Armed Forces of the Federated Suns

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The Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS) is the military branch of the Federated Suns, the Successor State ruled for most of its history by House Davion. After 3041, it was integrated into the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth (AFFC). This organization was short-lived, however, as the AFFC was largely folded back into the Federated Suns State Command after the Lyran secession in 3057. Ten years later, the AFFC was renamed the AFFS in conjunction with the renaming of the nation.

Contents

Organization

Most units within the AFFS, with the notable exception of the Ceti Hussars, are organized around a BattleMech regiment, which is roughly 108 'Mechs. To this regiment, conventional vehicles (tanks, V.T.O.L.s, etc.), artillery, infantry, and even aerospace fighters that complement the 'Mechs are traditionally attached. In some units, however, the AFFS took this a step further.

Many units within the AFFS are Regimental Combat Teams (RCTs). Front-line RCTs are composed of one 'Mech regiment, three of vehicles, a battalion of artillery, five regiments of infantry, and a fighter wing. Second-line, or militia, RCTs are usually composed of smaller numbers of these supporting forces. Front-line RCTs are usually commanded by a Marshal.

Command Structure

The AFFS has several layers of command. The first is that of the national authority. Headquarted in the Fox's Den on New Avalon, the Prince and his or her military advisers can effectively control the entirety of the AFFS from the high-tech command bunker. The top layer often concerns itself with matters of overall strategy, planning, and force readiness.

Often, responsibility for localized deployment of military forces belongs to the regional commanders. The Federated Suns is broken into three Marches: the interior Crucis March and the border areas of the Capellan March and Draconis March (though in Dark Ages, there is a fourth March: the Periphery March), which are commanded by Field Marshals. These Marches are further subdivided into Operations Areas: three for the Crucis March and two each for the Capellan and Draconis Marches, which are also commanded by Field Marshals. Within the Crucis March, these OAs are further subdivided into traditional Combat Theaters. On the border Marches, however, the OAs are broken down into Polymorphous Defense Zones (PDZs). Regardless of the name, these regions are commanded by Marshals.

Finally, the AFFS also has brigade commanders. Largely concerned with matters of supply, orders for troop movements that originate from New Avalon pass through brigade commanders. Brigade commanders often hold other roles within the AFFS, such as Field Marshal Andrew Terlecki, Jr. who, in addition to commanding the Deneb Light Cavalry, was named director of the Crucis March in 3067.

Prince

The head of AFFS is the First Prince of the Federated Suns who is also the Supreme Marshal of the AFFS. Since the Prince must serve five years in the AFFS in order to become Prince, the AFFS has a long tradition of able leadership and whole-hearted support from the sovereign of the realm. Note that, regardless of the sex of the leader, the title remains "Prince".

Prince's Champion

Traditionally, the Prince names a Champion who is essentially his or her regent of the AFFS, though the Prince maintains sole authority. The Champion functions as a sort of vice-president, chairing Council meetings when the Prince is unavailable. The Champion is also the chief military adviser to the Prince.

Marshal of the Armies

Whereas the Prince is responsible for the broad strategic goals of the AFFS, the Marshal of the Armies is responsible for carrying out those goals. Since they are both responsible for the AFFS, the duties of the MotA and Prince's Champion tend to overlap. "First Princess" Katherine used this to confuse the command structure in order to ensure loyalty to her. With the ascension of Regent Yvonne, however, the two offices became united in the person of Jackson Davion. In the 3130s, however, Prince Harrison again divided the two offices, a situation Caleb has seen fit to perpetuate.

High Command

While technically an advisory body, the High Command is made up of the leaders of various departments within the AFFS. These include the chiefs of Strategy and Tactics, Military Education, Quartermaster, and Military Intelligence. As such, it would be foolish for the Prince to fail to heed the High Command's advice.

Units of the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns

The AFFS is primarily broken down into Corps, though some free regiments and brigades do exist. Only BattleMech units are listed below; conventional forces are considered attached to BattleMech commands for convenience.

Deployment Status

In 2750 the AFFS had a strength of 53 BattleMech Forces and 25 WarShips. As of 2765 they were well equipped with 110 'Mech regiments, and the naval fleet had a volume of 51 vessels.[1]

Active Corps/Brigades

These brigades are active as of 3079.[2]

Independent Commands

Although most AFFS units belonged to a brigade, there were those units who were either too few to warrant their own brigade or came from various backgrounds. Realizing that these units needed a larger body to advocate for them, they were grouped as Independent Commands. Their numbers have changed throughout the years, and include:

1st Aragon Borderers

1st Argyle Lancers

1st Capellan Dragoons

1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry

2nd Federated Suns Armored Cavalry

3rd Federated Suns Armored Cavalry

1st Federated Suns Lancers

1st Kathil Uhlans

1st Kestrel Grenadiers

1st Kittery Borderers

1st New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

2nd New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

1st Royal Cavaliers

Federated Suns Armored Cavalry

100px

Insignia of the Federated Suns Armored Cavalry
First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry RCT
Formed 3013
Nickname The Point of the Sword
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFS

The personal project of Prince Ian Davion, the First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry is a medium-weight formation that specializes in speed and firepower. The unit has seen almost constant combat through raiding missions on the Capellan border.

History

Unit Creation & Early Actions

The unit was created by Ian Davion shortly after his ascension to the throne in 3013. He wanted to create an elite highly mobile 'Mech regiment that could overwhelm its opposition with sheer speed and firepower. Though quite successful, the associated heavy losses prevented the AFFS spreading the concept further. The Cavalry has a heavy aerospace fighter wing for additional firepower. Both ground and air units were staffed by highly skilled and experienced troops.

The unit's homeworld is Ziliang, where the Cavalry was raised in time to participate in the last years of the Third Succession War. The unit was used as a vanguard in numerous actions during the conflict, frequently mounting raids against Capellan Confederation worlds. Its actions during these early years were often overlooked by military scholars and historians. After the Third Succession War's end, the unit continued to conduct raids against House Liao.[3]

Grand Base Assault of 3039

During the War of 3039, the unit was chosen by Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion to strike the House Liao manufacturing world of Grand Base as part of Case Juliet. This operation was the Federated Commonwealth's retaliatory attack for the McCarron's Armored Cavalry raids during the war. They were ordered to take the Earthwerks Limited plant, which was expected to be heavily defended by Liao forces as part of the Capellan March's preemptive strikes in preparation for war with Liao's allies: the Draconis Combine.

In August of 3039, the 1st FedSuns Armored Cavalry led a task force consisting of the 9th Illician Rangers, two mechanized infantry regiments, and two free wings of aerospace fighters. The Cavalry's task force met heavy resistance from Liao defenders. The defenders were led by the 1st Battalion of the Death Commandos, as well as the 1st Battalion of Warrior House Fujita and a mixed number of conventional militia regiments and security forces from Earthwerks plant. Over the course of the battle for the plant the Cavalry's Commanding Officer, Todd Revons, used information gathered by MI-6 teams to allow a two-pronged attack on the Earthwerks plant. However, the resistance around the manufacturing plant was strong enough to stop the cavalry from penetrating the defenses. In response, Revons focused the task force's efforts on damaging the Death Commando units, striking at the strongest point of defense.

Despite inflicting considerable losses on the Commandos, the defenders were able to conduct multiple, covert attacks against AFFC troops. As the conflict continued into September, the Cavalry had still failed to penetrate the plant's defenses, but had successfully decimated the Liao defenders.[4]

The 3040s & 3050s

During the "peacetime" years, the Cavalry did not see frontline service as it did in late Succession Wars. The unit was not deployed to the Clan front, instead seeing almost constant service in small conflicts on the Capellan border.[3]

Operation Bulldog

The Cavalry was deployed as part of the newly resurrected 2nd Star League's SLDF. It participated in Operation Bulldog in 3059, where the unit went on to fight against elements of Clan Smoke Jaguar's Zeta and Omega Galaxies.

The unit was placed on the Draconis Combine world of Lonaconing prior to the First Wave, then moved to garrison the previously Clan Nova Cat–held planet of Sawyer. The Cavalry became combat active on Smoke Jaguar world of Virentofta. With ComStar's 31st Division and two Northwind Highlander regiments, the 1st FedSun AC prevented all Clan Warriors of the 151st Garrison Cluster planet from escaping.[5] It went on to Schwartz where it met with token resistance from the Smoke Jaguar garrison force, the 189th Garrison Cluster[6] Later, with ComStar's 85th Division, the 1st FedSun AC prepared for a massive counterattack by Smoke Jaguar forces, but no such offensive developed.

FedCom Civil War

On Sirdar the Cavalry suffered light losses but destroyed the Sirdar CMM during the first wave with the help of the 9th Illician Rangers, 21st Illician Rangers, and the Davion Light Guards.

While fighting on Kathil, they sided with the allies of Victor Steiner-Davion. In the course of the battle, they suffered moderate losses against the Loyalists. During Wave 5 of the FedCom Civil War, they were finally able to secure victory on Kathil.

Jihad

During Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE, the 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry nearly destroyed Warrior House Fujita. Further attacks on Capellan worlds went well but reduced their numbers significantly. The First retired to Halloran V after being reduced to half of their pre-Jihad strength. They later faced off against several CCAF units that raided the world as part of the Capellan counterattack. After rebuilding with available forces, they were reassigned as a "mobile defense unit", traveling the width and length of the Capellan March to counter Capellan, Blakist, and Taurian attacks. They later returned to Ziliang to rebuild.[7]

Dark Age

During the Victoria War the First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry landed on Jacson along with the 8th Syrtis Fusiliers and Holt's Hilltoppers. They engaged Lethal Injection and forced the mercenaries to withdraw from the world. They then moved on to Victoria and landed on the world with the 2nd Syrtis Lancers and 3rd Federated Suns Lancers.[8] The First FSAC engaged the remainder of Lethal Injection outside the Earthwerks Incorporated factory on Victoria, inflicting heavy losses on the mercenary unit. Unfortunately they also inflicted damage on the factory and this would take several years to fix.[9]

The First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry forced the 3rd Sian Dragoons and 1st Tikonov Guards to a standstill on Almach. They were able to pin down the two Capellan units for several weeks by using hit and run and battle armor ambush tactics. However, the arrival of the Red Lancers on Almach in the 3145 changed the equation.[10] They took heavy damage from Arrow IV missile artillery.[11] The First FSAC were forced to withdraw and landed on Tawas to rebuild. As of 3145 the unit was down to a quarter of its 'Mech strength and was missing large portions of its armored brigade.[12]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry
Colonel Todd Revons 3025[13]
Leftenant General Rudolph Chapman 3047 - 3049[3]
Hauptmann General Rudolph Chapman 3050 - 3054[3]
General Rudolph Chapman 3054 - 3067[14][15]
Major General Tabitha Rennard 3067 - 3085[16]
General Tabitha Rennard 3085[17]
General Andrea Chapman 3145[18]

Tactics

The first excels as a raiding force. This type of fighting typically extracts a high price on the unit in both personnel and equipment.[19]

Composition History

3025

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[13]

  • CO: Colonel Todd Revons[13]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Ziliang.[13]

3028

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry Regimental Combat Team[20]

3040

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[21]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Ziliang.[21]

3050

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[22]

  • CO: Leftenant General Rudolph Chapman[22]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Ziliang.[22]

3054

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Regiment//Elite/Fanatical)[23]

  • CO: Hauptmann General Rudolph Chapman[23]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Ziliang.[23]

3062

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (1 Reinforced Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[3]

- Elite Skilled & Fanatical - Formation consists of three reinforced Battalions, each containing an OmniMech Company

First Armored Cavalry Auxiliary (2 Mixed Combat Vehicle & Infantry Battalions/Elite/Fanatical)[3]

- These battalions are composed of hovercraft. The force includes two platoons of Regulator hovertanks.[3]

First Cavalry AeroWarriors (1 Wing/Elite/Fanatical)[3]

3067

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Elite/Fanatical)[16]

  • CO: Major General Tabitha Rennard

First Federated Suns Armored Regiment (Elite/Fanatical)[16]

First Federated Suns Fighter Wing (Elite/Fanatical))[16]

3079

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (1 Reinforced Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[7]

Note: The Jihad took a toll on the First FedSuns Armored Cavalry, but High Command dispatched replacements to rebuild the unit. They were at three-quarters of their pre-Jihad strength in 3079.[7] The equipment was fully upgraded and the unit was stationed on Ziliang.[7]

3085

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Elite/Fanatical)[17]

  • CO: General Tabitha Rennard

First Federated Suns Armored Fighter Wing (Elite/Fanatical)[17]

First Federated Suns Armored Armor Regiment (Elite/Reliable)[17]

3145

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry (Veteran/Fanatical)[18]

  • CO: General Andrea Chapman

First Federated Suns Armored Cavalry Armor Regiment (Elite/Fanatical)[18]

Unit Insignia and Color Scheme

For ceremonial duties the Armored Cavalry use a simple color scheme of Davion green with white highlights.

Notes

  • The Field Manual: Federated Suns shows that the unit participated in the Fourth Succession War, however the information in NAIS The Fourth Succession War Atlas Volume 1 and Volume 2 does not show the unit deployed from its garrison world of Ziliang. Sourcebooks published after the field manual have not reflected on past actions of the Cavalry during the Fourth Succession War.

References

  1. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume 1, p. 49, "Member State Troop Strengh"
  2. Field Report: AFFS, pages 8-19
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 3.7 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 48: "1st Federated Suns Armored Cavalry Unit Profile"
  4. Historical: War of 3039, p. 128: "Grand Base (August-September)"
  5. The Dragon Roars, pp. 12, 13, 24: Unit Summaries & Wave Two: Driving Forward - 2nd Wave target world Virentoffa, no Smoke Jaguar warriors from the 151st Garrison listed as having escaped the world. The planet was assigned to the Cavalry as part of its 2nd Wave assignment
  6. The Dragon Roars, p. 13: "Unit Summaries" - 189th shown as partially destroyed, but escaped
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Field Report: AFFS, p. 8
  8. Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, pp. 50–51
  9. Historical: Wars of the Republic Era, p. 53
  10. Technical Readout: 3145 Federated Suns, pp. 42, 52
  11. Technical Readout: 3145 Capellan Confederation, p. 22
  12. Field Manual: 3145, p. 72
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 137: "Federated Suns Deployment Table (3025)"
  14. 20 Year Update, p. 21: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  15. Objective Raids, p. 15: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 Field Manual: Updates, p. 138: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3067"
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 Field Manual: 3085, p. 70: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 Field Manual: 3145, p. 90: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns"
  19. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 147: "Federated Suns Armored Cavalry brief"
  20. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 11: "Operation Rat (Deployment Table)" - 1st FedSun Armored Cav shown now to be RCT. Not listed as an RCT in 3025
  21. 21.0 21.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 135
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 20 Year Update, p. 21
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Objective Raids, p. 15

Bibliography

Federated Suns Lancers

FedCom Corps 01st logo.png
First Federated Suns Lancers RCT
Formed 3028
Disbanded 3144 (destroyed)
Previous Designation(s) First Federated Commonwealth RCT
Nickname Guardians of a New Order
Affiliation Federated Commonwealth
(30283062)

Allies
(3062–3067)


Federated Suns (3067 - present)

Parent Command Federated Commonwealth Corps
(30283067)

Federated Suns Lancers
(3132)

The first unit to be raised under the banner of the Federated Commonwealth, the First Federated Commonwealth Regiment saw action from the Fourth Succession War through to the conclusion of the FedCom Civil War and the eventual disbanding of the Federated Commonwealth Corps, when it was rechristened as the First Federated Suns Lancers.

History

Formation

The First Federated Commonwealth BattleMech Regiment,[1] as it was then known, was formed in 3028 from Melissa Steiner's wedding gift to Hanse Davion of a regiment of Valkyrie, Enforcer, and Griffin BattleMechs.[2][3] Part of the reason for its formation was to serve as a symbol of the two rulers' intentions to form the Federated Commonwealth and promote closer relations between the two nations. As such, the unit was built by recruiting the top graduates of both the Federated Suns' NAIS and Albion military academies, and the Lyran Commonwealth's Nagelring, with a full quarter of the unit's personnel being Lyran in origin. To further hammer home the message of joint cooperation, the unit's insignia was originally a circle divided into two halves, the rightmost being the Davion sword and sunburst and the left the Steiner mailed fist.[1] Once it was deemed ready, the unit was assigned to the command of Marshal James Sandoval and posted to the Draconis March.[2][3]

As the First FedCom was composed from a mix of green graduates and their military instructors from the various military academies, James was careful to ease his new regiment into combat slowly. The First FedCom was deployed to Klathandu IV around August 3029 to help repel Draconis Combine forces there. AFFS High Command was now concerned that, were Klathandu IV to fall, its loss would allow the DCMS to move on to worlds deeper in the Federated Suns. As it stood, the planet had been besieged by the Ninth Benjamin Regulars since November 3028, and had not yet been captured due of a combination of the well-equipped, fiercely resistant planetary militia, the arrogant belief by the Ninth Benjamin Regulars that the conquest would quick and easy, and the many sacrifices of the Raman Draconis March Militia. In their defense of the planet's capital city, Klanthis, the Raman DMM had taken horrendous casualties in a desperate bid to buy time for further reinforcements to arrive.[1]

Marshal Sandoval initially had the First FedCom assume rear-area responsibilities, patrolling and garrisoning areas that had already been secured by the Raman DMM. This meant that the new unit's first few encounters with the Ninth Benjamin Regulars went well for them, and morale consequently skyrocketed. Their high spirits lasted until the First FedCom's First Battalion encountered the Ninth Regulars' Third Battalion in the light woods at Pheasant Run, where many of the battalion's young MechWarriors were killed or injured by the more hardened and experience Draconis personnel. Despite the casualties inflicted on them during that battle, the First FedCom survived as a unit, and through their fierce resistance eventually forced the DCMS to divert units slated to invade Xhosa VII to Klathandu IV to help face the threat.[1]

War of 3039

Invasion of Nashira

On 1 May, 3039, the First FedCom and the Twelfth Vegan Rangers' Delta Regiment took part in the assault on Nashira. Although in theory the First FedCom was supposedly the superior unit, in practice it was the more experienced mercenaries who would quietly take the lead in the planning and execution of the invasion. The Rangers' Colonel Nelson suggested an orbital insertion of both units outside of Logan City, which was contested as being too dangerous by the First's current commander, Marshal Mira Tran. Tran had been promoted to fill the vacancy left by James Sandoval, who had been selected to oversee the entire FedCom Corps by that time.[3] Although unwilling to commit her unit to the drop, Tran had no qualms about letting the Rangers proceed with their plan alone, despite the objections of her executive officer, Leftenant General Vonda DeGreer. DeGreer argued that Nashira would not be the easiest conquest, as it had a long-standing association with the Combine's Genyosha units that had resulted in even the planetary militia forces having a ferocious reputation.[4]

Nelson, predicting that the militia would wait to ambush 'Mechs as they offloaded their DropShips, had his regiment's First Battalion conduct an orbital drop on a preselected landing zone twenty kilometers west of Logan City in order to secure the area first. As expected, the Rangers' BattleMechs were almost immediately set upon by the waiting militia forces- a regiment of infantry and a battalion of armor - but thanks to their hot drop they were more than ready and quickly dismantled the militia units. The First FedCom, whose leader didn't see the value of an orbital insertion and assumed the locals to be much less capable than her own unit, did not fare as well.[4]

As their DropShips touched down fifty kilometers south of the Rangers' landing zone, outside Ogawa, they immediately came under attack by the locals, who along with conventional tactics, employed suicide bombers, booby-trapped buildings, and guerrilla tactics against them. Tran was taken completely aback by the attacks' ferocity and waffled about how to proceed all while her disembarking troops were gunned down. In the resulting five day brawl to secure the city, eight 'Mechs and two full companies of armor were destroyed, along with over two hundred infantry troopers. At its conclusion, Marshal Tran was quietly but firmly ordered to appear before High Command on Errai and DeGreer was given full command of the unit.[4]

Occupation of Nashira

Now working together, Delta and the First FedCom managed to capture Logan City on 21 May, but were beset for months by nonstop insurgent attacks on their positions that severely damaged the morale of their men and women.[4] Due to a communications error on the part of AFFS High Command, the two units were not relieved by garrison forces and had to shoulder the duties of police actions themselves. They struggled to contain the overtly hostile locals in an urban environment. On 19 July, their fortunes took another turn for the worse as the First and Second Genyosha arrived in-system and, on 22 July, began to assist the locals in their guerrilla campaign.[5] They found the First FedCom scattered across the world, a dispersed formation that worked for policing the wide swaths of territory the Federated Suns unit had under their control, but not effective against the concentrated forces of the Genyosha. Within a matter of days, the First FedCom units were overrun and forced to fall back to Logan City to shore up defenses there.[5]

Delta Regiment and the First FedCom repelled the DCMS assault on Logan City on 9 August and entered into an extended maneuvering campaign as the Genyosha captured key facilities and increased the tempo of their hit and run attacks.[5] These battles continued throughout September and October, and reached a climax at the Battle of Raven Ridge, where a chemical weapons attack devastated the First FedCom. In response, the Genyosha attacked and subdued the locals, who they claimed were responsible for the attack. The Raven Ridge attack's horrors demoralized both the Draconis Combine and Federated Commonwealth forces and the fighting on Nashira slowed to a handful of small clashes. By the end of October, the FedCom forces were pulled off the world by orders from High Command in spite of their protestations that such a withdrawal would dishonor the memory of those who'd died at Raven Ridge. Although the DCMS denied involvement in the chemical attack, a claim which was supported by the FedCom forces commander on Nashira, both the Rangers and the First FedCom held a deep resentment and suspicion of the Combine troops and blamed them for their losses. Rumors circulated that the attack was orchestrated by the ISF, a thought which only solidified their beliefs.[5]

Operation GUERRERO

After bloodying themselves in the Fourth Succession War and the War of 3039, the First FedCom had finally become a skilled, regular unit. When Operation GUERRERO launched in 3057, the unit was caught off-guard on its homeworld Gan Singh, in the Sarna March. The offensive was so fierce and sudden that the First FedCom could not coordinate with the Third Donegal Guards who were also stationed on the planet and was forced to fall back to Nanking.[6] In their rush to evacuate, they even left behind some of their personnel, who along with stranded members of the Third Donegal and a small unit of Capellan irregulars eventually formed the Pandora's Box mercenary unit.[7] After regrouping on Nanking, the First FedCom sent several raids into what was now termed the Chaos March, targeting Capellan-occupied worlds until supplies from High Command became limited. From 3061 to 3062, two of the First FedCom's 'Mech companies were listed as sidelined for repairs. But, when the companies were reactivated at the end of their maintenance period, they were equipped with brand new General Motors BattleMech designs. Unofficially, both of the units likely took part in the GM- and Johnston Industries-sponsored liberation of Acamar and Genoa and received the 'Mechs as compensation.[2]

FedCom Civil War

Initially, the First FedCom made it general policy not to take sides with either Katherine Steiner-Davion or Victor Steiner-Davion in the brewing tension of the 3060s. However, as the Civil War broke out, they were forced to reevaluate this approach once the Nanking Sarna March Militia attempted to seize several important objectives across the planet. Their targets included the Kallon Industries factory complex, the AFFC command center, and the capital city of Yang-Ku, all of which the First FedCom was able to successfully defend. They focused their efforts on maintaining constant pressure on the SMM, but were forced to address several terrorist attacks against them, which allowed the SMM to break free of their cordon. Both the First FedCom and the Kestrel Grenadiers gave chase, and eventually cornered them the Huai River Valley, just twelve hours from the city of Qingjiang. After a five day battle, the Nanking SMM was forced to surrender, though some of its members fought on for almost six hours before accepting the ceasefire. The First FedCom took no further part in the Civil War other than putting down several smaller revolts and dealing with Capellan-sponsored terrorism.[8]

The Jihad

After the FedCom Civil War ended the unit was renamed the First Federated Suns Lancers after the Federated Commonwealth Corps was disbanded and began the process of rebuilding as an independent command. By 3067 the RCT was moved to Hadnall and in June 3068 would take part in Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE when the Lancers and the First Kittery Borderers attacked Gei-Fu and scattered the Third Capellan Defense Force during the First Wave. Only the 'Mech and aerospace units participated in Sovereign Justice, with several free infantry and armor regiments supporting them; the Lancers' conventional regiments had remained behind on Nanking when the 'Mech and aerospace elements deployed on SOVEREIGN JUSTICE, and were still on Nanking when the Word of Blake hit the planet. The Lancers' conventional forces fought alongside the First Crucis Lancers as they attempted to defend the planet from the Blakists.[9] Other sources identified that a four-regiment strong mercenary force hit Gei-Fu, with the Fourth and Twenty-first Illician Rangers as two of the four regiments, and indicate that Gei-Fu was hit during the second wave of Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE.[10]

During the Second Wave in July 3068, the Lancers would move and secure Overton. During Wave Three and Wave Four the Lancers remained in place and were resupplied for a possible move against Capella. In October 3068, the Capellan Confederation counterattacked Overton and was able to push the First Lancers off the world, though it cost the Confederation both the Fifteenth Dracon and Warrior House Ijori. By July 3070 the First FedSuns Lancers were reported destroyed on St. Ives alongside the remnants of two other commands.[11]

In 3077, the First Federated Suns Lancers had become part of the forces assigned to Devlin Stone's allied coalition, serving in Group III of the Lyran front, where it lost its Commanding Officer to a Word of Blake decapitation raid on Gacrux; the Blakists managed to kill the Commanding Officers of not just the Lancers, but also the Sixth Benjamin Regulars and the Thirty-first Marik Militia. As a result, the Lancers and the other commands within Group III found themselves under the overall command of Leutnant-General Thomas Hogarth.[12]

The unit took part in the fighting on Wing but seemed unwilling or unable to aid much to the Sixth Benjamin in the fighting there against the Third Free Worlds Guards.[13] In early 3078 the unit stood down on New Earth alongside the Skye Guards and the Seventeenth Arcturan Guards. On the 15th of August 3078 the First Federated Suns Lancers took part in the invasion of Terra under the overall command of General Belle Lee with the target Sydney. Upon landing the various units of Task Force Mallet came under intense fire with multiple units being spread over a 100 km area. The various units involved were chewed up and didn't see an end to the fighting until January 5th, 3079 when the WoB surrendered at Towra Point.[14] The RCT was badly damaged in the brutal tunnel fighting at the Burragorang Castle Brian and later beneath Sydney.[9]

In August of 3079, the First Federated Suns Lancers RCT was redesignated as an LCT specializing as a rapid response force, and transferred to Ozawa.[9] By 3085 the Lancers were one of the most respected units within the AFFS, and also one of the most active; stationed within the region commonly known as the New Hessen thumb, the Lancers had been called on several times to deal with "pirates" operating along the border regions of the Republic of the Sphere, Federated Suns and Capellan Confederation. The quantity of equipment of Capellan origin used by these "pirates" the Lancers hunted was drawing attention from both New Avalon and Terra.[15]

Palmyra

During the fighting on Palmyra, the First Lancers faced elements of the Seventh New Samarkand Regulars.[16] The unit would be listed as destroyed following the Palmyra debacle.

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the 1st FedCom RCT
Marshal James Sandoval 30283033[3]
Marshal Mira Tran 3039[4]
Leftenant General Vonda DeGreer 3039[4] - 3050[17]
Marshal Vonda DeGreer 3050[17] - 3057[2][18]
Marshal Ally Swanson 3057[2] - 3064
Leftenant General Dixon Zibler 3064[2] - 3067[19]
Commanding Officers of the 1st Federated Suns Lancers
General Dixon Zibler 3067[19] - 3085[20]

Tactics

The First favored small unit tactics, rarely operating in units larger than battalion size. Through practice, the unit's battalions could easily swap positions during combat thereby making the unit seem to have more numbers.[2]

Composition History

3028

First Federated-Commonwealth BattleMech Regiment (Green/Reliable)[1]

Note: At this time, the First FedCom was entirely composed of Valkyrie, Enforcer, and Griffin 'Mechs, as the unit had just been formed.

3039

First FedCom RCT (Veteran/Reliable)[21]

3040

First FedCom RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[22]

3050

First FedCom RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[17]

3054

First FedCom RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[18]

3062

First FedCom RCT (Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[2]

First FedCom Regiment (1 Regiment/Veteran/Reliable)[2]
First FedCom Aerospace Brigade (2 Wings)[2]
First FedCom Armor Brigade (3 Regiments/Regular/Unreliable)[2]
First FedCom Infantry Brigade (5 Regiments/Regular/Reliable)[2]

3067

First Federated Suns Lancers RCT (Regiment/Elite/Reliable)[19]

First Federated Suns Lancers Aerospace Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[19]
CO: Major General Demos McCarron
First Federated Suns Lancers Armor Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[19]
CO: Major General Johann Meitzler
First Federated Suns Lancers Infantry Brigade (Regular/Reliable)[19]
CO: Major General Grayson Applegarth

3079

First Federated Suns Lancers LCT (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)[9]

Note: At this point in time the First Federated Suns Lancers was only a full-strength battalion, though it was equipped almost completely with upgraded technology. Due to their heavy losses, they were redesignated as one of the new Light Combat Teams.[9]

3085

First Federated Suns Lancers LCT (Elite/Fanatical)[20]

First Federated Suns Lancers Aerospace Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[20]
CO: Major General Egbert Beresford
First Federated Suns Lancers Armor Brigade (Elite/Fanatical)[20]
CO: Leftenant General Jezebel Kennedy
First Federated Suns Lancers Infantry Brigade (Regular/Questionable)[20]
CO: Leftenant General Quasim Mohamed

Color Scheme and Unit Insignia

Prior to 3055, the unit's insignia was a circle divided into two halves, with the left half bearing half of the Steiner mailed fist and the right half bearing the half of the Davion sword and sun.[1] Once the Federated Commonwealth was formed, the 1st FedCom displayed the FedCom Corps crest, with an additional regimental insignia: a dragon clutching at a sword, flanked by two lightning bolts. After being renamed to the 1st Federated Suns Lancers, the unit severed all ties with its Lyran heritage and, to demonstrate their loyalty to the Federated Suns, the First Federated Suns Lancers' units now only display the Federated Sunburst.[23]

The parade colors of the First Federated Suns Lancers remain the same as when they were a part of the FedCom Corps: navy blue, with gold banding on the arms and legs of their 'Mechs and gold checkerboard pattern highlights on the upper torsos. Since the end of the FedCom Civil War, some MechWarriors have elected to add gray highlights to symbolize their uncertain place in the AFFS command structure.[citation needed]

Notes

  • BattleTech line developer Herbert A. Beas II stated on the CBT forums that at the end of the fighting against the Capellans, the First FedSuns Lancers had retreated--at 50% casualties--to Scituate. That was February of 3069. In April of 3069, the Word of Blake seized Scituate with forces from Kittery.
  • The First Federated Suns Lancers reappear in Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, meaning that either the unit was rebuilt with new recruits between 3069 and 3077 or that members of the unit were freed from Word of Blake reeducation camps and were able to reunite, joining Stone's Coalition under the Federated Suns flag.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 29: "Klathandu IV"
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 91: "1st Federated Suns Lancers Unit Profile"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Historical: War of 3039, p. 24: "Field Marshal Duke James Sandoval"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 Historical: War of 3039, p. 37: "Nashira (May–June)"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Historical: War of 3039, p. 83: "Nashira (July–November)"
  6. A Race to the End, p. 6
  7. Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 94
  8. FedCom Civil War, pp. 25–27, 64–65
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 9.4 Field Report: AFFS, p. 8
  10. Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 73: "Illician Lancers"
  11. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 106
  12. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 27: "We Have Met the Enemy"
  13. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, pp. 64–65: "3077: War in Review"
  14. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra
  15. Field Manual: 3085, p. 56: "First Federated Suns Lancers LCT"
  16. Technical Readout: 3145 Draconis Combine, p. 42
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 17.3 17.4 20 Year Update, p. 24: "AFFC Deployment Table"
  18. 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 Objective Raids, p. 17: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3054"
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 19.5 Field Manual: Updates, pp. 137–138: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3067"
  20. 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 70: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  21. Historical: War of 3039, p. 136: "Deployment Table"
  22. 22.0 22.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 136
  23. Field Manual: Updates, p. 130: "1st Federated Suns Lancers"

Bibliography

Kestrel Grenadiers

100px

Insignia of the 1st Kestrel Grenadiers
First Kestrel Grenadiers BattleMech Regiment
Nickname Eternal Flame
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFC/AFFS

The First Kestrel Grenadiers were the household guard of House Cunningham.

History

Formation

Formerly the Duke of Kestrel's household guard, and the Cunningham family by extension.[1]

Their homeworld is Zurich.

Third Succession War

The Grenadiers were nearly destroyed in a reconnaissance raid on St. Ives before the Fourth Succession War. The raid took place in 3026 at the behest of Michael Hasek-Davion. Defending forces consisting of the First St. Ives Lancers and the Red Lancers who were equipped with several experimental Cataphracts and Ravens used Electronic Warfare Equipment to great advantage.[2][3] The Duke of Kestrel intervened to prevent the unit's deactivation. Rebuilt by Hanse Davion by incorporating MechWarriors from independent units and elements of Capellan forces who had defected to the Federated Suns.[1]

War of 3039

Matar

The world had at the first view no real value for the AFFS but the chose the planet for invasion as future base for following waves. The task force for the initial attack included the First Kathil Uhlans and the First Kestrel Grenadiers with two conventional infantry regiments for support. Both units had trained together for several months but even with such preparation the landings were difficult. Some of the troops landed far away from their drop zone and the local population create white noise to jam all radio signals at the planet. The conventional fighter unit of the DCMS made the situation worse. Only by the use of secure communication lines could the invaders overcome that obstacles. The Uhlans cut the power from the radio stations and could secure their target. The loyal Combine citizens put up stiff resistance and gave the invaders no time for rest. Even with additional conventional forces, the AFFS did not pacify that planet.[4] Then the DCMS counterattack took place. The DCMS troops included two Ghost regiments (Eleventh Ghost and Twelfth Ghost) and four conventional regiment sized commands too. The initial landing saw the destruction of one JumpShip and the attached DropShips by accident. The Ghost units landed on two different locations in the Tri-Cities and tried to connect with each other. The commands had difficult to reunite again. That was the chance for the Grenadiers to mount a counterassault. The fighting in the urban terrain saw the killing of hundreds of civilians and the situation got worse when the Uhlans enter the battle later to. That was the turning point. Angry Draconians fought the invaders at every opportunity. The AFFS commanding officers decided to retreat off world.[5]

Clan Invasion

After the Fourth Succession War, the Grenadiers received Capellan defectors assigned by Prince Hanse Davion, bringing the unit to regimental combat team strength. After training quickly, the unit deployed twice, against the Draconis Combine and Clan Smoke Jaguar. Both times, the Grenadiers demonstrated their elite status.

Operation Guerrero

Forced to retreat from New Canton during the Marik-Liao invasion.[1] Before retreating offworld, the Kestrel Grenadiers fought McCarron's Armored Cavalry to a standstill. It was only the actions of pro-Liao terrorists that forced the Kestrel Grenadiers to withdraw.[6]

Operation Bulldog

Selected to participate in Operation Bulldog, the Grenadiers launched from the Combine world of Babuyan on May 13, 3059, joining the assault on the Clan Smoke Jaguar–held world of Kiamba alongside the DCMS' elite First Genyosha, the Com Guard Eleventh Division and the Free Rasalhague Republic's Third Drakøns. Caught off guard due the efforts of Operation Bird Dog, the commander of the 362nd Assault Cluster reacted too late to deploy his aerospace fighters and the SLDF taskforce landed without incident. Facing overwhelming odds, the 362nd was easily destroyed, with the Grenadiers and the other coalition forces suffering only minimal losses. During the second wave the Grenadiers would then be transferred to garrison Mualang for the remainder of the conflict.[1][7]

Civil War

During the FedCom Civil War the First Kestrel Grenadiers defended Zurich. Their spirited defense prevented the Capellan Confederation from taking the Zurich Salient that projects into the Confederation.[8]

Jihad

The First Kestrel Grenadiers participated in all four waves of Operation SOVEREIGN JUSTICE. In fact they nearly took Capella. During the withdrawal of FedSuns forces from the Confederation, the Kestrel Grenadiers fought on, stopping the CCAF troops cold in several cases. They were then broken into several smaller units and dispatched throughout the Capellan March to guard against Capellan and Blakist attacks.[9]

Post-Jihad

In 3085 the First Kestrel Grenadiers were split into two combat commands and stationed on the Capellan border, where they were involved in a series of small scale encounters with CCAF troops. The low-intensity combat, along with the Grenadiers skills, allow recent academy graduates to gain some combat experience in a relatively safe manner.[10] The two combat commands are stationed on Bell and Demeter.[11]

Right at the turn of the thirty-second century, the Grenadiers were expanded into an RCT-sized formation. Part of this expansion entailed the acquisition of numerous Swallow and Fensalir WiGEs for the unit's cavalry armor and infantry regiments.[12]

As a part of the reclassification into an RCT, the unit's conventional assets were enlarged, giving it one assault armor regiment, three cavalry armor regiments, two battle armor regiments and conventional infantry regiments that were supported with IFVs and VTOLs.

With this reclassification, the newly minted RCT also took on the mission role of a rapid reaction force, but unlike the similarly performing Federated Suns Armored Cavalry units, the Grenadiers' much heavier units afforded them more concentrated firepower in combat.

Dark Age

After the HPG Blackout, the unit kept a busy schedule, being constantly moved against various threats. As of 3145, their most recent engagement was against the First Liao Hussars after the Capellan unit tried to emulate the McCarron's Armored Cavalry's actions during the Third Succession War. The Kestrel Grenadiers cornered the Hussars on Amiga, where the trapped Liao unit lost a battalion of troops in order to finally break out of the Grenadiers' trap.

In August 3146, the First Kestrel Grenadiers joined the Fifth Crucis Lancers, Task Force Panoply, and Clan Sea Fox's Gamma Aimag on Marlette. They engaged a CCAF strike force consisting of the Second McCarron's Armored Cavalry, Fourth St. Ives Sentinels, Warrior House Dai Da Chi, and the Third Tikonov Guards, supported by the CCS Ilsa Hyung. The AFFS fought the CCAF to a standstill, and on 2 September the Kestrel Grenadiers' aerospace wing destroyed the CCAF's temporary headquarters and killed the task force commander and his aide. Sao-shao Danai Liao-Centrella arranged a ceasefire and temporary armistice that allowed the surviving CCAF troops to withdraw.[13]

The Grenadiers were then assigned to Task Force Perceval, and attacked former Draconis March systems to drive out the DCMS forces. They fought successfully on Franklin, Le Blanc, Clovis, and Sakhara V.[14] In 3148 they were on Remagen for rest, refit, and repair when the Hikage regiment attacked them. Though they had little ammunition and their equipment needed overhaul they fought with a near-suicidal frenzy and held off the Combine unit until they were rescued by the First Avalon Hussars.[15]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the First Kestrel Grenadiers
Colonel Rudy Pinada 3025[16]
Marshal Andrew Cunningham 3050[17]
Marshal Agatha Stromp 3053 - 3067[1][18]
Major General Andrew Roland 3067[19]
General Malinda Gorenc 3085[11]
General Timothy Cunningham 3145 - 3148[20]

Notes

  • The appointment of General Timothy Cunningham as commanding officer of the unit saw the return of a member of the ducal family of Kestrel to command of their family unit.

Tactics

The unit surprises the enemy, because nobody expects such an experienced fighting force.[1]

Composition History

3025

First Kestrel Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[16]

  • CO: Colonel Rudy Pinada[16]
Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Kestrel.[16]

3040

First Kestrel Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[21]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Markab.[21]

3050

First Kestrel Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[22]

  • CO: Marshal Andrew Cunningham[22]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on New Canton.[22]

3054

First Kestrel Grenadiers (Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[23]

  • CO: Marshal Agatha Stromp[23]
Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on New Canton.[23]

3062

First Kestrel Grenadiers (1 Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[1]

  • CO: Marshal Agatha Stromp

- Three Reinforced Battalions, included scouting and fire support elements
- One Company with Salamanders and Longbows for massive fire

First Kestrel Armored Grenadiers (2 Regiments/Elite/Reliable)[1]

  • First F-C Armored Grenadiers - Major General: Timothy Van Norman
  • Second F-C Armored Grenadiers - Colonel Nikki Pernacciaro
  • First Kestrel Grenadiers Artillery Battalion - Major Dale Fusek

- Four Battalions of fast Hovercraft. - Two Battalions of assault armor

First Kestrel Mounted Grenadiers (2 Regiments/Veteran/Fanatical)[1]

- Two Mechanized regiments outfitted with new Goblin and Maxim vehicles.

First F-C Fighter Wing (1 Wing/Veteran/Fanatical)[1]

- Also known as the AeroGrenadiers, trained in close air support, the wing fields mostly Stukas, Chippewas and Eagles.

3067

First Kestrel Grenadiers (Elite/Fanatical)[19]

First Kestrel Fighter Wing (Wing/Elite/Fanatical)[19]

First Kestrel Armor Brigade (Elite/Reliable)[19]

  • CO: Major General Dale Fusek

First Kestrel Infantry Brigade (Veteran/Fanatical)[19]

  • CO: Leftenant General Liang Kirsanova

3079

First Kestrel Grenadiers (1 Reinforced Regiment/Elite/Fanatical)[9]

Note: The First Kestrel Grenadiers came through the Jihad in relatively good shape. They were listed as being at 90% of their pre-Jihad strength.[9] The equipment was upgraded to 90% and the unit was stationed on Bell and also Moravian.[9]

3085

First Kestrel Grenadiers (Elite/Fanatical)[11]

First Kestrel Fighter Wing (Wing/Elite/Fanatical)[11]

First Kestrel Armor Brigade (Veteran/Reliable)[11]

First Kestrel Infantry Brigade (Veteran/Fanatical)[11]

In 3085 the Kestrel Grenadiers are not officially an RCT, but they maintain the armor and infantry brigades common to those formations. The Grenadiers have exchanged one regiment of conventional infantry for two battle armor battalions.[10]

3145

First Kestrel Grenadiers (Elite/Fanatical) Markesan 90%[24]

  • CO: General Timothy Cunningham

Aerospace Wing (Elite/Reliable) Markesan 100%[24]

Armor Brigade (Elite/Fanatical) Markesan 90%[24]

Infantry Brigade (Veteran/Fanatical) Markesan 105%[24]

The 3145 Kestrel Grenadiers have been upgraded to RCT status since 3100, and so they have four armor regiments, the battle armor battalions have been expanded to regimental size while the conventional infantry units remain the same.

Gallery

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 1.8 1.9 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 49: "1st Kestrel Grenadiers Unit Profile"
  2. Experimental Technical Readout: Succession Wars, Volume 1, p. 6
  3. BattleTech: Inner Sphere Direct Fire Lance: "Charlotte Chan"
  4. Historical: War of 3039, pp. 44–45
  5. Historical: War of 3039, p. 93
  6. Shattered Sphere, p. 26
  7. The Dragon Roars, pp. 11, 15
  8. Field Manual: Updates, p. 125: "1st Kestrel Grenadiers"
  9. 9.0 9.1 9.2 9.3 Field Report: AFFS, p. 8
  10. 10.0 10.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 56
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 11.4 11.5 Field Manual: 3085, p. 69: "AFFS Deployment Table - 3085"
  12. Technical Readout: 3145 Lyran Commonwealth, p. 14
  13. Shattered Fortress, p. 23
  14. Shattered Fortress, p. 32
  15. Recognition Guide: ilClan, vol. 18, p. 13
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 16.3 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 136: "Deployment Table"
  17. 20 Year Update, p. 24: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3050"
  18. Objective Raids, p. 17: "Federated Commonwealth Deployment Table - 3054"
  19. 19.0 19.1 19.2 19.3 19.4 Field Manual: Updates, p. 137: "AFFC Deployment Table - 3067"
  20. Shattered Fortress, p. 114
  21. 21.0 21.1 Historical: War of 3039, p. 135
  22. 22.0 22.1 22.2 20 Year Update, p. 24
  23. 23.0 23.1 23.2 Objective Raids, p. 17
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 Field Manual: 3145, p. 91

Bibliography

New Ivaarsen Chasseurs

The guardians of the Stephenson family of New Ivaarsen, the New Ivaarsen Chasseurs are loyal to the Duke and the AFFS. The unit may be considered poorly equipped, but only because MechWarriors within the unit have routinely refused upgrades to their family legacies.[1]


New Ivaarsen Chasseurs
File:2nd New Ivaarsen Chausseurs.jpg

Royal Cavaliers

Avalon Hussars

Brigade Insignia of the Avalon Hussars
Avalon Hussars
Formed 2317
Nickname Honored Service
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFS

The Avalon Hussars are the descendants of the Terran Alliance Marines that served on the world of New Avalon in the early age of human extraterrestrial colonization. The unit decided to defend New Avalon after being stranded by the Demarcation Declaration, and pledged their loyalty to Lucien Davion when the Crucis Reach joined the Federated Suns.[2] The First Avalon Hussars - "The Sword Of The Prince" - are the oldest fighting force in the Federated Suns, having formed on that day in 2317 from a Terran armor regiment.[3] Since the Hussars are a large force and usually loyal to House Davion and the Federated Suns, they are well equipped.[4] At its zenith, the Avalon Hussars defended the entire Combine border with 26 BattleMech regiments and 32 conventional regiments.[citation needed]

History

Founding

The oldest standing military unit in the military of the Federated Suns, the Avalon Hussars brigade was formed around the Terran Alliance marine brigade that found itself stranded on New Avalon during the withdrawal of the Alliance government following the Demarcation Declaration. The Avalon Hussars were initially founded as a brigade of approximately eight regiments around the time of the founding of the Federated Suns in 2317; the Fourth and Eighth Avalon Hussars were designated as the assault backups to the original brigade, and the first regiment to be founded following the destruction of an existing regiment was the Ninth Avalon Hussars, founded to replace the Third Avalon Hussars, who were destroyed in the 2360s.[5]

Age of War

The Fourth Avalon Hussars were the lead AFFS unit during the fighting between the Federated Suns and Terran Hegemony in 2449 over control of Kentares IV. The conflict marked the first deployment of the Manatee-class 'Mech transport by the Hegemony, which allowed the Hegemony Armed Forces to make early gains; however, the Fourth took advantage of the light armor and weapons of the Manatees to down several of the DropShips as they attempted to land. The discovery of this flaw by the Hussars led to the Hegemony discontinuing production of the Manatee and the development of new 'Mech transports.[6]

Prior to the end of the Age of War, at least thirty regiments of Avalon Hussars had been created at one time or another[7] - and possibly as many as thirty-three, as the Thirty-fourth Avalon Hussars were founded in the twenty-seventh century.[5] When the Star League formed in 2571,[8] shortly before the Reunification War the Avalon Hussars brigade was fourteen regiments strong, but the ties back to Terra were strong enough that six regiments - the Fifth, Sixth, Seventh, Tenth, Fifteenth and Eighteenth Hussars - joined the Star League Defense Force when it formed. The Hussars were proud enough of this that the brigade headquarters refused to build new regiments with the numbers of those who had joined the SLDF, instead marking them as simply being on detached duty, and it would be more than half a millennium before new units would be created with the designation of any of these regiments.[5] First Prince Alexander Davion transferred thirty-seven regiments of ground forces to the nascent SLDF, with the Avalon Hussars regiments making up just under a sixth of the total number; the majority of those provided to the SLDF were units of questionable loyalty - the entire of the former Terran Brigade, who had once guarded the Terran March and resented Alexander's reforms after the Davion Civil War, half of the Syrtis Fusiliers, who had stood against Alexander during the Civil War, and a smattering of private regiments, making the Hussars a notable exception among their peers.[8]

Star League Era

During the Star League Era the Avalon Hussars participated in the Second Hidden War by invading several Draconis Combine systems to draw the DCMS away from the Draconis March.[9] The Avalon Hussars served primarily in the Draconis March, and during the Second Hidden War the First Hussars would serve with distinction, with First Prince Joseph Davion taking personal command of the 1st in at least one battle. Unfortunately the presence of the First Prince would hamper combat actions by the first, and despite performing above expectations the Hussars were unable to prevent Prince Joseph dying in combat.[3] The First Avalon Hussars were then directly involved in Operation SMOTHER, with the Hussars assisting the 160th BattleMech Division on Royal.[10]

Prior to the Council Edict of 2650, additional regiments of the Avalon Hussars had been formed above the brigades Age of War roster, but many commands were deactivated following the edict and the brigade reduced in size down to fourteen active regiments over time. When the Star League Council repealed the Council Edict of 2650 the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns began expanding rapidly, and the Avalon Hussars were the first brigade to undergo a large-scale expansion. Eleven regiments were reactivated by First Prince John Davion; the Prince also authorized the formation of the Fifty-sixth, bringing the brigade up to a strength of twenty-six units by 2765 (and suggesting that prior to the Council Edict of 2650, the regiments of the Avalon Hussars had increased potentially as far as the Fifty-fifth Avalon Hussars). Nine of the eleven regiments known to have been reactivated during the rapid buildup after the repeal of the Council Edict of 2650 were the Twenty-second, Twenty-third, Twenty-seventh, Twenty-eighth, Thirty-third, Thirty-fourth, thirty-fifth, Forty-first and Forty-second Avalon Hussars.[5]

During this period of the Avalon Hussars' history the make-up of each unit emphasized two things: flexibility and mobility. The expectation was that any unit of Avalon Hussars could operate on eight hours notice to move, although few units could actually achieve that stringent target. The Hussars largely lacked permanently-assigned conventional units, making it harder to meet this target as they were often forced to rely on conventional units assigned to them for operations or on local planetary forces. Each Hussars unit had an aerospace wing assigned to it, but those units acted primarily as ground support units, making the Hussars highly dependent on the Federated Suns Navy when it came to security during transits.[5]

After the end of the Amaris Civil War, with the Terran Hegemony in a parlous state and numerous Hegemony worlds being annexed by the Great Houses, the AFFS persuaded elements of thirteen different SLDF commands to defect and take up employment with the Federated Suns. A regiment of SLDF personnel recruited from the 200th Jump Infantry Division[11] - previously a part of XLVII Corps,[12] in what had been the SLDF Twentieth Army[12][11] - were folded into the Forty-first and Forty-second Avalon Hussars.[11]

First Succession War

The Avalon Hussars played a crucial role during the First Succession War when they stalled the Kurita advance into Davion space.[13] The Seventeenth Hussars are notable for destroying huge stocks of Kurita supplies on New Rhodes III.[14] Having mustered twenty-six regiments immediately before the First Succession War broke out, seven regiments were lost in action during the war - the Thirteenth, Sixteenth, Twenty-eighth, Thirty-eighth, Forty-second, Forty-fifth and Fifty-sixth Avalon Hussars.[15]

Third Succession War

The Fourth Hussars defeated two Kurita Mech regiments on Colia in 2872, which were suffering from severe supply problems. The Second Hussars under the leadership of Joseph Davion II engaged the Third Sword of Light on Robinson during the Third Succession War and forced them off-world.[16] The defeat of the elite Third Sword prompted the assassination of Coordinator Miyogi Kurita.

The first three Succession Wars exerted a heavy toll on the Avalon Hussars; although a number of commands had been rebuilt and reactivated during the three centuries of warfare, by the end of the Third Succession War, the brigade had dwindled from the more than thirty commands that had existed at the introduction of the BattleMech to just eight commands - the Eleventh, Seventeenth, Twentieth, Twenty-second, Thirty-third, Thirty-ninth, Forty-first and Forty-second Avalon Hussars.[7] Of the original eight regiments that formed the Avalon Hussars when the brigade first mustered at the founding of the Federated Suns,[5] none had survived.[7]

Hussar regiments also participated in Operation RAT and the War of 3039. After the siege of New Avalon the Avalon Hussars were in a bad place mentally. At least one regiment fell apart due to internal tensions. The Jihad and the need to focus on a common enemy gave the Hussars new purpose, and by the time the Jihad ended, the Avalon Hussars were back to the skilled force they had been prior to the FedCom Civil War.

Jihad Era

The Avalon Hussars were the first AFFS unit to undergo the reorganization from RCT to the Light Combat Team. By 3079 they were familiar with the changes needed in tactics and had become the showpiece unit for the new formation.[17] In 3085 the entire Avalon Hussars brigade was organized along the Light Combat Team model and were judged as effective as they had been in the pre-Jihad era.[18]

Dark Age Era

The Avalon Hussars rebuilt by adding new Light Combat Teams to their rolls. These new units were able to quickly deploy around the Federated Suns, and as such became workhorse formations that saw action in many areas. They had nine units in action by the time the Capellan Confederation and Draconis Combine invaded the Federated Suns. Three units were completely destroyed, but the remaining Hussars units were involved in some of the heaviest fighting along both fronts.[19]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Avalon Hussars
Field Marshal Roger Waters 3056 -
Admiral Solomon D'Angelo [20]

Tactics

Different per Unit.

Units of the Avalon Hussars

Unit Notes

  • The 1st Hussars participated in Operation Roland’s Horn in 2930.[21] Revived as an LCT during the Jihad.[17]
  • The 2nd Hussars was destroyed during the 3rd Succession War, revived as an LCT during the Jihad.[17][22]
  • The 3rd Hussars was destroyed in the 2360s[5]
  • The 4th Hussars attempted to recapture Kentares IV from the Terran Hegemony in 2449.[23]
  • The 5th Hussars joined the Star League Defense Force,[5] active during the Dark Age era.
  • The 6th Hussars joined the Star League Defense Force.[5]
  • The 7th Avalon Hussars joined the Star League Defense Force[5]
  • The 8th Avalon Hussars was active during the Dark Age era.
  • The 9th Avalon Hussars]] - Destroyed during the Second Succession War[24]
  • The 10th Hussars joined the Star League Defense Force[5] active during the Dark Age era
  • The 12th Hussars was destroyed during the Second Succession War.[24][25]
  • The 13th Hussars was destroyed during the First Succession War[15][26]
  • The 14th Hussars was destroyed during the Second Succession War[24][27]
  • The 15th Hussars joined the Star League Defense Force[5][28]
  • The 16th Avalon Hussars]][29] - Destroyed during the First Succession War[15]
  • The 17th Hussars was active during the Dark Age era.
  • The 18th Hussars joined the Star League Defense Force[5]
  • The 20th Hussars was active during the Dark Age era.
  • The 23rd Hussars was destroyed during the Second Succession War[24][30]
  • The 26th Hussars was destroyed during the Second Succession War[24]
  • The 27th Hussars was active in 2765
  • The 28th Hussars was destroyed during the First Succession War[15]
  • The 33rd Hussars was destroyed during the Clan Invasion
  • The 34th Hussars was destroyed during the Second Succession War;[24] and reorganized into the 42nd Hussars[31] rebuilt and then destroyed during the Third Succession War, and reorganized into the 42nd Hussars[7]
  • The 35th Hussars was active in 2765.
  • The 36th Hussars was destroyed during the Third Succession War and reorganized into the 42nd Hussars[7]
  • The 38th Avalon Hussars was destroyed during the First Succession War[15][32]
  • The 39th Hussars was destroyed at Talon by Capellan forces[33]
  • The 42nd Hussars was destroyed during the First Succession War;[15] reactivated during the Third Succession War[7]
  • The 45th Hussars was destroyed during the First Succession War[15]
  • The 56th Hussars was destroyed during the First Succession War[15][34]

Uniforms

Color Scheme

The Hussar use light gray and unit-specific highlights for ceremonial duties.

Unit Insignia

Notes

It was noted by one of the BattleTech Developers that the Avalon Hussars have served the Federated Suns since 2399:

Honestly, not that big. The original House Books does list some figures for a couple of Houses during their peak at the 1st Succession War. Remember that the Avalon Hussars has served from the Age of War (2399) to now, which leaves room for a lot of units to be destroyed and created.
  — Øystein Tvedten, BattleTech Developer, 13 Jul 2012

References

  1. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 97: "New Ivaarsen Chasseurs bio"
  2. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 138
  3. 3.0 3.1 Era Report: 2750, p. 46: "First Avalon Hussars"
  4. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 138
  5. 5.00 5.01 5.02 5.03 5.04 5.05 5.06 5.07 5.08 5.09 5.10 5.11 5.12 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 8: "Avalon Hussars"
  6. Technical Readout: 3026, Revised Edition, p. 108: "Manatee"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 7.5 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 140: "Avalon Hussars"
  8. 8.0 8.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 32: "Integration with the SLDF"
  9. Era Report: 2750, pp. 18, 29
  10. Era Report: 2750, p. 31: "Succession War"
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 First Succession War, p. 33: "Those Left Behind"
  12. 12.0 12.1 The Star League, p. 158: "Twentieth Army"
  13. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 138
  14. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 62
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 15.4 15.5 15.6 15.7 First Succession War, p. 134: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  16. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 80
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 Field Report: AFFS, p. 9
  18. Field Manual: 3085, p. 57
  19. Field Manual: 3145, p. 74
  20. Field Manual: 3085, p. 57
  21. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 85
  22. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 80
  23. Technical Readout: 3075, p. 190: "Manatee"
  24. 24.0 24.1 24.2 24.3 24.4 24.5 Second Succession War, p. 94: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns (AFFS)"
  25. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 104
  26. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 61
  27. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 68
  28. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 182
  29. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 116
  30. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 70
  31. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 138
  32. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 62
  33. Field Report: AFFS, p. 9
  34. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 60

Bibliography

Avalon Hussars
Insignia of the Avalon Hussars

Ceti Hussars

Ceti Hussars -Brigade logo 3062.png
Ceti Hussars
Formed Star League Era
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFS

The Ceti Hussars are a group of units that were patterned on the Light Horse regiments of the Star League Defense Force and which were created specifically for conducting short raids.</onlyinclude>

History

Star League Era

The Ceti Hussars were the first serious attempt made by any of the Great Houses to emulate an SLDF light horse unit. When the First Ceti Hussars were formed, the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns threw resources at the command, which was able to take its pick of personnel and equipment - partly because the formation of the Ceti Hussars was a direct reaction to the lack of coordination shown between the various branches of the AFFS during the War of Davion Succession. This level of predetermination in the formation of the Hussars was a sharp contrast to the light horse-style regiments of the other Great Houses, whose formation had been more incidental or accidental.[1]

The importance of the Ceti Hussars waxed and waned during the late Star League era, with the AFFS High Command reducing their support for the Hussars in later years; the Hussars didn't expand beyond the First during the Star League era, but the High Command had also stopped short of disbanding the regiment or dividing it into the more traditional mono-type sub-units, although that didn't stop others attempting to separate out components of the command for actions, including the Duke of the Capellan March, who attempted to have the BattleMech component of the Hussars undertake actions independently.[1]

By 2765, appointment to the Ceti Hussars was available only by request; while this reduced the number of potential recruits into the brigade, it also ensured that those who did join were committed to the Hussars and their tactics. The Hussars continued to practice open messes, encouraging all personnel to dine together regardless of rank or branch of service, prompting a feeling of equality; this played an important factor in keeping the Hussars active, producing a high level of morale within the regiment and a reenlistment rate equal to that of the Davion Brigade of Guards.[1]

Though successful, the experiment was almost abandoned. At the outset of the Amaris Civil War, the units' value became clear, and its ranks were bolstered with former Star League Defense Force soldiers that did not follow Aleksandr Kerensky into the Deep Periphery. The Ceti Hussars' tactics and regimental combat team organization proved its value, especially during the Third Succession War. Each Hussar Regiment was divided into three small units each centered around a BattleMech Battalion.[2]

The Succession Wars

The Hussars were highly regarded by the St. Ives Compact. They were used as the model for the St. Ives Janissaries.[3]

The Jihad

During the Jihad, the First Ceti Hussars lost nearly 90% of their forces at Rio. The survivors joined the Princess-Regent as part of her defense routine. The Third Ceti Hussars were driven off of Taygeta during Operation THUNDERSTRIKE, taking heavy losses. They moved to New Syrtis to defend that world, and the brutal house to house fighting further depleted their numbers, particularly in the command staff. The Third's survivors were rolled into the Second Ceti Hussars to make up combat losses in that organization. The First and Third were deactivated until replacement troops were available.[4]

The Dark Age

When the Light Combat Team concept was introduced after the Jihad the AFFS High Command used the tactics developed by the Ceti Hussars as the training doctrine for the new units.[4] After rebuilding, most of the Ceti Hussar regiments participated in Operation MATADOR.[5] In 3085 the Ceti Hussars were organized as Light Combat Teams.[6]

During the Draconis Combine's assault on the Federated Suns, the Third Ceti Hussars were destroyed on Deshler and the Fifth was destroyed on Palmyra. The First and Second Ceti Hussars were stationed in the Draconis March, while the Fourth remained in the Capellan March.[7]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Ceti Hussars
Field Marshal Vance Lamont 3067[8]
Field Marshal Kellie Lee-Merrow 3085[9]

Tactics

Different per Unit.

Units of the Ceti Hussars

Notes

Color Scheme and Unit Insignia

The unit uses dark blue with red or light blue highlights during ceremonial duties.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 12: "Ceti Hussars"
  2. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 62: "Ceti Hussars"
  3. Handbook: House Liao, p. 104
  4. 4.0 4.1 Field Report: AFFS, p. 10
  5. Field Manual: 3085, p. 54
  6. Field Manual: 3085, p. 58
  7. Field Manual: 3145, p. 75
  8. Field Manual: Updates, p. 127: "Ceti Hussars"
  9. Field Manual: 3085, p. 58: "Ceti Hussars"
  10. Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers, p. 47

Bibliography

Ceti Hussars
Insignia of the Ceti Hussars

Crucis Lancers

After General Kerensky's exodus, some Star League soldiers remained in the Inner Sphere. Some of these drifted into the Federated Suns where, during the First Succession War, Prince John Davion organized all incomplete units into the Crucis Lancers. The Lancers held tight to many of the traditions of the Star League even as they have fully integrated themselves into the AFFS. Therefore, the modern Crucis Lancers recruit almost exclusively from worlds within the Crucis March.

Crucis Lancers
Insignia of the Crucis Lancers

Davion Brigade of Guards

Davion Guards -Brigade logo.png
Davion Brigade of Guards
Formed ca. 2418[1]
Nickname Royal Brigade[1]
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFS

The Davion Brigade of Guards are the descendants of the personal bodyguard that Lucien Davion created to defend the President of the Federated Suns. Over time the Brigade evolved into a modern military unit and was eventually integrated into the AFFS. Today, the Royal Brigade serves as the elite of the Davion military, and though its soldiers were once drawn solely from New Avalon, they now come from all over the realm and their loyalty to House Davion ensures the unit's devotion is to the Federated Suns as a whole.[2]

History

Early History

The origin of the Davion Brigade of Guards lies in the personal house guard of the Davion family. Originally responsible for protecting members of the family, the unit took on wider responsibilities as the Federated Suns evolved. When Reynard Davion[1] was elected President in 2340[3] they were formally incorporated into the Federated Peacekeeping Forces and took on the responsibility of protecting the leader of the Federated Suns. Once Simon Davion[1] became the first to hold the title of First Prince in 2418[4] they were officially recognized as the Royal Brigade.[1]

Star League Era

The Davion Brigade of Guards continued to grow in importance as time passed, occupying a more and more prominent role in the Federated Suns military. Along with the First Avalon Hussars, they were the first Federated Suns military unit to field BattleMechs. Thanks to their prestigious reputation, the Brigade was able to draw on the best candidates for its manpower, often selecting the top of each academy class for assignment to the unit. When the Star League first formed, every brigade within the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns contributed manpower or complete units to the nascent Star League Defense Force - with the exception of the Brigade of Guards. Such was the Brigade's collective loyalty to the Federated Suns and to House Davion that none of the personnel within the Brigade were even approached to join the SLDF. When the Star League Council enacted the Council Edict of 2650, mandating the drawdown of each of the Great House's military, the Brigade was the only unit in the AFFS to escape untouched - not a single unit was deactivated.[1]

The Davion Brigade of Guards differed from similarly prestigious units maintained by other state militaries, however, as they were very often the first into battle in every campaign. During the Star League era the Brigade continued to enjoy access to the best recruits, the best equipment, and attracted many veterans mustering out from their time in the SLDF. By 2765, the Brigade was effectively the same size and strength of an SLDF Corps, a size which it had achieved even before the Reunification War. The Brigade was also the first of the Federated Suns 'Mech formations to convert to the combined arms school of warfare, with each regiment serving alongside new, permanently-attached armor, infantry, artillery and aerospace assets.[1] While the Brigade did occasionally have issues with personnel, which was normal for a unit of its size, the ethos its members maintained was to solve problems amongst themselves. It was thus the formation within the AFFS least likely to require action to be taken by the Judge Advocate during that era.[5]

Succession Wars


FedCom Civil War

The entire Brigade being loyal to Victor Steiner-Davion, the Davion Brigade were involved in every phase and every major operation of the FedCom Civil War. Because of this they took tremendous casualties, particularly during the final battle on New Avalon, but were critical in winning the war for the Allies. Immediately after the Civil War almost all of its units were removed from the active duty rolls, but the brigade's position as the peak of the AFFS ensured that all but the Fourth and Fifth Guards were quickly rebuilt and restored to combat readiness by the time the Jihad broke out.[6]

Jihad

Of the Davion Guards units who survived the FedCom Civil War, two were completely destroyed by the Word of Blake during the Jihad while the rest of the units took heavy losses. The Davion Light Guards and Third Davion Guards were destroyed on New Avalon by Blakist forces. The First was damaged, but rebuilt quickly by drafting members of other units. The First then went on to participate in Operation SCOUR. The Second joined the First in facing the Word of Blake. After landing on Terra, more than 95% of the unit was destroyed by nuclear strikes fired by the defending Blakists. As of 3079 the Second remained on the rolls as an honor guard, but was little more than a company currently attached to the First Davion Guards.[7]

Republic era

Thanks to their elite position within the AFFS and the extreme sacrifice and dedication shown by them during the Jihad, the Davion Brigade was rebuilt in short order as full-sized RCTs rather than as smaller defensive LCTs sweeping across the Davion military. Even this composition varies from the pre-Jihad era, each RCT's BattleMech component reduced to a standard regiment but offset by a reinforced aerospace fighter wing and a complete regiment of battle armor. The brigade's units had ample opportunity to show off their new layout in the years directly following the fighting on Terra with two regiments taking part in Operation MATADOR with another helping to bolster the newly formed Periphery March's border regions.[8]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Davion Brigade of Guards
Duchess Matilda Davion 2900s[9]
Duke Christopher Payne 2999 - 3013[10]
Field Marshal Ran Felsner 3026[11]
Marshal Bishop Sortek ??? - 3063[12][13]
Field Marshal Stephan Cooper 3063 - ???[6]
Field Marshal Dixon Zibler 3080[8]

Tactics

Different per unit.

Units of the Davion Brigade of Guards

The Davion Brigade of Guards are a large combined arms brigade consisting of almost sixty regiments.[2]

Color Scheme and Insignia

The Brigade of Guards use the Davion family colors for parades and ceremonial duties, royal blue on the left and right side, bright red in the front and back, and white spacing the blue and red panels.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 13: "Davion Brigade of Guards"
  2. 2.0 2.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 139 (PDF Version)
  3. Handbook: House Davion, p. 107: "Leaders of the Federated Suns"
  4. Handbook: House Davion, pp. 108–109: "Leaders of the Federated Suns"
  5. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 14: "Morale"
  6. 6.0 6.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 129: "Federated Suns - Davion Brigade of Guards"
  7. Field Report: AFFS, p. 12
  8. 8.0 8.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 60: "Federated Suns - Davion Brigade of Guards"
  9. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 183
  10. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 117
  11. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 189: "Ran Felsner"
  12. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook)
  13. Era Report: 3062

Bibliography

Davion Brigade of Guards
Insignia of the Davion Brigade of Guards

Deneb Light Cavalry

The Deneb Light Cavalry brigade was an Armed Forces of the Federated Suns brigade founded during the declining years of the Star League, initially from a mix of former Star League Defense Force personnel drawn from one of the SLDF Rapid Deployment Mixed Armed Forces regiments.


Deneb Light Cavalry
Insignia of the Deneb Light Cavalry

Robinson Brigade

Insignia of the Robinson March Brigade
Robinson Rangers
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFC/AFFS


The Robinson Rangers started as a brigade of volunteers in the defense of Robinson, the Draconis March capital world, and were wiped out in the First Succession War. To honor these volunteers, Prince Peter Davion authorized the construction of two BattleMech regiments, financed by the Duke of Robinson.

History

The Robinson Rangers have acted as the honor guard for House Sandoval since their inception. Two things defined the Rangers: hatred of the Draconis Combine and, more importantly, their loyalty to the Duke of Robinson. The Duke was nominally their commander, but given the Duke's many responsibilities the daily operations of the Rangers usually fell to an AFFS officer.[1]

The Robinson Rangers fought the Draconis Combine Mustered Soldiery in five major conflicts from the time of their inception. In the Fourth Succession War they faced elements of the Benjamin Regulars.[2][3]

In the early 3060s, Archon Katherine Steiner-Davion created the Third Rangers. While publicly a move to reinforce the Draconis March, it was more of a political initiative than military, and the unit spent more time on New Avalon than anywhere else. The Third was destroyed during the final battle of New Avalon, with no plans to rebuild the destroyed unit.

In the FedCom Civil War, the First and Second Robinson Rangers were the primary striking arm of the Duke's invasion of the Draconis Combine. The First quickly took several worlds from the Combine[4], but was eventually forced back to Mallory's World to rebuild.[5] The Second transferred from the Lyran Alliance to the Draconis March[6] and attacked Quentin.[7] They suffered losses and withdrew to Mallory's World to rebuild. The Second was then part of the task force that attacked New Avalon and freed it from Katherine Steiner-Davion. They took heavy losses at this time. The Third Rangers were a political unit, and were destroyed in the fighting on New Avalon.[8]

During the Jihad several Com Guard units integrated with the AFFS forces on Robinson.[9]

After the Jihad the AFFS High Command, with the consent of the Duke of Robinson, sought to limit the Rangers ability to get into trouble. As such, the First Robinson Rangers were the only Ranger unit, with other Robinson units being named the Robinson Strikers. These units were still loyal to the Duke of Robinson, but were less likely to cause problems or launch unauthorized strikes because they lacked the institutional hatred of the Rangers.[10]

The Rangers and Strikers were caught up in a Sandoval family civil war in 3095. The units were distracted and the Raven Alliance and Draconis Combine took advantage of this to take control of Draconis March systems. This internal conflict exhausted the various units involved and prevented the Rangers from mounting any kind of effective defense. The Draconis Combine then came across the border, further shattering the units.[11]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Robinson Rangers
Field Marshal James Sandoval 3058

Tactics

Different per Unit.

Units of the Robinson Rangers

Notes

  • The 3rd Rangers was destroyed during the FedCom Civil War.
  • The 4th Rangers was active in the Dark Age era.
  • The 3rd Strikers was destroyed 3143 by Draconis Combine on Palymra.[13]
  • The 4th Strikers was active in the Dark Age era.
  • The 5th Strikers was active in the Dark Age era.

Color Scheme

The Rangers use a deep red color with black trim as their unit colors.[14][1]

Unit Insignia

The insignia of the Robinson Rangers was a single red arrow on a golden shield.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 100
  2. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 80
  3. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 2, p. 27
  4. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), pp. 47-48, 90-91
  5. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), pp. 106-107
  6. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), p. 69
  7. FedCom Civil War (sourcebook), p. 109
  8. Field Manual: Updates, p. 131
  9. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 95
  10. Field Manual: 3085, p. 62
  11. Field Manual: 3085, p. 80
  12. 12.0 12.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 62, "Robinson March Brigade"
  13. Field Manual: 3145, p. 71 Debacle at Palymra - Unit listed destroyed among other units.
  14. An Emissary of Heaven, p. 13

Bibliography

Robinson Rangers
Insignia of the Robinson Rangers

Syrtis Brigades

Brigade Insignia of the Syrtis Fusiliers
Syrtis Fusiliers
Formed 2418
Nickname Pride and Prejudice
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFS

The Syrtis Fusiliers are the honor guard of the leader of the Capellan March. For that reason their fortunes have been tied to the Hasek family for years. The Hasek family is an ambitious and often scheming group of leaders that have commanded the Capellan March since the time of Prince Alexander Davion. The Syrtis Fusiliers are respected for their skill in combat but at times have been held in suspicion by an AFFS that questions their loyalty to the First Prince.

History

Early Years

The Fusiliers originated as the private army of the Hasek family, with its beginnings in the ad hoc force drawn from workers in the various mining and drilling operations owned by the Hasek family during the early history of New Syrtis. The Syrtis Fusiliers grew in prominence alongside the Haseks and New Syrtis, with the Fusiliers' remit expanding from being personal guards to the Hasek family to becoming the official guard of New Syrtis and one of the most important military forces within the Capellan March Principality.[1]

Davion Civil War

The bulk of the Syrtis Fusiliers supported Prince David Varnay and his wife Cassandra Davion loyally throughout the Davion Civil War, opposing first the combined forces of Laura Davion and Nikolai Rostov and then First Prince Alexander Davion. At the end of the war Prince Alexander offered an amnesty to the survivors from the brigade, and reintegrated the Syrtis Fusiliers into the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns, the restructured military that replaced the Federated Peacekeeping Forces as the state military of the Federated Suns.[1]

Alexander's clemency towards the Syrtis Fusiliers and his subsequent actions in rebuffing the attempt by Richard Varnay to seize control of the Capellan March cemented the Fusiliers' loyalty to New Avalon and the wider Federated Suns.[1]

The Star League

The Syrtis Fusiliers served the Federated Suns well in the two centuries following the Davion War, building up to a strength of ten full regiments prior to 2650. When the Star League council issued the Council Edict of 2650, sharply limiting the size of the military each Great House was allowed to maintain, the Fusiliers were left untouched and the brigade would remain ten regiments strong until shortly after the repeal of the Council Edict of 2650.[1]

The Edict was repealed in 2752[2] and in 2755 First Prince John Davion authorized an expansion of the Fusiliers that saw the brigade increase in strength from ten regiments to twenty by 2765,[1] although the new regiments were far more hostile in their attitude towards the nearby Capellan Confederation than the older, more established commands, a situation that led to a number of disciplinary incidents and issues.[3]

The Succession Wars

Despite frequent purges of anti-Davion elements since the brigade's absorption into the AFFS after the Davion Civil War, they have continually looked to the Duke of New Syrtis for direction, following the orders of New Avalon only if the Duke agrees with them. The Haseks' fanatical loyalty to the region and the defense of the Capellan March ensures the Fusiliers have a fanatical source of recruits from New Syrtis and its surrounding worlds while at the same time ensuring their loyalty to House Hasek.[4][5][6]

The Dark Age

After the Jihad, the Syrtis Fusiliers (like the Robinson Rangers) were reorganized into a series of Light Combat Teams that focused on defensive operations. This allowed the Capellan March to put fighting forces back into the field much more quickly and over a larger area than the rebuilding of RCTs would have allowed. However this streamlining did not come without a price: Nathaniel Hasek opposed the reorganization plan until the Princess-Regent offered a squadron of Pocket WarShips to guard New Syrtis. Once these ships arrived the reorganization took place. In 3079 the Sixth Syrtis Fusiliers were the only unit near full Regimental Combat Team status.[7]

Demonstrating that their size hadn't affected their skills the Syrtis Fusiliers participated in Operation MATADOR taking several worlds. During this fighting Nathaniel Hasek was killed. Angela Hasek began supplying the units with officers and soldiers loyal to New Syrtis first and New Avalon second. The Princess-Regent responded by delivering supplies from outside the Capellan March, reminding the Fusiliers that they were part of the AFFS as a whole.[8]

During the Capellan Confederation's assault of the Federated Suns, the Syrtis Fusiliers lost their strategic command structure. This forced each unit of the Fusiliers to fight as an independent unit. Though this worked in some cases, the sheer number of Capellan units they faced forced the entire brigade back into the Federated Suns. As of 3145, no coherent command structure existed for the Fusiliers.[9]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Syrtis Fusiliers
Duke Michael Hasek-Davion 3013[4] - 3029[10]
Duke Morgan Hasek-Davion 3029 - 3056[5]
Marshal Nathaniel Hasek 3056[5] - 3067[11]
Field Marshal Nathaniel Hasek 3067[11] - 3080[12]
Marshal Serena Thompson-Hasek 3080[12]

Tactics

Different per Unit.

Composition History

2765 - 20 commands[13]
2786 - 20 commands[14]
2821 - 18 commands[14] (2 commands destroyed during First Succession War[14])
2830 - 18 commands[15]
2864 - 13 commands[15] (5 commands destroyed during Second Succession War[15])

Units of the Syrtis Fusiliers

Notes

  • The 1st Fusiliers were reconstituted in 3079.[7]
  • The 2nd Fusiliers was active during the Victoria War.
  • The 7th Fusiliers was active during the Dark Age era.
  • The Eleventh Syrtis Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Twelfth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Thirteenth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Fourteenth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Fifteenth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Sixteenth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Seventeenth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Eighteenth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Nineteenth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]
  • The Twentieth Fusiliers was formed between 2755 and 2765.[1]

Color Scheme and Uniforms

The brigade fields its vehicles with a standard dark-green color scheme.[4][5] Due to their independent streak, they were known to use regimental flashes instead of the Federated Suns insignia.[4] In the Succession Wars, MechWarriors of the Syrtis Fusiliers wore a light green cooling vest and shorts, sporting their regimental patch in lieu of the Federated Suns crest, while their infantry wore greenish-tan shirts and boots, with matching Davion-green pants and jerkin.[4] Succession Wars era Syrtis Fusiliers infantry personnel mocked helmets as being cowardly and usually opted to wear a green field cover instead. Like their MechWarriors, their BattleMechs, and their vehicles, infantry of that era wore their regimental insignia rather than the Federated Sunburst.[4] By the time of the FedCom Civil War, this attitude had changed, but, independent as ever, the Syrtis Fusiliers this time refused to wear the crest of the Federated Commonwealth, preferring the Federated Sunburst[5]

Unit Insignia

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 1.18 1.19 1.20 1.21 1.22 1.23 1.24 1.25 1.26 1.27 1.28 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 18: "Syrtis Fusiliers"
  2. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 3: "Strategic Update"
  3. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 19: "Morale"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 House Davion (The Federated Suns): "Unit Descriptions - Syrtis Fusiliers"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 5.4 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 104: "Syrtis Fusiliers - Pride and Prejudice"
  6. Handbook: House Davion, p. 126: "Armed Forces of the Federated Suns - Point of the Sword - Syrtis Fusiliers"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Field Report: AFFS, p. 15
  8. Field Manual: 3085, p. 63
  9. Field Manual: 3145, p. 78
  10. Warrior: Riposte, p. 298
  11. 11.0 11.1 Field Manual: Updates, p. 132
  12. 12.0 12.1 Field Manual: 3085, p. 63: "Capellan March Brigade"
  13. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 19
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 First Succession War, p. 135
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Second Succession War, p. 95

Bibliography

Syrtis Fusiliers
Insignia of the Syrtis Fusiliers

Capellan March Militia

The Capellan March Militia forces are the last line of defense for the Capellan March. Centuries of hostility with the Capellan Confederation has affected each of the units. Most members harbor a deep hatred of the Confederation, and look to House Hasek to protect them. After Operation GUERRERO destroyed the Sarna March, command of the Sarna March Militia RCTs was transferred to the Capellan March Militia.


Capellan March Militia and Sarna March Militia
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Crucis March Militia

The Crucis March Militia is tasked with guarding the core of the Federated Suns. While most of the CrMM doesn't see much action, the border combat regions often deal with pirate raids.


Crucis March Militia
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Draconis March Militia

The Draconis March Militia units are known to be loyal to House Sandoval. Centuries of raids, and the horror of the Kentares Massacre make sure that no member of the DMM will trust any DCMS officer. The détente between the Draconis Combine-Federated Suns caused them a great deal of worry.


Draconis March Militia
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Training Units

Inactive Brigades

Aragon Borderers

Formed from the staunch planetary militia of New Aragon, the First Aragon Borderers watch the borders of the Capellan March. Though primarily a specialized defensive unit, they have seen multiple actions offworld, including battles against the Clans.


Aragon Borderers
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Arcadian Cuirassiers

Brigade Insignia of the Arcadian Cuirassiers
Arcadian Cuirassiers
Formed 2100s
Affiliation Chesterton Trade League
Federated Suns
Parent Command None
Armed Forces of the Federated Suns

Formerly a premiere combat unit of the Chesterton Trade League, the Arcadian Cuirassiers were incorporated into the Federated Suns military as a combat brigade after their homeworld of Demeter was conquered, and served loyally throughout the Age of War and Star League eras.


History

Early History

The homeworld of the Arcadian Cuirassiers, Demeter, was one of the founding worlds of the interstellar states that became known as the Chesterton Trade League - and also as the Chesterton Trade Federation - one of the earliest states to form as the Terran Alliance began to weaken. The Cuirassiers were Demeter's premiere combat formation and served until the Federated Suns captured Demeter from the Tikonov Grand Union, of which the Chesterton Trade League was a part.[1]

Demeter proved loyal to the Federated Suns, as did the Arcadian Cuirassiers, who were incorporated into the Federated Peacekeeping Forces and the FPF's successor organization, the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns. Demeter's loyalty was rewarded with heavy investments in planetary infrastructure by the Federated Suns government, and the Cuirassiers also benefited from this investment; the Cuirassiers commonly received much of their equipment from the massive Lycomb-Davion IntroTech production facilities on Demeter throughout the existence of the brigade.[1]

Star League Era

When the Star League Council issued the Council Edict of 2650, the Federated Suns was required to draw down its military, as were the other Great Houses, and many units were deactivated. The Arcadian Cuirassiers were reduced to a single active regiment, the First Arcadian Cuirassiers, and would remain at that size until the Edict was repealed[1] by the Star League Council in 2752.[2]

The Second Arcadian Cuirassiers were reactivated in 2755 and drew on the Demeter Planetary Uniformed Guard for manpower. The incorporation of trained soldiers into the newly-reactivated regiment allowed the Second to declare itself combat-ready relatively quickly, equipping itself almost entirely with equipment manufactured by Lycomb-Davion IntroTech. However, while the Cuirassiers were motivated, reliable units during the late Star League era, they lacked the ability to act as mobile formations and would prove ineffective if used outside the Chesterton Combat Region. The First Arcadian Cuirassiers suffered heavy casualties in the mid-2760s at the hands of pirates based out of an uninhabited system somewhere near Almach and New Hessen, and the poor performance of the First against the pirates led to an intensive training regimen being launched for the First, but the Cuirassiers were still understrength in 2765 as they recovered from their combat losses.[1]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Arcadian Cuirassiers

Tactics

Different per Unit.

Units of the Arcadian Cuirassiers

Colors and Unit Insignia

Units in service with the Cuirassiers used a simple color scheme of deep green and brown, touched with a small amount of cerulean blue trim. The brigade insignia of the Cuirassiers was the silhouette of an olive tree in green against a black-bordered tan shield.[1]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 11: "Arcadian Cuirassiers"
  2. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 3: "Strategic Update"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 11: "Arcadian Cuirassiers - Regimental Status"

Bibliography

Arcadian Cuirassiers
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Argyle Lancers

The First Argyle Lancers is one of several SLDF units to join the AFFS after the departure of General Aleksandr Kerensky. The unit is well equipped, but is dependent on assistance due to lack of interstellar transportation.

Argyle Lancers
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Capellan Dragoons

The First Capellan Dragoons are the traditional guardians of the Duke of Kathil. Raised from mercenaries and Capellan defectors, the AFFS has never truly trusted the Dragoons. The Dragoons were sold by the Hasek family early in the thirty-first century, and have been loaned back to the Duke of Kathil for reasons unknown. The regiment was effectively destroyed during the FedCom Civil War.

Capellan Dragoons
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Chisholm's Raiders

Known for their unorthodox tactics and flexibility, the Chisholm's Raiders were ultimately disbanded in the wake of the FedCom Civil War.


Chisholm's Raiders

Dragonlords

Originally intended to be a short-term garrison formation while the Davion Guards were deployed elsewhere, the Dragonlords became a permanent brigade during the Reunification War and served until its destruction during the Succession Wars.


Dragonlords

Federated Commonwealth Corps

FedCom Corps -Brigade logo.png
Federated Commonwealth Corps
Formed 3028
Disbanded 3067
Nickname FedCom Corps
Affiliation Federated Commonwealth
Parent Command AFFC/AFFS

Outfitted with the finest equipment and with personnel from all parts of the Federated Commonwealth, the Federated Commonwealth Corps represented the first new units belonging solely to the Armed Forces of the Federated Commonwealth. The fortunes of the FedCom RCTs have mirrored those of their nation: the collapse of the Federated Commonwealth and the bitter and divisive role the Corps played in the following FedCom Civil War led to their disgrace and ultimate disbandment.

History

The Federated Commonwealth Corps's origins stem from the initial spirit of joint cooperation that led to the founding of the Federated Commonwealth in 3055. Their first unit, originally titled the First Federated Commonwealth BattleMech Regiment, was created from Melissa Steiner's wedding gift to Hanse Davion of a regiment of BattleMechs. It was a mixed unit of both Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth academy graduates, and soon saw action during the later days of the Fourth Succession War.

By 3057, the FedCom Corps had formed enough new units to reach a total of twelve complete RCTs.[1] Unfortunately, the Marik-Liao Invasion of 3057 and Katherine Steiner-Davion's secession from the Federated Commonwealth to form the Lyran Alliance shattered the Corps. Those FedCom RCTs stationed in Lyran space were either disbanded to bolster other units such as the Alliance Jaegers or rechristened as the Alliance Guards.[2] With Katherine's rise to power, the units' joint Lyran and Suns heritage began to put stress on their cohesion. Their loyalties fragmenting, the Federated Commonwealth Corps quickly polarized into pro-Katherine and pro-Victor camps, and they were consequently involved in some of the bitterest fighting of the FedCom Civil War. The actions of the 8th FedCom RCT in particular are remembered as the first flashpoint that led to active warfare in that conflict.[1]

At the end of the FedCom Civil War, the Federated Commonwealth Corps lay shattered and destroyed. Of the twelve initial RCTs, five had been absorbed into the Lyran Commonwealth's armed forces, four had been completely destroyed, and two had been folded into Federated Suns mercenary and armed forces units as reinforcements. In a twist of irony only the First FedCom RCT, the very wedding gift that had spurred the creation of the Corps, remained intact. Although its loyalty was held in question for years to come, the unit was renamed the 1st Federated Suns Lancers and integrated into the AFFS, marking the end of the Federated Commonwealth Corps.

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Federated Commonwealth Corps
Marshal James Sandoval 3030 - 3037[3]
Marshal Alistair Venger 3037[3] - 3062[4]

Tactics

Different for each unit.

Units of the Federated Commonwealth Corps

Color Scheme and Corps Insignia

The parade colors of the Federated Commonwealth Corps were navy blue with gold banding on the arms and legs. The gold was also used to create a checkerboard patterned highlight on select panels on the torsos of 'Mechs and the turrets of armored vehicles. In an attempt to invoke the spirit of unity in which the Corps was created, their insignia is an amalgamation of both Federated Suns and Lyran Commonwealth imagery: the Davion sword is laid over the Steiner mailed fist, which rests on the traditional Federated Sunburst.[3]

Unit Insignia

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 1.7 Field Manual: Updates, p. 130: "Federated Commonwealth Corps"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 Field Manual: Lyran Alliance, pp. 44–47: "Alliance Guards"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Field Manual: Federated Suns, pp. 90–96: "The Federated Commonwealth Corps"
  4. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 135: "Federated Suns Forces"
  5. Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 17
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 FedCom Civil War, pp. 51–53, 58–59, 95
  7. Isle of the Blessed, Book 1, ch. 6: "The Book of Lilith"

Bibliography

Federated Commonwealth Corps

Kittery Borderers

Insignia of the 1st Kittery Borderers
First Kittery Borderers
Formed Late 3010s
Disbanded 3068 (destroyed)[1]
Nickname The Pride of Kittery
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command AFFS

The First Kittery Borderers were formed from a reinforced planetary garrison to deter Capellan raiding during the Succession Wars. Despite initially being a defensive unit, they gained a great deal of experience raiding the Capellans instead and were considered an elite force at their height.

History

Formation

Like the First Aragon Borderers, the unit was created by the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns as response to heavy raiding from Capellan Confederation along the border of the Capellan March. When the unit was first formed it was patterned after its sister unit on New Aragon, being comprised of an overstrength planetary militia equipped with BattleMechs and tasked with the defense of a protruding pocket of Federated Suns territory. After their formation, they were paired with the newly formed First Kittery Training Battalion, and often loaned 'Mechs to the battalion's training officers despite many of the Borderers having a dim view of nonacademy graduates receiving MechWarrior training.[2]

By 3024, the unit had blooded themselves against Capellan military raiders and had begun to grow in experience.[3] Soon they began raiding the Capellans back and had quickly formed a deep rivalry with the St. Ives Armored Cavalry and routinely skirmished with them off and on for many decades. Despite the Armored Cavalry having the clear advantage in numbers and skill, the Borderers had quickly learned to master the terrain of their home planet and used it to inflict respectable losses on the opposing unit during their incursions.[4]

Fourth Succession War

The First Kittery Borderers did not actively participate in the Fourth Succession War, and remained posted on Kittery for the duration of that conflict.[5] To make matters worse, the Borderers expected a large attack from the St. Ives Armored Cavalry that never came. As the two units had nursed a deep hatred for each other, this lack of real action caused many veterans in the unit to become angry and disillusioned. When it was announced that the Federated Suns would be backing Candace Liao's newly formed St. Ives Compact, it was the final straw. The already angry veterans resigned their posts, which were quickly filled by Hanse Davion with green replacements, albeit ones with better attitudes towards his plans for the alliance. Between losing the core of their combat veterans and their not being deployed from Kittery by the AFFS for long stretches of time, all the training in the world could not help the First Kittery Borderers' slow slide into inexperience.[4]

During the waning years and aftermath of the Fourth Succession War, the most exciting assignment the Borderers received was acting as the (unofficial) personal vanguard of Kuan-Yin Allard Liao during her mercy missions to the Compact.[4]

War of 3039

After the McCarron's Armored Cavalry attacked Alcyone in July of 3039, the local PDZ commander deployed the Capellan March Militia and the First Kittery Borderers to intercept more raids from the "Big Mac." Thanks to poor signals intelligence, however, neither unit was able to successfully track them.[6] The First Kittery Borderers staged at Lee to plan and regroup. Expecting that Kathil would likely be a tempting target, the Borderers and the Alcyone CMM snuck into that system via a pirate point, made planetfall in August, and set about creating defenses. When the Second Armored Cavalry landed on 2 September, the Eighth Syrtis Fusiliers greeted them while the Borderers and CMM forces stayed hidden. The Fusiliers skirmished with the Second Armored Cavalry and lured both the First and Second regiments down to the planet as reinforcements. Once the entire mercenary regiment had set down, the command of the Fusiliers signaled the Borderers and Alcyone CMM. Seeing the size of the AFFS opposition, the Big Mac quickly decided to beat a hasty retreat on 10 September, after both sides sustained moderate losses.[6] Their task complete, the Borderers returned to Kittery, where they remained until the end of the war.

Clan Invasion

Unlike the First Aragon Borderers, the First Kittery Borderers were not afforded the chance to prove themselves against the Clans. They remained posted on Kittery, ensuring that a surprise Capellan invasion did not destabilize the region while what High Command considered to be the more reliable AFFS units dealt with the Clan Threat.[4]

Civil War

While the First Kittery Borderers did not officially support either Katherine or Victor Steiner-Davion during the Federated Commonwealth Civil War, they were still in the Capellan March, and thus ostensibly under the command of Duke George Hasek. When the world of Alcyone was cleared of Loyalist forces by the Seventh FedCom RCT in 3064, the Kittery Borderers were moved to replace them as a garrison force on that planet as part of the duke's attempts to keep his march under control. They remained there, battling remaining Loyalist resistance and sustaining minor casualties, until the end of the Civil War, at which point they returned to Kittery for rest, resupply, and rebuilding.[7]

Jihad

On 9 November 3068,[1] the Word of Blake's Thirteenth Division assaulted Kittery, claiming to be acting on behalf of the Capellan Confederation. The First Kittery Borderers, along with the Kittery Training Battalion, were shattered in the resulting assault, with most survivors of the two units rounded up and either executed or forced into reeducation camps.[8] With the planet now transferred to the control of a joint Capellan-Blakist force, the Kittery Borderers were considered to have been entirely destroyed.[1] By 3079, the Federated Suns had still not heard any word of survivors from the unit, despite the world having been liberated by Devlin Stone's resistance movement for some time.[9]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the First Kittery Borderers
Colonel Vivian Dulers 3025[3]
Colonel Leslie Casey 3050 - 3054[10][11]
Leftenant General Deedee Faulkner 3061[12] - 3067[13]
Leftenant General Dalen Trent 3067[13] - 3068[1]

Notable Personnel

Active during the Fourth Succession War, Lt. Olin piloted a Clint that he had captured from the St. Ives Armored Cavalry. After defeating it in battle, he traded its pilot back to the Capellans for a spare gyro for it. Though he held many unorthodox personal views on the military and the Federated Suns, he nevertheless was a force to be reckoned with on the battlefield. He commanded one of the best scout lances in the Borderers, specializing in large area recons and hit and run tactics.[14]

Tactics

The unit has a strong advantage on their homeworld because they have detailed knowledge of the Kittery's geography and topography, earned from constant defense against Capellan raids. When the command meets the enemy on other planets, their combat skills and tactics are generally successful, but they do not possess nearly the same advantage.[4]

Composition History

3025

First Kittery Borderers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[15]

3040

First Kittery Borderers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[6]

3050

First Kittery Borderers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[16]

3054

First Kittery Borderers (/Regular/Reliable)[11]

  • CO: Colonel Leslie Casey[11]
Note: At this time the command was stationed on Kittery.[11]

3062

First Kittery Borderers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[4]

Note: The Borderers field mostly older-model refitted medium BattleMechs.

Nineteenth Kittery Armored Regiment (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[4]
Note: Though now considered a Regular Army unit, the regiment does not receive supplies like one.
Twelfth Kittery Air Guard (2 Wings/Regular/Reliable)[4]
Note: Composed mostly of light and medium aerospace fighters.

3067

First Kittery Borderers (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[13]

Nineteenth Kittery Armored Regiment (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[13]
Twelfth Kittery Air Guard (Wing/Veteran/Fanatic)[13]

Color Scheme and Unit Insignia

The First Kittery Borderers retained the green-on-green Capellan camo scheme as a nod to their roots as the original planetary militia. However they prominently display the Federated Sunburst on their 'Mechs. Their insignia is a golden disc set in front of a stylized sunrise or sunset.

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Jihad: Final Reckoning, p. 46: "The Jihad In Review"
  2. Warrior: En Garde, p. 8: Lt. Andrew Redburn remarks to Major Justin Allard that the Borderers had lent Justin a Valkyrie while rest of the cadets cadre only received Stingers for their training exercise
  3. 3.0 3.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), pp. 137, 146
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 4.4 4.5 4.6 4.7 Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 50: "1st Kittery Borders Unit Profile"
  5. NAIS The Fourth Succession War Military Atlas Volume 1, p. 11: Operation RAT unit list
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 6.3 Historical: War of 3039, pp. 124, 135
  7. FedCom Civil War, p. 181
  8. Jihad Hot Spots: 3070, p. 26: "Kittery Liberated!"
  9. Field Report: AFFS
  10. 20 Year Update, p. 21
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 11.3 Objective Raids, p. 14
  12. Shattered Sphere, p. 31
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Field Manual: Updates, pp. 125, 138
  14. Technical Readout: Succession Wars, p. 56: "Leftenant Steve D. Olin"
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 135: "Federated Suns Deployment Table"
  16. 16.0 16.1 16.2 20 Year Update, p. 21

Bibliography

Kittery Borderers
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Robinson Chevaliers

The Robinson Chevaliers were the primary military formation of the Draconis March after the Davion Civil War, formed from the reorganized Vale Rangers brigade after the disestablishment of the Federated Suns Terran March. The Chevaliers were evidently destroyed during the Succession Wars.


Dragonlords

Sarna March Militia

The Sarna March Militia forces are the last line of defense for the Sarna March. After Operation Guerrero shattered the Sarna March, command of the remaining Sarna March Militia RCTs was transferred to the Capellan March Militia.


Tancredi Loyalists

The Tancredi Loyalists were originally the Tancredi Warriors Brigade, lead combat formation of the Draconis March prior to the Davion Civil War, and were renamed after the Civil War because of their loyalty to the First Prince. The Tancredi Loyalists were evidently destroyed during the Succession Wars.


Tancredi Loyalists

Terran Brigade

Terran Brigade
Formed pre–Age of War
Disbanded 2571
Affiliation Federated Suns
Parent Command FPF

The Terran Brigade was a major Federated Peacekeeping Forces brigade which was responsible for defending the Terran March prior to the Davion Civil War and which was disbanded during the formation of the Star League Defense Force.

History

During the Five Princes era of the Federated Suns the Terran Brigade was a large military formation consisting of multiple regiments and was responsible for defending the Terran March[1] alongside the Vale Rangers.[2] Loyal to the Prince of the Terran March, the Terran Brigade was a part of the Federated Peacekeeping Forces; when Prince Charles Leighton and his immediate family were killed on Robinson in 2515 during a Terran Hegemony raid the Terran Brigade transferred their loyalty to General Nikolai Rostov, a noted and popular FPF officer who was appointed Prince of the Terran March as a result of machinations between Cassandra and David Varnay and Laura Davion within the Council of regents.[3][4]

Nikolai Rostov spent five years leading Terran March forces in battle against the Hegemony Armed Forces, eventually halting the Terran Hegemony offensive into the Terran March;[3] Rostov's campaign was nothing less than brilliant, and cemented his popularity with the troops under this command.[5] The Terran Brigade would be back in action again in 2523 when the Draconis Combine initiated a series of border clashes, and with Rostov busy the Varnays abducted Alexander Davion, heir to the throne of the Crucis March and future First Prince.[5][6]

Davion Civil War

When the Davion Civil War erupted, Nikolai Rostov - now Field Marshal of the FPF - lead combined forces from the Crucis, Draconis and Terran Marches against the Varnays in the opening offensive; units under Rostov's command struck[7][8] at a line of worlds stretching from Kluane to Royalston[8] with Rostov demonstrating his grasp of tactics and using the abilities of his trained regulars to good effect against Varnay's troops, which were often simply militias lacking in training.[7]

Nikolai's death on the world of Quittacas shook the loyalty of the Terran March forces, with many defecting to the Varnayist cause as a result of large bribes applied to senior figures; Nikolai's son, Dmitri, and those troops loyal to him went on the run[7][8] before launching a planet-hopping guerrilla offensive.[9] When Alexander Davion scored a notable victory on Nahoni and began gathering loyal forces under his banner, Dmitri declared his support for Alexander, bringing many more regular FPF units with him.[10]

Whereas Nikolai Rostov had been beloved by the FPF, Dmitri was more of an unknown quantity; Laura Davion's forces retreated into the Draconis March, and loyalties within the Terran March were split; some remembered Laura's close ties to Nikolai Rostov, while others were swayed by Dmitri's authority as his father's son.[9][10] Had the Rostovs ruled the Terran March for longer, loyalty to the name might have been greater.[10]

The resulting campaign against the Draconis March was slow, even after pressure on the Capellan March front relaxed with the death of David Varnay, and Dmitri was responsible for much of the slow progress in the campaign; a selfish pragmatist at heart, he was more interested in securing the Terran March for himself than dealing with Laura's main forces. Unfortunately for Alexander, he needed Rostov and his forces too much to alienate him, and had to resort to pleading with Rostov to push forward with finishing off Laura's forces while the Capellan March was still disorganized.[11]

After Laura's forces were defeated Cassandra Varnay led an offensive against the Crucis March, and Dmitri continued to play at politics in the Terran March. Dmitri may not have been the military commander his father was, but he was a more skilled politician, and while he was mainly concerned for the Terran March he had enough sense to continue supplying Alexander with just enough reinforcements to keep Alexander from giving up completely on Rostov's support.[12]

Nonetheless, Dmitri and the Terran March forces were instrumental in defeating Cassandra's forces at Meglan alongside Alexander's forces in 2537.[13][12] The Vale Rangers, as the primary combat formation of the Terran March, had survived the Civil War in better shape than the Terran Brigade - in fact, in better shape than any March formation - and this played a part in Dmitri's decision to defy Alexander[2] when the First Prince made it clear that he intended to institute sweeping changes across the five Marches and to reform the High Council.[13][14]

Aftermath and Insurrection

Rostov's obsession with the power of his March led him to mobilize his troops in opposition to Prince Alexander[14] in April 2540.[15] Dmitri's attempted coup began with a tragedy; as his first act, Dmitri ordered his troops to kidnap Cynthia Davion, who was engaged in a goodwill tour of the Draconis March at the time. His troops not only failed in their attempt, but a stray shot killed Cynthia.[14][15]

Cynthia's death had a profound effect on Alexander, leaving him grief-stricken; it also led him to act launch a campaign against Dmitri that would be marked by its speed, decisiveness and implacable savagery. While Dmitri was still an influential and popular man and widely acknowledged as being responsible for the triumph on Victoria, he wasn't the First Prince. To a Federated Suns recently ravaged by war Alexander represented order, stability and an end to factionalism and infighting. Dmitri called for action against Alexander, describing him as a would-be despot, but few worlds or units outside his immediate sphere of influence responded; in comparison, Alexander quickly gathered an overwhelming army.[14] Many regiments from the Vale Rangers were outraged by Dmitri's actions and swiftly joined Alexander's cause, with some subsequently fighting sister units as a consequence during Alexander's defeat of Dmitri's forces.[2]

Disbandment

Alexander's disestablishment of the Terran March generated a deep resentment amongst the Terran Brigade, one that still festered thirty years later. The end came for the Terran Brigade in 2571, with the formation of the Star League Defense Force; Alexander seized the opportunity to remove the worst-equipped, worst-trained and most troublesome units out of the new Armed Forces of the Federated Suns.[1] While six regiments of Avalon Hussars joined the SLDF out of loyalty to their origins in the Terran Marines,[16] Alexander also sent thirty-one additional regiments he wished to be rid of; these regiments included several private commands, almost half the Syrtis Fusiliers - who had sided with the Varnayists during the Civil War - and the entire of the Terran Brigade.[1]

Officers

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Terran Brigade

Tactics

Different per Unit.

Units of the Terran Brigade

Colors and Unit Insignia

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Historical: Reunification War, p. 32: "Integration with the SLDF"
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 16: "Robinson Chevaliers"
  3. 3.0 3.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 41: "The Regency"
  4. Handbook: House Davion, pp. 31–32: "Reign of Terror"
  5. 5.0 5.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), pp. 41–42: "Varnay vs. Davion"
  6. Handbook: House Davion, pp. 32–33: "Hostage Prince"
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 44: "Alexander in Exile"
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 Handbook: House Davion, pp. 33–34: "Flames of War"
  9. 9.0 9.1 Handbook: House Davion, pp. 34–35: "Rostov's Legacy"
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 45: "Victor of Nahoni"
  11. House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 46: "Alexander's Campaign"
  12. 12.0 12.1 House Davion (The Federated Suns), pp. 46–47: "Rostov's Plan"
  13. 13.0 13.1 Handbook: House Davion, p. 36: "Rostov Victorious"
  14. 14.0 14.1 14.2 14.3 House Davion (The Federated Suns), p. 48: "Rostov Defiant"
  15. 15.0 15.1 Handbook: House Davion, p. 36: "Putting Down Rostov"
  16. Field Report 2765: AFFS, p. 8: "Avalon Hussars"

Bibliography

Federated Suns Navy

Age of War

The Federated Suns Navy (FSN) lost assets to the Star League Defense Force during the founding of the Star League, as with the rest of the AFFS. First Prince Alexander Davion transferred twenty-three FSN WarShips to the SLDF,[1] and by 2575 the FSN was operating seventy-eight assorted WarShips[2] including a number of locally-produced designs, such as half a dozen of the aging Defender-class battlecruisers[3] and a number of older Terran Hegemony designs.[4]

Reunification War

The FSN took heavy losses during the Reunification War and mustered just thirty-eight active WarShips by the end of the war in 2600.[2] Many of the ships lost were casualties of the Taurian Concordat plan known as Case AMBER.[5]

At the outset of the Reunification War the FSN was operating a number of significant WarShip formations, each assigned the designation of Task Force, with the Task Force number corresponding to the mission assigned to each formation. Prince Alexander assigned a large percentage of the FSN to the war against the Taurian Concordat; these WarShips and their associated JumpShips and DropShips were divided into four individual Task Forces. Task Force 1 was largely a paper formation, assigned a small number of patrol ships and based out of the New Syrtis system. Task Force 2 was a larger formation and was originally assembled to patrol the spinward reaches of the border with the Concordat. Task Force 3 was another paper formation, consisting of a small number of patrol ships based in the June system, and Task Force 4 - the largest of the formations by 2577 - was tasked with supporting the invasion of the Concordat and incorporated many of the ships that had originally been assigned to Task Force 2.[4]

Each of these Task Forces was further subdivided into squadrons with designations based on their role; during Case AMBER, Task Force 2.7 was a squadron consisting of twelve WarShips stationed in the Panpour system and which had incorporated all of the remaining Task Force 2 ships; Task Force 4 was operating in four squadrons, designated Task Forces 4.1 - 4.4. In total, these two task forces comprised four Aegis-class heavy cruisers, three Congress-class frigates, seven New Syrtis-class carriers, five Baron-class destroyers, nine Davion II and seven Davion I-class destroyers, ten Vigilant-class corvettes, ten Vincent-class corvettes and seven Robinson-class transports. This naval commitment - some sixty WarShips - represented by far the greater part of the total FSN WarShip contingent, and was comprehensively defeated in a series of battles at Panpour and Tentativa by a Concordat naval fleet consisting of some forty-one assorted WarShips operating in two squadrons.[4]

The Concordat naval force assembled for Case AMBER incorporated six Winchester-class cruisers, five Dart-class cruisers, thirteen Wagon Wheel-class frigates, eight Concordat-class frigates and nine Pinto-class corvettes. The Taurian naval commander, Marshal David Santos, struck first at the ships of Task Force 2.7 in the Panpour system; Task Force 2.7 consisted of seven Robinsons, one New Syrtis, two Vigilants and two Vincents. Santos attacked 2.7 with half of the ships available to him and comprehensively destroyed the FSN Task Force, which lost nine of the twelve WarShips during the battle with the remaining three WarShips being captured by the Taurians, who lost just one WarShip in return.[5]

Task Force 4 had divided itself into two groups to secure the Tentativa system, and those two groups each then divided into two squadrons, with one squadron remaining at each of the zenith and nadir jump points while the remaining two squadrons deployed to intercept what they believed was a Taurian squadron in the vicinity of Tentativa V, but which was in fact a single monitoring ship acting as a decoy. Marshal Santos had accurately predicted the tactics the FSN would use, and jumped three squadrons of WarShips to the zenith point, destroying six of the ten FSN WarShips there and capturing the remainder. The FSN commander, Admiral Sarah Vincent, led her squadron back to the zenith point, only to be trapped when the second half of Santos' fleet jumped in; within an hour, all bar four of Vincent's WarShips had been destroyed or captured, including her flagship, which had been lost with all hands.[5]

The remainder of Task Force 4 attempted to reunite at the nadir jump point under the command of Vice Admiral Brimin Davis-Peckholt, only for the squadron deployed there to be ambushed by Santos' entire fleet - which had quick-charged and jumped in - and although Davis-Peckholt's squadron attacked and fought bravely, they lost a further five WarShips before managing to fight their way free. In total, the FSN lost thirty-nine WarShips to the Taurians, with eleven of those captured, along with the destruction of dozens of DropShips and hundreds of Aerospace Fighters. In exchange, the Concordat navy had lost just three WarShips.[5]

Star League

The Council Edict of 2650 severely limited the size of the military each Great House was allowed to maintain, and as a consequence the majority of the FSN's WarShip fleet was mothballed. The mission of the FSN was based around the twin doctrines of defense and transport of the AFFS, roles that led to the FSN relying heavly on conventional aerospace assets; as a consequence funding for the FSN move daway from offensive fleet capabilities and into areas such as transport, customs patrol work and anti-commerce raiding. The FSN began to expand again following the issue of the Preparedness Act of 2735, which allowed it to stockpile substantial quantities of assets and train a deep reserve of personnel, and the repeal of the Council Edict of 2650 allowed the FSN to begin buying new WarShips and to bring old ships out of mothballs.[6]

The FSN was divided into several Departments with differing roles during this era; these Departments are detailed below.[6]

Department of Naval Assault

Made of up of the best DropShip crews and fighter wings, the Department of Naval Assault (DoNA) was the smallest of the conventional naval divisions within the FSN. The DoNA was little more than a skeleton force consisting of show units in 2740, but by 2765 had been expanded significantly. The units of the DoNA were the first into any combat zone and the last to leave; as the DoNA expanded it made increasing use of new Vengeance-class fighter carriers transported on Star Lord-class JumpShips.[6]

Department of Naval Defense

The Department of Naval Defense (DoND) was comprised of dedicated DropShip squadrons responsible for patroling the borders of the Federated Suns to provide a defense against incursions from hostile nations - even though there had officially been no such hostile nations since the founding of the Star League - and a defense against commerce raiders. Although the DoND operated a number of formations, one of the most common was based around two Leopard CVs, two Achilles, an Intruder equipped with Ares close assault landing craft, a cargo DropShip and a fighter wing; the Ares craft allowed these squadrons to conduct marine boarding operations, and the entire squadron would most commonly use a Star Lord-class JumpShip for transport.[6]

Department of Naval Transport

The largest of the conventional naval forces within the FSN in 2765, the Department of Naval Transport (DoNT) operated as a core of Jumpships and carrier DropShips within the transport division, to which escort DropShips and aerospace wings were then attached at a squadron level to provide integrated defenses; these escort ships and fighters trained regularly with the transport squadrons to which they were assigned. The DoNT also had operational command over two of the Robinson II-class transports operated by the DoL.[6].

Department of the Line

The Department of the Line (DoL) began a rapid expansion in 2752, bringing mothballed ships back to service as tensions between the various Great Houses continued to increase. The DoL was organized into four Fleets, each of which corresponded to an operational region based upon a corresponding March. The Crucis Fleet was assigned to the Crucis March, the Coreward Fleet to the Capellan March, the Spinward Fleet to the Draconis March and the Rimward Fleet to the Periphery border. In contrast to the other three fleets, each of which maintained a specific zone of deployment, the Crucis Fleet acted as a reserve that could be deployed in reaction to events or in support of the other fleets.[6]

In 2750 the DoL had been operating just twenty-five WarShips,[7] but by 2765 the DoL was operating fifty-one WarShips with more being brought out of mothballs at a steady rate. The four active fleets consisted of the following:[6]

Crucis Fleet (fourteen WarShips)[6]

  • Two Aegis
  • One Congress
  • Four Davion IIs
  • Two Defenders
  • Two New Syrtis
  • Two Robinson IIs
  • One Vincent Mk. 39
- CO: Admiral Alexi Viscoff
- The flagship of the Crucis Fleet was the Defender-class FSS Golden Lion, and Admiral Viscoff was also commander of the DoL.

Coreward Fleet (eleven WarShips)[6]

  • Two Aegis
  • One Congress
  • Four Davion IIs
  • One New Syrtis
  • Two Robinson IIs
  • One Vincent Mk. 39
- CO: Admiral Mark Creuset
- The flagship of the Coreward Fleet was the New Syrtis-class FSS New Syrtis.

Spinward Fleet (eleven WarShips)[6]

  • Two Aegis
  • One Congress
  • Four Davion IIs
  • One New Syrtis
  • Two Robinson IIs
  • One Vincent Mk. 39
- CO: Admiral Aristotle Buchwald
- The flagship of the Spinward Fleet was the Aegis-class FSS Eagle Eye

Rimward Fleet (thirteen WarShips)[6]

  • Three Baron
  • Three Congress
  • Three Davion IIs
  • Two Robinson IIs
  • One Vincent Mk. 39
- CO: Admiral Tamborine Davion
- The flagship of the Rimward Fleet was the Congress-class FSS Hotspur

Later Eras

Navy of the Federated Suns as of 3067:

  • Intrepid CR Fox
  • Robinson CR Fox-class
  • Murmansk CR Fox-class (reportedly in service as of 3067, though it retreated from New Avalon in 3066)
  • New Syrtis CR Fox-class
  • Brest CR Fox-class
  • Kathil CR Fox-class: completed Fall-Winter 3063
  • Bryceland CR Fox-class
  • Antrim CR Fox-class
  • Admiral Corinne Donnings CR Fox-class
  • Admiral Michael Saille CR Fox-class
  • Lucien Davion CL Avalon-class

Ships no longer in service:

  • Fox (ex-Invincible) CR Fox-class
  • Indomitable CR Fox-class: Destroyed over Terra on 3078
  • Indefatigable CR Fox-class: Destroyed over Hean on 3077
  • Inflexible CR Fox-class
  • Illustrious CR Fox-class
  • Kentares CR Fox-class
  • Rostock CR Fox-class: destroyed 5 March 3060 over Huntress
  • Simon Davion CL Avalon-class
  • Melissa Davion CL Avalon-class: Captured by the Word of Blake in 3069, destroyed in 3081 over Circinus
  • Alexander Davion CL Avalon-class: destroyed on 8 November 3066 over New Avalon
  • Robert Davion CL Avalon-class: completed Fall 3062, destroyed in December 3062 over Kathil
  • Hanse Davion CL Avalon-class: launched partially completed in 3064, destroyed 31 October 3065 over New Syrtis
  • Andrew Davion CL Avalon-class: launched partially completed in 3064, likely destroyed over Talon, moon of Wernke, in 3064 or 3065
  • Covenant CL Covenant-Class: destroyed 31 October 3065 over New Syrtis

Federated Suns Military Academies

Albion Military Academy

Located on the capital of New Avalon, built in the 2400s. Albion was one of three Star League Military Academies located outside of the Terran Hegemony. After the collapse of the Star League, the Federated Suns took over full administration of the institution. Albion is known for its highly-skilled graduates and boasts a well-known alumni that includes Prince Hanse Davion.

Armstrong Flight Academy

The AFA is located on Galax, home of Federated-Boeing Interstellar. Both F-BI and AFA benefit from the relationship that has started.

Filtvelt Military Academy

Davionacademiesfilvet.png

One of the newest additions to the Department of Military Education, Filtvelt is located near the Periphery. Given its location, many graduates serve with nearby units.

Kilbourne Academy

Davionacademieskilbourne.png

While the Kilbourne Academy trains MechWarriors, it is better known for its technicians. Since it is located near the Periphery, it is one of the few centers of learning in the area. Accordingly, non-cadets may attend non-military classes.

New Avalon Institute of Science: College of Military Sciences

Arguably the most prestigious military academy in the Inner Sphere, CMS turns out high-quality cadets in all military specialties. CMS used to be called NAMA, the New Avalon Military Academy. NAMA was founded during the Star League years after the League took over Albion Military Academy. After NAIS was built around NAMA and far eclipsed it in prestige, however, the institutions were reorganized and NAMA was placed under the jurisdiction of the NAIS. Home to some of the most advanced training equipment in the Inner Sphere, CMS benefits from its close relationship with the NAIS, which seems to rediscover lost technology on a daily basis.

Its large alumni base includes Prince Ian Davion, Morgan Hasek-Davion, Dan Allard, and Duke Kai Allard-Liao.

Point Barrow Military Academy

Point Barrow is known for quality technicians and engineers.

Robinson Battle Academy

Davionacademiesrobinson.png

Located on Robinson, RBA is the principal training academy of the Draconis March. Its graduates are known for their loyalty to the Sandoval family and their hatred of the Draconis Combine and all things Japanese.

Most scions of the Sandoval family attend the Battle Academy, so it enjoys strong support from them.

Sakhara Academy

Logo of Sakhara Academy

Sakhara is one of a handful of private military academies in the Federated Suns. The small school is known for good cadets who form lasting bonds, making it a sort of fraternity.

The War College of Goshen

Based on Goshen, the War College was originally founded by a pair of retired Generals from the Capellan Front, the WCG began its life as the Goshen BattleMech Academy. Within a decade, the College had expanded its curriculum to cover all areas of combat from infantry to aerospace and was renamed the War College of Goshen. Renowned both for is philosophical approach and its hands on method to teaching, the WCG produces well-balanced cadets who exhibit a keen understanding of their combat equipment and environment. This is partly due to the fact that all cadets—save infantry—routinely participate in live-fire training exercises.

Additionally, students are noted for their deep roots in academic studies of philosophies of war and peace. No cadet graduates without a comprehensive understanding of the history of warfare, the development of tactics throughout that history, and a complete education on the governance of the Federated Suns both in wartime and peacetime.


The Warrior's Hall

Located on New Syrtis, The Warrior's Hall is the principal training academy of the Capellan March. Its graduates are known for their loyalty to the Hasek family and hatred of the Capellan Confederation.

Most scions of the Hasek family attend the Hall, so it enjoys strong support from them.

Federated Suns Uniforms

Military Ranks

The AFFS has a robust ranking system that is mostly consistent across all branches. Officers show their ranks on the epaulettes of their uniforms, while enlisted ranks are worn on the sleeve. The background color of rank insignia indicates which branch of the AFFS the soldier serves. The service branch color assignments are:

  • Red - MechWarrior
  • Blue - AeroSpace Fighter Pilot
  • Light Green - Infantry
  • Tan/Light Brown - Armor
  • Black - Naval Crew
  • Gray - Technical Services
  • Yellow - Administrative
  • White - Medical
  • Silver - Legal
  • Brown - Logistics and Transportation

For examples of the rank insignia, please see the Armed Forces of the Federated Suns Military Ranks article.
Rank Structure in 3025 AFFS Ranks 3025

Medals & Decorations

These are honors such as medal and decorations are high prized in the AFFS. They are rewarded sparenly, only great heroic deeds are awarded or significate occupliments.[8]

Military Departments

There are nine major departments that report directly to the Marshal of the Armies. Though not combat forces themselves, these departments are vital to the AFFS' ability to conduct operations.[9]

Department of the Army and Navy

The Department of the Army and Navy oversees all personnel issues, including transfers, staffing, and retirement. They also coordinate with other departments to investigate complaints about poor officers, inappropriate equipment, and supply problems.

Department of Mercenary Relations

This department appoints liaison officers to the mercenary units employed by the Federated Suns. Soldiers in this department also negotiate contracts and handle administrative tasks.

Department of Military Administration

This department handles all the tasks not covered by other military departments. This department oversees the Medical Corps, Chaplain Corps, and handles payroll for regular forces.

Department of Military Communications and Research

One of the newer departments, the Department of Military Communications and Research oversees research into HPG systems and joint research projects.

Department of the Quartermaster

The Department of the Quartermaster handles the procurement of material, parts, foodstuffs, uniforms, ammunition, and everything else the AFFS needs to fight. The Quartermaster Department is also responsible for shipping the appropriate items to the soldiers on the front lines. To facilitate this the Department maintains supply depots in each March, and during major operations keeps the supply lines short by setting up forward supply depots.

Department of Military Education

The Department of Military Education handles recruiting, training, and education of all AFFS soldiers. It also sets the standards for Federated Suns Military Academies. The DME also maintains the library systems used by the AFFS and the navigational charts used by the AFFS Navy.

Department of Military Intelligence

The Department of Military Intelligence focuses on collecting, analyzing, and disseminating intelligence to AFFS commands.

Department of Military Justice

This department oversees the Military Police Corps, as well as the Judge Advocate General corps. The department is responsible for investigating, prosecuting, and punishing criminal activities involving members of the AFFS.

Department of Strategy and Tactics

Formed during the Federated Commonwealth era, the Department of Strategy and Tactics examines every historical conflict and simulates potential conflicts to develop the grand strategies used by the High Command. The Department also works with the Department of Military Education to create new training materials that incorporate the latest information.

References

  1. Historical: Reunification War, p. 33, "Integration With The SLDF"
  2. 2.0 2.1 Historical: Reunification War, p. 32, "AFFS Stats"
  3. Field Report 2765: Federated Suns, p. 25, "Defender (Battlecruiser)"
  4. 4.0 4.1 4.2 Historical: Reunification War, p. 69, "Battle For Tentativa"
  5. 5.0 5.1 5.2 5.3 Historical: Reunification War, p. 67-68, "Case AMBER"
  6. 6.00 6.01 6.02 6.03 6.04 6.05 6.06 6.07 6.08 6.09 6.10 Field Report 2765: Federated Suns, p. 5-6, "Naval Defense Doctrine"
  7. Historical: Liberation of Terra Volume One, p. 49, "Member State Troop Strengths"
  8. House Davion (The Federated Suns) Medals & Decorations section.
  9. Field Manual: Federated Suns, p. 15

Bibliography


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