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Task Force Aegis was a multi-national NATO peacekeeping force that was deployed to the Republic of Altis and Stratis.

Overview[]

« As tensions continue to grow in the east, a US-led joint NATO-AAF peacekeeping force stationed on Stratis - Task Force Aegis - is in the middle of a staged drawdown.

The remaining units - a company of combat units, a helicopter squadron, and support staff under the command of Col. Andrew MacKinnon - are chiefly involved in dismantling military infrastructure and decommissioning vehicles in preparation of their final withdrawal, as the US shifts the focus of its conventional forces to the Pacific theatre.
Official ArmA 3 site description
»

Background[]

A joint U.S./U.K. NATO peacekeeping force deployed to the island nation under a strictly limited mandate and combat capacity[4], the task force predominately consisted of both U.S. Army soldiers as well as detachments of the Altis Armed Forces who served as liaisons.[5] A small contingent of troops from the British Army were initially a part of the task force but were later pulled out from the country following the British government's refusal to renew their mandate.[6][7]

The task force was led by a U.S. Army Colonel by the name of Andrew MacKinnon.[4][8] They were initially based on the mainland of Altis but were later restricted to operating solely on the smaller island of Stratis at the Stratis Air Base.[9] Though the exact composition of the task force has not been specified, it is estimated that at the height of its deployment it was at the very least battalion-sized, though this was later reduced to less than two companies' worth of forces following the British withdrawal.[3]

History[]

Task force Aegis

TF Aegis ORBAT

The task force was established in the wake of the signing of the Jerusalem Cease Fire agreement of 2030 which saw to the end of the civil war[1][10], and the rise of an anti-government organisation that referred to itself as the "Freedom and Independence Army" (FIA).

Deployed alongside the new AAF, now under the command of a hardline leadership under Colonel Georgious Akhanteros, they were to monitor the ceasefire to ensure that there would be no further outbreak of hostilities from either the AAF itself or the guerillas. In addition, they were to provide counterinsurgency training and limited materiel support to government forces wherever necessary.[5] However, their ability to enforce their mandate or directly intervene in AAF operations were heavily restricted the majority of the time.[11]

Events of the Prologue (2034)[]

SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3's 'Prologue' campaign.

Arma3-campaign-prologue-01

Conway bickers with an AAF trooper after discovering the executed civilians.

A small detachment of elements from TF Aegis under the command of Staff Sergeant Thomas Adams and Sergeant Conway helped to train the AAF (alongside other squads) in counterinsurgency tactics.[12]

Throughout the course of the operation, relations slowly sour between the task force and their AAF counterparts with repeated conflicts of interests. One incident in particular, involved a group of suspected pro-FIA civilians being executed on the spot without warrant by a squad of AAF troopers.[13]

Relations between the two eventually hit a new low after a failed FIA uprising in Kavala is violently suppressed by the AAF. The uprising took place amidst the backdrop of supposedly "peaceful" talks which were due to take place. It would have seen the top leaders of the FIA and the AAF negotiate a proper ceasefire.[14]

« That's their top brass? Now I know why they're so fucked up.
Conway commenting on Akhanteros after being ordered to stand down
»

Much to their disgust, the captured FIA survivors are promptly executed under direct orders from Akhanteros himself despite their protests, and are ordered to stand down by MacKinnon.[15]

Events of Remnants of War (2034)[]

SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3's Laws of War DLC 'Remnants of War' campaign.

Arma3-location-oreokastro-09

LOAC training in progress at Camp Daybreak (2034)

Almost a week after the uprising in Kavala, SSG Adams and his small detachment of NATO peacekeepers are reassigned to the mountain village of Oreokastro, taking charge of the Camp Daybreak LOAC training facility.[16][17]

With supplies such as water and medicine at the IDAP camp running critically low, and ground convoys being too risky to send, Adams leads a small AAF fireteam in securing a nearby hill in order to call in a paradrop of vital supplies.[18]

During the airdrop, his fireteam runs into a brief encounter with local bandits who attempt to intercept the airdrop.[19] They successfully fight off the attack and bring the much-needed supplies back to the IDAP base camp.[20]

Events of The East Wind (2035)[]

SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 3's 'The East Wind' campaign.

With their mandate having being rescinded and limited to just the smaller (and devoid of civilian populace) island of Stratis, the task force was no longer permitted to be on the Altis mainland itself.[21][9] As their five-year long deployment was coming to a close and their mandate expiring with no hope of renewal, TF Aegis prepares to pack up and leave the country.[22]

By this point, the majority of the task force's combat units have already been withdrawn, with only engineers and other logistical personnel staying behind to decommission the remainder of NATO facilities on the island.[8]

Survive

A year of mistrust and miscommunications between the AAF and NATO have led to a great increase in tensions between the two sides. Eventually, in response to a supposed unprovoked attack on their forces, the AAF retaliate against the task force and attack the remaining personnel left on the island.[23]

Death Valley

Outnumbered but not outmanoeuvred, TF Aegis attempt to take back the initiative by conducting a set of raids against the AAF.

The surprise attack results in the deaths of almost a hundred peacekeepers and the destruction of vital NATO infrastructure, along with the loss of their only high-ranking officer, COL MacKinnon.[24]

Scattered and disorientated from the attack, remnants of TF Aegis eventually consolidate at the long-since abandoned Camp Maxwell.[25][26] Now led by CTRG Captain Scott Miller, they attempt to fight back against the AAF while at the same time try to raise communications with NATO MEDCOM.[27]

But their efforts are ultimately futile, as the AAF eventually discover their base camp and almost wipe out the remnants in an artillery strike.[28][29]

Arma3-campaign-theeastwind-survive-02

Kerry's squad return to Camp Maxwell only to find it in complete ruins from the AAF attack.

« We need to lay the groundwork for a full invasion. They need an established foothold, not a broken down base hidden in the woods. I say we attack now. We catch the AAF off-guard. We hold the ground we seize.
Miller informs the survivors of the impending NATO invasion
»

To their luck however, Miller reveals that although they were hit hard by the attack, his team managed to communicate with NATO MEDCOM and received word of an impending invasion to retake the island from the AAF. But in order to prepare for their arrival, the survivors need to mount one last attack on the town of Agia Marina with their remaining forces.[30]

Arma3-campaign-theeastwind-survive-00

The survivors mount an all-out assault on Agia Marina.

The attack is initially successfully and the AAF are forced into a complete retreat from the town. But to their surprise (and disbelief), CSAT forces mount a full-scale counterattack against TF Aegis.[31][32]

The counterattack almost results in the complete annihilation of the remaining units, with only Miller's CTRG team and Kerry's squad being left alive who promptly escape from the island in boats. But even then, their escape is immediately thwarted by the AAF after an air raid destroys both boats.[33]

Post-The East Wind[]

After the U.S. Army's 111th Infantry Division (111th ID) retakes Stratis[34], almost a month after the initial AAF attack, then-CPL Kerry (now promoted to Sergeant) is revealed to be the sole survivor of the entire task force.[2] TF Aegis is mentioned in passing on several post-flashpoint news reports, and by members of the brigade combat team.[35][36][37]

The official cause behind the AAF's attack has yet to be revealed to the public.[38]

Equipment[]


Arma3-faction-camouflage-tfaegis

MTP camouflage pattern (ArmA 3)

The members of TF Aegis utilised the same standard-issue equipment shared by all Mediterranean NATO forces. However, as the majority of its remaining personnel consisted of support units rather than frontline combat troops, peacekeepers could usually be seen wearing baseball-style caps and bandanas in lieu of their ballistic helmets mixed in with either shirts and/or tactical vests.

After British forces pulled out and their mandate was gradually rescinded, the majority of their heavy equipment was either shipped back to the United States or were decommissioned at specific facilities on Stratis.

As such, TF Aegis had no access to any armoured vehicles aside from a small number of anti-aircraft assets. They largely relied on MRAPs, heavy trucks and UH-80/MH-9 helicopters to travel around the island.

Gallery[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Mořický, K et al. 2011, Armaverse Timeline, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 19 May 2023, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Armaverse_Timeline>.
  2. 2.0 2.1 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Beyond Recognition, "Friendlies? Aegis? Holy fuck, no, we thought we'd lost you guys!"
  3. 3.0 3.1 Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2013, Factions, Arma 3, viewed 19 May 2023, <https://arma3.com/features/factions>.
  4. 4.0 4.1 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Drawdown 2035, "A US-led joint NATO-AAF peacekeeping force stationed on Stratis, with a strictly limited mandate and combat capacity."
  5. 5.0 5.1 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Prologue, Common Denominator, "Peacekeeping efforts continue in The Republic of Altis and Stratis following the Civil War. Although some progress has been made, the newly-established government still faces serious obstacles, namely the inexperience of the Altis Armed Forces, or AAF for short. Officially, NATO Peacekeepers, primarily stationed on Stratis, have been seconded to Altis to cooperate and consult with the AAF. Unofficially, they have been assisting with training members of the AAF in order to ensure their ability to maintain security within the Republic itself. Recently, however, member states of CSAT have expressed interest in the Republic, further increasing already-heightened global tensions with NATO."
  6. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, \a3\missions_f_epa\video\a_in_intro.ogv, 00:55, "In the UK, parliament was recalled for an urgent debate and vote over the possible redeployment of British peacekeeping forces on Stratis.", AAN News
  7. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, \a3\missions_f_epa\video\a_in_intro.ogv, 01:00, "Prime Minister Nicholas Ramsden said he would respect the defeat of his government's motion, which, effectively, ruled out the possibility of any extension to the NATO deployment in the former sovereign territory.", AAN News
  8. 8.0 8.1 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Drawdown 2035, "The decommissioning of NATO assets on Stratis is roughly halfway complete, but Commander MacKinnon wants to step up the pace of tearing down these bases. To that end, additional support is required across at Camp Rogain and Kamino; however, an AAF lockdown is making the process all the more difficult. The Greenback brass are due to visit (more than likely to protest against our work, our flags, our very presence - the same old, same old). Most of the roads are closed. Those which are actually open have our friendly neighborhood watch closely monitoring them. At the moment, only specially authorized vehicles are currently permitted freedom of movement. Airspace is open, but it's heavily restricted. We'll have to assess the situation on-the-fly to determine what work we can actually get done. Bring a good book, though, it's nailed on that there'll be plenty of hanging around today."
  9. 9.0 9.1 ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Prologue, Damage Control, "By Christmas of 2034, NATO's peacekeeping mandate would be limited to Stratis, a small island south of the Altis mainland. With conflict brewing in the Pacific, the world - and NATO itself - slowly started to forget about the tiny island republic."
  10. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Beyond Hope, "The military might of the rebels prevailed against the rag-tag, People's Army. Acts of repression followed. Hundreds were executed. Hundreds more disappeared, without a trace. In 2030, hostilities ended with the signing of a ceasefire in Jerusalem."
  11. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, The Peacekeeper, "Well, for one thing, the change in the peacekeeping mandate came out of the blue. We heard that pressure came down the pipe from CSAT. They had the leverage. [...] Maybe. Certainly the government had become frustrated with NATO - and vice versa. [...] But others said they just 'didn't have the guts' for it. Couldn't do what 'needed to be done'."
  12. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Prologue, Common Denominator
  13. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Prologue, Diplomatic Relations
  14. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Prologue, Rising Tensions, "Last week, an AAF patrol responded with lethal force to aggression from locals north of Kore, reportedly in self-defense. One casualty survived but later succumbed to their wounds, bringing the official death toll to 6. Peacekeeping forces on scene confirmed the reported timeline, but the justification for the patrol's use of force remains questionable. Following the incident, the government reached out to the FIA for a sit-down in Kavala, as a gesture of goodwill. As such, security has been ramped up, with peacekeeping forces watching over the proceedings. However, an AAF security convoy en route from the AAC airfield failed to pass an AAF checkpoint east of Kavala at its scheduled arrival time, nearly 20 minutes ago, raising fears that the situation is likely to escalate. It has failed to respond to hails from AAF Command."
  15. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Prologue, Damage Control
  16. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, "Hm? Oh gotcha. Um, R2P is their 'Responsibility to Protect'. Counter-insurgency can get real messy real quick. He was in charge of training - Laws of Armed Conflict - that kinda thing."
  17. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, "You mentioned earlier that NATO and a group of local recruits were stationed there. Learning about LOAC, was it?"
  18. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, The Peacekeeper, "Yeah. Things were getting pretty desperate, though. I remember... we hadn't been resupplied in months. No food, water, medicine. We were used to problems with logistics but, I dunno... in the end, it got so bad US forces prepared an airdrop. Not an easy task, considering, but those crates? They really were life and death. That's why we needed somebody on the ground. Someone to make sure they came down okay."
  19. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, The Peacekeeper, "Now. The thing with airdrops... they're not exactly subtle. The smoke, noise of the plane - those bright green parachutes - they're gonna get you noticed. And when you're in the middle of bandit country - that's a problem."
  20. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, The Peacekeeper, "BISHOP: The guerrillas attacked? MACADE: Yeah - from what I heard, it was pretty intense. I don't have the numbers but, um, maybe six or seven were killed."
  21. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, "That's right. By that point, Adams and the rest of his boys had already been recalled to Stratis."
  22. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, \a3\missions_f_epa\video\a_in_intro.ogv, 00:17, "However, with the US-led peacekeeping deployment coming to an end of its mandate, NATO forces are finalising their staged withdrawal from the region. As millions of dollars of military equipment and infrastructure is decommissioned, opinion is split as to the wisdom of the drawdown. In light of CSAT forces stepping up joint military exercises in the Pacific, the US is keen to re-orient its conventional forces, reinforcing battalions in the east. Yet, with the Mediterranean basin representing a strategic fault-line between crumbling European influence and a powerful, resurgent East, some argue that the withdrawal could not come at a worse time.", AAN News
  23. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Drawdown 2035, "Broadway to all NATO forces on Stratis: Code Foxtrot. Code Foxtrot. AAF forces have overwhelmed the airfield and Air Station Mike-26. We're pulling back. Try to get -"
  24. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Blackfoot Down, "We're still piecing together what happened this morning, but one thing's clear: Altis Armed Forces on Stratis are hostile. Right now, long-range comms are down, Commander MacKinnon is confirmed KIA and whatever equipment we may have had is either halfway-scrapped or fucked entirely."
  25. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Situation Normal, "Next time, avoid broadcasting over the whole net, soldier. We're consolidating the remnants of our forces at Camp Maxwell. You're welcome to join us, if you want."
  26. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Maxwell, "For now, we're regrouping at Maxwell - whoever's left. Just don't get too comfortable. You're one of the last groups we've been in contact with. Captain Miller's coordinating things. Believe it or not, he's the ranking officer left on this fucking rock. He's just over there ... setting up a temporary briefing area now. We're pooling what little weapons and ammo we have just beside it. It's not exactly an armory, but we need to take stock of whatever we've got left. So, for now, we're divided up into four squads, Alpha through Delta. I'm leading Delta - and your squad leader's just over there - Sergeant Conway's heading up Alpha, you guys must know each other. Anyway, Miller's got the details. A helo went down in a forest nearby. He's putting together a plan. Get your shit together and report in when your set, Corporal. We'll try to sort out exactly what the fuck is going on."
  27. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Radio Silence
  28. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Crossing Paths, "Alpha, we're under heavy bombardment. All teams, do not return! I say again, do not return! Find shelter. Keep your heads down. Wait until you hear from me! How copy?!"
  29. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Maxwell, "AAF hit us hard last night ... It's good to see you in one piece. We took some casualties. Gillespie. Stephenson. Couple others I didn't really know. Most of the rest of us are basically walking wounded. Anyway, the AAF pulled back. For now at least. Fuck knows why. As you can see ... things are pretty fucked up here. So, we're moving out. Miller's called a meet. Get your shit together. Head over when you're ready."
  30. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Tipping Point, "I know things don't look good for us right now. We took a hit. We lost a number of good men. Now, nothing I've got to say will change that fact, but I do have new information. Late last night Delta managed to establish temporary long-range comms with NATO MEDCOM. Reinforcements are inbound, gentlemen. We need to lay the groundwork for a full invasion. They need an established foothold, not a broken down base hidden in the woods. I say we attack now. We catch the AAF off-guard. We hold the ground we seize. I'll lead Delta behind enemy lines and take up an advanced position to the North of Agia Marina. Alpha and Bravo will lead the assault on the military range, while Charlie hit Camp Rogain and contain any counter-attack that might flank our main assault. Once the Range is secure, we'll converge on the town and entrench our position. I'll go through the exact details of the plan with each individual squad leader. They'll bring the rest of their men up to speed. 'With fearlessness and rage', gentlemen. Good luck."
  31. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Tipping Point, "What the fuck?! Alpha to Delta, a bunch of unidentified helos just buzzed the capital, heading east. Please advise, over."
  32. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Tipping Point, "All callsigns, this is Charlie! We're facing a huge counter-attack here! We're being engaged by multiple unknown contacts! Numerous aircraft and infantry firing on our positions! Charlie is under heavy assault, I say again -"
  33. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Tipping Point, "Miller! To the left! Fastmovers inbound!"
  34. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, New Dawn, "SOLDIER 1: Stratis was a cakewalk. I wonder what went wrong on Altis. SOLDIER 2: The lieutenant said they ran into CSAT. SOLDIER 1: Yeah? I thought we were fighting Greenbacks? SOLDIER 2: Who knows anymore, man."
  35. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, New Dawn, "Last night we launched a simultaneous attack on Stratis and Altis. While we've been successful in capturing Stratis - re-establishing command over Stratis Air Base - NATO forces on Altis, in part due to CSAT involvement, have failed to secure the main airport. Now, although we managed to regroup in the south, recon reports indicate our enemy is preparing a counterattack to drive us into the sea. Our forces here are readying to redeploy to the main island in support. After his arrival to Stratis, Cpl. Kerry was quickly debriefed, describing the events of the AAF's surprise attack against our facilities. Although his information is somewhat inconsistent with NATO's own intel, his presence is requested by Col. Armstrong."
  36. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, New Dawn, "SOLDIER 1: Yeah, that's him. The 'guerrilla' guy. SOLDIER 2: He's been hiding on Altis this whole time?"
  37. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "As the projected costs of the Mediterranean flashpoint rises to over four billion dollars, several NATO member states face increased pressure to further cut military funding. A Freedom of Information request revealed that this is mostly attributed to heavy material losses and the destruction of strategic installations. And, with several hundred dead soldiers, this month-long flashpoint looks set to become one of the most costly NATO operations in recent history. In past few months - and alongside the ongoing economic crisis - both the strength and integrity of the North-Atlantic Alliance has come into question in what many consider to be a critical turning point for NATO.", AAN News
  38. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo, "COLE: What caused it? The public's waiting for an explanation. KERRY: I'm not really at liberty to talk about that. But, speaking off the record ... they still don't really know for sure. I mean, Christ, sure, it's easy to blame CSAT. But the greenbacks - sorry, the AAF - they definitely needed a push. COLE: And who, in your view, gave them that push? KERRY: Isn't that supposed to be your job to find out? COLE: Oh, believe me, Sergeant Kerry, I'm trying."

External links[]

See also[]

Sub-factions
ArmA: Armed Assault Black ElementResistanceUSMC
ArmA 2 Bystrican MilitiaTakistani Militia
ArmA 3 CTRGIDAPTask Force AegisThe Visitors*Viper
ArmA: Mobile Ops Attidan GuerrillasTask Force
* this sub-faction does not canonically exist within the main Armaverse timeline.
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