Operation Jewel Thief
EC2000 Battle for the Gulf of Oman
The failure to neutralize Sri Lanka by wresting away the Federation control of the island has escalated the conflict in the East Indian Ocean. The Allies must try once again in Operation Jewel Thief. The Federation has now committed several destroyer and frigate scout and attack squadrons to the detail of taking out Surat Thani and the American amphibious force stationed there. There are intelligence reports that two carrier groups are also committed to the effort as well as several submarine units, one of which is reported to be an Echo II-class strike force armed with Sandbox cruise missiles. By eliminating the Allied amphibious threat at Surat Thani, it opens the sea lanes for a Federation freeway to the Chinese and Southeast Asian Federation allies. A sidenote to the recent conflict is an incident to be credited to the bizarre annals of military history - the Foch, a French Clemenceau-class carrier, found itself isolated after an engagement in the Northwest Indian Ocean and was surrounded by several Federation sub units, supported by a destroyer strike group - and a BCGN cruiser was approaching on the horizon. With her air units lost, destroyed or away on missions, the Foch found herself a sitting duck. A sizable portion of her crew, still sympathizers with the Federation, were threatening mutiny, while loyal Allied French sailors and officers found themselves in the position of give up their ship, fight a mutiny or take her down with all hands. Cooler heads prevailed. The captain of the Foch handed over the carrier in April, with all hands. A valuable French carrier once again found itself on the naval roster of the Federation.