Quote:
Originally Posted by kalos72
So composting feces isnt a problem them? I was reading articles that implied it should never be used for food production. I will look into that further then.
Whats this Poseidon's Rifles about?
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Kalos’ question makes it plain that there’s a downside to my new habit of naming my references as a sort of shorthand. The lifers here have patiently endured my ADD as I move between settings in Twilight: 2000. Newer posters may not have the same frame of reference. Accordingly, a quick reference guide to what the heck I’m talking about with [Some Damned Poetic Name or Other] follows.
Thunder Empire
In the American Southwest, an oasis of American power survives in the desert of collapsed civilization and Mexican conquest. Against all expectations, Fort Huachuca and Tucson have managed to feed themselves and field a combat force capable of handing repeated defeats to both the Mexican Army and the gangs of marauders that plague post-Exchange Arizona. The principal combat command of Fort Huachuca is the 111th Infantry Brigade.
111th Infantry Brigade
A prewar regular Army brigade stationed at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, the 111th Military Intelligence Brigade served as a chain-of-command parent organization for a variety of units assigned to the Military Intelligence School and Center for training and activation. Following the nuclear strikes on CONUS in late 1997, the brigade was reorganized as a light infantry brigade and dispersed throughout the southeastern part of Arizona on a variety of internal security and disaster relief missions. After the start of hostilities with Mexico, the brigade became involved in combat with elements of the Mexican Army across southern Arizona. The 111th was successful in defending its cantonment areas in Cochise, Pima, and Santa Cruz Counties, although with heavy losses in personnel and at the cost of abandoning Yuma and all points north of Tucson.
The disintegration of the Phoenix metroplex into complete chaos and the occupation of southern California and southern New Mexico effectively isolated the Huachuca-Tucson cantonment area. The 111th Brigade consolidated command of all remaining USAF personnel at Davis-Monthan AFB in Tucson, as well as all remaining AZ ARNG, AZ ANG, and AZSTAG (Arizona State Guard), USMC, USMC-R, USN, and USNR units within the Huachuca-Tucson cantonment. Throughout the winter of 1998-1999 the 111th refused all orders to move, support either 6th US Army or 5th US Army, or transfer any personnel or equipment to other MilGov formations. In 1999, the 111th Brigade, now operating independently of MilGov command, repulsed a concerted effort by the Mexican Army to capture the southeastern Arizona cantonment. Throughout 1999 and 2000, the brigade engaged in a constant but low-level war of patrols, raids, intelligence-gathering, and ambushes along the border. Simultaneously, the brigade conducted numerous anti-marauder sweeps in the southern and eastern portions of the state. In early 2001, the brigade smashed another Mexican attempt to capture the cantonment.
As of April 2001, the 111th Infantry Brigade maintains firm control over the three southeastern Arizona counties. Unlike most US Army formations, the 111th Infantry Brigade has been growing in size and quality since 1998. A negotiated truce and joint anti-marauder operations with Mexican Army units on the other side of the border have neutralized the threat from that direction. The brigade is building its power-projection capability in anticipation of efforts to reclaim Phoenix, Yuma, or even the Imperial Valley. Despite his break with MilGov in 1998, the Huachuca commander considers himself a US soldier; how this view will play out is an open question.
Subordination: Fort Huachuca (None)
Location: Southeastern Arizona
Manpower: 6100
Tanks: 5 Ridgways, 32 other AFV
Fort Huachuca is an anomaly. The success of the Southeastern Arizona Military Administrative District (SAMAD) is based on a unique combination of factors: exceptional leadership and planning, superb pre-Exchange logistical support, and more than one major turn of fortune. The fact that Fort Huachuca, with its apparently massive military might, has failed to secure more than a fraction of Arizona is also a product of the unique circumstances and leadership.
Characters from Europe or the Middle East who make their way to SAMAD will discover a military organization much more like the “cosmopolitan” US formations overseas than almost anywhere else in the United States. Due to the presence of sister service detachments on post at the time of the nuclear exchange and the proximity of bases of other services, soldiers in 111th Brigade can come from any of the US services. Due to the induction of large numbers of EPW being held at Fort Huachuca at the time of the nuclear exchange, soldiers at Fort Huachuca can originally hail from any of the Soviet republics, Poland, Czechoslovakia, Hungary, Bulgaria, North Korea, Iraq, and Mexico.
As of April 1, 2001 Fort Huachuca is starting to look outward at long last. The outbreak of the Second Mexican Civil War has been followed by the withdrawal of the hated Sonora Army to southern Sonora. Forces of Ejercito de California (formerly Second Mexican Army) have moved into northern Sonora and have concluded a truce and limited cooperation with Huachuca. The battalions of 111th Brigade have been tempered by a cycle of action along the border, long-range operations in the central portions of Arizona, and refitting and retraining. After more than two years of slow building, SAMAD has a reserve brigade—the former 3rd AZSTAG. Although the reserve force has fewer troops and far less combat capability, the change in the state of affairs in Mexico will enable Huachuca to send the entire 111th Brigade outside SAMAD for the first time since the outbreak of hostilities with Mexico in mid-1998.
Opportunities for PCs abound. The vast metropolitan area of Phoenix, though reduced to a fraction of its pre-war population (less than 100,000), still contains fabulous wealth in the form of recoverable resources. Gangs, warlord, petty dictators, and desperate self-defense militias control varying areas of territory. In addition to recovering some of the huge material wealth of Phoenix, the Huachuca command wants to liberate the civilian population. Although Huachuca has its own LRS assets, the need is far greater than can be met. Accurate, reliable intelligence will be needed before the 111th can be plunged into the urban jungle.
There's more to come, but I must do a little school work.
Webstral