Burr's Black Cobras

History

Once part of the Crater Cobras, the Black Cobra Regiment separated with their parent unit the after centuries of service in 3058 as Burr's Black Cobras. They worked for every Successor State except the Draconis Combine. They fought the DCMS several times, and the 30th Dieron Regulars twice. In the second encounter with the Thirtieth Dieron Regulars, they inflicted heavy losses on the Combine unit.

Fourth Succession War

In the employ of the Federated Suns the Cobras were assigned to take Sarna alongside the 5th Syrtis Fusiliers, 2nd Screaming Eagles, and their fellow Cobras regiment. They fought all five regiments of McCarron's Armored Cavalry and suffered heavy losses. After the Fourth Succession War ended, Carter's Cobras accepted a contract with the Free Worlds League.

Operation Guerrero

After spending twenty years in the employ of the Free Worlds League, during Operation Guerrero the League assigned the Black Cobra Regiment to assist the Capellan Confederation. For most of the offensive in 3057 the unit was assigned to pacifying FedCom guerrillas on Capellan-claimed world of Zurich, when towards the end of the year they were ordered to reinforce the remnants of Smithson's Chinese Bandits against the Woodstock Reserve Milita on Nanking. Gladly bidding goodbye to Zurich, the Black Cobras never realised that Zurich's guerrillas had planted air pressure triggered detonators in the ammunition stores on their four DropShips. When the DropShip hatches were opened as the Cobras descended on Nanking in September, the munitions exploded and destroyed three DropShips with all hands in mid-air, the fourth DropShip was crippled but managed to land. The regiment was reduced to just two heavily battered companies.

Unfortunately as the losses occurred outside of combat as defined by the Carter Cobras' contract, Captain-General Thomas Marik refused to indemnify the mercenaries. Enraged, Colonel Burr and his surviving troops broke away from the Carter Cobras and travelled to Outreach to rebuild as an independent unit. Spending the next few years bolstering their forces, the Cobras then completed several short term contracts to earn quick cash.

Jihad

The Word of Blake employed the Cobras to destroy the Bryant Regulars on Bryant. Supported by Jacob's Juggernauts, they smashed the Regular's lines and captured most of their equipment. To show their gratitude, the Word upgraded about half of their equipment. They were then reassigned to New Home to train the militia units on the world. They spent two years in that role, but in 3068 they received a new assignment.

While under the employ of the Word of Blake, the Black Cobras attacked Dieron in 3068. Fueled by a hatred of the Combine, the Cobras managed to inflict serious casualties on the 10th Ghost regiment, but this cost them most of their Fang battalion and their commanding officer.

After the battle of Dieron was over, they were stationed on New Earth where they resumed their duties as militia trainers. Their losses were replaced by the Word, and the Cobras expanded to two battalions.

Dark Age

In 3145 the Black Cobras were destroyed on Tikonov by the 4th Federated Suns Lancers.

Officers

• From at least 3057 to 3068, Colonel Richard Burr was the commanding officer of the Black Cobras until his death. Burr was a changed man in the wake of the Nanking debacle, developing a fanatical drive to see the Black Cobras restored along with an intense hatred of Thomas Marik.

• From 3068 on, his daughter Dana Burr was made the unit commander.

Tactics

The Black Cobras generally use its lighter and faster elements to lure the enemy into a trap and then the assault machines are employed to finish them off. Counterattacks are also a trademark.

Support

Immediately in the wake of their break from the Crater Cobras and the losses on Nanking, the Black Cobras lost all their transport assets and a number of technicians who refused to follow Colonel Burr, but the remaining technical staff can handle most of the daily repairs with ease. By 3067 the unit possessed the Overlord-class King Cobra and a Union-class Asp for its transport needs, salvaging both ships after their capture of Bryant.

Dragoon Ratings

3059

Dragoon Rating: C-

3067

Dragoon Rating: C

3071

Dragoon Rating: Wanted

Composition History

3059

Burr's Black Cobras (1 Battalion/Regular/Questionable)

• CO/1st Company: Colonel Richard Burr
• 2nd Company: Major Johnny Swift-Eagle
• 3rd Company: Major Helen Schappel

Cobra's Hood (Reinforced Wing)/Veteran/Questionable)

• XO/Wing Commander: Lt. Colonel Pietr Gahif

3067

Burr's Black Cobras (1 Reinforced Battalion/Regular/Questionable)

• CO: Colonel Richard Burr
• Aide: Captain Dana Burr
• Hood Company: Major Samuel Adams

This company contains agile medium mechs for flanking manuvers.

• Strike Company: Major Johnny Swift-Eagle

This unit includes all light mechs.

• Fang Company: Major Helen Schappel

The command element, is also a assault force.

3071

• Fang Battalion

Built up to battalion strength in 3067. The assault 'Mechs are a force to reckon with.

• Hood Battalion

The unit now contains vehicles and also 'Mechs for flanking maneuvers.

• Strike Company

The company contains air elements (2 Yellow Jackets + 1 Mosquito plane), infantry platoons and artillery tubes as support for the front line elements.

Rules

3072

• In addition to any other rules Burr's Black Cobras may optionally generate one unit from the Word of Blake (A) Random Access Table for each lance of heavy or assault 'Mechs the Black Cobras field.

References

• Mercenaries Supplemental Update, p. 38 - "Unit Profile"
• Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised, p. 52 - "Unit Profile"

Bibliography

• MechWarrior 4: Mercenaries (Video Game)
• Mercenaries Supplemental Update
• Field Manual: Mercenaries
• Field Manual: Mercenaries Revised
• Jihad Turning Points: Dieron
• Bred for War
• Field Manual: 3145