A number of missile strikes were made against Lornacan Fighters positions earlier today as the anti-insurgent operation on Lornaca Melnig continues. Clone Army units have now begun an operation to secure LF positions which have been attacked by air and missile strikes over the last few days.
However, the LF have been fighting back. Heavy fighting was reported near Moak's Hill, a Clone Army unit was forced to withdraw after three armoured vehicles were destroyed.
A CAF source has said that a small number of early production K85QA COIN aircraft have been used in air strikes against Lornacan Fighters insurgents on Lornaca Melnig. The source said that the acoustic stealth of the new version of the K85 had proven a great asset with the insurgents having little or no warning of the impending attack.
The source said the K85QAs did encounter some technical issues with their new IR sensors and have been withdrawn pending updates though the success of the new stealth features is said to have delighted the Clones.
The prototype Black Triangle 126A is reported to have begun testing at a secret location deep in MBO space. The prototype has been built by the MBO, work will soon begin on the first NS built version. There will be internal differences between MBO and NS Black Triangles, mostly for crew anatomical differences.
MBO intend for Black Triangle to replace the Nectar as it's primary warship, NS also hope for the type to become the primary warship in the fleet though much of the concept is untested.
Clone Air Force K85s and K40s have launched a series of air strikes across Lornaca Melnig as the planned offensive against the Lornaca Fighters insurgents begins. Although chemical weapons have been deployed to the planet by the CDF it is thought unlikely they will be used.
Instead the Clones plan an intense series of air strikes against suspected insurgent positions. Clone Army units are also being prepared for deployment to follow-up. One K40 is reported to have been lost though this is thought to be due to technical failure not enemy fire.
The Remedian Defence Forces has received two new warships, the first additions to it's fleet for some time and desperately needed with the growing threat along the border with the resurgent Utrek Federation.
R33 Melgi Jos is the fourth Pentekonter Protector 255R patrol ship to join the fleet. This was supposed to complete the fleet but an older has been placed for a fifth. R61 Lord Billox is the second Depender 756R EW ship of the fleet.
There are unconfirmed reports the Clone Defence Forces are deploying chemical weapons to Lornaca Melnig, where military units are being reinforced ahead of an expected offensive against the Lornacan Fighters rebel group. The CDF never comment on chemical weapon use but it is now known that some of the COIN K85NTs being sent to the planet are the specialised (and seldom mentioned) K85NTZ sub-type which can deploy chemical weapons (changes include extra air filters, chemical detection sensors and some cockpit changes).
The NBC Warfare Regiment is also being prepared to a redeployment off Cloneworld (though this unit is mostly for cleanup and detection).
MBO-New Sparta has warned the Clones against such a retaliation.
The Clones have sent the powerful 77th Armoured Brigade to Lornaca Melnig where an insurgency has been continuing for years. Recent upsurges in violence, with allegations of weapon shipments by MBO-New Sparta (which MBO-NS strenuously deny of course) are said to have pushed the Lornaca Melnig Territorial Army to it's limit hence the need for reinforcements.
Two COIN regiments of the Clone Air Force are also being sent. It is rumoured the Clone Defence Forces plan a high intensity and sustained operation against the Lornacan Fighters group.
Civilian Partnership, the annual disaster relief and humanitarian exercise, will be held next week. The theme this year will be recovery from a pandemic. A simulated outbreak of a deadly plague on Solaris will be carried out, MBO-NS and UNP teams will carry out exercises in mass casualty bio-security measures, isolation and civil unrest mediation.
The ships involved are:
21-103 Musketeer (flag)
35-501 Lynx
51-115 Charger
63-107 Central America
63-109 Australasia
71-116 Voyager
Mutre Bee has paid an unannounced visit to Starbot. The NS ally has remained in the MBO-NS orbit though has been hesitant about staying and has even been courted by the DTA. For the moment S101 has said Starbot remains an MBO-New Sparta ally. The Starbotians have been enemies of the Mutre Bee for decades.
Mutre Bee met with S101, B-B and K-1. He offered them a greater role in the future of MBO-NS, specifically making them the regional hub for UNP planets such as Saeou and Malau. He also offered them to join the Black Triangle 126A future space warfare project. It is not known what the Starbotian response is.
Admiral Gomber has said the final withdrawal of the Deterrence 53A light patrol ship by the end of 2123 will take place as planned. However, 19 out of 44 ships were still in service at the start of September. That number has now been reduced by four after the withdrawal of 53-102 Cressington, 53-112 Manor Road, 53-126 Birkenhead North and 53-135 Maghull.
One problem is the ships are being withdrawn faster than replacements can be added to the fleet. Two Stings have been reallocated to the Patrol Pool until the end of the year to provide cover.
