Cerberus: Departments

Overview

On this page can be found a list of the roles on the Battlestar Cerberus, organized by department. We highly encourage you to read the associated departmental page before applying.

Overview

The Carrier Air Wing (CVW) is a department composed of several squadrons of strike and transport craft. Organized, equipped and trained to conduct atmospheric and space operations while embarked aboard battlestars and various smaller craft, the various squadrons in an air wing have different, complementary (and sometimes overlapping) missions, providing most of the striking power and electronic warfare capabilities of a battlestar group (BSG). For more on CVW-14, the Wing assigned to Battlestar Cerberus, click here.

Important Note: If you're interested in applying for a pilot PC, please read the Enlistment and Training page prior to submitting your application! Currently, we are only accepting applications for the following squadrons: VF-154 "Black Knights", VAQ-141 "Harriers", and the training squadron VT-27 "Hyperlights".

If you'd like to include other squadrons in your character's background, a list of established ones can be found here. Players also are welcome to create their own squadrons but should use the wiki's search function to check for designations and nicknames already in use.

Finally, please consult Air Wing FAQ for everything you ever wanted to know about being a pilot in the BSG universe!

Career Brief

Commander, Air Group (CAG)

The CAG is the Air Wing's lead pilot, given administrative and operational control over all squadrons. While the CAG is typically a Viper pilot, it is not uncommon for Raptor pilots (or even ECOs) to hold the job. There is technically no rank requirement, but a CAG is almost without exception the senior-most officer in the Wing. While a Captain may hold the post when circumstances demand it, the CAG is usually a Major (or sometimes even a Colonel).

Electronic Countermeasures Officer (ECO)

The ECO acts as the co-pilot aboard the Fleet's Raptors. She is responsible for identifying unknown craft as friend or foe, jamming enemy signatures, and operating the Raptor's myriad short- and long-range sensors. The ECO also plots jump coordinates and deals with any malfunctions that might come up mid-mission.

If the Raptor is in gunship configuration, the ECO holds primary control of the weapons systems. In a non-gunship configuration, should the pilot become incapacitated, or if he simply does not specialize in weapons delivery (for instance, if he's spent a lot of time on SAR duty), the ECO can fire weapons from the ECM console. Of course, if the ECO is put in charge of shooting, no jamming will occur — but that's a trade-off that some crews are willing to make.

While the ECO should have basic Raptor proficiency to allow her to take over for her pilot in the event of an emergency, she should not be routinely flying missions.

Raptor Pilot

Raptor pilots are officers who specialize in piloting, navigating, and operating a Raptor's specialized equipment. They have primary control of the weapons systems except when the Raptor is configured as a gunship. In such an instance, the ECO has primary control and the pilot has secondary. In the event that the pilot doesn't specialize in weapons delivery (for instance, if he's spent a lot of time on SAR duty), the ECO can assume primary weapons control from her own console. Of course, if the ECO is put in charge of shooting, no jamming will occur — but that's a trade-off that some crews are willing to make.

Viper Pilot

Viper pilots are officers who specialize in flying the Viper attack aircraft: piloting, navigating, and maneuvering the craft for attack or defense with the aircraft's onboard weapons and specialist equipment.

Landing Signal Officer (LSO)

The Landing Signal Officer is ultimately responsible for making sure that the spacecraft of the fleet find safe routes to their destinations. And whatever the mission, whether in peace or war, he has the equally essential role of making sure all craft return home safely. The LSO is typically a grounded senior pilot, and he works in close conjunction with the Deck Crew.

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