CDF aerial reconnaissance
Air Service reconnaissance squadrons provide raw tactical and strategic intellingence for Sober Thought's Community Defence Forces by conducting aerial and electronic reconnaissance of current and potential battlefields.
The tactical reconnaissance squadrons are equipped with the FR-1 variant in which the usual F-1 missile armament replaced with sensors and cameras. The strategic reconnaissance squadrons are equipped with purpose-built R-99 aircraft rather than variants of existing models. Maritime patrol propellered planes and naval utility helicopters might be considered to have a secondary reconnaissance role.
Whether tactical or strategic, they belong to the same ordinal number sequence, e.g., 1st Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron, 2nd Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron, 3rd Tactical Recce Squadron. Three letter squadron codes common to all aircraft and squadron types are also used (e.g., ACZ, BCE, CHR, DMS), the fourth letter indicating the specific aircraft in the squadron. The CDF Air Service raises one strategic and six tactical reconnaissance squadrons each wave of one hundred million national population.
Command and air crew
The commanding officer of both types of reconnaissance squadrons is always a Chief Lieutenant, the executive officer a Lieutenant and the Squadron Sergeant a full Warrant Officer.
The tactical recce (the abbreviation "recon" is frowned upon in the CDF) squadron consists of three airborne Flights of three aircraft are led by Lieutenants, with Vice Lieutenants piloting the other two aircraft in each flight. Each aircraft also has a Master Flier operating the electronic and photographic sensors. Squadrons in wing formation and thus strictly flying units have 21 aircrew counting the squadron CO and XO who are also qualified pilots and the Squadron Sergeant who is also a qualified sensor operator. One or more command staff may replace others in the Flights.
The strategic recce squadron also consists of three airborne Flights of three aircraft each commanded by a Lieutenant and with Vice Lieutenants piloting the other airplanes. However, there is only person, the officer pilot-sensor operator, on board each aircraft. The squadron CO, XO or both may replace an existing pilot because they are both flight qualified.
Ground crew
The tactical Air Maintenance Flight has 90 all ranks. Its refuelling, aircraft maintenance, ordnance and sensor personnel report to three detachment Vice Lieutenants who in turn report to the AMF CO Lieutenant.
The tactical Administration Flight has 33 all ranks, counting the squadron CO, XO and sergeant again. It is technically headed by the squadron XO but a permanently assigned Vice Lieutenant is practically its commander rather than deputy commander as officially stated. Its non-commissioned staff keep squadron members paid, nourished, clothed, housed and in good health.
The strategic Air Maintenance Flight is organised in a similar manner to its tactical counterpart, but it has 111 all ranks because its airplanes are much more finicky and require greater mechanical attention. Likewise, the strategic Administration Flight is organised similarly but it has 40 all ranks (counting the command staff) to accommodate the larger number of personnel in the squadron as a whole.
Reconnaissance aircraft
The Community Defence Forces' FR-1 tactical reconnaissance aircraft is a modified fighter jet. It is similar in concept and execution to the real world RF-18 Hornet. It has two flight crew, the officer pilot sitting forward of the non-commissioned air sensors operator. A silhouette and additional technical details will follow.
The CDF's R-99 strategic reconnaissance aircraft is a purpose-built high-speed high-altitude jet. It is similar in concept and executution to the real world SR-71 Blackhawk. It has only one flight crew, an officer pilot who also operates the sensors, because it costs too much in fuel and aerodynamics to put a second person so far up in the stratosphere at such high speed. A silhouette and addtional technical details will follow.
