Star Destroyer Technical Commentaries

Flight Operations Organisation

The Flight Group, Flight Department, Operations Department, and Craft Maintenance Department work together to fullfil Flight operations. Also assisted by various other ship dempartments such as Weapons Dept, Supply Dept, and Medical Dept

Reference: Typical aircraft carrier organizational chart.

Flight Department (carrier air department)

The Flight department is organized into divisions that are responsible for launching and recovering operations. They also handle and service aircraft and maintain the equipment necessary for these functions. Flight department personnel are ship's company, and the department is a permanent shipboard activity.

Reference: Administrative organization of an air department.

V-1 Division: The hanger deck division is responsible for the handling of all craft in the hanger deck. Directing craft though out the hanger areas, and operating craft-handling equipment, such as tractors and cranes. Also included in this division is the crash, fire, and rescue party.

V-2 Division: Personnel in the launching and recovering division are usually assigned to one of two crews.; The launching crew is responsible for the operation and maintenance of cycling racks. TIEs were launched from cycling racks and pilots boarded from overhead gantries and were released into space as they disengaged from the front position in the racks.; The recovering crew is charged with the operation and maintenance of all recovery machinery such as tractor beams, receiver-carriers, pilot debarkation station. Returning fighters landed in separate hangars and then were guided by small tractor beams into receiver-carriers. The receivers carried the TIE to a debarkation station where the pilot would exit.

V-3 Division: The small forward hangar was for shuttle craft carrying high-ranking officials. The forward hangar was also used as a back-up to the main hangar. The forward hangar division personnel were responsible for operation, maintenance, and movement of craft from the forward hanger.

V-4 Division: This division is responsible for servicing, and refueling, in separate bays before being moved to a launch rack, and readied for the next lauch.

Craft Weapons Division: This division is responsible rearming craft in separate bays, before being moved to a launch rack. This division is an attachment from the Weapons Department.

Hanger Supply Division: This division is responsible for supplying Flight Departments needs during operations. This division is an attachment from the Supply Department.

Flight Group (carrier air wing/group)

Reference: Administrative organization of a typical CV air wing.

Flight Group Headquarters
The Flight Group is commanded by a O-5 Captain, who functioned as a department head, they are on par with the Destroyers Executive officer, and the Stormtrooper commander, all of who reported to the Star Destroyers commanding officer, a Line Captain O-5a.
In matters concerning flight department functions, the Group Captain acts under the direction of the air deparment officer. In matter concering the operations department functions, the Group Captain acts under the direction of the operation officer.
The Flight Group has a small command staff consisting of 16–20 officers and approximately 20 enlisted personnel.
Second in command is the deputy commander, also a Captain O-5, also on the staff are an operations officer (typically a Commander O-4), a number of warfare specialists (typically lieutenant commanders or lieutenants), two wing landing signal officers, an intelligence officer, a weapons officer and a maintenance officer. The Flight Group staff is often supplemented with squadron personnel, such as the squadron intelligence officers.

Executive Officer (XO): The XO is assisted by various department heads, to assure that the Group is administered properly and the commander's orders are carried out.

Operations Officer (OO): The operations (OPS) division is responsible for the operational readiness and tactical efficiency of the Group. The OPS division consists of the logs and records, schedules, training, communications, and navigation departments.

Intelligence Officer (IO): The intelligence division is responsible to collect, compile, and analyze information, and distribute intelligence to Squadron officers.

Flight Surgeon: The medical department is responsible for maintaining the health of all personnel and advising the CO in matters of sanitation and hygiene. Make sure pilots are medically fit for flight.

Maintenance Officer (MO)
Electronics Officer (MO)
Weapons Officer (MO): The maintenance department which is responsible for the overall maintenance of the Groups craft. Some Squadrons have larger maintenance departments, usually those who fly uncommon craft. Common craft such as the TIE series, are usually maintained from the ships Craft Maintenance Department. This division is an attachment from the Maintenance Department.

Navigation Officer: The navigation department is responsible to the CO for the pre flight navigation, and operational navigation of craft.

Supply Officer: This division is responsible for supplying Flight Groups needs during operations. This division is an attachment from the Supply Department.

Landing Signal Officer

Warfare Specialist Officer

Wing Organisation (squadron organization)

Squadron Organisation (squadron organization)

Squadron consists of a Commanding Officer (CO), a Lieutenant Commander O-3, Leading the Squadron.
An Executive Officer (XO), and 2 Flight Lieutenants, leading 3 flights.
5 Pilot Lieutenants, as wingmen in each flight.
Assisting the flight operations of the Squadron are:

Executive Officer (XO): The XO is assisted by various department heads, to assure that the squadron is administered properly and the squadron commander's orders are carried out.

Operations Officer (OO): The operations (OPS) department is responsible for the operational readiness and tactical efficiency of the squadron. The OPS department consists of the logs and records, schedules, training, communications, and navigation divisions.

Maintenance Officer (MO): Has administrative control over the maintenance department which is responsible for the overall maintenance of the squadron's aircraft. Some quadrons have larger maintenance departments, usually those who fly uncommon craft. Common craft such as the TIE series, are usually maintained from the ships Craft Maintenance Department.

Intelligence Officer (IO): Responsible to collect, compile, and analyze information. Send that intelligence to the Intelligence Division, and distribute intelligence to Squadron officers.

Reference: Typical aircraft squadron organizational chart.
Reference: Squadron aircraft maintenance department organizational chart.

Operations Deparment (carrier ops/CIC)

The operations department has the responsibility of Flight Operations and the Combat Information Center (CIC). The allied divisions, including flight intelligence, recognition, and flight plot are added responsibilities.

Flight Maintenance Department (aircraft intermediate maintenance department)

The Maintenance Department is responsible for the overall maintenance of the squadron's aircraft.

Reference: Aircraft intermediate-level maintenance department (afloat) organizational chart.
Reference: Squadron aircraft maintenance department organizational chart.

General Maintenance Division: Inspection and Servicing Branch; Power Plants Branch; Craft Frames Branch; Life Support Branch

Electronics Division: Instrument Branch; Avionics Branch; Craft Frames Branch; Armament Branch

Support Equipment Division

Supply Division
This division is responsible for the Maintenance Departments needs during operations. This division is an attachment from the Supply Department.

The attack hangar was located on the underside on the ship and was guarded by a set of armored doors. TIE fighter service and refueling bays, and TIE launch hangars surrounded the main hangar. TIEs were launched from cycling racks and pilots boarded from overhead gantries and were released into space as they disengaged from the front position in the racks. Returning fighters landed in separate hangars and then were guided by small tractor beams into receiver-carriers. The receivers carried the TIE to a debarkation station where the pilot would exit. Once moved through the transfer tunnels to a launch hangar, the fighter could be serviced and refueled in a separate bay. In the hangar, the TIEs were cycled through a launch rack and ready for the next launch. The small forward hangar was for shuttle craft carrying high-ranking officials. The forward hangar was also used as a back-up to the main hangar.

Other ships deparments Security Department The security department consists of the police guard or marine guard, shore patrol, fire, brig, and administrative divisions. The department is responsible for maintaining the security of the station to prevent sabotage, espionage, theft, fire, or other hostile acts. The functions of the department include internal security, investigation, training, and coordination for off-station shore patrol activity. Supply Department The supply department is headed by the senior supply corps officer. The department is responsible for the logistic support of the NAS and all activities on the station. The supply officer and assistants have the responsibility of issuing all fuel and oils. Responsibilities extend to issuing aircraft parts and support equipment. The supply department also operates the general mess. Weapons Department The weapons department is headed by a weapons officer. The department is responsible for the care, handling, stowage, accountability, and issuance of aviation ordnance, ammunition, and pyrotechnics. The department is also responsible for the maintenance of magazines, armories, and the equipment associated with ordnance. Medical Department The medical officer is responsible for all health-related problems on the base. Their responsibilities include prevention and control of disease and treatment of the sick or injured. The medical officer is informed of all matters regarding hygiene, sanitation, and epidemics. The medical officer also advises the CO in matters affecting the health and physical fitness of personnel. A flight surgeon, under the direction of the medical officer, takes care of all aviation medicine. The medical department is also responsible for the medical care of dependents of military personnel. Administration Division The administration division provides clerical and administrative services for the FRC department. The administration division maintains, controls, and establishes a central reporting and record-keeping file system for all maintenance reports and correspondence. The safeguarding and distributing of personal mail to department personnel is another function of the administration division. Manpower, Personnel, and Training Coordinator The manpower, personnel, and training coordinator will normally be a senior enlisted (E-9) person. The coordinator ensures that all divisions in FRC are conducting training sessions to improve the quality of performance. He/She also ensures promotional opportunities are available for the assigned personnel. The coordinator directs periodic inspections of assigned work spaces and personnel. Supply The Supply Support Center (SSC) of an FRC is responsible for receiving all parts and materials ordered. SSC prepares the requisitions and picks up and delivers the material to the various FRC work centers. If maintenance is being performed 24 hours a day, the SSC will be open 24 hours a day. This allows for a quick response to the work centers' material needs.

References

NAVEDTRA 14014A Ch. 2 Organization of Naval Aviation.pdf v1 v2