Kalistan

[Doc]

Newly promoted Brigadier General Martin Jackson discusses strategic mission of new 4th Fleet



Gen. Martin Jackson, HIM Minister of Defense, says 4th Fleet nearly Complete
"Kalistan shall begin looking for Basing in Mad Dog Ocean
Port Swedes, Duchy of Vrassa
April 18, 5562

As the final elements come online for the 4th Fleet, Kalistan looks to launch its first ever forward fleet into the Mad Dog Ocean.  The move is part of a longstanding effort to increase Kalistan's early warning capabilities and an effort to increase Kalistani strategic options in the defense of the Seleyan Continent.

"But we have a problem with the 4th Fleet," said Her Imperial Majesty's Minister of Defense, BGen Martin Jackson.  "The theater of operations is quite a ways away from logistics ports in Kalistan, so supplies will need to be regularly moved into the Mad Dog to keep these ships supplied.  Logistics is not exactly the sexiest topic, and supply of such a large, almost organism like a Fleet, is not something basically anyone talks about in international news papers while they are showing off their high tech weapons, but in fact, it really is a challenge that military planners face all the time."

General Jackson said that the procurement cycle for the 4th fleet includes a significant stock of supply and logistics ships that will be based in Port Swedes with the 2nd Fleet, and will ferry supplies, fuel, ammo, spare parts and sailors back and forth, "but the 4th Fleet itself will have to serve as a floating expeditionary base until we can find a site that be willing to lease us some space to use as a launching point for fleet drills in that ocean."  The General said the Government of Kalistan was reviewing some options, but have not yet approached anyone.  "We'd kind of like to feel people out a bit, and see who would be enthusiastic to help, who would be hostile toward the proposition and who really doesn't care.  Ideally, we would prefer those who really don't care, see the opportunity to serve as a forward base as a money proposition, and will house us as long as we continue to obey the law."

General Jackson said that the Government of Kalistan was prepared to send up test balloons in Lodamun, Likatonia, Hobrazia and Malivia.  "We know for a fact that much of Artania would throw a temper tantrum if Kalistan was able to acquire basing in Malivia or Hobrazia, judging by how they reacted when Lodamun tried the same thing," said General Jackson.  "But Malivia especially agreeing to work with Lodamun shows that perhaps they might be a little more open to the idea than others."  When asked about the possibility of basing in Kundrati, the Defense Minister said "Yeah, its a no.  At one point, there might have been a possibility, but that door has been slammed shut on us by now.  Nothing we did, just international breezes blow one way one day and the other the next.  And Her Imperial Majesty being from Kundrati gives us absolutely no currency in that country."

Until basing issues are resolved, patrols of the Mad Dog Ocean, which will help the Regular Forces of Kalistan better perceive coming threats and challenges in the Anantonese, will be limited.  "Over the next few years, the role of the 4th Fleet, as a Fleet Unit, will involve testing the waters, more or less," said General Jackson.  "We are ever mindful of the issues of supply, but we also want to give nations in the region the opportunity to get to know us, slowly and cautiously, to find opportunities to train together, to share experience, maybe to fraternize, and for them to get used to us being there.  Moving a whole fleet into a new theater, especially one which is surrounded by major players, many of whom are not friendly to Kalistan, will take some finesse, to show people that we are there for our own reasons, and don't want to harass them.  It will take some time and some trust building."  

As the role evolves, the 4th Fleet is intended to remain deployed on a permanent basis, returning to port perhaps once or twice a year.  "Our subs can stay out indefinitely," said General Jackson, "and submarine operations will constitute the majority of the tactical operations in the ocean over the coming years.  But eventually, they will be in support of a surface fleet which will gradually move west from the Karzon Strait where they will remain in constant supply and communication, into the Mad Dog Ocean, and then our Navy will fully become a two ocean Navy."  Most of the fleet is already conducting limited operations on the Northern Limit, and will be formally inaugurated in October, when the first Indica-C Class Subs receive orders into the Mad Dog.