Federal Republican Air Force
Not to be confused with the whole Armed Forces, see the Main Article: Federal Republican Armed Forces
| Federal Republican Air Force | |
|---|---|
| Active |
|
| Country | UFN |
| Type | Air Force |
| Part of | Armed Forces |
| Motto(s) | "Highway to the Dangerzone" |
The Federal Republican Air Force (FRAF) is the air service branch of the Federal Republican Armed Forces, responsible for aerospace operations. The FRAF is the only service branch of the Federation's armed forces not restricted only to actions in defense of the country. In addition to carrying out combat air patrols around the Federation and maintaining an extensive network of ground and air early warning radar systems, such as the Defense Grid, the Air Forces are used to assist Federation allies in conflicts around the world and to aid in United Nations peacekeeping missions. Air Force Troopers are fearless and skilled combatants equipped with Advanced assault rifles. Individuals are carefully selected to ensure that the proud Air Force of the UFN consists of only the most dedicated and pure of Heart.
Recent advances in aviation technology have made the Federation Air Forces into the world's most mobile military air force, with the ability to deploy anywhere on the planet within hours. The Air Forces have 608,958 military and civilian personnel and 3,350 combat ready aircraft worldwide as of 2081. Front-line formations include 133 fighter squadrons, six elite fighter squadrons, 12 reconnaissance squadrons and 42 transport squadrons.
Organization
The Air Forces have several bases inside of the Federation, the most prominent of these being FAF Station Kadena and FAF Station Seogyeong. In an effort to increase the projection of the Air Forces, the State Defense Office has leased land for a number of bases on foreign soil. The Federation Air Forces are divided into six major commands.
Clone Wars
During the Clone Wars the Corps was divided into Groups, with each group assigned to specific units such as capital ships or starfighter bases:
- Group: A Group was composed of two wings, 72 to 640 starfighters plus support crews, and commanded by a clone commander and a Senior Jedi General.
- Wing: A Wing was of 3 to 10 squadrons, 36 to 320 starfighters plus support crews, and command by a clone commander or Jedi General.
- Squadron: A Squadron was composed of 3 to 4 flights, 12 to 32 starfighters plus support crews, and commanded by a Major or Jedi Commander.
- Flight: A Flight was composed of 2 sections, 4 to 8 starfighters plus support crews, and command by a Captain.
- Section: A Section was commanded by a Lieutenant and composed of 2 to 4 starfighters.
Special Units
1st Wide-Area Response Division
The 1st Wide-Area Response Division consists of 36 multi-role fighters and the FAF Leviathan. The division, commonly known as the Warders, is widely regarded as the most elite fighter group in the East Asian Federation. The division's main aircraft is the Eurofighter Typhoon TJ-M. The Warders generally engage enemy squadrons in flights of four planes.
Using the Leviathan as a base, the Wide-Area Response Division can travel to any part of the Federation within two hours, and is generally used for home defense. The FGR4s utilized by the division have been heavily modified by State Defense engineers for maximum speed and maneuverability.
2nd Wide-Area Response Division
The 2nd Wide-Area Response Division consists of 36 multi-role fighters and the FAF Danketsu. The equipment and pilots were originally assigned to support OIS operations by a measure approved by the Federation Corporate Board on April 28, 2010. As of the end of major OIS Peacekeeping operations, the Division was recalled and reassigned for the defense of the western areas of the Federation. It is stationed at FAF Station Luntai, in the Republic of China, and is primarily used for homeland defense.
Shanfeng Garrison
The Shanfeng Garrison consists of four prototype F-29X Karasu starfighters, specially equipped for space combat. The Shanfeng Garrison is based in the orbital hangar at the Shan Orbital Station, along with the Shan Utility Shuttlecraft. The Garrison's main mission is to defend the Space Tether from all forms of sabotage or destruction by man-made forces, such as abandoned satellites and foreign spacecraft. The Shanfeng Garrison is believed to be the first dedicated manned space garrison by any nation on Earth.