Weapons free: Difference between revisions

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(Changed wording to reflect more specific current military usage given no conflicting evidence in the canon)
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Before any [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] or [[Raptor]] can fire weapons, permission must be given for members of the fighter group to do so. The request or command is called '''"weapons free."'''
Before any [[Viper (RDM)|Viper]] or [[Raptor]] can fire weapons at will, permission must be given for members of the fighter group to do so. The request or command is called '''"weapons free."'''


The lead pilot of a [[Combat Air Patrol]], or group of [[Alert Fighters|Alert Fighters]] (typically the [[CAG]]) can give a "weapons free" order when facing a known enemy.
The lead pilot of a [[Combat Air Patrol]], or group of [[Alert Fighters|Alert Fighters]] (typically the [[CAG]]) can give a "weapons free" order when facing a known enemy.
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In special cases, the lead pilot may defer weapons-free authorization to the battlestar commander. Lead pilot [[Kat]] defers weapons-free authorization for her fighter group to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' [[Actual]] after the battlestar launches her fighters against sister battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' and her Vipers, realizing that ordering fire against fellow Colonials required Commander [[William Adama|Adama's]] authorization ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).
In special cases, the lead pilot may defer weapons-free authorization to the battlestar commander. Lead pilot [[Kat]] defers weapons-free authorization for her fighter group to ''[[Galactica (RDM)|Galactica]]'' [[Actual]] after the battlestar launches her fighters against sister battlestar ''[[Pegasus (RDM)|Pegasus]]'' and her Vipers, realizing that ordering fire against fellow Colonials required Commander [[William Adama|Adama's]] authorization ([[Resurrection Ship, Part I]]).


The contrary command to "Weapons Free" is "Weapons Hold", whereby units are ordered to Hold Fire, but maintain readiness, while more information is gathered or alternative solutions explored.
The contrary command to "Weapons Free" is "Weapons Hold", whereby units are ordered to hold fire except against specifically authorized targets or in self-defense.  Under "Weapons Free", any target not known to be friendly may be engaged.


[[Category: A to Z]]
[[Category: A to Z]]

Revision as of 00:36, 4 February 2009

Before any Viper or Raptor can fire weapons at will, permission must be given for members of the fighter group to do so. The request or command is called "weapons free."

The lead pilot of a Combat Air Patrol, or group of Alert Fighters (typically the CAG) can give a "weapons free" order when facing a known enemy.

Any member of a fighter group can request weapons-free authorization from the lead pilot, usually as part of training missions (Home, Part I) or to verify their fighter's gun operation (Epiphanies).

In special cases, the lead pilot may defer weapons-free authorization to the battlestar commander. Lead pilot Kat defers weapons-free authorization for her fighter group to Galactica Actual after the battlestar launches her fighters against sister battlestar Pegasus and her Vipers, realizing that ordering fire against fellow Colonials required Commander Adama's authorization (Resurrection Ship, Part I).

The contrary command to "Weapons Free" is "Weapons Hold", whereby units are ordered to hold fire except against specifically authorized targets or in self-defense. Under "Weapons Free", any target not known to be friendly may be engaged.