Koltepian Gale Riders

## Koltepian 2nd, "Gale Bearers"

The 2nd Koltepian Regiment, also known as the Gale Riders, are one of three Imperial Guard Regiments originating from the Storm-ridden Death World of Koltep, where loosing one's footing is synonymous with a violent and distant death. Koltepian Guardsmen are steady on their feets in all circumstance regardless of the load they may carry. Riders know how to read the winds and feel the sway of the land they trod on, allowing them to move swiftly even in uncharted territories. They are also adept at close combat encounters in urban or underground battlefield given how most of the habitats on Koltep rely on sub-terranian construct to avoid the furious elements on the surface.

## Background

Most Koltepian Imperial Guardsman start off among their homeworld's Planetary Defence Forces where they are drilled into weapon and survival skills, with a focus on urban and underground warfare. The best of the bunch, or people with special circumstances like a family member who perished among the Guard, may be selected for regiment service.

### Training

Expeditions out of the raltively safe valleys are a rite of passage and the start of actual difficulties. Riders are harshly provided the skills necessary to survive their encounter with deadly combat scenarios in a cataclysmic climate. A few years to "acclimate" themselves see the survivors awarded with unrivalled competence in mobility and resilience. After that initial treatment the recruits will be spread out according to their specialized skills to fit one of the three Regiment types. The Riders are those who show exceptional navigational skills on foot or with recon vehicles, it is agreed upon that they show the most combat prowess.

## Regiment Organisation

The Riders Regiment consists of a 1st through a 10th Company. A Company comprises 10 Platoons composed of 4 Squads of 8 men. Thus there are 3200 regular troops in the regiment on ideal circumstances. Add to it the armour divisions and the logistics and it comes around to about 4000 people in all.

## Standard Equipment & Ordnance

The general equipment is typical of a regiment of the Astra Militarum. All members issued with a bayonet knife, entrenching tool, a first aid kit, water canteen, sleeping bags, a blanket, and dogtags.

### Guardsmen

When it comes to As for weapons, most of the Regiment relies on lasguns and rather than ballistics ammunation due to their being used to the hard winds disturbing the course of their bullets and rockets even at close range. Even plasma and melta weaponry isn't overly relied on.

### NCOs

NCOs and other officers are the only ones allowed to carry grenades or explosive weaponry.

### Heavy Weapons

Despite their cumbersome weight, heavy weapons are beloved by the Riders who expertly use the weight distribution to stabilize their footings and shoot accurately over long distances.

### Other Specialists

The engineers, medical personnel and logistics department are normally armoured and armed as per their rank.

## Regiment Combat Doctrine

Mobility is the word of every day for the Riders.

### Flanking

Leaving one Company or Platoon to serve as a mobile bait while the rest uses their agility to bypass and outflank the enemy is a precious strategy with few setbacks given how reactive the footsoldiers can be.

## Notable Members

* **Colonel Vanity Zephyron** - Officer currently commanding the Koltepian 2nd.