COBRA PYTHON OFFICER

(A Python Officer remotely commands a mission from the command center portion of a Cobra Maggot.  Area of operations: Unknown)

CODE NAME:

Python Officer

BRANCH:

Cobra Python Patrol

RANK:

O-4 (or equivalent)

PRIMARY MILITARY SPECIALTY:

Infantry Squad Leader

SECONDARY MILITARY SPECIALTY:

Air-Traffic Controller/Artillery Spotter

EXPECTED ARMAMENT:

Python Officers are deployed with a small variety of side arms, however the main weapon carried by Python Officers are Soviet Dragunov's sniper rifles.

CURRENT ASSIGNMENT:

Officer

FIRST DEPLOYMENT:

1989

AREA OF OPERATIONS:

Any

     The Python-class Cobra Officers were the battlefield commanders of the Python Patrol units deployed in 1989.  They functioned as infantry squad leaders, air-traffic controllers, and artillery spotters.  They were specially trained in utilizing the stealth capabilities of the "Pythonizing Process*" to assist in various military missions.  Additionally, the original Python Officers were well-trained in the use of non-auditory digital communications through hand-held keyboards.

     The Python Officer was recruited from the ranks of Cobra Officers (last known updated deployment in 1998), and reassigned to the Python Patrol.  Based on limited intelligence and U.S. operative combat experience, it was presumed - as is with the advanced units of military branches in the United States of America - only the best not already enlisted in the Crimson Guard were accepted into the Python Patrol.  This means Python Officers were among the most dangerous combat operatives of Cobra's command structure at the time of their deployment.

     Although the Cobra operative known as Copperhead was deployed along with original 1989 Python Patrol units, it is currently unknown if he was in direct command or simply put into a supervisory/specialized operative role.  Regardless of the actual chain of command, Python Officers were effective and had a high success rate in military operations.  Currently, it is presumed that Major Bludd has assumed command of the Python Patrol

     It has long been theorized that Python Officers (and possibly, most of Cobra's unidentified command chain) are actually enlisted soldiers and officers recruited from armies foreign and domestic.  These soldiers may often be listed as MIA or AWOL.  For Cobra, having previous training and combat experience, meant its organization has a chance to integrate their skills and experience into organized military units quickly without having to spend Cobra's own resources on training.

     Currently, the Python Officer is possibly retired from the Cobra command structure.  Recent operational data of this group has not shown updated Python Officers deployed as of yet with the Python Patrol units in 2003.

*A process in which personnel and/or vehicles are outfitted with a primary layer of radar-resistant black-ball paint, then blanketed with a thermal-wave dispersal grid.

OTHER LINKS:

Python Officer

Python Officer

Python Officer

Python Patrol Officer