Operation Shepherd's Light Status Update

YC110.06.24

Over the past two weeks, the Fourth District has been engaged in sporadic battles with a number of Gallente paramilitary forces, pirates, and other hostiles operating in or around the Black Rise region of space. However, there have been few large battles, with most of the District's kills and losses coming in small skirmishes or chance encounters.

Against the declared targets of the operation, Federation paramilitary Strix Armaments and Defense, there have only been a handful of sightings since 10 June 110, resulting in a pair of kills on the border of Caldari space. Both kills, a Nemesis-class stealth bomber and Incursus-class frigate, were just inside the Placid region (not, as Strix has claimed, deep within Federation territory) and took place on 15 June 110.

Meanwhile, the Star Fraction terrorist organization has also engaged in a limited amount of fighting with District forces in Black Rise and the surrounding area. Though Star Fraction forces have been seen in considerably greater numbers than Strix forces, the fact that their base is in the Placid region appears to have restricted their operations in Black Rise to periodic sweeps or recon-in-force operations, resulting in a relatively low level of casualties on both sides compared to previous wars between the Fourth District and Star Fraction, such as Operation Cascade Fire.

With the establishment of the Fourth District corporations as Caldari-affiliated militia forces starting in the next 48 hours, the operational tempo of Shepherd's Light is expected to increase considerably due to the larger number of hostile targets available. Combat against the Star Fraction is expected to continue as well while operations are engaged against Federation militias.

Fourth District Reorganizing Under State Auspices

YC110.06.24

During the past two weeks, the Fourth District has attempted to engage elements of the Federation militia operating in the Black Rise region. Though limited success has been achieved, our status as an independent alliance has hindered our operations due to CONCORD regulations, and we have faced difficulties in coordinating defensive actions with other elements of the Caldari militia.
Though we maintain our objection to the current leadership of the State, we cannot stand aside and let the Federation swarm our borders. It is clear that CONCORD's halfhearted attempt to keep the peace will not protect Caldari lives, and as a result we in the Fourth District see few other options to defend our borders from Federation incursion. Therefore, as a purely bureaucratic measure, the Caldari Independent Navy Reserve and Cold Wing will be leaving the Fourth District and registering as an authorized militia force for the Caldari State.
Whether the threat is domestic or foreign, the Caldari way of life will not die on our watch.

FADM Van Cleef Resigns Post; Ladel Teravada Tapped To Replace

110.07.21

FADM Van Cleef Resigns Post, Ladel Teravada Tapped to Replace
FM: CAPT Svetlana Scarlet, Reserve Chief of Diplomatic Staff

Citing planetside concerns stemming from the outbreak of hostilities between the Caldari State and the Gallente Federation, Fleet Admiral Van Cleef, chief executive officer of the Caldari Independent Navy Reserve, announced today that he would be stepping down from his position effective immediately. He has appointed Ladel Teravada, currently Deputy Chief of Fleet Operations, to replace him.

“It is no secret to many that I have been very busy lately,” said FADM Cleef in his address. “For the last several months I have had to rely on much of the command staff for the administration of the Reserve. Faced with the possibility of even less available time, I have decided to resign as CEO of the Reserve and appoint Ladel Teravada as my successor."

Following FADM Van Cleef's address, Teravada sent out his own communique, thanking his predecessor for his years of service. “If there is one person to attribute the success of the last two years for CAIN, I'd attribute it all to him. I know for a fact that he has helped inspire me to continue when things have been bleak,” he stated. “He has spoken to our hearts more than once and I can but hope to achieve the same myself.”

One of the Reserve's original core members, FADM Van Cleef's tenure as commander in chief, which began in April of 108 after a major reorganization of the corporation, has seen a dramatic surge in the strength and readiness of the organization. Over the last 27 months, the Reserve has led successful combat operations against a host of hostile forces, including the Star Fraction, Electus Matari, the Acheron Federation, the Brothers of Freedom, Triumvirate, and others, accomplishing most of its strategic goals, growing in both numbers and experience. FADM Van Cleef led the Reserve's efforts to establish itself in the Pure Blind region and form the Fourth District, both successful efforts which have led to a strong working relationship with the Reserve's alliance partners, Mordu's Legion, and a number of other capsuleer organizations, as well as a self-sufficient quartermaster corps capable of producing nearly every type of equipment and spacecraft the corporation needs.

Ladel Teravada, his replacement, has been with the Reserve for over two and a half years, receiving numerous accolades and rapid promotions, as well as being recognized by both the Reserve's allies and enemies as one of its most skilled combat pilots. According to the most recent statistics released by CONCORD's Interstellar Correspondents department, he is the ranked 17th overall among all militia pilots in kills during the length of current hostilities. In addition to his piloting skill, however, he has become known as one of the Fourth District's greatest tactical commanders, having led the Reserve during some of its most successful combat engagements.

Fourth District Begins Operation Shepherd's Light

110.06.14

With the outbreak of hostilities between the Caldari State and Gallente Federation on 10 June 110 and the revelation that Caldari corporations had settled in the previously inaccessible Black Rise region, a number of Federation paramilitary forces have begun offensives into Black Rise and other Caldari regions of space.

Despite the Fourth District's stance towards the current regime of Tibus Heth, these incursions into Caldari space are clear violations of Caldari sovereignty and endanger the lives and property of Caldari citizens. Therefore, we will be taking action to engage those forces attempting to operate inside Caldari borders and deter further offensive action on the part of Federation paramilitary forces.

Due to the fact that we are currently separated from the Caldari Navy's chain of command as a result of Tibus Heth's seizure of power in the State, we will be seeking our own separate declarations of war against these paramilitary forces and engaging them on our own or in concert with friendly forces. Any Gallente paramilitary forces cooperating with these targets will be engaged despite any penalties that may be levied by CONCORD.

The first target for Operation Shepherd's Light is Strix Armaments and Defense, a former member of the Acheron Federation. Though previously warned by the Fourth District not to interfere inside Caldari space, a number of their pilots have been sighted operating within Caldari borders and engaging Caldari forces. As a result, the Fourth District has notified CONCORD of our intent to engage and operations have begun today. Further war declarations will be issued during the coming weeks as the Fourth District's command staff sees fit.

Any questions regarding this operation or Fourth District policy may be directed to our diplomatic offices.

Fourth District Releases Statement on State of the State

YC110.06.09

For the first time since their statement following the Caldari Constructions riots, Fourth District spokeswoman CAPT Svetlana Scarlet spoke to reporters about her alliance's stance on Tibus Heth and his Caldari Provisional Directorate, calling Heth "no savior of the Caldari people" and denouncing the Directorate as having "no legal authority."

Speaking from a hangar in the Reserve's Nonni offices with a Scorpion-class battleship undergoing maintenance in the bay behind her, CAPT Scarlet delivered the following speech while flanked by a number of Reserve marines.

"For a month now, the State has been held in the grip of terror by a man who has claimed that the leadership of the State has failed, that our problems can all be blamed on the Federation, and that he is the only one who can save us. That he, a man who not more than two months ago was working on an assembly line, has the financial and political acumen to see us through these difficult times, and no one else.

"Meanwhile, he has amassed his own private army and used intimidation and the politics of fear to consolidate his political position, creating a shadow government that seeks to usurp the authority of the Chief Executive Panel, the Caldari Business Tribunal, and the Caldari Navy. The one man with the vision and the strength to stand up to him, Otro Gariushi, has been killed in a tragic attack by a deranged madman.

"We in the Fourth District have watched as one by one, the Caldari megacorporations that we have pledged to serve have turned their operations over to him, with no apparent regard to the economic health of the State, the good of their shareholders, or common sense. Repeated calls for an investigation into the financial dealings of this man and his supporters have been ignored, and his enforcers have been allowed to run wild while the legitimate authorities of the State have only stood by and watched. The CEP and CBT have remained silent as a power-hungry demagogue has driven us headfirst towards the precarious cliff of war.

"The 'Directorate' has no legal authority and Tibus Heth is no savior of the Caldari people. Blaming the Gallente for our current problems is an excuse, it is not a solution. This thinly-veiled attempt at a planned economy and his appeals to the masses have no place in the State. We are not an ochlocracy, as much as Mr. Heth may like us to be. The will of the shareholders, the people who own the corporations of the State, have been ignored, despite their legal rights to authority over the companies they have invested in.

"The lack of any attempt by anyone within the State's power structure but Otro Gariushi to question the manner in which this egotist has managed to seize control of our nation is greatly disturbing. We have come to the conclusion that there is but one choice for us, and that is to once again refocus our efforts in Caldari space and confront this man and his supporters head-on.

"The Fourth District retains its commitment to defend the corporations and citizens of the Caldari State. We realize that in this time of trouble, it is more important than ever to keep foreign powers from attempting to get involved in our affairs, and as always, we will not allow anyone, including the Federation, to interfere in the domestic matters of the State. That is, and will always be, our primary duty. However, we do not recognize the command authority of Tibus Heth and his Provisional Directorate.

"The Fourth District offers its assistance to any Caldari corporations who feel their corporate sovereignty is being threatened by Tibus Heth or his supporters. Any interference in Fourth District operations by the Directorate or its supporters will be met with any and all necessary force. Any attempt by the Directorate to give orders to the Fourth District will be ignored, and any attempt to enforce the illegal edicts of Tibus Heth will be resisted with all appropriate measures. Furthermore, until such time that the legitimate government of the State is restored and the Directorate is disbanded, the Fourth District is removing itself from the Caldari Navy's chain of command.

"Those who would use this as an excuse to question our loyalty to the Caldari State do so at their own peril. The District and its members have served the State since their founding and our loyalty lies with the legitimate government that guided our people through their struggle for independence and in the century since. We Caldari pride ourselves on being a practical, rational people; what is practical or rational about the course of action Heth and his cronies espouse? What do we have to gain from denying our own faults and banging the drums of war? Do not allow this man to destroy all that we have worked towards for the last two centuries. Do what is right for your shareholders and your countrymen and follow our lead."

Following the statement, CAPT Scarlet took a few brief questions from the assembled reporters, making it clear the the Fourth District would not be interfering with civilian traffic, regardless of whether or not the ship flew under the flag of a Directorate-member corporation.

"We have no intention of sabotaging the economic strength of the State any further than Mr. Heth has already done with his socialist planned-economy agenda," she explained. "Nor do we intend to weaken the State's lines of defense against foreign intrusion. We are loyal to our people, to their proud history, and to the institutions that have preserved our State for over a century. That is why we must do this, why we cannot simply stand still and ignore the descent Tibus Heth is pulling the State into."

When asked of the Fourth District's future plans, CAPT Scarlet declined to comment. "I'm afraid any statement on our operational decisions would be premature at this time, but as soon as I have more information I will be sure to see that it is relayed to you post-haste."