Arrakis peoples airforce
Arrakis People’s Airforce ( A.P.A.F.)
Structure of the APAF
The APAF is divided into three segments: Strategic Aviation, or DA, focused on long-range bombers; Frontal Aviation, or FA, focused on battlefield air defense, close air support, and interdiction; and the Military Transport Aviation, which controlled all transport aircraft. The Air Defense Forces, which focused on air defense and interceptor aircraft, is a separate and distinct service within the Arrakis military organization. Naval Aviation is an entity of the Arrakis People’s Navy alone.
The APAF is organized on a functional basis in Arrakis. A major command (MAJCOM) represents a major Air Force subdivision having a specific portion of the Air Force mission. Each MAJCOM is directly subordinate to HQ APAF. MAJCOMs are interrelated and complementary, providing offensive, defensive, and support elements. An operational command consists (in whole or in part) of strategic, tactical, space, or defense forces; or of flying forces that directly support such forces. A support command may provide supplies, weapon systems, support systems, operational support equipment, combat material, maintenance, surface transportation, education and training, or special services and other supported organizations. The APAF is organized into seven MAJCOMS and the Air National Guard reporting to Headquarters, Arrakis People’s Airforce(HQ APAF):
Air Combat Command (ACC) - Gen. Nina Sayen Air Education and Training Command (AETC) - Gen. Kine Unholythief III Air Force Materiel Command (AFMC) - Gen. Ritivoik Rainfalcon Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) - Lt. Gen. Draco Creighton Air Force Space Command (AFSPC) - Gen. Catarina Lia Air Force Special Operations Command (AFSOC) - Lt. Gen. Hannibal Nicoletti Air Mobility Command (AMC) - Gen. Magdelena Delarosa Air National Guard (ANG) - Lt. Gen. Nadik Duskraven
Numbered Air Forces (NAF)
The NAF is a level of command directly under a MAJCOM (Major Command). NAFs are tactical echelons that provide operational leadership and supervision. They are not management headquarters and do not have complete functional staffs. Many NAFs are responsible for MAJCOM operations in a specific geographic region or theater of operations. A NAF is assigned subordinate units, such as wings, groups, and squadrons.
Wings
The wing is a level of command below the NAF. A wing has approximately 1,000 to 5,000 personnel and a distinct mission with significant scope. It is responsible for maintaining the installation and may have several squadrons in more than one dependent group. A wing may be an operational wing, an air base wing, or a specialized mission wing.
Operational Wing
An operational wing is one that has an operations group and related operational mission activity assigned to it. When an operational wing performs the primary mission of the base, it usually maintains and operates the base. In addition, an operational wing is capable of self-support in functional areas like maintenance, supply, and munitions, as needed. When an operational wing is a tenant organization, the host command provides it with varying degrees of base and logistics support.
Air Base Wing
Some bases which do not have operational wings or are too large or diverse for one wing will have an Air Base Wing (ABW). The ABW performs a support function rather than an operational mission. It maintains and operates a base. An air base wing often provides functional support to a MAJCOM headquarters. Wings are composed of several groups with different functional responsibilities. Groups are composed of several squadrons, each of which has one major responsibility or flying one type of aircraft. Squadrons are composed of two or more flights.
Rank
- Officers
- Grand Marshal,
- Supreme Moff,
- Grand Moff,
- Moff,
- High Marshal,
- Force Marshal,
- Chief Marshal,
- Marshal,
- Vice Marshal,
- Flight Commodore,
- Line Captain,
- Group Captain,
- Wing Commander,
- Squadron Leader,
- Flight Lieutenant,
- Flying Officer,
- Pilot Officer,
- Flight Cadet,
- Non-Commisioned
- Warrant Officer,
- Chief Master Sgt.,
- Senior Master Sgt,
- Master Sergeant,
- Flight Sergeant,
- Chief Technician,
- Staff Sergeant,
- Corporal,
- Junior Technician,
- Senior Aircraftsman,
- Leading Airraftsman,
- Aircraftsman,
- Airman Basic,
Aircraft
Strike, attack and offensive support aircraft
The mainstay of what the APAF calls its Offensive Support fleet is the Tornado GR.4. This supersonic aircraft can carry a wide range of weaponry, including Storm Shadow cruise missiles, laser guided bombs and the ALARM anti-radar missile. The Tornado is supplemented by the Harrier GR.7 & GR.7A and Jaguar GR.3 & GR.3A, which are used in the close air support role and to counter enemy air defences. The Harrier is in the process of being upgraded to GR.9 standard with newer systems and more powerful engines. The Jaguar is being withdrawn from service by 2008, to be replaced by the Typhoon.
Air defence and Airborne Early Warning Aircraft
The Tornado F.3 is the APAF's air defence fighter aircraft, based at RAF Leuchars and RAF Leeming to defend the UK’s airspace. The Sentry AEW.1 provides airborne radar to detect incoming enemy aircraft and to co-ordinate the aerial battlefield. Both the Sentry and the F.3 have been involved in recent operations including over Iraq and the Balkans. The Tornado, in service in the air defence role since the late 1980s, is due to be replaced by the more agile Typhoon F.2.
Reconnaissance Aircraft
Variants of attack aircraft, the Jaguar GR.3/GR.3A and Tornado GR.4A are fitted with specialist reconnaissance pods and squadrons exist with both types in the reconnaissance role. The elderly Canberra PR.9 was also used in this role for its ability to fly at high altitude for long duration sorties, however was recently retired from service. An impressive history for this aircraft. All three types are/were equipped with a range of cameras and sensors in the visual, infra-red and radar ranges of the spectrum. Providing electronic and signals intelligence are the Nimrod R.1 and the new Sentinel R.1.
Maritime patrol / Search and Rescue Aircraft
Three squadrons of helicopters exist with the primary role of rescuing aircrew who have ejected or crash-landed their aircraft. These are 22 Sqn and 202 Sqn with the Sea King HAR.3/HAR.3A in the UK and 84 Sqn with the Griffin HAR.2 in Cyprus. Although established in a military role, most of their operational missions are to rescue civilians from ships at sea, mountains and other locations. The Nimrod MR.2 is also used in a search and rescue role, where its long range and extensive communications facilities allows it to co-ordinate rescues by acting as a link between rescue helicopters, ships and shore bases. It can also drop pods containing life rafts and survival supplies to people in the sea. However, the primary role of the Nimrod is Maritime Patrol, specifically anti-submarine and surface ship warfare.
Support helicopters
An important part of the work of the RAF is to support the Army by ferrying troops and equipment to and across the battlefield. The support helicopters are organised into the tri-service Joint Helicopter Command with Army and Navy aircraft. The large twin- rotor Chinook HC.2/HC.2A, based at RAF Odiham provides heavy lift and is supported by Merlin HC.3 and the smaller Puma HC.1, based at RAF Benson and RAF Aldergrove.
Transport and Air-to-Air Refuelling aircraft
Having absorbed the former Queen's Flight in 1996, 32 (The Royal) Squadron uses the BAe 125 CC.3, Agusta A109 and BAe 146 CC.2 in the VIP transport role, based at RAF Northolt in west London. More routine air transport tasks are carried out by the Tristars and VC10s based at RAF Brize Norton, both used to transport troops and cargo, and for air-to-air refuelling. Shorter range tactical transport is provided by the C-130 Hercules, the fleet including both older K-model and new J-model aircraft. The RAF has leased 4 C-17 Globemaster IIIs from Boeing to provide a strategic heavy airlift capability; it was announced in 2004 that these will be purchased, together with a further example, once the lease expires.
Training aircraft
A wide range of aircraft types are used for training aircrew in their duties. At the more advanced stage in training, variants of front-line aircraft have been adapted for operational conversion of trained pilots, these include the Canberra T.4, Harrier T.10, Jaguar T.4 and Typhoon T.1. Advanced flying training for fast-jet, helicopter and multi-engine pilots is provided using the Hawk T.1, Griffin HT.1 and Super King Air T.1 respectively. Basic pilot training is provided on the Tucano T.1 and Eurocopter Squirrel HT.1, while navigator training is in the Dominie T.1. Elementary flying training is conducted on either the Slingsby Firefly or Tutor T.1, depending on the new pilots route of entry to the service. The Tutor is also used, along with the Viking T.1 and Vigilant T.1 gliders, to provide air experience for Air Cadets.
