Vaktovian Raid on Haven (2020)

The 2020 VAK raid on the Haven Archipelago was a major military operation taking place amidst both the Federation's height of power and its most aggressive campaign yet. Having easily thwarted multiple raids over the course of the year, the UWF finally had a chance to prove itself against a worthy adversary on its home turf. Over 30 Marines would deploy to the defense, which coincided with the opening of Operation Tiger Wrath. 
==History==
The Marine contingent, numbering in the 30s, immediately deployed upon hearing word that a massive Vaktovian force had dropped into Haven. The Marine force was initially commanded and organized by Sergeant Majors Rexguardian and NovaCypher, proving that USCM was more than capable of handling large amounts of troops without officer oversight. Splitting the Marine force into several locations as the main defensive effort, USCM held an iron grip on Dockyards, Port Haven(PH), Turtle Island (TI) and Bunker. 
The initial Vaktovian assault proved to be a challenge, as Vaktovian forces swiftly captured the Desalination Plant (Desal) and then advanced on foot or by light vehicle towards Port Haven. A USCM-RGRM combined team worked to stifle their advance in the service tunnel leading to Port Haven, while marksmen on building rooftops picked off Vaktovians attempting to sneak through the jungle into the city. This deadlocked battle continued back and forth for nearly a half hour before an attempt was made to divert their forces. 
A quarter of the way through the raid, Commandant ImperialBlood and Lieutenant Colonel WolfhoundWarmaster arrived to assume command of the Marines. VAK attempted to reroute their main push from Desal to PH over towards Turtle Island by swimming across. Unfortunately for them, LTCOL Wolven and several Marine marksmen stationed at TI had already zeroed in on this location. Utilizing an RWS machine gun truck and sniper rifles, the Marines mercilessly picked off the swimming Vaktovians, thwarting their advance. This massacre would go on to be known as the ''Haven Turkey Shoot'' - further reinforcing the futility of the Vaktovian maneuver. 
The final major Vaktovian push would be led on The Bunker, where then-PFC AceMellows was busy and not paying attention. Swarming the Bunker with a massive amount of troops, the Vaktovians brutally clawed their way in and attempted to secure the flag. After a QRF call was sent out, additional Marine reinforcements deployed to the Bunker to slow the assault. Brutal close-quarters combat rang out in the claustrophobic hallways, leading Marines to hide in small nooks and crannies in the steel corridors. After what seemed like an hour, the assault finally died down. 
With enough points for a Dolphin Corvette, a small Marine force would crew the vehicle and begin coordinating Naval missile strikes with the help of Scout Snipers. Multiple cruise missile strikes were targeted on VAK armor columns, destroying their advances onto Dockyards near the end of the raid. Most famously, Marine Raider Ma iingan was almost killed while driving an APC. A near-miss strike on his vehicle was corrected and planned to re-launch to his horror, but it was called off. After dockyards was successfully protected, the Vaktovian assault had finally run out of time.
== End of Battle, Aftermath ==
The raid ended after over an hour of brutal fighting, leaving thousands dead in the casualty report. For their efforts in leading the beginning of the defense, Sergeant Majors rexguardian and NovaCypher were both commissioned to the rank of Lieutenant. PFC AceMellows was promoted to LCPL for locking in at the last minute to defend the Bunker. 
VAK had reeled after this defeat, refusing to come back to Haven until 2024 during the First HFC defense of Haven. 
Category:Events