Blogs

Happy 4th of July to everyone Stateside!

Happy Colonial Day to any and all who so choose to celebrate!

So say we all!

Buzzsaw out.

It has taken me a little time to decide just what to put on my page. Not that it is of any great importance to anyone in particular but I guess as a member of a fan club of this magnitude, someone may be interested in knowing a little more about its members and me as a new member.

As far back as I can recall I have had an inclination to build and make things. I have dabbled in so many projects, succeeded in some and failed in others but it never stopped me from trying something new.

At first it was woodwork and then metal and back to woodwork.

I designed and built a unit for our Special Forces, designed and built a specialized tool for an Ammunition Company I worked for a long time ago, just to name a few.

As of late my interest has been perked in working on COSplay and this, as most of us know, covers a very wide field.

Sewing, metal work, woodwork, making molds and the list goes on and on.

My first attempt at a costume was a skull and a cloak along with a scythe to wear at a Halloween party as “The Grim Reaper.” It was a learning curve as it was my first costume but I was pretty pleased with the result.

My next costume covered a group of COSplay characters.

Pirate, Musketeer, Renaissance and basically the only item that changed was the hat and sword.

But each hat was made to complete the costume and the sword for the Pirate was a purchased item but the sword for the musketeer I made.

During my learning curve I wanted to build a costume that would be different from the norm and it became a choice between the “Lycan” from “Underworld” or, the “Cylon” from “Battlestar Galactica.”

Not having worked much with Alginates and Silicon and realizing this could be an expensive learn, I decided to build the “Cylon”.

I am a Mechanical Engineer by profession but retired and making up costumes is a past time filling the hours when I am not ten pin bowling.

Starting out with the plan, I wanted to make it a costume I could wear and my target date for completion is February of 2016. This is when Colorado Springs has “Galaxy Fest 2016” and my intension is to wear the costume to this event.

I became part of this event two years ago taking on the roll of one of the many organizers as well as presenter for the models in one of the many fashion shows held during the weekend. I had the privilege to meet and mix with famous Movie Stars, Authors and many great and well known figures in the movie and television industry from the USA and from around the world.

For instance the original cast from “Dr. Who,” just to name but one group of actors.

This year I was not able to participate as much as I would like to have as I was working on a screenplay for a local Networking Station but next year I hope to be able to show off my costume.

The build has been a learning curve, to say the least because, in-as-much as I have worked with my hands and built so many items, working to get what I want and what I need, has required many hours thus far and the progress has been painfully slow.

Being somewhat of a perfectionist, I have spent more time getting what I want than necessary but I realized, if I want the costume to be what I want it to be, I will have to spend time on building it.

My first hurdle was the boot of the “Cylon.”

Here I took a pair of old hiking boots and started to fashion the boot around it.

My first few attempts proved to be a failure as I used a material I thought would be easy to work with but, alas, it was not the right material. So I reverted back to Plaster of Paris and was finally able to come up with something that was close and wearable.

The added pieces around the boot proved to be more of a challenge.

In order to get each piece the same I decided to make a Master piece of each part, make a mold and cast them so they would all be the same.

It was then I came to the realization if I wanted the rest of the costume to look and be correct, I would have to make a Master of each section and work off it to duplicate each piece.

First the Calf, then the Thigh, and work my way up the body to allow me to successfully work over a solid base forming each part.

I have not worked with “WonderFlex,” and I felt as it is a forming plastic and using heat to shape it, the surface I was going to work off had to be free of any irregularities. So hence, the time spent finding out the quickest way to get the surface I required. Not only did this take the many hours I have spent on each piece, but I have also learned during the process, what to do and how to get the finish I need for the rest of the costume.

  Along the way I have had to calculate and design the costume in many ways so that when I finally don the costume, it is going to fit and allow me to walk and move as freely as I possibly can.

When next I write I will add some photo’s of what I have accomplished to date.

So say we all.

John.

.

Operation 'BACK ATCHA' Was A Success,To say the Least.

Fleet Intel Uncovered A Plot by the Cylons To use Civilian Freighters,Loaded with EM Irradiated Tylium,To Knock out A Vital Listening Outpost At the Red Line,And Possibly Pave the way for A Cylon Invasion.

Their Plan was to Load Two Colonial Civilian Freighters,Last Reported 'Missing' With the Hot Tylium;Then,Use them In Kamikaze Fashion to Destroy The Colonial Listening Outpost Station TATARIS; The Resulting Destruction of the Station,Along with the Spread of the Hot Tylium,Would have Severely Disrupted DRADIS and Communications in that Entire Sector;Opening the door for A waiting Cylon Task Force.

However,An Operation was Enabled to Where the Cylons had Their 'Dirty Bombs' Turned Against them:

With the Aid of Stealth Spy Drones,and a Covert Recon Mission, The Raven Air Wing was Able To Prevent the Hot Tylium From Being Transferred From Cylon Military Tankers to the Missing Freighters; One One of Two Tankers Was Destroyed by BLUE SQUADRON and HAMMERS SQUADRON:

This was Before Tanker one was Blown to Bits; We were Able to Avoid Serious Exposure From the Hot Tyilum.

The Second Tanker Was Captured by A Raven MARDET Team,Who Carried A 10kt Nuclear Device; Both Civilian Ships Were Re-Taken;There were Light Casualties.

Tanker Two Was Piloted To the Kintara Sector,Where A Cylon Task Force Was in Waiting;The MARDET team Set the Timer on the Device,And Egressed Out of the Sector.

It Appears That the Cylons Thought Something was off:

But, by that Time,It was Already too Late:

The Resulting Explosion,And the Spread of Hot Tylium Destroyed One Basestar,Severely Damaged Two More,And Inflicted damage On others; According to the Latest Intel From Recon Drones,Despite The Sensors Being Disrupted By Radiation,It Appears The Cylons have Withdrawn From the Sector.

Another Cylon Threat Thwarted,Thanks to the Skill,And Fortitude Of the Colonial Fleet; How Many More Times Must we Knock They Cylons Down?

As Many As It Takes.

                                               (Signed)

                              Col. K.A. RANSON   'LEONIDAS'

                             Commander,Air Group,BFC-002

  "Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!

6-27-2015 “Operation Back Atcha”

This mission was planned by the Ravens CAG, Colonel Leonidas Ranson using an idea from our last mission Operation Green Haze and the irradiated Tylium on Planet EM.

Mission Plan:

ATTENTION ON DECK!     At Ease!

Well Folks, The Cylons Are about to attempt some Trickery on us; Guess what? It's THEY who are about to get 'Punk'd'!

After the Last Op at planet 'Green Haze', The Scientists at the Ministry of Defense Have pieced together A Puzzle Concerning EM Irradiated Tylium; Not only could the Stuff Create Havoc with Colonial Military Vessels, If Secretly Slipped in with Normal Tylium, In a big enough Amount, It can be used As A Poor man's Dirty Bomb, With Devastating Results!

 Further Intel Has Discovered That the Cylons have Loaded Two Standard Tankers With the Stuff; And, They intend to Transfer the Crap to two Colonial Civilian Freighters That have Almost been Reported Missing; Their Registries Still Being Active:

Colonial 6619-B, Registered with A Private Shipping Firm on Gemmenon, and:

Colonial 4108-H, Of Libran Fuel Industries Inc; Last Reported Leaving Ragnar Anchorage.

These Two Civilian freighters Obviously have been Hijacked by Cylon Infiltrators to be used in A Terrorist Attack on A Colonial Military Target; Loaded With the Hot Tylium, They could be used to Not only Destroy A Target, but also the Spread of the Tylium could Seriously Disrupt DRADIS and Communications for a Substantial Period of Time, Leaving The Affected Sector(s) Vulnerable to Cylon Attack.

Intel picked up by Stealth Spy Drones Have indicated A Cylon Build-up 25 Parsecs Past the Red Line, in the Kintara Sector. The Most Recent Recon Flight by the Raven Air Wing has revealed old type Cylon Basestars and Tankers.

Even though these are Older Ships from the First Cylon War, They are still Useful; And, Off to the Side, The recon flight Found the Two Civilian ships.

After this Location was pinpointed, it was found that the Closest Colonial Military Post of Importance was Listening Post TARTARIS, Which has A Direct Link to Fleet HQ on Picon;

This Post Is VITAL to Detecting Any Cylon Threats to the Colonies; The Deduced Plan is for the Cylons to Bring the Freighters with the Hot Tylium to the Station, Then Ram the Station, Destroying it, and Blacking out The Entire Sector with the Spread of Irradiated Dust; The Cylons would have Kicked in the Door, and Walked in.

However, We now have the Opportunity to Turn this Around on them; Our spy drones have Pinpointed A possible Location Where the Cylons will transfer the Hot Tylium from the Tankers to the Civilian ships; The Raven Air Wing will Pop in Just before they Begin the Transfer; We will destroy one of the Tankers, and Capture the other; Meanwhile Two MARDET Teams will Liberate the Civilian ships, and Return them to Colonial Space.

As this Transpires, The Lead MARDET Team Will Place a 10kt Nuclear device on the Cylon tanker, Then they will Pilot the Ship Back to The Cylon task force in the Kintara Sector, Which will be Waiting To Move in once the Station is destroyed; The Team will Activate the device, Put the Ship on Auto-Pilot, And Quickly Egress With the Raptors; As the Tanker Gets into the Middle of the Cylon force, The Device will Detonate, Disabling The Cylon Base Ships.

Timing is going to be Crucial; however, if things go Right, We can turn back a potential Wolf at our Doorstep.

Leonidas, CAG

Briefing:

(Port Flight Deck) ATTENTION!     As You Were!

OK Folks, We Now have the Toasters Right where we Want them; Spy Drone one Has Placed them At the Point where they Are going to Transfer the Hot Tylium to the Civvies; We're going to Crash that Party Within the Hour; Remember, We Kill one Tanker, Leave the Other; MARDET Team One will Be Taking that Back to the Cylons with A Little Surprise!

You Know Your Assignments; Get the Job Done.

(Over the PA) "ATTENTION FLIGHT CREWS: RAVEN HAS REACHED LAUNCH POINT; PILOTS, MAN YOUR PLANES; SET CONDITION TWO THROUGHOUT THE SHIP"

That's Our Cue, SADDLE UP!

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Major (Salutes): MARDET Teams are assembled in Raptor bays. Security, Fast Response and Damage Control Teams are at "Stand to" in assigned areas. Your Raptor 316 and mine 317 are standing by with Sapper Raptor 350M.

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

(returns salute)copy that...looks like a good day to take out the trash

• weapons check complete
• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Roger that Major.

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Nice job

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Chaplain "Prometheus": Corpsmen request and CAG approved you to move to port landing bay in triage area to aid and comfort those incoming wounded in the "expectant" category.

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

NCOIC to all MARDET away Teams: Load your craft and report when ready.

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

(Skyblaster) Team Two UP.

• (Bonecrusher) Team Three UP.
• (Merlin) Sapper Team UP.
• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Copy. Team One is UP. Major, Your Teams are loaded and ready.

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

tac; Blindsword: Monitor HOT ZONE for any Cylon ships and keep n eye on the colonial ships. if they so much as float sideways i want to know...

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Blindsword; Tac: Copy that if they move will inform...

• Chief; comms are garbled again
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO SHOOTERS: PREPARE TO LAUNCH WHEN READY; MARDET RAPTORS CLOSE HATCHES AND SECURE CARGO.

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

CAG and CIC: Per orders "package" was switched to "simple" and not "messy".

• Hatches secure.
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Roger That: It will still make A Big Mess.

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET Teams ready to launch.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG LAUNCHING

• "Spartan Three Ready to Go"
• "MINOTAUR LEAD LAUNCHING"
• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

Raptor 343 fuelled and awaiting orders

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG to Flight Deck Clear Raptors for Launch

• "HAMMERS AIRBORNE"
• "Spartan Section Five has Cleared"
• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

OH Frak!!! how does this thing work again.. (Holding MP7)

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Blue Squadron Clear and Forming Up"

• "Perseus Twelve Having Problems, Foul Tube"
• Me

Flying Tigers ready to launch...

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"SPARTAN SECTION SEVEN ON YOUR WAKE"

• "319 Air Borne, DRADIS on"
• Me

Reamer to Tigers...launch when ready...over...

• Reamer launches and takes position along with Flight 1...
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG to 343, You are Clear, Any Contacts?

• Me

Let’s get formed up Tigers, over.....Copy that Maj Sir....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET ready to launch

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

You Are Clear, Mardet

• Me

Hitman to Reamer, over....go ahead Hitman....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET Launching.......clear.

• Me

We're ready for the fireworks Sir....over...

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

raptor 316 ready for go

• Me

Copy that Hitman... where's everyone else?

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Team One trailing Perseus Sdrn, Teams two and three trailing Minotaur Sqdrn.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Red Dog to CAG, Squadron Clear and Formed"

• Me

They're getting into formation.....Hotwire here Sir ready to kick some chrome butt....Sir...

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"318 to CAG, About 30 KM to Target, Picking up Fain DRADIS"

• Me

OK, keep alive and be ready, over.....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

MARDET; BLINDSWORD; let’s try to keep it by the numbers

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Roger that Major

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

Raptor 343 awaiting launch clearance

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

'CAG to 343, How's DRADIS Looking?

• You Are Clear.
• Me

OK Stargazer....keep your eyes open.....over....

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Yes Sir

• That's why they call me Stargazer
• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Copy Major

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343 airborne, dradis clear

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG to Picket Raptors, Assume Positions

• "BLUE LEADER TO CAG,HAVE TARGET IN SIGHT ,CLOSING"
• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343 acknowledged

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Roger, Cag To Flight, WEAPONS HOT,LET'S GO!

• Me

Copy that Col.....we're itching to let em have it Sir.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET stay with your Viper Squadrons

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

" Blue Lead to Hammer Lead, will Surround First Target, You Set up Firing Perimeter, Acknowledge"

• "Roger That Blue Lead, Moving Strike Raptors into Positon"
• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

TEAM !: BLINDSWORD; lock n load

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"MAEDET TWO, Closing In on Target"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

317 and 350M acknowledge

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Perseus Six, On your Left!"

• Me

My Dradis is lighting up.......looks like we have company.......Yeah.....

Part 2 6-27-2015 “Operation Back Atcha”

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"99 SPARTANS and 99 TIGERS ESTABLISH PEREMITER"

• Me

Roger that Sir.....here they come......

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"SLIDER,SPLASH ONE!"

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Watch 3 o'clock Major

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Good Job, Slider!

• Me

Raiders jumping in on our 6.....watch it everyone....over....

• Whoosh......multiple missile launches.....
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Section Two, You've got Seven Sparrows, Three High!

• Me

Yeah FireFox..... got a couple....

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Looks like we can call some Cylons sparky!!!!

• Me

Coming about.....eat lead sucker......splash one.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"MARDET THREE TO CAG, HAVE SECURED TARGET THREE, NO CASUALTIES"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

(Skyblaster) Teams 2&3 have Friendlies in sight, closing to breach.

• Me

I got one to Reamer.....great shooting Dutchman....

• Reamer Sir...on your 3 O'clock....
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG SPLASH ONE

• Me

I see me El Cid....

• Turning to starboard.....guns blazing....
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO MARDET ONE, REPORT PROGRESS

• Me

Boom....crash....Yeah....that's how to do it Flight 1.....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

CAG; team 1; is in its real quiet...moving towards the bridge

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Roger That.

• Me

Three toasters dusted off......

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Team 1 closing on hostile, prepare to breach, 316 approaching Bridge, 317 approaching hanger. 350 hold.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"BLUE LEAD, WE HAVE TARGET BRACKETED;ABOUT TO KILL"

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Boom!!! Bam!!! Add another one to the recycling pile

• Me

There's another bunch of toasters on our 9 O'clock....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

317 Breach in hanger, boarding now......flash, enemy Centurions, have engaged

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343....Dradis shows enemy forces contained, no reinforcements inbound at this time.

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

MARDET; team 1: Breaching

• Me

OK flights....come to port and let em have it.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Five Seven, Watch it!

• Me

Missile lock.....whoosh......splash another tin man......Yeah.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"HAMMER LEAD, CYLON TANKER ABOUT TO GO BYE BYE!"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

350 this is 317, move to hanger breach NOW, resistance removed

• Me

Watch out Tigers for the flying metal.....over.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO FLIGHT PREPARE FOR POSSIBLE DISRUPTION!

• Me

There’s a few more toasters joining the party 12 O'clock high.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Toaster rubble in target, moving forward now. 350 in breach and loading the package.

• Me

They're diving on us Maj Sir.....over.....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

This is TEAM1; clearing bridge…nothing as of...hold 1

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

HAMMER LEAD, DISTANCE FROM FLIGHT?

• Me

Immelmann turn everyone to get the upper hand on them.....over....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"WE'VE GOTY THEM CLEAR, SIR!"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Sapper forward to me, found a scuttling charge amid-ships. Moving forward.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO 99 HAMMERS, You are Cleared to Kill Target!

• Me

Flight 1 through 5 gaining altitude with guns blazing......

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"ROGER That!"

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

ALL TEAMS; BEWARE GURDIAN CYLONS seem to be in command here

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Roger that Sir

• Me

You can't miss them Sir.....it’s like shooting fish in a barrel.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Sapper disarmed Cylon charge, will add it to package. MARDET, beware of IEDs.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

(STRIKE RAPTORS FIRING AT FIRST CYLON TANKER)

• Me

OK....just make sure they die for their leader......

• Missile lock.....Whoosh....two HD-70's away....
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"BLUE LEAD TO FLIGHT, TANKER ABOUT TO EAT! BREAK! BREAK! BREAK!

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Flash flash we encountered Goldie’s, unplugged same.

• Me

Boom.....pow......tow more for the scrap pile.....LOL...

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

(Cylon Taker Explodes)

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Major, closing on your area, prepare for friendly link-up.

• Me

Did you say Goldie’s......

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO FLIGHT WATCH FOR DEBRIS FROM TANKER!

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Yes the more seasoned more dangerous mk1s from the first war...there’s something big here

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Affirmative…

• Me

Oooooo......I just Love the Gold ones....don't you Hitman.....over.....

• Oh yeah Maj Sir.....just show me the way.....LOL....
• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

team1; blindsword; take em down

• Me

OK....here they come.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"AAAAGGGGHHH! THIS IS BOOSTER! I'VE BEEN CHUNKED IN THE BATTERY! LOSING POWER"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Major, have encountered your perimeter. will back track and look for snipers. Sappers complete package set.

• Me

Missile lock.....Whoosh .....last missile away.....

• Pow......Gold Dust in the wind.....
• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Whoosh!!!! Boom!!! Two more to die for their leader

• Me

Hey Reamer....I got one.....Yeah Gold Dust.......

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

343 this is Team 1, have wounded to evacuate before flight, can you assist?

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO RAPTOR 38, HELP OUT BOOSTER

• Me

Copy that Hitman.....great shooting.....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

TEAM 2; COPY....Bridge is clear locking in co.ords

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"38, HAVING TROUBLE WITH DEBRIS, CAN'T GET TO HIM"

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Great shooting Major

• Me

There's a couple more for Tea.....LOL.....

• Stargazer on your Port.....let em have it.....over.....
• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

FRAK FRAK FRAK...the panel is FRIED

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

CAG and Major, package is set, 350M preparing to stand off and follow. Two casualties, being evacuated by 343 closest Raptor. Ready for our trip.

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Boom!!! Boom!! More stardust

• Me

Flight 1 turning to Port to assist Stargazer......

• Great shooting Stargazer.....over.....
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"KRYPTER KRYPTER KRYPTER, THIS IS BOOSTER GOLD, LOST POWER TO FLIGHT CONTROLS......MY GODS! IV' GOT THREE COMING FOR ME! HELP! REPEAT, NEED HELP!":

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Let's light up the sky sir

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Major I have the stern emergency steerage here, shall I fly her from here?

• Me

We have him Sir.....over.....

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Whoosh launching missiles

• Me

Flight 3, save Booster Gold.....over…

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO BOOSTER, PUNCH OUT NOW! EJECT! EJECT! EJECT!

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343 acknowledge evacuation order

• Me

Copy that Maj.....Hotwire on the job Sir.....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

rdgr that..316 prep for egress

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"ROGER!@ EJE------"(Viper Explodes)

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

TEAM 1; BUG OUT

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Initiating flight control from stern steerage on your command

• Me

Here comes the SAR......

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"DAMN FRAKKERS GOT BOOSTER!"

• Me

Looks like they got Booster.....over......

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

317 ready to fly mission package home.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

SECTION SIX....THOSE THREE, TWO LOW,PUT SOME HURT ON THEM!

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

CAG; team lead; punch a hole we r moving

• Me

OK Tigers lets clean up any remaining Toasters.....

• Don't let any get away.....
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

RIOGER THAT BLIND SWOPRD, JUMP TO COORDINATES,WE WILL COVER,AND HOPLD UNTIL YOU RETURN,OVER

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Mik Mo thanks for the emergency pick up on my casualties; will remain here to fly this baby home.

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

BOOM BOOM

Part 3 6-27-2015 “Operation Back Atcha”

• Me

Tigers tearing into a few more toasters....

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343 Roger that

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"SIX TO CAG, WE GOT'EM!"

• Me

Multiple explosions......Yeah...take that for Booster.....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

TEAM1...there’s something moving if it’s moving n shiny drop it

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Tanker under way, FTL jump in 5...4...3....2...1...jump....

• Me

Great shooting Tigers......

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Thanks Major

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

scratch 1,2, 3 Ol boys

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"MINOTAUR LEAD, BOTH CIVVIEs SECURED, LEADING THEM TO THE RED LINE,OVER"

• Roger that, Good Luck!
• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

316; team lead, ltes ride

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Flash Cylon attack by stay-behinds defeated. On course on schedule.

• Me

Any more Bogies on Dradis?....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO PERSEUS LEAD, ASSIST WITH ESCORTING CIVVIES, OVER

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

Dradis sweep shows clear

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

'Roger That, Joining Minotaur’s"

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

something feels off....where’s that base

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG SPLASH TWO, THAT'S FOR BOOSTER GOLD!

• Me

OK Tigers....get back into formation and look sharp....there could be more Cylons out here.....

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

CAG and Major, due out of jump in two mikes, will come out and set full standard speed to target while we load and jump away. All personnel on tanker load 317.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO FLIGHT, CYLON PACKAGE HAS ADVANCED,HOLD POSITION UNTIL MARDERT TEAM ONE RETURNS

• Me

Three O'clock Reamer.....a couple Raiders jumping away.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Roger That Team One, Standing By

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Prepare to exit jump.....now.

• Me

Copy that Hotwire....keep your eyes open....over...

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Jump complete, setting throttle, exiting to 317..........317 away. Timer set, manual backup trigger on 317.

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

316 on final approach to 2nd tanker

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Section For--Two Trying to Get Away, Wax them!

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

316 final jump.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"DEAD AND GONE!"

• Cag to 343, Has Debris Spread Far to Our Area?
• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Moving away, Enemy not evading tanker, time on target....5...4...3…2..1....BOOOOOOM!!!!! 317....jump, jump, jump.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Report Any Disruptions

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

317; 316; on ur 6

• smooth as silk
• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343....debris shows normal spread pattern. Approaching your position

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"318,We still have some Chunks In our Zone, Rad Limits within Norm"

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

CAG and CIC: view from a distance it’s beautiful.... nothing but major debris field expanding rapidly. Assessment photos in the bag, Jumping to your location....now.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Confirm Package Delivery?

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Confirm, major candy-gram shared by all recipients.

• Me

WhoooHoooo.......Yeah that ought to teach the Cylons a lesson or two.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Roger That! Outstanding! Will Hold Until You Catch Up

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Jump to rendezvous complete. Request permission to enter the pattern.

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

Oh I took a side sample its weapons grade ore

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

320 Patch Me Trough to Ship

• "320,LINK UP CONNECTED"
• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Thanks for giving my guys a ride Mik Mo.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG TO RAVEN PACKAGE DELIVERED, REPEAT PACKAGE DELIVERED; Waiting on Formation to Catch up, Mopping up Stragglers

• 10:45 PM
• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

MARDET 2 & 3 have been recovered.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Raptor 32to CAG, Civvies have Just Crossed the Red Line, They're Back Home"

• Me

Looks like we're all clear CAG Sir...

• Just scrap as far as the eye can see Sir....
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Cag to Flight, Finish the Rest, And Let's Go Home

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

317 &350M in the pattern...on final....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"RED DOG TO CAG! YOU GOT ONE DIVING DOWN ON YOUR TOP!"

• Me

OK Tigers you heard the Col....finish playing with your toys and let’s head back to the Raven....over....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

HAH! SLASH THREE!

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

316 nestled in

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Roger That Major!!!

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

343 Any More?

• Me

Anyone get hit? Over.....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

a little singed

• Me

No Sir....they didn't lay a finger on us Sir....over......Great work Tigers....Chief Beaton will be amazed....

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

A couple pieces of debris left a couple of scratches. That's all

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Blindsword, all MARDET accounted for, two severely injured in sick-bay, no damage to craft. Have some intel data and equipment from the tanker, in decontamination.

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343 on approach...requesting landing clearamce

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Cag to Flight, Head for Home

• Me

Copy that CAG Sir!!!

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Raven to 343, Hands on, Call the Ball"

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

copy that aar wen they ae secured

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Two more wounded on 343, thanks for the ride Mik Mo.

• Me

OK Tigers don't crowd the landing Bays.....call the ball and get aboard....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Cag to Raven, We have Wounded Coming In, Alert Medic Team to Stand By

• Me

Flight 2 landing.....Flight 3 right behind you Hitman......

• 10:52 PM
• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

RAVEN; total of 4 wounded 2 severe 2 not

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

CAG to Raven, Requesting Hands on

• Me

Reamer coming in.....mag lock on.....Look Chief.....no scratches on your deck this time....LOL....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

"Roger CAG, Call the Ball"

• Me

You Pointy Nosed Viper Jock....watch your mouth.....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Speed 113,I have the Ball

• Me

OK Chief....next time its combat landings for ya....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Skids Down Secure Maglock "Maglock Secured"

• "Spartan Section Two,Aboard"
• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

Back aboard Major

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

316 on board

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

"Home is the sailor home from the sea, and the hunter home from the hill......" All Mardet accounted for.

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

'Section Five Minus one, Aboard"

• Me

OK Tigers let’s put our birds to sleep and go and check out the wounded in sick bay before we head to the ships lounge.

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

I have the ball...

• 343 skids down
• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

(Climbing From Viper) OK People Let's Make Sure we Check Our Rads; There was Some of that Stuff Around!

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

Mik Mo, your first tab in "Joe's" is on me.

• Me

Yes Sir Colonel.

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

343 secured, evacuating wounded

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

gonna take a rad shower...n get some rack time

• Me

Rads within normal range Sir....we'll go through decon just in case Sir....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

(Spartan pilots Just Standing Around…Not Believing Booster was Gone) Guys, Just Get Checked out, Now, We Can Mourn Later "Yes Sir"

• Ens. Michael "Mik Mo" Morelock

Thanks Ice....keep the Ambrosia flowing!

• Paul "Iceworm" Oakley

The Major was on the Cylon barge, no telling what we need to wash off from there.

• You're welcome Mik.
• Me

Pilots yelling and pushing....can we get this line moving....it’s always the same after every mission....decon takes so much time away from hitting the lounge....

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

Damn It! Well, I'll Go make My Report; Meet You Guys in the Lounge.

• Me

We'll save a bottle for you Sir!!!

• Ens. Maryann "Stargazer" Barto

I have an early day tomorrow, so I have to hit the rack

• Col. Keith "Leonidas" Ranson

We Are ALL Gonna Need It!

• Me

OK Stargazer decon and then rack time....

• Maj. Juan (blindsword) Lopez

blindsword out til nxt time

• Me

Great mission Blindsword!!!

• It’s always a great time with you.

11:03 PM

"Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!!

Wishing you the best and much happiness on your birthday!  Just remain the way you are.  Do not ever change for being the kind of person that you are:  WONDERFUL, SWEET AND CARING!!!!

JUST IN TO FLEET SCUTTLEBUTT CENTRAL: Anonymous Fleet sources hint that a new Raven mission is in the works. Cancelled leaves and stores loading indicate a party with fireworks is in her future. Must be important as Raven is embarking before her soon-to-be-commissioned Gunstar, the Trireme, joins the Battle Group. History shows Raven prefers Saturday night actions as the Cylon fleet is in port on liberty then. Asked about the rumors, PR Rep Martok said: "A vital mission, impossible odds, and a ruthless enemy, what more could we ask for?" Stay tuned for more news and MUCH more scuttlebutt. FSC out.

  "Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!!

 RAVEN GENERAL MEMBERSHIP COIN

Well folks, I just wanted to quickly post these photos here. I finally got the chance to inspect the new Raven Challenge Coin for the general membership. I have to say, it turned out pretty awesome.  Now these coins compared to the BFC Raven Command Challenge coin, is available to the general membership. Only 100 of these coins were made for now.

ENJOY!

~RAVEN ACTUAL

                                                                     RAVEN COMMAND CHALLENGE COIN

 "Hello,

 I'm Ernie Miller and as the Battlestar Galactica Fan Club Adminstrator of Colonial Affairs,
 
 I welcome you on behalf of the leadership of the BFC.

 Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help you on the site"

 Welcome
 
So Say We All !!!!!!

Well, what can I say!  The Raven Battle Group was very busy this past weekend.  The group was represented at two different conventions:

Convention Photos Link:  Raven Gallery

Houston Comicpalooza

Tulsa Comic Con

First off, I would like to thank the following people who helped at the Raven table:

Paul Oakley- Gunny was with me throughout the whole entire four days.

Steve Tweed- My XO who came all the way from Wisconsin and helped out for two days.  It was a pleasure to finally meet him in person.

Tim Riley- The Raven Cylon Command Centurion Member.  I was glad to see him doing what he love best once considering what he recently went through on a personal level. I know she is smiling down on you seeing you doing what you love doing with her.  As always, Tim attracts a lot of people as he walks around.

Tony and Cherie Leach-  What a surprise indeed was this for Cherie from her husband Tony.  He surprise her with coming to Comicpalooza to meet Jeremy Renner.  Thank you for coming all the way from Oklahoma and hanged out at the Raven table allowing me to enjoy a little bit of what the con has to offer.  I was able to meet and get Stan Lee's autograph and Jeremy Renner. So mission accomplished on my part on that aspect.  And Cherie and Tony, you both are a riot LOL!!!!  I was watching my oldest son during the first group dinner laugh at Tony as Tony tells stories about Cherie! :-)

Many thanks to all those who dropped in and said hello- new members George Mellis and his friends, Rob Tipton, Gayle Jackson and her family and others......

The Raven was also represented at the Tulsa Comic Con and was headed by Raven Communications Officer Shane "Ogre" Coble.  Shane just went through a recent shoulder surgery so I was a little reluctant him doing a lot of work manning the Raven table at the Tulsa Comic Con when I saw him make a post with in regards about the Tulsa Comic Con.  Shane and I spoke on the side that as much as I appreciate him wanting to represent the Raven at the Tulsa Comic Con, I rather not have him do it because he should be recovering from his shoulder surgery.  But he kept re-assuring me he can handle it.  So I finally said, okey....I will do what I can to support you. I made him promise that he will take it easy while doing it.  I then send him some promotional items for the Raven, BFC and Galacticon 4.  And it looks like it was a success as well. I would like to make a note per Shane's report to me, that special credit goes to Jill Horton for helping out at the Raven Tulsa table and she is not even a member.  To Jill, thank you very much for helping at the table! I agreatly appreciate that.   And to Chris Rowe, the convention director/promoter for the Tulsa Comic Con, thank you for inviting our group and having us at your con once again.

It was indeed a twin convention appearance for the Raven Battle Group this past weekend.  But the highlight between the two cons was everyone having fun, meeting new members in person, meeting my XO for the first time in person and my one and only good friend Miguel Rivera, coming down to surprise me the way he did.   I have not seen him in over two years since we saw each other last at Galacticon 3.  We were texting each other before I arrived at the convention site.  He was telling me and the kids to have fun.  But little did I know what is about to transpire.  I finally arrived at the Raven table with the rest of the display that is suppose to be put on the table.  Then as I was talking to everyone that was there, I heard someone say to me from my left side " Hi!"  It took me a little bit to realize that it was Miguel in the flesh.  When it finally dawn on me, I just dropped whatever I was doing and went towards him and gave him a hug.  Out of all the things I can find to hit him with for being sneaky, I ended up grabbing a ball cap hat LOL.  Him and I have been through a lot together in the science fiction community. We went through our own set of ups and downs together and our friendship was tested and even put to the limit.  But in the end along with time, we reforge a much stronger friendship which is solely based on our experience with science fiction political BS and drama.  We promise each other to never let scifi drama or scifi political BS, to ever put a wedge in our friendship ever again.  We both believe what we do on the side should be fun, not to be taken too seriously and should not let the ficticious rank get to ones head. It is only for the enhancement of ones experience in that scifi community.  We both know and have seen that there are a lot of people out there that are just like that.  And they take the fun out of things.  All of us have lives outside the virtual world of battlestars, cylon basestars, vipers and raptors.  And that real life event is more important than anything else.  Real life should not be mix with what is not real.  And that is what Miguel and I have learned through our unpleasant experience in the past.  We both swear that we will NEVER ever allow a repeat of that kind of experience ever.  A couple of beliefs him and I both share are as follows:

1.  We believe in quality vs. quantity in membership wise

2.  It is not all about the ficticious rank.  

3.  It is about the members

4.  It is about having fun

5.  It is about helping other members in need

The one highlight I will never forget that made my jaw dropped out of surprise was, being promoted to Rear Admiral by the BFC Fleet Admiral.  

( Thank you for the gorgeous RADM pins Miguel )

I was not expecting that at all.  I have always been the kind of person just satisfied being the behind the seen kind of person.  If you notice, I do not even use the rank that comes with being the CO of the Raven on my profile page.  I am quite content using DragonLady or Raven Actual.  I can just be as effective and do kickass work by just remaining simple.  I do not need long titles or signature lines for people to know who I am.  I am known through the scifi community as DragonLady.  And I am satisfied with that.  But like Sgt. Hillman said to me on the side, I better get used to the crew calling me Admiral DragonLady because that is who I am now. :-) :-)  All I can say is, I will try my best to get used to it and be worthy of that rank. :-)  

And to everyone who had a hand in the surprise celebration that took place for me over the weekend, THANK YOU SO MUCH from the bottom of my heart especially the POINT man, Iceworm! AHEMMM!!!!! And yeah, yeah!  You told me you were only following orders. :-)  I have to start keeping an eye on you LOL.  But thank you so much for everything.

( Iceworm, THANK YOU SO MUCH for this hat. The simpliest gift sometimes makes the best gift of them all. I am really tickled by this and cannot stop smiling at it :-) )

Miguel, thank you my friend for such a wonderful surprise.  I know you were only here for one day but to me, that is worth more because we made the best of the time we had together.  It was truely indeed a memorable weekend for me.  It felt like good old times when were together on the Aries going to conventions and manning the table together.  The Aries will always hold a special place in my heart for she was my first baby and creation when I was her CEO.  And that will never change even though I have the Raven now. The Aries and Raven will forever be linked together because of you and me.  The Aries will be the big older sister ship to the Raven. As far as the Raven group, everyone here sure knows how to have fun no matter where we are. This Memorial Day weeked, it was Houston and Tulsa  NOW OFF TO GALACTICON 4 for the Raven Battle Group!!!!

SO SAY WE ALL!!!!!

In Service,

~Raven Actual

As you all may recall I have taken upon myself to go back to school and get myself a degree or three. I set myself up with a plan to get to where I really wanted to go in life and I am proud to say that stage one of this journey is almost complete.

What I was doing was going to a "For-Profit" School to get my Associates in Criminal Justice. By the end of June of this year I will have completed the requirements to fulfill that degree and will graduate with the fall classes sometime in October or November. (Instead of doing a grad class of like 5-6 a month, they do a spring session and a fall session). I will graduate with a 3.96 GPA most likely in the top 10 percent of my class and be eligible for any and all honors not Medical based at the school.

In September I will start phase 2 of my plan and go back to Brown Mackie College for my Bachelors Program in Criminal Justice and I will keep you all up to date on that progress as well.

So that is my update, If you need any work done on the Main Raven site (Looking at you Squadron Commanders) leave me a message here or email me personally at j.phillips0328@gmail.com with a subject called Raven Web Site.

Thanks again..

CPT. Jeff Phillips

Chief Engineering Officer 

Commander, 615th Fighter Squadron "Minotaur"

Battlestar Raven BFC-002

Greetings Fellow Colonials,

                I hope everyone is doing well.  This is my after action report from attending Comicpoolza on Friday the 22^nd.  I was there only one day due to other commitments. I still had a great time and while there I got to meet members of the Battlestar Raven.  Whom I have chatted with via the internet as well spoken over the phone with.  A great bunch of folks what can I tell you everyone was having a blast.  At the Convention there was lots to see and do as you walked around.  I look forward to doing it again whenever the opportunity presents itself and my schedule is a bit more free.

                After action report time.  I was there to enjoy the convention and look forward to making new friends as well recruit for Colonial Defense Forces, Battlestar Fan Club and let’s not forget the Colonial Cylon Alliance.  After all when I am at any function I do my best to represent every community I can.  The Battlestar Raven table looked great the setup was a team effort no doubt.  First on the scene was Paul Oakley who did the initial set up with Tim Riley aka “Cylon Tim” catchy name I love it!  As well as Steve Tweed. I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Paul, Tim and Rob aka “Spectre”  a great guy I met at Galacticon III.  It was a great time being able to talk about Battlestar Galactica as well as other Sci FI genre.  There was a gentleman named Doug I didn’t catch his last name.  He was writer and he also joined us for some Sci Fi talk a nice humble guy I wish him all the best.  He Doug that is loved the character Harley Quinn.  As I had walked around the convention I purchased two beautiful art rendering and came back and presented it to Doug as a gift.  The man was blown away and shook my hand.  He offered me a free book and I decline it’s what I do love surprising people.

                Speaking of surprise I was on a secret mission there.  A few people knew of my pending arrival.  I was there to surprise my friend Cherry Oclima.  I had texted her to have a great time at the convention and she had replied.  Little did she know I was just a few feet away from and I said HI!!.  She turned and looked.  It finally hit her I was there in the flesh and she jumped for joy gave me hug.  She then preceded to hit me with a ball cap!!  I guess she was truly happy HAHAHA!!  I don’t like to commit to an event and then have to disappoint people so I always just make contact with one person only.  This time it was my point man Colonial Marine Paul Oakley.

                Prior to dinner I switched hats and stood up as Fleet Admiral Rivera of the BFC.  I got everyone's attention b/c I like going big or just go home and everything I do has purpose or else I wouldn’t bother.  Everyone's attention was on me and I appreciated their time.  Especially those who came from a great distant to be part of the event.  I called up Paul Oakley, Tim Reilly, Steve Tweed and George Mellis.  Each of them I presented with an Award to show my appreciation for them supporting the Raven as well as representatives of the BFC Fleet!  I shook hands and got a photo op going b/c I documenting things.

                Finally, we were also there to celebrate Cherry Oclima time in military active duty service.  She is very humble person.  I asked Steve to remain standing since he is Raven XO.  I asked Commander Cherry Oclima to stand.  I then pulled out a framed certificate.  I begun to read and let just say her expression was awe striking as well as her crew.  I HEREBY PROMOTE YOU TO THE RANK OF REAR ADMIRAL!!  I presented her with the certificate Steve and i stood there so we can be photographed together as part of the promotion ceremony.  CONGRATULATION!!   Hell I even presented her with collar rank insignia as well a Colonial cubit.

                She has been trying for the lone time to get a duty blue uniform, but they cost so bloody much.  I called in a few favors and got one which I wear.  She can wear it until something which is more screen accurate comes along and is also truly affordable.  Just hard to spend a great deal of money on cosplay you only wear 4 times a year so it’s understandable.  She was floored when I presented her with the uniform.   Thank you all for reading.  I apologize for the long report, but I am sure you would agree it was worth reading.  Please enjoy the photos and please post here.

PHOTOS::

Fleet Admiral Rivera Reading Awards Order of the Colonies and Good Conduct.  Not pictured George Mellis.  Last two photos of Rear Admiral Cherry Oclima receiving promotion  ~Salutes!~