France: 2300AD

Escadre d'Interface

By Jonathan Pearson

Acknowledgements

Bryn Monnery, Laurent Esmiol and Dan Hebditch for the Division de Debarquement, Verdun, Tournade II and Zenith. Dan Hebditch for the Troupes d'Intervention Spatiale and FUVOLMARS. All of the above and Dave Gillon for helpfull comments and feedback, all remaining errors are my own and probably becasuse I ignored their advice.

Canon Statement

I do not believe that this article directly contradicts any published 2300AD information and I have attempted to maintain consistency with the information that is available. I have also attempted to make the details of the Escadre d'Interface compatible with the relevant articles on the Etranger site (see acknowledgements above).

Contents

1. Introduction
2. History
3. Organisation
   1. Fleet HQ
   2. Division des Opérations (Operations Division)
      1. Station et Base d'Interface (Interface Stations and Bases)
      2. Escadron d'Interface (Interface Squadron)
      3. Flottille des Opérations (Operations Wing)
      4. Flottille d'Adminstration (Admin. Wing)
      5. Flottille du Génie (Engineering Wing)
   3. Division de Debarquement (Landing Division)
   4. Division du Génie (Engineering Division)
   5. Division d'Instruction et de la Recherche (Training & Research Division)
      1. Ecole du Génie Interface (Engineering School)
      2. Ecole de Vol en Interface Spatiale (Flight School)
      3. Ecole des Opérations Orbitales (Orbital Operations School)
      4. Ecole d' Assaut Interface Spatiale (Interface Assault School)
4. Equipment
   1. Fixed Wing Interface Vehicles
   2. Rotary Wing Interface Vehicles
   3. Orbital Transfer Vehicles (OTV)
   4. Vacuum Interface Vehicles
   5. Special Equipment
5. Order of Battle
6. Rank Structure
7. Insignia
8. Adventuring and the EdI
   1. Personalities
9. Glossary
10. Design Notes

One of the least well known, and to its members, least appreciated branches of the Marine Spatiale Imperiale Francaise (MSIF : Imperial French Space Navy) is the Escadre d'Interface (EdI : Interface Fleet). The EdI is responsible for the provision, operation and maintenance of all non Stutterwarp vessels used by the MSIF - mainly landers and orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs).

History

The origins of the EdI stretch back nearly three hundred years to the return of mankind to space following the Twilight War.

2040 - 2162

Before the advent of Stutterwarp there was considerable in-system exploration and the development of orbital industries was well under way. The bulk of the French effort in these spheres was under civilian control however the French military maintained an interest in space operations, primarily to protect national assets and to maintain communication and surveillance satellites. These duties were performed by the Space Command of the Armée de l'Air (Air Force).

2163 - 2278

The creation of the Marine Spatiale Francaise (MSF : Space Navy) by France following the disastrous Alpha Centauri War in 2162 resulted in the need for off Earth military interface transport. The MSF initially recruited a number of the Armée de l'Air pilots who formed part of the crew of each interstellar vessel requiring a lander. The interface pilots normally had other shipboard duties and were only infrequently called on to fly the landers.

As French colonial interests expanded so did the MSF and its requirement for interface transport. Escadron d'Interface (each with 10 to 20 vehicles) were set up to provide military transport to and from the MSF's various orbital facilities and their parent planets. Pilots in the Escadron, unlike their interstellar counterparts, flew interface operations full time. The large increase in the number of interface crew also resulted in the MSF setting up its own training and maintenance facilities separate to those of the Armée de l'Air (which it had previously used).

Another disastrous war (the Central Asian War) resulted in a root and branch change in the interface operations of the French military.

2279 - 2281

The Boulil Review of 2275 (named for Amiral Boulil the chair of the panel) had recommended that all of France's military interface assets should be placed under a single unified command within the MSF. It was hoped that this would produce a large enough organisation to increase training, maintenance and procurement efficiencies (all known deficiencies in the old structures). A single organisation would also provide a career path for flag rank interface specialists.

In parallel with a unified command the Boulil Review also produced the Division de Debarquement (DdD : Landing Division) concept. This called for the formation of standing specialist task forces consisting of interstellar transports, landers and troops that could develop and practice assault landing tactics. It also called for the production of dedicated assault landing ships to facilitate high intensity interface operations. The final recommendation (and in certain quarters perhaps the most controversial) was the requirement that the DdD be under command of the senior interface officer rather than the senior naval officer.

The Boulil recommendations were finally accepted by the Republic in 2279 albeit with a phased implementation. In the first phase the construction of the first assault landing ships was commissioned and a shadow command structure for the Escadre d'Interface (EdI) was put in place. The EdI was tasked with drawing up detailed structures and arrangements for new organisation and agreeing implementation plans with the predecessor organisations (Armée de l'Air and MSF).

2282 -

By 2282 the EdI staff's plans were in place (and construction of the first of the Verdun class of assault landing ship was well underway) and the transfer of all military interface operations to the EdI began.

The first combat faced by the EdI was bureaucratic, although potentially no less deadly for that. Intense lobbying by the Armée de Terre and the Armée de l'Air resulted in swinging budget cuts and delays which meant that the EdI remained a rag-tag command of disparate, often feuding, sub-units.

The situation was worsened by the start of the Central Asian War in 2285 which resulted in the suspension of the EdI and the return of its various sub-units to their original parents "for the duration of hostilities" as (at least according to the EdI's critics) the "the transfer of command was too disruptive during a major terrestrial and interstellar war".

Fortunately for the EdI, if unfortunately for France, all the early landing operations carried out during the CAW were at best unsuccessful. These failures coupled with a couple of spectacular lander crashes that were attributed to poor maintenance (though not wholly the fault of the Armée de l'Air) made the EdI's case unanswerable.

In 2287 command of all France's military interface units was formally transferred to the EdI and fitting out of the assault landing ship Verdun (which had been halted due to "budget shortfalls") was fast tracked.

By 2289 the CAW was over and the French military had completed redeploying to peace time and peace keeping duties. The EdI however was just beginning its first combat operations. The release of troops and vessels finally enabled the French to put together a task force to reinforce their failing Elysian colonial administration on Joi, in the 61 Ursae Majoris system, which was under threat from rebellious colonists. A Division de Debarquement was created around the Verdun (which had just completed acceptance trials) and by January 2290 was in orbit around Joi with elements of the MSF's 3e Flotte (Third Fleet). The rebel Elysians were no match for the elite Troupes d'Intervention Spatiale (TIS) from the newly formed 2e Brigade d'Intervention (2e BI) in conventional warfare, despite significant arms supplies from the Manchurians during the CAW. The conventional forces of the Elysian rebels were quickly defeated and the DdD concept and the EdI were declared a success. In actual fact most the rebels simply fled in the face of overwhelming fire power and reverted to unconventional warfare once the 1re BI withdrew.

The success on Joi boosted the EdI's standing with the new military Junta (everyone loves a winner) and increased appropriations allowed the commissioning of additional Verdun class assault landing ships and the development of the Zenith VTOL landers.

The War of German Reunification (2292 - 2293), although highly eventful for the EdI, saw no significant opposed landing operations. The EdI was exceeding busy moving reserve forces to reinforce threatened French colonies and the success of these operations (which admittedly had little or no impact on the outcome of the war) further improved its standing within the French military establishment. Mainly as a consequence of this the EdI survived the Ruffin Reforms of the mid 2290s unchanged. When the MSF became the Marine Spatiale Imperiale Francaise (MSIF : Imperial French Space Navy) following the accession of the Emperor in 2298 the EdI was an integral and well respected part of the Imperial Navy.

The Kafer War has seen the EdI come into its own with numerous landing operations, both assaults and evacuations, to its credit. The DdD concept has proved its worth time and again. The EdI is (literally) at the cutting edge of France' s battle against the Kafer menace.

Organisation

The EdI is an integral part of the MSIF and as such relies on the support organisations of it's parent for functions such as basic training, recruitment, pay etc. Only where the EdI has specialist requirements (such as flight training or maintenance) does it have its own equivalents of MSIF formations. The EdI uses a mixture of naval and air force terminology for its various organisational levels. This can often be confusing to outsiders used to one or other of the systems but is a result of the mixed parentage of the Escadre. In order of descending seniority the units are as follows.

• Escadre (Fleet) : Vice amiral d'Escadre commanding
• Division : Vice amiral commanding
• Base d'Interface (Interface Station) : Contre amiral or Colonel commanding
• Escadron (Squadron) : Lieutenant-colonel or Commandant commanding
• Flottille (Flotilla) : Commandant or Lieutenant de vaisseau commanding

One particular cause of confusion is the use of the term Escadre, which historically has been used in naval service to mean a force consisting of several divisions of other vessels (usually cruisers or destroyers). It was in this context that the EdI was named. In this case Escadre translates into Engish as "Fleet". In airforce usage however Escadre is used to mean a grouping of squadrons and would translate as "Wing". Indeed, to add to the confusion, the MSIF refers to its Fighter units as Escadre - meaning "Wing" - due to their airforce lineage. This dual use of the name has persisted in the MSIF despite numerous attempts to regularise the situation. It is a common term of disparagement within the MSIF to refer to the EdI in English as the "Interface Wing".

Fleet Head Quarters

• Division des Opérationss (Operations Division)
• Division du Génie (Engineering Division)
• Division d'Instruction et Recherche (Training & Development Division)
• 1re Division de Debarquement (1st Landing Division)
• 2e Division de Debarquement (2nd Landing Division)
• 3e Division de Debarquement (3rd Landing Division)
• 4e Division de Debarquement (4th Landing Division)

In addition a Contre-amiral is head of the EdI's HQ Adminstration Flottille.

Division des Opérations (DdO : Operations Division)

• Kourou Station (co-located with the headquarters) : Kourou, Guyana, Earth, Sol
• Crystal Palace Station : Crystal Palace Orbital, Earth Orbit, Sol
• Luna Station : Luna, Sol
• Tirane Station : Tirane Orbital, Tirane Orbit, Alpha Centauri
• Dakar Station : Dakar, Nouvelle Provence, Tirane, Alpha Centauri
• BCV Station : BCV Orbital, BCV Orbit, BCV

Base d'Interface de Marine Spatiale Imperiale Francaise

The purpose of all the Base d'Interface (Interface Stations) is to maintain military interface transport between France's planetary and orbital holdings. They move military personnel and equipment to support France's off planet military activities e.g.

• Transferring crew members.
• Moving spares, supplies and consumables.
• Launching and servicing military surveillance and communication satellites.

• Earth to Earth orbit (Kourou Station).
• Earth orbit, Lagrange points and Luna orbit (Crystal Palace Station).
• Luna to Luna orbit (Luna Station).
• Tirane to Tirane orbit (Dakar Station).
• Tirane orbit (Tirane Station).
• BCV orbit (BCV Station).

A typical Base d'Interface consists of three or four Escadron d'Interface plus the supporting elements necessary to keep the Escadron in active service. The station commander (usually a Contre-amiral or Colonel) has the three or four Escadron commanders (usually a Lieutenant-colonel or Commandant) and his or her three support group commanders (usually a Commandant or Lieutenant de vaisseau) reporting to him or her. The two planet side stations (Kourou and Nouvelle Provence) are co-located with Armée de l'Air bases sharing runways, fuelling facilities, ground defences etc.. Consequently the Base d'Interface facilities are limited to those specifically required to maintain interface operations. The orbital stations (Crystal Palace, Tirane and BCV) are more self-contained, and consequently have significantly larger support groups. Each of the orbital stations also has a detachment of Fusiliers-Voltigeurs-Marins Spatiale (FUVOLMARS) troops to provide local security.

Escadron d'Interface (Interface Squadron)

An Escadron d'Interface normally comprises between ten and twenty same type vehicles. The squadron comprises a small headquarters group, the flight crews and the maintenance personnel directly responsible for each vehicle. Each squadron is usually commanded by a Lieutenant-colonel or Commandant while the vehicles are normally divided into Flottille (commanded in turn by a Lieutenant de vaisseau) of two to six vehicles each commanded by an Enseigne, Maitre principal or Premier maitre. In charge of the physical well-being (as opposed to the flying) of each vehicle is a Chef du Véhicule (a Maitre or Second Maitre) with one or two Quatier Maitre under them. They are responsible for ensuring that the vehicle is ready for flight. This involves day to day maintenance, fault finding as well as scheduling any major maintenance and arming. Vehicles on detached duties are normally deployed with flight crew plus the Chef de Véhicule and his or her staff.

There are four types of operational Escadron:

Escadron d'Interface Transport (EIT : Transport Squadron) : an interface transport squadron tasked with the provision of transport between friendly locations in a secure environment (e.g. all the Escadron d'Interface operating in the core). The EIT are normally equipped with second line vehicles unsuitable for a combat environment.

Escadron d'Assaut et Chute Orbitale (EACO : Assault Squadron) : an interface squadron tasked with planetary assaults from orbit. The EACO are normally equipped with the latest military versions of interface vehicles in the French inventory.

Escadron d'Interface Detache (Detached Squadron) : an interface squadron that is detached from its' home station. Small numbers of vehicles are assigned to different locations (such as outposts, colonies and starships) where a full Escadron cannot be justified. All ships' landers in the MSIF are drawn from an Escadron Detache. Escadron Detache can be of the transport or assault variety. A detached squadron is indicated by a D after the normal unit designation (e.g. EIT-D or EACO-D).

Escadron d'Interface Reserve (Reserve Squadron) : an interface squadron on reserve duty. These squadrons are normally assigned to colonial orbit terminals to provide the colony with interface transport. The reserve squadrons are manned by EdI reservists and thus provide a pool of trained personnel and equipment that can be drawn on at time of need. EIx-R are normally equipped with the previous generation of transport and assault interface vehicles. These vehicles, although retired from military service, are generally refurbished before being transferred to their new roles. Escadron Reserve can be of the transport or assault variety. A reserve squadron is indicated by an R after the normal unit designation (e.g. EIT-R or EACO-R).

Flottille des Opérations (FdO : Operations Wing)

The Flottille d'Opération provides all the operational infrastructure required to keep the Station's Escadron effective. As the duties required of Ops are EdI specialties the majority of Ops personnel will be from the EdI. This includes the following specialities.

• Intelligence
• Mission Planning
• Traffic Control
• Electronic Warfare
• Navigation
• Safety
• Comms

Flottille d'Adminstration (FdA : Administration Wing)

The Flottille d'Administration is the organisation responsible for the running of the Station. Personnel serving in the Admin Wing are normally drawn from the MSIF's Admin branch (unless they are EdI personnel on secondment). This includes the following specialities.

• Personnel
• Pay and Accounts
• Medical Services
• Supply
• General Education & Training
• Mess Facilities

Flottille du Génie (FdG : Engineering Wing)

The Flottille de Génie provides engineering support for the Escadron. While the Chef du Véhicule is responsible for the well being of each vehicle the FdG carries out the vast majority of the actual work. Again the majority of duties are EdI specialities and personnel are from the EdI.

• Engineering Services
• Servicing
• Fuselage
• Propulsion
• Armament
• Weapon Storage
• Electrical
• Mechanical
• Avionics
• Communications

Division de Débarquement (Landing Division)

A DdD exists in two distinct ways. Firstly, and most obviously, it is a collection of interstellar vessels (military, auxiliary and civilian) and interface vehicles and their respective crews and a Brigade d'Intervention (BI) of Troupes d'Intervention Spatiale (TIS). The purpose of this task force is transport the BI to an enemy world and then land, support and reinforce them on , and if necessary evacuate them from, that world. Alternatively a DdD is an organisational structure within the EdI that is responsible for the overall command of the task force and the provision of the interface vehicles and their crews and support functions.

There are currently four DdD in existence although there are persistent rumours that additional units will be created in response to the Kafer threat. Two of the DdD are normally assigned to the 2nd and 3rd Fleets (at Tirane and BCV respectively) while the remaining two are held in reserve in the Sol system.

• 1re DdD : 3e Flotte (BCV)
• 2e DdD : 2e Flotte (Tirane)
• 3e DdD : Gateway Station
• 4e DdD : Crystal Palace Station

A DdD is essentially a Base d'Interface afloat. Each DdD is based around one or two Verdun class Landing Ships which house the Division's command staff, the bulk of Flottille des Opérations (FdO : Operations), elements of the Flottille du Génie (FdG : Engineers) and two Escadron d'Assaut et Chute Orbitale (EACO : Assault Interface Squadrons). Several other warships and Fleet Auxiliary vessels accommodate the balance of the FdG and two additional EACO. A DdD lacks a Flottille d'Administration (FdA : Administration) as it relies on the Fleet HQ admin. If a prolonged campaign is planned then civilian vessels and mobile orbital terminals may also accompany the DdD along with one or more Escadron d'Interface Transport (EIT).

The reason that a DdD warrants a Vice amiral rather than a Contre amiral (who commands a Station) is that the DdD's commander is also the commander of the MSF task force that transports his interface vehicles and supporting units. This arrangement was the result of the Boulil review that originated the DdD concept. The reasoning was that a professional interface officer was best placed to command a planetary assault as they better appreciated the limitations of the interface operation.

The original proposal caused great consternation amongst the MSF's flag ranks (despite the compensation of taking over the Armée de l'Air's interface assets) who resented the prospect of a "mere aeroplane pilot" being put in command of starships. Despite the reservations, and continuing hostility, the DdD commanders to date have proved the nay-sayers wrong.

Division du Génie (DdG : Engineering Division)

Although the Flottille de Génie (FdG) of a Station or DdD is capable of carrying out the bulk of maintenance and repairs required by their vehicles they are not equipped to perform major overhauls, significant upgrades or repair structural damage. In order to perform these tasks the EdI maintains several depots (Depot de Génie), operated by the DdG, capable of repairing, servicing or upgrading all types of interface vehicles, their ancillary equipment and weapons systems.

There are currently three Depot de Génie.

• Depot du Génie Kourou (co-located with Station Kourou and DdG HQ)
• Depot du Génie L5 (L5 Earth-Moon System)
• Depot du Génie Tirane (Tirane Orbital)

The DdG HQ also has a number of other responsibilities.

• Defining the maintenance regimes for the equipment under its care.
• Procuring, deploying and maintaining all French military satellites.
• Specifying and liaising with manufacturers in the development of new equipment.

Division d'Instruction et de la Recherche (DIR : Training & Research Division)

Unlike all the EdI's other Divisional HQ the DdIR is headquartered in Mirambeau, Nouvelle Provence, Tirane. Also unlike all the other Divisional HQ the DIR is not a combination of old MSIF and Armée de l'Air organisation but was formed along with the EdI in 2282. Similarly all the DIR's establishments are also to be found on or around Tirane. The location on Tirane was chosen to give the DIR access to a peculiar combination of resources.

• Large concentration of aerospace and orbital industries (Tirane is a major supplier of interface and orbital vehicles).
• High quality technical universities (Mirambeau is an acknowledged centre of excellence).
• Large, unoccupied open spaces for training exercises (readily available on Tirane but not on Earth).

All EdI personnel undergo basic training in the MSIF's main induction centres. To meet the EdI's specialist needs however the DIR maintains a number of training schools. The EdI's schools are much more akin to university departments than traditional training schools in that as well providing their students with advanced instruction they also conduct significant research into matters of interest to the EdI. Although each of the schools has its own research function they routinely work together on projects and their efforts are coordinated by the Directeur de la Recherce and his staff at DIR HQ.

• Ecole du Génie Interface (Interface Engineering School)
• Ecole de Vol en Interface Spatiale (Interface Flight School)
• Ecole des Opérations Orbitales (Orbital Operations School)

Each school has a combined service and civilian teaching and research staff and is affiliated with one or more civilian educational, research and training establishments. Each of the schools has two commanders (normally Contre-amiral) one responsible for training (Commandant de l' Instruction) and the other for research (Commandant de Recherche). The two commanders report to separate Directors within the DIR's HQ and each has their own dedicated administration and support staff. The dual identity of the DIR's schools is intended to keep any research closely linked to real interface operations

Also on Tirane is the Ecole d' Assaut Interface Spatiale (Interface Assault School), a purely military establishment, that consists of conventional educational facilities (classrooms, simulators etc.) and several training areas where the lessons learnt can be put into practice. The Ecole d' Assaut Interface Spatiale is commanded by a full Vice-amiral and command of the school is generally viewed as equivalent to command of a DdD. Although normally of equal rank to the commander of the DIR the school commander remains the subordinate of the OC DIR.

In addition to the four schools the EdI also maintains three Base d'Interface Instruction (Interface Training Station) which are organised in the same manner as the operational stations of the DdO. The stations are used by the DIR for the practical aspects of their respective courses. Consequently the stations are relatively over-manned relative to their operational counterparts as the staff include tutors and students in addition to the regular complement. The station commanders report to the Commandant d'Instruction of the School attached to their station.

The three stations are all on or above Tirane.

• Djibouti el-Jedid Training Station : Djibouti el-Jedid, Nouvelle Provence, Tirane, Alpha Centauri
• Basse Terre Training Station : Basse Terre, Nouvelle Provence, Tirane, Alpha Centauri
• Tirane Training Station : Tirane Orbital, Tirane Orbit, Alpha Centauri

The Ecole du Génie Interface is closely associated with the Mirambeau Technical University and maintains its teaching and research facilities adjacent to the Engineering Department in the outskirts of Mirambeau.

New entrants to the school are expected to have completed either a technical or professional engineering course (often at the nearby University) before admission. The school only deals with those specialisms required by the EdI and not basic engineering. Students being sponsored on a basic engineering course at the Technical University by the EdI will normally be attached to the school for administrative purposes.

In addition to providing initial training for the EdI's engineers the school also produces distance learning refresher and update courses for engineers in operational units. The school also offers advanced study courses and research projects to specialists engineers, the latter often in cooperation with university or industrial research groups.

As part of their course students normally spend a significant amount of time at one of the DIR's three Base d'Interface Instruction on Tirane putting their learning into practice.

The Ecole de Vol en Interface Spatiale trains all the EdI's interface flight crew and is based on the Tiranean equator at the Djibouti el-Jedid Training Station. The school uses four Escadron d'Interface Instruction (EII : Interface Training Squadron), one of standard atmospheric, fixed wing trainers, one of standard atmospheric rotary wing trainers, a mixed squadron of fixed wing interface vehicles and a fourth mixed squadron of rotons.

Non pilots are admitted directly to the school from basic training with no prerequisites. All pilots however are required to complete civilian courses in elementary and basic flying (single engined fixed wing) followed by advanced training in either multi engined fixed wing or helicopter operations before commencing interface training. The school has links with the Nouvelle Provence Flight Academy (a civilian flying school based in Dakar) and students being sponsored through basic pilot training by the EdI (which is the norm) remain attached to the school.

Once pilots have completed their initial flight training all further interface training is carried out at the school using the facilities and vehicles at the Djibouti Interface Station. Prior to completing the interface course (and the award of their pips) graduates also have to pass the short orbital manoeuvring course at the Ecole des Opérations Orbitales.

Following completion of the interface course graduates normally complete conversion training on the model of vehicle used by their first assignment at the school.

In addition to its training duties the Interface School also conducts research into interface operations. This covers a range of subjects.

• Flight testing of new models, and the development of standard operational procedures.
• Cooperative development programmes with vehicle manufacturers.
• Crash investigations (jointly with the Ecole de Génie Interface).

The Ecole des Opérations Orbitales is based at the Tirane Training Station on the Tirane Orbital. The school has three Escadron d'Interface Instruction (EII : Interface Training Squadron), one of inter and intra orbit OTVs, a second mixed squadron of fixed and rotary wing interface vehicles and a third mixed squadron of rotons and specialist vacuum interface vehicles. The Tirane Training Station also maintains two out stations, one on Tirane's moon Esa and one in orbit around it.

The school provides two courses in orbital manoeuvring, a short and a long, as well as a vacuum interface course. The short course, intended for the pilots of interface vehicles, teaches zero-G ship handling, docking procedures, intra orbit transfers, deorbit procedures and cargo handling (under both pressurised and vacuum conditions). The long course extends the curriculum to include inter orbit transfers (i.e. interplanetary travel) and long duration operations. The vacuum interface course teaches interface operations on vacuum worlds (such as Esa and Luna).

Entrants for the short course are expected to be close to completing their interface course (the two courses are normally conducted in parallel) before attending. Entrants for the long course do not require any interface training. Completion of one of the orbital manoeuvring courses is a prerequisite for the vacuum interface course.

In addition to the vehicle courses the school also provides training facilities for the MSIF's Fusiliers-Voltigeurs-Marins Spatiale (FUVOLMARS) troops. The school's Ship's Troops course is a prerequisite for all troops serving aboard the MSIF's vessels (FUVOLMARS or seconded foreign troops). The course teaches a variety of specialist skills.

• Shipboard security.
• Specialist shipboard weapons and tactics.
• Military P-suit use.
• Vacuum world operations.
• Ship boarding operations.
• Damage control.

All entrants are expected to have completed basic zero-G and P-suit training in addition to a high standard of conventional military training. The course is not viewed as physically demanding but it is very challenging both intellectually and technically. Also in view of the nature of the curriculum being taught it is also very dangerous and training injuries, and even fatalities, are not unusual. Graduates of the Ship's Troops course are generally regarded as "egg heads" by their less well qualified brethren but nevertheless respected for their technical competence.

The school's research activities parallel those of the Ecole de Vol en Interface Spatiale but concentrate on orbital and vacuum interface vehicles.

Ecole d' Assaut Interface Spatiale (Interface Assault School)

Unlike its counterparts the Ecole d' Assaut Interface Spatiale does not train the EdI's new recruits instead it provides additional training in combined assault operations to MSIF, Armée de l'Air and Armée de la Terre units. The purpose of the school is to practice all aspects of interface assault operations both from an offensive and defensive standpoint.

The school's research arm is dedicated to the evolution and revolution of interface assault tactics. As such it carries out an number of functions.

• Evaluation of training exercises.
• Evaluation of operational assaults.
• Investigation of enemy capabilities and tactics.
• Development of tactics.
• Development of equipment.

At present the research school is known to be heavily involved in analysing the recent campaign to expel the Kafers from the French Arm. They are also developing improved tactics and equipment to counter any future threat or to facilitate any human advance into Kafer space.

The school is based at the Basse Terre Training Station but also maintains numerous outposts at many of the military training areas around Nouvelle Provence. The Training Station is located within the Basse Terre military training area and works closely with nearby bases of the Armée Territoriale de Tirane and the Armée de l'Air Territoriale de Tirane.

The training school maintains three conventional Escadron, one EACO of Zenith landers (fixed wing VTOL space planes), one EIT of Pélican M-96 landers (slew wing STOL space planes) and a mixed EACO of Rotons (Ouragan Ground Attack and Tourbillon Heavy Transport).

The research school also maintains three Escadron, none of them conventional, officially listed as Escadron d'Interface Recherche (EIR : Research Interface Squadron). In actual fact the 36e EIR is made up of landers from France's potential enemies (past, present and possible future) which are used for evaluation purposes and as Opposition Forces (OpFor) in defensive exercises. The vehicles in the 36re EIR were obtained from a variety of sources ranging from above board purchase, through spoils of war to outright theft. The 37e EIR is a mixed squadron (rotary and fixed wing) of vehicles adapted for various purposes or to trial modifications. The composition of the 38e EIR is a closely guarded secret but is reputed to be a mixture of non French and experimental vehicles. There are even rumours that the 38e EIR flies Kafer interface vehicles salvaged from the French Arm. Vehicles from the 38e EIR are often on detached duties and are reputed to provide interface transport for the Groupement de Troupes Speciale de TIS (France's Intervention Special Forces).

The school's primary raison d'etre is to stage interface assault training exercises with as much realism as possible to practice with existing tactics and equipment and to develop new ones. Exercises range from single vehicle special forces operations to full planetary assaults by a DdD. They also make full use of extensive simulator facilities as well as gun-camera and live fire exercises. A wide range of units take part in these exercises, primarily the MSIF's EdI and the Armée de la Terre's TIS but also other MSIF and army units. During peace time the MSIF's DdD were regularly rotated through the school to maintain their edge however the recent surfeit of action against the Kafers has temporarily halted this process.

The school also runs a more conventional Interface Assault course to train both EdI crew and TIS troops in combined operations prior to assignment to a DdD.

The EdI uses a wide variety of interface vehicles ranging from civilian space planes, through heavy lift military rotons to interplanetary tugs. The most common military vehicles in French service are listed below.

Pélican M-96 : Slew wing STOL transport, good stealth characteristics, full countermeasures suite, unarmed. Deployed with front line units.

Pélican M-96B : As M-96 but with improved countermeasures to counter Kafer AA and GA systems, unarmed. Deployed with front line units.

Pélican M-80 : Slew wing STOL transport, out of date stealth and countermeasures systems, unarmed. Deployed only in rear areas and with reserve units.

Tornade II : Delta wing STOL assault shuttle armed with twin auto cannons and up to 9 tonnes of internal ordnance. Deployed with front line and rear area units but being displaced on the front line by the Zenith.

Zenith : Delta wing VSTOL assault shuttle. Deployed with front line units.

Ouragan GLR-GA : Single rotor ground assault roton, good stealth characteristics, full countermeasures suite, armed with PD laser system and two tri-barrel plasma guns. Deployed with front line units.

Cyclone GLR-MU : Single rotor transport roton, good stealth characteristics, full countermeasures suite, unarmed. Deployed with front line and rear area units.

Tourbillon GLR-MT : Dual rotor transport roton, good stealth characteristics, full countermeasures suite, unarmed. Deployed with front line and rear area units.

Note that all models of roton are capable of operating from vacuum worlds.

OTV 1 : Short duration intra orbit vehicle used to move cargoes and/or passengers between orbitals. Unarmed and unprotected. Only deployed in rear areas.

OTV 2 : Long duration inter orbit vehicle used to move cargoes and/or passengers within planetary systems. Unarmed and unprotected. Only deployed in rear areas.

OTV 3 : Short duration intra orbit assault vehicle used to move troops between orbitals and to board enemy vessels. Heavily armoured with good stealth characteristics, armed with a single jack laser turret and a specialist boarding airlock. Deployed with front line units.

Vacuum Lander : Lander for use on vacuum worlds (such as Luna or Esa). Good stealth characteristics and limited countermeasures, unarmed. Only deployed in rear areas.

Vacuum Assault Lander : Lander for use in assaults on vacuum worlds (such as Luna or Esa). Good stealth characteristics and countermeasures, armed with dual laser turrets and hard points for external munitions. Deployed with front line units.

Specialist Equipment

TBC

Order of Battle

1re EIT (Pélican M-80)
2e EIT (Pélican M-80)
22e EACO-D (Ouragan) 1re Flotte Landers
23e EACO-D (Mixed Zenith and Tornade II) 1re Flotte Landers
24e EACO-D (Zenith) French Military and Government VIP Transport - including Emperor's Flight
25e EACO-D (Ouragan) MSIF Colonial Liaison Groups

14e EIT (OTV 1)
15e EIT (OTV 1)
16e EIT (OTV 2)
26e EACO-D (OTV 3) 1re Flotte Shuttles

17e EIT (Vacuum Lander)
18e EIT (Vacuum Lander)
27e EACO (Vacuum Assault Lander)

19e EIT (OTV 1)
20e EIT (OTV 1)
28e EACO-D (Ouragan Roton) 2e Flotte Landers
29e EACO-D (Mixed Zenith and Tornade II) 2e Flotte Landers

3e EIT (Pélican M-80)
4e EIT (Pélican M-80)
EACO-D (Tornade II) French Military and Government VIP Transport

5e EIT (Pélican M-96)
6e EIT (Pélican M-80)
21e EIT (OTV 1)
31e EACO-D (Ouragan Roton) 3e Flotte Landers
32e EACO-D (Mixed Zenith and Tornade II) 3e Flotte Landers
33e EACO-D (OTV 3) 3e Flotte Shuttles

53e EACO (Tornade II) IFS Aurore Libre
49e EACO (Zenith) IFS Dien Bin Phu
50e EACO (Ouragan)
55e EIT (Pélican M-96B)
56e EIT (Pélican M-96)
57e EIT (Tourbillon)

58e EACO (Tornade II) IFS Iena-Auerstädt
46e EACO (Zenith) IFS Verdun
47e EACO (Ouragan)
48e EIT (Pélican M-96B)
51e EIT (Pélican M-96)
52e EIT (Tourbillon)

59e EACO (Tornade II) IFS Borodino
61e EACO (Ouragan)
62e EIT (Pélican M-96)
63e EIT (Tourbillon)

60e EACO (Tornade II) IFS Bir Hakeim
64e EACO (Ouragan)
65e EIT (Pélican M-96B)
66e EIT (Tourbillon)

42e EII (Fixed Wing Trainers)
43e EII (Helicopter Trainers)
44e EII (Mixed fixed wing interface vehicles)
45e EII (Mixed rotary wing interface vehicles)

34e EACO (Zenith & Tornade II)
7e EIT (Pélican M-96)
35e EACO (Ouragan & Tourbillon Roton)
36e EIR (OpFor)
37e EIR (Development)
38e EIR-D (Recherche)

39e EII (Mixed OTV)
40e EII (Mixed fixed and rotary wing interface vehicles)
41e EII (Mixed roton and vacuum interface vehicles)

8e EIT-R (Pélican M-80)
9e EIT-R (Pélican M-80)

10e EIT-R (Pélican M-80)

11e EIT-R (Pélican M-80)

12e EIT-R (Pélican M-80)

13e EACO-R (Pélican M-80)

Rank Structure

The rank structure of the EdI is basically that of the MSIF however in recognition of the EdI's mixed heritage, and to avoid having more than one Capitaine on board a ship, the general officers follow the naming conventions of the Armée de l'Air.

Escadre d'Interface Officer Ranks

Escadre d'Interface Enlisted Ranks

Insignia

The EdI uses standard MSIF rank insignia however the EdI also has its own additional set of insignia. The main EdI insignia, known as the "Globe and Orbit" (or less officially the "Bubble"), consists of a circular badge worn on the left breast pocket. On dress uniform this is a gold badge and on undress a textile patch. The insignia was introduced as part of the amalgamation of the MSF and Armée de l'Air organisations in an attempt to provide an esprit de corps independent of either parent. In the main these efforts have worked well and have united the EdI albeit at the expense of some considerable rivalry with both the Armée de l'Air and other branches of the MSIF.

In addition to the Globe and Orbit a number of bars and pips are used to indicate various specialities and qualifications. Again on dress uniform these take the form of gold badges and textile patches on undress uniform and fatigues.

Bar above : orbital pilot.
Right side bar : flight crew (orbital or interface).
Left side diamond pip : fixed wing interface pilot.
Left side circular pip : rotary wing interface pilot.
Bar below : support section.

The presentation of an orbital bar or interface pip are the EdI's equivalent of the Armée de l'Air's presentation of wings to its pilots and is invested with an equal degree of solemnity and ceremony.

Adventuring and the EdI

Although not the glamorous, star faring part of the MSIF the EdI is the part of the MSIF that the vast majority of (planet bound) humanity, and therefore most adventurers, is most likely to encounter. The EdI is, literally, the interface between France's interstellar power, capable of scouring whole continents with fire, and the places where people live.

The EdI provides a useful way for characters and their equipment to get onto and off planet. This could be because they are members, or former members, of the French armed forces (or their allies). Alternatively they may be able to bribe or blackmail their (or their equipment's) way onto a military flight. This can be advantageous as a military interface flight may avoid such inconveniences as customs searches or police surveillance.

The EdI also provides a detailed background for characters or NPCs providing them with a wide range of skills and contacts. In a military based campaign the EdI are a useful mechanism for moving the characters from world to world or rescuing them when the odds against them get too high. This could be conventionally as service personnel assigned to a DdD or unconventionally via the 38e EIR-D special operations squadron.

In a civilian or intelligence campaign the EdI may be aiding a francophile group with transportation of people or equipment - overtly or covertly. Alternatively the EdI could prove to be the player's nemesis always turning up with the French secret police or special forces intent on preserving and extending the French Imperium.

The EdI could also play the part of patron for Characters. The local commander of the EIT-R may need some quiet investigation of his or her subordinates suspected of smuggling, or other undesirable activity but may not with to bring it to the attention of his superiors. A crash investigation team from the Ecole de Vol en Interface Spatiale sent out to a far flung colony to investigate the loss of a previously reliable Pélican M-80 might require skills they don't possess but the characters do. Alternatively the investigation team may suspect that local officials are involved somehow and require someone they believe to be independent.

Personalities

Colonel Jeanette Montcalme MSIF EdI

Jeanette Montcalme is the newly promoted second in command of the 1re DdD assigned to 3e Fleet. She is a career interface officer who began her service in the MSF Interface Wing. She saw service as a roton pilot and Flottille commander during the Elysian revolt in 2290.

Following her active service on Joi Montcalme quickly rose to command of 57e EIT, which was due to be reequipped with Tourbillon rotons. Having made a success of the Escadron's transition and returned it to full efficiency she was promoted to the more prestigious command of the 47e EACO (Ouragan Rotons) attached to the 2e DdD.

Montcalme is an up and coming officer who is confidently tipped to take command of an Interface Station or DdD in the next few years. She is well respected by both her peers and subordinates. Her superiors, while impressed with her efficiency and overall competence, are a little concerned with her overly aggressive approach and are hoping that a little maturity will better channel her drive.

Montcalme is a native of Nouvelle Provence, a child of middle class parents brought up in the suburbs of Mirambeau. She joined the MSF inspired by her desire to see the stars. Although initially entering as a fleet officer aptitude testing showed a high suitability for interface pilot and she switched career tracks.

Now aged thirty six Montecalme is married (to an ex Paratrooper invalided out during the Elysian revolt) with non-identical twins aged six. Her tour of duty as the CO of an EIT enabled her to enjoy a settled family life during the twin's early years however

Major Rabea Mechernene

Rabea Mechernene is a contemporary of Jeanette Montcalme and they have served together on several occassions in their military careers. Rabea Mechernene is currently the senior NCO in the 1re DdD.

She is a well respected officer and is often held up as a role model to more junior NCOs. She began her career in the DdG as a maintenance technician however her insatiable thirst for knowledge of all things aerospace soon took her into the DdO as a co-pilot/gunner in the newly introduced Ouragan Roton. Since then she has maintained her meteoric rise through the non-commisioned ranks of the MSIF refusing (rumour has it) several offers of a commision along the way.

She has an encyclopedic knowledge of the EdI and its equipment and is never happier than when tinkering with the guts of some failed roton or spaceplane. Despite her instinctive desire to get her hands dirty she has proved to be an exceptional leader and manager of men. Her normal management style is very hands off, provided that all is as she likes it, however if events begin to deviate from the direction she has decreed the speed and force of her intervention is legendary. Only the terminally stupid or ignorant would cross her deliberately.

While maintaining miltary discipline at all times Mechernene is not afraid to express her (usually correct) opinion to senior officers. This trait has not endeared her to all her past commanders however it is notable that in the long run her career has survived any conflict of personality - often at the expense of her opponent's.

Mechernene was born on Earth, in European France, a member of the exceedingly wealthy Mechernene family (principle shareholders of Mechernene et Baali one of France's largest industrial conglomerates). As such she had a very privelidged upbringing and her mechanical talents were humoured by indulgent parents (she constructed her first car aged thirteen and her first aeroplane aged sixteen).

By the time she began attending university in Paris her future career in the "family firm" had been mapped out for her. Unfortunately for Mechernene et Baali Rabea had become disillusioned with the life of rich, privelidged future corporate executive and she simply abandoned her former life and turned up at an MSIF recruiting station in Nouvelle Provence where she enlisted in the EdI's DdG. Her family quickly managed to track her down but were unable to persuade her to return. Since that time both sides have observed a policy of non interference in each other's affairs.

Mechernene has kept her background secret from her colleagues, although presumably Naval Counter Intelligence are aware of it, by the simple expedient of never talking about her family. The common assumption, of those who know her well (based upon rare personal comments), is that she comes from a middle class family in Southern France and that one or other of her parents worked in the aerospace industry. In actual fact Rabea Mechernene is probably one of the richest individuals in the MSIF having inherited a considerable number of shares in Mechernene et Baali on her twenty first birthday. The shares remain in a Trust Fund that Rabea has never accessed and she lives exclusively on her MSIF salary.

Maitre Jean Jules Ouaili Maitre

Jean Jules Ouaili is a Chef du Véhicule for a Pélican M-80 of the 3e EIT stationed at the Base d'Interface Nouvelle Provence.

Ouaili is a competent technician who takes pride in his work and his Pélican. He is normally easy going but has a temper when under stress or if particularly tired. He is well liked by his work mates and valued by his superiors.

Ouaili was brought up in the French (at that time) colony of Elysia on Joi, 61 Ursae Majoris. His parents ran a LTA servicing operation at the Bonne Chance space port and were strong government loyalists. During the Elysian rebellion the Ouailis remained strong supporters of the colonial administration and prospered as civilian contractors for the increased French military presense. It was during this period that Jean Jules first encountered the EdI. Being a curious and helpful child - with a working knowledge of aircraft maintenance - he was soon adopted as an unofficial mascot by ground crews of the 55e EIT.

With the fall of the colonial administration the Ouailis lost everything to the rebel colonists and, remainig loyal to the French Republic, were evacuated to Nouvelle Provence. Jean Jules' parents were destroyed by the experience and now simply exist on their small, but adequate, government pension in the rundown Brazza district of Mirambeau.

Ouaili was equally scarred by this experience but emerged with two driving obsessions that have kept him from his parents' despair. The first is an unquestioning loyalty to the EdI (who he thinks could have saved Elysia were it not for the corrupt politicians) in particular and the French military establishment in general. The second is an equally uncompromising hated of the Elysian rebels. This has resulted in a number of run-ins with the military police due to his often too passionate defence of his beloved Escadre.

Glossary

Designer's Notes

I have left the OTV's and vacuum landers with generic names as they have not been written up. If anyone wishes to do so I will happily reference the designs. I have some ideas in this regard so if anyone is interested please get in touch.

This article originated from the need to define the insignia for my models of the military roton's - as you can see it got a little out of hand!

There was considerable debate over the use of the term Escadre - meaning Fleet in this context. As I've mentioned in the text the French Navy has used it in the past (pre WWII) for Fleet sized units. Unfortunately the French Airforce have also used the term to mean Wing. To be honest I was unaware of both these things until Laurent and Bryn, amongst others, informed me of them. I had simply looked up Fleet in a English-French dictionary and got Escadre. Being both lazy and stubborn I decided to stick with the word I first thought of, so Escadre it is. If this, feely admited, inconsistency offends you please feel free to make it the Flotte d'Interface (FdI) in your campaign.

Thanks again to Laurent, Dan, Bryn and Dave for comments on the earlier draft and appologies for ignoring your advice when it suited me.

Version 1.0

9/03/2003

Copyright J.M. Pearson, 2003