Difference between revisions of "Imperial Navy"

Latest revision as of 22:13, 3 March 2024

Imperial Navy
Information
Formation	Year -4 CGT
Headquarters	Coruscant
Department(s)	Capital Command Naval Intelligence & Command Reconnaissance Squadrons Starfighter Corps
Government	Galactic Empire
Minister	Hatori Hoorl

About the Imperial Navy

The Imperial Navy, also known as the Imperial Fleet, is the Galactic Empire's space military force and as such the largest military branch in the whole known universe. Fielding thousands of warships and fighters, ranging from the highly maneuverable TIE/in Interceptor to the massive Star Destroyers that form the bulk of their main battleline, and crewed by millions of well-trained and loyal officers and crewmen the Imperial Navy is prepared to face whatever challenges the Galaxy throws at it.

The Imperial Navy was formed from the remnants of the Galactic Republic Navy around Year -4 CGT during the rise of the Empire under Hiram Drayson. A reorganized command structure oversaw the rapid expansion of the fleet that had begun during the Clone Wars. Older variants of republic vessels such as the Venator-class Star Destroyer and the Hammerhead-class Cruiser were modified and technologically improved to increase the might of the new Imperial regime to the galaxy, and such advancements have continued the growth and advancement of the Galactic Empire since the decline of the Old Republic. The primary mission of the Imperial Navy is to protect the sovereign space of the Imperial, while also securing its borders through combat patrols and surveillance of its systems. While its operations initially ran independently of the Imperial Army, operations were soon merged into the Imperial Military under Emperor Seele I to offer more coordinated security and expansion, operating in taskforces instead of just Imperial fleets.

Naval Command, commonly abbreviated to NCOMD and previously known as Naval High Command (NHC), is the leading body of the Imperial Navy. The highest authority in the Imperial Navy, the Navy Commanding Officer (NCO) determines the overall strategy and plan for the Imperial Navy as well as directs the various members of the Naval Command ensuring the effective everyday running of the Imperial Navy in its structure and policy. The NCO reports directly to the Supreme Commander of the Imperial Military and the Imperial Throne, serving as a High Command representative should the position of Supreme Commander be vacant.

Over time, the Imperial Navy has evolved tremendously and developed several organizational structures to achieve the tasks and missions assigned to it. Currently, the Imperial Navy operates within the task forces of Imperial space. Each taskforce is represented by a Navy Commanding Officer, who coordinates Naval operations within the taskforce space to ensure security and prosperity for the Imperial sectors within.

Divisions of the Navy

The Imperial Navy has numerous divisions fielding many great servicemen and women. While many are given a choice during their time within the Imperial Academy as to which area of the Navy they wish to devote themselves to, others are called to serve based on the needs of the Empire. These areas could be suited to an individual based on their command abilities, their dexterous perceptions and reflexes within a starfighter, or their ability to detect threats from astronomical distances to name a few.

Capital Command

Capital Command (CAPCOM) is the capital vessel warfare Division of the Imperial Navy. The primary vessels to Imperial fleets, Capital Commanders are responsible for the crew aboard their ships, while servicemen are assigned key divisions aboard the vessel to ensure key systems are maintained and utilized effectively when needed most of the Imperial armada. These capital ships maintain a plethora of mission roles and capabilities, from the Lancer-class Frigate performing escorts to vessels within the fleet due to its heavy lasers built within a small profile, to the massive Executor-class Star Destroyers in their Fleet Flagship role. Depending on ship type, CAPCOM may also be responsible for transporting and assisting in the deployment of both Starfighter Corps within Naval Operations and Imperial Army elements to their respective battlefields, as part of the Combined Arms Doctrine of the Imperial Military.

Arranged into the various Imperial taskforces and and then further broken down into strike forces, CAPCOM forms the backbone of Imperial forces seen deployed throughout the galaxy. Operating with a doctrine of maneuverability, flexibility, and sheer firepower, CAPCOM vessels are designed to be employed in a variety of ways that build on the strengths of each ship class within the taskforce, and take maximum advantage of an enemy’s weakness in technology, strategy, or battlefield deployments.

The Commanding Officer of every strike team will always command the lead capital ship of the Group, and thus they will be a CAPCOM officer; although the bulk of their career may have been spent in the Starfighter Corps. Highly trained in command and tactics, CAPCOM junior officers will typically serve aboard support role capital ships such as the Carrack/I-class Light Cruiser and Carrack/S-class Light Cruiser, with the most capable rising to command one of the thousands of warships within the Imperial Navy. Senior CAPCOM officers will be given command of the more powerful Star Destroyers, whilst those who rise to the status of Fleet Commanding Officer will be given command of the awe-inspiring Executor-Class Destroyers for their taskforce.

Starfighter Corps

The Imperial Navy Starfighter Corps (INSC) is the space-based fighter warfare division of the Imperial Navy. Maintaining an impressive battlefield record, the INSC selects only the best pilots from throughout the Empire for its mission to fly, fight, and dominate the starfighter spectrum of warfare. Advanced technology developed and enhanced since the days of the Galactic Republic by Imperial Engineers has seen the deployment of reliable fighters such as the TIE/ln Starfighter and TIE/sa Bomber to ensure the Starfighter Corps is equipped to out-maneuver hostile forces and strike quickly without warning. Maximizing the efficiency of on-board resources within the design of starfighters, most Imperial starfighters lack hyperdrive engine capabilities which makes the INSC fully reliant on their CAPCOM brothers in arms and their larger vessels for transportation and deployment between systems.

Assigned to Taskforces to support the Capital Command Division and other Taskforce operations, the INSC operates with a two-thrust doctrine; the first being the high quality of training and ability of its pilots, and the second a strategy of numerical superiority in starfighter combat. By operating in unison with the Capital Command Division, the Starfighter Divisions can ensure they are at the forefront of the battlefields across the galaxy.

Starfighter Corps officers operate smaller squadrons that are overseen by squadron commanders. These individuals have often completed numerous naval certifications and are the best pilots across all of Imperial space. Their pilots within have the opportunity to earn similar qualifications and callsigns to show their prowess and skill, while potentially seeking the opportunity to command their own squadron.

Naval History

After a thousand years of growing mismanagement and corruption under the reign of the Galactic Republic, the galactic government of the time, various factions decided to jointly secede from the Republic for various political and economic reasons - calling themselves “The Separatists.” Supported by deep pockets and the strength of a vast droid army the Separatists quickly grew to menace the galaxy. The tension soon escalated into a galactic war. When conflict between the Republic and the Separatists broke out it became known as the “Clone Wars,” earning its name from the clone army the Republic used to combat the separatist’s mechanical soldiers. With their superior skill and intellect, the clone army of the Republic proved itself to be a force to be reckoned with and managed to nearly defeat the Separatists. Despite the victory, though, the war had already damaged the galaxy and left it in need of strong leadership to unite the many warring factions.

Hiram Drayson

Amid the chaos of the Galactic Republic's fall, Hiram Drayson, an ambitious and well-respected Admiral of particular skill, managed to rise to prominence within the Imperial Navy. Quickly becoming the most obvious candidate for Supreme Chancellor, Drayson surprised the galaxy when he appeared deformed before the Senate. It was then that he informed the galaxy of the Jedi's betrayal and corrupt leadership that had plagued the Republic for years. In a visionary act of passion and purpose, Drayson declared the birth of the first Galactic Empire and named himself its first Emperor. His declaration was met with thunderous applause. Throughout the galaxy the Republic military became the Imperial military and the clone forces at the Empire’s disposal began bringing the Jedi to justice for their corruption and crimes against the galaxy.

As a final symbolic act of the beginning of the new regime, a powerful Sith Lord, Vodo Bonias finished what was left of the Separatist forces, killing its leaders and deactivating its droid forces in one fell swoop. Years passed and the Empire continued to eradicate the terrorist Jedi throughout the galaxy and strengthen its military. Free of the flawed Jedi leadership, the Imperial Military began living up to its full potential as the premier fighting force of the galaxy. Slowly, Imperial power and skill became more recognized throughout the galaxy and the greater numbers of humans and aliens that enlisted required the Empire to provide its military with access to more resources. Though Drayson’s reign was plagued by a myriad of problems including administrative difficulties, combating warlords, and claimants to the throne, he still managed to make the Imperial military a powerful force in the galaxy.

The Birth of the Navy

It was during his reign that the last of the clone soldiers were replaced by the far more effective human and alien soldiers who had been joining the Empire in droves. Numerous massive initiatives were undertaken in order to ensure that the Imperial Navy would have the resources necessary to live up to being the most effective military force in the galaxy. As a result, an inconceivable number of ships were produced and quickly dispersed through the galaxy to accommodate the needs and abilities of the quickly growing Imperial Military. Over time much of the Empire lost faith in Drayson and he was eventually betrayed and forced to retreat. His absence left the throne open and Suntzu, Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy, took it in his place. Many Imperials were still loyal to Drayson, though, and thus the first civil conflict within the Empire left the Imperial Military weakened.

Suntzu quickly proved to be an inefficient Emperor and was unable to do anything about the worsening state of the military. Within two months he was removed from the throne and Sith Lord Vodo Bonias, a naval captain, took the mantle of Emperor in his place. During this rule, the Imperial Navy was composed of three Strike Fleets and three Reconnaissance Fleets. All six fleets reported directly to the Grand Admiral of the Navy and focused on the security of Imperial space during the turmoil of the fall of the Galactic Republic and the Imperial expansion efforts that followed for the years after.

It was under the Bonias rule that an elite Imperial unit known as the European Division was formed take on the most crucial of tasks for the Imperial Navy and the Throne. This fleet was the brainchild of Colonel Rahvin and recognized for its potential, it was quickly approved and brought under the direct command of Defense Minister Spytek. This would eventually form part of the fleet that housed four additional fighter squadrons tasked with military escorts for the Emperor, or targeted strikes against key fleets on the rims of Imperial space.

Eventually, the Rebel Alliance, which had been started by a few disgruntled senators who did not support the formation of the Galactic Empire, became more popular with fanatics and radicals. When the Rebel Alliance declared war upon the Empire, the Imperial forces acknowledged the existence of the ragtag group, marking the beginning of the Galactic Civil War. Thrawn, Grand Admiral of the Imperial Navy during the commencement of the Galactic Civil War, was dismissed, as his gross incompetence could no longer be allowed to handicap the Navy. In his place, Piett was promoted to Grand Admiral and made commander of the Imperial Naval forces. Grand Admiral Piett soon dissolved the Reconnaissance fleets and instead created four fleets, one for each quadrant of the galaxy. The four independent squadrons - Gold, Gamma, Sword, and Omega - were merged into the Imperial Command Fleet whose primary role was escorting the Emperor.

Transfers & Treason

Shortly after these changes were implemented, Emperor Spytek resigned, leaving the throne once again unoccupied. The Grand Admiral quickly seized control of the Empire and promoted Veynom to Grand Admiral in his place. It was under Grand Admiral Veynom that the Imperial Navy underwent its first wave of changes. The first of these changes was the relocation of the Imperial Navy’s headquarters to Kuat. Following the relocation many positions and departments were created to ensure the future success and efficacy of the Empire. The first of these offices was the Imperial Navy Personnel Assignment Office (INPO), a subdivision of the Imperial Assignment Office. This office, headed by a Lieutenant Commander by the name of Jennifer Dreighton, was in charge of assigning all new naval recruits to various fleets and was tasked with not only keeping track of the units, rank, ships, status, and coordinates of each member of each fleet but also the maintenance of the Naval Roster.

Grand Admiral Veynom

The second part of the Navy that was established in this wave of changes was the Imperial Navy Intelligence Services. Directed by Admiral Gunther von Esling, the INIS was in charge of all external intelligence of importance to the Navy, revolving mainly around the tracking and identification of enemy ships. The INIS was followed by the INMD, or Imperial Navy Medical Department, which was directed by Chief Surgeon Admiral Podalire. The INMD made sure to assign medical personnel to each Imperial Naval Unit, increasing the long-term health - and therefore also the efficiency - of Imperial forces at every step in the ladder.

The last two departments of the Navy created during this wave of reform were the Naval Ship Departments and the Imperial Naval Academy. The NSD was formed with Greyson Uebles as its director and was tasked with the naming and allocation of ships at the Navy’s disposal. The Imperial Naval Academy, on the other hand, was created to ensure that all new entrants to the Imperial Navy were of the highest quality and was led by a brilliant Flight Sergeant named Zachary Savk, the only member of the Imperial Navy who had been proclaimed a director and was not an officer.

The 3rd Recon & Strike Fleet was also resurrected after its dismantling during the Piett reorganization, and tasked to patrol the uncontrolled regions of space. An additional fleet, The Naval Command Fleet, was created and charged with the protection of the Kuat system and Imperial Navy headquarters. Despite the respect much of the Imperial Navy had for Veynom for the effort he had put into ameliorating the Navy, much controversy had always surrounded him. An Imperial since the day he was eligible to enlist, Veynom first drew unwanted attention when, as a Commodore, he punished a subordinate lieutenant who had deserted the Empire by having the man’s brain extracted and put into a mouse droid. Some say this marked the beginning of the end of Veynom’s career. From that point on he was frequently accused of treason and other crimes against the Empire. The first recorded accusation of treason was by Commander Fox Spookie, Executive Officer of the 3rd Reconnaissance Fleet. Though nothing came of it, it established a precedent. Not long after his promotion to Grand Admiral, he was accused of plotting against the Emperor by Executor Trey Connel, leader of the Imperial Government. In response, Piett relieved Veynom and the other suspects of their command.

Darkness Breaks, Abdication Reunites

Though pardoned, soon after the event Emperor Piett left spontaneously for the Unknown Regions, leaving a power vacuum behind. A civil war quickly erupted within the Empire, fought mainly between two sides. The first side rallied behind Grand Admiral Veynom while the second supported Executor Connel. After internal conflicts amongst both the Empire and the Imperial Navy, a bested Veynom departed for the Unknown Regions, but his supporters still refused to serve Connel. Known as the Imperial Core and taking much Imperial equipment with them, the separatists formed their government in the farthest reaches of civilized space and proclaimed the absentee Veynom as their titular sovereign. This action by many within the Imperial Navy meant numerous fleets were understaffed by experienced personnel, forcing mergers and reorganization to ensure the security of Imperial space under Acting Fleet Admiral Simms, before being stabilized by Grand Admiral Cherokee and Lord Admiral IWAssassin.

However, Veynom never returned to lead the Core and the organization later united with the Sith Order to form The Dark Empire. Ruled by former Emperor, Vodo Bonias, numerous Imperial defectors were welcomed by the splinter group, including numerous previous Imperial Navy Star Destroyers and escort vessels. Following further turmoil with the public suicide of Lord Admiral IWAssassin, various Naval Commanders worked to regrow the Imperial Navy. The political conflict with the Imperial Core however kept the Empire busy while the Rebel Alliance grew. Amid the rising tensions between the dissident Imperial Core and the Rebel Alliance, the Empire demanded a stronger leader and a new Emperor, Charon, replaced MccArthur.

With new leadership occupying the Imperial Throne, discussions commenced regarding a truce between the Imperial Factions and potential reunification. In time Charon, Emperor of the Galactic Empire, reluctantly agreed to the merger, and the Empire was again reunited under one banner. Tensions quickly rose, though, as many Dark Empire officers were assigned a variety of important positions. Despite the merger, Vodo Bonias formed a secretive fleet outside the direct Imperial Chain of Command. This fleet would later become known as the Order of the Dark Hand and served as the functional unit for all Sith inside the Empire. He also ensured the continuation of the intelligence branch of the Dark Empire, which had been attributed with much of the faction’s past success.

Despite a great distrust on both sides, the Imperial Navy was bolstered with numerous fleets and taskforces to secure Imperial borders, before the short-lived truce ended with the overthrowing of the Charon regime, and the ascension of Uebles. Once his reforms were finished he moved on to the Empire’s other branches, and implemented new policies to try to stabilize the Empire in this time of crisis. Though he wasn’t able to successfully revive the Empire he was able to prevent further decline and succeeded in overseeing several very successful military campaigns. A year after his ascension, he ceded the throne to Vodo Bonias and left the Empire to devote the rest of his life to searching for ancient Sith artifacts. The various successful campaigns allowed the Imperial Navy to grow in prowess, despite its diminished capacity through infighting, with many loyal to Charon splitting off to in turn plant the seeds for a New Order.

Emperor Vodo instituted several reforms that many approved of, but much of the Imperial Navy disagreed with his choice of Naval Commanding Officer, Admiral Daelin Zerk. It didn’t take long for the dissatisfied officers of the Navy to petition the Emperor for a change. The Emperor considered their request and complied. Zerk was made a Grand Moff and Vice Admiral Angelus Goth was made the new Naval Commanding Officer, then Vice Admirals Crog and Slicer were appointed to be the joint leaders of the Imperial Navy soon after.

Despite Zerk’s transfer, however, and the many reforms in the Imperial command structure, he refused to relinquish his control over certain Imperial policies and continued to exercise his powers aliening his new subordinates in the government and further angering the officers who used to serve under him in the Navy. Most of the people who were angered by his behavior were Charonists and they congregated on Day 303 of Year 6 to discuss possible courses of action.

They concluded that the root of the problem was not Zerk but Emperor Vodo. The group seized control of an Imperial Holonet transponder and broadcast their message to the Imperial public. Barely more than a week later the disgruntled Imperials formed the New Imperial Order. Many loyal to Charon followed, along with an array of Imperial technology and resources to form the order. Lord Admiral Rawius Titan was given command of the New Imperial Navy, competing with former allies Crog and Slicer. Both Vice Admirals reorganized the Navy by creating four Imperial Fleets. Each was assigned to a particular area under Imperial control and meant to operate as a defensive force with the capabilities to handle itself offensively if doing so proved to be necessary.

Assault Forces & Unified Imperials

As the Imperial Military began to change - foreshadowing changes that would take seat in the years to come - an experiment took place testing Imperial capabilities amidst rising tension between the Empire’s Army and Navy. The idea was to combine both a fleet and a legion to create a superior military force. Two groups were selected resulting in the Assault Force. Quickly completing several important missions and surpassing all expectations, the Assault Force not only raised the bar for Imperial efficiency but also helped demonstrate the bonds and camaraderie that could form between members of the Imperial Military’s rival branches.

Brigadier General Graeda L`Annan

Without a doubt, a significant portion of the force’s success was due to the capable officers who led the group. Officer Rex Corwyn, of the Imperial Navy, served as its first Commanding Officer with his Army-trained executive officer Graeda L`Annan. It was Graeda L`Annan who would go on to first replace Corwyn as the Assault Force’s leader and eventually become the Army Commanding Officer. At this time, high-powered members of the once-dissident New Imperial Order and the Galactic Empire met. They were worried about the state of the galaxy. With Imperial might divided, groups that had been their enemies from the very beginning had been able to amass power and wealth while establishing themselves as greater threats.

In a move that would fundamentally change the Empire and strengthen Imperial dominance throughout the galaxy a collective decision was made by both factions. The New Imperial Order and the Galactic Empire, who had been enemies for many years, would reunite and again become one. The merger was met uneasily but went more smoothly than most of the other mergers in the Empire’s history. This has been recognized as a time of reform and change in the newly united Empire. The primary military change was the ascension of Lord Admiral Seele to the rank of Military Commanding Officer and the overhaul of the Imperial Military that then took place.

The fleet structure was fundamentally altered and each fleet was broken down into three groups to better define the roles of the various divisions of the Empire’s Navy. An Assault group, a Reconnaissance group, and a Heavy Assault group. The groups would not only influence the allocation of resources but also the sort of training that members of those groups would receive. With these changes, the Assault Force, viewed as outdated concerning the new Imperial military, was disbanded, but the movement it spearheaded - that of interaction between both the Imperial Army and Navy - remained and held influence over the restructuring as cohesion and coordination between both military branches became a highly emphasized matter.

Protectors of Imperial Space

The careful restructuring was first discussed for many months by the members of the military command which consisted of Lord Admiral Seele, the Military Commanding Officer, Admiral Senki Blackrain, the Naval Commanding Officer, and Brigadier General Graeda L`Annan, the Army Commanding Officer. Once they had come to a mutual understanding the changes were put into into motion, the position of Military Commanding Officer was disbanded, and the Navy was placed solely in the hands of Lord Admiral Senki Blackrain.

The first reform under Blackrain was to turn all current fleets into groups. Next, he handpicked five officers who stood out to become the new fleet commanders, each one tasked with guarding one of the new Imperial Sectors. The first formed fleets were the First, Second, Third, Fourth, and Sixth Fleets. The Fifth Fleet was created to monitor the Deep Core as it had previously been established before the restructuring. Within six months Lord Admiral Blackrain created the Eleventh Group which would augment the Fifth Fleet, before the Twelfth group was created soon after and assigned to the Sixth Fleet. This latter group was created to protect the interests of the newest Imperial territory, the Corporate Sector, after its hostile takeover by Imperial forces.

In addition to the completely new structure, one of the major differences was that the Navy significantly increased the amount of time invested in combat training. Freed from the task of assisting in building projects, the shield of the Empire went into a new era of tactical and field maneuvers. A battle simulation program was installed on all Imperial vessels, allowing them to train under real conditions. It was not long before the first two fleets were pitched against each other in a day-long battle. This activity helped spawn the inter-fleet war simulation competitions that are the highlight of many servicemen and servicewomen.

Post-reunification under the rule of Emperor Cherokee and Seele, the Naval headquarters of Kuat were modernized, including changing the independence of the Imperial Navy through the introduction of the task force model. Instead of operating as independent fleets, the management of Imperial fleets would no longer be specific to just Navy personnel, with both Navy and Army portions forming together in the unified Imperial Military. With operations now maintained by a sole Supreme Military Commander reporting to the Imperial Throne and Imperial High Command, Naval forces were consolidated and reformed under the Amber, Emerald, and Ruby taskforces to manage security within the various Oversectors of Imperial space.

Naval Command History

Planetary Establishments

The Imperial Navy, and the Military at large, maintain numerous key establishments around Imperial space as beacons of the Imperial Navy. These are premiere facilities that have lived through numerous crises and continue to support the Imperial military.

The Navy Command College

The Command College on Kuat

The Imperial Navy's Command College is located at the Naval Headquarters on Kuat. Senior officers who have enrolled in the institution have demonstrated an aptitude for strategic, analytical, and management/leadership skills to qualify for selection. These select individuals are commonly in line for Command ranks and positions of command within the Imperial Naval operation, with such courses catered to educate officers on how to handle the rigors and responsibilities of such a role. Courses include studies in strategy and policy, joint force operations, regional security, and leadership.

The Command College's prestige dates back to the days of Veynom upon the creation of the new headquarters facility on Kuat. The second facility built after the primary command offices of the Naval Commander, its regal style underpins the learnings of the Navy, and how those who graduate enter a new echelon of life as an Imperial. Its lavish gardens and halls of portraits maintain a view of the past, seasoned graduates and commanders of the Imperial Navy, while also paving the way to new beginnings and methodologies available to newly enrolling students.

The College of Space Warfare

The College of Space Warfare was located at the Naval headquarters on Kuat. Its primary facilities were originally structured next to the Navy Command College, to allow both institutions to share training facilities and simulators. The educational emphasis within the college is placed on the research of questions about war as is carried out by the Imperial Navy, and students across the breadth of Naval careers and ranks may be enrolled, allowing for insight and development throughout the entire spectrum of naval personnel, once they have graduated successfully from Basic Imperial Academy training.

In Year 23 CGT, the College of Space Warfare was folded into the Imperial War College, located on Coruscant. This migration brought the aging facility a new breadth of facilities to train Imperial personnel while allowing those enrolled within the Imperial Academy to sample additional courses are available after graduation. The campus on Kuat remains a satellite of the Imperial War College which focuses on key aspects of warfare in which the Imperial Navy specializes.

Navy Technology

Throughout the years the Imperial Navy has utilized the basic ship frameworks from the days of the Galactic Republic, using the initial designs to assess points of failure and expand on the designs repeatedly. Initially, the designs were updated to remove the traditional red color schemes of the Republic and replace them with black and grey themes, before additional improvements were made to shielding, weaponry, and operations.