Keltan Mechanised Guard

**This article, Keltan Mechanised Guard, was written by Cornish Moose. It may be linked to any page without asking for the author's permission.**

## Keltan Mechanised Guard

Battle Standard of the 1118th Keltan Regiment

Keltan Trooper

## Commanders

### **Notable Commanders**

Col. Mulatova Longinovska, 88th Keltan

*Feel free to create regiments to use in your own campaigns. If you let me know I will add them to the notable regiments list.*

The **Keltan Mechanised Guard** are the collective Astra Militarum regiments raised in the Keltan system in Segmentum Tempestus during the past ten millennia. Famed for their steadfast service to the Imperium of Man, the soldiers of the various Keltan regiments seek to live up to this reputation, standing firm in the harshest of combat zones against the myriad foes of the Emperor.

## Regimental History

The origins of the Keltan mechanised regiments dates back to the rediscovery of the Keltan System during the Great Crusade, when regiments were created to join the Imperial Army and fight alongside the Legions. Little is known of these early days, with most of the deeds having long passed into myth, but one legend that persists is that of the 88th Keltan Regiment, which refused to side with the traitors of the Sons of Horus they had been deployed with, and fought to the last man against them, spitting defiance with their final breath. This regiment has subsequently been immortalised within the Keltan System, with a number of cities named in honour of the fallen soldiers and countless memorials littering the planets.

The system survived the Horus Heresy and the subsequent Scouring, continuing to faithfully supply regiments via the Tithe levied against the planets. These regiments have served across countless battlefields, maintaining the stellar record that has been established by their ancestors.

## Notable Campaigns

* **Defence of Aorta (945.M41)** - Hive Fleet Kersalla, a splinter of Kraken, assaulted the Aorta system, causing unimaginable destruction before being halted on Aorta IV by the combined forces of multiple Astra Militarum regiments, Skitarri legions and Astartes chapters. The reforged 88th Keltan Regiment established their new legacy in this conflict, standing firm against the tide even as other regiments were overrun or broke, earning the nickname "The Unbroken".
* **Coele-Myr (~003.M42)**- Several regiments were dispatched to the Coele-Myr Sub-Sector, participated in the campaign against heretic forces alongside a number of Astartes Chapters, including the Nemean Lions.
* **Indomitus Crusade (~999.M41-~111.M42)** - The bulk of available Keltan regiments were reassigned to the Indomitus Crusade upon its inception.

## Regimental Homeworld

The Keltan System is highly militarised, with almost all exports being military in nature, be they armour, rations or manpower. Keltan I is a minor Forgeworld, Keltan II a Hiveworld, Keltan IV and V mining planets. Keltan III is the capital world, for historical and practical reasons, as while Keltan II has a far greater population and Keltan I, IV and V are far wealthier, Keltan III has the free landmass needed for open warfare training. This means that Keltan III possesses the system’s infantry training facilities, officer academies and armour manoeuvring plains, making it indispensable for the production of flexible combat formations.

## Regimental Recruitment & Training

Keltan regiments, much like those of most Imperial worlds, are drawn from the best of the system's PDFs. These PDFs recruit from the various planets of the Keltan system, in particular the Hives of Keltan II which produce very hardy soldiers. The majority of these recruits are volunteers seeking a better life and a steady wage, though typically each group will require a "top up" of conscripts to reach the quotas.
They then undergo a gruelling fitness and training regime, with the best being skimmed off to join the various specialised infantry branches. After undergoing many months of drill, the recruits are transported to Salzbery Plain on Keltan III, where they conduct massive scale exercises to ensure that they can fight just as well on the battlefield as they can on the firing range. Keltan PDF units are modelled along the same lines as the regiments, meaning that when it comes time to supply the Tithe, the best can simply be re-designated and shipped off with minimum disruption. Until recently, a newly created number and heraldry was assigned to these units, with those that had already been used being off-limits. After the resurrection of the 88th however, other suitable regimental numbers are starting to be re-issued.
All Keltan regiments are supported by the home system, with detachments of new recruits being dispatched to replace losses when a campaign/battle has caused significant casualties. They will also recruit small numbers from worlds local to their combat zones or accept troops from regiments that have dwindled to the point of dissolution. Such sub units are generally looked down upon until they prove themselves in battle.

## Regimental Organisation

The organisation of Keltan Mechanised Regiments adheres to a standard layout, which is maintained by all extant examples. The only occasion where deviation from this can be observed is when battlefield losses are so severe (and reinforcements too distant) that the regiment must reduce the number of companies or merge with another unit.

A typical Keltan regiment comprises of 16 companies, each composed of 1,000 soldiers, totalling 16,000 men and women in total. This total includes the vehicle crews and auxiliary platoons, but does not include support staff such as ammunition orderlies, chefs etc.
The companies are broke down as follows:

**1st Company** - Command/Veteran company, composed of the best soldiers in the regiment.

**Composition:**

* Regimental HQ
* Company HQ
* 4 platoons of veteran infantry
* 1 platoon of light infantry
* 2 platoons of support weapons (ordnance batteries & heavy weapons teams)
* 4 commando squads (2 Grenadier, 2 First recon)
* 1 armoured squadron (Additional Chimeras, Sentinels, Mechanised artillery)
* Auxiliaries attachment (including rough riders squads, platoon of auxiliary infantry)
* Sniper detachment

**2nd Company** - Mainline mixed company, the blueprint for the remaining companies.

**Composition:**

* Company HQ
* 4 platoons of infantry
* 1 platoon of light infantry
* 2 platoons of support weapons (ordnance batteries & heavy weapons teams)
* 2 commando squads (1 Grenadier, 1 First Recon)
* 1 armoured squadron (Additional Chimeras, Sentinels, Mechanised artillery)
* Auxiliaries attachment (including rough riders squads, platoon of auxiliary infantry)
* Sniper detachment

### Regimental Ranks

#### Officer Ranks

* **Colonel** - Regimental commander. As tacticians of Keltan grand strategy, Colonels are discouraged from getting too close to the front lines, instead relying upon their subordinates to deal with low level situations and to feed back larger issues.
* **Lieutenant Colonel** -Detachment commander. When a force larger than a Battalion is required, the senior officer is awarded this brevet rank to establish his command right.
* **Major** -Battalion commander. Responsible for commanding half of the Regiment. The highest ranking combat officer in normal circumstances.
* **Captain** - Company commander. Like Sergeants, Captains are granted high levels of autonomy to maximise combat efficiency.
* **Lieutenant** - Platoon commander. As junior officers, Lieutenants are expected to rely heavily on their Staff Sergeants for advice. Those that don’t rarely last long.
* **Second Lieutenant** - Officer cadet, not yet entrusted with command. Typically seconded to a Lieutenant for training.

#### Non-Commissioned Officers & Enlisted

* **Warrant Officer** - Company 2IC. Warrant officers oversee the logistics required to support a Company both on and off the battlefield, allowing the officers to concentrate on more important business.
* **Staff Sergeant** - Platoon 2IC. A veteran of at least a decade of war and responsible for making sure that the Platoon Lieutenant issues the right orders.
* **Sergeant** - Squad leader. The Keltan military relies on low tier flexibility in combat and as such Sergeants are granted unusually high levels of autonomy.
* **Corporal** - Section Leader, 2IC for the Squad and responsible for the heavy weapon team.
* **Specialist** - Veteran Troopers entrusted with carrying important equipment such as special weapons or vox casters.
* **Trooper** - Line infantryman

### Combat Doctrine

Keltan regiments favour blitzkrieg style assaults combined with airborne commando raids behind the front. Tank squadrons punch through weak points in the enemy lines and push deep into the rear areas to disrupt the supply lines and cause panic. The majority of infantry squads are mounted in Chimeras, allowing them to keep up with the tank spearheads, supplementing the "tank rider" squads which provide integrated support. Detachments of each company are schooled in covert tactics and irregular warfare, often being deployed behind enemy lines to spread confusion and gather intelligence on enemy forces. The integrated Grenadiers and other elite units are typically deployed amongst the main units, to bolster the capabilities of these units.

In defensive operations Keltan regiments embrace the mantra of "the best defence is an offence", forming a static line of dug-in infantry with a series of mobile reserves formed from the armoured elements and elite units. As the enemy is worn down by the static line, the armoured vehicles and elite units will counter breakthroughs and exploit weaknesses in the enemy assault. Once the enemy assault is broken the vehicles will pursue the survivors, with the infantry regrouping and remounting to follow up. The second company in this instance is often used to secure key points in the rear once the assault is broken, ensuring the pursuit can proceed unimpeded.

### Specialist Infantry

* **Grenadiers:** - Locally created Stormtroopers. Trained and equipped in the same manner as Cadian Kasrkin or Tempestus Scions and boasting to be the match of both. Keltan Grenadiers are typically used as force multipliers within the units, rather than deployed on commando missions, though they can perform these when required.
* **First Recon:** - Formed from the fittest recruits and drop outs from Grenadier training, the First Recon is "The best of the rest", intended to provide support for the Grenadiers during covert operations and act as a reliable combat force for countering breakthroughs, or exploiting them. Training for the First Recon is three times the length of that a basic trooper receives, meaning some troopers (such as those who failed in the later stages of Grenadier training) have spent years in training before they even reach the battlefield.
* **Shadowblades:** - Long range patrol teams intended to raid enemy bases, cut supply lines and set up areas prior to assaults. The Shadowblades are formed from the stealthiest and most independent veterans of the First Recon. They have access to autoguns, laser target designators, sniper rifles and demolitions equipment. They also have access to lightweight vehicles based on Elysian designs to aid their movements.
* **Light Infantry:** - The bravest and brightest of the mainline infantry are given additional training in irregular tactics and formed into squads of light infantry. They are given greater flexibility in terms of uniform and access to a wider variety of weaponry, such as marksmen rifles and Lascarbines. Light infantry squads act as scouts and skirmishers for the rest of the regiment, providing intel on enemy positions and harassing their formations.

## Regimental Equipment

Keltan forces are well armed and armoured, thanks to a neighbouring Forge World, with Cadian style flak armour and Kantreal pattern Lasguns. They possess large quantities of armoured vehicles, support weapons and artillery.

### Standard Regimental Kit

The standard regimental kit for an Keltan Trooper is as follows:

* **1 M39 Keltan pattern Lasgun and 8 charge packs**
* **Laspistol and 2 charge packs**
* **Bayonet/combat knife**
* **2 frag grenades**
* **Helmet** - Locally produced variant which is superficially similar to Cadian helmets. Incorporates a ranging laser module.
* **Uniform** - Durable fatigues with IR reduction coating, constructed of water resistant material.
* **Flak armour** - Locally produced variant which is superficially similar to Cadian Flak armour.
* **Gas mask**
* **Micro-bead**
* **Poor weather gear** - Includes a long smock and a ground sheet which can be used to construct a rudimentary shelter.
* **Rucksack**
* **Entrenching tool**
* **Basic toolkit**
* **Mess kit and water canteen**
* **2 weeks rations**
* **Blanket and sleeping bag**
* **Rechargeable lamp-pack**
* **Grooming kit**
* **Dog tags**
* ***Imperial Infantryman’s Uplifting Primer***

### Optional Wargear

Like any regiment of the Imperial Guard, the Keltan Mechanised Guard deploy a wide range of special and heavy weapons. In particular lascannons, plasma guns, and grenade launchers are prized.

* Lascannon
* Heavy bolter
* Mortar
* Missile launcher
* Autocannon
* Flamer
* Grenade launcher
* Plasma gun
* Meltagun
* Shotgun
* Heavy flamer
* Sniper rifle/Long-las
* Boltgun
* Autogun
* Hot-Shot Lasgun/Hellgun
* Hot-Shot Volley Gun
* Bolt pistol
* Hot-Shot Laspistol/Hellpistol
* Autopistol
* Plasma pistol
* Chainsword
* Power sword
* Power fist

### Vehicles

* Chimera (including subvariants such as the Heidronard Pattern Storm Chimera)
* Hellhound
* Manticore
* Basilisk
* Medusa
* Griffon
* Tauros
* Venator
* Sentinel
* Motorbike
* Valkyrie
* Vulture
* Sky Talon

## Regiment Appearance

Keltan troopers wear grey flak armour over khaki fatigues. The First Recon and Light infantry wear camouflage fatigues intended to be compatible with a multitude of terrain types. They are also permitted greater customisation of their uniform and gear.

### Regimental Markings

Inspired by the Cadian identity system, Keltan squads receive a three-digit number designation. Command squads are issued a two-digit number with a central skull motif. These are typically displayed on the right shoulder pad.

## Notable Regiments

* **88th Keltan Regiment** - A young but already famed regiment, the 88th restore a previously destroyed regiment of the Great Crusade era. They have already racked up several notable victories over the foes of the Imperium.
* **35th Keltan Regiment** - A longstanding regiment with a storied history, they recently participated in the defence of the Argent Executioners' homeworld.
* **65th Keltan Regiment** - Lost in entirety during the defence of the Huapan Subsector. Honoured for holding against the brutal onslaught of an Ork Waaagh.
* **90th Keltan Regiment** - Participated in the Huapan Crusade alongside the Bones of Noth Chapter. Lost in entirety during the campaign.
* **91st Keltan Regiment** - Participated in the Huapan Crusade alongside the Bones of Noth Chapter. Suffered heavy casualties but survived.
* **96th Keltan Regiment** - A longstanding regiment with a storied history, they recently participated in the suppression of a Genestealer cult on the world of Armagon.
* **121st Keltan Regiment** - A longstanding regiment with a storied history, they recently participated in the campaign to secure the Marmara passage.
* **257th Keltan Regiment** - Recently participated in a campaign to liberate the Coele-Myr Sector. Lost in entirety during the campaign.
* **589th Keltan Regiment** - Recently participated in the campaign to secure the Marmara passage.
* **1118th Keltan Regiment** - Recently participated in a campaign to liberate the Coele-Myr Sector. Suffered heavy casualties but survived.

## Notable Troopers

* **Col. Mulatova Longinovska** - the first commanding officer of the reformed 88th Keltan. Col. Longinovska as instrumental in persuading the Council of Eldars to recommission the 88th and oversaw the raising and training of the regiment. Later he led his warriors to victory against the Tyranids in the battle of Aorta, cementing the beginning of a new reputation for prowess in combat.
* **Col. Jonathan Koramasinov** - the current commanding officer of the 88th Keltan. While Col. Koramasinov has only recently attain his rank, he has decades of experience under the previous commander of the 88th and is an astute tactician.