Steel Guard

Insignia of the Steel Guard
Steel Guard
Formed 2799[1]
Affiliation Free Worlds League
Parent Command Protectorate Guard


History[edit]

Formation[edit]

Originally a mercenary unit in Lyran service who joined the FWLM after being stranded on Alula Australis.[2]

Anton's Revolt[edit]


Fourth Succession War[edit]


Andurien Secession[edit]


Operation GUERRERO[edit]


Operation BULLDOG[edit]

Replaced the First Atrean Dragoons on Asuncion after the Herat Massacre occurred in 3058. Prior to this assignment, the Steel Guard spent its time on Adhafera and Kosciusko as the garrison force for those worlds.[2] The Word of Blake also arranged several covert joint operations between themselves and the Steel Guard at this time.[3]

Jihad[edit]

In 3066 Zion was assaulted by Capellan Confederation troops in retaliation for terrorist strikes on their worlds. The 3rd Free Worlds Guards were attacked by the 2nd McCarron's Armored Cavalry and Ambermarle's Highlanders. The Steel Guard was stationed on Asuncion and was debating about reinforcing the Guards on Zion when they were attacked by Harloc Raiders.[4][3] The Raiders seriously damaged the Steel Guard during this conflict. At this time the Word of Blake began to covertly exacerbate the tensions between the Steel Guard and the LCCC.[3]

At some point during the Jihad the Steel Guard joined the Word of Blake. Stationed on Chara alongside the 4th Free Worlds Legionnaires and the 13th Marik Militia in September and October 3077, the Steel Guard faced off against Clan Wolf in Exile's Beta Galaxy when Free Worlds League Group IV targeted Chara as a part of Operation SCOUR. The Steel Guard inflicted serious losses on the Second Wolf Legion, forcing them to retreat off-world.[5] The Steel Guard was later destroyed on Chara by Coalition forces.

After the unit was destroyed by the Coalition, Gerald Stroud, an estranged son of the last commander, received the family fortune. He put it to use by re-forming the Steel Guard as a unit that would defend the ideals represented by the Free Worlds League. After recruiting new soldiers, the unit was activated in 3084.[6] In 3085 they were stationed on Emris IV.[7]

Dark Age[edit]

In 3095 the Steel Guard repelled a probing assault on Emris IV by the 10th Regulan Hussars.[8]

The re-formation of the Free Worlds League was very good for the Steel Guard. They had long supported the idea of reunification, and as such refused to accept assignments which would force them to fight former League member states. After the re-formation of the League, they requested and received an assignment that would not force them to fight with forces from Andurien or Regulus. Instead they faced the CCAF.[9] They were the garrison of Connaught in 3145.[10]

Officers[edit]

Rank Name Command
Commanding Officers of the Steel Guard
José Stroud 2799[1]
Colonel James Stroud 3025[1]
Colonel Marilyn Stroud 3050 - 3077[2][11][12][13]
Colonel Gerald Stroud 3084 - 3085[7]
Colonel Dorthy Rivera 3145[10]

Tactics[edit]

The Guard used static defense formations, and is very well trained in urban combat and crowd control tactics.[2]

Composition History[edit]

2821[edit]

Steel Guards (Regiment/Green/Questionable)[14]

Note: In 2821 the command was reduced to 57 of its strength and was deployed at Dieudonné.[14]

2830[edit]

Steel Guards (Regiment/Green/Questionable)[15]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Dieudonné with an operational readiness of 99 percent.[15]

2864[edit]

Steel Guards (Regiment/Regular/3)[15]

Note: At this point in time the medium-weight unit was stationed on Chertan with an operational readiness of 69 percent.[15]

3025[edit]

Steel Guard (Green/Reliable)[1]

  • CO: Colonel James Stroud

3028[edit]

Steel Guard (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[16]

Note: At this point in time the command was stationed on Kosciusko.[16]

3050[edit]

Steel Guards (Regiment/Green/Reliable)[17]

Note: At this point in time the unit was stationed on Kosciusko.[17]

3050-3054[edit]

Steel Guard (Green/Reliable)[12]

  • CO: Colonel Marilyn Stroud

3059 to 3067[edit]

Steel Guard (1 Regiment/Green/Reliable)[2][13]

Steel Wind (1 Wing/Regular/Reliable)[2][13]

97th Atrean Reconnaissance (Battalion/Regular/Reliable)[2][13]

67th Independent Infantry Brigade (Regiment/Regular/Reliable)[2][13]

  • Troop Commander: Colonel Rui Costa
    • 381st Mechanized Regiment
    • 209th Jump Regiment

- Includes many Maxim and Goblin IFVs

3085[edit]

Steel Guard (Green/Fanatical)[7]

  • CO: Colonel Gerald Stroud

53rd New Delos Armor Regiment (Regular/Reliable)[7]

42nd New Delos Infantry Regiment (Green/Fanatical)[7]

3145[edit]

Steel Guard (Veteran/Fanatical)[10]

  • CO: Colonel Dorthy Rivera

Ohrensen Steel Wing (Veteran/Fanatical)[10]

New Delos Steel Armor (Regular/Fanatical)[10]

Ventabren Steel Infantry (Veteran/Reliable)[10]

References[edit]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 House Marik (The Free Worlds League), p. 98
  2. 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 2.5 2.6 2.7 Field Manual: Free Worlds League, p. 82: "Steel Guard Unit Profile"
  3. 3.0 3.1 3.2 Field Manual: Updates, p. 153
  4. Field Manual: Updates, p. 28
  5. Jihad Hot Spots: Terra, p. 48: "Chara Operational Report"
  6. Field Manual: 3085, p. 85
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 7.4 Field Manual: 3085, p. 92: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3085"
  8. Technical Readout: 3145 Free Worlds League, p. 6
  9. Field Manual: 3145, p. 108
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 10.5 Field Manual: 3145, p. 116: "Free Worlds League Military"
  11. 20 Year Update, p. 56: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3050"
  12. 12.0 12.1 Objective Raids, p. 38: "FWLM Deployment Table - 3054"
  13. 13.0 13.1 13.2 13.3 13.4 Fiedl Manual: Updates, p. 161: "Free Worlds League Deployment Table"
  14. 14.0 14.1 First Succession War, p. 138
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 15.3 Second Succession War, p. 98
  16. 16.0 16.1 Historical: Brush Wars, p. 86
  17. 17.0 17.1 17.2 20 Year Update, p. 56: "Free Worlds League Deployment Table"

Bibliography[edit]