]

 

Whilst the Southern Cross Navy had been able to put a carrier battle group on station in both the South China Sea and Philippine Sea in significantly short order, these movements would be followed by unarmed auxiliary transport vessels within forty-eight hours of the Navy's departure. These vessels would have intrinsic capabilities for operating with or without port facilities, with the inclusion of an auxiliary amphibious ship-to-shore connection hub vessel, which could host three LCACs. Beyond carrying humanitarian goods such as food, medical supplies, blankets, tents, and other needed equipment, the SCDF Ground Forces had been able to assemble a deployable special response team for each of the effected countries.

 

These teams would include primarily SCDF Reservist medical staff, whilst also having field engineer and NRBC personnel with the capability to clear and decontaminate a region for use as a humanitarian "green zone", where victims could be lodged and treated. The special response team would also include a platoon of military police, carrying only non-lethal weaponry to keep order within the humanitarian zone, along with their standard issue sidearms. Several special vehicles would be embarked on the vessels destined for each effected country, with the ability to survey radiological-contaminated areas without harming the vehicle crew or occupants inside. All vehicles destined for the effected nations would be painted stark white, with large red cross markings on them, as well as the Southern Cross constellation in dark blue, to help indicate the neutrality status.

 

The ships bearing these assets would depart the eastern coast ports in short order after being loaded for bear, meant to form three main convoys; one destined for China, the other for the Philippines, the other for Japan when they rendezvoused in the Coral Sea.

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Public[/b]

 

 

[i]Operators with 1 Commando Battalion return to base, somewhere in the State of Queensland.[/i]

 

Following unprecedented collapse of the Philippines, and the ongoing humanitarian crisis ongoing in the large, widespread archipelago, the Constellation Council has ordered the SCDF to organize a large task force built specifically for peacekeeping and stabilization duties. As part of this call to the SCDF, the government has also had the Foreign Service announce the formal creation of the "International Stabilization Force - Philippines" or "ISFP", to include any and all governments, regional and worldwide, to contribute to this force. As part of efforts to ensure that this force is led by a non-aligned regional power, the Union has taken responsibility for spearheading command and control of operations, as the coordinating authority of the ISFP.

 

The SCDF Ground Forces has publicly announced muster for its ground forces component for the ISFP, which will include the 1st Battalion, RAR; 2nd and 4th Battalions, Australian Scottish Regiment; 1st Battalion, Queensland Rifles Regiment; 3rd Battalion, Pilbara Regiment; 2nd and 5th Battalions, 2nd Light Horse Regiment; and 2nd Battalion, Royal Tasmanian Regiment. These main components will form battalion-sized action groups to cover wide swaths of territory, supported by civilian and military support units, particularly including field and construction engineers, CBRN response teams, SCDF Medical Corps Special Reaction Teams (SRTs). The SCDF Ground Forces will also provide army aviation elements, whilst the SCDF Air Force will provide several facets of support for on-the-ground forces that are to be deployed by both air and sea.

 

"The creation of the ISFP is a direct response to the threat of widespread chaos in the failure of a regional government, this, coupled with the tragic situation and gravity of situation in the Philippines has left the Union of the Southern Cross with no choice but to act. With the absence of China and Japan, which have come to blows with one another, the Southern Cross will assume the duties of protection over the Philippines to ensure a smooth political movement to transitional governance, until a more concerted central government can be formed," stated Lord Protector Solomon Winder, during a press conference outlining the sudden movement of the Union to action.

 

The first elements of the ISFP are expected to be departing within the next six hours for various arrival points across the Philippines, with forward action teams assessing ground conditions, being support by SCDF Naval Forces that are already in the region.

[mona lisa]

"The Kingdom of India applauds the SCDF's efforts at restabilizing the Philippines and reinstituting law and order. If India may be of any assistance please let us know."

 

- Magistrate of External Affairs Dr. Tausiq Narayan

[TheShammySocialist]

"The Union of the Southern Cross, in response to deteriorating conditions betwixt regional Pacific powers, always moves with the interest of balance and security, both for the greater good, and for itself.

 

It is thus that the USC hereby puts a protectorate status over the Solomon Islands, as well as the entirety of Papua New Guina, and its offlying islands. It is the unfortunate world that we live in, that forces this movement, but we will not tolerate the movements of one party or another into our sphere of influence. The SCDF will begin deployments immediately, any nation that feels the need to protest this movement, can take it up with the Southern Cross Foreign Service."

 

[i]Constellation Council Statement[/i]

 

---

 

With the situation in the Pacific reaching a point that warranted action, the age old Australian response to threats to its sphere of influence would be once again called upon to action, with the SCDF operating under the auspices of forward deterrence. This meant keeping potential threats at an arms' length, whoever those destabilizing forces would be, and to shield the southwest Pacific, that meant returning to the age old stomping grounds of Australian forward deterrence; the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea.

 

The battles in these rugged islands and the semi-continent had stopped Imperial Japanese ambitions back during the Second World War, and now they would be utilized once again, with the SCDF moving forward with plans for a multi-pronged security advance into the region. The movement would essentially see the deployment of close to sixty-thousand soldiers in total, when all was said and done, into garrisons on various islands in the Solomons and in Papua. The [i]Victory[/i] Battle Group would be recalled from the Philippine Sea directly north of the Bismarck Sea, while naval surface and subsurface components began assembling in eastern shore ports to escort transports carrying troops and equipment into the archipelago. Several small airborne components, with long-range refuelers providing fighters the extra escort sortie range, would begin deploying from the Brisbane and Townsville areas, to establish forward garrisons in the region on several key islands.

 

Although this movement was expected to be peaceful in nature, the SCDF units moving into the region were on full alert and were well loaded with munitions in the eventual possibility of a nation lashing out against them.

[The Zigur]

CONFIDENTIAL

 

The Hawaiian Social Kingdom would be interested in discussing strategic partnership in the Pacific Region with the Union of the Southern Cross. Fleet coordination between our nations could provide enhanced stability across the entire Pacific region, and Pearl Harbor is currently only at a fraction of its full naval servicing capability, even with the restored HIPACOM Fleet.

Edited June 10, 2014 by Tywin Lannister

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Secure Dispatch[/b]

 

"The Union of the Southern Cross is currently reviewing its foreign policy regarding Pacific affairs and stability, and at this time, strategic partnerships are not being considered with any potential powerbrokers in the Pacific theatre. We are always open to diplomatic discussions regarding Pacific policy and peaceful coexistence, but our arms are currently unopened due to this foreign policy review.

 

If you would like to meet for reasons other than strategic relations, we would gladly be willing to dispatch a delegation, or host one in our territory."

[TheShammySocialist]

[b]Classified[/b]

 

Under the auspices of its forward defense policy, the Constellation Council has appropriated strong funding for the rehabilitation of active radar networks to provide the SCDF with over-the-horizon radar coverage, both on the surface and in the air. Although all branches of the SCDF already possess several types of radar for air defense, IFF, air traffic control, the use of fixed over-the-horizon networks have not been considered until now. This coverage has, up until now, been settled utilizing the Ground Forces' deployable monostatic over-the-horizon radar at sites around the nation.

 

The new system will essentially rehabilitate the JORN, utilizing a relatively low-level frequency, whilst being able to track thousands of potential targets should an attack against Australia commence from any direction. To this end, old JORN network will be extended to cover every approach to the continent, whilst radar arrays will be deployed to several offlying islands to ensure ample coverage throughout the Indian Ocean, Southern Ocean, and the Coral Sea. The so called "JORN II" network will be reinforced by the utilization of mid-sized AWACS aircraft flying patrol in the northern territories as well as regular patrols through the Solomons and over New Guinea.

 

These systems will be supplemented by the addition of JLENS airborne radar, utilizing aerostats tethered at relatively mid-level altitude in several locations to provide additional coverage against airborne targets, particularly cruise missiles, utilizing look-down radar to detect and identify threats. Additionally, the SCDF has begun the deployment and configuration of the TRIPWIRE Radar, built specifically to counter both stealth threats, as well as low-flying cruise missiles.

 

Utilizing a relatively low cost receiver and transmitter, the TRIPWIRE Radar, which is also known as an Associative Aperture Synthesis Radar, utilizes stepped frequencies to be able to pick up on the backscatter created by an airborne threat entering the Union's airspace. Although this requires the target to fly between the receiver and transmitter, the system allows for defensive forces to be moved to intercept at relatively short periods of time. High speed surface to air missiles or fighter aircraft can be vectored onto a target, and the threat neutralized in short order. The TRIPWIRE Radar has also proven itself in that it is cheap to produce receivers and transmitters, and even harder to destroy, given the number of receivers being almost uneconomical in any modern war situation to actually destroy.

[TheShammySocialist]

Public - Economy

 

The Constellation Council has released a new decree on increasing average miles per gallon on all vehicles in the Union, and decreasing the large amounts of larger vehicles on the road. This is aimed at producing a society based around smaller vehicles, with lower emissions and lower costs for fueling up, as well as increased use of public or non-motorized transport for transit. Several carmakers have expressed some dismay at the Council's findings, but many welcome the chance to become competitive in smaller models of cars, and several have energetically announced concepts that are already being introduced for consumer perusing.

 

The Constellation Council noted that "the Union has a bumper crop of people utilizing modes of transportation that are beyond the scope of their needs, simply because they can own such vehicles". The Council went on to say that "smaller cars wear less on the road, contribute to lower fuel costs for all citizens, are more easier to handle in metropolitan areas". Several people on the street, who approve of the Council's decision noted that it was a "patriotic thing" to do, to lowering fuel costs for all, and in turn, helping with economic movement. The government believes that tax credits and the introduction of some carbon emission crediting systems to help ensure that larger vehicles are taken off the road, will be more than enough incentive to invest in smaller vehicles.

 

The decision is expected to have a ripple effect across the Union's carmaking industry, as carmakers move to introduce small crossover models, as well as new hatchbacks and small sedans to their vehicle line ups.

 

Private - Defense

 

Several units from the International Stabilization Force in the Philippines would, instead of being deployed directly back to Australia, would instead be deployed to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, as part of the first batch of units to receive climate training in the region. This would include maneuvers involving navigation and jungle/mountain warfare in the Owen Stanley Range, as well as amphibious maneuvers along the coastlines of several islands as part of their training.

 

SCDF Naval and Air Forces are expected to partake in critical roles of ushering these maneuvers along, as well as contributing and take part in them.

 

In related news, Remington Australia has begun limited production runs of its R5 RGP assault rifle, chambered for 6.5 Grendel Ammunition, targeted specifically for mostly operators within the irregular formations of the Ground, Air, and Naval Forces. The R5 RGP has shown a resilience in adverse weather conditions, including jungle swamplands and cold uplands, as displayed with experimental deployments to both the Solomons, as well as the Kerguleun Archipelago.

 

 

 

A trooper from 4th Battalion, RAR, on maneuvers with a newly-produced R5 RGP assault rifle, in Central Australia.

Edited June 13, 2014 by TheShammySocialist

[TheShammySocialist]

Private - Deployments

 

After deliberation following a general pullout from the Philippines of the International Stabilization Force, most units of the ISFP have been redeployed to the Solomons and New Guinea to forward operating bases, for intense acclimatization training.

 

As part of a new initiative taken on by the SCDF, the Oceanic Standing Contingency Task Force concept is being developed under a multi-agency spearhead Task Force, involving elements of the SCDF and the Union government to provide fast-response humanitarian relief and stabilization efforts. This task force will be utilized throughout the region when a humanitarian crisis is under way, and provide a multi-pronged approach to the Southern Cross efforts to ensure stability within the region. As part of training and forward deployment, 1st Battalion, Australian Scottish Regiment, and 1st Battalion, Pilbara Regiment, have been deployed to Joint Forces Base Evolution, in Darwin, in response to other units from the region now on training exercises in other regions of the Union, and its outlying protectorates.

 

Public - Defense

 

As part of a growing commitment to its standard of its unofficial motto, "Anywhere, Anytime", the Southern Cross Defense Force has begun a public awareness campaign of its exploits to build one of the most ready-action armed forces in history. Active broadcasts on public broadcasting have shown exercises from several areas throughout the Union and its protectorates, showing Ground Forces, along with their naval and air force compatriots engaged in intense climate training and maneuvers. With a climate range of jungles in New Guinea, to the sweltering deserts of Central Australia, to Antarctic conditions in the Southern Ocean possessions, the SCDF has the ability to use the Union's "natural playground" to help it be prepared for deployment in any weather condition or climate, anywhere on Earth.

 

The public campaign has also stated the intent to put more resources into the southern flank of the Union, and includes the procurement of high endurance offshore patrol vessels for duties in the Southern Oceans, including being able to break ice and resupply outposts.

 

 

 

 

 

An artists rendering for a new, annual event trumpeting SCDF Irregular Forces, including the vaunted and shadowy Special Air Service Regiment. Members of the SCDF Irregular Forces public affairs were on hand at an open house at the SCDF Recruiting and Public Awareness Convention in Sydney for the weekend to help connect members of the public with members of the SCDF.

 

Events included physical fitness contests with prizes and achievement certificates, touring an ASW/multipurpose frigate, helicopter rides with the Ground Forces Army Aviation, and publicly-released information about future systems of the SCDF. The public awareness campaign was conducted after SCDF Intelligence Services cleared most sensitive equipment away or ensured the security of several sensitive electronic systems.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A member of the 1st Battalion, RAR, undergoes jungle defensive combat training at Forward Operations Base Lark, on the northern coast of New Britain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A member of 4th Battalion, RAR, bayonet fixed, moving through the Extreme Cold Weather Training Station Creche, in the Kerguelen Islands, the 4th Battalion is assigned temporarily as part of an effort to introduce cold weather climates to all infantry units in the SCDF Ground Forces.

Edited June 14, 2014 by TheShammySocialist