Caledon Highlanders

            History: Organized by Colonel Fraser shortly after his retirement from service with the Principality Marine's in 1098, the Caledon Highlanders have earned a reputation for fighting skill which has spread through much of Reavers' Deep and into adjoining Imperial and Solomani territories. Fraser's mercenaries have fought in several of the petty wars that have kept the region in turmoil over the past decade. Between active campaigns, the unit has been employed in such diverse occupations as furnishing guards to mineral exploi­tation firms operating in the heart of the Deep, garrisoning the recent settlement on New Haven against the aboriginal natives, and acting as a cadre force for the expanding army of the Thorinian Confederacy.

The Highlanders have been plagued by financial problems; in many ways their equipment (particularly artillery and armor) are not up to the requirements of waging a modern war. For this reason they are most often employed in situations where technically unsophisticated opposition is the norm. Luckily, such situations are quite common throughout the Deep.

            When possible, the regiment hires out as a single force. In this capacity they can act as the spearhead for a local army or as a training cadre for local militia or conscript troops. At present, the unit is under contract to the provisional government of Ildrissar, and is engaged in operations against forces of the Carillian Assembly fighting on that world.

Organization: The Caledon Highlanders have adopted a flexible, efficient organization which enables the unit to function effectively as a self-contained, independent force under most circumstances. Only two real weaknesses exist; first, the lack of standardized heavy equipment, and second, a lack of interstellar transport. Employers must furnish shipping in order to transfer the Highlanders from world to world.

Overall command of the Caledon Highlanders rests in the hands of Colonel Fraser, who has a staff and a small headquarters totaling 25 men. Three grav personnel carriers, heavily fitted with electronics and communications gear, are important to the HQ organization. One carries Fraser, a second the Regimental Vice-Commander, and the third acts as a communications and coordination vehicle.

The regiment consists of three Infantry battalions, a Pioneer Battalion, a battery of regimental artillery, and a logistics unit. The artillery battery consists of twelve vehicles in two sections. Ten of these vehicles are intended for fire support, and mount MRLs or (when possible) drone missiles. Each carries a crew of three. Each section also contains a Fire Direction Center vehicle, carrying a number of extra people to coordinate fire. The Battery Commander rides in one of these vehicles. The unit also includes six forward observers who, equipped with grav belts, communications gear, and laser designation equipment, operate independently at the front.

Logistics, transport, and supply is handled through the logistics unit. This force tends to fluctuate in size from one campaign to another. Generally though, it includes drivers, mechanics, cooks, some medical personnel, and other non-combatants. Unarmed G-carriers and grav sleds of various kinds are available for supply and ammunition transport; these can also be attached to non-lift infantry to enhance mobility. Between 75 and 100 vehicles are available for this purpose.

The pioneer battalion is a very special force, intended to operate ahead of the main body of troops. The unit can seize and hold positions, scout, and bring up engineers to clear the way for regular troops that follow. The various companies can also be employed separately.

Battalion HQ includes the battalion commander and his staff, an HQ squad, and the battalion aid station. The artillery battery is very similar to the unit already described above. The grav tank company has twelve tanks organized into three platoons, plus an extra command tank with room for the company commander and NCO. Total personnel numbers 54 individuals.

The company of engineers contains 175 men and 18 vehicles. It is used for tasks requiring combat engineering, including bridge-laying, field fortification, and similar jobs. Troops in the unit are completely combat trained, and are capable of fighting in front-line operations when required. Their vehicles are lightly armed (usually with anti-personnel weaponry only), but have extensive storage space and mount cranes, bulldozer blades, mine laying equipment, and other special gear.

The lift recon company is very much like a standard infantry company (discussed below), but all troopers in the unit have individual grav belts for personal mobility. The unit numbers 210 individuals in four 50 man platoons (plus company leadership). It is employed for purposes of reconnaissance, or to harass enemy forces in the field. It is the best-trained unit in the regiment, with excellent morale and the best equipment. It sometimes is employed as a commando force in addition to other duties.

Infantry battalions have a headquarters (battalion commander, staff, HO. squad, battalion air station), four infantry companies, an artillery battery, and a grav tank company. Basic organization of the artillery and grav tank units is much like those discussed previously.

The mainstay of the battalion's strength is the infantry companies. Each company numbers 210 men; 10 are company level staff, with four 50 man platoons. Platoons contain five squads of 9 men each, organized into two sections (with one squad held in reserve). Section leaders are mounted individually. Infantry companies are not normally provided with vehicles, but when extra mobility is required grav carriers and drivers can be attached from the logistics pool on a temporary basis. Only about half of the infantry companies available can be lifted in this fashion without disrupting supply and transport functions for the rest of the unit. In an emergency, though, the entire infantry force can be lifted, at the cost of considerable hardship for the rest of the unit. This cost-saving measure is possible largely because the regiment is frequently employed in situations where grav mobility is not an important factor, thus making a virtue out of necessity.

Equipment: The Caledon Highlanders are equipped at Tech Level 13. Basic infantry equipment includes chameleon combat armor (with commo and Ll gear), gauss rifles, and RAM grenades. Other equipment and weaponry may be made available for special reasons or tasks.

Squad level support weaponry includes the PGMP-13, tac missiles, and VRF gauss guns. There is little standardization, as yet, to heavier equipment and vehicles; these are largely limited to whatever the unit can afford, rather than a specific TO&E.

Uniforms of the Caledon Highlanders: Soldiers of the Caledon Highlanders are expected to have three different uniform kits available. First is the full-dress uniform, worn only on infrequent, ceremonial occasions (inspections, parades, reviews, etc.). Full dress uniform is a variant on the traditional kilt of the Highlander's Scottish forbearers, and is an indirect descendent of the Black Watch tartan of Old Earth (Solomani Rim 1827). As this uniform is encountered only rarely (and never in the field), further discussion is not necessary.

Fatigue uniforms are worn in the field or in garrison situations. Fatigues are camouflage-patterned outfits like the one shown below. The shoulder patch identifies regiment, battalion, and company. A fatigue cap is worn with the uniform. While in fatigues, hand-held commo and vision gear must be carried. On the march, a backpack with the soldier's equipment is carried; this backpack masses around 30 kilos, and carries a wide variety of important equipment and personal effects.

Combat armor is worn in battle, except where circumstance force soldiers to fight in fatigues. Combat armor provides a self-contained environment for each soldier, thus allowing operations in hostile atmospheres or against chemical warfare.