Warden Land Army

Warden Land Army
Flag of the Warden Land Army
Active	1821-Today
Country	Republic of Pentium
Allegiance	Warden Defense Corp
Branch	Army
Size	180,000 Active Personnel 200,000 Reserve Personnel
Motto(s)	"Down, but never out"
Engagements	The Great War
Commanders
Commander-In-Chief	Iain Callahan
Minister of Defense	Lachlan Sinclair
Senior General	Dougal Fraser

The Warden Land Army is the ground based forces of the Republic of Pentium, and one of the three branches of the Warden Defense Corp. Serving as the largest branch, it oversees the defense requirements and responsibilities for defending the nation against any external and internal threats to the safety of its citizens. The army is currently undergoing a large scale modernization effort overseen by the Ministry of Defense, acquiring new infantry equipment, tanks, IFVs and other kinds of desperately needed equipment to bring the army up to speed with the rest of the world. The Army has over half of the active duty soldiers and reserved forces available to them and is currently deployed abroad in PLAN operations.

Notable Operations

The Great War

The Warden Land Army was the main defender in the Great War against the Southern Union, a victory largely celebrated by members of the WLA after is hard fought victory in face of a technologically superior foe. The WLA saw combat on every front of the war, and despite great losses, came out on top of the conflict. The conflict was a mauling for the WLA, greatly damaging the integrity of many regiments and battle groups that partook in the war.

ANSC Velaharia

ANSC Velaheria is a peacekeeping operation aimed at bringing stability and security to the recently invaded nation undergoing a democratic transition. 5,000 ground troops and their support elements are being deployed into the nation to assist with the goals set out by the ANSC, assisted by the Warden Navy. Currently, peacekeeping operations have gone relatively smoothly for the majority of the operation, the only exception being a conflict in and around the city of Vertia where a Stedorian invasion of the northern provinces has caused a near encirclement of roughly 1/3 of the deployed forces in the area.

Structure

The Warden Land Army is structured off a Corp system, there are currently 3 active army corps within the WLA comprising of the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th corps, each comprising of 45,000 soldiers. They break down further into 3 Brigades per corp, with roughly 15,000 soldiers each. There are 3 types of Brigade in the WLA. Each operate independently from one another, but will tpyically operate in close proximity to provide support to one another, in addition to the Corp support Battalions. NCOs and Field Officers have the authority to make decisions on the fly, and to adapt to changing circumstances in the field should they deem it necessary to deviate from the orders given to them by command.

Mechanized Brigade

Edmund M30 IFV

The Mechanized Brigade operates as a fast attack and open ground support element, equipped with a company of tanks and artillery in support. These often make up the bulkhead of skirmish and attacking units in the WLA. Like all Brigades, they have their own independent Command & Logistics Company, Artillery, Combat Engineers, and Forward Recon Companies to assist with their operational effectiveness and to keep themselves flexible.

Assault Brigade

The assault brigade primarily operates as a specialist brigade, typically equipped with shotguns, Carbines rather than the standard rifles the Mechanized or Light Companies are given. They can operate as light infantry, but aren't typically expected too under normal circumstances. Like all Brigades, they have their own independent Command & Logistics Company, Artillery, Combat Engineers and Forward Recon Companies to assist with their operational effectiveness, and to keep themselves flexible.

Light Infantry Brigade

The Light Infantry Brigade is somewhat unique in its organization in comparison to its counterparts in the brigade structure, trading out part of its mechanized components for a larger compliment of artillery, the Light Infantry is expected to be generalist infantry units that are flexible with their organization and movement, but are adequately supported as infantry units. Like all Brigades, they have their own independent Command & Logistics Company, Combat Engineers and Forward Recon Companies to assist with their operational effectiveness, and to keep themselves flexible.

Equipment

Armoured Vehicles

Callahan M11 MBT

The WLA operates several Armored and unarmored vehicles, chief among them is the Callahan M11 Main Battle Tank. A relatively recent development, it unifies the different tank classes that were previously used and focuses on a single design. Armed with a 120mm rifled barrel, and a Malone machinegun, protected by a non-explosive reactive armour and composites to deter kinetic penetrators. Among other key features to provide high survivability and crew comfort. Additionally, the WLA operates several motorized vehicles and mechanized platforms to assist its troops, including the Edmund IFV M30. A highly modular and well protected frame that can carry the standard squad size and their equipment into battle and support them with its autocannon. The last few armored vehicles are made up of engineering vehicles and recovery vehicles

Non-Armoured Vehicles

The Army also operates several non-armored combat vehicles, any SPGs and rocket artillery are not armored beyond protecting against small arms and grenades. These vehicles are not expected to see frontline combat, and are mobile enough for these to avoid counter-battery fire from enemy forces before return fire hits them. The Army operates two types of truck, The Dunne 4c & 12c. One is a medium truck, meant for intermediary transportation of troops and supplies from depots and forward points where an IFV is either unavailable or isn't needed. The 12c is a heavier and more modern version of the 12c, and is meant for hauling supplies, artillery pieces or other equipment long distances. While the 12c is able to operate in similar conditions as the 4c, it isn't as adept at navigating the roads and woods of Pentium.

Finally, the WLA operates the MRV A12. Which is a dedicated MRAP vehicle that can carry a standard squad, with capacity to carry supplies or four additional men.

Artillery Pieces

The WLA operates four primary pieces of large caliber artillery, The Huber 155mm & 122mm Towed howitzers are both staples of the WLA with the majority of units being equipped with an artillery company that uses the 122mm for mobile fire support, and the 155mm for longer ranged fire missions or bombardment. Both the Brigade and Corp level operate their own pieces of artillery.

The self propelled weapons operate similarly to their counterparts, but are often assigned to specific units in a brigade rather than generally universal towed pieces. The M23 Thunderstrike is a 155mm howitzer mounted on an older, APC hull. And the other component is the M25 Skybreaker, the only rocket artillery utilized by the Republic at the moment. These are generally reserved for a corp level command to utilize.

Mortars

There are two mortars in service with the WLA, the Cremari 60mm mortar, and the 107mm Cremari Heavy Mortar. The Light mortar is in service with the Light Infantry typically, and the 107mm is used by most battalion support levels for close support of its infantry forces during assaults and defensive operations. While the Light Infantry will used the lighter mortar in close proximity of its own forces for accurate, if short ranged mortar fire.

Small Arms and Infantry Equipment

Aalto 25 Battle Rifle without any attachments

The WLA operates several pieces of infantry equipment, after recent modernization programs were rushed through development during the Siege of Whedon's Row. The Aalto-25 Battle Rifle has since became the main rifle in service with the individual soldier. Having several variations of the weapon in two calibers for ease of logistics and maintenance, 7.92x39 and 5.56x45. The standard rifle, and designated marksman rifle are both chambered in 7.92. While the carbine and certain variations of rifles in use by the Light Infantry operate in 5.56 for a higher magazine capacity and weight reduction. The rifle saw some use during the siege itself, but has yet to see major combat outside of Pentium itself. It has the option to equip several optics, lasers, grips, slings and a grenade launcher for grenadiers

Aalto 25 IAR

The WLA's Light Machinegun is the Malone Mk.4, a high rate of fire beltfed machinegun that is chambered in 5.56x45. Its main purpose is to suppress and provide a greater volume of fire than the enemy, it can also be fed with standard 5.56 magazines when needed to. The WLA also operates the JCH M5, a civilian hunting rifle that was upgraded and upcalibered to be in .308 Jade. These are usually equipped by the SOF units that operate at a Corp level to assist units with breakthroughs. The standard issue sidearm of the WLA is the Cascadier 35, a 9x19mm pistol. Additionally, the WLA has both a fragmentation and smoke grenade.

Finally, the WLA operates the Malone Mk.6 chambered in .308 Jade and serves as the GPMG for the WLA. Affixed in tanks, IFVs, MRAPs and in defensive positions. The last piece of equipment that the infantry has access to, is the Cutler Mk.2. Generally considered to be outdated in its purpose, the anti-tank and support weapon has been sustained through several warhead improvements through its life, but is running out of operational viability.