103rd Rapid Orbital Deployment Division

United Solar Republic

* 2240 - ...

Delambre, Luna, Sol System

* 2192.01.01 -

Ciriban Gulf Conflict

* Siege of the Mog

The 103rd Rapid Orbital Deployment Division ("Ake!") is a specialised modular drop infantry division of the Unified Solar Marine Core trained for orbital assault operations. The 103rd is able to plan, coordinate, and execute battalion-size rapid assault operations capable of seizing key terrain in support of operational objectives, and is capable of working in austere environments with limited or degraded infrastructure such as ship to ship combat. These particular operations are conducted by highly mobile teams covering extensive distances and engaging enemy forces behind enemy lines. Its unique battlefield mobility and high level of training have kept it in the vanguard of Unified military combat forces in recent conflicts.

The 103rd Airborne Division has a history that is nearly two centuries long. Formed during the Solar War, the division saw combat on Earth, Mars, Europa, Io and finally Ganymede. In the expansion the 103rd where mostly stationed on Unified Solar Navy vessels. The division became adept at close quarters actions. In the Ciriban Gulf Conflict the 103rd saw action in battles across the Voor territories and was the division used to capture the Voor Capital Government Complex on Exedor.

The 103rd droptroopers armament differ quite wildly from other divisions. Foregoing the standard-isssue combat knife, 103rd soldiers carry whatever weapons are culturally or spiritually important to them. Examples include Gurkan Kukri, Turkistani Khanjar, Martian Rapier, and the Greek Xiphos, each of the division's nine battalions are named after a weapon carried by their original commanding officer during its formation in the Solar War.

 History

### The Solar War

#### Formation

Due to the success of the United Nations 101st Division in Space Action in the First Luna Campaign, particularly the battles of Farside and Procellarum, United Nations High Command reformed the 101st into 3 Rapid Orbital Deployment divisions in 2129.03.02. The 101st Rapid Orbital Deployment Division, 102nd Rapid Orbital Deployment Division and the 103rd Rapid Orbital Deployment Division pulled candidates from across the Armies and Navies of all coalition nations to supplement their strength. They were activated at Mahia Military Camp in New Zealand.

#### The Pacific War

Before their scheduled 12 month training could be completed Jovian League strike forces seized Brisbane, Sydney, Singapore and Manilla, cutting off the critical supply of food from the Pacific States, threatening Earth with starvation. The 103rd was hurriedly deployed into orbit and quickly proved it's worth breaking the back of the Jovian League offensive in the Battle of the Tasman Sea.

#### The Second Battle of Sydney

The 103rd was chosen to spearhead the attack on Sydney, the troops were inserted directly into Paddington, fighting their way through various occupied complexes to prevent the detonation of critical supply depos.

## Organisation

### 6th Rapid Orbital Deployment Regiment "Wailing Death"

* 10th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Kukri"
* 11th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Taiaha"
* 4th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Khanjar"

### 7th Rapid Orbital Deployment Regiment "The Lumberjacks"

* 14th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Håndøkse"
* 16th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Nzappa zap"
* 8th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Tomahawk"

### 8th Rapid Orbital Deployment Regiment "The Angels of Delambre"

* 20th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Xiphos"
* 22nd Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Falcata"
* 27th Rapid Orbital Deployment Battalion "Tabak"