The following is the background and ToE for a mercenary force I shall be running in a Chaos March based campaign circa 3062. The forces were selected to an overall BV limit with some restrictions on exactly how the lances and companies went to together, which may explain some of the more eccentric choices.... I hope you like it.
Ivanssen’s Ironsides: Keeping it in the Family
Dismayed at the thought of the AFFS merging with the LCAF and what it might mean for his career, Major Andrei Ivanssen resigned his commission in the 4th Crucis Lancers and founded the Ironsides immediately before the Fourth Succession War.
Initially deployed alongside Federated Suns house troops against the Capellan Confederation during the 4th Succession war, the Ironsides also found employment against the Draconis Combine during the war of 3039 when Andrei Ivanssen continued to lead his battalion from the cockpit of his Victor while his daughter, Irene, was educated at the Albion Military academy. Whilst at the Academy, Irene met and married a promising staff officer, Thomas Stephill, and together they had three children, all of whom now serve in the Ironsides. Upon Irene's return, the aging Andrei gave up his front line position and permitted Irene and Thomas to slowly take over the running of the Ironsides, eventually retiring completely in the immediate aftermath of the Clan invasion - although he still takes an active role in finding contracts and advocating for the Ironsides, either at their office on Outreach or from the family estate on Sylvester.
The Ironsides spent most of the 3040's and early 50's stationed around the Capellan and Sarna Marches, performing a mix of garrison, raiding and pirate hunting contracts on the Capellan and Taurian borders. They were stationed on the planet of Remshield as part of the attempt to suppress the pro-Liao uprising there when the planet fell to the Capellan Confederation in 3057. With the succession of the Lyran Alliance, the Ironsides immediately declared for Victor Steiner-Davion and have been protecting Davion interests in the Chaos March ever since.
The Ironsides' unit insignia depicts a mounted cavalryman against a red circle. The Ironsides paint their equipment dark gray, usually over painted with a camouflage shade suitable for the local terrain.
Officers
Colonel Irene Stephill-Ivanssen officially inherited the Ironsides from her father in 3052 and commands them from her state-of-the-art Maelstrom battlemech while her eldest son, Andrew, is groomed as her successor by leading a company with the rank of Captain. Her husband is now the Ironsides Chief of Staff and, aided by their daughter Christine, looks after the logistics and operational planning. Meanwhile, the Stephill-Ivanssen’s youngest scion, Simon, has just begun his Mechwarrior career under the veteran wing of Captain Reece Kilburn, piloting a brand new Jagermech procured specifically for him.
Tactics
The Ironsides' two battlemech companies focus on fast strike and heavy cavalry tactics relying on the vehicles of Macmillon's Company for reconnaissance and fire support. Heron's company is specialized toward urban combat and garrison duties, and is equipped primarily with wheeled combat vehicles suitable for that environment.
Support
The Ironsides own two Dropships, a modified Triumph class dropship, the Oliver Cromwell and a Union class dropship, the Edward Whalley, enabling them to transport the entire command. The Ironsides have a solid cadre of technicians and are capable of meeting 80% of their technical requirements.
Ivarssen's Ironsides:
CO: Colonel Irene Stephill-Ivanssen
XO: Major Thomas Stephill-Ivanssen
Two Mech Companies/Two Vehicle Companies
The Roundheads:
Mixed Infantry Battalion
Major Eric Forrester
The Ironsides field a battalion of conventional infantry and are working up their first company of Battle Armour. They are provided with some transport assets but co-operate with the Flying Ironsides for long ranged rapid deployment.
Flying Ironsides:
One Aerospace Flight/One VTOL Squadron
Squadron Commander Barry Hawker
The Ironsides possess a pair of Sparrowhawk aerospace fighters which are primarily used to cover the dropships and provide long ranged reconnaissance. Although they are occasionally used for bombing missions, the fighters are considered too valuable to risk against ground fire. The squadron of VTOLs perform general rapid reaction duties, including medium ranged reconnaissance and air mobile infantry deployment.
Command Lance
Maelstrom MTR-6E
Rakshasa MDG-1A
Bushwacker BSW-X1
Bushwacker BSW-X1
Kilburn's Company
Marauder MAD-3D
Warhammer WHM-6K
Cataphract CTF-2X
Jagermech JM7-D
Enfield END-6Q
Lineholder KW1-LH2
Ostsol OTL-5M
Ostroc OST-2D
Wolfhound WLF-2
Centurion CN9-D
Centurion CN9-D
Centurion CN9-D
Stephill's Company
Victor VTR-9D
Penetrator PTR-4D
Guillotine GLT-3N
Grasshopper GHR-5H
Falconer FLC-8R
Enforcer ENF-5D
Enforcer ENF-5D
Dervish DV-7D
Clint CLNT-2-3U
Clint CLNT-2-3U
Firestarter FS9-K
Javelin JVN-10N
Macmillon's Company
Brutus
Alacorn Mk VI
Alacorn Mk VI
Partisan ADT
Brutus
Alacorn Mk VI
Alacorn Mk VI
Partisan ADT
Plainsman Scout
Plainsman Scout
Drillson S2
Regulator
Heron's Company
Typhoon
Typhoon
Light SRM Carrier
Light SRM Carrier
LRM Carrier
LRM Carrier
LRM Carrier
LRM Carrier
Striker
Striker
Striker
Striker
The Roundheads
6 x Inner Sphere Standard Battle Armour Squads
6 x Foot Infantry Rifle Platoons
2 x Jump Laser Infantry Platoons
2 x Mountaineer Infantry Platoons
2 x Minesweeper Infantry Platoons
2 x Bridge Builder Engineer Platoons
4 x Recon Infantry Platoons
Darter
Darter
Badger
Badger
Badger
Badger
Flying Ironsides
Sprint
Sprint
Karnov
Karnov
Warrior H10
Warrior H10
Sparrowhawk SPR-7D
Sparrowhawk SPR-7D
