Difference between revisions of "Military: Gabal"
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== Military Forces Overview == | == Military Forces Overview == | ||
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[[File:DATE-ROG-Ground Forces Cmd 20180425.png|thumb|Ground Forces Structure. Units without a location listed are co-located with parent headquarters.]] | [[File:DATE-ROG-Ground Forces Cmd 20180425.png|thumb|Ground Forces Structure. Units without a location listed are co-located with parent headquarters.]] | ||
[[File:DATE-ROG-MAP-Grd Forces 20180426.png|thumb|Locations of Gabal's ground forces. Units not shown are co-located with their higher unit headquarters.]] | [[File:DATE-ROG-MAP-Grd Forces 20180426.png|thumb|Locations of Gabal's ground forces. Units not shown are co-located with their higher unit headquarters.]] | ||
Gabalian military strategy revolves around the prevention of illegal fishing in their territorial waters and the positive economic relationship the country has with many nations including the US, Olvana, and Donovia. Based on the country’s history with the Western powers and their status of a member of the United Nations (UN), Gabal expects that other countries will come to their defense if invaded. Due to the country’s small size and an active military of 5,600 personnel, all of Gabal’s military plans are defensive in nature. Military expenditures account for 7.81% of overall GDP, mostly for military wages. | Gabalian military strategy revolves around the prevention of illegal fishing in their territorial waters and the positive economic relationship the country has with many nations including the US, Olvana, and Donovia. Based on the country’s history with the Western powers and their status of a member of the United Nations (UN), Gabal expects that other countries will come to their defense if invaded. Due to the country’s small size and an active military of 5,600 personnel, all of Gabal’s military plans are defensive in nature. Military expenditures account for 7.81% of overall GDP, mostly for military wages. | ||
− | + | == Army Overview == | |
The Gabal military fields approximately 5,000 soldiers for their ground forces and all are volunteers. Gabal ground forces consists primarily of an infantry brigade with four battalions, most of them are only cadre units. Soldiers that leave active duty must serve in the reserves until age 45. There are about 2,500 total reservists. Many of the active duty support units are not manned at 100% and would need reservists to bring them up to full strength. | The Gabal military fields approximately 5,000 soldiers for their ground forces and all are volunteers. Gabal ground forces consists primarily of an infantry brigade with four battalions, most of them are only cadre units. Soldiers that leave active duty must serve in the reserves until age 45. There are about 2,500 total reservists. Many of the active duty support units are not manned at 100% and would need reservists to bring them up to full strength. | ||
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Most of the army is located on bases in the capital city of Coron. The exceptions are one active duty infantry battalion that is stationed at Busuanga and a reserve infantry battalion at Culion. | Most of the army is located on bases in the capital city of Coron. The exceptions are one active duty infantry battalion that is stationed at Busuanga and a reserve infantry battalion at Culion. | ||
− | + | === Army Doctrine and Tactics === | |
Due to the proximity to North and South Torbia and their historical relationship with Western powers, Gabal tactics are a mixture of what works best in their island jungles. For the most part, Gabal tactics are those found in [[TC 7-100.2 Opposing Force Tactics|TC 7-100.2]]. Gabal has sent small elements, company size or smaller, on UN missions to Africa and other places. In addition to the exposure to other professional armies that continue to increase the military’s proficiency, this provides a source of income for Gabal. The Gabalian government keeps the difference between what the UN pays for a soldier and what the military pays its soldiers. | Due to the proximity to North and South Torbia and their historical relationship with Western powers, Gabal tactics are a mixture of what works best in their island jungles. For the most part, Gabal tactics are those found in [[TC 7-100.2 Opposing Force Tactics|TC 7-100.2]]. Gabal has sent small elements, company size or smaller, on UN missions to Africa and other places. In addition to the exposure to other professional armies that continue to increase the military’s proficiency, this provides a source of income for Gabal. The Gabalian government keeps the difference between what the UN pays for a soldier and what the military pays its soldiers. | ||
− | + | === Army Training and Readiness === | |
Gabal relies on a strictly volunteer military force. Soldiers can join at age 18, but must retire from active duty by age 55. Senior officers may be extended with a waiver. Due to the limited jobs available on the island, the army carries a high level of prestige. Once accepted into the military, an islander can expect to make it his career if they do nothing wrong and desire to remain on active duty. Those that decide to honorably leave active duty service are still tied to the military as reservists until the age of 45. Many regular army soldiers do not take their work seriously and are not motivated because they see little prospect of entering combat in the near future. Due to corruption in the government, the soldiers have been known to miss a paycheck. If this occurs for any length of time, desertion increases. Still, the military is able to find replacements for the deserters. | Gabal relies on a strictly volunteer military force. Soldiers can join at age 18, but must retire from active duty by age 55. Senior officers may be extended with a waiver. Due to the limited jobs available on the island, the army carries a high level of prestige. Once accepted into the military, an islander can expect to make it his career if they do nothing wrong and desire to remain on active duty. Those that decide to honorably leave active duty service are still tied to the military as reservists until the age of 45. Many regular army soldiers do not take their work seriously and are not motivated because they see little prospect of entering combat in the near future. Due to corruption in the government, the soldiers have been known to miss a paycheck. If this occurs for any length of time, desertion increases. Still, the military is able to find replacements for the deserters. | ||
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The Gabal Special Operations Company is a small special purpose force (SPF) that attempts to specialize in anti-terrorism operations. They respond to any terrorist related situation, bomb threat, or potential threat against VIPs. The Gabal SPF can directly receive their missions from the MoD in peacetime emergencies. The Gabal military has sent its SPF personnel to observe US SOF training in the states and Western SOF advisors have visited the island to help with SPF training. All SPF teams are general purpose and do not specialize in one technique such as bomb disposal, hostage rescue, and anti-terrorist operations. While the Gabal SPF are the best soldiers in the country, their level of training does not meet the SPF found in the US, Olvana, or Donovia. | The Gabal Special Operations Company is a small special purpose force (SPF) that attempts to specialize in anti-terrorism operations. They respond to any terrorist related situation, bomb threat, or potential threat against VIPs. The Gabal SPF can directly receive their missions from the MoD in peacetime emergencies. The Gabal military has sent its SPF personnel to observe US SOF training in the states and Western SOF advisors have visited the island to help with SPF training. All SPF teams are general purpose and do not specialize in one technique such as bomb disposal, hostage rescue, and anti-terrorist operations. While the Gabal SPF are the best soldiers in the country, their level of training does not meet the SPF found in the US, Olvana, or Donovia. | ||
− | + | === Army Weapons and Equipment === | |
The Gabal army operates primarily tier 4 equipment and any equipment of a higher tier level has been donated by some other country. The equipment operational readiness rate for the army is only 40-50% because of limited funds for spare parts, lack of trained personnel, and apathy. There has been discussion between Gabal and other countries to obtain newer equipment, primarily to aid in halting illegal fishing. These include newer rotary-winged aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), faster patrol boats, man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS); night vision equipment, and communication gear such as cellular phones, computers, and radios. The Gabal military force cannot operate at night or in periods of low visibility due to a lack of night vision equipment. (''For further information see [[Worldwide Equipment Guide|Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG)]], Vol. 1, Chapter 1, OPFOR Tier Tables.'') | The Gabal army operates primarily tier 4 equipment and any equipment of a higher tier level has been donated by some other country. The equipment operational readiness rate for the army is only 40-50% because of limited funds for spare parts, lack of trained personnel, and apathy. There has been discussion between Gabal and other countries to obtain newer equipment, primarily to aid in halting illegal fishing. These include newer rotary-winged aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), faster patrol boats, man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS); night vision equipment, and communication gear such as cellular phones, computers, and radios. The Gabal military force cannot operate at night or in periods of low visibility due to a lack of night vision equipment. (''For further information see [[Worldwide Equipment Guide|Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG)]], Vol. 1, Chapter 1, OPFOR Tier Tables.'') | ||
− | + | == Maritime Overview == | |
[[File:ROG-OB-ROG Naval Forces.png|thumb|ROG Army Naval Forces Structure]]Gabal’s Maritime Command is composed of naval units that operate subordinate to the army. The purpose of the Maritime Command is to deter, stop, or capture fisherman from other countries that violate territorial waters. Due to the small number of boats and personnel as well issues of ship maintenance, the Maritime Command does not field significant forces to defend all of Gabal’s territorial waters. | [[File:ROG-OB-ROG Naval Forces.png|thumb|ROG Army Naval Forces Structure]]Gabal’s Maritime Command is composed of naval units that operate subordinate to the army. The purpose of the Maritime Command is to deter, stop, or capture fisherman from other countries that violate territorial waters. Due to the small number of boats and personnel as well issues of ship maintenance, the Maritime Command does not field significant forces to defend all of Gabal’s territorial waters. | ||
− | + | === Navy Size and Structure === | |
The Maritime Command operates out of a few ports on the main islands. The navy operates out of two district commands with four patrol boats and two landing craft operated by about 150 sailors. Only about half of these ships are operational at any time as the sailors sometimes cannibalize the other ships to keep a few of them running. There are three primary naval bases in Gabal located in Coron, Busuanga, and Culion. The small boats can, however, operate out of the many small ports around the islands.[[File:DATE-ROG-MAP-Naval Forces 20180426.png|thumb|Primary naval forces locations. Naval forces will use smaller ports if needed for operations.]] | The Maritime Command operates out of a few ports on the main islands. The navy operates out of two district commands with four patrol boats and two landing craft operated by about 150 sailors. Only about half of these ships are operational at any time as the sailors sometimes cannibalize the other ships to keep a few of them running. There are three primary naval bases in Gabal located in Coron, Busuanga, and Culion. The small boats can, however, operate out of the many small ports around the islands.[[File:DATE-ROG-MAP-Naval Forces 20180426.png|thumb|Primary naval forces locations. Naval forces will use smaller ports if needed for operations.]] | ||
− | + | === Navy Doctrine and Tactics === | |
The Maritime Command is a brown-water force that attempts to stop the illegal fishermen in their territorial waters. These fishing vessels frequently come from North Torbia, South Torbia, Belesia, and sometimes Olvana. With only a few operational patrol boats at a time, the fishing industries from other countries penetrate the lucrative fishing grounds within Gabal’s territorial waters without fear. In addition to the prevention of illegal fishing activities, the Maritime Command also conducts maritime search and rescue. | The Maritime Command is a brown-water force that attempts to stop the illegal fishermen in their territorial waters. These fishing vessels frequently come from North Torbia, South Torbia, Belesia, and sometimes Olvana. With only a few operational patrol boats at a time, the fishing industries from other countries penetrate the lucrative fishing grounds within Gabal’s territorial waters without fear. In addition to the prevention of illegal fishing activities, the Maritime Command also conducts maritime search and rescue. | ||
− | + | === Navy Training and Readiness === | |
After a short basic training, Gabalian sailors go straight to an operational boat for on-the-job training. As with the army, the naval units are seen in a positive manner for a steady lifetime job. The only drawback is when the sailors miss receiving their pay due to semi-frequent government shutdowns due to a lack of funds. Those sailors that decide to leave active duty, must remain in the reserves until the age of 45 spending three weeks each year training. The reserve naval personnel reserve as a militia force and sometimes even use their own boats for military operations. The 150 active duty sailors with their reserve brethren find it difficult to keep more than half of the boats operational at any one time. The most elite jobs for enlisted personnel in the navy forces is service on the prime minister’s yacht. Once assigned to the yacht, the sailor usually serves on the yacht until retirement. The Prime Minister, the President, and other VIPs regularly use the yacht for business and leisure trips. | After a short basic training, Gabalian sailors go straight to an operational boat for on-the-job training. As with the army, the naval units are seen in a positive manner for a steady lifetime job. The only drawback is when the sailors miss receiving their pay due to semi-frequent government shutdowns due to a lack of funds. Those sailors that decide to leave active duty, must remain in the reserves until the age of 45 spending three weeks each year training. The reserve naval personnel reserve as a militia force and sometimes even use their own boats for military operations. The 150 active duty sailors with their reserve brethren find it difficult to keep more than half of the boats operational at any one time. The most elite jobs for enlisted personnel in the navy forces is service on the prime minister’s yacht. Once assigned to the yacht, the sailor usually serves on the yacht until retirement. The Prime Minister, the President, and other VIPs regularly use the yacht for business and leisure trips. | ||
− | + | === Naval Forces Weapons and Equipment === | |
The Maritime Commands operates weapons and equipment with primarily tier 4 capabilities. Due to their age and lack of maintenance, naval equipment is only about 50% operational. There are discussions ongoing to obtain some newer and faster patrol boats from other countries in order to match the speed of the fishing boats. The Maritime Command operates six ships based in the two naval districts, but none have the capacity to go more than twenty miles from the shore. Some of the patrol boats may operate mounted machine guns, less than .50 caliber. The naval personnel on these patrol boats carry small arms to protect themselves against any aggressive fishermen who decide to fight back. Sometimes due to the lack of their own boats, the Maritime Command will commandeer civilian boats in an emergency.[[File:ROG-OB-ROG Avn.png|thumb|ROG Army Aviation Structure]] | The Maritime Commands operates weapons and equipment with primarily tier 4 capabilities. Due to their age and lack of maintenance, naval equipment is only about 50% operational. There are discussions ongoing to obtain some newer and faster patrol boats from other countries in order to match the speed of the fishing boats. The Maritime Command operates six ships based in the two naval districts, but none have the capacity to go more than twenty miles from the shore. Some of the patrol boats may operate mounted machine guns, less than .50 caliber. The naval personnel on these patrol boats carry small arms to protect themselves against any aggressive fishermen who decide to fight back. Sometimes due to the lack of their own boats, the Maritime Command will commandeer civilian boats in an emergency.[[File:ROG-OB-ROG Avn.png|thumb|ROG Army Aviation Structure]] | ||
− | + | == Air Force Overview == | |
− | The Gabal air force is actually an Aviation Command in support of the army and the government. The Aviation Command flies both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Due to maintenance issues, it is rare that all the planes and helicopters are operational at the same time. Approximately 300 active duty personnel support the aviation units with the assistance of reservists rotating on and off of duty. | + | The Gabal air force is actually an Aviation Command in support of the army and the government. The Aviation Command flies both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Due to maintenance issues, it is rare that all the planes and helicopters are operational at the same time. Approximately 300 active duty personnel support the aviation units with the assistance of reservists rotating on and off of duty.Government |
[[File:DATE-ROG-MAP-AF 20180426.png|thumb|Gabal's aviation forces primary location. Helicopters can land in a number of locations.]] | [[File:DATE-ROG-MAP-AF 20180426.png|thumb|Gabal's aviation forces primary location. Helicopters can land in a number of locations.]] | ||
− | + | === Air Force Size and Structure === | |
The Aviation Command consists of a fixed wing section, a rotary wing section, and support elements. Aircraft can conduct reconnaissance in search of illegal fishing activities within Gabal’s territorial waters, assist in maritime search and rescue operations, or ferry military and governmental VIPs around the country. The military contains no air defense capabilities. | The Aviation Command consists of a fixed wing section, a rotary wing section, and support elements. Aircraft can conduct reconnaissance in search of illegal fishing activities within Gabal’s territorial waters, assist in maritime search and rescue operations, or ferry military and governmental VIPs around the country. The military contains no air defense capabilities. | ||
There is only one major runway located on the islands and that is the Busuanga Airport. The airport is located about halfway between Busuanga and Coron almost exactly in the middle of the island. Rotary wing aircraft can take off and land from most of the army and maritime facilities operated by the Gabal government. | There is only one major runway located on the islands and that is the Busuanga Airport. The airport is located about halfway between Busuanga and Coron almost exactly in the middle of the island. Rotary wing aircraft can take off and land from most of the army and maritime facilities operated by the Gabal government. | ||
− | + | === Air Force Doctrine and Tactics === | |
Gabal’s Aviation Command has little doctrine or tactics. Pilots, when their helicopters are operational, fly around the islands’ territorial waters trying to spot nefarious naval activity and then radio a patrol boat to intercept potential illegal fishermen. The transportation platoon flies VIPs from point to point. | Gabal’s Aviation Command has little doctrine or tactics. Pilots, when their helicopters are operational, fly around the islands’ territorial waters trying to spot nefarious naval activity and then radio a patrol boat to intercept potential illegal fishermen. The transportation platoon flies VIPs from point to point. | ||
− | + | === Air Force Training and Readiness === | |
After a short basic training, those Gabal recruits with the highest aptitude for maintenance are sent to the aviation units for on-the-job training. Pilot selection is extremely competitive as those selected who graduate from flight school can make the military a career or find lucrative employment in the tourist trade if they decide to leave active duty service. Aviation reservists perform three weeks of duty each year, but the training does need be continuous. Reservists, especially pilots, may perform their duties one or two days a month filling in for active duty members on leave or due to an increase in mission requirements. Due to the lack of repair parts, the aviation units operate at an approximately a 50% operational readiness rate. | After a short basic training, those Gabal recruits with the highest aptitude for maintenance are sent to the aviation units for on-the-job training. Pilot selection is extremely competitive as those selected who graduate from flight school can make the military a career or find lucrative employment in the tourist trade if they decide to leave active duty service. Aviation reservists perform three weeks of duty each year, but the training does need be continuous. Reservists, especially pilots, may perform their duties one or two days a month filling in for active duty members on leave or due to an increase in mission requirements. Due to the lack of repair parts, the aviation units operate at an approximately a 50% operational readiness rate. | ||
− | + | === Air Force Weapons and Equipment === | |
Gabal’s Aviation Command operates weapons and equipment with primarily tier 3 or 4 capabilities. There are discussions ongoing to obtain some newer aircraft in order to improve the capabilities of the force to stop illegal fishing vessels. | Gabal’s Aviation Command operates weapons and equipment with primarily tier 3 or 4 capabilities. There are discussions ongoing to obtain some newer aircraft in order to improve the capabilities of the force to stop illegal fishing vessels. | ||
− | == | + | == Paramilitary Forces == |
− | + | === National Police Force === | |
The Gabal Ministry of Justice (MoJ) controls a national police force of about 1,000 personnel who carry small arms. Due to the country’s small physical size and population, there are few true local police forces other than in the capital city. The MoJ can use the national police force for riot control during civil disturbances. In a national emergency, the MoD would take operational control of the national police force and likely use it for rear-area defense, riot control, and anti-looting missions. Many western countries’ police forces often send their personnel to Gabal to assist in the training of the Gabal police officers and increasing their professionalism. The western police officers enjoy visiting Gabal due to its climate and the hospitable reception they receive. | The Gabal Ministry of Justice (MoJ) controls a national police force of about 1,000 personnel who carry small arms. Due to the country’s small physical size and population, there are few true local police forces other than in the capital city. The MoJ can use the national police force for riot control during civil disturbances. In a national emergency, the MoD would take operational control of the national police force and likely use it for rear-area defense, riot control, and anti-looting missions. Many western countries’ police forces often send their personnel to Gabal to assist in the training of the Gabal police officers and increasing their professionalism. The western police officers enjoy visiting Gabal due to its climate and the hospitable reception they receive. | ||
− | + | === Internal Security Force === | |
Other than the National Police, there is no other internal security forces in Gabal. | Other than the National Police, there is no other internal security forces in Gabal. | ||
− | + | === Reserves and Militia === | |
There are about 2,500 reservists in the Gabal ground forces, maritime command, and aviation command elements. Any soldier, sailor, or airman leaving active duty honorably must serve in the reserves until the age of 45. A reservist can continue to serve until 55 if they want as long as they meet the required medical standards. The reservists must serve three weeks of active duty training each year. For the soldiers and sailors, this takes place usually in one stretch of time augmenting the active duty personnel in their jobs. For the airmen, they can do this in one or two-day stints throughout the year. This is particularly helpful for pilots who need to maintain their proficiency if their civilian occupation is not related to flying. The maritime militia has been known to use private boats they commandeer from civilians to conduct routine inspections. | There are about 2,500 reservists in the Gabal ground forces, maritime command, and aviation command elements. Any soldier, sailor, or airman leaving active duty honorably must serve in the reserves until the age of 45. A reservist can continue to serve until 55 if they want as long as they meet the required medical standards. The reservists must serve three weeks of active duty training each year. For the soldiers and sailors, this takes place usually in one stretch of time augmenting the active duty personnel in their jobs. For the airmen, they can do this in one or two-day stints throughout the year. This is particularly helpful for pilots who need to maintain their proficiency if their civilian occupation is not related to flying. The maritime militia has been known to use private boats they commandeer from civilians to conduct routine inspections. | ||
Revision as of 19:44, 16 August 2018
DATE Pacific > Gabal > Military: Gabal ←You are here
The Republic of Gabal’s military serves more as a symbol of the country’s independence from its neighbors than it serves as any true fighting force. Due to its small size, the Gabal military possesses little offensive capabilities and is no threat to any of its neighboring countries. The Gabal military also lacks the ability to defend itself against any major external threat. The military’s main purpose is the prevention of illegal fishing activities in the country’s territorial waters.
Military Forces
All of the Gabal military belongs to the same command whether it is part of the ground, air, or sea forces. Due to their small size, both the aviation and naval elements find themselves subordinate to the army. Many of the army infantry battalions are cadre units and would only be filled from the reserves in times of a national emergency. The aviation elements consist primarily of transportation helicopters for the military and political VIPs. The navy, in reality, is only a coast guard tasked with the mission to stop illegal fishing within Gabal’s territorial waters.
National Command Authority
While Gabal elects a president, most of the government’s power resides in the hand of the prime minister and his cabinet. In the diagram above, certain cabinet ministers are part of the National Command Authority (NCA). The Gabal NCA exercises overall control of the application of all instruments of national power to plan and carry out the country’s national security strategy. The NCA includes the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Communications, Economic Affairs, Agriculture, Fishing, and Infrastructure, and Defense, along with the Prime Minister, who chairs the NCA.
The Prime Minister exercises responsibility for the NCA’s planning and the NCA serves as the overarching agency responsible to integrate all the instruments of national power under one cohesive national security strategy. The NCA coordinates the plans and actions of all Gabal’s ministries, but particularly those associated with the instruments of national power. (See TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 1, Strategic and Operational Framework.)
Strategic Operational Framework
The NCA exercises command and control (C2) of their Army via the Ministry of Defense (MoD) and a General Staff drawn from all the service components. In peacetime, the MoD and General Staff operate closely but separately. The MoD assumes the responsibility for policy, acquisitions, and financing the Armed Forces. The General Staff promulgates policy and supervises the service components, while its functional directorates assume responsibility for key aspects of defense planning. In wartime, the MoD and General Staff merge to function as a unified headquarters.
The Gabal General Staff operates an administrative force structure (AFS) that manages its military forces in peacetime. This AFS contains the aggregate of various military headquarters, facilities, and installations designed to man, train, and equip the forces. In peacetime, the various components group their forces as separate units for administrative purposes. The Gabal military arranges their forces administratively under geographical commands.Typically, these administrative groupings differ from the country’s go-to-war (fighting) force structure. Other parts of the AFS consist of assets centrally controlled at the national level. (See FM 7-100.4 Opposing Force Organization Guide: Chapter 3, Task Organizing.)
National Strategic Goals
Gabal forms its strategic goals from its long and fierce history of independence from neighboring countries dating back to before contact with Western civilization. While Gabal became reluctantly involved in World War II due to its strategic position and mineral wealth, it reasserted its independence after the ouster of its occupiers. The maintenance of Gabal’s sovereignty and the suppression of any small insurgent groups that may pop up forms their strategic vision. Examples of specific strategic goals include:
- Symbolic defense of Gabal’s sovereignty.
- Work with friendly countries to protect Gabal from external threats.
- Prevention of illegal fishing within the country’s territorial waters.
- Limited economic expansion, primarily through the tourist trade, to improve the people’s lives.
- Attempt to provide sufficient food to feed its people.
Implementing National Security Goals
Most countries share similar strategies to achieve their national goals, but due to Gabal’s small size it cannot exercise all these strategies. For most countries, strategic operations remain a continuous process not limited to wartime or preparation for war. Once war begins, strategic operations continue during regional, transition, and adaptive operations and complement those operations. Each of the latter three types of operations occurs only during war and only under certain conditions. Transition operations can overlap regional and adaptive operations.
In pursuit of its national security strategy, Gabal must modify the operations that larger and more prosperous countries can conduct. The four types of operations that other countries can conduct include:
- Strategic operations use all instruments of power in peace and war to achieve a country’s national security strategy goals through attacks against the enemy’s strategic centers of gravity.
- Regional operations include conventional, force-on-force military operations against overmatched opponents, such as regional adversaries and internal threats.
- Transition operations bridge the gap between regional and adaptive operations and contain some elements of both. The country continues to pursue its regional goals while dealing with developing outside intervention that has the potential to overmatch its military.
- Adaptive operations preserve the country’s power and apply it in adaptive ways against opponents that overmatch the country’s military.
National Security Strategy
Although most countries may refer to them as “operations,” each of these courses of action is actually a subcategory of strategy. Each type of operation aggregates the effects of tactical, operational, and strategic actions in conjunction with instruments of national power to achieve a country’s strategic goals. The types of operations employed at a given time will depend on the types of threats, opportunities, and other conditions present.
A country’s normal strategy typically starts with actions directed at a regional opponent that the government overmatches in conventional military power, as well as other instruments of power. As the smallest country in the region and no offensive capability, Gabal could never achieve military superiority against any opponent. Gabal will attempt to achieve its ends without armed conflict by working with other countries that would help them obtain their strategic goals. Gabal will attempt to achieve their desired goal through pressure applied by nonmilitary instruments of power through economic and defense treaties with other countries. These actions fall under the general framework of “strategic operations.”
It is highly unlikely that Gabal will resort to armed conflict to achieve its desired end state as their military possesses no offensive capability. Strategic operations, however, continue even if a particular regional threat or opportunity causes Gabal to undertake “regional operations,” the country could only respond with outside military assistance.
Military Forces Overview
Gabalian military strategy revolves around the prevention of illegal fishing in their territorial waters and the positive economic relationship the country has with many nations including the US, Olvana, and Donovia. Based on the country’s history with the Western powers and their status of a member of the United Nations (UN), Gabal expects that other countries will come to their defense if invaded. Due to the country’s small size and an active military of 5,600 personnel, all of Gabal’s military plans are defensive in nature. Military expenditures account for 7.81% of overall GDP, mostly for military wages.
Army Overview
The Gabal military fields approximately 5,000 soldiers for their ground forces and all are volunteers. Gabal ground forces consists primarily of an infantry brigade with four battalions, most of them are only cadre units. Soldiers that leave active duty must serve in the reserves until age 45. There are about 2,500 total reservists. Many of the active duty support units are not manned at 100% and would need reservists to bring them up to full strength.
Army Size and Structure
The Gabal ground forces are so small that its primary maneuver unit is an infantry battalion. There is also an artillery battery that is composed primarily of a ceremonial gun platoon. There is an engineer company that the government often uses for reconstruction after natural disasters such as earthquakes and typhoons. The Special Operations Company focuses on anti-terrorist operations, but still needs significant training to meet international standards.
The Gabal army cannot form brigade tactical groups (BTG) or division tactical groups (DTG) like other armies. The country’s military in certain circumstances could become part of a BTG or DTG of some other country. (See TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 2, Command and Control.)
Most of the army is located on bases in the capital city of Coron. The exceptions are one active duty infantry battalion that is stationed at Busuanga and a reserve infantry battalion at Culion.
Army Doctrine and Tactics
Due to the proximity to North and South Torbia and their historical relationship with Western powers, Gabal tactics are a mixture of what works best in their island jungles. For the most part, Gabal tactics are those found in TC 7-100.2. Gabal has sent small elements, company size or smaller, on UN missions to Africa and other places. In addition to the exposure to other professional armies that continue to increase the military’s proficiency, this provides a source of income for Gabal. The Gabalian government keeps the difference between what the UN pays for a soldier and what the military pays its soldiers.
Army Training and Readiness
Gabal relies on a strictly volunteer military force. Soldiers can join at age 18, but must retire from active duty by age 55. Senior officers may be extended with a waiver. Due to the limited jobs available on the island, the army carries a high level of prestige. Once accepted into the military, an islander can expect to make it his career if they do nothing wrong and desire to remain on active duty. Those that decide to honorably leave active duty service are still tied to the military as reservists until the age of 45. Many regular army soldiers do not take their work seriously and are not motivated because they see little prospect of entering combat in the near future. Due to corruption in the government, the soldiers have been known to miss a paycheck. If this occurs for any length of time, desertion increases. Still, the military is able to find replacements for the deserters.
Each year, the reservists must serve for three weeks of duty in their assigned unit. Except for the infantry, this training is scattered throughout the year so the other units (combat support and combat service support) have additional personnel at all times. Only two of the four infantry battalions in the infantry brigade are fully manned with the other two in cadre status. The active duty infantry battalions are only trained to a very high standard in individual and squad level jungle operations. Every six months, one of the cadre infantry battalions comes together for three weeks of intense training. Active duty infantry officers and non-commissioned officers rotate on a regular basis between the single complete active duty battalion and the cadre reserve battalions.
The Gabal Special Operations Company is a small special purpose force (SPF) that attempts to specialize in anti-terrorism operations. They respond to any terrorist related situation, bomb threat, or potential threat against VIPs. The Gabal SPF can directly receive their missions from the MoD in peacetime emergencies. The Gabal military has sent its SPF personnel to observe US SOF training in the states and Western SOF advisors have visited the island to help with SPF training. All SPF teams are general purpose and do not specialize in one technique such as bomb disposal, hostage rescue, and anti-terrorist operations. While the Gabal SPF are the best soldiers in the country, their level of training does not meet the SPF found in the US, Olvana, or Donovia.
Army Weapons and Equipment
The Gabal army operates primarily tier 4 equipment and any equipment of a higher tier level has been donated by some other country. The equipment operational readiness rate for the army is only 40-50% because of limited funds for spare parts, lack of trained personnel, and apathy. There has been discussion between Gabal and other countries to obtain newer equipment, primarily to aid in halting illegal fishing. These include newer rotary-winged aircraft, unmanned aerial systems (UAS), faster patrol boats, man-portable air-defense systems (MANPADS); night vision equipment, and communication gear such as cellular phones, computers, and radios. The Gabal military force cannot operate at night or in periods of low visibility due to a lack of night vision equipment. (For further information see Worldwide Equipment Guide (WEG), Vol. 1, Chapter 1, OPFOR Tier Tables.)
Maritime Overview
Gabal’s Maritime Command is composed of naval units that operate subordinate to the army. The purpose of the Maritime Command is to deter, stop, or capture fisherman from other countries that violate territorial waters. Due to the small number of boats and personnel as well issues of ship maintenance, the Maritime Command does not field significant forces to defend all of Gabal’s territorial waters.The Maritime Command operates out of a few ports on the main islands. The navy operates out of two district commands with four patrol boats and two landing craft operated by about 150 sailors. Only about half of these ships are operational at any time as the sailors sometimes cannibalize the other ships to keep a few of them running. There are three primary naval bases in Gabal located in Coron, Busuanga, and Culion. The small boats can, however, operate out of the many small ports around the islands.
The Maritime Command is a brown-water force that attempts to stop the illegal fishermen in their territorial waters. These fishing vessels frequently come from North Torbia, South Torbia, Belesia, and sometimes Olvana. With only a few operational patrol boats at a time, the fishing industries from other countries penetrate the lucrative fishing grounds within Gabal’s territorial waters without fear. In addition to the prevention of illegal fishing activities, the Maritime Command also conducts maritime search and rescue.
After a short basic training, Gabalian sailors go straight to an operational boat for on-the-job training. As with the army, the naval units are seen in a positive manner for a steady lifetime job. The only drawback is when the sailors miss receiving their pay due to semi-frequent government shutdowns due to a lack of funds. Those sailors that decide to leave active duty, must remain in the reserves until the age of 45 spending three weeks each year training. The reserve naval personnel reserve as a militia force and sometimes even use their own boats for military operations. The 150 active duty sailors with their reserve brethren find it difficult to keep more than half of the boats operational at any one time. The most elite jobs for enlisted personnel in the navy forces is service on the prime minister’s yacht. Once assigned to the yacht, the sailor usually serves on the yacht until retirement. The Prime Minister, the President, and other VIPs regularly use the yacht for business and leisure trips.
The Maritime Commands operates weapons and equipment with primarily tier 4 capabilities. Due to their age and lack of maintenance, naval equipment is only about 50% operational. There are discussions ongoing to obtain some newer and faster patrol boats from other countries in order to match the speed of the fishing boats. The Maritime Command operates six ships based in the two naval districts, but none have the capacity to go more than twenty miles from the shore. Some of the patrol boats may operate mounted machine guns, less than .50 caliber. The naval personnel on these patrol boats carry small arms to protect themselves against any aggressive fishermen who decide to fight back. Sometimes due to the lack of their own boats, the Maritime Command will commandeer civilian boats in an emergency.
Air Force Overview
The Gabal air force is actually an Aviation Command in support of the army and the government. The Aviation Command flies both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft. Due to maintenance issues, it is rare that all the planes and helicopters are operational at the same time. Approximately 300 active duty personnel support the aviation units with the assistance of reservists rotating on and off of duty.Government
Air Force Size and Structure
The Aviation Command consists of a fixed wing section, a rotary wing section, and support elements. Aircraft can conduct reconnaissance in search of illegal fishing activities within Gabal’s territorial waters, assist in maritime search and rescue operations, or ferry military and governmental VIPs around the country. The military contains no air defense capabilities.
There is only one major runway located on the islands and that is the Busuanga Airport. The airport is located about halfway between Busuanga and Coron almost exactly in the middle of the island. Rotary wing aircraft can take off and land from most of the army and maritime facilities operated by the Gabal government.
Air Force Doctrine and Tactics
Gabal’s Aviation Command has little doctrine or tactics. Pilots, when their helicopters are operational, fly around the islands’ territorial waters trying to spot nefarious naval activity and then radio a patrol boat to intercept potential illegal fishermen. The transportation platoon flies VIPs from point to point.
Air Force Training and Readiness
After a short basic training, those Gabal recruits with the highest aptitude for maintenance are sent to the aviation units for on-the-job training. Pilot selection is extremely competitive as those selected who graduate from flight school can make the military a career or find lucrative employment in the tourist trade if they decide to leave active duty service. Aviation reservists perform three weeks of duty each year, but the training does need be continuous. Reservists, especially pilots, may perform their duties one or two days a month filling in for active duty members on leave or due to an increase in mission requirements. Due to the lack of repair parts, the aviation units operate at an approximately a 50% operational readiness rate.
Air Force Weapons and Equipment
Gabal’s Aviation Command operates weapons and equipment with primarily tier 3 or 4 capabilities. There are discussions ongoing to obtain some newer aircraft in order to improve the capabilities of the force to stop illegal fishing vessels.
Paramilitary Forces
National Police Force
The Gabal Ministry of Justice (MoJ) controls a national police force of about 1,000 personnel who carry small arms. Due to the country’s small physical size and population, there are few true local police forces other than in the capital city. The MoJ can use the national police force for riot control during civil disturbances. In a national emergency, the MoD would take operational control of the national police force and likely use it for rear-area defense, riot control, and anti-looting missions. Many western countries’ police forces often send their personnel to Gabal to assist in the training of the Gabal police officers and increasing their professionalism. The western police officers enjoy visiting Gabal due to its climate and the hospitable reception they receive.
Internal Security Force
Other than the National Police, there is no other internal security forces in Gabal.
Reserves and Militia
There are about 2,500 reservists in the Gabal ground forces, maritime command, and aviation command elements. Any soldier, sailor, or airman leaving active duty honorably must serve in the reserves until the age of 45. A reservist can continue to serve until 55 if they want as long as they meet the required medical standards. The reservists must serve three weeks of active duty training each year. For the soldiers and sailors, this takes place usually in one stretch of time augmenting the active duty personnel in their jobs. For the airmen, they can do this in one or two-day stints throughout the year. This is particularly helpful for pilots who need to maintain their proficiency if their civilian occupation is not related to flying. The maritime militia has been known to use private boats they commandeer from civilians to conduct routine inspections.
The Gabal reserve force does not possess actual units except for those soldiers assigned to the reserve infantry battalions. Once assigned to one of the two reserve infantry battalions that operate under a cadre of active duty leaders, the soldier will normally remain in that battalion for continuity purposes. Every six months, one of the battalions meets for their three weeks of annual training and that unit becomes the “ready battalion” or the first infantry unit available after the two active duty battalions until the next battalion completes its annual training cycle. This “ready battalion” is sometimes activated for natural disasters to supplement the active duty engineer units. For those not in the infantry, the reservists normally return to their previous active duty unit to augment the active duty personnel. The training for the non-infantry personnel is staggered throughout the year so some of the reservists are often on duty at almost all times.Non-State Paramilitary Forces
Insurgent/Guerrilla Forces
There are few insurgent or guerrilla forces that operate in Gabal on an active basis. There is one group that calls themselves Gabal Forever. This is a very small group (less than 100) of boisterous people who do not like the way the government and business leaders are catering to foreigners in attempt to chase the tourist dollar. Many of these are 85%-95% ethnically native to the local islands and trace their ancestry back beyond written history through the oral history tradition of their ancestors. These people are upset about the change in their island’s life and would like it to return to what it was 200 years ago before Westerners arrived. Gabal Forever would like to eliminate the tourist trade and have the country rediscover its roots by concentrating on fishing and subsistence farming while shunning trade with the outside world. In the past, Gabal Forever members have conducted attacks using arson, random shootings, or homemade explosives such as pipe bombs against Gabal’s prominent tourist destinations. Some of the other citizens are sympathetic to the cause, but their livelihoods likely depend on the tourist trade so they do not publicly support the group. No single leader appears to be leading the group as it is a grassroots movement based on what they see as the end of traditional island culture.
Criminal Organizations
The major criminal organization is Kumpulan, headed by Myint Khine who owns a local import/export business. Khine is 45 years old and began working for Kumpulan when he was a teenager with few prospects in life. Over two decades ago, Kumpulan provided the funds for his business, Kumpulan Import and Export, that he uses as a cover for their illegal operations. With warehouses in several cities and towns in Gabal, Khine can hide illegal goods among his legitimate imports. The police are aware of Khine, but he always seems to be one step ahead of the authorities when they raid one of his warehouses. It is highly likely that he has agents scattered throughout the National Police as well as any local governmental officials. These agents let Khine know about the raids well enough in advance for the group to move out the illegal goods hidden among the legitimate imports. Weapons confiscated by the Gabal military or police sometimes make it into Kumpulan’s hands instead of the weapons destruction facility—most likely due to corrupt military and/or police officers. Kumpulan is usually non-violent, but at times some independent black marketers have been found shot to death as a warning to others.
The desperate financial situation by many islanders force the poor, however, into illegal activities in order to survive. This is especially true for the disenfranchised male youth from the ages of 15 to 25. Many of these struggling youth males turn to petty crime to survive such as purse snatching, pickpocketing, and simple robbery. The victims are often tourists, who often are the only ones with any money to actually steal. If a young male does not go out on their own, they often find work with the Kumpulan.
There are other criminal groups, primarily family units, which conduct racketeering operations to provide a means of support to their large extended families. The families most involved in these local racketeering operations include Finau, Teaupa, Otolose, Malapo, Tei, Katalalaine, and Angina. The South Torbian-based Tantoco Cartel is now trying to expand into Gabal.
Private Security Organizations
There are few private security organizations in Gabal because gun ownership is restricted with all civilian gun owners needing a license from the government. There are some “body guard” businesses that may have guns to protect their employer, usually either a wealthy businessman, politician, or former politician.
Foreign Military Presence
Other than at the embassies, there are few permanently stationed foreign military personnel in Gabal. The one exception is the Defense Cooperation Program where Australia provides advisors to the Gabal military that operates out of their embassy. Western and Pacific countries have conducted small joint military training exercises within the country. The US has provided trainers to the Gabal at times, often involving their SPF with anti-terrorism training in hopes of improving their competency to fight the Global War on Terrorism.med Combatants
Nonmilitary Armed Combatants
Most Gabal people are supportive of foreigners as they provide the most money to the people through the tourist industry. The only exception is Gabal Forever that desire all foreign presence to leave their islands. If attacked by an outside force, most of the Gabal would welcome Western military assistance to preserve their country’s sovereignty. They would help by providing translators and intelligence, most likely in the form of Human Intelligence (HUMINT).
Military Functions
Joint Capabilities
The Gabal military is near incapable of conducting joint operations. Even though all military resources fall under army control, the wide variety of equipment especially in the communication field makes it difficult for the army to talk with the navy, the navy with the aviation units, and even the aviation units with the ground units.
Command and Control
The Gabal military uses the command control methodology found in TC 7-100.2 focusing on mission tactics and battle drills. The active duty infantry is well-trained in jungle warfare, but sometimes lacks motivation. The use of the reserves, usually in the unit they previous served in on active duty, allows some continuity of command and control to continue throughout the reservist’s career. Despite the small size of the force, the chain of command is slow to react.
Maneuver
The infantry (two active duty battalions and two reserve battalions) are the primary maneuver force for the Gabal army. These infantry units are trained to operate in the jungles found on the islands that compose the country. The infantry usually operates dismounted, but could become motorized by the use of trucks. While individual soldiers are proficient with basic skills in staying alive in the jungle, the larger the size unit the less it is trained to a high standard.
Air Defense
The Gabal military has no short-, medium-, or long-range air defense weapons, but are seeking them. Currently the emphasis is on short-range MANPADS such as older Stingers. However, the country has a lot of higher priority equipment on its list ahead of air defense assets. Without dedicated air defense units, the Gabal army considers every soldier with a machine gun as part of the all-arms air defense. Soldiers may employ their machine guns to set ambushes for enemy helicopters, especially those on routine logistics missions. (For more information, see TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 11, Air Defense.)
INFOWAR
The Gabal military conducts little Information Warfare (INFOWAR) other than trying to control the message from the local radio and television stations. Gabal Forever group members distribute leaflets railing against the tourism industry and sometimes the tourists receive rude treatment from some of the most extreme members of the group.
RISTA
The Gabal military possesses very limited reconnaissance, intelligence, surveillance, and target acquisition (RISTA) capabilities, with equipment limited to the elements organic to its infantry brigade from equipment given to them by another country. This equipment is tier 4 or tier 3 at best and is another country’s discards. The table below summarizes the effective ranges for reconnaissance assets that can support most tactical commanders of any country. Most intelligence conducted by the Gabal military is HUMINT. If foreign militaries deployed to any of the islands that compose Gabal, the locals would be the best source of intelligence during any operation.Fire Support
The Gabal military has limited indirect fire ability. The artillery battery is more for ceremonial occasions than for actual military activities. Only in extreme circumstances would the artillery battery be used in combat operations and there may not be enough ammunition to last more than a single day of combat. The soldiers spend most of their time training for their next public performance rather than firing in support of soldiers.
Protection
The Gabal army offers little in protection for its soldiers. The infantry usually fights dismounted so they are susceptible to any type of fire from small arms up. While there is an engineer company, its primary focus is on civilian support helping the country recover from natural disasters. The engineer company receives little training on missions to provide protection to the ground forces. Chemical defense is limited to individual protective masks that are never issued to the soldiers. The soldiers do not train with their protective masks, so the soldiers would not be very functional if they needed to don them. Other than the civilian radar station at the airport, there is no radar capability in Gabal for the military. (See TC 7-100.2: Opposing Force Tactics, Chapter 12, Engineer Support and Chapter 7, Information Warfare.)
Logistics
Like many non-Western armies, the Gabal military concentrates on its combat units and often neglects the logistics infrastructure necessary to support modern warfare. With two active duty infantry battalions, the army attempts to get by with limited combat service support units. Without the reservists coming in for their three week active duty periods, it would be difficult for these units to support the normal active duty force. If the entire reserve was mobilized, there would likely be some logistical shortages because of the need to support four not two infantry battalions.
Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear
The Gabal military possesses no offensive chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) capabilities. Gabal has denounced all CBRN and proposes an elimination of CBRN from every other country’s weapon arsenal. The Gabal army possesses protective masks donated by other countries, but they are maintained in a warehouse. Military personnel do not train for operations in a chemical environment.
Research and Development Goals
Due to limited industrial capacity, Gabal will likely continue to purchase its military equipment and arms from outsiders. The criminals on Gabal will obtain weapons wherever they can found—whether it is a foreign country, black marketers, or confiscated weapons stolen from the police/military before they can be destroyed. The country has been known to purchase equipment or receive donated military equipment from the US or other western countries, Olvana, and Donovia.
Special Considerations
If attacked by an external force, Gabal cannot defend itself. The country is proud of its rich indigenous history and often finds itself torn between its historic past and the future. Gabal is slowly accepting modern military methods and bringing improved capabilities to its small military force.
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Other | Non-State Threat Actors and Conditions |