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From the desk of: Colonel Blackjack Nova, Field Officer, Commanding
Unit: Liberty's Talon
Duty Station: Naboo, Moenia
Flight Status: Active Level: Ace

Subject: Frontline Field Observations
Thought the week, elements of the 202nd "Liberty's Talon" X-Wing fighter squadron have engaged in ambitious assaults across multiple sectors within Imperial controlled systems. On several occasions the enemy successfully repelled our forces, forcing a coordinated withdrawal from the designated combat area of operations. Although several mission objectives where completed , both primary and secondary objectives, on average, sustained battle damage of approximately sixty percent (60%) . A marginal victory at best.
_____Several factors effected unit cohesion and moral thereby resulting in less then optimal damage to firepower output ratios. Unit commanders directed elements with efficiency, utilizing proper tactical doctrine as well as exercising sound judgment in times of extreme duress. Our frontline pilots skills where tested repeatedly. Time and time again they rose up to the challenge, if it was not for the dedication of these brave souls, the Empire would have completely over welled our positions. Unit commanders must aggressively pursue better equipment for their frontline pilots, they have the will, now they need the way. Better equipment is that way.
_____New recruits will now be issued an upgradeable Z-95, Headhunter. In addition to being upgradeable, this new equipment is jump drive capaible which allows us to initiate our ACE's training program. I know, I know, you vets did not have this "luxury" but that should not concern you now. Your focus should be on assisting new pilots with upgrades to their equipment, as well as flight training. Unit commanders are authorized to purchase maintance droids to assist with equipment upgrades at the unit level. Detachment headquarters will have cross attached maintance crews available to units in the current war zone rotation. Crew chiefs still need to submit a request for each line item needing repairs. (Sorry but someone has to pay for this stuff!).

In brief we are making headway, but the struggles end is not yet in sight. The Empire has achieved a tactical advantage by deploying crews that are highly motivated, and if the roomers are true, have been trained by Vader himself! These crews service some of the most deadly ships in the galaxy, they are becoming more prevalent with each passing day and are the focus of this field report.

Points of Observation:
- TIE Aggressor gunners are deadly accurate! Their training is second to none, and it shows. When engaging a TIE squadron with one or more Aggressor support element, doctrine requires maximum firepower be direct at the Aggressor elements before other units are engaged. Commanders are advised to depoy A-Wings (when available) making use of all pilots qulifed in zero-g hyper-evasive manuvers. Friendly units making attack runs will be engaged by Aggressor gunners when their attack speeds fall below 800 meters per second. With a lead A-Wing element, an attached X-Wing section can successful destory an Aggressor over a duration of time. A line formation is recommended for first contact, in order to bring maximum firepower to bear. All units must be trained on Aggressor engagement, unit commanders are required to submit training plans by zero eighthundred (08:00) Corr. Time.

- Missle damage: Space bombs are the only authorized free flight weapons systems at this time. Our weapons suppliers sub-contracted the warhead mechanisms for just about every other free flight weapons system in our inventory and the damage ratio is NOT up to spec! Because of this, we are working with our supplier on a maintance schedule to have this issue addressed. Please refrain from missile usage and rely on beam based weapons for all current mission requirements.

- Weapon Convergence Issues: High command is aware the firepower of both the X-Wing and B-Wing is highly compromised due to lack of parts for convergance systems. We have sent several deep space transmissions on all channels but have not recieved any responses as of yet from high command. Please continue to train on rotataion technics as well as fire power saturation unit doctrine. The Empire has compromised our abilities in this area and that may be effecting our current capabilities. Information reguarding that matter, is however, still classified.

- Engines: Deployment of the higher speed engines (92 speed) we had come to enjoy has stopped. The Empire destoyed the main manufactoring facility and kidnapped the lead design engineer on the project. Pilots will have to make due with now standard issue engines (72 speed). Maintainace crew cheifs are reporting difficulty in finding engines with the speed needed to proplerly outfit several of our craft. X-Wings and A-Wings are especailly impacted by the lack of equipment availability. Commanders are advised to cross-level all engine inventories and RE all salvaged parts for maximum speed efficacy. REing Level 6 though 8 engines, as reported by some very hardcore crew chiefs, does seem to meet mission requirements. These partsare howeverVERYdifficult to find as of late and are rarely found on the ships that one expects to find them on. Keep this in mind during salvage opperations.