As the title says, you will need to purchase the pass to continue progress on it when the Combined Arms operation launches next week. If you have already purchased the S5 pass, you will be able to switch between it and other passes as normal.

The Combined Arms operation will last five weeks (ends Dec 19, when Winter Contingency launches) and will have its own free 20 item track to progress on, a premium option will be available to unlock a premium-only item, keep the operation pass forever, award bonus xp during the duration of the operation, and to unlock an extra challenge slot for the duration of the operation.

For more information on Operations, see this Waypoint article.

  • @GhostlyPixelOPM
    2•1 year ago

    Actually I think you are correct, did a quick re-read of that operations post on waypoint:

    Operations, like Events before them, will continue to launch as totally free activities. Each Operation will include 20 tiers of free unlockable rewards that can be progressed at your leisure over the specified duration of the Operation.

    …

    First, players may choose to upgrade an active Operation for 500 credits, which will instantly unlock an exclusive bonus customization item while also making the Operation pass durable (it will not expire) and, when equipped, offers bonus XP and an extra challenge slot during the Operation’s live window.

    A second premium option for 2,000 credits instantly unlocks all 20 tiers at purchase as a convenience and additionally includes the exclusive bonus customization item.

    I’ll update this post, thank you!