Carrier Group 9

**Carrier Group 9** is a carrier battlegroup of the Sultan's Navy, homeported in Abdera. Commanding officer of Carrier Group 9 is Admiral Shirin Mawja, her flag aboard the Easifa-class Command Ship *RKN Shallal*.

## History

### Decolonization Wars (1951-1975)

During the Decolonization Wars, Carrier Group 9 was a massive formation with a over a hundred vessels, ten of which were Shajaea-class Light Aircraft Carriers. Carrier Group 9 was officially commissioned in 1952 and declared operational, the corresponding fleet parade being attended by Tariqa-Ilkhana, as well as her eldest son Prince Ilia ibn-Tarek (at the time, he was 7 years of age).

Main field of employment was the Mushkila War of Independence, Carrier Groups 9 and 10 alternating between each other every two years. From 1952 to 1954, 1956 to 1958, 1960 to 1962 and from 1964 to 1965, Carrier Group 9 supported ground forces, escorted convoys and generally tried to make itself useful. However, despite the best efforts, in 1965, Mushkila was officially recognized as independent by the Sultanate, ending the war. Carrier Group 9 was massively involved in the evacuation of the troops still in the country.

Shortly before the end of hostilities, the carrier *RKN Alaibhibu* experienced a tragic flight accident, when a plane crashed into the flight deck. The incident claimed 32 lives, among them Prince Ilia ibn-Tarek.

For the next ten years,

In 1972, Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad ascended to the throne. Her objective was to rebuild Kyrenaia and to that end, she slashed the Naval Budget in several steps, forcing a reduction in vessels and personell. In 1975, Carrier Group 9 was mothballed and put into reserves.

### Reserve Fleet (1975-1986)

After the ascension of Razia-Sultana Umm Albilad to the throne in 1972, the Sultanate faced a massive program to rebuild itself and the new Sultana slashed the Naval Budget considerably to finance that. One of the units, which were put into reserves and mothballed was Carrier Group 9, which was put into reserves in Pitane. There, the ships merrily rusted away.

In 1986, Carrier Group 9 was finally disbanded. It's ships were either sold off, to breakers or allied nations, or returned into service, as was the case with most of the Shajaea-class Light Aircraft Carriers. These carriers were, as planned, reassigned to the newly reformed Destroyer Divisions.

### New Carrier Group 9 (2018 onwards)

In 2018, the name of Carrier Group 9 was reestablished, this time with new ships and under the command of Admiral Alya Qarsan. On the 5th of April 2021, the Carrier Group was officially declared operational in a ceremony attended by the Sultana and by Tariqa bint-Ilia, as well as by Khana Amina bint-Karim and Princess Marla bint-Amina (who had the honour of commissioning the last vessel, *RKN Karkadann*, into service).

Qarsan retired in 2021, being replaced by Admiral Shirin Mawja.

## Composition

### Current

Command Squadron
*RKN Shallal* (Easifa-class Command Ship, flagship).
*RKN Meninx* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
*RKN Pitane* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
Carrier Squadron 9-1
*RKN Hatif* (Mirfae-class Heavy Aircraft Carrier).
*RKN Megido* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
*RKN Sexi* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
*RKN Sicca* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
Carrier Squadron 9-2
*RKN Karkadann* (Mirfae-class Heavy Aircraft Carrier).
*RKN Sidon* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
*RKN Oea* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
*RKN Tipasa* (Meninx-class Destroyer).
Various support ships can be added depending on the needs.