Command Structure
The AK command & staff structure (CO, XO, and the S1–S5 sections, restructured 2026-06-10). Each position covers a distinct area of squadron operations. Click a pilot to see their profile. ← back to roster
CO · Commanding Officer
Overall command of the squadron.
The Commanding Officer (CO) holds overall command of the Arabian Knights. The CO sets the squadron's strategic direction, represents AK externally, presides over the staff, and is the final authority on roster, awards, and operational matters. In the CO's absence the XO assumes command; if neither is present, the senior officer present takes the role.
Show duties (5)
- Provide overall strategic direction and final authority for squadron matters
- Represent the Arabian Knights externally to other squads, event organizers, and Aces High administration
- Chair the staff (S1–S5) and resolve cross-staff issues
- Approve promotions, awards, recruiting decisions, and disciplinary actions
- Lead the squadron during operations when present, or designate the senior officer in their absence
XO · Executive Officer
Second in command; runs day-to-day squadron operations.
The Executive Officer (XO) is second in command, deputizing for the CO and running day-to-day operations. The XO works closely with the entire staff to keep activities on track, fills in for the CO during absences, and is often the senior officer present during squad nights and FSO frames.
Show duties (5)
- Act as deputy to the CO and assume command in the CO's absence
- Coordinate day-to-day squadron operations across the staff
- Help run squad nights and special events
- Support the CO in promotion, award, and personnel decisions
- Step in for any S-officer role when that officer is unavailable
S1 · Personnel Officer
Recruiting, retention, roster maintenance, medals.
The Personnel Officer (S1) has responsibility over all matters pertaining to the recruiting, inducting and retaining of all pilots within the Arabian Knights. The S1 is also responsible for maintaining an accurate and up-to-date roster of all pilots and their status, plus pilot profiles and medals pages.
Show duties (5)
- Add new members to the roster
- Update member status as required (active / inactive / retired / discharged)
- Capture data for frames AKs are active in and make appropriate awards for FSO, Combat Challenge and Scenarios
- Award medals
- Ensure the membership roster and AH roster are synchronized
S2 · Operations Officer
Plans and runs squad night activities.
The Operations Officer (S2) is responsible for the planning and recording of squad night activities. The S2 assists the executive officers in the running of squad nights. If no executive officer is present, the S2 is responsible for running squad night operations with the other officers present. (This was the S3 role in the pre-2026 structure.)
Show duties (4)
- Plan activities for squad nights
- Document squad night activities in a standard format to create a database of activities
- Run or assist in the running of squad night activities
- Record significant activities with an appropriate AAR
S3 · Communications Officer
Webmaster, website + forum administration, voice servers, internal comms.
The Communications Officer (S3) combines the former S4 Logistics + S6 Signals roles into a single Communications + IT role. Responsible for the squadron webspace, forum, voice servers, databases, comms infrastructure, and the developer work that powers the AK site.
Show duties (7)
- Webmaster for the squadron webspace + forum software
- Install, configure and maintain forum software, framework, CMS
- Maintain voice servers (Discord / TeamSpeak / Ventrilo) and chat clients as required
- MySQL + SQLite database administration, backups, and website security
- Password administration and intra/inter-squad communications
- Maintain software and data for squadron administration and the AK website
- Organize all data assets held by the squadron
S4 · Planning Officer
FSO and Scenario participation, frame command, AARs.
The Planning Officer (S4) is responsible for squadron activities with respect to squad-sanctioned special events including Friday Squad Operations (FSO) and AH scenarios. (This was the S5 role in the pre-2026 structure.)
Show duties (7)
- FSO: determine appropriate commitment level for tour
- FSO: announce new tours, frames and frame orders
- FSO: command the squadron during the frame; act as AK CiC when required
- FSO: produce AAR for each frame
- Scenarios: promote announced scenarios; poll the squad for interest
- Scenarios: register interested members; announce frames and orders
- Scenarios: produce AARs
S5 · Intelligence Officer
Aircraft/vehicle data, terrains, target maps, social media + recruit monitoring.
The Intelligence Officer (S5) gathers information useful in activities carried out within the game and represents the squadron on social media. Maintains comparative tests of aircraft, vehicles and objects. Works in close cooperation with the S2 and S4, providing intelligence for their planning. Also runs the squadron Facebook page and monitors the Aces High forums for activity that may be relevant to the AK's.
Show duties (6)
- Maintain terrains, target maps (clipboard and printed) and ordnance tables
- Maintain aircraft database
- Maintain vehicle database
- Provide intelligence data to the S2 and S4 for their planning
- Manage the squadron Facebook page / social media presence
- Monitor Aces High forums for squad news and prospective members (not a recruiter — passes leads to S1)
Assignments are set per-pilot via the admin Member edit page (admins only). Positions with multiple holders typically reflect an Acting / Primary arrangement; the position holder list above shows both.