C O N F I D E N T I A L
DEPARTMENT OF THE STARFIGHTER CORPS
Special Action Report, 214th Starfighter Squadron
DAVYN S. JASSIK
Major, 214th SFS
Commanding
OPERATION: STREETSWEEPER
For the Period of: 43:3:24 through 43:5:4
General: Joint operation by the New Republic and allied Sector Forces to secure territory along the Hydian Way in Galactic Grid Q-4 that was formerly part of a minor Imperial warlord's holdings. Upon the warlord's defeat, Imperial loyalist forces moved into the area in a bid to reclaim their lost territory.
The 214th was attached to Task Force
Nexus for the duration and embarked aboard the Task Force's flagship, Assault Frigate
Nexus. Tactical control of the squadron was CTF
Nexus. Administrative control was 73rd SFW from 43:3:24 to 43:4:6 and 25th SFW from 43:4:7 to 43:5:4.
FLIGHT ROSTER
- JASSIK, Davyn - Major - Squadron CO
- JOTHAM, Zedekiah - Captain - Squadron XO
- CHA'WARA, Ilixu - Captain - Squadron Operations Officer
- CELTANÉ, Rilacn - Lieutenant
- CILANA, Chuk - Lieutenant
- ELTER, Kallo - Lieutenant
- FYRE, Sariah - Lieutenant
- PALARYN, Yeris - Lieutenant
- ROLLOSK - Lieutenant
- SoCRION, Iaral - Lieutenant
- WALSH, Ren - Lieutenant
- VIRALA, Cia - Lieutenant
SUMMARY OF EVENTS:
All notations of "CDR" in the Narrative refer to the squadron's commanding officer.
43:3:24 With the 214th SFS embarked, the NRAF
Nexus remained in port over Kothlis standing by on twelve standard hours hyper notice.
43:3:25 - 43:3:27 The NRAF
Nexus left the Kothlis Starport in company with the Nebulon-B Frigate
Requin and escorting corvettes. They hypered to the Bormea Sector to join with the Nebulon-B Frigate
Concorde and her escorts.
As Task Force
Nexus, all vessels then departed the Bormea Sector and proceeded to the Operational Area in the Kwymar Sector.
43:3:28 - 43:3:29 Flight operations were conducted in support of Task Force
Nexus. The 214th flew sixty-four combat air patrol sorties over the Task Force as it deployed to Sector BRAVO in the Teagan System. The squadron used 698 units of fuel.
43:3:30 The squadron flew thirty sorties, including twenty-four combat air patrols and six armed reconnaissance of nearby systems. They used 448 units of fuel and expended eleven Proton Torpedoes.
- CDR JASSIK's flight of four was dispatched to the Kestos Minor System to cover the withdrawal of a Kestos Defense Force infantry battalion that had been routed by Imperial armored units. On the surface, the flight encountered and eliminated six AT-STs and strafed enemy infantry positions with positive results. Army U-wings were present to evac allied infantry. Despite the total destruction of Imperial armor, they were still able to inflict heavy allied casualties. While egressing through the planet's gravity well, the flight encountered enemy TIE/ln Starfighters. Four TIE/lns were destroyed in the resulting aerospace combat, and two U-wings were lost. Lt FYRE's X-wing, 41-3756, sustained light damage when it collided with an approximately bantha-sized chunk of solar panel from a destroyed Imperial starfighter. The panel shattered on impact, causing the debris extractor in No. 4 engine to fail. The damaged engine required a partial teardown.
In addition, armed reconnaissance sorties were organized into three missions, each tasked with recon of a separate system in an attempt to determine the extent of the Imperial forward lines.
- Cpt CHA'WARA's flight of two reconnoitered the Lavella System. No hostile activity was observed and allied forces were able to gain control of the area.
- A flight of two led by Lt WALSH reconnoitered the Picutorion System, reporting no Imperial activity.
- The third flight, led by Lt CELTANÉ, reconnoitered the Shard System. The flight was ambushed by four TIE/IN Interceptors. Two were destroyed during ACM, though the presence of short-range fighters in-system suggested that Imperial forces had already secured a hold in the area.
43:3:31 The squadron flew twenty-eight sorties this day including sixteen armed reconnaissance and twelve combat air patrols. Total fuel usage was 507 units and ordnance expended or lost was seven Proton Torpedoes and two Concussion Missiles.
- Cpt CHA'WARA's flight of two was tasked with escorting GR-75 transport Danae as it undertook a mission to Sector Grid LOGO-20. Once at LOGO-20, the Danae was to dock with the space station Relic. An Imperial Gozanti-class Cruiser, identified as the ISS Rictor, emerged from hyperspace and launched four TIE/IN Interceptors. Cpt CHA'WARA and Lt SoCRION engaged the Interceptors, downing one before a pair of Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboats also jumped into the area and initiated strafing runs against the Danae. Lt ELTER's flight of two, concurrently on an armed reconnaissance of a nearby system, was diverted to Relic station to assist. In total, only two Interceptors were destroyed and the Danae was lost to heavy concentrated fire from the Rictor and Gunboat element. X-wing 38-1625 — piloted by Lt SoCRION — was also lost to enemy activity, though the pilot was recovered by a SAR team sent to recover the Danae's survivors. The astromech was not recovered. Lt SoCRION was medically grounded for nine standard days to recover from injuries received in combat.
- While on an armed reconnaissance to the Doniphon System, Lt WALSH's flight of two was forced out of hyperspace by a makeshift hyperlane barricade set up by a pirate group operating in the area. The flight encountered a Marauder-class corvette identified as the Hornet and its compliment of M3-A Scyk interceptors. The flight managed to down two of the Scyks before successfully withdrawing with only minor damage. Sphyrna-class corvettes NRSS Cenaca and NRSS Jewel of the Hydian were later dispatched to the location and reported no further pirate activity. It is believed the pirates abandoned the immediate area after their discovery by New Republic forces.
43:4:1 The 214th flew twenty-three sorties including twelve combat air patrol, ten armed reconnaissance, and one non-combat. No enemy activity was observed. Fuel usage was 389 units.
43:4:2 Several planned sorties were scrubbed due to poor flying conditions at the AO. Remaining sorties flown were twelve combat air patrols and six armed reconnaissance for a total of eighteen sorties. The squadron used 318 units of fuel. They expended six Proton Torpedoes.
- During an armed reconnaissance of the Onreon system, Lt ELTER's flight of two identified and strafed an Imperial Combat Outpost on the planet Kaashi. The outpost's location at the bottom of a narrow valley made positive results difficult to achieve, though the flight still managed to heavily damage two large buildings.
43:4:3 This day's twenty-four sorties included fourteen CAPs, four armed reconnaissance, and six special strikes. The squadron used 408 units of fuel and expended eight Proton Torpedoes.
- CDR JASSIK's flight of six conducted a strike against the Arquitens-class cruiser ISS Cassio Tagge. The flight, supported by the DP20 Frigate NRSS Valkyrie, returned to Relic at Sector Grid LOGO-20 where intel reports indicated the Cassio Tagge had been patrolling. Lt ELTER's element engaged three TIE/IN Interceptors launched by the Cassio Tagge, destroying one and damaging a second. Combined proton torpedo salvos from the strike flight and laserfire from the Valkyrie resulted in the complete destruction of the target. With the destruction of the Cassio Tagge, the New Republic was able to reclaim Relic.
43:4:4 - 43:4:5 Forty-seven sorties were flown during this period. Twenty-six were combat air patrols in support of allied forces or Task Force
Nexus, eighteen were armed reconnaissance, three were non-combat sorties. Overall enemy activity was light, though the squadron conducted several strafing runs on Imperial facilities with positive results. Fuel consumption was 784 units and ordnance expended was fifteen Proton Torpedoes.
43:4:6 The squadron flew twenty-six sorties including sixteen combat air patrols, eight armed reconnaissance, and two close air support. They used 466 units of fuel, and expended five Proton Torpedoes.
- CDR JASSIK's flight of four was dispatched to Artus Prime in response to local reports of an Imperial capital ship sighting. Upon arrival at the target location the flight spotted and identified the ISS Illustrious, a Victory II-class Star Destroyer, holding station in the planet's atmosphere. The Illustrious first launched a flight of six TIE Interceptors, four of which were destroyed. It then deployed a flight of four Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboats to provide cover as it withdrew from the area. One Gunboat was destroyed after Lt FYRE led it on a brief chase through a winding canyon.
- Lt CELTANÉ's flight of two flew close air support for allied ground forces on Kaashi. Controller BLUE HARVEST directed the flight to strike Imperial weapon emplacements. The flight also encountered and destroyed one Theta-class AT-AT barge, though the barge's contents could not be ascertained.
43:4:7 The squadron flew twenty-four sorties including ten armed reconnaissance and fourteen combat air patrols. Fuel usage was 404 units.
- Lt ELTER's flight of two engaged a three-ship flight of Xg-1 Star Wing Gunboats while on patrol in the Lavella System. Two Gunboats were lightly damaged, but results were otherwise negative. Lt ELTER'S X-wing — BuNo 39-4677 — was struck by an enemy concussion missile that damaged the starboard engines and caused an antiox induction fluid leak in the hyperdrive. The fighter was taken out of service so maintainers could replace the starboard drive compensators and strip the hyperdrive.
43:4:8 The 214th flew six armed reconnaissance, ten offensive patrols, and twelve combat air patrols for a total of twenty-eight sorties. They used 476 units of fuel and expended four Proton Torpedoes and eight Concussion Missiles.
- With local Planetary Defense Forces able to secure footholds in various systems across the sector, the 214th began focusing the majority of its flights on the Listehol Junction, a convergence of hyperlanes near the Listehol System that had been heavily contested since the start of the operation. Tactics largely shifted from armed reconnaissance of enemy or suspected enemy positions to offensive patrols into the Junction and defensive CAPs in support of Task Force Nexus.
43:4:9 The squadron flew a total of thirty-two sorties including twenty offensive patrols, eight defensive CAPs, and four armed reconnaissance. Flights used a total of 566 units of fuel.
- Cpt CHA'WARA's flight of four encountered four Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboats escorting Carrack-class Cruiser ISS Xiphos in the Listehol Junction. One Gunboat was crippled, though T-65Bs 38-5730 and 39-4677 sustained moderate damage from enemy ordnance. Friendly starfighters were unable to penetrate the Xiphos' fighter screen and it withdrew from the AO unharmed.
Post-combat analysis of gun-holo footage determined that enemy Gunboats bore squadron markings of the Imperial 90th Assault Gunboat Squadron "Black Stars", Tan Gavriel Roake commanding.
43:4:10 - 43:4:13 The squadron flew 152 sorties during this period, including ninety-six offensive patrols and fifty-six combat air patrols. The majority of flights were flown in support of allied forces as they advanced up the Artus-Korlings Exchange. All offensive patrols were conducted in flights of four due to the presence of difficult enemy opposition, including elements of the 90th AGS. A number of enemy Xg-1 Gunboats were engaged and damaged, though friendly spotters reported that only two sustained enough damage to be considered out-of-service. Some of the 214th's starfighters received moderate damage, though all were able to be repaired and returned to service. The squadron used a total of 2,608 units of fuel and expended two Proton Torpedoes and seven Concussion Missiles.
43:4:14 Only four combat air patrol sorties were flown as the squadron spent much of the day in the simulators training gunboat interception tactics, the results of which were mixed. Fuel usage for flown sorties was sixty-two units.
43:4:15 The 214th returned to normal operation with thirty-two sorties, including twelve offensive patrols, sixteen combat air patrols, and four special strikes. The squadron used 567 units of fuel and expended twenty-two Proton torpedoes.
- Cpt JOTHAM's flight of four conducted a special strike against an Imperial resupply convoy. Results were positive and the flight inflicted heavy damage against the convoy, destroying three transports.
43:4:16 Thirty sorties were flown, including eighteen defensive CAPs of Task Force
Nexus and twelve offensive patrols into the Listehol Junction. No enemy contact was made. The squadron used 494 units of fuel.
43:4:17 A fuel shortage resulting from sustained attacks on New Republic supply lines forced the 214th to reduce the frequency of flights. As a result, the squadron flew only eight offensive patrol sorties and twelve CAP sorties for a total of twenty sorties for the day. Fuel usage totaled 340 units. The attacks on friendly supply lines were determined to have been carried out by Xg-1 Star Wings of the Imperial 90th AGS, leading Theater Command to designate the enemy squadron a High-Value Target.
- While flying patrol in the Listehol Junction, Cpt CHA'WARA's flight of four responded to an allied distress signal in the Baykonyr System. Distress signal was confirmed to be a friendly military resupply convoy that had come under attack by the 90th AGS. Upon the flight's arrival in the AO, only one transport remained operational. Subsequent ACM was brief and all combatants withdrew with only minimal damage.
43:4:18 - 43:4:19 The 214th flew twenty-eight sorties for the period, including twenty CAP and eight offensive patrols into the Junction. No enemy contact was made. Fuel usage was 468 units.
43:4:20 Flights for the day consisted of eight, two-ship combat air patrols for a total of sixteen sorties. Fuel usage was 282 units and ordnance expenditure was two Concussion Missiles.
- Lt CELTANÉ's flight of two was scrambled and tasked with HAVCAP for a Support Services resupply convoy traveling in-Sector via the Listehol Run. While undertaking a route exchange at the K-I Border Station, the convoy was attacked by four Xg-1 Gunboats from the 90th AGS. One Gunboat was destroyed and a second heavily damaged. Though only one friendly transport was lost, two more were damaged so severely that their cargo was rendered unrecoverable.
43:4:21 The 214th flew eighteen sorties, including fourteen combat air patrols and four offensive patrols. Fuel usage was 306 units. Though friendly AEWs reported suspected enemy activity in the Junction, the squadron observed no hostiles.
43:4:22 The squadron flew another fourteen combat air patrol sorties and four offensive patrol sorties for a total of eighteen. Fuel usage was 358 units and ordnance expenditure was three Concussion Missiles.
- Cpt CHA'WARA's flight of four encountered and engaged a four-ship flight from the 90th AGS while on patrol in the Junction. X-wing 39-6299 sustained heavy damage from combat and one enemy gunboat was reported to have been significantly damaged before friendly forces withdrew from the AO due to low fuel levels.
43:4:23 Flights for the day consisted of one, four-ship offensive patrol into the Junction and eight, two-ship defensive CAPs of Task Force
Nexus for a total of twenty individual sorties. Fuel usage was 364 units.
- Cpt JOTHAM's flight of four encountered a flight of four enemy Gunboats while conducting a patrol of the Junction. The flight claimed two victories against the enemy, though X-wing 39-4677's avionics and shield systems were disabled by severe damage. A post-flight maintenance inspection declared the starfighter unfit to fly and removed it from service for the remainder of the operation.
43:4:24 A total of eighteen sorties were flown including ten combat air patrols and eight offensive patrols. Fuel usage was 342 units.
- CDR JASSIK led a four-ship offensive patrol into the Junction, encountering six enemy Gunboats. One gunboat was neutralized and friendly forces suffered only minor damage.
43:4:25 A low fuel stockpile and unfavorable conditions caused the squadron to fly only ten defensive patrol sorties, using 170 units of fuel.
43:4:26 Flights were organized according to sensor data provided by controller SWOOPHAWK. Ten sorties were flown, including four combat air patrols and six offensive patrols. The squadron used 182 units of fuel.
- CDR JASSIK's flight of six engaged an opposing six-ship flight of enemy Gunboats in the Junction. Two Gunboats were damaged in the engagement. Two T-65Bs also received heavy damage. CDR JASSIK's fighter, BuNo 37-7829, experienced a failure of its No. 1 engine after being struck by enemy laserfire. The engine was replaced with a functional engine from 39-4677 and the starfighter was returned to service. BuNo 41-3756, piloted by Lt FYRE, suffered extensive hull and systems damage from an enemy ordnance strike. The fighter was removed from service for a number of days pending repairs. Lt FYRE was placed on temporary medical leave to recover from minor injuries.
43:4:27 - 43:4:28 For this period, the 214th flew nine, two-ship combat air patrols around Task Force
Nexus for a total of eighteen sorties. The Task Force was redeployed closer to the Junction in order to reduce travel time to AO for future sorties. Fuel usage was 270 units.
43:4:29 Fourteen sorties were flown this day including eight CAP and six offensive patrol. The squadron used 252 units of fuel.
- CDR JASSIK's flight of six intercepted and responded to a distress signal in the Bera System. Upon arrival at Bera, the flight engaged a pirate vessel — identified as the Marauder-class corvette Hornet — raiding a civilian convoy. The Hornet was accompanied by approximately twelve IRD-As and at least six other starfighters of various makes, including a number of "Uglies". In total, the squadron managed to destroy eleven pirate starfighters. Corvette Hornet was crippled and its remaining fighter escort rendered no factor. The presence of Imperial gunboats was also confirmed in the AO, though circumstances did not permit direct engagement and they were determined to be no factor.
43:4:30 - 43:5:1 Sorties were reduced to conserve fuel for an upcoming planned offensive. A Ready Five flight was maintained to respond to emergencies, though in total only eight CAP sorties were flown during the period. Fuel usage was 120 units.
43:5:2 The 214th flew a full-squadron offensive into the Listehol Junction following two early-morning two-ship combat air patrols for a total of sixteen sorties. Total fuel usage was 264 units.
- CDR JASSIK led his twelve ship squadron on an offensive strike of Imperial units in Sector RONTO of the Listehol Junction. There they engaged in ACM with ten Gunboats from the Imperial 90th AGS. The squadron claimed three Gunboats, including one verified to have been piloted by the enemy squadron's commander, and damaged several others. Three friendly X-wings were damaged and two were lost.
Lt CILANA's X-wing, BuNo 41-3175, was critically damaged by laserfire and went into an uncontrolled spin before breaking apart. Both pilot and astromech ejected and were recovered by a SAR U-wing.
After shooting down the enemy squadron leader, Lieutenant Sariah FYRE was killed in action when her X-wing, BuNo 41-3756, was struck by an enemy concussion missile at approximately 1524Z. Lt FYRE was unable to eject from the craft, and both pilot and astromech were lost. Her body was later recovered.
43:5:3 - 43:5:4 All planned sorties scrubbed as Task Force
Nexus received new orders to immediately withdraw from the Operational Area, passing tactical and strategic control to the sector's Planetary Defense Forces. The Task Force first withdrew to the Mirial System where it remained on twenty-four standard hour standby before hypering to the Mon Calamari System.
OPERATION OUTCOME: Joint Command withdrew all federal forces from the region before strategic control of much of the sector could be attained. Despite this, Command declared the operation a tactical success due to the neutralization of a number of key Imperial assets.
CONFIRMED AIR-TO-AIR CLAIMS:
- Celtané - One TIE/IN Interceptor
- Cha'wara - Two TIE/IN Interceptors; One Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboat; One IRD-A Starfighter; One R-41 Starchaser
- Cilana - One TIE/ln Starfighter; Two M3-A Scyks; Two TIE/IN Interceptors; One Starfighter "Ugly"
- Fyre - Two Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboats
- Jassik - Two TIE/ln Starfighters; One TIE/IN Interceptor; One Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboat; Two R-41 Starchasers; One IRD-A Starfighter; One Starfighter "Ugly"
- Jotham - Two Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboats
- Palaryn - One TIE/IN Interceptor; Two Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboats
- Rollosk - One TIE/IN Interceptor; One Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboat; One IRD-A Starfighter
- SoCrion - One Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboat; One IRD-A Starfighter; One Starfighter "Ugly"
- Virala - One Xg-1 Star Wing Assault Gunboat
- Walsh - One TIE/ln Starfighter; One TIE/IN Interceptor; One Starfighter "Ugly"
LOSSES:
Personnel:
- FYRE, Sariah - Lieutenant - Service No. SO19-887-037 - Killed in Action.
Droid Units:
- R2-T0 - Astromech - Destroyed by enemy activity
- R4-H5 - Astromech - Destroyed by enemy activity
Air/Spacecraft:
- T-65B 38-1625 lost to enemy activity
- T-65B 39-4677 removed from service due to excessive damage sustained
- T-65B 41-3175 lost to enemy activity
- T-65B 41-3756 lost to enemy activity
Logistics: Squadron fuel consumption for the operation period totaled 12,913 units. Ordnance expended: Eighty MG7-A Proton Torpedoes; twenty-two MG5 Concussion Missiles.
Two KX9 laser cannons were rendered inoperable due to unintended overcharge caused by Composition-40 Tibanna gas. Both affected cannons had to be replaced well before their expected EOL.
Heavy ordnance was not resupplied during later stages of the operation, leading to critical shortage and eventual exhaustion of Proton Torpedoes.
A critical shortage of the following items also existed:
- Durasteel bar stock
- Agitator bearings
- Ceriline
- KX9 flashback suppressors
Commendations:
For outstanding devotion to duty, to the squadron, and to the New Republic, even at the cost of her own life, Lieutenant Sariah Fyre was posthumously awarded the Flames of Courage. The commendation will be presented to her next of kin.
CO's Remarks:
The small amounts of the new Composition-40 Tibanna supplied during the operation marginally increased the power output of the squadron's KX9 laser cannons, but also greatly increased carbon buildup, wear, and general fouling. Maintenance crews had to routinely tear down and clean the cannons every three days, replacing any worn or broken parts. Thus, despite the minor but noticeable improvements to weapon effectiveness, the CO believes the benefits are largely outweighed by the increase in maintenance time, decrease of cannon MFOP, and a number of failure-to-fire or catastrophic flashback incidents. Recommend continued use of the more stable Composition-15 gas until the Composition-40 formula is improved.
Much of Halo Squadron had little to no previous combat experience against Imperial Assault Gunboats, leaving them unprepared for prolonged engagement with an elite Gunboat unit such as Black Star Squadron. The CO believes that the typical attitude towards the post-Endor Imperial Navy leaves newer pilots with low expectations of their Imperial counterparts. While the currently approved StarCorps training curriculum does not necessarily reinforce this mindset, it also does little to
discourage it, fostering a certain level of complacency not seen during the Rebellion. Such complacency can prove fatal. The CO is already revising his unit's training routines to hopefully mitigate future issues and will submit a report to Starfighter Command once he has ascertained it effectiveness.
Lack of tactical adaptability from Theater Command and Support Services led to the squadron being undersupplied and unable to properly and effectively counter the hit-and-hype tactics utilized by the enemy's hyperspace-capable starfighters. Squadron personnel utilized the limited resources to the best of their abilities, though the CO believes the lack of escorts assigned to resupply convoys and lack of communication between command- and squadron-level logistical departments was a costly and baffling tactical error. Further, this breakdown of communication led many of the squadron's flight and support personnel to express concerns of "abandonment" as supply stores noticeably dwindled.
For the Commanding Officer:
Kellyn R. Korden
Lieutenant, 214th SFS
Adjutant