King's Own Squadron | |
Full name | 511 Escuadrón "del Rey" 511 Squadron "King's Own" |
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Allegiance | Kingdom of Sapin |
Deployment | Belkan War |
Leader | Lt. Col. Vitorino Salazar |
Known members | Cpt. Mariano Camara y Rafael Cpt. Arsenio Zanon Lt. Fernando Rojas Lt. Segismundo Augustin Lt. Ramon Baviera |
Aircraft | Eurofighter Typhoon Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA |
[Source] |
511 Esuadrón "del Rey" (English: 511 Squadron "King's Own") is a fighter squadron in the Air Force of the Kingdom of Sapin that has seen action in the Belkan War of 1995. Its primary aircraft is the Eurofighter Typhoon, though it sometimes has been using the Sukhoi T-50 PAK FA for special operations since the 2000s.
It is technically part of the SAF Royal Wing 1, charged with defending the airspace of the Gran Rugido Military District, which included the capital city. That is where the squadron was stationed but it often operated on independent missions.
History[]
Foundation[]
The squadron is one of the oldest units of the Sapin Air Force and is usually headquartered at Gran Rugido Air Base outside of the capital, providing air defense for the city and the King's royal palace. By the 1980s it was regarded as Sapin's best fighter squadron.
Belkan War[]
When the Belkans began their invasion of the northern region of the kingdom in March 1995, the 511 Squadron was one of the units that responded. They engaged the Belkan Air Force in the skies of Arlon, shooting down a total of 46 Belkan fighters. In the process, the squadron lost four aircraft due to extensive damage, but none of its pilots were killed. The members of the King's Own Squadron were the most successful Sapinish pilots of the war in terms of number of enemy aircraft destroyed. When the Osean Federation entered the war and began operating the Futuro Canal area, the 511 Squadron took part in joint operations with Osean pilots.
Recent operations[]
The Sapinish government used the pilots of King's Own Squadron to carry out special operations to assist various allied groups fighting in different conflicts throughout the 2000s.
Awards and honors[]
The unit has received many Sapinish military decorations, including the title "King's Own", while its members automatically received the non-hereditary noble title of Knight. Thus the 511 Squadron's call signs were "Knight of Honor".
Current members[]
Commanding Officer (Knight of Honor 1): Vitorino Salazar
- Born: 1976
- Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
- Background: Joined the SAF in 1993; second lieutenant. Veteran of the Belkan War; served in 819 Escuadrón "Halcón" (Hawk). Fought in the Battle of the Futuro Canal and scored 8 aerial victories against the Belkan Air Force. Promoted to lieutenant in 1995. Assigned to Escuadrón 47 "Sable" (Saber) and promoted to captain in 1998. Given command of "Saber" Squadron and promoted to major in 1999. Promoted to lieutenant colonel and made the Sapinish military attaché to Ustio in 2001. Assigned to 511 Escuadrón "Del Rey" (King's Own) in 2003. Given command of "King's Own" Squadron in 2005.
Executive Officer (Knight of Honor 2): Mariano Camara y Rafael
- Born: 1977
- Rank: Captain
- Background: Joined the SAF in 1994; second lieutenant.
Knight of Honor 3: Arsenio Zanon
- Born: 1970
- Rank: Captain
- Background:
Knight of Honor 4: Fernando Rojas
- Born: 1985
- Rank: Lieutenant
- Background: Joined the Sapinish Navy in 2002; ensign. Assigned to 21 Escuadrón Naval "Tiburón" (Shark). Took part in
Knight of Honor 5: Segismundo Augustin
- Born: 1986
- Rank: Lieutenant
Knight of Honor 6: Ramon Baveira
- Born: 1983
- Rank: Lieutenant