Though it is true that the most well known unit in the Tir Tairngire Peace Forces are the world-famous Ghosts, this unit is by far not the only elite unit in the Tir. One of the others is the 1st Airborne Brigade, better known as the Parabats, or even simply Bats. This unit forms the only full-time paratrooper unit within the TTPF, and is second only to the Ghosts in terms of training and capabilities.
1st Airborne Brigade: The Parabats
Similar Groups:
Israel's Parachute Brigade
Pathfinders are similar to USMC Scout/Snipers
Size:
c2,000
Pathfinders: 40
Stipulations:
All members must first meet the requirements to be a member of the TTPF and pass basic training. Once this is accomplished, a person wishing to enter the Parabats must simply volunteer for the unit. He/She must then pass the 16 week training and jump course, which has a 60% failure rate. After this they are accepted into the brigade. In addition, Pathfinders must pass the 8 week Pathfinder course before being accepted into the Pathfinder detachment.
Major Divisions:
1 Para, 2 Para, and 3 Para. Each batallion has 3 rifle companies and a heavy weapons company. There are also headquarters, engineering, artillery and medical companies as well as the Pathfinder section.
Specialities and Capabilities:
All personnel are highly trained light infantry and parachutists, similar to the old United States Army Rangers. Special training includes an extensive light infantry course, jump training including High Altitude High Opening and High Altitude Low Opening techniques, (respectively HAHO and HALO) and explosives training.
Pathfinders are taught advanced fieldcraft, survival, sniping, LZ marking, tracking and observation skills. If an applicant is known to be cybernetically or magically enhanced, that is taken into account during the training.
Percent Cybernetically Augmented:
(Normal) 20
(Pathfinders) 70
Percent Magically Active:
(Normal) 25
(Pathfinders) 35
The Parabats, or simply shortened to Bats, were first established at around the same time the first Ghost platoon was established. A single battalion, 1 Para, was authorized in 2036, and placed under the command of Major Andiran DeWett, a former battalion commander in the Azania Defense Forces 44th Parachute Brigade, who came to Tir Tairngire along with several other officers. These men would form the core of the battalion, and helped set up the Airborne school.
The unit first served in the California War, performing two combat jumps. Following the California War, 1 Para was expanded to a full brigade, and renamed the 1st Airborne Brigade. The name Parabat actually comes from the term parachute battalion. When the first paratroopers were asked what unit they belonged to, they replied: "I'm in the parabat." The name stuck, and now has become the unit's nickname.
Entrance into the Parabats, while considerably easier than the Ghosts, is still very difficult, since unit capabilities are similar to that of the old United States Army's Rangers. All volunteers must pass through the Airborne school, and are put through extensive light infantry, jump and weapons training, with the highlight being a final 100km march that ends at Royal Hill. If an applicant makes it through the training and the final march, they are finally given the coveted red beret, silver jumpwings and unit patch in a swearing-in ceremony at Royal Hill.
Once a person passes Airborne school, he or she can then try for the Pathfinder detachment. The Pathfinder section was established in 2040, after the growing use of the Ghosts made them less available for pathfinding duties for the 1st Brigade.
Those who wish to apply, are given an extensive psychological exam before being allowed into the training regiment. The training is also extremely difficult, being only several steps from the highly coveted BSFT training regiment. This is due in part to the small size of the unit. Pathfinders are taught to infiltrate into a certain area in order to survey, secure and later guide paratroops into an LZ. Pathfinders also form the sniper detachment for the Brigade, and often times are used in that capacity. Their extensive training in survival, sniping, tracking and surveillance techniques reflects their role. They are also taught to avoid direct combat as much as possible.
Deployment:
The 1st Airborne Brigade is the Tir's Rapid Deployment Force, and often provides backup for Ghost platoons. The Brigade maintains two levels of alert forces. The larger unit is the Brigade Ready Force (BRF), one full battalion plus support units that can be deployed within 3 hours after being activated.
The smaller unit is the Alert Ready Company (ARC), which is actually one of the rifle companies from the BRF plus a heavy weapons platoon and a small Pathfinder team (4 people). This unit can be deployed within one hour. Both units can be deployed via parachute or helicopters, depending on the situation. The unit's primary base is located at Bend, in central Tir Tairngire.
Equipment:
Standard weapons issue are: Ares Predator IIs, Ares Alpha Combatguns, Ares GPMGs, LAWs, and lightweight antitank missiles. Heavy weapons and artillery companies are issued heavier weapons like assault cannons, light howitzers, M12 mortars, and man portable SAMs. Pathfinders are issued Ares Alphas, Ares Predator IIs and either Walter MA2100s or Barrett 121 sniper rifles normally, with SPAS22s and HK227s being issued on occasion.
Issue parachutes are the Mark 12 steerable chute, with a reserve being worn on the chest. Stealth gear and ghillie suits are worn on occasion by Pathfinders. All other gear is the same as standard issue for TTPF ground forces.
Parabat Archetype:
Attributes:
Body: 6
Quickness: 7
Strength: 6
Charisma: 3
Intelligence: 5
Willpower: 4
Essence:
Reaction: 6
Skills:
Armed Combat: 3
Athletics: 5
Biotech (First Aid): 4
Demolitions: 3 (Experts: 7)
Etiquette (Military): 4
Firearms: 5
Gunnery: 3
Military Theory (Small Unit Tactics): 4
Stealth: 5
Thrown Weapons (Non-aerodynamic): 4
Unarmed Combat: 4
Special Skills:
Parachuting: 5
Small Boat Handling: 2
Threat/ Professional Rating: 5/4
Note:
This represents the average Parabat. Pathfinders will have higher skill ratings in everything, as well as additional skills like tracking, observation and higher threat ratings. They will also be equipped with cyber and bioware that is suitable to their mission and magic level. All officers and sergeants will also have various pieces of cyber and bioware as well as leadership skills and higher threat ratings.
