Operation Carpet Dawn

*This article is about an in-universe event. For the in-game mission, see Homestead.*

## Details

### Outcomes

**CIF victory*** Rowsdower AFB recaptured

Strength| **Cascadian Independence Force*** Cascadian Air Force
	+ J. Griffiths

 **Mercenaries*** **Sicario**
	+ Assassin Team
	+ Hitman Team
	+ Gunsel Squadron
	+ Circus
		- 10x Tank
		- 4x AA gun
		- 2x SAM
* Other mercenaries
* 5x F/C-16 †
* Sizlak-299
* Crosstalk Squadron †

Federation Army* 8x SAM †
* 21x AA gun †

Federation Navy* 1x LCS †
* 2x Cruiser †
* 10x PT boat †

*"...I’m Captain Griffiths, otherwise known as Stardust, from now on, I’ll be your point of contact with the Cascadian Independence Force."*
― J. Griffiths introducing himself to Sicario
**Operation Carpet Dawn** was one of the first offensive operations carried out by Sicario during the Cascadian Conflict. It resulted in the capture of Rowsdower Air Force Base by Sicario for use in future mercenary operations.

## Prelude

*"I’m sure you want to operate from an actual base anyway as opposed to some dirt strip, so let’s get rolling."*
― J. Griffiths
Shortly after settling in to their dirt strip base, Sicario's members were introduced to J. Griffiths, their liaison from the Cascadian Independence Force. Griffiths then explained the background behind the Cascadian Conflict and laid out their first step in liberating the country: Recapturing the far-off Rowsdower AFB, which was forcibly seized by the Pacific Federation sometime prior. Hitman Team was chosen to lead air operations and eliminate all AA defenses while Circus' troop complement would airdrop into and secure the base. Before departure, Griffiths reminded the mercenaries to not damage too much of Rowsdower.

## Battle

*"These Sicario fellas ain’t half bad."
"The hell you talking about? They’re taking all the dough."*
― Mercenary pilots during the battle
At 0812 hours on February 4, the CIF and their new allies reached Rowsdower airspace and engaged and destroyed the base's combat air patrols, ships, and AA defenses around the base. The other mercenaries, who watched Sicario do most of the work, were impressed. Not long after, Circus launched the airborne assault, catching the ill-equipped Federation defenders off-guard.

### Reinforcements

*"Merging to engage, show me a fight!"*
― Evelyn London
The base's local top patrol squadron, Crosstalk, returned from patrol and found their base overrun. Having received a prior notification of the mercenaries' prior arrival, they engaged the invaders but were all shot down.

## Aftermath

*"You already got the job, Sicario, who are you trying to impress?"
"What can we say, Stardust? You get what you pay for."*
― Captain J. Griffiths and Commander Arnold Frenken on Sicario's impressive performance
With all the base's defenses out of action, Sicario's airborne troops secured the airfield and neutralized all resistance, acquiring prisoners and useful electronics. Arnold Frenken gave Hitman first choice on crew accommodations and hangars, while Griffiths told the mercenaries to make their presence worth it.

Rowsdower remained as the base for Sicario and other mercenary units during the conflict until its decimation and abandonment following the Cascadian Calamity Event.

## References

1. ↑ Sector D2. (2020). *Project Wingman* [Video game]. San Francisco, CA: Humble Games. Mission 16: "Wayback."