A Clone Navy fleet led by the aircraft carrier R02 Clone Empire (though still with K40Ns embarked, all 4 remaining carrier capable examples) has begun anti-piracy operations against the powerful Redrendrial Band pirate faction based on islands off the coast of the West Clone Republic.
The pirates have been attacking merchant shipping over the last few months and Oojok has declared the attacks must stop. Two suspected pirate vessels have been seized and a jetty attacked by helicopters though this was later found to have been abandoned.
The operation will last for up to 3 weeks and is expected to be the swan song of the K40N which will be withdrawn early next year as sufficient K45Ks are now in service to take over.
