Orbital Forces Command (Barrayar)

Orbital Forces Command
Lesser Coat of Arms of the Imperial Military Service
Active	2901 A.D. - Present
Country	Barrayar
Branch	Orbital forces and interceptors
Part of	Imperial Service
Garrison/HQ	Imperial Service Headquarters, Vorbarr Sultana
Nickname	Imperial Star-fighters Orbital Artillery
Engagements	Second Cetagandan War (2876) Komarran Conquest (2896 - 2897) Escobaran War (2899) Third Cetagandan War (2903 - 2904) Hagen Hub War (2921) Polian War (2962) Aslund Crisis (2991)
Commanders
Chief of Orbital Staff	Lieutenant General Aral Byerly Phourthonous

The Orbital Forces Command (ORBIFORCOM), also known informally as the Starfighter Command, is the Barrayaran command responsible for orbital deployments and interceptor (both suborbital only and capable of non differentiated flight inside ad outside orbit and atmosphere) assets of the Imperial Service. While equal in rank and position, the Chief of the Orbital Forces Staff takes precedence over the Landing Forces Command. The spacefighter fleet command is mostly dominated by non-Vor officers.
ORBIFORCOM is the descendant of both the Imperial Air Force and of some assets of the Imperial Navy. In 2901, immediately after the Vordarian Pretendership, the Imperial Air Forces was merged with the other Armed Forces to form the new Imperial Military Service. Since 2993 ORBIFORCOM's crafts are commissioned as His Majesty's Starfighter, with the initialism HMSF designating them, or His Majesty's Orbital Platform, with the initialism HMOP which identifies them. While the LANFORCOM has a naval hierarchy, the ORBIFORCOM has a ground-based ranks system, also because the now-disbanded Imperial Air Forces retained a rank system very similar to those of the Army. Form a cultural point of view, interceptors forces and units regard themselves as a sort of space cavalry, while orbital defences are closely linked with the artillery heritage.
It should be noted that ORBIFORCOM assets do not contain all starfighters or all interceptors and orbital military satellites: not only the Logistics Command handles on its own significant suborbital and orbital crafts, but the Space Forces and Ground Forces have environment-dedicated crafts on their own: the Space Forces embark SPAFORCOM shuttles and interceptors, and may embark also ORBIFORCOM assets if required; on a similar way, the GROFORCOM has several low-altitude vehicles. The ORBIFORCOM just provide highly mobile or heavily armed assets in order to augment the strategic initiative in all situations: deep space mobile attack is a prerogative of ORBIFORCOM starfighters carried in SPAFORCOM carriers; strategic ground bombardment is carried by ORBIFORCOM gunships in support to GROFORCOM forces; orbital satellites management and major system defences are operated by the ORBIFORCOM in support to SPAFORCOM mobile forces.
The ORBIFORCOM mainly operate its Flying Wings from star bases and from the biggest vessels, but its orbital defence constitute the vast majority of space fixed installations. The Command is divided according functional lines; there are four Component Commands (ORBIBAR, ORBIKOM, ORBISER and EXPRESINT), which group eleven numbered Forces, each consisting of space interceptors (also known as starfighters) or of fixed orbital defences; Forces are deployed in combined or one-type elements according their destination. As a rule, odd-numbered Forces consist of fixed defence weapons, while the even-numbered ones consist of mobile defences such as starfighters and interceptors.

Fixed and Mobile Forces

Being static defence elements, the Fixed Forces (i.e. Numbered Forces having fixed defence weapon stations) are geographically subdivided into Defence Areas, usually led by Brigadier Generals, which contain several operational units, known as Fixed Regiments, with heavy missile and energy heavy weapons complements. Defence Areas are the counterpart of the Starfighter Brigades, which in turn are the "geographical" element of the mobile numbered forces.
Fixed Regiments are in charge for subsections of the Defence Area, or for functional lines of the same Defence Area (especially for those Defence Areas which guard the jump point); Starfighter Regiments are not assigned to a specific Fixed Regiment, but operate into the whole Starfighter Brigade space region of responsibility, which is clearly the same of the relevant Defence Area's space region of responsibility.

Mobile organization

The ORBIFORCOM is divided into eleven numbered Forces, six of whom being Mobile Forces. Within every Force there are several Starfighter Brigades of four Starfighter Regiments each. Each Regiment is made up of a pair of Squadron Groups of three Squadrons each. A squadron consists of twelve fighters of the same class and type and is usually the smallest independently operated unit. Within a Squadron are three Flights, each made of two pairs of fighters called a Section. Pilots are exclusively officers, while Troops and Warrant officers serve as support personnel or as secondary operators. It is to note that the numbering is referred to fighter crafts, while support crafts' proportions are not respected.

Squadrons

A Squadron is a unit of the Starfighter Forces consisting of three Flights of four starfighters each, for a total of twelve starfighters. A squadron is typically the smallest unit to operate independently, and is the largest unit to be made up entirely of the same type of fighter craft. In addition to the twelve starfighters and their aircrews, a squadron has three attached support craft: an attack support, a tanker support and a search-&-rescue vessel, along with the eight personnel required to operate these craft. Additionally, there are between eighty-one and one-hundred twenty other support personnel, depending on the type of squadron and the class of starfighter it operates. A squadron is typically commanded by a Captain, but some Squadrons are assigned to Majors.
Within the ORBIFORCOM mobile components six Squadron types are deployed:

• Line squadron: combat, patrol, and defence;
• Attack Squadron: an Attack squadron is made up of heavier craft than a Line squadron, and is responsible for assault operations against both fixed and mobile targets.
• Interceptor Squadron: these squadrons utilize faster starfighters and rapid attack tactics to keep enemy starfighters at a safe distance from vessels and stations.
• Reconnaissance squadron: it typically operates divided into Flights or Sections, and scouts enemy positions and forces to aid operations.
• Bomber squadron: such squadrons attack fixed targets with heavy ordnance.
• Training Squadron: it is used exclusively for training purposes.

Most Starfighter Brigades assigned to system defence are with few, if any, bomber squadrons.

Orbital Staff

Although the Imperial Service is a fully unified operational command, ORBIFORCOM retains important responsibilities about the majority of issues related to high-altitude flight and with orbital probes, but with concern the logistics and transport. The Central Command of the Orbital Forces structure is centred around the Chief of Staff of Orbital Forces, who is part of the High Command.

Chief of Orbital Staff

The Chief of Orbital Staff (COS) is a post ordinarily held by a General in the Imperial Service, and is the most senior officer assigned to serve in the orbital-related issues; currently, a Lieutenant General is serving. The Chief of Orbital Staff is an administrative position, and while the COS does not have operational command authority over operational forces, the COS does exercise supervision of orbits-related organizations and activities, such as air and orbital traffic control in Barrayar. The COS reports directly to the Chief of General Staff for the command, utilization of resources and operating efficiency of the operating forces of the space forces and of the space forces landed activities. The COS also designates personnel and resources to the commanders of Service Strategic Commands.

Orbital Forces Barrayar

The Orbital Forces - Barrayar (ORBIBAR) is an orbital forces command in the Imperial Service, also known as the "Last Line". ORBIBAR area of responsibility includes the Barrayaran star system including the jump points in the wormholes. The command comprises the First, Second, Third and Fourth Forces.
ORBIBAR is based at ISB Tanery Base, Barrayar, next Space Forces Barrayar. ORBIBAR Command, differently from the other component commands of the orbital forces, shares the operation of intra-system defence crafts with its counterpart Space Forces command; however, these crafts are real battleships which are not provided with Necklin jumpers, but equipped with extra armour and weapons. In addition, SPABAR is in charge of the ORBIBAR-manned defence points based on the two Barrayaran moons.
The commander of the ORBIBAR is General Jonathan Lancer. ORBIBAR is a component command of, and reports to, Barrayar Command (BARCOM). Under Jonathan Lancer's command there are two numbered Forces: First Force and Second Force. The organization attached directly to SPABAR is relatively small: it consists of the ORBIBAR staff, some security detached units, the Defence Points Commands (excluding the two moon defence bases) and the ORBIBAR Services Crafts Group.

• ORBIBAR Commander
• Secretariat ORBIBAR
• ORBIBAR Command Orbital Depot (dependent on Logistic Command)
• ORBIBAR Staff HQ
• Service Security Liaison Officer
• ORBIBAR Minute Services Crafts Group

The Defence Points Commands are command elements which group and manage both fixed and mobile forces in a given area, combining both static space defences and fighters units. Each Defence Point Command is led by a Major General, who is in charge for the general defence and for the operational command; he is senior to Brigadier Generals under his command but strictly subordinated to the ORBIBAR Commander. It is to note that Defence Point Commands are directly subordinated to ORBIBAR, without further subdivision. ORBIBAR operates 22 such Defence Points Commands.

First Force

The First Force is led by Lieutenant General Serge Vorreedi and is composed of thirteen Defence Areas, each led by a Brigadier General. First Force's area of responsibility is the fixed defence of the Barrayaran system, including the external stronghold of Barrayar VIII, where there are the Fleet Depots and the main shipyards) as well as the fixed defence and the augmenting of the space forces at jump-points of the first two wormholes. Defence Areas are large three-dimensional portions of space, where a contingent is deployed. Alongside the thirteen Defence Areas which are under an ORBIFORCOM officer, there are also the two defence points on the two Barrayaran moons. Being integrated and combined with the Second Force, which is the starfighter Force assigned to the Barrayaran star system, the First Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.

• First Force Command HQ
• First Force Staff
• First Force Staff Group 1: Ordnance Disposal
• First Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
• First Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
• DA-11 Barrayar Planetary Orbit North (support to Third Force)
• DA-12 Barrayar Planetary Orbit South (support to Third Force)
• DA-13 Barrayar Large Orbit
• DA-14 Jump Point 0 (inside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• DA-15 Jump Point 1 (outside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• DA-16 Jump Point 2 (inside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• DA-17 Jump Point 3 (outside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• DA-18 Asteroids Belt ALFA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• DA-19 Asteroids Belt BETA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• DA-110 Asteroids Belt GAMMA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• DA-111 Asteroids Belt DELTA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• DA-112 Barrayar VI Orbital Defence
• DA-113 Barrayar VIII Orbital Defence

Second Force

The Second Force is led by Lieutenant General Aleksandr Kaminskji and is composed of fifteen Starfighter Brigades, each led by a Brigadier General. Second Force's area of responsibility is the mobile defence of the Barrayaran system, including the external stronghold of Barrayar VIII, where there are the Fleet Depots and the main shipyards) as well as the mobile defence and the augmenting of the space forces at jump-points of the first two wormholes. Starfighter Brigades have the same boundaries of the Defence Areas. Being integrated and combined with the First Force, which is the fixed defence Force assigned to the Barrayaran star system, the Second Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.

• Second Force Command HQ
• Second Force Staff
• Second Force Staff Group 1: Weaponry Disposal
• Second Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
• Second Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
• SFB-21 Barrayar Planetary Orbit North (support to Fourth Force)
• SFB-22 Barrayar Planetary Orbit South (support to Fourth Force)
• SFB-23 Barrayar Large Orbit
• SFB-24 Jump Point 0 (inside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• SFB-25 Jump Point 1 (outside end of the first wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• SFB-26 Jump Point 2 (inside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• SFB-27 Jump Point 3 (outside end of the second wormhole, augment to the dedicated space station)
• SFB-28 Asteroids Belt ALFA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• SFB-29 Asteroids Belt BETA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• SFB-210 Asteroids Belt GAMMA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• SFB-211 Asteroids Belt DELTA (defence of the asteroids belt between Barrayar V and Barrayar VI)
• SFB-212 Barrayar VI Orbital Defence
• SFB-213 Barrayar VIII Orbital Defence
• SFB-214 Moon Defence (under operational command of SPABAR)
• SFB-215 Moon Defence (under operational command of SPABAR)

Third Force

The Third Force is led by Lieutenant General Albert Scamus and is composed of twelve Areas, each led by a Brigadier General. Whilst First Force's area of responsibility is the fixed defence of the Barrayaran system, the Third Force's area of responsibility is exclusively the Barrayaran planetary system and its immediate neighbourhoods, including the Lagrangian Points (but excluding the two Moons). Defence Areas are large three-dimensional portions of space, where a contingent is deployed.Being integrated and combined with the Fourth Force, which is the starfighter Force assigned to the Barrayaran planetary system, the Third Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.
The Third Force is somewhat peculiar in that it relies not only on the orbital defence platforms, but also on the ground-based radar installations (Ground Warning Directorates, GWD). Such Ground Warning Directorates are widespread on the whole planetary surfaces (including poles and oceanic waters), and each GWD deals with a different type of space surveillance; each installation - usually an Imperial Service Station - consists of all five Ground Warning Directorates. Alongside the ground radar installations, the Third Force deploys both planet- and orbit-based fixed defence points.

• Third Force Command HQ
• Third Force Staff
• Third Force Staff Group 1: Ordnance Disposal
• Third Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
• Third Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
• GWD-31 Trial Centre for Testing and Control of Space Means
• GWD-32 Missile Attack Warning Directorate
• GWD-33 Space Surveillance Directorate
• GWD-34 Space object recognition Directorate
• GWD-35 Moment space surveillance Directorate
• DA-36 - North East (ground)
• DA-37 - North East (ground)
• DA-38 - North West (ground)
• DA-39 - North West (ground)
• DA-310 - South East (ground)
• DA-311 - South East (ground)
• DA-312 - South West (ground)
• DA-313 - South West (ground)
• DA-314 - Orbits North
• DA-315 - Orbits South
• DA-316 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 4
• DA-317 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 5

Fourth Force

The Third Force is led by Lieutenant General Petros Kantikaris and is composed of twelve Starfighter Brigades, each led by a Brigadier General. Whilst Second Force's area of responsibility is the mobile defence of the Barrayaran system, the Fourth Force's area of responsibility is exclusively the Barrayaran planetary system and its immediate neighbourhoods, including the Lagrangian Points (but excluding the two Moons). Being integrated and combined with the Third Force, which is the "artillery" Force assigned to the Barrayaran planetary system, the Fourth Force deals with administrative and technical support matters.
The Third Force is somewhat peculiar in that it relies not only on the orbital stations, but also on the ground-based spaceports. Such Ground Warning Directorates are widespread on the planetary surfaces (including poles). Alongside the ground-based spaceports, the Fourth Force also deploys orbit-based starfighter brigades.

• Fourth Force Command HQ
• Fourth Force Staff
• Fourth Force Staff Group 1: Ordnance Disposal
• Fourth Force Staff Group 2: Logistics Support
• Fourth Force Staff Group 3: Space Security (Force Protection of ground operations)
• SFB-41 - North East (ground)
• SFB-42 - North East (ground)
• SFB-43 - North West (ground)
• SFB-44 - North West (ground)
• SFB-45 - South East (ground)
• SFB-46 - South East (ground)
• SFB-47 - South West (ground)
• SFB-48 - South West (ground)
• SFB-49 - Orbits North
• SFB-410 - Orbits South
• SFB-412 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 4
• SFB-413 - Sun-Barrayaran Lagrangian Barrayaran Point 5

Orbital Weapons Platforms

The Orbital Weapons Platforms are the most common fixed defence system used in orbital proximities. Each one holds a shield generator, three heavy disruptor cannons and a twin-linked plasma cannon. Orbital Defence Platforms consist of a central section with three weapons extendible arms; they are 50 metres across when extended. Each system is powered from some central reactor units which would be located nearby. This allows reactor and fuel to be removed from the individual platforms, making it significantly smaller. A network of these platforms is employed around each main planet of the Empire. The system operates entirely automatically. The most relevant weakness is that each platform is dependant on a single link (albeit redundant and well protected).

Related voices

• Imperial Service (Barrayar)