CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Wednesday, February 27th, 2019

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     Welcome to the 6th weekly newsletter of the 501st Legion. This week the unit continues it’s campaign against the CIS with the aftermath of Negev. Additionally, more information from Hailstorm Battalion has been announced regarding the new leadership courses that will be coming soon. All this and more in this issue of the 501st newsletter.

     The Republic has made extreme progress in the galactic campaign and liberated the planet of Negev in the Sujimmas sector. Now the 501st has moved to the Pantora system. Unfortunately for the 501st, they had crash landed somewhere on the planet with estimated losses at a quarter of the strength of the company. Enemy fire caused their captured Munificent-class star frigate to crash on the planet surface. CS Coward was spotted in the bridge during this incident and no further information could be obtained. Pantora is a Republic allied planet with many marshlands, with a booming industry and valuable war material, it’s no wonder the CIS has made its plans to try and take the planet under its own name. The 501st has set up large defensive networks around the capital city in an attempt to halt the CIS invasion and force them out of the system. The native Pantorans have given their pledge to the Republic to destroy the invading CIS forces from conquering the planet and all the neighboring systems. Reports from Avalanche command indicate all infantry platoons are doing excellent, morale is up and the latest field training exercises that were held proved to be of great utility for the battle to come.

     Basic combat training has released photos of its 100th course (previously announced in issue #5), along with the new BCT map that will be used for all future trainings.

BCT Map album

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     The 501st is continuing to grow and evolve which requires training to evolve with it. The unit has revamped old leadership courses so that they may better suit its needs that comes with changes in procedure. CC Klein and CS Verax are in charge of implementing these new training qualifications and stated that these training are the work of all elements coming together to create a cohesive unit-wide training program. These trainings will be conducted with the highest standards so that they produce quality leaders and inspire both NCO’s and non-NCO’s to commit themselves to improve the 501st as a whole and its members individually. It took one month to make these courses and required the work of many individuals who are listed next to the course designation.

Basic Leadership Course (BLC) - Document Contributors: Odin, Rexi, Warlord, Gamble, Salvo, Klein and Verax
-Starts in March
-Runs every other month
-Takes 2 Days to Complete
-For Avalanche, ARC,  and Airborne Team Leads, Platoon Medics, and Platoon RTO’s
-Accepts 5-10 applicants
-Billet required to apply for certification and audit
-Removed from billet if BLC is failed
-When removed, placed into non-leadership position within the same platoon
-Not required if CP

Training on

Military Tactics

Tactical Discipline

Team Management

Effective in tactics and combats

-We have an approved working document, details will still change

Advanced Leadership Course (ALC) - Document Contributors: Crisis, Point, Legia, Raven, Gamble, Lava, Crow, Klein and Verax

-Starts in April

-Runs every other month

-Takes 1 month to complete

-Required to qualify for CP, CM-P, CI-P

-Removed from billet if ALC if failed twice

-When removed, placed into non-leadership position within the same platoon

Training on:

AAR documentation

Disciplinary reports

Administrative Discipline

Squad management

Senior Leadership Course (SLC) - Document Contributors: Coward, Lava, Crow, Klein and Verax

-Starts in June

-Runs every 4 months

-Takes 1 month to complete

-Required to qualify for CS, CM-S, CI-S

-Could failed if application paperwork is unsatisfactory

-More intense than old course to produce quality NCO’s

-Instructional training then individual testing

Training on:

Strategic Discipline

Platoon level documentation

And various levels of testing

First Sergeants Academy (FSA) - Document Contributors: Player, Lava, Crow, Klein and Verax

-Starts in July

-Occurs 1 month after SLC (SLC must occur for an FSA to take place)

Training on:

Platoon element tactics

Detachment specific training

OPORDs

Sergeant Majors Academy (SMA) - Document Contributors: Verax, Klein and Battalion HQ

-Selection based evaluation for CS-M position

-Evaluation occurs by the officers ranging from platoon, to company and finally battalion

-Runs when any CS-M billet is open

-Contains high command unit level training and testing

     When we asked CS Verax about work on these courses, he has stated that they are the combined effort of Battalion HQ, Avalanche Company, ARC and Airborne. Verax’s main role is to ensure that these trainings fulfill their goal of making sure leaders are dependable, that they have tact when dealing with their responsibilities and that leaders should uphold their positions for righteous reasons. Verax’s reasoning with these courses are “to mold people who can consistently deliver on these qualities.”

“Anyone can do it, there are no exceptions, only exceptional people.” - CS Verax

     With these very exciting changes, we can see the framework being set up for desirable traits among the future leadership of the 501st. As always, keep tuning in for more information and major changes within the unit, from the progress of the Galactic Campaign, to alternative campaigns and other policy changes that may arise.

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Promotions and News:

C-Shops -
CC Cruisie has announced that the Holosite (website) is looking for people who can help re-shape the website and is asking to message him if you have experience with PHP, HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

Avalanche HQ -
"Sabre tanks are sh*tty and should be returned to the manufacturer." -CC Klein

Avalanche 1 -
 Jupiter (CP to CS), Waylander, Lantern, Levi (CT to Sr. CT)

Avalanche 2 -
CT Urse is a new TL for 2-2

Avalanche 3 -
"3rd's doing good." - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -
Devito (CT to Senior CT)
"The above statement is a lie" - CS-M Crisis

Acklay -
"Acklay is prepping for our mission. Excited to fight alongside all our boys in blue!" - CC Lava

Razor -
Razor is still taking names for the upcoming cycle and would like to announce this piece of Razor trivia:

CX-S Nocturnal taught CX Scuba the basics of flying back in their public server days during Arma 3's infancy before they joined their first unit together; The 151st Fighting Irish, where they met CX-W Flog who is now Master Warden in our very own 501st! Along with Captain Scuba as the Commanding Officer and Lieutenant Jr. Grade Nocturnal as Executive Officer. The 151st, now disbanded, is where  Scuba and Nocturnal spent roughly 12 hours each day for months honing in on their aviation skills, learning and inventing new concepts for themselves to become well rounded pilots in the cockpit of any airframe they sit in. Captain Scuba and Lieutenant Jr. Grade Nocturnal also taught a pilot named Canik via phase trainings here in the 501st, who is now the head of aviation for a large modern milsim known as the 21st Ranger Company.

"Razors IEA Cycles along with phase trainings are essentially the unofficial Harvard of ARMA aviation." - CX-S Nocturnal

"The values of Razor are Professionalism, Respect, Integrity, Dedication and Excellence. Also known as PRIDE. We take PRIDE in being 501st and Razor Squadron. We strive to make our community proud to have Razor." - CX Scuba

Medical -
Husky(CM-C to CM)

Zeta -
"The Wardens are the real power in Zeta, the dark council oversees all..." - CS Verax

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DID YOU KNOW?
Medics can still apply fluids (blood, plasma, saline) through your entire body even with a tourniquet on.

501st Trivia
Lieutenant Euler likes to talk during meetings. A lot.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CI-C Daedalus for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CT Nomad, CS Legia, CP Tyler and CT Swanny}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor: CI-C Daedalus}

^{Writers and Journalists: CT Sense}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Wednesday, February 20th, 2019

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     Welcome back clones! Another week has passed in the 501st Legion and much has transpired in that time. As you may have noticed the news team has decided to move the weekly publish date to Wednesdays, mainly due to information gathering and the weekly command meetings in Hailstorm Battalion. This week we have much to tell you, from the progress of the campaign to a look into the spectacle of basic combat training, with the infamous final test and updates regarding a very special ongoing alternative campaign set in World War II. As always promotions and news will be posted from each of the elements within the 501st.

     Progress in the Galactic Campaign! The 501st legion has liberated the planet Negev, with it’s latest movements the battalion has secured the entire planet. All of the Confederate and Khazaraki resistance has either been thoroughly crushed or routed. In this turn of events after the initial push onto the planet, the 501st Legion were successful in boarding and capturing a Confederacy Munificent-class star frigate, and were also responsible for courageously capturing a planetary shield generator on the surface of Negev. Official reports from the front state that there were no CIS inflicted casualties on clone forces, although there were some startling reports of CIS war crimes against the natives of the planet. Additional information from Avalanche company states that platoons are operating at peak efficiency. As more updates roll in regarding Hailstorm’s progress in the Sumanji system, the news team will be there to give the Republic’s most accurate and important information from the front.

     Aside from the news of the front this coming Thursday, February 21st, 2019 will mark the 100th basic combat training (BCT) hosted by the battalion. On January 23rd, 2018, Hailstorm Battalion began marking the basic training classes after the January mod update that had breathed some very new air into the unit and furthermore, said basic trainings have made an extremely successful impact in the unit since their inception and continue to guide new recruits into battle. Battalion Commander Jay was the one to kickstart the original basic training program long before the January mod update, during the unit's first year. Later being passed onto the 258th training battalion, a joint operation between the two current GARC units, the 501st Legion and 212th Attack Battalion and the former GARC unit, the 104th Battalion. Unfortunately for the 258th, it failed to keep up with the quality and the sheer volume of new recruits, so discussions were made to move away from it and eventually it was replaced with new ownership and redirected internally within the 501st, where it was soon taken over by CS-M Sorensic, who still attends most, if not every BCT class until it was eventually passed on to other members within the unit.

     Basic combat training is among one of the most important topics in the 501st, mainly being the primary hope of the 501st Legion’s future and legacy and is meant to excite recruits for what's to come in their career in the unit and also gives older members a look back towards their own. It prepares the recruits for the intensity, confusion, and strategic planning of the battlefield all across the galaxy.

     “[In its current state] BCT is not expected to change its system whatsoever.” says CS Odin, who currently manages the policies and management of all the basic training staff. Odin states that only until The Clone Wars mod official and fully releases, which will bring many new features, equipment and experiences to the unit, that there will be no more major changes to the basic combat training program as it performs its function in the unit very well. The objective of the basic combat training is to get the clone recruits (CR’s) familiarized with the operations, equipment and types of contacts that they will be facing on the field. Through knowledge and information, they are kept up to speed with how things work once the final test concludes with final goal of bringing the recruits up to standard for being in the unit. As of yesterday, February 20th, the BCT class #99 was the official release of a new training map set on the rainy homeworld of the clones, Kamino. The map was released in honor of clone janitor “99”” who was featured on the Clone Wars series, and holds a special place in all of our brother’s hearts.   

     Aside from training troops what will be found on the field, one of the BCT’s trainers, CX Scuba, helps keep the recruits mentally disciplined by teaching them the very important skills of being able to not only follow instructions, but obey commands which assist in setting the tone and reminding each trooper that they need to cooperate and have a certain quality that won’t undermine their comrades in the heat of battle. CX Scuba sets an example for not only the Razor Squadron, but the many other members of 501st Legion with different backgrounds that all provide excellent role models for the future generations of clones that will continue to pass the basic combat trainings. To maintain the course, dozens of instructors, cadres, and Zeuses all come together and sacrifice their time to continue the legacy of the 501st.

     Meanwhile, in a far different world, another call was announced, for another battle that was taking place. “Charge Comrades, For the Motherland!” could be heard as a squad of Russian soldiers charged headfirst into the power station, facing machine guns, rifle fire, and even a German Panzer IV. The news team had recently talked to CW-O Lindsey, who has hosted the most recent iteration of her World War II campaign, one of many that she hosts. This mission had members of the 501st playing as an unnamed company of Russian ground forces attempting to fight the German army in the deep cold of the Russian winter.
     About a year and a half ago in the 501st, Chief Warrant Officer Lindsey began to help out with mission development for CS-M Sorensic’s extremely famous and constantly evolving Tatooine checkpoint RP missions, which soon became a staple of the 501st and a reason that many old and new members have joined the legion for. At some point in time soon after, many 501st members would often play on public World War II liberation servers and similar operations. This would convince a certain CM-S Shade to decide to run a 501st World War II operation, thus sparking interest for several more World War II, Vietnam and other miscellaneous (even Stargate!) operations to be held officially by the 501st. This is where CW-O Lindsey decided to try her experienced hand at her own vision of creating a World War II operation within the 501st. After dozens of hours of hard work and planning dumped into creating such a mission, the moment of truth finally arrived. As people began to load in, technical issues began to appear, leading Lindsey to scrap the first op, but she didn’t let this deter her, and vowed to try again for a second time but unfortunately wasn’t until the third time that the operation finally was performed without much error that many people showed genuine joy in participating in a large scale alternative operation and humbly asked for more, which Lindsey was not expecting. Lindsey got down to work and began creating several more World War II ops, and eventually expanded into Vietnam and the Cold War eras. In hindsight she mentions one of her favorite missions, a look into Operation Goodwood, a British offensive operation set during the Battle of Normandy. For this mission she went above and beyond in trying to make it as immersive and enjoyable, to deliver the best possible experience for players.
     For Lindsey, it’s the enjoyment of the dedication of putting hours upon hours of work into something and then seeing the same enjoyment from the people who never knew that experiences could be even imagined. Experiences that make bonds of comrades and friends of people who otherwise would not have been. These are the experiences that many people continue to attempt to craft for everyone in the 501st and Lindsey is only one of many people who continue to shape the wonder future and memories of the unit.

    “Remember Comrades, No retreat. Not One Step Back!” ordered CC Machete during the briefing. His personal NKVD officers were there to enforce this brutal policy. Each NKVD officer was given a PPSH, and explicit orders to shoot any man who retreats. With a great charge, all of the infantry and tanks of the Russian troops had already captured an enemy airfield and pilots flew in LA-3s and IL-2s to begin engaging the hostile German forces. Other members were allowed to operate T-34-85s, and a heavy KV-2 tank, left to rot during some great previous siege. The battle raged until Russian forces captured a large port, the main city of Chernogorsk, and finally, a mountainside artillery position. Casualties were high, but that was to be expected from such a brutal war, but in the end, the victorious and courageous Soviet troops showed their superiority over the Germans, but not without heavy losses.





     With another week ending, so does our report on the internal events of the 501st. We hope that many new information has come to light to many people and we especially hope that such progress and strides continue to inspire the many members of the 501st to give back to the unit and give the best possible experience for everyone involved. Progress with the campaign is still ongoing, as always and will be, as always, reported officially in the weekly newsletter. More information of events and profiles of people in the unit, like BCT and Lindsey’s campaign are constantly featured and we ask you to come tell us something you would like to be shared with the 501st. This unit continues to grow with the hard work and dedication of many members from an indefinite amount of backgrounds who all want to experience the joy of creating and tearing apart droids together.

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Promotions and News:

Hailstorm Battalion Command Staff -

“Don’t drink and drive, don’t drive and drink. Don’t beat your wives and don’t let your wives or husbands beat you” - BC Jay

Avalanche Company Command Staff -
"There is no such thing as innocence, only degrees of guilt." - CC Klein

Avalanche 1 -

Raktharg (CT to Sr. CT), Levi (CT to Sr. CT), Bronson (CT to Sr. CT), Waylander (CT to Sr. CT)

“We had a hard operation this past weekend and an even harder time with the servers the weekend before, but 1st PLT held strong and carried on.” - CS Legia

Avalanche 2 -
Orion (CS to Senior CS)

Avalanche 3 -
Zeros (CT to Sr. CT)
"Hmm, let's see here... let me look at my notebook. Ah yes, of course, it says here that we're doing good." - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -
Fallout (CT to Sr. CT), Lucius (CT to CP)

Acklay -

"A good droid is a dead one." - CC Lava

Onyx -

New Generation 3 ARC Troopers - CT Shoe and CT Sazi
   “We have been very busy lately with the campaign well under way, conducting three official operations in one week for the war effort on Negev. This past week, we have brought in two new Generation 3 Troopers into the detachment: CT Shoe and CT Sazi. We greatly look forward to seeing what they can contribute to the detachment and will work to bring them to their full potential within the unit by mentoring, training, and offering assistance in whatever they need.
    While we may be happy about new members, we have also lost a couple of close friends in the detachment. CP Fancy and CT Mungus have been released from the Onyx detachment on good terms as they always were when they worked with us. We wish them the best of luck on their future endeavors and will always be rooting for them.
    Finally, we have been reworking the interior structure and have been making plans on our cooperation with everyone in the 501st. The Onyx detachment training staff is currently testing underwater combat gear in order to create a proper combat-diving procedure for ourselves to train any personnel on. Our vision of cohesion within the unit is going strong and we're very ambitious to continue working towards our goals!” - CS-M Crow

Razor -
“CX-X Kushiban is now our second acting Flight Commander for the 2nd Flight alongside CX-X Exose. They are in process to earn Flight Officer (CX-P). Some other minor changes in the sections were done as well. Besides that, everyone in Razor is doing well. Recruitment of new candidates is open as well. We will continue to take names through March before we start any interviews or training.” - CX Scuba

"I am not Scuba. I am CX-S Nocturnal. CX-S is not the rank of Sergeant, it is the rank of Lieutenant Jr. Grade. We kicked ass on Negev with minimal losses while operating with peak efficiencies. Razor is honored to continue fighting alongside each platoon throughout the campaign. Additionally, please give us something big to blow up. Sincerely and yours truly, Razor Squadron. - Are we done? This better not get lost in translation, the last guy to interview me misquoted me and made me look like an a**hole." - CX-S Nocturnal *¹

Medical -
Cor (CM-C to CM)

RTO -

Zeroes (CI-C to CI)
Turkey (CI-C to CI)
“The quote above mine is wrong.” - CI-S Roadboy

Zeta -
"There is a civil war going on, and I have no idea what to do." - CS Verax

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DID YOU KNOW?
There's an option to quickly get into a vehicle at the touch of a button. It can be found in the menus under configure>addon options>ACE quickmount [Enable] and [Prioritize Passenger Seat]. The control to bind can be found at controls>configure addons>ACE Movement>[Bind vehicle quickmount] (Keep in mind you may need to be loaded into a server or the arsenal to see these settings!)

501st Trivia
Lieutenant Euler has the potential of complete and utter nuclear devastation upon our world at his fingertips.

501st Discord

501st Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CI-C Daedalus for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits:CW Archon, CW-O Lindsey, CX-C Minashi}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor: CI-C Daedalus}

^{Story Writers and Journalists: CT Sense, CI Rory and CX-X Koop}

^{*1 The person responsible for misquoting has been executed.}

CT Sideways, Chief News Editor
Monday, February 11th, 2019

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     Greetings, clones! This is our fourth issue of the 501st newsletter! In this issue we begin to tackle the progress that the Legion has done in the Sujimmas sector and on the planet Negev. The initial push onto the planet has been successful and we will be examining the progress of each platoon as well an in depth look at the planet of Negev. Keep reading for the news of the unit!

     This weekend the 501st Legion have made the first strike towards liberating the planet Negev from Separatist forces, who have made it clear they’re looking for a fight. Beginning with the Avalanche platoons, who managed to take out several armored assault tank (AAT) factories and secured a large Separatist prison. This prison held valuable Separatist personnel and sympathisers, politicians loyal to the Republic that will be involved in the full liberation of Negev.  Unfortunately some of the politicians perished during the fighting, but on the bright side the 501st has managed to save one extremely valuable asset, the Minister of Justice of Negev, who could have the ability to sway much of the public opinion to the side of the Republic. Several Military advisors for the Separatists also lost their lives during the operations with the regional outskirts and large portions of the major land mass currently under Republic control. For now, the 501st continues their push deeper into enemy territory.



     As the 501st Legion’s Hailstorm Battalion is being deployed in the Sujimmas sector, in close proximity to important systems such as Naboo, we have decided to take a look closer at the planet Negev, a planet that has been shrouded in mystery. Negev is a dry planet made up of mostly scrubland and hills with small oceans. The planet’s crust contains many natural metals, which along with the flat land and soft soil, makes it perfect for large surface and subterranean factories.

     Local fauna and indigenous species include the Negevi, who are the original inhabitants. The planet’s government is an oligarchy made up of the top magnates, tycoons and industry owners, undoubtedly aligned with the Commerce Guild and the many other faceless subsidiaries of the Confederacy. The technocrats in power set legislature and rule over the planet with an iron fist. The planet is also inhabited by the Kazaraki, a minority group who came after their planet (Kazarak) was hit by a comet. The two groups are deep allies and the Negevi have provided the Kazarki with financial aid in the past and the present.
    
     The Negevi is currently openly trading and negotiating with the Confederacy, using their enormous factories to produce large vehicles and equipment for use in this conflict and across the galaxy. The Negevi trade with the Confederacy due to their allegiance to the Kazaraki and the great trade deals they get out of their service, which helps feed their economy and the tight grip they keep over the entire system.



     This week has proven the 501st is ready for any conflict and they proudly march into battle against those who stand against the Republic. Soon the planet will surely be under Republic control and the Negevi and the Sujimmas sector will reign free from tyranny of the Seperatists. Check back next week for more information and news from Hailstorm Battalion!

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Promotions and News:

Hailstorm Battalion Command Staff -
“After our completion of this week’s operations don’t forget: don’t drink and drive, don’t drive and drink, don’t beat your wives, and don’t let your wives beat you” -BC Jay

Avalanche Command Staff -
“Avalanche Company successfully executed our operations for the 1st week of campaign” -CC Klein

Avalanche 2 -
“Start of the campaign was good and Second Platoon accomplished their objectives. Ready and excited for the next mission.” -CC Player

Avalanche 3 -
"The quote below is wrong... Oh, and were doing good by the way." - CC Ewik

Avalanche 4 -
Richard (CT to Senior CT), Doug (CT to Senior CT).
"We are doing better" - CS Crisis

Razor -
New members: CX-C Lutas, CX-C Hungarian, CX-C Eagle, CX-C Casnov, CX-C Minashi.
“We had 8 ARC-170's. Now we have 7. This campaign is already kicking off as a checks and balance battle for Razor, but we're excited.” - CX Scuba

Zeta -
“We predict Zeta will reach its full capacity this month.” -CS Verax

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DID YOU KNOW?

Stamina is enabled on the servers and would be fully used, but due to a bug, it doesn’t work until the player dies once.

501st Trivia

One time, Lieutenant Euler told someone that chickens laid their eggs in water, and they actually believed it!

501st Legion Discord

501st Legion Patreon

501st Donation Page

^{501st News opinion doesn’t necessarily reflect the opinion of the entire community. If you’d like to help the news team, you can in many ways, including but not limited to, signing up for the news team, submitting an article, posting a piece of media or getting publicity for an event. For those interested, please contact either CT Sideways or CI-C Daedalus for more information. Your voice matters, let it be heard. We’re currently looking for journalists to collect stories, media and content and story writers to write articles. Also please consider donating to the 501st to help pay for server costs and help keep this community alive and well maintained. Photo credits: CW Archon, CX-C Kaj}

^{Chief News Editor: CT Sideways}

^{News Editor: CI-C Daedalus}

^{Story Writers and Journalists: CT Gonzo, CT Sense and CX-X Koop}