A Conclave Pathfinder Unit is a composite unit of the New Dusk Conclave fleet and ground forces first developed in late YE 44, composed of a ground combat battalion, an aviation unit, naval assets, and command and logistics elements.

The concept of the Pathfinder Unit first began development in late YE 43. It was intended by the high command of the fledgling nation to enable Conclave forces to operate integrated fast-response forces able to quickly move in and stabilize situations on the ground before larger units can be mustered to a conflict.

These smaller integrated forces were also hoped to be useful for training deployments in order to give Conclave ground forces better experience operating with support from CAFF forces, and CAFF forces better experience supporting their ground-bound comrades.

Finally, it was hoped that these smaller units would serve as useful learning experiences for promising officers who would be well suited to jumping to C-level positions, but who lacked the experience dealing with the challenges of leading composite forces.

A Conclave Composite Brigade is composed of a command element, a combined arms battalion, an aerospace detachment, and a squadron of CAFF vessels utilized to transport the ground forces and provide orbital overwatch.

Command of the Pathfinder Unit is maintained by the commander of its CAFF squadron until the point at which ground forces are deployed, at which point the commander of the Legion ground forces assumes command and the CAFF commander assumes an advisory and support role.

Handling operational command of the Pathfinder Unit’s ground elements, the command element is composed of a headquarters company and its attached communications, MP, EOD, Engineering, and Intelligence formations.

The Main Headquarters of the HQ company contains the high-level leadership of the Pathfinder Unit’s ground elements, as well as several transports and APCs.

• 36x troops
• 4x Hound APCs
• 4x Hound Transports

The communications platoon is responsible for maintaining clear lines of communication from the Headquarters to the other components of the Pathfinder Unit’s ground elements, as well as to its orbital components. It also can help connect separate units for communication. It is equipped with many transports, as well as trucks used to move equipment.

• 52x troops
• 10x Hound Transports
• 6x Medium Trucks

The Military Police Platoon serves to maintain order in the deployed Pathfinder Unit, providing security services to the main ground facilities as well as acting in a policing role. Before a base is established, they act as security for the Headquarters.

• 52x troops
• 10x Hound Transports
• 3x Hound APCs

The Military Intelligence Platoon acts in a primarily advisory role, relaying intelligence from the front lines back to the Headquarters and analyzing it in order to provide both HQ and frontline officers with up-to-date information on the enemy.

• 52x troops
• 10x Hound Transports
• 2x Medium Trucks

The Explosives Detachment of the Pathfinder Unit primarily handles demolitions and EOD. It is responsible for handling complex demolitions for which frontline combat engineers are not equipped, as well as handling the disposal of explosives.

• 52x troops
• 6x Hound Transports
• 6x Hound APCs
• 4x Medium Trucks

An NDC Combined Arms Battalion is composed of a Headquarters company, two companies of Mechanized Infantry, one company of Frames, one company of Armor, and a platoon each of reconnaissance and combat engineers.

The Headquarters and Service Company (HSC) is the core administrative and command control hub for the 1st Expeditionary Battalion. It ensures that all sub-units function in harmony and provides a centralized location for coordination. Subordinate units beyond the HQ section are the scout sniper platoon, communications, service, and medical platoons.

The Headquarters Company handles command and control of the Combined Arms Battalion, managing the frontline elements of a Pathfinder Unit. The Headquarters Company also has access to a medical section, a communications section, and a service section.

• 104 troops
• 8x hound APCs
• 10x Light Trucks
• 4x Medium Trucks

Composed of a platoon of light armored vehicles and a platoon of reconnaissance and sharpshooter infantry, the Cavalry Detatchment is responsible for reconnaissance, often splitting its forces into provisional units composed of one light armored vehicle and several transports or APCs.

• 80x troops
• 4x Hydra Variable Tanks
• 6x Hound APCs
• 8x Hound Ground Transports

The Battalion’s Combat Engineer platoon is responsible for the planning and heavy machinery work involved with the construction of fortifications on the front line. It also handles the recovery of damaged vehicles.

The platoon contains the following:

• 33 troops
• 1x Weaver DEF- M3
• 4x Weaver DEF-O1
• 2x Bee Utility Frame
• 2x Hound APCs
• 4x Hound Ground Transports

Serving as the infantry component of the Pathfinder Unit’s ground forces, two of the Combined Arms Battalion’s companies focus on utilizing both armored and unarmored infantry in concert with APCs in order to hold ground taken by the battalion’s armored forces.

Each mechanized infantry company is composed of a PA platoon, a standard infantry platoon, a weapons platoon, and a command team.

Each company contains the following

• 168x troops
• 10x Hound APCs
• 2x Light Trucks
• 1x Medium Truck

The Armored Company of the Combined Arms Battalion focuses on anchoring defensive and offensive actions, providing a bulwark for infantry, and providing supporting firepower for the battalion’s Frame forces.

A company is composed of two platoons of two platoons of faster Light MBTs, and one platoon of well-armed Heavy MBTs, and includes organic artillery capabilities with the company’s headquarters centering around a mobile artillery piece.

• 52x troops
• 4x K1 Bulldog MBTs
• 8x Centaur MBTs
• 1x Hades HBT
• 2x Medium Trucks
• 2x Heavy Trucks

The Frame Company of the Combined Arms Battalion provides high-speed flexible firepower and is primarily used for breakthrough attacks, maneuver warfare, and fast response. While more flexible than their tank cousins, Frames are much higher profile and less suited to defensive roles.

A Frame company consists of three Lances of four frames each, one command unit, as well as several support vehicles.

• 24x troops
• 5x XM-1 Possessor (Resolute Loadout)
• 8x M3-2a Super Spartan
• 2x Medium Trucks
• 2x Heavy Trucks

The Artillery Battery of the Combined Arms Battalion is most often utilized to soften up enemy defenses in advance of a push or to break up incoming attacks before they reach friendly defensive lines.

The battery contains the following:

• 42x troops
• 6x Hades HBT
• 2x Medium Trucks
• 2x Heavy Trucks
• 2x Hound APCs
• 2x Hound Ground Transports

The Combat Aviation element of the Pathfinder Unit is drawn from the aerospace assets of its naval component, allowing the Pathfinder Unit to have airbases on-station even before a terrestrial base can be established. After the establishment of a beachhead, two combat squadrons, and two heavy lift squadrons are kept on station at the Pathfinder Unit’s headquarters.

The combat squadrons primarily consist of aerial superiority and strike units, with two lances of aerial superiority and one lance of strike per squadron.

Each Combat Squadron contains the following:

• 75x troops
• 8x Sparrowhawk-IIN
• 4x Starbreaker II
• 1x Hound Ground Transport
• 2x Medium Trucks

Providing heavy lift and rapid transport capabilities, in addition to shipborne assets, these units enable the rapid transfer of materiel between orbiting starships and ground units. Additionally, they provide tactical mobility and additional aerial fire support to the overall force.

Each Lift and Transport squadron contains the following

• 45x troops
• 8x Bolt Shuttle
• 2x Hellcat Dropship
• 2x Hammer Transport
• 1x Hound Ground Transport
• 2x Medium Trucks

Responsible for the maintenance of Corona Gunships and Crane Dropships. Typically only half of the detachment is deployed to the ground.

The Aviation Logistics Detachment is responsible for the maintaining, loading, and unloading of the Aviation Combat Element’s aircraft and transports. Due to some maintenance being done in orbiting vessels, this detachment is only roughly platoon-sized.

• 52x troops
• 4x Medium Trucks
• 5x Medium Trucks
• 2x Fuel Transport

Performing combat service support duties, the Logistics Battalion is responsible for maintaining and supplying the troops of the Combined Arms Battalion.

The nucleus of the Logistics Battalion, the HHC coordinates the supply, repair, medical, and other auxiliary services, ensuring the unit's machinery and personnel remain at peak operational readiness. The HHC contains the HQ platoon, Food Service platoon, and Disbursing Platoon.

Serving as the hub for the operations of the Logistics Battalion, the Headquarters coordinates the battalion and ensures that its personnel and equipment maintain at high level of readiness in order to ensure the efficient dispensation of its duties.

• 68x troops
• 12x Hound APCs
• 12x Hound Transports
• 4x Medium Trucks

Combat Logistics Companies (numbered 1A to 1C) is balanced with capabilities in supply, maintenance, and transport, able to operate independently if required.

The Combat Logistics Companies are equipped to supply and maintain all ground elements of the Pathfinder Unit.

• 180x troops
• 12x Hound Ground Transports
• 20x Medium Trucks
• 16x Heavy Trucks

Made up of two oversized platoons, the Medical Detachment is responsible for providing medical support to the troops on the ground, treating what it can on-site and evacuating what it can’t back to base or, in emergencies, back to the fleet in orbit.

• 120 troops
• 10x Hound Ground Transport
• 4x Hound APCs (Medical Treatment variant)
• 6x Hound APCs (Medevac variant)
• 4x Medium Trucks

The bulk of the forces for the Pathfinder Unit are carried by a single Albion class battle carrier, which acts as the flagship and troop transport for the fleet. It is escorted by a single Spectre class cruiser, and a screen of 6 Erebus class Frigates

After ground forces are deployed, these vessels act to secure the orbit and airespace above the Pathfinder Unit’s area of operation, helping ensure that friendly forces are not beset upon by enemy air support or orbital strikes. In addition, they act as support facilities and a base of operations for the Pathfinder Unit until sufficient planetside facilities can be constructed.

Alex Hart created this article on 2023/09/29 18:20.

🚧 This article is a work-in-progress. Is it not currently approved.