Sky Soldiers [Resistance Faction]

[mottle]

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The Sky Soldiers or formerly known as the 173rd Airborne Brigade are fragmented remnants of the United States Army Europe Command (EUCOM) that were stationed in
Italy, Germany, and Kosovo under the support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). They were tasked with ensuring the security of western nations against foreign aggression and more recently the threat of terrorism before The Seven Hour War.

History​

The faction dates it's pre-war history as far back as World War I where Soldiers of the established 173rd Infantry Brigade were deployed to France in combat against the German military
and again during World War II where they are given their "Airborne" status having jumped into New Guinea which became their first combat jump in the Pacific Theater.

The War in Vietnam sparked the largest deployment contingent of 173rd Soldiers from 1965 to 1967 in which they earned fourteen campaign streamers, four unit citations, and thirteen Medal of Honor recipients before it's deactivation in 1972.

The organization was reactivated in 2000 and predesignated as the 173rd Airborne Brigade. Numerous rotational deployments to Europe offered a continual show of presence to it's host nations. In the aftermath of "The Black Mesa Incident", 173rd Soldiers were tasked with providing evacuation and security efforts to the governments that they were temporarily stationed in. The evacuation of countryside civilians to the cities was a pivotal task the Sky Soldiers were assigned as well as dealing with hostile Xenian lifeforms.

The Seven Hour War saw the 173rd Airborne Brigade in a constant battle against the Combine Empire. U.S. military stations in Italy and Germany were devastated by the bombardment and air superiority of the Combine's synthetic forces. Eventually the governments of the world surrendered to the Combine and the 173rd Airborne Brigade was conscripted in the early years of the occupation by it's invaders to cull dissident behaviors within the captured territories.

Armed with both old and new uniforms, equipment, and weapons such as the XM29 (OICW), The 173rd Airborne Brigade began to slowly diminish and phase out from the Combine's use as transhumant Soldiers were sought out for their potential to surpass normal human combatants. Members of the Brigade were "volunteered" or kidnapped by the Combine to transform and grow their new Army.

Inspired by "The First Uprising" in 2005, The Sky Soldiers rebelled in late-2006 against their captors which ended in the pyrrhic victory and temporary liberation of District Six which borders near to City Thirty-Two with the support of the local population. The Sky Soldiers intercepted access of the fledgling haven through a network of old rail cars that were still being utilized by the Combine to transport supplies. The remnant successfully encircled an established garrison of city relocation units. The majority of the local metropolitan force that were captured were then escorted out of the settlement through rail to the nearest Combine outpost. The responding Combine forces notified had sent their Overwatch Transhuman Arm (OTA) contingent to recapture the district after forty-seven days of consistent siege and guerilla warfare. The remnants of the 173rd Airborne Brigade fled from the district to both the countryside and coastlines of Italy while other cells broke off to Germany to replenish from old-world military stations. At least one rumored cell of the Brigade is located in Kosovo due to the U.S. Army's presence of security many years before the incident.

Equipment​

The faction is a decentralized military resistance cell with former U.S. Soldiers and newly recruited members primarily from Italian and German territories. They are armed with a variety of surplus U.S. equipment and outdated Combine weapons such as Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU)s, OICWs, AR-15s, MP5Ks, load-bearing vests, interceptor body armor, and ballistic helmets. Each cell is led by whoever is currently the highest-ranking in charge from after the rebellion in 2006.

Core Beliefs​

The faction's beliefs are to ensure the substantial downfall of the Combine overall but their capabilities are mainly limited to guerilla-warfare, supply train-derailment, and the liberation of smaller human settlements against Combine, Xenian, and hostile human forces.

Status​

The Combine are actively in the hunt to destroy the Sky Soldiers as they are shown to be an active threat in the stabilization of the southwestern peninsula as well as smaller parts of central Europe.


Please let me know what you guys think and I do appreciate honest criticism. Thank you!

EDIT: I have fixed the backstory of the capture and switched it from city to nearby settlement for more realistic approach of group numbers

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[RedHotGinger]

Only thing I will say I don't like is the concept of an entire city being even temporarily liberated by a single brigade of soldiers. At most, they would have about 5,500 troops to spare, though as you described them 'phasing out' it is likely much less. Plus, Europe is a pretty big center of combine dominance I think, so City 32 is surrounded by other cities and bases that could have easily sent reinforcements pretty rapidly. It just seems like a tall order for a relatively small group of specialists to take a city given how many odds would be against them.
I would either go into more detail regarding the uprising. Such as the reactions and help provided by local citizens, local rebels, or even local protection forces in some cases. Could also bring more into the spotlight the current weaknesses of a more budding OTA as a contributing factor. Just to really give the effort a sense of scale, as taking a city is a massive deal. As such the scale might need toned down to the uprising merely taking portions of the city, rather than the entire city itself. Though that is up to you. If you can get the former to make sense, It would be just as well. Regardless, a more detailed look would be a good way to provide insight to the the tactics they use and what makes them special.
Aside from that it looks good to me.

 

[mottle]

Only thing I will say I don't like is the concept of an entire city being even temporarily liberated by a single brigade of soldiers. At most, they would have about 5,500 troops to spare, though as you described them 'phasing out' it is likely much less. Plus, Europe is a pretty big center of combine dominance I think, so City 32 is surrounded by other cities and bases that could have easily sent reinforcements pretty rapidly. It just seems like a tall order for a relatively small group of specialists to take a city given how many odds would be against them.
I would either go into more detail regarding the uprising. Such as the reactions and help provided by local citizens, local rebels, or even local protection forces in some cases. Could also bring more into the spotlight the current weaknesses of a more budding OTA as a contributing factor. Just to really give the effort a sense of scale, as taking a city is a massive deal. As such the scale might need toned down to the uprising merely taking portions of the city, rather than the entire city itself. Though that is up to you. If you can get the former to make sense, It would be just as well. Regardless, a more detailed look would be a good way to provide insight to the the tactics they use and what makes them special.
Aside from that it looks good to me.

Thank you. I do appreciate the critique you have given regarding this particular event. I kind of gave the perspective that since in only two years of occupation that the Combine would still be thinly spread across the entire European landscape especially in the mediterranean. There wasn't much information I could work with in regards to City Thirty-Two due to the lack of information present on the worldmap. If you want, you seem very informative of this and if you have any suggestions I would be more than happy to hear them out and credit you appropriately.

 

[RedHotGinger]

temporary liberation of Settlement Six which borders near to City Thirty-Two

Might want to reclassify this as 'District six.' Might. Just because, I believe the combine do not really have civil sectors beyond the various cities themselves. So if it borders the city, It would likely be a district apart of the city proper.

Might be wrong on that, so do with it what you prefer. Aside from that possible issue, the new version is well within being grounded and believable. So I would say it's all pretty good now.

 

[mottle]

Might want to reclassify this as 'District six.' Might. Just because, I believe the combine do not really have civil sectors beyond the various cities themselves. So if it borders the city, It would likely be a district apart of the city proper.

Might be wrong on that, so do with it what you prefer. Aside from that possible issue, the new version is well within being grounded and believable. So I would say it's all pretty good now.

Fixed it. Thank you.

 

[Equinox]

I like it. You have my support.