Task Forces of the Royal Caledonian Navy
Task forces of the Royal Caledonian Navy are the primary operational unit.
Commanded by a Rear (two-star) Admiral, a Task Force reports to a Caledonian naval Station (in wartime, "Fleet"), and serves as one of the Station/Fleet's main operational unit. Stations are commanded by Vice Admirals (three stars).
In peacetime, Task Forces are not infrequently shifted between Stations as the strategic situation changes. Example: Task Force 30 was re-allocated from the Coreward to the Driftward station (and Grampia became part of the Driftward station) when tensions along the decaying border of the Imperium began rising.
Task Force Composition
Each Task Force is composed of the following elements:
- Battleship Squadron: 8 Battleships (TF 20-27 - 4 Battleships)
- Carrier Squadron: 3-4 Fleet Carriers
- Scout Squadron: 12 Heavy Frigates
- Destroyer Squadron: 32 Destroyers
- Logistics Squadron: 8-12 Replenishment ships. These ships work in relays, hauling supplies to the Task Force from nearby bases.
- Fuel Squadron: A squadron of large tankers to haul Jump fuel to rendezvous points supporting major jumps.
Notes:
- Task Force 30, based on a planet with a Class E Starport, has no battleships, and about half the size of the other task forces.
- Task Forces 20-27 have only four battleships each.
- Also note that Task Forces 1-7 are equipped with the latest, 320,000 ton Battleships.
When Under Attack
Each Task Force includes Combat and Fleet Train units.
When action is at hand - either defensive or offensive - the Task Force splits into two groups:
- The Combat forces will move to find and fix the location of the enemy, and assemble with combat forces from other Task Forces to form a concentrated wartime Fleet.
- The Fleet Train forces will move to a location where they'll rendezvous with other Task Forces' Fleet Train supply units to form a forward supply base to support the Fleet in action. The could be around a system, or in deep space, as required by the operational situation.
This is a list of the various Task Forces of the Royal Caledonian Navy, along with their currently-assigned stations:
Spinward Station
Headquarters: HM Dockyard Caithness
Commander (as this is written): Rear Admiral Stuart Adamson, Viscount of Killiekrankie
- Task Force 4 - Home Port: Caithness
- Task Force 12 - Home Port: Rutherglen
- Task Force 20 - Home Port: Budwick
- Task Force 21 - Home Port: Glenelg
- Task Force 22 - Home Port: Knoydart
- Task Force 27 - Home Port: Culloden
Driftward Station
Headquarters: HM Dockyard Victory
Commander (as this is written): Rear Admiral Bruce Watson, Earl of Dunfermline
- Task Force 7 - Home Port: Victory
- Task Force 11 - Home Port: Rob Roy
- Task Force 14 - Home Port: Claverse
- Task Force 15 - Home Port: Scotia
- Task Force 30 - Home Port: Grampia
Coreward Station
Headquarters: HM Dockyard Cuillin
Commander (as this is written): Rear Admiral Anthony Butler, Baron of Aberayrshire
- Task Force 10 - Home Port: Cuillin
- Task Force 23 - Home Port: Annan
- Task Force 25- Home Port: Firth
Rimward Station
Headquarters: HM Dockyard Douglass
Commander (as this is written): Rear Admiral Mark Brzezicki, Duke of Whiteminch
- Task Force 1 - Home Port: Douglass
- Task Force 13 - Home Port: Macbeth
- Task Force 24 - Home Port: Pentland
- Task Force 26 - Home Port: Lanark
Reserve
These Task Forces are all controlled directoy by Navy Command, and are deployed according to the current situation.
- Task Force 2 - Home Port: Caledon
- Task Force 3 - Home Port: Stirling
- Task Force 5 - Home Port: Dunbarton
- Task Force 6 - Home Port: Stuart