NationStates Jolt Archive

Northfordian forces enter Rio Negro

Northfordian Herald

“Overstretched” is a word that is often used in many contexts, however when it comes to the military, it is a word few people like to hear. Today, however, amongst news of Northfordian National Guard (NNG) units being deployed to the Franberrian colony, it, along with the phrasing words “Are we” have found themselves being uttered by large sections of the Northfordian public who question moves by the military.

Critically, the issue is moot. The Northfordian Army is already at full readiness, in the middle of preparing for the colonisation of the “Southford” site across the Strobovia strait. Present troop numbers in the main army are presently stable at 1.1 million men, with the National Guard and Militia being at 80 and 60 percent readiness, respectively. It is expected in the 6 month window either side of the commencing of the colonisation the actual army will be operating on a pseudo-wartime footing, and, along, with the Northfordian Marines, will effectively be able to defend Northford from any attempted invasion. As part of their rotation and training as they reach full strength, units from the Northfordian Army have already taken over from National Guard units on the Carpanthium boarder, with the Marines expected to take over manning of the Nuclearum Boarder in several weeks time.

To many in the public, this presents an image not unlike the months before the outbreak of the 4-day war in Haven. For a country of people war-weary from the last conflict, where the nation was brought dangerously close to total-war with their previous allies and friends, such a move is unacceptable. At the moment, the Northfordian Army is deployed overseas, operating several brigade-sized formations at colonial outposts in Continentia, as well as the division-sized “Arterian Ready Force”, base at Badon, in Northfordian Arterus.

“My child just returned from some stupid jungle in Ceylon” remarked one mother at a small demonstration outside the Northfordian National Guard office in Redbridge, “Ever since the NNG opted into the “Common Commonwealth Colonial Force”, we've had small units running off everywhere. We accepted it at first, since we were talking about 100's of men, who were already stationed oversea's. This, however, is too far.”

Addressing her concerns, and those of many others, Frank Withers of the Northfordian National Guard released this statement earlier today:

“The NNG have assembled and are preparing to deploy a division sized force to the Franberrian Colony of Rio Negro. The force, designated “NOSSH” (Northfordian Operation for Securing Southern Haven), will consist of the 1st Franberrian Support Group. This is recently formed combined arms formation with a particular emphasis on providing the Franberrian people in Rio Negro with viable RADAR and SAM networks. Providing the manpower will be the permanently stationed 1st Franberrian logistical command, as well as 4 other regiments that will be rotated on a biannual basis. Presently the following units are earmarked for deployment:

3rd Northfordian Logistical Corps
2nd Northfordian Engineers
15th Northfordian Brigade Combat Teams (Continentian)
34th Squadron, Northfordian Air National Guard

Operationally, the Logistical Corps along with the 2nd Engineers will be providing the bulk of the 'on the ground' presence, overseeing the construction, and the, afterwards, the manning, of the RADAR and SAM networks, with the Brigade Combat Team providing security to the Northfordian troops, and, in the event of conflict, overseeing the safe and timely evacuation of the unnessasary Northfordian forces.

At the NNG we believe it is wise to fulfil our duties properly, and it is for this reason the 34th squadron has been attached to the 1st Franberrian Support Group. It is tasked with ensuring local air superiority to Northfordian operated facilities in the event of a war, but, I stress, more importantly, it is tasked with providing the Northfordian forces with their own independent air lift capability.”

Little word was available from the Northfordian Navy today, as to whether or not there would be a similar deployment from the Northfordian Navy, however unofficial sources state that the navy has several dozen “Hunter”* flotillas operating south of the Franberrian Colony. There is little to suggest whether or not these would possibly be withdrawn to the Franberrian coast, although doing so could possibly compromise the flotilla's effectiveness, and, more importantly, alter the logistical requirements of the Northfordian military in the region- something that in the present climate, few people want to do.

More news is expected later today, when the Minister of Defence stands in for the Prime Minister at the weekly government press briefing. Tune in to our sister channel at 5:30 for coverage of the event.

*Hunter flotilla: These constitute the Northfordian Navy's surface groups tasks with light raiding duties. Typically deployed around 'choke points', or shadowing commercial trade routes, the Hunter is one of the longer endurance tours the Navy undertakes, with typical deployments lasting 12-18 months. Owing to their tactical requirements, these groups are typically resupply via the “Piggyback drop” route, where they are either air dropped supplies from regular escort convoys in trade routes, or from “Subsurface Resupply Units” (Sub tenders), operating alone in 'Deep Blue' (Bluewater environments, at least 3000 kilometerss from land.

A typical 'Hunter Flotilla' would typically constitute the following ships:

8 Type 27 AA Frigates
5 Type 32 ASW Destroyers
2 Type 29 GP Destroyers
2 Terrence Class Light Cruisers
1 Multi-purpose Fast Resupply Vessel (-Northfordian made)

[OOC: Fran, wack up a response when you've got a minute. Everyone else, feel free to Icly pose questions to my defence minister on anything relevant to the state of II at the moment...]

Tropas Northfordianas Refuerzan Nuestras Posiciones

El Cronista Colonial

The Colonial Congress, along with members of the Northfordian government, announced early this morning that Northfordian troops shall enter Río Negro to act in support of the colonial forces. This statement has been greeted with exclamations of support both from the civilian and military sectors of our society. The "1st Franberrian Support Group" as the military formation has been denominated by the Northfordian military, will consist of the 1st Franberrian logistical corps as well as 4 regiments that will be on rotation. The current four regiments are:

3rd Northfordian Logistical Corps
2nd Northfordian Engineers
15th Northfordian Brigade Combat Teams (Continentian)
34th Squadron, Northfordian Air National Guard

The entire area of operations has been designated "NOSSH" (Northfordian Operation for Securing Southern Haven). The objectives of the "1st Franberrian Support Group" will be to greatly improve the SAM and RADAR networks of our colony, which are in a very poor current state. These facts have been confirmed by both Franberrian and Northfordian military spokespeople.

Gen. Eduardo Vunapli, a long time supporter of increased military spending in the colony, issued a statement shortly after the Northfordian declaration: "This is indeed a great day. This colony has always needed increased attention as far as military spending goes. What the Estado Major in Franciscopolis does not realize, is that the atmosphere in Haven is not the stable and safe one of Antarchon. Finally, someone has realized the importance of Río Negros position in South Haven, unfortunately, it has not been the government, but rather our good Northfordian allies. There is yet to be a reply of any sort to Gen. Vunaplis remarks, who, although he has been a constant critic of the lack of attention to the deployments in Haven, has maintained his post as Marshall of the Colony.

Northfordian forward planners have already arrived in-theater, and have been assisted by members of our own engineering corps in the planning of locations to install RADAR and SAM placements.

These news have certainly increased the hope of some parts of the military that the Colonial Chancellor shall up the amount of military spending in the next budget, upgrading the obsolescent weapons of the National Guard and the much wanted APCs and IFVs for the Gendarmeria, which is currently unable to comply with its secondary function as a defensive military element.

Defence briefings, unlike most briefings by Government departments, were televised on several national channels. It was not, as one who reads this fact might casually believe, that the country was full of people who took an active interest in wars and death. Rather, it was that there were hundreds of millions of people who, through family connections, had a very personal interest in whether or not yet more Northfordian individuals were to be based abroad near conflict zones.

The Northfordian National Guard was, despite its name, the most internationally inclined element of the Northfordian Armed forces. Deployed abroad, in numerous support roles, it was the NNG that was essentially the end effector of Northfordian foreign policy, in all but 'Front Line' situation.

Standing in front of numerous a small microphone and camera in the Northfordian Parliament, Frank Withers of the Northfordian National Guard, was delivering his yearly report on the status of the Franberrian Colony of Rio Negro to assembled MP's.

"This report is current as of yesterday, and will remain the Northfordian National Guards official assessment of the Rio Negro armed forces for the next 12 months. I am reading to you an abridged version of the conclusion, the full text of which starts on page 367. The abridged version, which I am reading to you now can be found in appendix II.

The Northfordian National Guard has, over the last 18 months been engaged in a program of fortifying the Franberrian Colony of Rio Negro against assault by hostile forces, aiding, overseeing, and manning a variety of RADAR stations, SAM emplacements and SONAR buoys. A full range of defensive constructions can be found on page 250. The Northfordian Force, operating under the designation NOSSH has been successful in 'Stage I' of training the Franberrian forces in how to use these defensive emplacements, and has completely approximately 60% of the integration program into the rest of the Franberrian defence infrastructure.

With the construction largely completely, and training and integration in full swing, one questions the further progress the NOSSH must take. While the full recommendations are available in the report, there are several priorities that ought to be highlighted.

Primarily, the main recommendation of the NOSSH is the launching of a Franberrian-Northfordian training partnership, based in Northford. This will allow the Northfordian mission to proceed at a faster rate, and will encourage further bilateral military relations between the Northfordian and Franberrian armed forces.

Secondarily, we urge the continued expansion of the maritime infrastructure of Rio Negro. Ideally located, with the correct investment, the Colony of Rio Negro has the potential to become one of the most strategically located, best protected, port locations in Haven.

Thirdly, we urge a re-prioritisation of the Northfordian Forces in the region. We would urge the replacement of Engineering Battalions with mobile SAM units. Additionally, in light of the recent increased risk in conflict, we would also like the suggest the re-enforcement of the Northfordian forces with several medical attachments.

While these suggestions are yet to be recommended by the Franberrian Authorities, we are confident of their approval, and thus present these suggestions to the house for final ratification.

Stepping down from his small podium, Withers walked out. There was a short wait, and a vote, where the motion passed, authorising the Northfordian National Guard to redeploy in Rio Negro, barring permission being granted by the Franberrian Authorities.