70-O1 (Princess Squadron)

70-O1st Flight Division
Flight Patch since 1915
Active	1915-1938 (Rhodeve Air Force) 1938-1952 (RPP Air Force) 1952-2008 (Commonwealth Air Force)
Disbanded	2008
Country	Rhodeve Commonwealth
Allegiance	Rhodeve Commonwealth
Branch	Wing 70
Type	Air Force
Role	Aerial Warfare, Anti-Terror, Search and Rescue, Reconnaissance
Size	282 (peak)
Garrison/HQ	Rhodevus
Nickname(s)	Princess Squadron
Motto(s)	"Experientia Docet" (Experience Teaches)
Colors	silver, purple
Mascot(s)	honey bee
Engagements	First Great War Second Great War James' Wars
Commanders
Commander (1915-1919)	Princess Anne-Maria Angellos
Commander (1939-1947)	Ethansa Leonards
Commander (2002-2006)	Suevani Rihaz
Commander (2006-2008)	Princess Heir Sierra Everen-Abrams

The Princess Squadron, officially the O1st Squadron of Wing 70, was a wing of the Rhodeve Commonwealth Air Force tasked with high-risk, high-intensity missions around the Rhodeve Commonwealth. The purpose of the Princess Squadron was to serve as the secondary force-projection of the Rhodeve Commonwealth, and also assist in the defense of the Commonwealth and anti-terror operations around the globe. The Princess Squadron was created during the First Great War in response to the usage of aircraft in combat in the Ventismarian Front. The branch was originally created within the Rhodeve Air Force, as a bomber wing commanded by Princess Anne-Maria, which gave the wing its moniker. After the war, the Princess Squadron was transferred into the Rhodeve Protectorate Program's joint military structure. Following the victory in the Second Great War, and the dissolution of the RPP in favour of the Rhodeve Commonwealth, the Princess Squadron remained an integral part of the Commonwealth Air Force as it became the most famed air force wing in operation. The 70-O1st was officially disbanded in 2008.

History

Background

During the height of the First Great War, dozens of ships were crossing the Lutetian Ocean between Rhodevus, Oblaren, and their Ventismrien allies and territories. In 1913, the HMV Surveyor was struck by an Aznazian cruiser and sunk 100km off the coast of the Ile du Fleurs. Princess Anne-Maria Angellos had been aboard the Surveyor, destined for the Ile du Fleurs in order to boost troop morale and support for the crown. She did survive the endevour, being picked up by a small sea plane who noticed the life boat.

Once she reached the Ile du Fleurs, Princess Anne-Maria expressed her wishes to form a team of pilots, preferably female who could help to protect ships crossing the Lutetian or participating in attacks along the coasts, where many ships filled with supplies and soldiers were sunk. Her plea was granted by General Beauregard and she was given command of Division 409, which was comprised of 4 female pilots.

The First Great War

From 1914 until early 1916, Division 409 under Princess Anne-Maria was is training. Training was comprised of basic piloting and maneuvers, but also focused on night-flying acrobatics and gliding. The princess learned to fly planes herself and personally requested the use the older models of the Type 504 biplane. The planes were all painted purple to better match with night skies.

Type 504 biplanes were known to be quite loud, which often signalled their presence well in advance of their arrival. To combat this problem, Division 409 trained with professional air-acrobats to learn to stall the planes mid-flight, perform their bombardments and then restart the craft. This maneuver would give the division a reputation and the nickname of 'Silent Witches', as they were loud but invisible during entry and departure and quiet during the attacks.

The first assignment given to Division 409 was on 17 February, 1916 where the team was tasked with defending a Rhodeve cargo ship sailing from the Ile du Fleurs to the Malesta colony, carrying much needed supplies and ammunition. The mission was a success, routing the Aznazian ships, by dropping small handheld explosives on the ships and firing pistols at crewmen from the skies.

Newspapers in Rhodevus publicized the story of Division 409, giving the team the nickname 'Princess Squadron' due to it being commanded by Princess Anne-Maria. Overnight, the division was propelled into the spotlight and became the face of the Rhodeve Air Force.

The Second Great War

During the Second Great War, the Princess Squadron was placed in Wing 70, along with 70-O2 (the Seventy-Seconds) and 70-O3 (the Fallen Squadron). It was commanded by Ethansa Leonards for the duration of the war and at its height, held a total 47 planes, making it the largest single squadron of the Rhodeve Protectorate Program.

James' Wars

Although an unsanctioned operation, the Princess Squadron was active in the James' Wars, under the command of Sierra Abrams and Christina Everen. Abrams and Everen witnessed the Battle of Port Joy and the outbreak of the civil war, fighting alongside civilians against the armed forces. After word reached Abrams that her parents, high ranking members of the Rhodeve military; Major-General Daniel Abrams and Strategy-General Margaret Abrams, had been arrested and sentenced to life in prison.

The Princess Squadron would fight around the Rhodeve mainland, Ile du Fleurs and Iles du Surete. they would be the only Commonwealth force active in the conflict and only allied force to fight in the Iles du Surete.

The Battle of Bear Pit would result in the deaths of the majority of the squadron, with Sierra Abrams and Christina Everen being the only two survivors. They crash-landed in remote northern Wyle and survived for nine days in frigid arctic conditions and Bannerless Brotherhood assault before being rescued.

Disbandment

On April 12, 2008, the 70-O1st was disbanded in a Disbandment ceremony held at the Imperial Palace of Rhodevus. Attending were all eight living members and former pilot members of the Princess Squadron. During the ceremony, Princess Christina Everen was knighted by Queen Diana Wolff. The deceased members of the final installment of the squadron were all knighted posthumously for their services to the Commonwealth and Kingdoms of Rhodevus. Sierra Abrams refused the knighthood.

The headquarters of the Princess Squadron was similarly disbanded as a military facility, to be turned into a museum dedicated to the squadron's long history.

Organization

As a wing which predates the Rhodeve Protectorate Program and the Rhodeve Commonwealth and one of the first wings of the Rhodeve Air Force, the Princess Squadron was able to retain certain odd practices which were considered necessary during the early days of aerial combat. Similarly, due to their age in comparison with other squadrons, the Princess Squadron was able to maintain a certain distance from regular RPP and Commonwealth practices, such as the ability to pick and choose missions within specific limitations.

Rank names were often considered a joke to the members of the Princess Squadron. While they each had ranks in the Rhodeve and then Commonwealth militaries, their official ranks were chosen by the members themselves. At first, ranks held true positions, such as private, commander or even general. But, as time progressed, names grew progressively sillier in order to annoy or confuse the enemy listening to their transmissions. Up until disbandment, the squadron's headquarters held a plaque listing the funniest ranks chosen by each new member of that year. 1944 for instance held the rank 'World War Tooterooni', which was chosen by May Dawn. 'Handyman Greg', was chosen by April Newheart in 1964.

Unit Awards, Legacy, Memorials

Legacy

The Princess Squadron is one of the world's first airforce wings. It is the world's first and only all-female air force wing, having never had a male pilot in its 93 years of service. It is the most decorated and distinguished military wing in Commonwealth history and its pilots have gone on to become famous and distinguished in their own rights.

Members of the Commonwealth have gone on to become political and military leaders, distinguished authors and professors.

In all, the Princess Squadron held hundreds of confirmed kills, over 350 aces and flew over fifty different models of planes. The 7001 Squadron of the Commonwealth of Rhodevus is the most decorated squadron in Rhodeve and Commonwealth history. Twenty-four women were knighted with countless refusing the knighthood. Every single woman, still alive or now deceased has said that the Princess Squadron was among the epitome of their careers.

Memorials

In the immortal words of Princess Anne-Maria Angellos, founder of the Princess Squadron: “The bonds of women do not break when forged in the clouds. Sisters through and through.”

Battle Honours

First Great War
Second Great War
Third Bohi-Malesti War

• Port Ubbeval - 1984
• Dasel - 1984
• Georgetown - 1984
• Camp Isaaeia - 1984
• Nelpruit - 1984
• Tunis - 1985
• Rustenberg - 1985
• Harrare - 1985
• Bukumbura - 1985

James' Wars

• Port Joy - 2006
• Killon - 2006
• Boundary Bay - 2006
• Westvale - 2006
• Artwingen - 2007
• Quiniac City - 2007
• Imperial City of Rhode - 2007
• Acadia - 2007
• Bear Pit - 2007

Anti-Terror Operations

• Rome - 1952
• Lièvremont - 1957
• Wybdumpt - 1963

Famous Members

• May Dawn (World War Tooterooni) - Rhodeve. She is one of the last surviving members of the Princess Squadron and only surviving member of the Princess Squadron from the Second Great War. Joining the Princess Squadron in 1944, having finished basic training and the flight academy, Dawn was one of the most decorated pilots of the war.
• Goldie Brum-Hinsen (Lieutenant-Admiral) - She is one of the last surviving members of the Princess Squadron.
• Natasha Springfeld (Major) - Ispanzan. She is one of the last surviving members of the Princess Squadron.
• Quinn Simdan (Grande Vizier) - Ispanzan. She is one of the last surviving members of the Princess Squadron.
• April Newheart (Handyman Greg) - She is one of the last surviving members of the Princess Squadron. She joined the squadron in 1964 after flying in the Rhodeve Air Force for 2 years.
• Josie Balue-Velt (The Tactician) - Rhodeve. She is one of the last surviving members of the Princess Squadron.

• Suevani Rihaz (Vice Admiral) - Eubatian. The daughter of former Eubatian president Usammi Rihaz, Suevani was a member of the Commonwealth Air Force for 16 years, four of them in command of the Princess Squadron. Commander Rihaz is known as one of the greatest Eubatian military leaders in history. She was shot down during a raid against a fortified Bannerless Brotherhood base.

• Sierra Abrams (The Great) - Rhodeve. Sierra Everen-Abrams, the only child of Major-General Daniel and Strategy-General Margaret Abrams was a pilot for two years before joining the Princess Squadron. She was one of only two survivors of the final unit. Following her time in the Princess Squadron, Sierra joined the Rhodeve Armed Forces as a commander and gained the title of 'The Commander' from her soldiers. She would later take the position of Princess Heir of Rhodevus. She is married to Empress Ymira Everen-Abrams of Rezua.
• Christina Everen (Supreme Admiral-General-Major) - Rezuan. Princess Christina Everenis the eldest child of Emperor August Everen. She is one of the only two survivors of the final unit. Following her time in the Princess Squadron, Christina joined the Rezuan Air Force. She is currently the Commander of Rezua's Air Force. Christina is one of the most distinguished aces in the Commonwealth military and known as one of the best pilots in history. She was knighted in 2008.