News from Aragon

[Avalanche]

1969 marks the beginning of an enormous multi-faceted expansion and modernisation project, an undertaking that will greatly improve the Principality's capabilities -- bringing her up to a level befitting a nation of her status. The project covers areas ranging from civilian and military infrastructure to aerospace development to military material.

The highest priority is the construction of a national highway system, followed by industrial investments, extensions to and reinforcement of existing military facilities, as well as the erection of new necessary installations and bases. This also includes the establishment and re-establishment of several government agencies and headquarters for them to operate from, of particular note are the large complex being dedicated to aerospace research, the impressive central military headquarters building, and the extra large testing range being dedicated to weapons research. Although for the interim, these agencies will be hosted in temporary offices in the capital.

Every branch is receiving authorisation for more forces, including 10 divisions to the army, a doubling of the air force, and a substantial increase to the navy that involves the laying of a new carrier keel. We will also be delivering upgrade packages to our existing inventory, however all new production will go to expanding our forces until the authorisation requirements have been met. Our tanks will be receiving an upgrade to extend engine life, our personnel carriers having their petrol engines replaced with diesel engines, and our service rifles having their bolt carrier groups and springs exchanged for heavier ones to accommodate a more powerful cartridge. Our existing fleet of jeeps and staff vehicles, however, is unduly aged and is thus being actively replaced with newer models.

And finally, our aerospace agency has already drafted up plans for our satellite network which have been forwarded to our manufacturing assets assigned to rocket and payload production for initial tooling and production.

[Avalanche]

Today we mourn not only the loss of a brave patriot, but a trusted advisor to and servant of Su Católica Majestad as well. The Executor Regnant was tragically killed in a brazen attack by dissident elements late last evening when, during a regular commute to a council meeting in Zaragoza from his offices in the Capitol Quarter, his motorcade was assaulted by a heavily armed force of traitors. His security detachment was pinned down in the initial salvo and were only able to dispatch the rebels after the Executor Regnant's vehicle had already been thoroughly doused in lead. Su Católica Majestad offered a statement to our royal correspondent regarding the loss,

"This attack reminds us that the communist threat has not been vanquished, that they remain a credible threat to our humble principality, that there is no low they still not stoop to, and that we must continue our efforts to defeat the evil within our nation not in spite of but because of the harm they so callously inflict upon us. The Executor Regnant has joined the ranks of the martyrs, and we cannot let their sacrifices be in vain."

There is no word yet as to who will be named the next Executor Regnant.

In nomine Providentiae.

[Avalanche]

The regular tours of Su Católica Majestad La Princesa Real have been temporarily suspended following the order for a personal general inspection of our troops. The inspection will be a glorious showing of our forces and a proper sendoff for the late Executor Regnant following his recent passing. The First Army and El Ejército del Aire will be assembled at Madrid and the Second Army at León for parade, while the Armada gathers at Cádiz for their own show.

The Royal Legion will accompany Su Católica Majestad from Zaragoza to first León, then Madrid, and finally Cádiz. After the inspection has concluded, regularly scheduled assignments and activities will resume. We here at The Barcelona Herald would just like to state how pleased we are to have been graced with the privilege to deliver this announcement first; a fully detailed itinerary is available on page 7.

In nomine Providentiae.

[Avalanche]

Today, two years after it began, the six year plan enters its mid-phase. Recruitment continues on at full bore as public works mature. A third carrier keel is laid down, the Sant Fructuós, along with a number of smaller hulls, though markedly fewer than previously. Trials of a next-generation air superiority fighter have proved promising enough that a full wing of them has been ordered. Meanwhile on the ground, a new upgrade kit for the Principality's main battle tank is in development. The "add-on-stabilisation system", as it is being called, provides stabilisation control for both gun elevation and turret traverse with a minimally invasive installation process. Recognising the deficiencies of our existing anti-tank recoilless rifles, a guided missile of similar calibre is being developed to replace it. The missile, named ESTEL, will use a semi-automatic wire guidance system to deliver a shaped charge warhead onto the target. As for the realm of our space program, the first launch vehicles will soon be ready to deliver payloads to orbit, though progress on El Arenosillo Space Centre drags on, delaying any flights indefinitely.

[Avalanche]

War!

In Her infinite wisdom, Su Católica Majestad has finally deemed it time to reunite Iberia under a single banner. For too long has Portugal been a den of communism beneath our very noses. For too long have they gone unchecked and unfettered, for it is with no uncertainty that we recognise their role in supporting the dissidents here at home, providing them with weapons, manpower, information, and safe harbour. It is a grave task, but it is our burden to bear, for it is our duty to bring the light of Providence to those who need it most, and in these trying times, none need the light more than the people of Portugal.

In nomine Providentiae.

[Avalanche]

In recognition of the heinous crimes against Catholicism, Providence, and Humanity committed by men of Orange, it is the opinion of La Princesa Reial and Her Royal Court that the colour orange should be banned from public exposition due to its anti-patriotic associations. In one month, this ordinance will be in effect, rendering display or possession of orange a national crime punishable by severe fine.

In nomine Providentiae.

[Avalanche]

VICTORY for our righteous cause! The War of Reunification is over. Portugal has been returned to its natural state in the name of Providence, the Portuguese throne reclaimed by its true heir from the jaws of its communist overlords. Iberia is once again united. Peace reigns once more over our fair peninsula. A civilian government to oversee the integration of Lusitania as a province of our beloved Principality is being established, but until it is operational and dissidents quelled, Portugal will remain in a state of martial law under the watchful care of our Second Army. We hope for a speedy integration.

In nomine Providentiae.

[Avalanche]

1420 Central European Time, June 10th, 1971
From the Office of the Executor Regnant,

Instructions received. Wheels in motion. Clean Sweep, Mastermind, Hammerhead operational. Resurrection, Crackpot, Mammoth initiating. Will update when have actionable.

[Avalanche]

For the Aragonese military, today is a busy year. Captured Portuguese bases were found to be incredibly lacking, and not just because of the scorch marks. However, with the budget tight for new projects, all that could be managed was the bare minimum -- mostly clearing debris -- with the exception of a pair of state-of-the-air radar stations to watch the Atlantic. With most potential reinforcements being assembled into new divisions, few could be spared for replenishing our few battered brigades, just a handful of conscripts and pilots.

The order of the day is largely arms. Development of a new ambidextrous trigger groups with a more ergonomic grip for our PAE-9 submarine guns is very promising. Development of a light machine gun, with belt and magazine feed options, variant of our service rifle is in the works, called the AL-23. An upgrade to our MBR-2B anti-radian missiles, including a new motor, improved digital reliability, an active optical fuze, and a new, slighter larger warhead. We have replaced our BCG-1 television-guided bombs with BCG-2 television-guided missiles, allowing for more flexibility in the targets that can be engaged by our tactical bombing missions. Our CST-1A anti-submarine torpedoes have been upgraded to the CST-1B standard, including additional computer logic improvements over the CST-1 and a new autopilot. The TPG dual-purpose torpedo has entered service. The AATI-105 anti-tank rifle has finally been retired, replaced by the ESTEL missile in all roles.

The Armada has replaced its fleet of Alcatraz helicopters with the improved Alcatraz II model, affording greater ability for our maritime helicopters to perform anti-submarine missions. Impressed by the performance of the Air Force's next-generation fighter demonstrations, the Armada is pursuing development of its own next-generation fighter. The fighter will serve in the fleet interceptor role and use variable geometry "swing" wings to minimise deck space profile and improve supersonic performance.

The Army has a few vehicle changes as well. The LC-122 was already considered inadequately protected before the War of Reunification, and experience during the war only proved this. Fortunately, this year the program to up-armour the platform was completed. The LC-122A features an up-armoured cab and launcher and minor adjustments to the fire control systems. Elsewhere, following lackluster performance in the 1971 tank biathlon, an inquiry into the VCB-105's track system has concluded that the linkages in use suffer from several problems. A new style of track is being developed for the VCB-105 which will have improved resilience and lifetime.

[Avalanche]

0630 Central European Time, February 6th, 1972
From the Office of the Executor Regnant,

Understood. Activating JAVELIN, NEPTUNE, and OVERLORD. Approving CONSTELLATION. CLEAN SWEEP already cooperating with RAEA, should go smoothly.