Campaign of the Month: June 2014
Battletech (Farscape) : The New Breed
The Commonwealth Star Guards
Planetary Militia of Dumassas
Description:
Commonwealth Star Guards – Planetary Defense Militia / Green / Questionable
The Commonwealth Star Guards are envisioned as a non-aligned, international protection force of System – Dumassas, though only select nations of that world have agreed to its eventual formation. The only “global” political organization, The Commonwealth of Nations has begun promotion of this force as a means to accomplish several international purposes in uniting the nations of Terramatrix.
The organization is technically under the control of the Commonwealth, a civilian organization, and is controlled by the Ministry of Military Affairs, whose ultimate authority is vested in the Secretary-Marshal. Under this aegis are a handful of seconded military and civilian staff, who work to support and streamline the military operations of the Star Guards, and engage in the long-term plans of the organization in the coming years. It also formulates policy, co-ordinates between the various member states military forces, acting as the Star Guard liaison and military partners, and ensures its component forces are properly equipped, supplied and organized to operate efficiently. it also formulated the “Sole Purpose” doctrine of the Star Guards.
The Sole Purpose of the force, is to defend the planet and all of its nations, without discrimination, against off-world aggressors. This includes (A) The hostile military forces of non-signatory nations which seek to undermine the authority or defenses of any nation on Terramatrix; (B) Repel any assaults from off-world powers, including House military forces, bandit raiders, or any other force that seeks to claim military contol over a nation of Terramatrix. © Survey the BattleSpace of Terramatrix. (D) Establish military bases and outposts in each signatory nation-state, as well as noted trouble locations or areas in need of maintaining BattleSpace.
There should be No Allegiance to any political body, outside of the directives given to it by the Commonwealth of Nations through its Secretary-Marshal. This means that it cannot become involved in the political or civil disputes of any nation on Terramatrix, its wars nor its embargoes. The Commonwealth Star Guards cannot be called upon to aid any political faction, in any way, against any hostility, other than external to Terramatrix in nature.
There should be an Exclusive, Conditional Right to Utilize Advanced Technology. This includes the exclusive right to manufacturing, development and use of BattleMechs and their associated advanced technologies. The knowledge of these and other military technologies remains under the direct control of the Commonwealth Star Guards, and cannot be shared with nor distributed to any nation-states of Terramatrix, in order to maintain the Commonwealth’s autonomy in operations.
Officers : The military officers of each battalion are drawn from volunteers of each signatory nation, though troopers from * “The Iron Dingoes” also take important support and advisory roles in all branches of the force. Troops, including officers, are assigned across the entire force, regardless of their personal national identity, in the hopes to establish a truly international force.
Overall command of the force falls under the civilian over-sight of the Commonwealth Secretary-Marshal, who answers to the Directorate Council of the assembled membership of the Commonwealth. This office is, as yet, unassigned, though discussions are on-going over the candidates, and is likely to be determined before the next national elections, in 3032; it has been suggested openly that Paladin is a prime candidate for the office, and has the open support of both Sangria and San Isabel.
Tactics : While envisioned long-term as a truly combined-arms force, with BattleMechs, armor, artillery and all the other trappings of a proper modern military, the initial battalions are little more than heavy rifle infantry with heavy armor support. While they are seen as a garrison force, each occupying a landhold within each of the nations they protect, the units are expected to eventually operate as a rapid response force, capable of responding anywhere within the system to gather in response to an off-world raid or invasion force. They will be assigned transports eventually to fulfill this mandate.
Commonwealth Trooper
Support : Equipped with the traditional combat armor found in the Iron Dingoes Infantry Field Kit (3023), and HG-762 “Holy Grail” Assault Rifles as small arms. Replacement parts are typically from the Iron Legion “Colonial” Infantry Field Kit, imported from System – Gollere. Support weapons are typically whatever the local militia can produce themselves, though IMC-40 Grenade Launchers and Milkor MGLs tend to dominate, due largely to its effectiveness and ease of maintenance and procurement.
Each battalion is typically assigned four (4) “Black Dog” Jeeps, four (4) “Hegemony” Wheeled APCs, and nine (9) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles for troop deployments. An additional four (4) “Hegemony” Wheeled APCs are held in reserve for any future unit.
At the battalion level, each unit has access to a lance of armor, each equipped with two (2) Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tanks and two (2) Chaparral Missile Tanks. These latter units have been stripped of their Arrow IV systems, and have replaced them with two (2) LRM-15s, with space for three (3) tons of ammunition, and a Flamer. Moving forward, the Commonwealth is looking to provide these forces with the Jabali “Wild Boar” MBT as their standard MBT, and will likely replace existing vehicles with these vehicles to provide common resupply and equipment.
A separate collection of armor and in mid-3030, BattleMechs was assigned for future efforts of the unit. These forces are piloted by crews from all the signatory nations, and receive their training from Dingoes trainers through the standard Iron Dingoes training regimen. The armor is intended for future deployment should the forces be expanded, while the Mechs are intended to form a separate assault force, and are stationed in Lake Aurin. This force was further reinforced in late-3031, with an additional mixed lance of BattleMechs (the 3rd Assault Lance).
The units are painted in the colors of the Commonwealth; infantry paint their torso with the blue and gold of the Commonwealth, and highlight with gold and stylized versions of the unit markings, and bear the unique military patch of their national colors to represent the specific national identity of their battalion, painted or placed either low on their shoulders, or along their vehicle turrets.
It should be noted, that both battalions are largely staffed with volunteer convicts serving their duty as an alternative to prison time. Practically all have a history in the armed forces or police services of their designated nation-state, and are considered vetted in their new equipment, but lack many of the social graces many might ascribe to a purely “peace-keeping” force.
“Jabali” MBT in Commonwealth Paint Scheme
Commonwealth Star Guards – Planetary Defense Militia “The Star Guards”
1st Star Guards (Sangria) : Battalion Rifle (Heavy) Infantry
Stationed in Governor Albertina Diego Airfield
Command Infantry Platoon
Four (4) “Black Dog” Jeeps
Four (4) Wheeled APCs
4 Squads “Command” Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 3 Green)
1st (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
6 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 5 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
2nd (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
6 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 5 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
3rd (Foot) Commonwealth Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
1st Armor Support Lance
Two (2) Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tanks (2 Green)
Two (2) Chaparral Missile Tanks (2 Green)
2nd Star Guards (San Isabel) : Battalion Rifle (Heavy) Infantry
Stationed in Lake Aurin
Command Infantry Platoon
Four (4) “Black Dog” Jeeps
Four (4) Wheeled APCs
4 Squads “Command” Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 3 Green)
1st (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
2nd (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
3rd (Foot) Commonwealth Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
2nd Armor Support Lance
Two (2) Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tanks (2 Green)
Two (2) Chaparral Missile Tanks (2 Green)
3rd Star Guards (Peregrine) : Battalion Rifle (Heavy) Infantry
Stationed in Loy Manara Airfield
Command Infantry Platoon
Four (4) “Black Dog” Jeeps
Four (4) Wheeled APCs
4 Squads “Command” Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 3 Green)
1st (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
2nd (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
3rd (Foot) Commonwealth Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
3rd Armor Support Lance
Two (2) Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tanks (2 Green)
Two (2) Chaparral Missile Tanks (2 Green)
4th Star Guards (Delancourt) : Battalion Rifle (Heavy) Infantry
Unassigned Station
1st (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
2nd (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
5th Star Guards (Carbina) : Battalion Rifle (Heavy) Infantry
Unassigned Station
1st (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
2nd (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
6th Star Guards (Cortez)* : Battalion Rifle (Heavy) Marines
Unassigned Station
1st (Foot) Marines Company “XXX”
9 Squads Laser Marines (Reg, 8 Green)
2nd (Foot) Marines Company “XXX”
9 Squads Laser Marines (Reg, 8 Green)
7th Star Guards (Petrópolis) : Battalion Combined Arms
Unassigned Station
1st (Artillery : Command) Company “XXX”
Six (6) “Hellbender” Jeep
One (1) Command Van (Reg)
2 Squads (Comms) Techs (Vet, Green)
2 Squads Rifle (Command) Infantry (Vet, Green)
Six (6) Light Utility Transports
Six (6) Light Utility Transports w/ Sniper Field Artillery Pieces
2nd (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
3rd (Foot) Militia Company “XXX”
One (1) “Hellbender” Jeep
7 Squads Rifle Infantry Militia (Reg, 6 Green)
Three (3) SPM-18A3 “Backblast” Recoilless Rifles
8th Dragoons Company
Falcon, Falcon, Stinger, Thorn
Thorn, Locust, Locust, Locust
Griffin, Blackjack, Wolverine, Lynx
Reserve Assault Company : Company (Heavy) Armor
1st Assault Lance
Two (2) “Trooper” FLE-4 Fleas (2 Green)
Two (2) TLS-1B Talos (2 Green)
2nd Assault Lance
Two (2) “Trooper” FLE-4 Fleas (2 Green)
Two (2) TLS-1B Talos (2 Green)
3rd Assault Lance
Two (2) “Trooper” FLE-4 Fleas (2 Green)
Two (2) TLS-1B Talos (2 Green)
4th Armor Support Lance
Two (2) Merkava Mk. VIII Heavy Tanks (2 Green)
Two (2) Chaparral Missile Tanks (2 Green)
Bio:
Commonwealth Star Guards Logo
History
The Star Guards are the defensive arm of The Commonwealth of Nations, originally proposed during the commonwealth talks of late-3025 – early-3026, with input by * “The Iron Dingoes” as to its final form and training.
Later ratified by the vote of the inital two signatory nations on February 1st, 3026, this force was initially to be composed of two battalions of infantry, one recruited from each signatory nation , supported by heavy armor at the battalion level. It was intended to expand into a full combined-arms force over time.
In early-March, 3026, it was proposed to support The (Territorial) District of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha as the location for the headquarters of the international military organization, citing its relative isolation and dependent population would ensure security, as well as its access to its extensive communications facilities, and a relatively large military airfield on Ascension and plenty of room to expand. This topic is presently under negotiation by the local islander’s government, with representatives from San Isabel, Sangria and the Iron Dingoes all taking part.
In mid-3027, the unit was supplied with a handful of surplus heavy tanks from the Iron Dingoes private armories, and crewed with volunteers from the two signatory nations. These units underwent training at the Iron Dingoes Fort Boomerang facility near Corazón Airfield, and were declared ready for deployment in early-3028. They are loosely broken into dedicated and reserve lances.
In July of 3028, the official formation of the infantry portion of the Star Guards was started. To fund and base them properly, cantonments were established in the two signatory nations; Lake Aurin in San Isabel, and an abandoned airfield north of Ciudad Garcia in the Huartzek Forest, named the Governor Albertina Diego Airfield, a former training base for the ELN. While the facilities in San Isabel were prepared before-hand by the Iron Dingoes for this eventuality, the Sangrian airfield remained disused and strewn with combat debris, and the Commonwealth focused its efforts south, making the Lake Aurin site the primary military base for the entire force, housing its central command structure, surplus supplies and military equipment, and operating as its central mustering-point.
Both units completed their training in November of 3028, and occupied the San Isabel site while the Sangrian site was refurbished. Initially the units consisted largely of conscripts and officer volunteers from each of the signatory nations, and slowly built up to full strength over the next few months. Both units were considered operational in mid-3029, though still under-strength, when the Sangrian force moved to its cantonment at Governor Albertina Diego Airfield in the Huartzek Forest.
In late-3029, the proposal to unite the space military forces of the signatory nations was tabled and discussed. As neither nation had an active JumpShip, and only a handful of K-1 Class Dropshuttles, this matter was an easy topic to ratify and agree to.
The common agreement to place the center of its space navy to be based from Ciudad Garcia was also easy, as it had the best civilian starport among the two signatory nations, and all matters regarding the Commonwealth’s space navy have now been placed under the control of the national air force branches of both military forces, with Stirling Field being the primary location for its (somewhat limited) activities. International communications have fallen under this division’s control, and were based from the “Ascension” facility on The (Territorial) District of Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha.
In mid-3030, the unit was assigned several factory-fresh BattleMechs from the Iron Dingoes own sources. These units became part of the “Assault Company”, intended to be piloted by various volunteer pilots from the national armies, and serving as a support assault force against other armored and BattleMech forces. They were stationed in Lake Aurin, and based from its repair facility. In late-3031, an additional lance was assigned to the position, making the BattleMech contingent amount to a full company; it remains under the direct command of the central Military Command, and has not yet been assigned an independent commander.
Soon thereafter, The Free-City of Peregrine announced its intentions to join the Commonwealth, and began recruitment of a third battalion of infantry from its own ground forces for the purpose. The nation designated Loy Manara Airfield as its intended landhold site for this unit, and set about improving the site for habitation by this force. Expected to be little more than a “paper nexu” for some time, while efforts are made to recruit volunteers, have them trained and then support services assigned to the site; initial support services completed their work, and the unit took occupancy of the site in early-3031.
In the wake of the sudden demand for trained or experienced officers and non-commissioned officers in mid-3030, the Star Guards began a series of promotional programs to boost volunteer recruitment from among the national militaries of each nation. Promoting concepts of freedom over oppression, most saw the program as a direct stab against the recent totalitarian efforts of The National Legionary Tragnar to create a new, aggressive government in the heart of the world, that threatened the relative stability of the region. Increasingly, the propaganda began to twist towards open war against the remaining aggressive nations of the heartlands of Terramatrix.
In response the governments changed their recruiting drive to aim towards attracting an untapped source of recruits; women. The concept of female inclusion in the armed forces was a decades-long struggle for the governments of both initial nations, and so this was seen as the first real effort to make the armed forces an example for the nation as a whole; including women in the armed forces was the greatest example of equality available.
As a stop-gap measure, many of the national prisons released their criminals with a background in the military or police forces, and forced them to join the units in an effort to fill boots for what many saw as a need for a world police force now, not ten years from now. While initially considered a bad idea, the opportunity for many of these convicts to shoot back against perceived national enemies was too good to be true, and easily accepted the position, regardless of the risk to their own lives. It did, however, lend the units a certain sense of disdain for authority and made discipline within some units difficult.
in late-3032, the Commonwealth elected Secretary-Marshal Omar Hilale as its first official leader, with the joint commission handing over authority at a ceremony in Fort Quez, where the government had established its offices. After a whirlwind tour of the existing military facilities, the Secretary-Marshal settled into the role presented him, and began examining both the civilian and military purposes of the position. By the end of 3032, he was ready to begin implementing the unification of the world by one means or another.
In late-3032 with the withdrawal of Sangria’s own 3rd (Mountain) Battalion from the scarred wastelands around Petrópolis, the 1st Star Guards (Sangria) deployed at the request of the newly-elected Secretary-Marshal to support operations in the region. The 1st deployed for its first official calling as Commonwealth forces, and quickly established itself against scattered bands of the Bloody Hand of Marcosa, who were attempting to establish their own small holdings in villages in the border regions between Petrópolis and The Marcosan Mandate.
Forces of the 2nd Star Guards (San Isabel) replaced the 1st in 3035, and almost immediately came into conflict with raids from the Marcosan Mandate, probing the new guard’s resolve. Little more than brish fights, they nonetheless persisted for the better part of 3036, and greatly tested the green force.
By 3039, the growing skirmishes had led to a general deployment of the Star Guards forces, including the poorly organized newest members, Carbina and Delancourt volunteers. Cortez was still assembling its own marine force, and was largely ignored in the efforts, as they were almost exclusively limited to ground forces. The needs of the Commonwealth’s forces as a global peace-keeping force became more important, and the counter-point to keeping forces from the terrorist organization the Bloody Hand of Marcosa, in check.
