Hell's Black Aces

Unit Description

Hell's Black Aces was a all-AeroSpace Fighter mercenary force, that came to exist in early 31st Century.

Command

Attaining Rank

The unit pushes candidates for command through grueling trials. The command candidates measured by their number of kills, and they must pass tactical and strategic tests. These tests are considered to be toughest used in the Inner Sphere.

Contractual Command

The Aces have been noted for allowing to surrender strategic command given the situation. However, the unit almost never gives up tactical command, given that there are not too many force commanders whom would know how to effectively apply Ace's force abilities.

History

Formation in the Late Succession Wars

The Aces' was originally a Liao Aerospace Wing which did not want be victim of then Chancellor Maxmilian Liao's purges. In 3011, the unit had been neglected and fears of the purge grew strong enough for members of the wing to steal a rare Vengeance Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip and defect from the Confederation. The unit in order to survive became a mercenary unit, which took on high-risk contracts. From these contacts, the Ace's numbers suffered. The unit members only recruited veterans, which they prefer to hire Capellan nations.

Near end of the Third Succession War, the unit was hired by Filthy Lucre mercenary regiment to provide air cover for the force under Lyran contracted job. They were to provide aerospace cover during the merc's fight while in the Dromini VI system in the Draconis Combine. While making transit in, Combine aerospace company attacked from within a asteroid field, above rock called Hell's Black Acre. The intense dog fight with a aerospace company, caused the Filthy Lurcre's to abandon the former Liao wing to its own devices. They took all their DropShips back to their JumpShip, including the wing's own Vengeance. After being abandoned, the Company Commander of the Combine forces demanded the mercenaries to surrender. After a young pilot disputed that request, the Combine commander challenged young pilot to duel. Should pilot succeed, they would be free and escorted to Galatea. The two pilots dueled in a fifteen minute battle and the young pilot succeeding in crippling the Combined fighter. Later, the young pilot convinced the Combine commander not to commit seppuke to regain his lost honor. He was able convince him it was best to recouped his honor by joining forces with them, getting back at the Filthy Lurcre. The Kurita commander and his company joined them, then rechristening themselves as the Hell's Black Aces.

The Aces' track down the Filthy over Bolan in 3031 while not under any contact. Warning off the Filthy's Lyran contract holders, the Aces took their revenge on them by destroying all their 'Mech carrying DropShips. In course of the fight, they recover their Vengeance DropShip from the Filthy.

Clan Invasion Era

In 3053, the Blue Star Irregulars hired the Aces to assist them in their raid against Clan held world of Quarell. The Blues wanted the Aces to make sure that their JumpShips and the skies stayed safe during the raid. Clan Jade Falcons had number of aerospace assets, include a Fredasa Class Corvette/WarShip counter the raid. The Falcon's were surprised by the Ace's sudden attack against them, losing two whole Stars of OmniFighters to them. The Falcon's force manage to recover from attack and regrouped. The Aces fell back and headed for their JumpShips, with Clan OmniFighters in pursuit. As the Clanner arrived, they were greeted surprise attack by a wing of the Blue Star Irregulars' fighters hiding behind their JumpShips. The Clans caught by surprised were devastated by between the Blues and the Aces. Afterwards, the Aces conducted a series attacks that left the Fredesa crippled, allowing for the Falcon Warship to be captured. The Ace's were able to capture a Clan Titan Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip for themselves. The Clan ship was renamed the Lucifier's Deck, added to its growing fleet of carrier dropships, which include a Leopard CV and their original Vengeance Carrier.

Returning to the Service of the Confederation

By 3063 the unit reputation has grown since its obscurity as a defector Liao Aerospace Wing. A number of the command staff of the Aces's were descendants of the original Kurita pilots that joined the Aces at end of Third Succession War. A staff member to Capellan Confederation Chancellor Sun Tzu Liao, while in midst of its Xin Sheng movement, offered the Ace's very generous contract. Giving them preferred-buyer status for Aerospace Fighters being produced on Victoria, full salvage rights, excellant pay, and also allowing for one of their wings to be used by other factions as long they aren't against the Confederation. The Aces accepted the contract, however months later the Chancellor offered them chance to return to fold. The Aces' Commanding Colonel declined the offer the unit to become a house regiment. His Executive Officer, Major Wynn Sung, whom was a of Capellan descent, created a movement among the troops to reintegration of the unit. Her fellows begun word of possible mass desertion. Colonel Tanaga, to appease his people agrees continue talks leadership.

The wings of the Aces, serve to as trainers at such school as Liao Conservatory of Military Arts on Liao. While in some case, serving other factions, such as the Draconis Combine as of 3067. The unit by this time also able purchase ancient Invader Class JumpShip, which was given the name Charon.

Jihad

Operation Sovereign Justice

During open throws of the Jihad, the elements of the Aces fought off number of supporting raids by Duke George Hasek's Operation: Sovereign Justice forces. The Aces for the first time in years, re-united on Ningpo when they pounced the Arcadians mercenary company from the system, with the aid of the 1st Taurian Lancers. The Aces were able to destroy the Arcadians' support force, reducing the merc unit by 40 percent fighting form.

The Hell's Black Aces were transferred to Liao, where they team up with the Dynasty Guards. Shortly after, Duke Hasek's 8th Syrtis Fusiliers attack Liao battering Ace's Dynasty Guard partners. However, the Aces claim the air superiority and help Guards repulse the Fusiliers off the planet. The regiment had lost several of its squadrons, so the unit put in for time to refit and rest from various battles. The unit recovered in time for another attack in November of 3069, when Blakists arrived.

Blakists Attack of Liao

The entire regiment faced off with the Word of Blake's 21st Division teamed with the Dynasty Guards. The 21st's Aerospace forces included a dozen Pocket WarShips which help to punch a hole through Liao's space defenses. However, the Ace's first wave fighter arrived in form of a high speed against the Blakist force. They inflicting stunning damage to them, as the Aces concentrated on what they believe was the fleet's command ship. The Aces quickly returned to their base for a quick re-arm. The Aces' attacked stunned Blakist fleet and causing to delay in the Blakist attack while regrouped. As the 21st Division's 'Mechs dropped from orbit, the Aces desperately attacked them, shooting down a number of the incoming Blakist. However, it was not enough to keep the Blakist force landing in their considerable numbers. During the battle, the Aces were noted for their heroic efforts against the invaders. Their attempts in trying to keep pressure on Blakist, cost unit dearly. Not wanting go out with wimper, fifty fighters took fight Blakist's orbiting fleet. Many of the Ace's fighters ran out of fuel while fighting the Blakist fleet. Determined take down as many Blakists as possible, many a pilot rammed their fighter into 'Mech & DropShip formation as their fuel tanks rank dry. Only ten pilots out fifty Aces' pilots whom took off for space came back alive. Among the dead was Ace's commanding officer, Colonel Tanaga.

Through the Ace's efforts, they made it possible for the Dynasty Guards to repel the weaken Blakist forces. Their efforts successful in inflicting heavy damage to the 21st, causing them to withdraw from planet. During the battle for Liao, unconfirmed reports of the squadrons of fighters bearing Hell's Black Ace's colors were spotted fighting the Blakist forces.

During the unit recovery in 3070, Ace were able to confirm that a number of the unit's newest recruits had gone missing during the initial invasion. During the Recovery period, the Aces were able bring in the brightest and best students from Confederation's schools. These efforts brought the unit back to full regimental strength.

With only few non-Capellans left in the unit, the rumor had been floated around that the Aces were seriously considering truly end their careers as mercenaries to become a independent air regiment for CCAF when its contract ends in 3075.

Unit Colors & Insignias

All Ace fighter craft are painted bone white. The unit's emblem, black spade surrounded by flame, is painted on the left wing of their crafts. Aircraft kills are noted by Ace-of-spades painted on the right handside of the fuselage. It noted that 52 kills, "full deck", has never been achieved. Unit that grows in kills, its unit insignia's flaming corona around the Spade expands. On accomplished pilots, twisted red, oranges, & yellows form intricate pattern across the entire fighter. Making no two fighter paint schemes are a like.

Officers

As of 3059, the Commanding Officer was Colonel Colonel Horiu "Great Wyrm" Tanaga

Dragoon Ratings

3059

Rating A+

3067

Rating A+

3071

Rating A

Tactics

The Aces are known to fight per Wing, are assigned to different missions and contracts. First & Second Wings are expert in null gravity combat. First Wing trains for unusual terrains, such as Asteroid fields and orbital bodies. Third Wing is specialized in atmospheric operations including nape-of-the-Earth flying.

While in service of the Confederation as of 3067, the Second Wing taking advantage of the presence of the House Liao's growing WarShip fleet. They've become experts at assaulting and defending WarShips. While Third Wing developed better air & ground support tactics.

Composition History

3011

• 1 Aerospace Wing
  • 1 Vengeance Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip

3031

• 1 Reinenforced Aerospace Wing
  • 1 Vengeance Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip

3059

• 1 - Aerospace Regiment
  • Command Squadron - CO: Colonel Tanaga
  • 1st Wing - CO: Major Wynn "Lady Doom" Sung
  • 2nd Wing - CO: Major Jason "Daemon" Windgate
  • 3rd Wing - CO: Major Kerrin "Tsumani" Osikana
    • 1 Vengeance Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip
    • 1 Titan Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip
    • 1 Leopard CV Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip

3067

• 1 - Aerospace Regiment
  • Command Squadron - CO: Colonel Tanaga
  • 1st Wing - CO: Major Wynn "Lady Doom" Sung
  • 2nd Wing - CO: Major Jason "Daemon" Windgate
  • 3rd Wing - CO: Major Kerrin "Tsumani" Osikana
    • 1 Vengeance Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip
    • 1 Titan Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip
    • 1 Leopard CV Class Fighter-Carrier DropShip
    • 1 Invader JumpShip, Charon

Notes

As of 3059, First Wing has squadron of captured Jade Falcon OmniFighters, while squadron's usually employs only heavy fighters. First Wing's aircraft bolster salvage Clan technology with added aerospace fighters. The Second and Third Wings, use mix weight class of fighters.

Game Notes

Force Specific Command Bonus

The Hell's Black Aces as number of game special Command rules when deploy certain ways. If the unit is deployed with two or more wings of fighters, or a single wing backed by its Titan carrier, it automatically wins initiative for three turns.

In addition, when the Aces outnumber the enemy and destroys two or more opposing units in same turn the Aces gets to intimidates its opposition. When both these conditions are meet the opposing force suffers from a +1 to its to-hit modifiers in following turn.

Wing Specific Command Abilities

The First and Second Wings gain a +1 to their initiative when being used in vacuum. First Wing gains additional bonus when operating in a when debris and/or asteroids are on the map. Second Wing gains an additional +1 to its initiative if WarShip is present on the map. Third Wing receives a +1 to its initiative when operating in Atmosphere. When Third Wing is attacking ground targets, its receives a -1 to its to-attack rolls. However, if elements of Third Wing is mixed with either of the other two Wings, it loses its initiative bonuses.

Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised Abilities

When the unit is defending against an opposing force consisting of Word of Blake Militia force or allies, they gain +1 initiative, the modifiers are cumulative.

Mercenaries Supplimental Update

The Aces had changes in their ablities, due to battle on Ningpo. The unit only gives their opposition a +1 their to-attack rolls due to significate loses. The Aces gain a +1 their initiative when facing elements of Word of Blake or allies. When defending a Capellan world, they get +1 to their initiative. These bonus are cumulative to previous bonus listed.

Uniforms

• 

  Aerospace Flight Leader Uniform

Bibliography

• Field Manual: Mercenaries
• Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised
• Mercenaries Supplemental Update
• Jihad Secrets: The Blake Documents