Death Commandos

The absolute elite of the Capellan Confederation Armed Forces, the Death Commandos are among the most feared unit in the Inner Sphere. A CCAF formation, unlike the Warrior Houses, which exist outside of the regular Capellan military and are loyal to the person of the Chancellor, they are meant to counterbalance the Warrior Houses and appease feelings of jealousy within the CCAF by giving the military a similarly prestigeous and capable unit. Their skills and wide-ranging authority raised misgivings even within the CCAF, which were partially satisfied when Chancellor Maximilian Liao opened membership to any sufficiently distinguished CCAF officer in 3003.

Unofficially known as the Chancellor's "storm troopers", members of the Death Commandos have very wide latitude in the the performance of their duties. For example, they are allowed, on their own authority, to summarily execute any Capellan soldier, and even members of the nobility, under certain circumstances.

Befitting their role, the Death Commandos have unrestricted access to whatever equipment they need. In another example of their wide-ranging authority, they can confiscate equipment from any other CCAF unit. In addition, each Death Commando is allowed two 'Mechs.

History

Formation

The Death Commandos were created by Chancellor Tormax Liao in 2988, initially by drawing troops from the Warrior Houses. This created an elite and fanatically loyal unit which also benefited from the unique training regimen imposed by the Warrior Houses. Each member of the Death Commandos was a multi-skilled soldier, trained both as MechWarriors and in black ops.

Fourth Succession War

During the Fourth Succession War, the Death Commandos (at the time a mere single battalion in strength) were sent to raid Kathil, but were betrayed by intelligence passed to the Federated Suns by Justin Xiang Allard. Only nine Death Commandos returned from this mission. Near the end of the war, the Death Commandos supposedly attacked the NAIS on New Avalon. This was, in fact, a covert assault by the ComGuard of ComStar, disguised as Death Commandos.

It took until 3041 to rebuild the First Battalion, and a second Battalion was formed in 3055 with two Companies, reaching full strength in 3060. The Death Commandos were always intended to be a full regiment, but the high standards for entry meant that recruiting was difficult.

Operation Guerrero

In 3057, prior to Operation Guerrero, Sun-Tzu Liao sent Death Commando Loren Jaffray to Northwind as part of a plot to destroy the Highlanders for their betrayal of the Confederation during the Fourth War. Jaffray, the son of former Highlander members who had remained in House Liao's service after the war, ultimately defected to the Highlanders, which the Chancellor apparently did not object to as the Federated Commonwealth was still deprived of the Highlanders' service.

Operation Bulldog

During Operation Bulldog, the Death Commandos were one of the only elite defensive forces left on Sian. The rest of the defenders were assigned to the SLDF task forces.

Xin Sheng Campaign

During the Xin Sheng Campaign, the Death Commandos took over the pacification of Wei after a 'rebel' nerve gas attack killed an entire Battalion of the 1st McCarron's Armored Cavalry.

Jihad

During the Jihad the Death Commandos rescued Kai Allard-Liao from New Syrtis during Operation: Sovereign Justice. After that they defended Sian from the Word of Blake attacks, protected Thomas Marik during his visit in 3073, and captured Kali Liao and brought her to Sian after the outbreak of the Jihad. In addition, a company of Death Commandos escorted the Magestrix to her home in the Magistracy of Canopus.

During the first Battle of Sian, the Death Commandos fought alongside the Red Lancers and 3rd Canopian Fusiliers. Several of the Death Commando's senior officers actually assumed control of the Red Lancers when that unit's command staff was killed. Several Death Commando lances surrounded Dragon's Breath mercenary unit when they attacked the Forbidden City. They rapidly destroyed the mercenary unit. In 3074 small groups of Death Commandos were sent out to discover the Word of Blake's hidden staging areas. They did so, but at a high cost to their ranks.

Officers

As of 3063, the commanding officer was Jiang-jun Michael Hyung-Tsei, who had been in command for the past fifteen years. He was the first commander who did not come from a Warrior House.

Composition History

3025

Death Commandos (Battalion/Elite/Fanatical)

3063

Death Commandos (2 Battalions/Elite/Fanatical)

• 1st Battalion: Sang-shao Thad Roonstock
• 2nd Battalion: Sang-shao Vladimir Korskav

- Independent Command Lance

3079

Given the hard fighting that took place during the Jihad years, the Death Commandos were greatly reduced in numbers. An exact figure is impossible to know, but they lost at least a battalion of troops in various high-risk missions.

Color Scheme

Death Commando soldiers paint their BattleMechs black, occasionally trimming them with Liao Green. They do not place the confederation crest on their 'Mechs, but instead use their unit insiginia.

• Camomech-catapult.png

  Catapult of the Death Commandos

Notes

• Trained in all forms of combat.
• All Death Commandos are officers, holding a rank one grade above that required for their position in the unit, which allows them to take command of other CCAF forces as necessary.

Bibliography

• Dagger Point (novel)
• Field Manual: Capellan Confederation
• Field Report: CCAF
• Highlander Gambit (novel)
• Jihad Turning Points: Sian
• Threads of Ambition (novel)
• Historical: War of 3039
• Objective Raids