2035.

MAPS:

Altis
Stratis

Altis is a 270km2 island, located somewhere in the Aegean Sea, between Turkey and Greece- with the Altatian Government also in possession of a smaller island 60km south, named Stratis- being only 20km2 in size, and mostly used by the AAF as a strategic military position (IRL, they're named Limmos and Agios Efstratis). Following it's independence in 1922 from the Greek state, the country has been gripped mainly by a stable democracy, in which not much even occurred. During even the Economic Crisis of 2007, the economy survived and the state was able to hold it's own.

This was all until seven years ago, where a civil war broke out following a total collapse of Altis's main bank and a total loss of government control. Riots turned into revolutionary movement, as many turned to opposition of the lack of control, the widespread dissident for the government. The revolutionaries were confused, unorganized, but armed exceptionally well. The world seems to have progressed from militias being armed with simple AKMs and Zestavas, it seems. Finding TAR-21s and F2000s in the hands of an insurgent within a country like Altis isn't surprising- captured military surplus and equipment allows them to hold this element of power. The Altis Armed Forces found themselves at odds, and soon, shit hit the fan, with the war lasting two years and decimating almost half the island’s population, with almost a quarter leaving to the Greek and Turkish mainlands.

The economies of the West are not what they used to be either- and following several fuel crises in the Middle East, a new resurgent force has risen. The Russian Federation threatens the EU with stopping gas and oil pipelines from it's vast supplies from reaching European Cities, whilst in the east, China has become more and more influential in spreading it's economic demands and progression across all of Central and South-Eastern Asia. India has become a minor military superpower in it's own right- with three new aircraft carriers quickly intimidating many powers in the area navally, and as a NATO Partner, being one asset that can be relied on to at least curb China's and Russia's threatening demeanor. But this isn't much in comparison. The CSAT- otherwise known as the Canton Protocol Alliance Treaty, mainly based around the power block of Pakistan, Iran and Turkey as a unified "Islamic Union" of states, have achieved rapid economic and military growth. Following several oil crises in Europe and North America, they have strongly reinforced themselves as a potent force, with huge investment capital able to be thrown into economies, as well as developing new tech and weaponry. Washington is now competing with Tehran for dominance in chipsets and arms manufacture, in competing for dominance Europe.

Following the bloody Altis Civil War five years ago (with almost half the population of Altis being killed in the process, following a AAF victory), peacekeepers were sent in from NATO forces, of varying kinds. To work with the local AAF in restoring order to the place- with the UK deploying it's Royal Marines, 16th Air Assault Brigade whilst the US sent in large elements of the 101st Airborne Division, forming TF Hephaestus in the region. Many SF groups have been also deployed to deal with more precise matters, though that brings us to today.

Almost all of the NATO troops have pulled out from Altis, as the country seems to be stable, at least, for the moment. CSAT investment has increased into the AAF, rapidly turning it into an army capable of 2035's standards. The last remaining NATO troops are on Stratis- the island to the south of Altis, and they seem quite mellow.

Decommissioning the built-up bases, as well as slowly and surely leaving the islands to the AAF to look after are what most of the troops on the island seem content with. From the Stratis Airbase to Camp Rogain, people are packing their shit and preparing to fly out via the next few C17s that come to pull them out. But warfare is never that easy.

One particular group we’ll focus on is the CTRG- the Combat Technology Research Group. Founded in 2032, they head up multiple teams to research (covertly) enemy weapons tech, from new radar installations to advanced reconnaissance. They form the bridge between the regular recon troops and the intelligence groups such as the CIA and MI5, making both shit happen and finding out advanced research. They work as a regular SF team, but of late, are able to work with resistance groups, use guerrilla warfare, as well as be tasked to other units in the area. There are far more advanced operations they are sent on- though they details of these are kept totally secret from any group of individuals outside of the small intelligence community and NATO high command, making them a critical asset in carrying out combat research.

CTRG Team “Husky” is headed by Captain James Birgirson, a half-Icelandic, half-Shetland Islander under former SFSG and SBS service, of whom is reasonably accustomed to Altis and Stratis. His team is handpicked, but even so, intelligence means that usually, his operators and himself are simply unable to share intelligence with other infantry on Stratis, due to the nature of their operations.

There are plenty of other characters in the field, which we’ll later meet and play. But for now, CTRG is your home (BTW, CTRG will be made up of mainly exclusively US, UK and only particular NATO SF such as Poles, Norwegians and Germans. Because.). Camped up neatly in the very small and cosy Camp Tempest, Stratis, they find themselves on the edge, with uneasy tensions in the region placing Husky, and the remainder of forces on Stratis in grave danger…and Huscarl knows that it will almost be definitely be something to do with their next operation.

Warfare has changed, hugely. No lasers, no jetpacks, but believe it or not, it's finally happened- we've got drones on the battlefield that now serve the soldier directly in his role, giving him the capability to gather information, and strike hard and fast against an enemy. From the tiny quadrotors which designated soldiers can deploy for forward reconnaissance via it's camera (no weapons), to full-on UGVs (Unmanned Ground Vehicles), of which can provide GMG and HMG fire at the swipe of a touchpad or laptop and help reinforce a fireteam in covering or assaulting fire. They don't get thrown around like Skittles, but they are now in mainspread use, as kit that soldiers are able to use and to achieve victory, are expected to use. Apart from the fact that most NATO weapons are now chambered for 6.5mm NATO (a recently introduced round), as well as weapons usually taking on a modular schematic, weapons still fire good ol' bullets, and mostly use the same attachments as today, though in modified formats.

In addition, technology has kept a reasonable pace with combat and of no doubt; the soldier has a lot more at his disposal. The NATO forces on Stratis are able to use tactical glasses- with this being optional, of course, to keep count of ammunition and marking friendlies via a displayed HUD. Some soldiers, of course, say fuck that- and don’t use them, due to headaches and operational needs. NATO forces have mostly your typical Kevlar and Ceramics, with a reasonably simular background In the CTRG in particular, the latest Dragon Skin plate carriers and modular gear is used, in an extensive way to provide the operator with the maximum tactical ability required- imagine their equipment as the stuff from our current SF, but a little beyond. The AAF use tech that we’d call commonplace today in our most modern militaries, from MICH helmets to plate carriers. The CSAT, however sit technologically miles ahead. When you see one, you understand that even NATO soldiers don’t have that much tech at their disposal relative to what they have at times. More on that when you see them.

What else? Vehicles are varied across the factions, and the breakdown is simple. NATO use an evolution of what we currently have, as well as next-generation vehicles. such Oshkosh M-ATV MRAPs (known as the "Hunter" in NATO service) and HEMTT lorries- with British vehicles currently used today, such as the Husky and Ridgeback infantry vehicles also being seen in NATO possession on Stratis. The AAF use vehicles from a wide range of updated European armories, such as the Austrian/Czech Pandur II, the German Leopard 2A7, and the British FV510, as well as the Dutch Fennek MRAP, with many being almost brand-spaking new into service, replacing Cold-War era vehicles and gear. CSAT forces again, have some level of technological dominance. The Russian-manufactured ZIL Punisher (known in CSAT service as the Ifrit MRAP), and an adaptation of a Russian T-95 tank have become common to see in their armories, along with various IFVs.

Helicopters will be soon explained/given thought to.

(Note- these aren't all the weapons. I can directly relate LMGs, Marksman rifles, SMGs, Pistols and Snipers if required.)

MX: An US manufactured assault rifle chambered in 6.5mm NATO- it’s a commonly used rifle in the NATO inventory, and an up-to-date weapon, with attachments for optics and other accessories. A M320 variant, a MX SW (Support Weapon), as well as a Marksman and Compact variant are produced. Common use in the NATO armory, from the US Army forces on the island to the UKSF. Looks wise, think an ACR meets a practical M4, and you’re close.

MSBS A2: A Polish Assault Rifle, with modularity at it’s key. Acquired as the weapon of the CTRG alongside the MX and SCAR, it is highly modifiable for various purposes. A bullpup rifle, carbine, GL and CQC variant, as well as a regular rifle, carbine, GL, CQC and LMG variant (all chambered for 6.5mm) mean that the MSBS A2 now serves as an incredibly reliable and modifiable rifle for their usage. An UW set of specialized mags and chambering can be adapted for the bullpup rifles, further enhancing it’s adaptability in combat.

SCAR Series: A weapon typically found from the older armories of the NATO troops on Stratis, this is still a solid weapon for infantrymen. It can be chambered in 5.56 or 7.62 in the L and H variants respectively, with varying barrel lengths, and purposes. From CQC to Sniper variants, take your pick- but both variants are now seen as less adaptable as opposed to the MX’s intermediate round.

L85A4: A bullpup assault rifle chambered in 6.5 NATO, and a further adoption of the L85- but chambered differently and using the same stick mags as the MX, as well as sporting a rail system. It’s used by the British Military on Stratis in 2035, and comes in M320, LSW, and CQC variants.

Katiba: An assault rifle commonly seen in the hands of CSAT forces- used as a replacement for the KH2002. It’s also chambered in 6.5mm, but using different magazines than the MX/L85A4 series- as well as coming in Carbine, GL and Marksman variants.

F2000: An older 5.56mm assault rifle used by AAF and FIA forces- can be configured in EGLM and Carbine variants in addition to it’s full barrel length. It’s gone through a lot of changes- and is still an effective rifle, despite it’s outdated cartridge relative to the NATO inventory.

TAR-21 Series: An assault rifle that can be found plentifully on Altis/Stratis- due to it’s use in the civil war. FIA Guerrillas and the AAF use this weapon respectively- with a compact MTAR, a EGLM variant, a normal rifle as well as a STAR variant being still being used to today in the outdated 5.56 ammunition.