Talk:AFOH/@comment-14850713-20160424181158

OOC: This is a response to Guy's post re movement of USNiE forces. I'm putting it here since these are (initially) being done in AFOH territory.

IC:

Even if AFOH forces in Antarctica have been on high alert, they have allowed the USNiE space above and around Aubrey. A lone task force, TF Clemenceau (with 1 hybrid battleship, 1 battlecruiser, 3 heavy destroyers, 36 Aigle FB-14S strike fighters), observes the proceedings. Although the men on battle stations are used to occasional sorties, mainly tests involving single vessels, this is the first time they've seen the American fleet come out in force. The task force commander immediately informs SOUTHCOM.

The movement at the edge of Earth orbit has also been detected by the Tiger Arc systems of multiple aerospace ships. Clearly something is up. Within minutes, SOUTHCOM is given clearance to shadow the USNiE. While the 4th Aerospace Fleet sends a squadron of 6 Revanche cruisers aloft, part of Force E gets ready to sail from its anchorage in Fiji. The sizable formation includes 3 super warships (Reaper), 5 attack carriers (3 Colbert, 2 Verdun), 2 battleship hybrids (Clemenceau), 3 heavy battleships (Convalescence), 2 battlecruisers (Gascogne), 3 air/aerospace defense cruisers (La Motte - Picquet), 12 guided-missile cruisers (Type 81), 24 destroyers (9 Forbin, 6 Suffren DDs, 6 Courbet DDGs) and 24 Shadow Hawk attack submarines. The air complement consists of 144 Aigle strike & 228 Diable FA-6M multi-role atmospheric fighters, and 12 Durandal & 24 Cobra aerospace strike fighters. The Revanches also embark 144 Vautour FB-10S aerospace fighters.

SOUTHCOM has given strict orders to follow the American fleet but to give it a wide berth so as not antagonize its commanders. In a few hours, Force E will rendezvous with its small task force, but the USNiE's intentions are still unclear.