30th Fighter Wing / 1st Naval Air flotilla

The Air Corps 30^th Fighter Wing is loaned out to the navy and forms the 1^st Naval Air flotilla.
It consists of a single squadron, the;

Numbering

The numbering of the parts is confusing to people who are used to the numbering in the Air Corps, but due the 30^th being a 1st in the navy the numbers shifted upwards. In brackets the administrative numbers used in the Air Corps. Due to the detached nature of the 30^th it has it's own staff, domestic service, administration, guard , tech staff. and transport group. Where normally those would be base appointed and not part of an airborne Wing.

In the Air Corps 10^th Fighter Wing and Air Corps 20^th Fighter Wing Flights exist of eight crafts, but due to size constraints with the navy this has been reduced to six. Why not three flights then? Because four was better tactically. That way there could be three active, and one in maintenance/training/reserve. And then rotated better.

Aircraft

The 30^th uses the Mark 18, Naval version of the Odonat, special modified version of the Mk 17, for naval use, the craft has foldable wings for tighter storage. The landing gear features hooks for lashing. And some metal parts are replaced for those less receptable to rust and others are painted in a different kind of paint that is better resistant to seawater. All these modifications made the craft slightly heavier again, really pushing the requirement of small and light pilots.

Crew

Hannah had been tasked to form this new Wing, and had to fill the ranks or appoint people that could fill the ranks. She strongly put forward her wishes for the pilots and got what she wanted there. A and B were full of experienced pilots, C had juniors, and D mostly new recruits fresh from the Air Corps Orphanage for Lost Boys and Girls. All four squadrons lead by veterans. Because it would be the performance of the pilots and crafts, she would be judged on.

For the other parts, she requested certain people to lead them, and let it to them to pick who filled their departments Hannah just made sure that a full list of names was delivered to Betsy Mortimer so their pay could be adjusted in accordance with their expeditionary status.

Hannah was really happy that her old friend Oliver Steam would come with her and take command of the 300^th Tech staff. He had been Captain of the 30011^th Fighter 101^st Tech Squad of the Air Corps for all the time she was first at the orphanage and then at the 10^th. Now she could bump him to Captain with 3^rd seniority, and make his experience really count.

Location

The new Naval Air Flotilla was Located at Maynard Harbour Naval Base, in the west of the Glorious Kingdom of Eglen, they would be land based for now, but as soon as the shipyard was done with the new ship Eglen's reach they would become a ship borne force.

Hannah had the whole Wing lined up on the parade ground, she had made sure everyone their uniform was right. She knew the navy was really strict in that. And at Millpoint they were quite relaxed in those things, as they hardly ever had visitors that would warrant parades and dressing up. But the light blue uniform of the Air Corps where all washed and ironed, the brown leader polished, all rank insignias correctly placed. The pilots and flight leaders lined up behind her, light blue uniform with dark blue piping, to represent their connection to the navy, the 10^th had green and the 20^th used red. With the staff squadron at a right angle to the right and the tech staff, in their army green uniform jackets with light blue facings, and transport, light blue with black markings, to the left. The Guard squadron, full army style uniform, closed the parade square on the opposite side.

 

A detachment of the Navy marched into the square, this whole show was to welcome them to the base and formally have them started on their assignment. The stopped in the middle of the parade square, as per regulations. Hannah was mentally preparing for the confrontation. But the navy lieutenant-captain didn't march to her, but to Oliver, who was over to the side in front of the tech staff. Hannah looked around, yes she was in the right position. Their uniforms might be light blue, but the rank insignias were the same as that of the Royal Army of Eglen. She even had the red markings depicting her as a commanding staff officer in addition to her major epaulettes. The navy lieutenant saluted Oliver, who saluted him back. no-one else on parade saluted. This was noticed by the navy lieutenant, as normally that would happen at this point. But the whole wing was watching Hannah. "The Navy Welcomes ...." the lieutenant-captain started. But Oliver interrupted, "Shouldn't you greet the Major first? .. sir." With just enough pause between the question and the 'sir' to make it noticeable, but not enough to comment on. "Aren't you?" "No, the major is right there, in the right place." Oliver was too old to care, and pointed over to Hannah.

 

lt-cap: "But that's, that"
Oliver: "The major"
lt-cap: "A woman"
Oliver: "Still the major"
lt-cap: "This is unheard of sir"

 

Visibely uncomfortable the lieutenant-captain walked over, and started his whole spiel. He ended with "The admiral wishes to invite you to dinner in the messroom of the Glorious." Hannah knew the Glorious was one of the newest battleships of the Navy. The lieutenant was a bit uneasy as if he wanted to say something else. "You can tell him I will come to dinner. Anything else?" The lieutenant almost wishpered: "The admiral asked me to tell you not to bring your wife." Hannah laughed, "Rest assured, I don't have one."