Tophatters, SVQ-97

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Tophatters
Created by: Koenshaku
Maintained by: Halo


Squad Name: Tophatters, SVQ-97
Base of Operations: UNS Skipjack
Assignment: UNS Signal Intelligence Wing
Fighter of Choice: VF-19 & VF-22 (piloted by CO)
Current Leadership:

Created By: Koenshaku
Current Game: Tophatters
Previous Games: N/A

History: Drawing their name from a storied squadron of the former United States Navy, the 3rd UNS Signal Intelligence Wing - SVQ-97 Tophatters - was activated on March 25th, 2032 by order of the United Nations Defense Directorate. Stationed initially in Earth orbit on the Gauntanamo-class carrier UNS Essex, the squadron completed operational trials and equipment upgrade to VF-11B's in November of 2032. Attached to the Home Fleet in December of 2032, the newly-vetted squadron was transfered to the frigate UNS Laughton, which was dispatched as part of Patrol Group 9 beyond the orbit of Pluto, Sol system. From January of 2033 to October of 2033, SVQ-97 provided long range sensing and signal intercept capabilities to the Patrol Group, as well as participating as part of an aggressor squadron during Home Fleet exercises in July of that year.

In February of 2034, the UNS Laughton was recalled to Lunar orbit for regular maintenance and refit. That same month, SVQ-97 was temporarily deactivated pending a force reallocation. This deactivation saw the reassignment of all pilot officers in the squadron. Reactivated in August 2034, the Tophatters were reduced, by order of the Defense Directorate's Signal Intelligence Office, from a 12- to a six-fighter squadron, in line with force reallocation measures downsizing all five existing SIW's.

By September of 2034, all squadron positions were re-filled and SVQ-97 was transfered to the Guantanamo-class carrier UNS Peacock, attached to the 3rd Galaxy Patrol Fleet, home-ported in orbit of colony planet Eden. All squadron resources arrived in Helios system and were deemed operational by November 2034. Between November 2034 and May 2039, SVQ-97 participated in numerous classified intelligence and counter-insurgency operations, as well as several anti-piracy actions. It was on July 17th, 2035 during one such action against armed pirates operating in the Negev system that the Tophatters officially fired their first shots in anger, accounting for four enemy kills.

In June 2039, the UNS Peacock was recalled to Earth as part of a standard force redeployment. Temporarily moved to New Edwards Airbase on Eden, the Tophatters participated in numerous training exercises, while seeing an upgrade in their ELINT/SIGINT capabilities with an equipment upgrade from the old NR-BP-E2 recon FAST packs to the newly developed NR-BP-E7 recon pack system. When the UNS Peakcock's replacement - the UNS Bakers Bay - arrived in Helios system in September 2039, the Tophatters were once more redeployed with the 3rd GPF.

From September 2039 to April 2043, the Tophatters served with the 3rd Galaxy Patrol Fleet tirelessly, conducting many classified operations in numerous border systems. SVQ-97 was also involved directly in several anti-piracy and commerce protection operations, serving in both an SIGINT/ELINT as well as a direct combat capacity. Throughout this period SVQ-97 accumulated 18 acknowledged kills, while suffering zero casualties. In August of 2042 the Tophatters also participated with the other squadrons of the 3rd GPF in the relief operations around the colony planet New Tior, Veidovi system. SVQ-97 is credited as being the principle squadron to provide intelligence and telecommunications support to this UN disaster relief operation.

May 2043 saw the return of the 3rd GPF to the Helios System and Eden for refit and redeployment. SVQ-97 was once again temporarily transfered to New Edwards, where all six of the squadron's VF-11's underwent avionics and navigational systems upgrades, bringing their VF-11B's into parity with the recently developed C-block Thunderbolt. June and July 2043 were spent primarily conducting operational trials of the "C" upgrades and training missions on and around Eden.

The 5th Galaxy Patrol Fleet replaced the 3rd GPF in the Helios system in August, 2043. At this time the Tophatters were reassigned to the 5th GPF and attached to the Uraga-class carrier UNS Vincennes. In system only to take on equipment and personnel, the 5th GPF departed Eden August 18th, 2043, bound for operations in the Nova Kiribati group of star systems. Between November of 2043 and December 2045, the 5th GPF conducted nearly continuous counter-incursion operations against a rogue Zentraedi battle group in the Nova Kiribati group, operations which were only briefly interrupted for replenishment at UNS installations in the near-by Upolu system. During these operations, the Tophatters served in both SIGINT, ELINT and combat capacities, providing the fleet with force recon and surgical strike capabilities.

When counter-incursion operations in the Nova Kiribati group were declared successful in December 2045, the 5th GPF was determined to be too depleted to remain deployed. Recalled to Earth, the 5th GPF folded into Sol system on January 23rd, 2046. While the fleet underwent refit, SVQ-97 was transfered to Naval Air Station New Whidbey on Earth, there to undergo upgrades to recon equipment and conduct training exercises. Fleet refit and replenishment lasted from February until June of 2046, at which time the 5th GPF was prepared for redeployment. SVQ-97 was once more assigned to the UNS Vincennes.

While operations to eliminate the rogue Zentraedi elements in the Nova Kiribati group had been militarily successful, the resultant power vacuum in that region of space drew numerous pirate and anti-U.N. elements eager to exploit the remnant Zentraedi soldiers and vessels still present in the area. When the colony defense forces of the Upolu system were deemed insufficient to protect shipping and other interests in the area from this new threat, the 5th Galaxy Patrol fleet was dispatched to strengthen the colony forces and secure the region once and for all. Arriving at Upolu-4 on July 25th, 2046, the 5th GPF undertook a month-long "bolster action," re-securing primary trade and space lanes of communication while the colony forces reorganized.

Once the Upolu Defense Forces were situated, the fleet moved into the heart of the Nova Kiribati group on September 1st, 2046. The Tophatters were transfered to the frigate UNS Porpoise to conduct forward reconnaissance. SVQ-97 and the UNS Porpoise spent the next three months carrying out listening and scouting operations, providing information that led to fleet engagements with four remnant Zentraedi attack groups. Over the following four months, the UNS Porpoise and the Tophatters also accurately charted nine planetary and asteroid groups, determining the current and past locations of five Zentraedi and pirate installations, all of which were later destroyed in fleet actions. In April of 2047, the 5th GPF returned to Upolu-4 to carry out repairs and replenish her fighter wings.

Transfered back to the UNS Vincennes in May 2047, SVQ-97 returned to Nova Kiribati with the 5th GPF to finish the eradication of all remaining pirate, rogue Zentraedi and anti-U.N. forces. Serving with the main body of the fleet, the Tophatters' sensing and signal intercept capabilities led to the discovery and eventual destruction of the remaining Zentraedi capital ships in the sector, as well six established pirate/anti-U.N. bases of operation. Counter-terrorist operations in the Nova Kiribati group were declared complete on New Year's Day 2048, with the 5th GPF returning to the Upolu system nine days later.

During the 5th GPF's replenishment at Upolu-4, the U.N. Defense Directorate determined that a comprehensive survey of the Nova Kiribati group was necessary for both defense and commercial reasons. The commander of the 5th Galaxy Patrol Fleet was ordered to detach a task force of five ships of his choosing — outfitted with all necessary stores for a long-term deployment, prior to the departure of the main fleet for Sol System. The frigates UNS Sea Gull, UNS Omar, UNS Scimitar and UNS Porpoise were selected, led by the Haruna-class cruiser UNS Belfast. SVQ-97 was once more transfered to UNS Porpoise, given the experience the crew of that vessel had in working with the squadron. On January 25th, 2048, the 5th GPF departed for Earth, leaving the vessels of the newly commissioned 7th UN Exploration Task Force to carry out their work.

The 7th UNETF arrived in the Kiribati Supremis system on February 3rd, 2048, officially beginning their survey of the Nova Kiribati group with the largest and most complex system. Between February 2046 and June 2046 the survey work of the task force would proceed uninterrupted until returning to Upolu-4 for replenishment and crew R&R. Survey work resumed in late July, and continued until the entire stellar group had been charted in January of 2049. Throughout the survey the Tophatters conducted numerous operations involved in charting the systems as well as participating in three preemptive actions against pirates and rogue Zentraedi. The task force returned to the Upolu system on January 17th, 2049, where it received orders to return to Earth by way of Eden. The task force folded into the Helios system on February 11th, 2049 and spent two weeks in system for crew liberty before setting out for Sol system, arriving at their fold point outside of Mars orbit on March 1, 2049.

On March 2nd, SVQ-97 was allowed to participate in Space War Armistice Day celebrations by performing maneuvers in Mars orbit. The Tophatters' program was to be a display of high-speed maneuvers under the control and advice of their ELINT operator. The commanding officer, Major Robert Stark and his wingman Lieutenant Siva Karthikahen were to open the display by performing a high-speed banking pass on a three-fighter formation led by the squadron XO, Captain Michael Nelson and Lieutenants Graham Carpini and Ivan Spanier. The maneuver was to be conducted under the supervision of 3IC and ELINT officer Lt. William Potter.

Disaster struck only moments into the program. Missing his maneuver window, Major Stark's VF-11 collided with the dorsal mid-point of Captain Nelson's Thunderbolt. Stark and Nelson's fighters were destroyed instantly; Stark's VF-11 completely consumed in the resulting explosion, while Captain Nelson only survived as his Thunderbolt was struck behind his cockpit's aft primary pressure bulkhead. Attempting to fly clear of the collision, Lt. Karthikahen maneuvered hard over, the fuselage of his VF-11 missing that of Lt. Spanier's, though their wings collided. The starboard wing of Lt. Karthikahen's fighter punctured the reactant tanks onboard Lt. Spanier's Thunderbolt, causing an explosion that propelled his fighter into that of Lt. Carpini. Upon colliding, the fighters of both Lieutenants Ivan Spanier and Graham Carpini were instantly destroyed. Lt. Karthikahen ejected safely clear of the blast.

The squadron was immediately deactivated pending an inquest. The investigation and inquest took more than year, the findings leading to the court-martial of Lt. William Potter on April 3rd, 2050. The court-martial found that in an effort to "show off," Lt. Potter had attempted to conduct the high-risk maneuver performed by his squadron by relying only on his low-resolution radar equipment, allowing the rest to depend on his "natural skill." He was found guilty of dereliction of duty resulting in the deaths of Major Stark and Lieutenants Carpini and Spanier. William Potter was sentenced to 100 years in prison. Injured severely in the crash, Captain Nelson was no longer physically fit for duty and retired. Lieutenant Karthikahen requested and was granted a transfer upon completion of the inquest.

In May of 2050, the decision was made to reconstitute and reactive the 3rd SIW. Between May and July 2050, training doctrine and deployment strategies were revised while equipment and VF's were researched and procured. By August 2050, all squadron infrastructure had been put into place at Fokker Field, outside of Macross City, Earth. At this point, personnel began to be acquired in hopes of redeploying the squadron in September 2050.

Squad Web Page:

Squad Insignia: http://www.speakeasy.org/~cbol837/macross/th/thf.gif

Squad Color Scheme:http://www.speakeasy.org/~cbol837/macross/th/thvf11.jpg