High
Guard Fleet Organization
The
Systems Commonwealth High Guard is charged with the defense
and exploration of the entire Local Galactic Group region,
an area of the universe trillions of cubic light-years in
size. It is divided into 10 area fleets, each charged with
local forward presence responsibilities in the various galactic
entities that comprise the Local Group. These fleets are
further sub-divided into Heavy Cruiser
Battle Groups (HCBGs) and Planetfall
Readiness Groups (PRGs). At present, there are just
over 360,000 ships in the High Guard, of which nearly 150,000
are dedicated combat/exploration platforms. The remaining
210,000 assets form the backbone of High Guard long-range
logistics support operations.
Heavy Cruiser Battle
Group (HCBG)
The
standard Heavy Cruiser Battle Group includes one Heavy
Cruiser (XMC), four Deep Standoff
Attack ships (DSA), sixteen Group
Defense Frigates (GDF), nine Long-Range
Surveillance ships (LRS), and four Supply and Maintenance
ships (SAM). HCBGs are the primary instrument of forward
presence for the High Guard. Because of their size and multi-mission
capability, they are the unit of choice for Missions of
Commonwealth, including diplomatic services, first contact
missions, intergalactic exploration and sanction enforcement.
The standard distribution of assets in an HCBG is approximately
3-4 light-seconds, with the XMCs and SAMs at the core surrounded
by concentric spheres of DSAs, GDFs
and LRSs. In combat operations, the
XMC serves as the general command
and control platform, though latency issues tend to put
reliance on individual asset commanders to operate somewhat
independently. As a result, HCBG combat doctrine tends to
be rigid with respect to the rules of engagement and general
maneuver.
Planetfall
Readiness Group
The standard Planetfall Readiness Group includes one Atmospheric
Attack Craft Carrier (AAC), nine Drop
Ship Carriers (DSC), four GDFs,
three LRS and two SAMs. PRGs are
the tip of the spear for all planetary combat operations.
While they are rarely used for Missions of Commonwealth,
they have proven ideal for disaster relief operations and
planetary exploration. The standard distribution of a PRG
during operations is as follows: the AAC
and DSCs in high orbit at distances
determined by the circumstances, an inner patrol of GDFs
at approximately 2 light seconds from the core and an outer
LRS patrol approximately 5 light
seconds distant. The SAM usually stays within several thousandths
of a GDF escort or the operational
core depending on the threat environment. During combat
operations, the AAC serves as the
Group Operational Commander (GOC).
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