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This fanfiction article, Commonwealth Defence Force, was written by TheAussie1417. Please do not edit this fiction without the writer's permission. |
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This fanfiction article, Commonwealth Defence Force, is currently under active construction. |
Commonwealth Defence Force | |
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Basic Information | |
Nation | Commonwealth of Novus Australis |
Organisation | National defence force |
Role |
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Size | 16,500,000 (as of 2566)
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Headquarters | MILCOM GHQ, Monash, Illawarra |
Cultural Information | |
Nickname(s) | 'The Anzacs' |
Motto | Duty and Honour |
Colours | Blue and Gold |
March | The Gallipoli March |
Anniversaries |
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Commanders |
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[Source] |
- "There's no soldier I'd want by my side more than a Commonwealth digger."
- ― An unknown UNSC soldier.
The Commonwealth Defence Force is the military organisation responsible for the upholding of national defence and protection of the Commonwealth of Novus Australis. Established in 2552, the CDF consists of several branches, all dedicated to the preservation of the Commonwealth’s borders, its institutions and people. Having had to replace the United Nations Space Command presence in the Glasslands in the aftermath of the Created Crisis, it is an immensely capable organisation well-versed in all theatres of warfare. Tasked with the defence of the Commonwealth, the military has increasingly become geared towards expeditionary actions, as the rising threat of the Banished begins to probe the Glasslands for weakness. Not to be outdone, the Theban Commonwealth also arrays its forces, ready to counter any Commonwealth action with a proportionate response. With the Glasslands turning into a battleground, the CDF stands ready to counter all threats, and defend the Commonwealth – whatever the cost.
Role[]
National Defence[]
National defence is the Commonwealth Defence Force’s biggest priority. As a large nation spanning over multiple systems, the CDF has to have the capability to defend its planets for as long as possible, before support arrives. Typically, this usually results in a strong planetary guard made up of reservists and several active-duty units, whereas the expeditionary forces of the Commonwealth entirely consist of active personnel. Emphasis has been placed on an ability to rapidly reorient forces towards a new threat, and as the Commonwealth has expanded, this has resulted in expeditionary task forces rotating through the frontline worlds of the Commonwealth, as the frontiers of the nation extend further away from Illawarra and Darwin.
Expeditionary Actions[]

Expeditionary actions for the CDF weren't exclusively offensive operations - during the Frontier Bush War, the CDF was deployed to evacuate worlds and locations far away from the Commonwealth, such as on Verrantos in 2564.
Expeditionary operations are increasingly becoming a norm of the CDF's operations. The Commonwealth’s rapid expansion during the 2560s has given the CDF invaluable experience in forming a cohesive doctrine on space operations and the occupation of a solar system, whilst its successive conflicts with Covenant remnants and Banished fiefdoms has refined their expeditionary strategy to be far more precise, focusing on single chokepoints and areas of interest rather than broad offensive plans. As the low-intensity Frontier Bush War begins to slowly increase in tempo, the experience garnered from prior conquests and occupations will pay dividends in ensuring the CDF operates efficiently and effectively against any opponents they may face.
Anti-Piracy[]
Mostly a role for the Commonwealth Navy, anti-piracy used to be a huge issue at the founding of the Commonwealth. Due to the lack of UNSC ships to patrol trading lanes, piracy ran rampant in the remains of the Outer Colonies. However, upon the transferal of naval resources to the Commonwealth, and a concerted effort to expand local shipbuilding within the Commonwealth, piracy as an endemic issue has mostly ceased to exist. Occasional raids from United Rebel Front or New Colonial Alliance privateers do occur, however are too few and far between to be considered serious issues. As such, the Commonwealth's navy has pivoted to a doctrine capable of fighting Covenant remnant factions and rebel squadrons, rather than single raiding vessels.
Branches[]
Novus Australis Army[]
Novus Australis Army | |
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Basic Information | |
Allegiance | Commonwealth Defence Force |
Role |
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Size | 5,800,000 (as of 2566) |
Headquarters | MILCOM GHQ, Monash, Illawarra |
Cultural Information | |
Nickname(s) | 'Diggers' |
Motto | Where We Go, Others Follow |
Colours | Khaki and Gold |
March | The Army March |
Commanders |
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[Source] |
The Novus Australis Army is the largest branch in the CDF. Containing over 5.8 million serving personnel, the NAA functions as the sword of the Commonwealth – a strong, central force to destroy the enemy’s defences, and parry any potential attacks. Its overall command structures, ranks and organisation is based upon the UNSC Army, which proved useful when cooperating and collaborating on campaigns and operations in the 2550s. The NNA is mostly split into two different operational roles, based upon the CDF’s two responsibilities – offensive action, and national defence. Whilst the Commonwealth Reserve Force often operates as the main planetary defence force, NNA units are stationed on planets to provide an extra level of defence for the world. The closer to the Commonwealth’s frontier, the larger the concentration of force gets – the planet of Port Stanley is currently the planet with the largest concentration of NNA units in the Commonwealth, due to its role as a fortress world, and the CDF’s gateway into the hotly-contested Sagan Sector of the Glasslands.

The Army Aerospace Command contains units dedicated to many different roles - the pilots of the 301st Special Operations Aviation Regiment are among the best in the CDF, having assisted army special operations time and again.
The NNA operates its own aerospace wing as well, responsible for supplying the NNA with transportation, logistics, aerial superiority and close air support. It is far from the only branch to do this, as both the CNF and CMC have their own aerospace wings, however it is the largest of the three – whilst rare, it has been known that Army Aerospace Command have operated squadrons off CNF vessels when required, such as during the Battle of Breckenridge III in 2565. The AAC operates both fixed-wing and rotary aerospace craft, as well as tilt-engine craft such as the D20 Heron. The CMC’s aerospace wing also utilises much of the same equipment, which has led to cooperation and collaborations between the two forces in design and procurement of new assets.
The NNA has three main unit commands, each with their own area of responsibility in the Commonwealth. Two of the groups are defensive in nature, although they can be reoriented towards offensive actions rapidly: the First Army Group is responsible for the defence of the four original systems of the Commonwealth, whilst the Second Army Group guards the State Systems and Federal Territories of the CNA. The sole offensive group is the First Expeditionary Command, acting as the CDF’s quick-reaction force if offensive operations are required at short notice, filling a similar role to the CMC. The Expeditionary Command is headquartered on Port Stanley, along with the Second Army Group, whilst the First Army Group is located on Illawarra. Within these three force commands are dozens of smaller sub-units, each fulfilling a specific role within the command’s operations, whether it be combat, support, or service support. Everyone has a role to play – even the pencil-pushers of the Novus Australis Army Education Corps.

The men and women of the Assymetrical Assault Brigade have seen action across the Glasslands, operating as far afield as Kropotkin and the burnt surface of Harvest.
The NNA also contains several special forces units, all geared towards specific operation types and skillsets. The largest of the units is the Army Special Forces Command, consisting of 30,000 military and 1,200 civilian personnel. Based at Fort Hammerschmidt on Terrigal, the ‘Hammers’, as they’ve been nicknamed, typically operate as the NNA’s standard special forces group, with specialties in training guerrilla forces and counter-insurgency operations – proving their worth on New Zanzibar, Mamore, and even Kropotkin. The second of these units is the Novus Australis Pathfinders, a force of 5,000 personnel dedicated towards behind-the-lines operations. The Pathfinders have been especially valuable in conducting deep reconnaissance and espionage operations in far-flung regions of the Outer Colonies, such as Operation: SOUTH CAPE on the planet of Polinas. Finally, the NNA has the Asymmetrical Assault Brigade – specialising in void operations and planetary insertion, the AAB consists of 7,000 soldiers and pilots, which utilise equipment and assets not available to regular army forces, such as the Owl stealth dropships.
Most enlisted men within the NNA are conscripts, serving out a minimum period of service of three years. Their initial training is done at several different establishments – those on Illawarra go to the 1st Recruit Training Brigade at Noshino Barracks, whilst Darwin recruits go to the infamous Darrego Barracks outside of Newtown. Other recruits from around the Commonwealth are often trained at local recruit centres, although in the Federal Territories recruits are usually trained either at Port Stanley, or Nobetov. Those that stay after their period of service ends usually progress on to become non-commissioned officers, and some have been known to undertake, and pass, officer selection course. Officers in the NNA are trained at one of three colleges – the Duntroon Military College on Illawarra, the Chauvel Military Institute on Darwin, and the Orville Officer School on Terrigal. Each course takes approximately eighteen months to complete, with the graduates then going on to conduct their Officer Basics Course (OBC) for the branch of the NNA they join. These are conducted at specialised schools for each branch of the army, where both officers and enlisted learn the art of their trade, whether it be infantry, artillery or engineers.
[]
Commonwealth Naval Forces | |
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Basic Information | |
Allegiance | Commonwealth Defence Force |
Role |
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Size | 2,100,000 (as of 2566) |
Headquarters | MILCOM GHQ, Monash, Illawarra |
Cultural Information | |
Nickname(s) | 'Scrap Iron Flotilla' |
Motto | Si Vis Pacem, Para Bellum |
Colours | Blue and White |
March | Hearts of Oak |
Commanders |
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[Source] |
If the Novus Australis Army is the Commonwealth’s sword, then the navy must certainly be its shield. The Commonwealth Naval Forces is the first line of defence for the nation, protecting its planets from orbits, blocking enemy movements and providing its own offensive power as a blunt force, destroying an opponent’s naval assets so the army and marine corps can start the dirty work planetside. Much like the NNA, the CNF takes much of its organisation and structure from the far larger UNSC Navy – especially prudent given the two navies utilise much the same vessels and equipment. This relation has slowly decreased in importance over the 2560s, however, as domestically designed and produced warships have slowly been introduced into the Navy, and contact with the UNSC has reduced, the CNF has slowly begun to seek out its own procedures and methods that work best for its own forces. The Navy is split into several different fleets, task forces and squadrons, however with a size of over two-hundred and thirty-four warships by 2566 and dozens more under construction, the amount of flotillas is only expected to grow throughout the decade.
Upon formation in 2552, the CNF consisted of thirty warships of varying tonnage, many of which were under repair in Illawarran yards. The CNF would begin a series of fleet expansion programs throughout the 2550s, purchasing further warships either second-hand from the UNSC, or directly from manufacturers like SinoViet Heavy Machinery, and Aerofabrique SA. Additionally, the CNF began to employ the use of its own domestic shipyards to begin construction on license-produced vessels, in a concerted effort to quadruple the size of the fleet by 2558. Whilst they would fall short of this goal by three ships, the continued expansion would only grow in size, especially as the UNSC began selling warships by the block after the Created Crisis. This, combined with the Commonwealth’s concentrated investment into its shipyards bearing fruit, would see the CNF become the largest human navy in the Glasslands.

The CNF's aerospace wing has seen its fair share of combat, seen here as Sabre fighters from the CNFS Highlander fight swarms of Banshee fighters over the planet of Port Stanley.
The CNF, much like the NNA and CMC, maintains its own aerospace command, although the focus is on space combat rather than atmospheric work. Whilst the CNF maintains a sizable force of transport craft, the bulk of the force consists of ship and station-launched spacecraft, such as Longsword, Sabre and Pegasus fighter-bombers. Additionally, the CNF maintains several squadrons of rotary craft for use in atmosphere, mostly as VIP transportation and general duties craft. Though organised and under the CNF’s structure, its aerospace wing has been utilised in tandem with NNA and CMC assets numerous times, and on one occasion several squadrons of CNF craft were combined with the CMC’s own air assets during the grueling and attritional Siege of Kalmykia. This action made famous the CNF’s 118th Fighter Squadron – nicknamed the ‘Green Angels’ due to the distinctive, green-tipped wings of their Broadsword fighter-bombers.
The CNF’s fleet is split into five main fleets, and eight smaller task forces. The five fleets are each based across one of the Commonwealth’s main fleet bases – Illawarra, New Corinth, Terrigal, Port Stanley and Nobetov. The largest of the five is the CNF Home Fleet, led from the flagship Kosciuszko – one of the original ships in the CNF, and the Navy’s sole Valiant-class supercruiser. These fleets function as the CNF’s main striking power, capable of warding off rebel or remnant forces from attacking Commonwealth targets, and launching offensives into contested space, to expand the nation’s borders, or destroy an opponent’s force concentration. The smaller task forces fulfil smaller niches – convoy escort, for ferrying troops between planets, hunter-killer raids, reconnaissance and occasionally assist in BMIS operations when required. The CNF also operates, in collaboration with BMIS, several Prowlers, used for deep-strike raids and reconnaissance, when stealth is absolutely required.

The sailors of 1CES are equipped with the CDF's best void-capable equipment, such as the ODST VAC3 suit - with the necessary mods for salvage and rescue ops, of course.
The CNF, not to be outdone by its ground-based brethren, also maintains forces dedicated to special operations. The largest of the two units is the Naval Special Warfare Brigade, functioning as the primary unit utilised by the CNF. Specialising in void warfare, boarding actions and ground-based operations, the 4,500-strong unit has been utilised sparingly over the course of its existence, only being deployed three times, all in support of operations in the Frontier Bush War. The other unit is the 1st Combat Engineer Squadron. A very small group consisting of 500 operatives, the role of the 1CES is to conduct battlefield search-and-rescue during void actions, and boarding actions to either free sailors trapped within crippled vessels or destroy the ship’s navigational data and other classified material. Due to the dangers of the job, 1CES has one of the most rigorous selection courses in the Commonwealth, rivalling that of the Pathfinders and Z Special Unit.
The CNF conduct their basic training at the Cambridge Naval Base on Barton, with advanced training for specific qualifications spread across the Commonwealth. The officer trainees of the CNF either learn their trade at the Cresswell Naval College in Newcastle, Illawarra, or the Cole Institute on New Corinth. During the 2550s, the CNF had an exchange program with the UNSC, where CNF trainees could be sent to the prestigious Mare Nubium Academy for naval officer training. Since the Created Crisis, and rapid expansion of both the CNF’s fleet size and its training establishments, this has mostly fallen out of favour – however, most of the CNF’s flag officers are still UNSC-trained, as the new generation of locally-qualified officers make their way through the ranks. The current head of the CDF, Admiral of the Fleet Mitchell Turner, graduated from Mare Nubium at the top of his class during the Human-Covenant War.
Commonwealth Marine Corps[]
Commonwealth Marine Corps | |
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Basic Information | |
Allegiance | Commonwealth Defence Force |
Role |
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Size | 1,550,000 (as of 2566) |
Headquarters | Fort Bridges, New Canberra, Barton |
Cultural Information | |
Nickname(s) | 'Alligators' |
Motto | Per Astra, Per Terram |
Colours | Green and Red |
March | Into the Void Unknown |
Commanders |
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[Source] |
The Commonwealth Marine Corps is undoubtedly the spear of the Commonwealth – a long-ranged, focused, precision-oriented organisation dedicated to expeditionary actions and planetary assaults. The CMC is the smallest of the branches, only containing 1.55 million active-duty personnel, however by no means is it incapable of conducting large-scale manoeuvres and operations. Unlike the NNA, the CMC is a force focused on light, mobile infantry tactics supported by heavier assets, able to achieve a primary breakthrough – such as establishing a beachhead on an enemy planet – and clear the way for heavier units and forces to extend the advance. The CMC has had plenty of practice in accomplishing this during its short existence, from fighting New Colonial Alliance regulars on Orpheus to capturing the planet of Traitoris from Banished-aligned warbands in 2564. In these actions it has proven itself to be just as capable as the NNA – although questions on whether it is more capable than the NNA have caused more than a few pub brawls between the competing services.
The CMC had small beginnings in 2552 – formed out of several UNSC Marine Corps brigades and two battalions of Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, the CMC would grow over the course of the 2550s as the force was joined by a plethora of new recruits, and transfers from the UNSC by many natives of Illawarra and Darwin. The small force would receive its first test at Orpheus in 2553, as the CDF dispatched the 1st Commonwealth Guards Regiment and two battalions of regular marines to assist UNSC forces in the campaign. Over the course of three months, the composite brigade gained invaluable combat experience fighting rebel forces and conducting counter-insurgency operations. Orpheus was the first of many combat operations involving the CMC, as the branch of the CDF most often attached to UNSC forces when undertaking combat missions. Whilst these offensive actions would stall during the Created Crisis, the CMC would have plenty of opportunities to show off their mettle in the 2560s. For the first phase of operations on New Zanzibar, the CMC was the primary force acting on the planet, whilst they also played a large role in Operation: JACKAL BAIT in 2565.
The CMC operates in a pyramidal structure – the Marine Forces Command issues orders to the three Marine Battle Forces, which in turn control between two to five Marine Expeditionary Units at any given time. Each MEU is attached to a CNF battlegroup, with the larger fleets often having several MEUs attached – the most prevalent example of this is the Battle of Cilicia in 2565, where the CNF’s 3rd Fleet contained three MEUs. Every MEU has its own armour, artillery, engineering and aviation units embedded within, with provisions for specialised units and special operations forces to be temporarily detached to the MEU if required. Although not officially in the standard ORBAT, most MEUs will have several battalions of Commonwealth Guard shocktroopers permanently linked to the force.

On New Zanzibar, Commonwealth Marines often deployed into the lush grasslands of the planet for weeks on end, chasing leads and patrolling for Provos and Nationals - far away from the creature comforts of their Forward Operating Bases.
The CMC has the most amount of special operations forces of the three branches, despite being the smallest. The largest of these are the Commonwealth Guard – the CNA’s Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. They operate in the same role, utilise the same equipment, and have the same ego as the Helljumpers, and are the largest non-conventional unit in the Commonwealth, with over 100,000 members. They often integrate and cooperate with CMC Force Reconnaissance, otherwise known as the Marine Raiders. The 10,000 strong Raiders are the CMC’s reconnaissance and raiding experts, integrating with CNF Prowlers to go deep behind the frontline to mark targets for planetary invasions, train local insurgencies, and wreak havoc on enemy dispositions. Finally, there is Z Special Unit. Considered one of the best special operations units in existence, Z Special Unit consists of 2,500 soldiers, trained to accomplish the most dangerous and strenuous missions the CDF can offer. In every single campaign the CDF has undertaken, Z Special Unit personnel have been involved in laying the groundwork – whether it be the assassination of VIPs, destruction of infrastructure, guerilla warfare or reconnaissance. Their selection course is widely considered to be the toughest in the Commonwealth (according to the members of Z Special Unit), with the average intake of three-hundred applicants being whittled away to ten new commandos.
Unlike the rest of the CDF, both officer candidates and enlisted personnel go through the same thirteen-week induction training before their advanced courses, either at Fort Bridges on New Barton, or at Mako Island on Cameron. Much like the CNF, a large portion of the Marine Corps’ higher-ranking officers are UNSC-trained officers, although several officers, notably the current Commandant of the CMC, Michael Etienne-Therry, and commander of Z Special Unit, Colonel Daniel Reinhardt, were both graduates of Duntroon Military College, when it was a UNSC establishment during the Human-Covenant War. Now, though, the main training barracks for Marine Corps officers is Fort Rustam on Barton, nestled in the Lamworth Range on the continent of Eyre. The CMC also contains an officer exchange program with their counterparts in the UNSC – the current commander of the 3rd MEU, Lieutenant General Teagan Weygand, is a UNSC Marine Corps transfer.
History[]
Foundation, 2500 – 2552[]
The beginnings of the Commonwealth Defence Force come from Illawarra’s involvement in the Human-Covenant War. Up until that point, the planet had maintained a small, professional core of militia, dispatching these volunteers to assist UNSC and CMA forces in campaigns on Venezia, New Palermo and Eridanus II. Several companies of Illawarran irregular volunteers were even dispatched to fight against rebels on Kropotkin during the Red-Black Storm, beginning a relationship fueled by hate and long memories between the two nations. As contact with the Covenant was realised and planets began falling by the dozen, the planetary militia was federalised and integrated into the UNSC Defence Force, whilst a recruitment drive to establish further forces would begin in earnest. By 2530, Illawarra had trained over 80,000 new soldiers since the start of the war, although many would go right into the meat grinder and were lost on planets no one would remember the name of.

Several Illawarran-raised units would fight in the early battles, dispatched into the meat grinder that was the Harvest Campaign - only a few dozen would make it off-world alive.
The Massacre of the Outer Colonies would be a wake-up call for Illawarra, as they had been relatively passive in readying the planet and its forces for war. A general conscription order went out for all military-aged civilians 18-22 to serve an indefinite time in the planetary militia, whilst exceptions and incentives were created for those who would enlist in the UNSCDF. Additionally, funds and investments were put into the strengthening of the local defence industry, helping assist in the expansions of companies such as Evelyn Arms, Sentinel Systems and Federation Industries. The concerted effort would bear fruit, as the size of the garrison on Illawarra, Tasmania and Barton grew to 200,000 soldiers by 2538, up from 25,000 in 2531. The shipyards around the planet that had produced civilian vessels were busy manufacturing frigate after frigate, as Illawarra grew to become one of the largest shipyards in the Outer Colonies (mostly due to the unfortunate fact that most shipyard colonies had been glassed by the Covenant). In 2542, due to the planet’s position as one of the few remaining Outer Colonies, and one with a substantial military presence, the UNSC saw fit to relocate the Outer Colonies Forces Command to Illawarra, although by that point it was simply a position with no meaning, as focus turned to the Siege of the Inner Colonies.
Over the 2540s, Illawarra’s defences would neither contract nor expand – for every unit relocated to the Inner Colonies, another would replace it, having just escaped destruction elsewhere. By 2552, Illawarra was one of the few remaining colonies in the area, and with the Fall of Reach in August, cut off from communication with the wider UNSC. The remaining forces in both the Illawarra and Darwin Systems, militia and UNSC, would then merge upon the declaration of the Commonwealth of Novus Australis, forming the Commonwealth Defence Force.
Consolidation, 2552 – 2560[]
Although the time spent out of contact with the UNSC was relatively short, in that period the CDF was able to establish a stable command structure, and integrate both militia units and UNSC forces together. For the most part, the UNSC units in Commonwealth territory in 2552 were locally raised and trained, leading to the UNSC allowing them to remain as part of the CDF during the Concord negotiations rather than requesting their return. The ex-UNSC units and militia served as a core force that the Commonwealth would use to rapidly expand the CDF with, growing to two million personnel by the end of 2553. For the most part, this expansion went smoothly, however left the organisation lacking experience in the junior NCO and junior officer positions and increased bureaucratic inefficiency in behind-the-lines duties. These issues wouldn’t be fixed until the late 2550s, by which point the CDF had matured enough to be able to conduct expansion programs with ease.

Over the course of the 2550s, the CNF would build the strength of not only the Home Fleet, but its expeditionary commands - by 2563, they could comfortably defend the planets of the Commonwealth, whilst engaging in offensive operations against numerous foes.
Most of this expansion was assisted by the methods of recruitment and National Service. Between 2553 and 2561, the mandatory period of service within the CDF was all enlisted personnel males and females aged nineteen, serving for a period of six-eight years depending on service and qualifications. This would be cut down to three-five years after 2561, although thanks to the fierce fighting and high operational tempo of the Frontier Bush War, the CDF is considering changing this back to the previous service period. The minimum period of service for officers, however, has not changed since the CDF’s inception, with a period of nine-thirteen years. In any case, in the early stages of the CDF’s existence, experience was in short supply, leading to the Commonwealth government agreeing to dispatch the CDF to assist the UNSC in military operations in the Glasslands.
The CDF’s first operation in tandem with UNSC forces would be in October 2552, with operations on Falkhurst, where a brigade of Commonwealth marines would join the UNSC’s 8th Infantry Division and Task Force Nimoy in retaking the planet from United Rebel Front forces. The campaign lasted seven weeks, and although the lack of experience of the Commonwealth soldiers would hamper early efforts in operations, ultimately it was a major success, with praise sung for the marines by Task Force Nimoy’s commander, Rear Admiral Zara Terronen:
- "They were outstanding. Competent, qualified and ready to learn. A few hiccups in the first few advances, but nothing that wasn’t quickly fixed by their commanders. Well done to the marines."
The operations on Falkhurst were quickly followed with advances and occupations of dozens of other planets, from Ghormley and Nuevo Scaracis to Akuna and Mamore. By 2555, the CDF had seen action in all aspects of warfare, quickly becoming one of the preferred forces for UNSC HIGHCOM to cooperate with. Special operations also saw a large amount of cooperation, with the Pathfinders and Z Special Unit cutting their teeth whilst deployed with ODSTs on Venezia and Gao, whilst the combat astronauts of 1CES trained with ONI personnel at one of their many hidden black sites across the Orion Arm. All told, 12,987 CDF personnel would die between 2552 – 2558 whilst on operations with UNSC forces, of a total of 290,000 soldiers, sailors and marines deployed.
The Created Crisis would serve as the first real test of the CDF as an organisation capable of defending the Commonwealth’s borders and its people. Unfortunately, however, much of their capability was neutralised by the Smart AI in their midst, using their connections and positions within CDF command structure to hold much of the navy in Illawarra hostage after the Guardian arrived and subjugated the system. If it wasn’t for the intervention of the loyal AI ‘Callidus’, the Commonwealth would have remained under the bootheel of Cortana until her demise in 2560. As it were, the success of Callidus’ dangerous plan to use the Lockbox Protocol against the traitor AI would see the CDF regain control and swiftly begin preparations for a potential invasion of the Commonwealth, should the Lockbox Protocol fail to ward off inquisitive Created agents. Between 2558 and 2560, the CDF would detain or destroy over fifty vessels that entered the system – usually vessels belonging to alien or rebel pirates that had thrown their lot in with the Created.
With the death of Cortana at the turn of the decade, however, the CDF found itself free to operate without the shackles of secrecy constraining it. One of the Commonwealth’s first pieces of agenda was to ensure the security of the Commonwealth’s borders, and of its neighbours. These neighbours – the planets of Aotearoa II, Nobetov and New Grisham – were former UEG member-states, now lacking in protection that the UNSC once provided. During the Created’s rule, they had been subject to pirate lords exacting tolls and taxes from the planet’s population and had no desire for the current state of affairs to continue. As such, the three planets would sign a petition to enter into the Commonwealth as planetary states – a petition that was resoundingly approved by the Commonwealth Parliament. Almost immediately, a CDF task force was organised to protect the newest planets of the Commonwealth, and deal with the pirates. When the first buccaneers arrived above Aotearoa II several weeks later, they were surprised to see a Commonwealth task force waiting for them.
A month later, the CDF task forces happily reported to Illawarra that the pirates had been all but destroyed, with the newest members of the Commonwealth safe and secure from any future raids. However, this left the CDF stretched out across seven systems, with no real quick reaction force available to come to the aid of other forces should an attack occur. As such, the Commonwealth Parliament, aware of the new, dangerous reality of the Glasslands, would pass the Defence Act of 2560 – greenlighting the largest military expansion plan the Commonwealth had seen.
Expansion, 2561 –[]
Equipment[]
Name | Type | Photo | Manufacturer | Notes |
Evelyn Arms EA55 ICWS | Assault Rifle | Evelyn Arms | The standard rifle for all three branches of the Commonwealth Defence Force. Does come in a carbine variant for mounted, naval and combat support units. | |
Misriah Armoury MA5 ICWS | Assault Rifle | Misriah Armoury/Evelyn Arms | Although the EA55 is the standard assault rifle of the CDF, certain special operations units continue to use the MA5, such as the CNF's 1CES and the Marine Raiders. | |
Misriah Armoury BR75 SR | Battle Rifle | Misriah Armoury/Evelyn Arms | Whilst considered a battle rifle, the BR75 has been used in its assault rifle configuration by many units in the CDF, and is a favourite of the Commonwealth Marine Corps' recon detachments. | |
Evelyn Arms EA63 DMR | Designated Marksman Rifle | Evelyn Arms | The newest weapon in the CDF's arsenal has proven itself to be versatile, accurate and reliable - a worthy replacement to the venerable Bandit. | |
Misriah Armoury M392 DMR | Designated Marksman Rifle | Misriah Armoury | Despite its age, the Bandit still has some kick to it, and will remain a part of the CDF's arsenal for some time to come. | |
Misriah Armoury M7 SMG | Submachine Gun | Misriah Armoury/Kilmer & Harrow | Though limited in number, the M7 sees widespread popularity within the CNF's naval security teams, ship-based Marine combat teams, and military police. | |
Misriah Armoury M6 Magnum | Handgun | Misriah Armoury/Kilmer & Harrow | The 'right-hand of Earth' still finds itself required to serve decades after its introduction, albeit after some heavy modification by those at Kilmer & Harrow. | |
Kilmer & Harrow KH49 Raker | Handgun | Kilmer & Harrow/Evelyn Arms | The Mk50 Sidekick has found its way into the CDF arsenal, albeit as a licensed design named after one of the most dangerous spiders on Illawarra. | |
Misriah Armoury M45E CAWS | Shotgun | Misriah Armoury | The Army prefers the M45 over the M90, and it's hard not to see why - more power and more punch is hard to overlook, especially when breaching an Innie bunker with shredder shells. | |
Misriah Armoury M90 CAWS | Shotgun | Misriah Armoury | "I like the M90, and there's a reason the Marines chose it over the '45. The stock on the '90's a lot stronger, so when I'm bashing in the face of a hingehead, I know it won't break on me." | |
Misriah Armoury SRS99-AM Series | Sniper Rifle/Anti-Materiel Rifle | Sentinel Systems | A classic human weapon, the SRS99 is yet to let its users down - whether the target's a rebel leader, a Banished mercenary, or Jackal privateer, the SRS will put a 14.5mm hole in 'em. | |
Misriah Armoury M99 Stanchion SASR | Anti-Materiel Rifle | Sentinel Systems | A rare yet much acclaimed weapon, the Stanchion has achieved a legendary reputation within the CDF, a status symbol of a skilled marksman - as long as you're willing to carry the heavy bastard. | |
Misriah Armoury M739 SAW | Light Machine Gun | Misriah Armoury | The standard light machine gun of the CDF, there isn't much to say about the M739 that hasn't been said - it's big, it's heavy, and it hits hard. | |
Evelyn Arms EA52 LMG | Light Machine Gun | Evelyn Arms | The new kid on the block, the EA52 was designed to supplement the M739 rather than replace it - although the hometown hero has quickly proven to be very popular with its users. | |
Misriah Armoury M41SSR MAV | Rocket Launcher | Misriah Armoury/Sentinel Systems | Jackhammer, Spanker, Can Opener, Launcher. Call it whatever you want, the M41 will deliver nonetheless. Still in service, still useful, still impressive. | |
Chalybs Defence Solutions M57SSR Pilum MAV | Rocket Launcher | Sentinel Systems | A newer system introduced to augment the existing stockpiles of M41s, the Pilum has quickly become sought after as a lightweight anti-air system for infantry and rear-area units. | |
Chalybs Defence Solutions MLRS-2 Hydra Gyroc Launcher | Multiple Rocket Launcher | Sentinel Systems | Small stockpiles of these have been issued to Marine Raider units, to mixed success - it's lightweight frame and versatility is often contrasted with its unreliability and limited damage output. |
Name | Type | Photo | Manufacturer | Notes |
Misriah Armoury M247 HMG | Heavy Machine Gun | Misriah Armoury | A shining example of why simplicity isn't always bad, the M247 is the backbone of the Commonwealth's mounted automatic weaponry, featuring on everything from Warthogs to Scorpions and Crocodiles. | |
Misriah Armoury AIE-486H HMG | Rotary Machine Gun | Misriah Armoury | A staple of human fortifications, if you can' find a Yeller on the frontline, chances are it's being repaired. A devastating weapon, to both the enemy and the armourers who work on it. | |
Ushuaia Armoury LAU-65D SGMP | Mounted Missile Launcher | Sentinel Systems | Although a rarity, several of these pods remain in service with the Caldwell Orbital Defence Grid as point defence - a few were even spotted on New Zanzibar. | |
Misriah Armoury M68 ALIMC | Gauss Cannon | Misriah Armoury/Sentinel Systems | A weapon loved by almost everyone in the CDF. If a Gauss gun isn't bolted down, chances are it'll be gone the next day. | |
Misriah Armoury M51 Ares LAAG | Heavy Machine Gun/Light Anti-Aircraft Weapon | Misriah Armoury/Sentinel Systems | A modified version of the M46 Vulcan, the Ares has proven its worth many times on the back of a Warthog, or as a mounted weapon holding back swathes of Banished footsoldiers. | |
Sentinel Systems M61 Mars AGL | Automatic Grenade Launcher | Sentinel Systems | A domestic design, the M61 is a big hit with frontline soldiers - although against regulations, many commanders turned a blind eye to adhoc Mars mounts on vehicles on New Zanzibar, to give their patrols some extra oomph. |
Name | Type | Photo | Manufacturer | Notes |
Asklon M274 Mongoose ATV | All-Terrain Vehicle | Natsumoto Technologies | A vehicle favoured by the many reconnaissance units of the CDF, the Mongoose has slowly been phased out due to its flimsy frame and lack of suspension. | |
Asklon M12 Warthog FAV | General Purpose Vehicle | Zentrum Automotive | If God's rifle is the MA5, his chariot must be an M12 Warthog (or if you're one of those guys, a Puma). One of the greatest machines ever made by humanity, it's estimated the last person to drive a Warthog hasn't been born yet. | |
Misriah Armoury M15 Razorback LTV | General Purpose Vehicle | Zentrum Automotive | The Warthog's younger, more muscly cousin, the Razorback is a new addition to the CDF's fleet of vehicles - but a very welcome arrival. Testing on New Zanzibar was extremely positive, with full IOC expected by 2565. | |
Hannibal Weapons Systems MCV-15 Mantis ACW | Armoured Combat Walker | Hannibal Weapons Systems | An extremely rare piece of equipment, the Mantis ACW is exclusively operated by the Army's 1st Mobile Walker Brigade on the planet Port Stanley - although rumours abound in the CDF as to possible sightings on New Zanzibar and Cilicia. | |
Asklon H9 Unimog | Heavy Transport Vehicle | Sentinel Systems | The Commonwealth's standard mover, the H9 has turned up everywhere the CDF has, transporting anything from Warthog parts and ammunition to ration packs and paperclips. | |
Zentrum Automotive H11 Kallcat MRAP | Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected Vehicle | Zentrum Automotive | A new introduction to the CDF, the Kallcat (named after a nasty native of Darwin) is in a trial period with the Army and Marines, to take IEDs on the chin and keep moving. Light transport and headquarters variants are soon to be delivered. | |
Vickers Limited M3 Crocodile IFV | Infantry Fighting Vehicle | Vickers Limited/Federation Industries | A heavily-armed, armoured and bad-tempered killing machine, the 'Prick' as it is affectionately known is the most common AFV in the CDF. Comes in all types of variants, each more than capable of obliterating the enemy. | |
Misriah Armoury M650 Mastodon APC | Armoured Personnel Carrier | Acheron Security/Sentinel Systems | Mastodons are infamous in the CDF for their reliability and survivability, but have an unfortunate habit of stalling out when climbing any slope steeper than 35 degrees. | |
Sentinel Systems M7 Priest SPH | Self-Propelled Howitzer | Sentinel Systems | Whilst the gunners and bombardiers of the Army love it for its versatility, and the marines love it for its mobility, the engineers that work on it all day long don't have very polite things to say about the Priest. | |
Sentinel Systems M99 Spaniel SPAA | Self-Propelled Anti-Aircraft | Sentinel Systems | The Spaniel, much like the dog, is fast, dangerous and often underestimated. But be warned - to ignore its hefty armament of RADAR-guided missiles and autocannons is to invite death. | |
Chalybs Defence Solutions M808 Scorpion MBT | Main Battle Tank | Acheron Security/Sentinel Systems | The Scorpion - everyone knows what it is and what it does. The CDF uses it constantly, in all sorts of shapes and sizes. The Sun Devil and Tarantula variants, though rare, have been seen sporting the Southern Cross emblem all across the Glasslands. | |
Chalybs Defence Solutions M850 Grizzly MBT | Main Battle Tank | Acheron Security/Sentinel Systems | Cousin to the Scorpion, the Grizzly is capable of dealing with opponents even the Scorpion can't quite deal with. Despite this, reliability problems and the scarcity of the vehicles mean that to see them on the battlefield is a rare treat. |
Name | Type | Photo | Manufacturer | Notes |
Misriah Armoury AV-14 Hornet VTOL | VTOL Light Attack Craft | Misriah Armoury/Federation Industries | Once a staple of Commonwealth Marine deployments, the Hornet has slowly but surely been removed from active service, replaced by the newer Wasp and Wedgetail craft. | |
Misriah Armoury AV-49 Wasp VTOL | VTOL Light Attack Craft | Misriah Armoury/Federation Industries | The Wasp is a fan-favourite of the pilots of the Commonwealth - nimble, versatile and heavily-armed, it's exactly the kind of close support craft that pilots love to fly and grunts love to watch. | |
Misriah Armoury UH-144 Falcon | Multipurpose Rotary Craft | Misriah Armoury/Federation Industries | ||
Newton Arsenal UH-90 Wedgetail | Multipurpose Rotary Craft | Newton Arsenal/Federation Industries | ||
Misriah Armoury D77-TC Pelican | General Purpose Dropship | Misriah Armoury/Newton Arsenal | ||
Misriah Armoury D80/81-LRT Condor | General Purpose Long Range Dropship | Misriah Armoury/Newton Arsenal | ||
Misriah Armoury D102-IC Owl | Stealth Dropship | Misriah Armoury | ||
Misriah Armoury GA-TL1 Longsword | Interceptor/Strike Fighter | Misriah Armoury | ||
Chalybs Defence Solutions F-29 Nandao | Strike Fighter | McDouglas-Donnell Corporation | ||
Misriah Armoury F-41 Broadsword | Multirole Strike Fighter | McDouglas-Donnell Corporation | ||
Ushuaia Armoury FSS-1000 Sabre | Interceptor | Newton Arsenal | ||
Misriah Armoury S-14 Baselard | Strike Fighter/Bomber | McDouglas-Donnell Corporation |