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Defense Force
Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force
Timeline: 1983: Doomsday
Headquarters: Fort Hauner (Bloomsburg)
Commander-in-Chief: Governor David Argall
Secretary of Defence: Secretary of Defense Robert Montgomery
Commander: General Carl Risch
Chief of Staff: Colonel Eugene Snitsky
Branches: Army National Guard, County Militia
Active personnel: 1,180 (Army National Guard)
~100 (Susquehanna Guard)
Reserve personnel: 408 (Army National Guard Reserve)
1,090 (County/Territorial Militia)
Deployed: 0
Annual budget: R$ 2,046,842 (2021)
In % of GDP: 4.0%
Founded in: July 4, 1995
Reorganized in : September 12, 2005; June 1, 2012
Ages qualified for service: 18-49
Available for service: 21,128 Men; 21,815 Women
Fit for service: 17,598 Men; 17,501 Women
Reaching age / yr: 614 Men; 634 Women
Conscription law: None, 2 month basic training
Time of service: Active: 4 Years; Reserve: 4 Years
Domestic suppliers: Danville Steel Mills, Appalachian Firearms Corporation
Supplying countries: Canada, London, Niagara Falls, North Pennsylvania, Reading
Annual arms exports: R$ 60,000 (2020)
Annual arms imports: R$ 400,000 (2020)
Rank articles on wiki: Susquehanna Rank Insignia


The Commonwealth of Susquehanna maintains a small military force, primarily focused on national security and counter raider operations.

The armed forces are mainly composed of light infantry with motorized, light armor, and riverine acting in support. Acute fuel shortages have led both armor and motorized companies to act in a secondary role as cavalry. Prior to the acquisition of motorized and armored vehicles, the Defense Force operated on cavalry company.

The Defense Force consists of two branches: the Army National Guard and the County Militia. Both branches fall under the jurisdiction of the Department of Defense.

History[]

Immediately after Doomsday the region that would later unify as the Commonwealth of Susquehanna saw most cities and boroughs raise small civilian militias by 1985 when it became clear the United States was unable to provide security. Fighting over dwindling supplies saw the poorly armed militias engage frequently as did defense against raiders and gangs that were forming in the region.

Shortly after the formation of Provisional Pennsylvania in Bloomsburg, the various militias and surviving National Guard units were formalized as the Pennsylvania National Guard and was composed of the Army National Guard with a small riverine patrol squadron to defend the communities along the Susquehanna River.

The unification and coordination of counter raider operations and security missions vastly reduced the number of raids occurring across the region. Both discipline and morale improved as the initial poorly armed civilians were organized and saw higher survivability.

Improved communication and contact with neighboring and regional countries including London, North Pennsylvania, Reading, and Virginia; permitted the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs to begin procurement of heavier weapons including medium and heavy machine guns as well as smaller unarmored vehicles including utility and cargo trucks. By the formalization of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna, the Army National Guard was a capable light infantry force with heavier fire support from technicals and infantry issued light mortars and machine guns.

After a series of major incursions by raiders between 2008 and 2011 that resulted in hundreds of deaths and the serious loss of property, the Commonwealth of Susquehanna National Guard launched a counterattack to push the gangs out of its territory and to a distance that would discourage continued assaults. Initial attempts from 2011 through 2012 were minimally successful as the raiders simply evaded military units who were on foot, or ambushed them with superior numbers.

After several battles that resulted in severe losses, the National Guard procured 20 Jeep Raiders, four artillery pieces, and a variety of utility and cargo vehicles to improve resupply missions to troops from Canada, North Pennsylvania, Reading, and State College. In 2014 the government standardized the Army National Guard to the M14 after lengthy negotiations with Virginia permitted Susquehanna to import a quantity through intermediaries in Gettysburg. Machine guns and heavier weapons were slowly added to the inventory through purchases from North Pennsylvania, Niagara Falls, and Superior as contact and security were improved and supply lines enlarged.

In 2018, ten M113s were acquired from Kentucky and North Pennsylvania to augment the Jeep Raiders, which had suffered a 40% attrition rates in combat between 2014 and 2017 due to the lack of substantial armor and the use of improvised explosives by the raiders. While the armored vehicles were not designed for anti-armor warfare, they were capable of provided fire support and protected transportation of infantry into battle or through hostile regions. In 2021, an additional two M113 armored personnel carriers were purchased to prevent the Army National Guard from being unable to properly exercise its military forces if there were losses.

In 2021, man portable air defense systems and a mobile radar station were acquired from Canada. The intention is to ensure the military and government authorities can properly monitor the airspace of the country, as well as intercept potentially hostile aircraft entering Susquehanna proper or approaching troops deployed abroad.

As Susquehanna’s military seeks to modernize, new utility and cargo trucks have entered service, as has the enlargement of the artillery corps and reorganization of the military structure to provide one battalion capable of foreign deployment in support of the Confederation of Pennsylvanian States and one battalion to preserve homeland defense and border patrol missions.

Conscription[]

While small, the Susquehanna Defense Force does not require mandatory service beyond basic training and the occasional drill for civil defense. Both men and women are required to complete basic training and civil defense training typically selects a portion of individuals who have finished training to participate.

Basic Training and Advance Training[]

Prior to beginning basic training, citizens are subject to a mandatory evaluation for both physical and mental health problems that would preclude them from serving in the armed forces. Any citizen that is turned down for training or service is excluded from the possibility of a draft and records are placed in their file to indicate they are not a draft dodger to prevent civil or criminal charges.

Basic Training[]

All cadets participate in training at Camp Millville, which was set up specifically as a drill site for the Defense Force in 2006. The two month long training course is split into three major sections: physical preparedness, wellness preparedness, and combat preparedness. Teamwork is heavily emphasized in all phases.

The first section, physical preparedness encompasses the longest training period of four weeks. This period is utilized to ensure cadets are conditioned for the long periods on foot that they may experience and heavy loads. It involves timed runs, obstacle course completion, and duration marches both loaded and unloaded. Cadets preparing to join the Defense Force or law enforcement are required to meet certain standards and times, while individuals completing the mandatory requirements are not and are monitored to improve conditions.

After successful conditioning, the following two weeks are spent on medical and first aid training with a focus on common field injuries as well as basic combat wound treatment. Additional training occurs on disaster preparedness and response. Individuals entering the medical field or medical company of the Army National Guard may participate in additional training after the completion of basic training.

In the final stage of training, cadets participate in two weeks of weapons training where they learn to maintain and safely fire the main infantry weapons of the Defense Force, the M16 assault rifle, the M14 battle rifle, and M1911 pistol. Additional training occurs with the M2012 rifle and sniper rifle configurations and M45 revolver. Grenade training occurs with practice grenades and a limited number of improvised explosives. Heavy weapons training is not common in this phase, however demonstrations may occur.

Individuals only completing the mandatory training are mustered out at this stage, while cadets for the Defense Force or law enforcement agencies may continue to advanced training.

Advanced Training[]

Advanced training is more specialized with cadets participating in training specific to their military or law enforcement careers. This training varies in length, depending on the roles to be filled. Infantrymen and women typically participate in advance training for an additional two months, while medical and engineering cadets may have up to a year of advance training before joining the defense forces in an active role.

Army National Guard[]

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna Army National Guard composes the bulk of Susquehanna’s ground combat capabilities, with 1,180 soldiers on active duty and 342 reservists.

History[]

Army National Guard infantry companies can trace their lineage back to immediately after Doomsday. The companies were formed after standardizing and unifying the various county and borough militias in the mid-1990’s.

Infantry[]

The Army National Guard maintains two active infantry companies and one reserve company. There are four infantry platoons in each company, with a platoon composed of six infantry fire teams. Each company includes a heavy weapons platoon composed of four machine gun teams, four anti-armor teams, and four light mortar teams. There are 160 soldiers in each company with a total of 320 active and 160 reserve infantry personnel.

While the companies fight on foot, frequently, cargo trucks are utilized for mobilization and rapid deployment into combat zones. Standard issue rifles are the M16 assault rifle and both designated marksman and automatic rifleman variants.

Fire Team[]

  • Team Leader - Specialist, providing tactical leadership to the fireteam. Standard equipment includes the M16A1 assault rifle and the unit radio, if equipped.
  • Rifleman - Baseline standard infantryman. Equipped with a M16A1 assault rifle and typically support the grenadier for a balance in firepower. In urban combat or other combat situation, the rifleman may be armed with a Mossberg 500 shotgun in addition to the M16.
  • Designated Marksman - Acting scout and marksman of the fire team. Equipped with a M16M1 designated marksman rifle.
  • Automatic Rifleman - Provides overwatch and suppressive fire. The Automatic Rifleman is armed with a heavier duty M16H1 squad automatic weapon.


Machine Gun Team[]

  • Team Leader - Leader of the team and provides directives during operations and carries the unit radio if equipped. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle.
  • Two (2) Gunners - Responsible for firing the machine gun. Each gunner carries a M60 machine gun and a M1911 pistol.
  • Two (2) Assistant Gunners - Support the gunner in firing operations. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle.


Anti-Armor Team[]

  • Team Leader - Leader of the team, provides directions to gunner for firing and carries the unit radio, if equipped. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle and a M1911 pistol.
  • Two (2) Gunners - Operates the M20 Super Bazooka. Armed with M20 Super Bazooka and a M16A1 assault rifle.
  • Two (2) Assistant Gunners - Loads and provides support for the gunner. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle.


Mortar Team[]

  • Team Leader - Leader of the team and provides directive during combat missions. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle and a M1911 pistol.
  • Gunner - Operates the mortar. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle.
  • Assistant Gunner - Supports the gunner in aiming and operating the mortar. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle.
  • Two (2) Ammunition Handlers - Supports loading the mortar in combat. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle.

Light Infantry Companies

  • 55th Company
  • 109th Company
  • 223rd Company (Reserve)


Artillery[]

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna Army National Guard deploys two artillery batteries with sixteen M101 105 mm howitzers. The two batteries provides anti-armor and anti-emplacement fire support to the infantry units. Each unit utilizes the M35 2-1/2 ton truck to tow the M101, carry ammunition and supplies, and transport soldiers into position. Each section includes one artillery gun and two cargo trucks.

156 personnel are assigned to each battery, of those 36 are non-combat personnel. The artillery branch has a total of 312 soldiers serving in it, all active duty.

Artillery Battery Composition

  • Headquarters Section (20 soldiers/section)
    • Command Section (12 soldiers/section)
    • Communication Section (8 soldiers/section)
  • Two (2) Artillery Batteries (Eight howitzers/battery & 156 soldiers/battery)
    • One (1) Headquarters Section (20 soldiers/section)
    • Four (4) Artillery Platoons (Two howitzers & 34 soldiers/platoon)
      • Two (2) Artillery Section (One howitzer & 17 soldiers/section)

Artillery Section

  • One (1) Section Leader - The Section Leader is responsible for managing the operation of the howitzer. They also provide point defense if the unit is attacked, and carry an M16 assault rifle as well as an M1911 hand gun.
  • Eight (8) Ammunition Bearers - Carries fresh shells to the gun, loads guns and piles spent shells. They are issued an M16 assault rifle for defense of the unit if attacked.
  • Four (4) Artillery Gunners - The gunners serve an important role! being responsible for operating the firing mechanism on the howitzer. They are issued the M1911 hand gun for self defense.
  • Four (4) Forward Observers - The forward observers are responsible for reconnaissance, direction of artillery fire towards enemy forces, reporting enemy troop and vehicle movement, as well as liaison with local inhabitants. They are issued M16 assault rifles as well as M1911 pistols.

Field Artillery Battery

  • 107th Battery
  • 135th Battery


Motorized/Mounted Infantry[]

Susquehanna has a single jeep force that utilizes 20 Jeep Raiders for forward reconnaissance, infantry support, and light attack. The vehicles are unarmored, which makes them vulnerable to counter fire. However, they rely on the speed and maneuverability of the Jeeps. Due to the role of fire support, the Jeeps are heavily armed with machine guns and a rocket launcher. Five personnel operate each jeep, for one hundred operators with additional twenty soldiers for headquarters support and a total of 120 soldiers in the motorized infantry company.

Due to fuel shortages, the motorized infantry company is also trained to use and equipped with one hundred fifty horses of mixed Thoroughbred and Arabian breeds. Additional dual carriages were designed to transport the machine guns into battle.

Motorized Infantry Composition

  • One (1) motorized infantry company
    • One (1) headquarters platoon (20 soldiers/platoon)
    • Five (5) motorized infantry platoons (Four Jeep Raiders & 20 soldiers/platoon)
      • Two (2) motorized infantry squad (Two Jeep Raiders & 10 soldiers/squad)
        • One (1) motorized infantry fireteam (One Jeep Raider & 5 soldiers/fireteam)

Fireteam

  • Team Leader - Specialist, providing tactical leadership to the fireteam. Standard equipment includes the M16A1 assault rifle and the unit radio, if equipped.
  • Two (2) Riflemen - Baseline standard infantryman. Equipped with a M16A1 assault rifle and typically one supports the designated marksman and the other the automatic rifleman.
  • Designated Marksman - Acting scout and marksman of the fire team. Equipped with a M16M1 designated marksman rifle.
  • Automatic Rifleman - Provides overwatch and suppressive fire. The Automatic Rifleman is armed with a heavier duty M16H1 squad automatic weapon.

Motorized Infantry Company

  • 103rd Company (Reserve)


Mechanized/Mounted Infantry[]

In late 2017, Susquehanna purchased ten M113, five units were refurbished ex-Canadian M113's, four were refurbished machines from Kentucky, and one machine was refurbished from North Pennsylvania. They were purchased to augment the Jeep Raiders for better defense in high intensity conflicts. An additional oversize company of soldiers were recruited through a combination of extended contracts for enlisted personnel, and increasing recruitment rates.

100 Army National Guardsmen are assigned to the company, which includes one non-combat headquarters platoon and four combat mechanized platoons. Combat fireteams are equip with the same equipment that the infantry companies utilize. An additional sniper team is attached to the platoons to provide additional scouting and support.

The M113's were supplied unarmed from the origin nations. Susquehanna has acquired a separate weapons package from North Pennsylvania. This package included M2 heavy machine guns, M60 general purpose machine guns, Mk. 2 automatic grenade launchers, and two M30 heavy mortars. Eight vehicles have been fitted as armored personnel carriers and two as armored mortar carriers.

The armored personnel carriers are armed with an M2 heavy machine gun and an Mk. 2 automatic grenade launcher in an over/under configuration in a fabricated steel turret for the gunner. The driver hatch includes an M60 general purpose machine gun for additional defense. They are capable of carrying as many as thirteen soldiers into battle.

The two armored mortar carriers come equip with one M30 heavy mortar and a single M60 general purpose machine gun for close in defense. Even though they are not equipped for personnel transport, the vehicles are capable of moving up to eight soldiers in an emergency.

Similar to the motorized infantry company, the mechanized company is also equipped and trained to act as cavalry due to fuel shortages. Special carriages were designed to transport the machine guns, grenade launchers, and mortars. The unit uses a mix of Thoroughbred and Arabian horses for patrol missions.

Manpower

  • One (1) company of M113 Armored Personnel Carriers
    • One (1) headquarters platoon (32 soldiers/platoon)
    • Four (4) mechanized infantry platoons (two M113 APC's & 24 soldiers/platoon)
      • Two (2) mechanized infantry sections (one M113 APC & 12 soldiers/section)
    • One (1) mechanized mortar platoon (two M113 AMC’s & 12 soldiers/platoon)
      • Two (2) mechanized mortar sections (one M113 AMC & 6 soldiers/section)

Fireteam

  • Team Leader - Specialist, providing tactical leadership to the fireteam. Standard equipment includes the M16A1 assault rifle and the unit radio, if equipped.
  • Rifleman - Baseline standard infantryman. Equipped with a M16A1 assault rifle and typically support the grenadier for a balance in firepower. In urban combat or other combat situation, the rifleman may be armed with a Mossberg 500 shotgun in addition to the M16.
  • Designated Marksman - Acting scout and marksman of the fire team. Equipped with a M16M1 designated marksman rifle.
  • Automatic Rifleman - Provides overwatch and suppressive fire. The Automatic Rifleman is armed with a heavier duty M16H1 squad automatic weapon.

Sniper Team

  • Sniper - Focuses on target elimination and environmental monitoring. The sniper is armed with a M2012 equipped with a scope and bipod.
  • Spotter - Provides assistance in observing targets and handling ancillary tasks. Armed with a M16A1 assault rifle to protect the team from infantry attack.

Mortar Team

  • Two (2) AMC Weapons Operators - Two mortar operators, one loads the other targets and fires. The M113 AMC carries a weapons locker with two M16A1 assault rifles for crew protection if the operators are forced to abandon the vehicle.
  • Two (2) AMC Forward Observers - Forward observers act as advanced scouts and battlefield observers for the mortar units. They each carry M16A1 assault rifles however, the primary role is observation of enemy movement and direction of mortar fire.

Vehicle Operators

  • Two (2) APC Operators - One driver, one gunner/observer. The armored personnel carriers and armored mortar carriers include two M16A1 assault rifles and two M1911 handguns for crew protection if the vehicles are abandoned.

Mechanized Infantry Company

  • 28th Company


Military Police[]

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna’s military police fill both law enforcement duties among the Defense Force as well as combat roles including damage control, reconnaissance, security, and escort patrol. Officers assigned to law enforcement or base patrol are lightly armed with M45 revolvers and M2012 bolt action rifles, while field deployed officers frequently carry the same weapons in use by infantry personnel. However, law enforcement officers serving warrants or supporting military operations are frequently armed with M16 assault rifles and M1911 pistols. The Army National Guard has one company of military police with 166 soldiers.

In 2022, Susquehanna received ten Jeep Raiders from North Pennsylvania and two M35 medium trucks from Niagara Falls, providing improved mobility.

Manpower

  • One (1) company of Military Police
    • One (1) headquarters section (16 soldiers/platoon)
    • Three (3) military police platoons (50 soldiers/platoon)
      • Five (5) military police sections (10 soldiers/section)
        • Two (2) military police patrols (5 soldiers/section)

Military Police Company

  • 320th Company


Waterway Patrol[]

The Commonwealth does not have an independent military branch for maritime defense, simply because there was not a need for a large naval force. Instead it was formed as a component of the Army National Guard, similar to the pre-Doomsday Swiss Lakes Flotilla. There are 60 soldiers assigned to the Waterways Patrol.

Currently, Susquehanna operates six patrol boats, all of which are lightly armed for patrol missions and water rescue. Two are Susquehanna-class, each armed with a twin forward M2 Heavy Machine Gun two aft mounted M1919 Medium Machine Gun and four are Lehigh-class, each armed with a single M2 heavy machine gun, M1919 medium machine gun, and M30 mortar. Both classes are converted pleasure craft with the Susquehanna-class based off the design of the Vietnam-era Patrol Boar, River and the Lehigh-class based off the Swift Boat.

For training purposes, the Waterway Guard operates a one unarmed training vessel. The boat includes additional storage space for teaching equipment, as well as searchlights for nighttime training. Additionally, the vessel may serve as a search and rescue boat.

Three boats (one Lehigh-class and two Susquehanna-class) with fourteen soldiers and fourteen headquarters soldiers are deployed in White Haven, Carbon Territory on the Lehigh River, two boats (Lehigh-class) with twelve soldiers and six headquarters soldiers are deployed in Bloomsburg, Federal District, and one boat (Lehigh-class) with six soldiers and six headquarters soldiers are deployed in Sunbury, Northumberland County.

The primary mission of the Waterway Guard is to patrol the riverine borders of Susquehanna and provide waterborne search and rescue operations.

Each Susquehanna-class boat is assigned four soldiers for standard operations while the Lehigh-class requires six soldiers to operate. However, the vessels are both capable of transporting up to two fireteams of light infantry with their equipment. The Susquehanna-class boats are each armed with one forward twin M2 Browning heavy machine gun turret and one stern mounted M1919 medium machine gun. The Lehigh-class vessels are each armed with one forward twin M2 Browning heavy machine gun turret, a port and starboard mounted M60 machine gun, and a stern mounted M1 mortar for indirect shore bombardment.

In addition to the mounted weapons, the vessels include a searchlight and carry a small firearms locker including M2012 rifles and M45 revolvers for the vessel crew members. A detachment includes enough personnel to operate the vessels with an additional six soldier headquarters platoon. The squadron also includes an eight soldier headquarters platoon for general squadron operations. A total of fifty-eight soldiers are assigned to the Waterway Guard, twenty eight on active duty and thirty two in reserve.

Riverine Squadron

  • 112th Squadron
    • 1st Bloomsburg Detachment (Reserve)
    • 2nd Northumberland Detachment (Reserve)
    • 3rd Carbon Detachment


Air Defense[]

One air defense company provides aerial defense to the nation operating the radar systems, anti-aircraft missile launchers, and anti-aircraft machine guns.

A pre-Doomsday AN/TPS-35 long range radar station in Benton, operated by the USAF was restored in 2020 by a team of technicians from New York and Vermont. The station will give the nation the ability to monitor air traffic in a 200 mile radius, covering all of the former state of Pennsylvania. A medium range AN/TPS-43 was procured from Canada in 2017 to provide theatre monitoring for air defense units.

Two M35 2-1/2 Ton trucks are assigned to the unit to provide mobility for air defense weapons and personnel. Additionally, eight M151 MUTT’s are each armed with a single M2 Browning machine gun for mobile air defense.

96 soldiers are in the company with a small six soldier headquarters unit, 66 operating air defense weapons, usually two missile launchers paired with one machine gun and eleven soldiers per platoon, and 24 are responsible for controlling the two radar stations operated by the nation.

Manpower

  • One (1) air defense company
    • One (1) headquarters platoon (6 soldiers/platoon)
    • Six (6) air defense platoons (11 soldiers/platoon)
    • One (1) air monitoring platoon (24 soldiers/platoon)

Air Defense Company

  • 156th Company (Reserve)


Sappers (Military Engineering)[]

The Army National Guard operates one sappers company (also referred to as military engineering) responsible for combat engineering, construction of military emplacements, and general surveying and support for military installations occupied by the Defense Force.

The engineering company operates earth moving equipment and performed combat engineering, such as demolition of structures, reinforcing positions, and constructing temporary structures. While a small labor pool is held within the company, oftentimes, infantry units or private contractors are utilized to support large projects. Sappers operate several medium and light duty trucks, bulldozers, front end loaders, and backhoes to assist with normal operations.

63 soldiers are in the company; eight in a headquarters platoon and the remaining 55 soldiers split into five, 11 soldier squads. In certain operations, teams may be combined into platoons to provide additional manpower.

Combat Engineering Company

  • 328th Company


Maintenance[]

The maintenance company fills a non-combat with the role of maintenance, repair, and refitting of all the vehicles operated by the Army National Guard and Susquehanna Guard. The majority of mechanics and other personnel are cross trained in most of the vehicles to improve the functionality of the company. Soldiers are trained for repairs on the armored and unarmored vehicles, as well as motorcycles and the water craft operated by the Waterway Guard. Additionally, two firefighting platoons provides emergency support and fire protection to military installations.

145 soldiers make up the company with a ten soldier headquarters platoon, two 15 soldier firefighting platoons, and seven 15 soldier maintenance platoons. The maintenance platoons are spread out around the nation to various military bases and provide repairs and refits for the military vehicles. One firefighting platoon is located in Hazleton and the other is located in Sunbury. Additional firefighting is provided by the various city and county fire brigades.

Maintenance additionally operates motorcycles, several M151 MUTT utility vehicles, and M35 2-1/2 ton medium transport trucks to support field repairs to the existing vehicle fleet during domestic and foreign deployment, patrol, and security operations.

Maintenance Company

  • 304th Company


Logistics[]

The Army National Guard includes a small logistics company which is responsible for coordinating and operating support to combat units in domestic and foreign locations. It is equip with most of the cargo vehicles operated by the Army National Guard and consists of 96 soldiers, 76 which are responsible for operating the vehicles, transporting supplies, as well as loading and unloading at warehouses, bases, and forward supply dumps in combat regions. There are four platoons of 19 soldiers each, distributed to each of the major military installations in Bloomsburg, Danville, Hazleton, and Sunbury.

The remaining twenty are the command and headquarters platoon. The logistics headquarters platoon also supports the medical company and the engineering corps.

Logistics Company

  • 401st Company


Medical[]

A separate medical company is responsible for both regular health checkups and combat treatment of injuries. It consists of 66 personnel, of which 56 are medical professionals and the remaining ten are a support staff that serve as the headquarters.

The company is split up into four, 14 medic platoons and can be detached further into squads for attachment with infantry, motorized, mechanized, artillery, or other military units who may deploy far from Susquehanna’s medical infrastructure.

Medical Company

  • 456th Company


Command Structure[]

Unit Commander Second in command Soldiers
Company Major Captain 30-145
Platoon Commander Sergeant 24-26
Fire Team Specialist NCO 2-5

Units[]

Company Headquarters Role
28th Company Bloomsburg Mechanized Infantry
55th Company Sunbury Infantry
103rd Company Hazleton Motorized Infantry
107th Battery Bloomsburg Field Artillery
109th Company Hazleton Infantry
112th Squadron Sunbury Riverine Patrol
135th Battery Sunbury Field Artillery
156th Company Benton Air Defense
223rd Company Danville Infantry Reserve
304th Company Bloomsburg Maintenance
320th Company Danville Military Police
328th Company Hazleton Combat Engineering
401st Company Berwick Logistics
456th Company Danville Medical

Equipment[]

At the foundation of the National Guard, the majority of the equipment operated was salvaged from personal collections and the few Pennsylvania National Guard armories in Susquehanna’s territory. The nation lacked the ability to manufacture new vehicles and only had a minimal capacity to repair and maintain its existing inventory.

Since the foundation as contact with more industrialized nations including Canada, Niagara Falls, North Pennsylvania, Reading, Toledo, and Virginia has improved, new weapons and vehicles have been imported to supplement and upgrade the Army National Guard’s existing inventory.

The Army National Guard operates twelve armored personnel carriers in two configurations (armored personnel carrier and armored mortar carrier), 20 light utility vehicles, 35 cargo trucks, and 23 motorcycles. It lacks heavy armored fighting vehicles or tanks however it possesses eight towed howitzers, two heavy mortars (installed on the armored mortar carriers), and 21 light mortars.

Individual Arms[]

Model Quantity Origin Notes Image
M14 947 Susquehanna (United States) & Virginia Battle Rifle
M14
M2012 478 Susquehanna Bolt Action Rifle
M1917 Enfield
M16U1 117 Susquehanna (United States) Assault Rifle
M16A1 brimob
M16A1 573 Reading Assault Rifle
M16A2
M16M1 198 Reading Marksman Rifle
M16A2
M16H1 204 Reading Squad Automatic Weapon
M16A2
Remington Model 870 93 Susquehanna (United States) Pump Shotgun
Flickr - ~Steve Z~ - 870
M1911 Pistol 980 Susquehanna (United States) & Kentucky Pistol
M1911 A1 pistol
M1911S Pistol 53 Susquehanna Pistol
M1911 A1 pistol
M45 Revolver 516 Susquehanna Revolver
M1917 Revolver

Grenade Launchers[]

Model Quantity Origin Notes Image
M203 72 Canada
M203
M226 0 Reading/Susquehanna In Development, due for production in 2026

Grenades[]

Model Origin Notes Image
Improvised Explosives Susquehanna Fragment/Anti-Personnel
Russian grenade
C-13 Canada Fragment/Anti-Personnel
M67
M18 Niagara Falls, Superior, Virginia Smoke
US Marines 100520-M-9232S-012 M18 green smoke grenade crop

Crew Served Weapons[]

Model Quantity Origin Notes Number of Crew Image
M1919 Medium Machine Gun 33 Niagara Falls, North Pennsylvania, Virginia Medium Machine Gun Two
Browning M1919a
M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun 87 North Pennsylvania, Reading Heavy Machine Gun Three
Machine gun M2 1
M60 Machine Gun 58 Reading General Purpose Machine Gun One
M60 dx std
M20 Super Bazooka 49 North Pennsylvania Rocket Launcher Two
SAM-7-batey-haosef-1
Mk 19 Automatic Grenade Launcher 12 London/Virginia Grenade Launcher Two
Mk 19
Blowpipe 13 Canada Anti-Aircraft Missile Two
Blowpipe Missile

Artillery[]

Model Quantity Origin Role Image
M101 Towed Howitzer 16 Reading (Canada) Light Howitzer
M101 Howitzer
M29 Mortar 21 Susquehanna Light Mortar
Mortar M29
M30 Mortar 6 North Pennsylvania Heavy Mortar
M30 mortar at the War Remnants Museum

Armored Vehicles[]

Model Quantity Origin Role Armament Image
M113A2I 10 Canada Armored Personnel Carrier One (1) Mk. 19 Grenade Launcher (350 rounds), One (1) M2 Heavy Machine Gun (2,250 rounds), One (1) M60 GPMG (1,000 rounds)
Lithuanian Armed Forces M113A2
M113A2M 2 Canada, North Pennsylvania Armored Mortar Carrier One (1) M2 Mortar (88 rounds), One (1) M1919 Medium Machine Gun (2,000 rounds)
M106 A1 Mortar Carrier

Unarmored Vehicles[]

Model Quantity Origin Role Armament Image
Jeep Raider 30 North Pennsylvania Scout/Light Attack One M2 Browning (1,000 rounds), M20 Super Bazooka (20 rounds)
CombatJeep
Harley XA 23 Gettysburg Military Police Unarmed
Xa-600
M151 MUTT 36 North Pennsylvania, United States (Susquehanna) Utility Truck Unarmed
M151 MUTT
M35 2-1/2 Ton Truck 46 Niagara Falls, United States (Susquehanna) Medium Cargo Truck Unarmed
M35
M37 3/4 Ton Truck 6 Niagara Falls, Canada Light Cargo Truck Unarmed
ArmyDodgePowerWagon
M809 5 Ton Truck 9 Canada Heavy Cargo Truck Unarmed
M809 5 Ton 6x6 Truck
Caterpillar D4 7 United States (Susquehanna) Bulldozer Unarmed
D4 Bulldozer
Caterpillar 950H 4 United States (Susquehanna) Front End Loader Unarmed
Caterpillar 950H front end loader
Caterpillar 325 5 United States (Susquehanna) Excavator Unarmed
CAT 325 excavator

Radar Systems[]

Model Quantity Origin Role Image
AN/TPS-43 2 Canada Long Range Radar
AN-TPS-43

Patrol Vessels[]

Type Class Quantity Name Armament Crew Image
Riverine Patrol Boat Susquehanna-class 2 SRB Commonwealth, SRB Susquehanna One M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun (Bow Mounted), One M1919 Medium Machine Gun (Stern Mounted), Small Arms 4
PBR boat2
Riverine Patrol Boat Lehigh-class 4 SRB Lehigh, SRB Schuylkill, SRB Mahoning, SRB Catawissa One M2 Browning Heavy Machine Gun (Bow Mounted), One M1919 Medium Machine Gun (Stern Mounted), M30 Mortar (Stern Mounted), Small Arms 5
Swift Boat
Training Vessel Lehigh-class 1 SRB Briar Creek None 2 Crew, 8 Students
Swift Boat

Susquehanna Guard[]

The Susquehanna Guard is considered to be a subunit of the Army National Guard for seniority, clerical, and logistical purposes. It is a highly specialized force task with the protection of the governor and covert operations. Members, referred to as operatives, are recruited from the mainstream Defense Force, County Militias, or law enforcement agencies and undergo rigid training. Due to the sensitive nature of the work, operatives undergo strict background and character checks.

History[]

Upon the formation of Provisional Pennsylvania and the organization of the militias, it was recognized that a specialized defense force was needed to protect the governor, cabinet, and other critical personnel. Ex-military and ex-law enforcement personnel were organized into a fifty-man company tasked with the defense of the capital and governor. At the time of formation, the group was titled the Provisional Pennsylvania Capital Security, or PPCS for short.

With the specialized counterterrorism and unconventional operations training, the unit found itself pressed into service as a reconnaissance team. Initially, operatives were lightly armed with bolt action rifles and revolvers, intended for quick mobility and rapid reaction, not a full scale engagement.

After the formation of the Commonwealth of Susquehanna, the PPCS was split into two forces. Half the organization was formed into the Capital Police as the capital city law enforcement while the remaining operatives were converted into the Susquehanna Guard.

It maintained the same roles as previous, with the exclusion that security of the capital city and government buildings was handled by the police. Security for the governor and other critical assets still was the responsibility of the Susquehanna Guard.

Training[]

All soldiers in the Susquehanna Guard are selected from the Army National Guard or County Militia. They must be between the age of 21 and 26 to enter into the program and only may serve until they turn 38 years old, after which they are retired to the Army National Guard or county militias. With harsh training, it is estimated only 25 percent successfully complete training and of that only half are selected for the Susquehanna Guard.

Since all recruits have completed basic training and many have seen combat in the Army National Guard, recruits are sent straight to training in Special Operations. Soldiers are trained in knife combat, hand to hand combat, as well as hostage rescue, VIP escort, covert insertion, intelligence gathering, are drilled for shooting in extreme conditions, and under duress.

Rumors have it that recruits may perform training in hostage rescue using live ammunition where their fellow recruits replace the hostage targets.

Typically special operations training runs from late September until late December for extreme conditions. Recruits train throughout Susquehanna in a variety of urban and rural environments for situational awareness and to better understand various tactics.

Frequently, operatives have been deployed for training to Reading with the Reading Army National Guard 193rd Special Operations Regiment. This training occurs at Fort Indiantown Gap and the surrounding region.

Role[]

The Susquehanna Guard serves as both the special operations force for the Defense Force and a protective detail for the governor and other high ranking government officials.

As special operations, the Susquehanna Guard is trained for counter terrorism, hostage rescue, covert operations, and rapid response. While not typically acting in this role, the unit can support local and State Police in domestic incidents. It acts as the rapid reaction force for Susquehanna intervening until the Army National Guard can be mobilized and deployed.

As protective detail, the unit is tasked with protecting the governor from harm, as well as government leadership or members of the General Assembly who have been threatened or are traveling into or through hostile environments.

Personnel[]

The Susquehanna Guard is split into three platoons, two platoons serving as special forces and one platoon as protective security. The number of operatives is officially classified, however it is estimated to be approximately 100 personnel, with approximately 60 in active combat or security roles, and 40 in support and logistics.

Equipment[]

Due to the critical security role of the Susquehanna Guard in protecting the governor, the guard is equip with more modern equipment than the Army National Guard or militia. However it still shares weapons as necessary and may require support from heavier armed Army National Guard units in times of crises.

The majority of weapons utilized by the Susquehanna Guard are small arms with a few vehicle mounted squad automatic weapons, single shot anti-tank weapons, and grenade launchers to provide heavier fire support. The number of weapons is classified to prevent opponents from determining the unit size.

Two GeMiNi armored cars provide secure transportation for the governor and other high ranking or important targets. Sixteen M151 MUTT’s are utilized for battlefield deployment and mobility and light cargo transportation, although support from the Army National Guard logistics company is necessary for longer deployments.

Individual Weapons[]

Model Origin Notes Picture
C7 (M16) Canada Assault Rifle
M16A1 brimob
C1 (Sterling) Canada Submachine Gun
Sterling SMG
M2012 Susquehanna Sniper Rifle (Equipped with Scope)
M1917 Enfield
M1911 Susquehanna Side Arm
M1911 A1 pistol
C9 (FN Minimi) Canada Squad Automatic Weapon
USMC M249 SAW PIP
M72 LAW North Pennsylvania Anti-Tank/Anti-Emplacement
M72 LAW
M203 Virginia Grenade Launcher (Mounted on C7)
M203
M2012 Susquehanna Ceremonial Rifle
M1917 Enfield
M45 Susquehanna Ceremonial Sidearm
M1917 Revolver

Crew Served Weapons[]

Model Origin Notes Picture
M60 Reading General Purpose Machine Gun
M60GPMG

Vehicles[]

Model Quantity Origin Role Armament Picture
GeMiNi Electra 2 Niagara Falls VIP Transportation Armored against small arms
Buick Electra 225 (1971)
M151 MUTT 16 North Pennsylvania Transport M60 GPMG
M151 MUTT

International Cooperation[]

Given the equivalent role as special forces, the Susquehanna Guard has cooperated extensively with Reading and State College special forces units. A pair of operatives unofficially traveled to North Pennsylvania and embedded themselves in North Pennsylvanian Army units combating raiders during the Saguenay War. They learned counter-raider operations and returned to Susquehanna to improve the Army National Guard’s skills and capabilities.

County/Territorial Militias[]

The militia force is the local defense organization and secondary reserve to the Defense Force, serving as a backup to the reservists. It is responsible for local defense, disaster response, as well as combat support to the National Guard in times of crisis. Members serve in their local counties and territories and can only be federalists by the federal government under a declaration of a state of emergency or permission of the county board.

Unless nationalized, the militias are under the command of the county board of supervisors. However, for practicality, the county sheriff is the acting commander of the militia. Weapons are provided by the federal government to ensure standardization of ammunition and weapons between the Defense Force and the militias.

History[]

County militias are a direct successor of the local and regional defense groups that formed between Doomsday and the mid 1990’s. The local militias were folded into the Provisional National Guard after the formation of the provisional government, which took over defense responsibility.

In 2004, during the formation of the Commonwealths of Susquehanna, county commissioners negotiated permission to organize militias with the state authorities. The county commissioners were looking to ensure they could provide countywide security or disaster relief if the National Guard was deployed in combat or abroad and unable to respond. The first county to form one was Columbia County, quickly followed by Montour and Schuylkill counties. New counties admitted have typically reorganized local defense militias into the county militia.

During counter raider operations, spanning 2010 to 2018, militia members from Wyoming, Schuylkill, and Luzerne counties were activated to protect boroughs and cities during raids by gangs while the Army National Guard was engaged. In 2018 and 2020, Wyoming and Schuylkill counties and Carbon Territory participated in military exercises with the Army National Guard and Reading National Guard.

Recruitment[]

Four of the militias; Carbon, Federal District South Luzerne, and Wyoming include service requirements of two years part time active duty at the age of 18 or after graduating high school, which ever is second and on call until they turn 49. Exceptions are granted if citizens are serving in the National Guard and the state or local police force.

The remaining counties including Luzerne, Montour, Northumberland, Schuylkill, and Sullivan do not require any service time beyond National Guard basic training.

All citizens between the ages of 18 and 49 are considered to be part of the militia. Yearly training occurs on a rotating basis to ensure that first responder and basic marksmanship are upheld.

Training[]

All citizens of the Commonwealth receive basic training from the Army National Guard which also serves as basic training for the militias. After recruitment or drafting into the county militias, part time active members are only required to train for one day a month plus an additional four days in the summer and three days in the winter. This training consists of refreshers for basic medical treatment, security and counterterrorism operations, as well as disaster preparation and relief.

Units[]

Each county and territory is responsible for operating their respective militias. Presently there are eight county militias (the federal district militia is considered a county militia) and two territorial militias. Each militia may be composed of a single, undersized company up to several companies.

Carbon Territorial Militia[]

Carbon Territory Militia is composed of 74 militia members. Militiamen and women are recruited if the territory does not gain enough recruits each year to replenish losses. The bulk of the militia is located in the county seat of Weatherly with smaller units located in East Side and Nesquehoning.

The militia provides support to local law enforcement and responds to raider incursions. Due to the geographical location in close proximity to surviving raiders, the militia is frequently activated to support local law enforcement personnel in detaining or neutralizing threats. For supporting fire, the militia has been issued two M1919 medium machine guns.

  • Headquarters: Weatherly
    • Other Garrisons: East Side, Nesquehoning

Columbia County Militia[]

Columbia County operates the oldest militia in the country and is composed of two companies of 78 militia members per company, for 156 members total. The militia serves in more of a disaster relief and security role and requires less combat readiness. However, during the height of the counter raider operations it intervened in several raids, driving gangs out of Columbia County.

  • Headquarters: Berwick
    • Other Garrisons: Catawissa

Federal District Militia[]

The Federal District operates an independent militia from Columbia County, however the two frequently coordinate efforts. It has 124 militia members in a single company and serves as both internal security and disaster relief during crisis, but also emergency support to the Susquehanna Guard and both federal and local law enforcement in the case of an attack.

  • Headquarters: Bloomsburg

Luzerne County Militia[]

The Luzerne County Militia has 48 members and while it is garrisoned in Nescopeck, the majority of its members are intended to guard the Susquehanna Steam Electric Station and support security teams and law enforcement in protecting the plant. Due to this role, it tends to be a more active unit and heavier armed than the majority of the militias. The militia has been issued six M1919 medium machine guns.

Montour County Militia[]

Montour County operates a militia with 96 members, based out of Danville. The unit primarily serves as disaster relief and has not responded to a raider incursion in nearly two decades. Due to this, the militia tends to focus on disaster relief more than combat readiness.

  • Headquarters: Danville

Northumberland County Militia[]

Northumberland County has a slightly larger militia relative to the population compared to other counties and territories with 144 members split into two companies. This is due to the odd shape of the county which results in units being spread hours apart which limits response. The main units are located in Northumberland and Mount Carmel with smaller detachments in Milton and Shamokin.

  • Headquarters: Northumberland
    • Other Garrisons: Milton, Mount Carmel, Shamokin

Schuylkill County Militia[]

Schuylkill County operates a militia with only 12 members. The idea of the government operating a militia was highly contested given the libertarian streak of the county, however it was agreed that a small militia could provide the backbone for an entirely civilian militia. It operates the smallest militia in the nation, with Sullivan County having a larger one, even given the much lower population.

This has resulted in criticism from some citizens in the county as well as other government leaders that Schuylkill County would be severely underprepared if there was a catastrophic event. After lengthy back and forth debates between Bloomsburg and Shenandoah, in mid 2021, it was agreed by Schuylkill County to triple the size of the militia to 36 militia members.

  • Headquarters: Shenandoah

South Luzerne Territorial Militia[]

The South Luzerne Territorial Militia functions in the same manner as the Carbon Territorial Militia. It is slightly larger though, with 84 militia members split between the two largest communities in the territory. Due to the position near former raiders held territory, it frequently is deployed to support both local and state authorities in repelling or arresting raiders.

For supporting fire, the militia have been issued two M1919 medium machine guns.

  • Headquarters: Freeland
    • Other Garrisons: White Haven

Sullivan County Militia[]

Sullivan County operates the largest militia relative to the population size with 98 members being in the militia. The unit is split between the county seat and largest community however, unlike the other militias, it is not headquartered in the county seat.

  • Headquarters: Sonestown
    • Other Garrisons: Laporte

Wyoming County Militia[]

Due to the population of Wyoming County, it operates the largest county militia in the nation. The militia has 254 members broken up into two companies. Due to the size and proximity to raider holdouts, frequently the Army National Guard requests support from the militia. In support of this more combat oriented role, the militia has been issued four M1919 medium machine guns.

  • Headquarters: Hazleton
    • Other Garrisons: Conyngham, West Hazleton

Equipment[]

County militias are often only lightly armed, primarily intended for internal security missions rather than frontline combat duties. Due to the different responsibilities compared to the Army National Guard, the militias have been issued bolt action rifles and only a few units have been equipped with medium machine guns that have been retired from the Army National Guard.

While the M2012 rifle has begun replacing various models of hunting rifles including Browning, Remingtons, Savage, Winchesters, and other brands, these weapons are still commonly fielded. In the more rural counties, militia members may bring their own rifles from home. This has resulted in compounding logistical issues to obtain a variety of ammunition types.

With plans to replace the M14 in the Army National Guard with a more modern weapon, there are discussions of reissuing the surplus weapons to the county militias, which has yet to be determined by the Department of Defense.

Weapons[]

Model Quantity Origin Notes Image
M2012 498 Susquehanna Bolt Action Rifle
M1917 Enfield
Remington Model 700 319 United States (Susquehanna) Bolt Action Rifle
Remington
Winchester Model 70 281 United States (Susquehanna) Bolt Action Rifle
Type 38 Rifle
M45 73 Susquehanna Revolver
M1917 Revolver
M1919 Medium Machine Gun 14 North Pennsylvania Medium Machine Gun
Browning M1919a

Uniforms[]

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force utilize three uniforms for combat duty, service duty, and mess or dress duty. Armbands and patches are used to indicate rank, unit assignment, and additional patches for the Military Police, Waterway Guard, or Susquehanna Guard. Combat duty uniforms are domestically manufactured copies of the United States Army Battle Dress Uniform. Service duty uniforms are domestic copies of the pre-1980's United States Army OG-107 uniform, however due to the cost of manufacturing the combat duty uniform, non-combat units such as engineers and medics may wear the service duty uniform while deployed on missions. In combat situations, soldiers are issued the M1 helmet, which is manufactured domestically based on examples that were found around the nation after Doomsday.

A combination mess and dress duty uniform, designated the Army Formal Service Uniform, is the third uniform to replace both the United States Army Mess Uniform and Service Uniform. The combination was intended to improve supply chains and reduce the amount of uniforms each soldier required. The Mess/Dress uniform is blue, based on the United States Army Service Uniform. Soldiers are permitted to wear it during formal dinners, services, recruitment, or other activities.

For the county militias, uniforms are not widely available. Frequently, high ranking officers are the only members to receive uniforms while militia members are typically issued armbands with flags indicating allegiance.

Emblems and Symbols[]

Domestic Defense Industry[]

Susquehanna has a small domestic defense industry, primarily producing small arms, knives, and bayonets, as well as maintaining the small inventory of ground vehicles.

Appalachian Firearms Corporation in Bloomsburg manufactures the M2012 bolt action rifle, M45 revolver, and the M1911S pistol. In 2022, AFC released photographs of the first prototypes of the new M522 shotgun, based off the design of the Mossberg 500 and the M3S submachine gun, a more or less unchanged version of the World War II era M3 submachine gun.

Columbia Forge in Orangeville, Hazleton Forge in Hazleton, and Susquehanna Forge outside of Danville produces small quantities of bayonets, knives, shovels, and other tools or blades for the armed forces.

Commonwealth Armory outside Sonestown produces grenades, mortar rounds, and artillery shells. Two small secondary facilities are located elsewhere in the Commonwealth to prevent supply lanes from being cut off in wartime. One is outside Shenandoah and the other on Packers Island between Northumberland and Sunbury.

Packers Island includes facilities to produce ammunition, limited explosives, and repair weapons or vehicles.

Military Installations[]

Susquehanna operates seven military installations around the Commonwealth with national headquarters being located in Bloomsburg. Major Army National Guard bases are in Bloomsburg, Riverside, Hazle Township, and Northumberland.

The Waterway Guard operates launches on the Susquehanna River in Sunbury and Bloomsburg with the Lehigh River launch being in White Haven.

The primary training facility is located on the outskirts of Millville. It includes arrangements for woodlands and urban training, wilderness survival, climbing and rappelling, as well as barracks and a landing field for aircraft paratrooper operations when training with Reading or State College.

Army National Guard Facilities

  • Fort Augusta (Packer’s Island, Upper Augusta Township)
  • Berwick Barracks (Berwick)
  • Fort Danville (Riverside)
  • Fort Hauner (Bloomsburg)
  • Millville Training Post (Millville)
  • Camp Wyoming (Hazle Township)

Waterway Guard Facilities

  • Port Bloomsburg (Bloomsburg)
  • Port Shickshinny (Packer's Island, Upper Augusta Township)
  • Port White Haven (White Haven)

Weapons of Mass Destruction[]

Prior to Doomsday, there were no active weapons of mass destruction located in the region. On property outside of Danville, hundreds of WWII era chemical artillery shells had been buried. However these had degraded long before Doomsday.

While there were facilities involved in nuclear power production and chemical production, as well as institutions with some knowledge into the science of biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons, the region was uninvolved in any significant development prior to Doomsday. Infighting after Doomsday damaged several of these institutions as well, further hampering any advances.

Prior to Doomsday, the United States (and by virtue the region) was a signatory of the Non-Proliferation Treaty, however Susquehanna has not signed the treaty post-Doomsday and views itself as a non-signatory.

Biological[]

The Defense Forces do not have access to, or utilize biological agents. Prior to Doomsday, there were no facilities capable of manufacturing these weapons and no research being done in the region. Since Doomsday, Susquehanna has avoided researching production of biological agents including anthrax due to the cost and material intensity. However, the armed forces have not ruled out this research in the future.

A small lab in Bloomsburg has committed research into the means for countering or treating the aftereffects of such weapons and the possibility of domestic production of treatments.

Chemical[]

The Defense Forces openly uses chemical irritants such as pepper spray and tear gas both in combat and in riot control. It has not produced or deployed lethal chemical weapons and no known stockpiles exist within the country.

With the presence of a former chemical production plant and two universities, it is speculated that Susquehanna retains the knowledge and some of the materials needed to manufacture certain agents such as chlorine gas and mustard gas. Susquehanna has declined to sign any agreements to ban the production or usage of chemical agents in warfare.

Nuclear[]

There is no evidence the Defense Forces have operation nuclear weapons. While it retains control of the nuclear materials at Susquehanna Steam Electric Station, it lacks facilities for uranium enrichment. While the Department of Defense has declined to acknowledge the total quantity of uranium onsite, the Canadian Department of National Defence and the International Atomic Energy Agency estimates it retains approximately 70 to 80 tons of low enriched uranium (3% to 5% U235), if enriched could produce between 2.6 and 5 tons of high enriched, weapons grade uranium. This would give Susquehanna the ability to produce between 76 and 147 nuclear weapons.

The nation lacks research and enrichment facilities to produce weapons grade uranium and would require significant technical support from other nations to begin the process. It would be capable of producing crude devices that could be deployed for area denial or to irradiate enemy personnel and equipment.

Susquehanna has not officially renounced the right to produce nuclear weapons in the future, however has opened dialogue with the United Communities to begin inspections by Canadian and Vermonter officials.

Future[]

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna has not renounced the development or use of nuclear, biological, and chemical weapons of mass destruction and has actively deployed less than lethal chemical weapons while combating raiders and gangs.

Due to the lack of critical domestic infrastructure and resources necessary for production, it is unlikely Susquehanna could develop biological agents or nuclear weapons in large quantities independently. The nation does possess a limited ability to manufacture chemical agents domestically, however this too is limited by what chemicals it can import.

Miscellaneous[]

Susquehanna has non-aggression pacts and military training deals with most of the Pennsylvanian survivor-states. It has also entered into a military alliance with Lehigh and Reading.

To support the small military, in times of war the State Police and local police are able to be conscripted as a reservist force. Their job would be to secure borders and captured territory as well as defend the territorial integrity of Susquehanna.

After discovering Canada and the Atlantic Defense Community certain members of the General Assembly filed a bill to require the Defense Force to apply for membership. The bill was rejected as Susquehanna would not be able to fulfill troop and deployment requirements for treaty obligations.


Criticisms[]

There is some criticism of the Defense Forces, mainly pointed at gender discrimination and bias, as well as the state of the equipment deployed by all branches.

Gender Bias[]

While women receive basic training alongside their male counterparts and are permitted to serve in combat roles, there is still rampant gender discrimination in the armed forces. Commanders in the Defense Forces tend to be reluctant to permit females into combat zones. One non-combat company reports to a female officer, however women have complained that they tend to be passed over for promotions and receive slower rank advancement compared to males.

Legally, women are not restricted from serving in the Susquehanna Guard or military police, however since their inception, no females have been recruited into either unit leading to criticism of sexism. However all claims are vehemently denied by Department of Defense officials.

Equipment[]

The location and lack of operational military installations in what would become Susquehanna limited pre-Doomsday military hardware to training rifles, side arms, and other light weapons. No armories storing heavy weapons, vehicles, or aircraft remained intact in what would become Susquehanna. Due to this, for much of the Defense Force’s history and preceding militias utilized light infantry. This has resulted in heavy casualties during the early stages of operations against raiders and gang.

Body armor is not issued to soldiers as manufacturing capabilities and raw material is limited. However, helmets are standard issue to soldiers and support personnel in combat. Soldiers operating the anti-aircraft weapons are issued primitive flak jackets for protection from shrapnel.

Future[]

While the Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force has multiple recommendations to improve efficiency and effectiveness in combat, the General Assembly and Department of Defense have several modernization plans for implementation over the next several decades. The Army National Guard is planning future purchases of infantry fighting vehicles or light tanks as well as light aircraft for air patrol and close air support missions.

Domestic Suppliers[]

The Department of Defense has been collaborating with local entrepreneurs to open new factories and facilities capable of maintaining, repairing, and upgrading the Commonwealth’s inventory of weapons and vehicles as well as increase domestic production of ammunition, mortar and artillery shells, and weapons.

Foreign Suppliers[]

Susquehanna’s primary foreign suppliers include Canada, London, North Pennsylvania, and Reading. Some older military hardware including M14’s and the M1919 originated from Superior or Virginia. However, souring relations with these two nations have caused the Defense Forces to look for alternative suppliers.

Army National Guard[]

Susquehanna’s Army National Guard has invested heavily into modernization as the raider wars end and the region has stabilized. The majority of its equipment predates Doomsday and both logistics and fuel availability plagues the defense forces. Susquehanna has begun cooperating with Canada, North Pennsylvania, and Reading to modernize its defense forces and replace obsolete or inferior hardware.

After a 2018 review of the Army National Guard operations during the raider conflicts it was determined that the reliance on mortars for fire support and the lack of squad level indirect fire support had both hampered operations and extended the length of the conflict. To mitigate this, it was recommended that the Army National Guard procure grenade launchers to provide indirect fire support at the fireteam level. Initially an order for M203 grenade launchers was placed with Virginia as the launcher was compatible with the M16 rifles ordered from Reading.

However, this decision was protested by some members of the General Assembly, who wanted to limit reliance on Virginia for military equipment, as well as diplomats from Canada, North Pennsylvania, and Reading (which threatened to withdraw the sale of the new M16 rifles).

After lengthy negotiations, it was agreed that Reading and Susquehanna would jointly design a new underslung grenade launcher by 2025 with technical support from London and North Pennsylvania. As an interim solution, Canada agreed to sell Susquehanna sixty refurbished M203 grenade launchers as a stop-gap measure until the new design entered production.

The M113’s ordered in 2020 were considered to be a stop-gap solution as the armed forces lacked any armored units. Long term negotiations are underway with the London and Canadian governments to procure up to four Cougar LAV’s, fourteen Grizzly LAV’s, and two Husky LAV’s as well as spare parts.

Research is underway to convert the unarmored vehicles to run purely on ethanol. A test M151 MUTT is being prepared for field trials by 2022, with long term plans to convert the entire armed forces by 2030. This would reduce Susquehanna’s dependencies on irregular fuel supplies from North Pennsylvania and would improve readiness of the armed forces.

In 2017, Susquehanna held a competition to replace the M14 battle rifle as the main service weapon. Canada, North Pennsylvania, Reading, and Virginia each competed. Canada offered a derivative of the C1 battle rifle, North Pennsylvania and Reading each submitted domestic variants of the M16 assault rifle, and Virginia offered a modernized M14 battle rifle. Due to concerns on logistics from Virginia and the age of the C1, Susquehanna elected to procure the Reading version of the M16.

In late 2021, Susquehanna purchased thirty-five M101 howitzers from Reading, which had retired them in favor of the heavier caliber M114 howitzer. Sixteen were put into service to replace the eight units and expand the artillery corps. The retired guns and the remaining nineteen howitzers purchased were put into storage and will be used as a source of parts to repair and maintain the current inventory.

In 2021, the first nine domestically produced M1911S pistols entered service. Testing is underway to inspect the accuracy and safety of the new weapon. It will begin to replace the M1911 from pre-Doomsday on a one to one basis through 2035 with plans to begin full manufacturing in 2023.

County Militias[]

County militias are only lightly armed with bolt action rifles and revolvers for officers. There are no heavier weapons in its inventory. With the Army National Guard modernizing the standard issue weapons to the M16, the county militias may inherit M14 battle rifles from the Army National Guard inventory.

The Army National Guard has continued tests with the C1A1 marksman rifle and C1A2 squad automatic weapon for possible procurement for the County Militias. Additional discussions have been held over redistributing the M1919 to the militias as M60 machine guns continue to enter active service.

All three weapons would increase the firepower and flexibility of the militias, however there are concerns of over militarizing the units which were initially intended for support missions and domestic security rather than frontline combat duties. Even so, recent years have shown that these units still serve in combat and supporters believe these weapons will better equip the county militias to fight and win an engagement.

Air National Guard[]

Currently, Susquehanna does not operate any air assets and the Air National Guard only exists on paper, not as a formal branch. Defense officials had previously requested bids in 2017 for five counterinsurgency aircraft and one trainer from Canada, Kentucky, and Superior as well as in 2020 for three trainers with light counterinsurgency capabilities from Canada and Kentucky. However all bids were declined in both instances due to cost, fuel, and maintenance requirements.

Separate inquires were submitted to Canada in 2019 for one piston engine aircraft to transport the governor abroad, however the bid was declined for the same reason as with the counterinsurgency aircraft. Financial analysis of the Defense Force has indicated financing and supporting aircraft is beyond the current capabilities of the Commonwealth.

Presently, air transportation of the Governor or other high ranking officials occurs through contracts with the Reading Air National Guard. However, the aircraft are not owned or leased by the Commonwealth of Susquehanna. There have been discussions of jointly procuring aircraft with Reading where Susquehanna would pay for the aircraft and Reading would pay for and handle upkeep and maintenance.

Military Alliances[]

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna has joined a regional organization, the Confederation of Pennsylvanian States with Reading and Lehigh. The organization provides for security and mutual defense between all three nations.

However, in a major conflict, the bulk of the armed forces would be provided by Reading as both Lehigh and Susquehanna have limited military capacities. Reading also provides air policing for Susquehanna, which lacked air assets and only has limited airspace monitoring and air defense capabilities.

The General Assembly has indicated an interest in joining the ADC in some capacity, especially considering it is the successor of NATO. However, the small scale of the military and limited deployment capabilities has caused this to be an unlikely prospect for the organization to accept the Commonwealth as a member.

Treaties signed with State College have provided for limited mutual defense in the case of an invasion, however Susquehanna has not signed any formal defense alliance due to the position of State College as the successor to Pennsylvania.

This issue has not arisen with North Pennsylvania and Susquehanna has aided the nation in previous years, especially during the Saguenay War, however the distance between the two countries has severely limited the ability for cooperation. A significant portion of Susquehanna’s heavy military hardware has been sourced via North Pennsylvania from Canada and Niagara Falls as well as from North Pennsylvania itself.

Wars and Operations[]

The Commonwealth of Susquehanna Defense Force has engaged in several low level local conflicts against gangs and raiders who were or still are active in the region. It has been involved in one international conflict with a small troop contingent attaching on the North Pennsylvanian Army which deployed in the Saguenay War.

List of Wars and Operations[]

See Also[]

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