1. This is a squad based event - Such a plan is used to smooth out the administrative workload associated with large events and relegate it to the structures that already exist; squadrons. - The idea for this series has been drawn from successful Warbirds S3 series and the previous Tour of Duty series of Aces High. - The purpose of the Friday Squad Operations is to provide players with an environment of fair play as seen in a historical light. This may include strategies, tactics, and logistics that were used during World War II. _____________________________ ___________2. Participation - No walkons will be allowed on the day of the events, (frames). Any individual pilots wishing to participate must pre-register with squadrons or contact the squadrons ahead of time, not the minutes before the frame. - Currently we have about 200 pilots in the Friday Squad Operations. We have room for more squads who wish to participate. - Squadrons which did not register initially can be added to the Squad Operations series by filling out an application form. Generally squadrons are added in the next round of Squad Operations. Usually 1-3 weeks time. - Squadrons which leave the series for whatever reason and wish to return may have to wait till the next tour or longer. Squads may not leave and come back multiple times. Squads are expected to contact CM’s when leaving. Squads are expected to participate in all the frames. - Once a squadron is accepted into the series - it is invited forever - unless it wishes to leave or is dismissed by the CM team. (see rules on attendance and CO volunteers ) _____________________________ ___________3. Guests - Unassociated pilots, (those from non participating squads) will be allowed to participate in the event in order to give them a feel of what the Squad Operations is all about. - Unassociated pilots may also post in the Squad Operations forum asking for a guest spot in the current Squad Operations. Or they may use the C.O. and X.O. contact list on the Squad Operations web site. They may apply for a “guests” spot that each squadron holds. It is entirely up to the squadron CO. He will accept or reject such an application or request from guest pilots. - If guest is accepted into the squadron for the Squad Operations, in the eyes of Squad Operations crew he is a part of this squadron, and the CO of his squadron will be held responsible for this guest's actions/behavior. _____________________________ ___________4. Attendance - About week before the start of the event, each squadron CO will be expected to submit an estimate of how many pilots from his squadron will be available to fly in each of all the frames of the upcoming Squad Operations. (this number is used to assign aircraft and balance the sides in the design phase of the event) It is vital these be as accurate as possible due to the necessity of keeping the frames balanced. You can find that link here. - Each squadron is expected to stay within their selected range that month with an adjustment of 2 under or 2 over. If this rule is violated, squadron may be removed from the Squad Operations. Removal is up to the head of the Squad Operations and Admin CM's for Squad Operations. CO's are expected to choose from the following list of ranges for their numbers: 4-67-1011-1516-2122-2728-3232+ *Squad C.O.'s have wide range to choose from. If a squad C.O. chose 4-6 they may show up with as little as 2 pilots and as many as 8. More than 8 will result in a point penalty for their side. If a squad C.O. chose 7-10 then they could show up with as few as 5, but no more than 12, more than 12 would also result in a point penalty. - Squads that are under in attendance will be reminded and may have to lower their committed numbers. Any squad that is a no-show will be warned and then removed if it happens twice. - Squads that are over in attendance will cost their side, (Allied or Axis) 100 points per pilot. Squads that have too many pilots are expected to have their extra pilots sit it out or fly with another squad that is not over in their committed numbers. - Squad Operations aircraft assignments will not be revealed until after all the expected numbers are received. - If a squad does not update their numbers then they will be expected to show up with what they listed the previous tour.
5. Events and Settings - Squad Operations will take place on Friday night at 11 PM Eastern. - Frames will start 5 minutes after the hour regardless of CO's readiness. - Anyone who crashes on take off or has a mishap may reup without asking but only in the first 15 minutes of the frame. - Fields close 15 minutes after the hour except for discos. - Discos may reup up to 30 minutes after the hour. - After 30 minutes the fields are closed and no reups are allowed (unless design allows for a 2nd life) - All targets must be hit within the first hour of the frame. - Arena settings will be as "historical" as they can be made. Short icons, no in-flight radar, kill messages turned off, historical terrains/match ups. - Scoring may be done using a special parser. Squad Operations will generally be based on points. Points will be determined by the Admin CM. Aircraft values will generally be 10 points for a fighter, 15 points for twin engine aircraft or medium bombers, 20 to 25 points for the large bombers. - Channel 1 will be turned off 30 minutes after the start of an event. - All events will generally be "one life" frames. Pilots may be allowed a 2nd life depending on the aircraft flown. This may take place after the 30 minute mark. - Since historical plane match up's will be used, squadrons will have to rotate to fly strike aircraft or aircraft other then their preferred side or type. All squadrons are expected to keep up their participation in such case. This is done to balance the series and will be distributed as fairly as possible. - Scoring will be based on a squadron and Allied/Axis performance as a whole, with less of the individual emphasis. _____________________________ ___________6. Responsibilities. Squadron CO: - Behavior of his pilots during the event. - Report anticipated participation numbers of his squadron before every 3 week tour. - Provide two valid contacts for their squad. Usually a C.O. and X.O. e-mail address. - Squads who do not provide two working e-mails will be warned twice then removed from Squad Operations. - Find and report to the CM team one volunteer from the squadron to lead (as a Frame CO) one Squad Operations frame. This maybe the CO himself or a member of his squad. Anyone new to this can find steps on how to be a Frame C.O. here. Anyone needing assistance may contact any member of the Squad Operations team to help them with their Frame C.O. duties. - When it is that squads turn to provide a Frame C.O. in Squad Operations and they are unable, then the squadron must find a replacement Frame C.O. or risk being removed from Squad Operations. - Squad C.O.'s and X.O.'s are expected to keep up with the Squad Operations forum and current happenings of Squad Operations. - Frame C.O.'s are expected to have thier orders out by Wednesday night at the latest. Orders sent out after Wednesday will be considered late. Squads who are chronically late with orders will be warned and then may be removed from Friday Squad Operations. - Assuring that pilots in his squadron are fully aware of their duties and responsibilities in relation to the Squad Operations event. This includes orders/plane/field assignments/uniform. - Squads are expected to put guests in uniform prior to the start of the frame. - Personal behavior of the pilots in the arena will be put to highest standard of honor and good sportsmanship. CO's will have to deal with the disruptive pilots from their squadrons. - We encourage squadrons to use the mission editor or message of the day for squad communication. Pilots:- Report for the frame at an appropriate time, (on the hour or before). The frame will start 5 minutes after the hour whether CO's are ready or not. - Take steps to find out plane/field/orders assignments for the frame prior to the frame. Usually contacting their own C.O. or the Frame C.O. - Be familiar with and always obey by the rules of the event. Squad Operations Frame CO (CiC): - Read and understand all the rules as they pertain to the current event. - Receive and review the frame objectives as sent by Admin CM and follow the steps for the Frame C.O.'s. - Insure that squadron C.O.’s have received their orders by e-mail, no later than Wednesday night prior to the Friday night Squad Operations. - It is the responsibility of the Frame C.O. to insure orders were received by the squad C.O.’s. - Frame C.O.'s must assign squads to hit all targets within the first hour of the frame. - Frame C.O.’s must assign squads to defend all targets during the first hour. - The "aircraft of interest" for each squadron should be taken into consideration when aircraft are assigned. - Frame C.O.’s may spilt larger squads (11-15 or larger) as deemed necessary. Larger squads must aim for a 50/50 spilt or as close as possible when using 2 aircraft. Larger squads may only fly 2 different aircraft. - Frame C.O.’s may not split smaller squads (7-10 or smaller). _____________________________ ___________7. Penalties - Squads that go over their commitment level will be warned and their side will also be penalized 100 points for every pilot that goes over the extra 2 pilots rule. - Squads that are under in attendance will be reminded and may have to lower their committed numbers. Any squad that is a no-show will be warned and then removed if it happens twice. - Squads that are chronically under their limit will be warned twice, then possibly removed from Squad Operations. - Any targets not initially attacked or defended in the first hour will result in a 25% reduction of over all awarded points or the loss of objectives. This is to insure all squads will see action within the first hour. - Squads that do not adhere to the squad splits concerning different aircraft may have a 25% reduction of over all awarded points or the loss of objectives. - A squad who is seen to abuse the above rules and guidelines or the rules and guidelines laid out by a CM to a specific Squad Operations maybe removed from Squad Operations.
