Armed Assault Wiki

NOTE: This article is about the ION Services company/faction in the main Armaverse. For its semi-official counterpart in ArmA 3's Western Sahara Creator DLC, see ION Services (Western Sahara).


ION Services, Incorporated (alternately stylised as IoN and shortened to ION Inc.) is a U.S.-based private military company.[2] It serves as a playable BLUFOR/INDFOR faction in ArmA: Armed Assault and ArmA 2, and also makes a minor appearance in ArmA 3.

Prior to its rebranding, the company was also known as Black Element.[2]

Overview

« ION, Inc. Keeping an eye on your security.
Company motto
»

Background

Arma3-company-ionservices-00

Advertisement for ION on Malden.

Initially established as an aviation security agency, ION Services, then-known as Black Element, expanded further into the private security sector following an increased need for PMCs in the wake of the growing tensions in Afghanistan and Iraq in 2002.[2]

Growing in size and reputation with the acquisition of several influential rival companies, ION has emerged as the largest PMC to date in the United States, becoming a key player in the global security services market.[2][3] Advertisements for the company's services are visibly displayed throughout numerous countries worldwide; from the Horizon Islands[4] to even remote microstates like Malden.[5][6]

ION offers a broad array of business and security-related solutions to a wide base of international clients, ranging from providing strategic resource protection, petrochemical mining, as well as safeguarding nuclear facilities.[2][3][7][8] Since 2013, ION is known to have successfully fulfilled over 19,850 contracts.[9]

The company predominately favours hiring ex-military servicemen, including nationals from both NATO and non-NATO countries alike.[7] Career roles range from the following positions:

  • Security Team Member: Provide both specialist and generic protection services across a range of potential theatres (Job ID: STRan6)[10][11]
  • Dedicated Defensive Marksman: Provide dedicated defensive marksman services across a range of potential theatres (Job ID: ASAno1)[10][12]
  • Low-Profile Agile Security Contractor: Provide a broad range of agile security duties, including advanced security operations required at short notice (Job ID: TANny9)[10][13]
  • Junior Field Security Technician: Provide technical and limited engineering support across a range of potential theatres (Job ID: DIXon5)[10][14]
Arma3-company-ionservices-01

Another advertisement for ION, promoting the services of their ASD branch.

All contractors are highly trained professionals who are experts in their various fields. A toll-free hotline is available for prospective candidates to enquire about open positions on 1800-555-1138.[10]

Similarly, an Autonomous Systems Division (ASD) that specialises in robotics is also known to be fielded by ION for the more "unique" contracts.[6]

ION is a subsidiary of the Canadian conglomerate Vrana Corporation, the PMC's primary shareholder.[2][15]

History

Black Element PMC was first founded in 1998 as a private aviation security agency based in South Carolina, U.S.[1][2][9]

After a series of incidents involving Black Element contractors operating in Sahrani[16], the company was acquired by the Montreal-based Vrana Corp Industries in 2010. It was renamed to ION, Inc. on October 1st, 2010 due to the "Black Element" name being tainted and thus a liability.[1][2][15]

Events of Royal Flush (2007)

SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: This section contains spoilers from the 'Royal Flush' campaign in ArmA: Queen's Gambit

Arma1-campaign-royalflush-00

Royal Flush are brought in by Kingdom forces into the country's North

One year after the reunification of the Kingdom of Sahrani[1], a Black Element team (codenamed Royal Flush) was secretly hired by Isabella Ximénez, Queen of Sahrani, who was facing a steadily growing insurgent organisation in the island's northern provinces following the death of her father, King Joseph III and her brother, Prince Orlando in a helicopter crash.[2][17]

Royal Flush's mission was to help quell the insurgency and to seize the biological weapons believed to be in hands of the rebels.[18][19][20] However, they discovered that the rebels are led by Prince Orlando himself, who actually survived the accident. He reveals to the PMCs that Queen Isabella was a ruthless leader that was sending her political opponents to concentration camps without the knowledge of the international community.[1][21][22]

Facing these facts, the Royal Flush team decided to violate their orders and assisted the rebels instead. With their help, the rebels quickly gain the upper hand and begin to liberate the prisoners being held in the camps.[23][24]

With the rebels and PMCs closing in, Queen Isabella offers a peace deal to Prince Orlando to put an end to the fighting.[25] In reality however, the deal was a trap all along, and Isabella assassinates the Prince at the summit.[26] The remaining members of Royal Flush are forced to make a hasty getaway in a stolen helicopter to escape from the island[16], with Black Element disavowing them as rogue contractors and denying any responsibility for their actions or the attempted coup.[1][2]


Events of Operation Harvest Red (2009)

Little is known about Black Element's operations in Chernarus during the U.S. intervention, save that Mark Reynolds was in the country at the time searching for the notorious arms dealer Aslan Radayev and interrogated the ChDKZ's second-in-command, Mikola Bardak.[1][27]

Post-Operation Harvest Red

On December 27th, 2009[1], Black Element was involved in a series of controversial incidents that resulted in the deaths of several Chernarussian civilian protestors at the town of Elektrozavodsk. Several civilians, protesting against fuel shortages amidst the bitter winter chill, were shot and killed with live ammunition by the company's contractors.[14] The incident sparked global outrage over Black Element's involvement, and led to intense public scrutiny over its activities in the country.[2][15]

Sometime in early-mid 2010, Black Element's contract from the U.S. government was declared void, and all operations in the Green Sea region were forced to cease immediately.[1][2]

Events of Operation Black Gauntlet (2013)

SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: This section contains spoilers from the 'Operation Black Gauntlet' campaign in ArmA 2's Private Military Company DLC

Following the UN-mandated intervention in Takistan, Black Element, now known as ION Services, received a new contract to provide an escort for a UN inspection team which had been sent to the the wartorn nation to search evidence of a supposed nuclear programme developed under the previous regime. The security detail is led by a former Black Element veteran, Mark Reynolds.[1][2][7][28]

Not everything goes smoothly, however, with the team being caught in the crossfire between both New Takistani Army (NTA) government forces and the various tribal groups in the country who were now hostile to both the NTA and their foreign partners.[29][30] Even the few Western coalition forces who remained behind in the region offered little sympathy for the mercenaries.[31]

After meeting up with the inspectors, the team comes under fire from anti-government insurgents who attempted to conduct a raid on the airport.[32][33] The inspectors were retrieved successfully[34], though they are later sent back into the heart of downtown Zargabad to find an informant who had information on the nuclear programme.[35][36] This time, they find themselves under artillery fire from the NTA and are forced to retreat.[30][37] During the mission, one of the security detail's members are killed in the fighting between the NTA and insurgent forces.[1][38][39]

Fighting their way through the highly unstable and volatile central Takistan[40], the team finally arrives at the presumed site of where the programme was being developed and to their shock, actually recover weapons-grade nuclear materials. The source of the nuclear materials was also identified: the People's Republic of China.[41][42]

Arma2-campaign-blackgauntlet-00

The UN inspectors are ambushed by the disguised mercenaries (2013)

At that same moment, ION's executives are suddenly contacted by a foreign government; none other than the Chinese government itself. Fearing that the revelation of China's support for the Takistani nuclear programme would wreak havoc on the global markets, the Chinese officials requested only two things: silence the investigators by any means necessary, and prevent the evidence from being returned to UNMOVIC. ION's executives agreed to the contract, and inform Reynolds' team about their new contract to assassinate the inspection team before they can return to Zargabad.[1][42][43]

Two of the team members disguise themselves as militants and prepare an ambush on the UN convoy.[44] The inspectors bear the brunt of the ambush, and are all killed in the supposedly "accidental" attack.[1][45]

« The investigation into the slaying of several UN weapons inspectors continued today, with initial reports implicating Takistani guerilla groups in yesterday's Zargabad ambush.

The inspectors were active in region, following the discovery of new information pertaining to Takistan's abandoned weapons programme; however, the investigation had failed to uncover any firm evidence. The attack comes amid heightened tensions in Takistan. Analysts have suggested that the draw down of NATO troops, combined with fractious power struggles between numerous guerilla groups, has exacerbated the security situation.

Calls for the extension of private sector contracts are increasing, in an attempt to spread the load currently placed on the New Takistani Army, and remaining peacekeeping forces. A senior Executive at ION, Inc. - the largest contractor in the Green Sea Region - today echoed this message, stating that: "The expansion of private contraction is a natural progression of a healthy relationship between state interests and private sector professionalism."
AAN report detailing the aftermath of ION's false flag attack
»

The rebels are blamed for the deaths of the inspectors, and all evidence of the Chinese government's involvement in the nuclear programme is reclaimed by the contractors.[1][45][46] Both Vrana and ION issue public statements to deny any involvement in the incident, and use the opportunity to stress the need for more PMCs in the country.[47]


Post-Operation Black Gauntlet

To no surprise, ION succeeds in its PR "offensive"[47] and secures further security contracts in Takistan, greatly expanding its activities and influence in the region for years to come.[48][49]

Events of Lark Rising (2013)

The following information stems from Bohemia Interactive's Take On Helicopters
TKoH-Screenshot-04

ION conducts training exercises at the Seattle NTC (2013)

In early August 2013[1], one month after the Zargabad incident, ION would host a training exercise at the company's Northwest Training Centre in the city of Seattle, Washington, U.S.A.[50]

ION's parent entity, Vrana, hired the services of a local aviation company named Larkin Aviation in order to assist in the training of several new contractors.[50] LA's pilot, a man by the name of Tom Larkin, would be tasked with performing a variety of flight manoeuvres for the trainees, particularly on how to handle themselves in fast insertions and extracts by helicopter.[51][52]

Events of The East Wind (2035)

Arma3-company-ionservices-02

"ION-INC WINS US ARMY DECOMMISSIONING CONTRACTS", as reported by AAN World News (2035)

More than two decades after Operation Black Gauntlet's aftermath, ION continues to play a key role in global events, with active contracts throughout the world's hotspots in the wake of NATO's continued decline, political turmoil throughout Europe, and CSAT's ever-growing influence in the Asia-Pacific region.[53][54]

ION provides instructors for NATO's jointly-operated training facilities on the Mediterranean island nation of the Republic of Altis and Stratis. They are later contracted by the U.S. government to assist in the decommissioning of NATO facilities on Stratis[54][55], but their arrival is delayed after the peacekeepers of Task Force Aegis are suddenly attacked by the Altis Armed Forces.[1][56]

At this point in time, a limited presence is also seemingly set up on the microstate of Malden. The exact size or scale of their deployment is not known, however.[5][6]

Post-The East Wind

With the AAF's defeat at the hands of the U.S.-led NATO retaliatory force[1][57], ION is once again sent to assist in the dismantling of NATO facilities on both islands.[54] Several ION security contractors can be seen escorting the new president-elect of Altis, Nikos Panagopoulos, as he tours the nation in the aftermath of the conflict.[58]

By the late 2030s, the departure of senior management officials at its parent company, Vrana, has left the status of its subsidiaries (including ION) in doubt. It is currently unclear as to how severely ION has been affected by the fallout of the crisis, or whether it has been affected at all.[59]

Equipment

ION's contractors come from a highly diverse range of ethnic and national backgrounds. As a result, there is no standardised set of hardware for their forces. Contractors wield weapons ranging from Belgian-made FAL rifles to German prototypes like the XM8, Iranian Sting submachine guns, Russian-made RPG-18 rocket launchers to American M16s/MX assault rifles.

Naturally, this also extends to personal gear, with contractors choosing to wear casual clothing mixed in with baseball caps and military-grade personal protective equipment like plate carriers, combat helmets, and tactical vests.

Vehicle operators trained in offensive driving and former military pilots are also deployed where necessary, serving either as the drivers of V.I.P limousines or transport helicopters/cargo planes (respectively). A few teams are even known to operate light APCs, though they are only deployed on specific missions that require heavy fire support.

Gallery

ArmA: Queen's Gambit


ArmA 2: Private Military Company

Trivia

  • ION's overall purpose, structure, and design is heavily inspired by the real-world "Academi" PMC based in the United States (formerly known as "Blackwater USA" and then renamed to "Xe Services").[60]
    • At the height of the Global War on Terror (GWOT), Academi was especially well-known for its operations in the Middle East where the company gained much of its infamy due to its contractors being involved in numerous scandals[61] and even bloody massacres.[62]
  • Upon the DLC's release, ION units in ArmA 2 did not have access to M113 APCs. They were only added following the latest Steam version patches (as part of the Community Configuration Project/CorePatch updates).[63]
The information below details unused, pre-release or removed content.
  • An unused flag (Texture name: flag_ion_co.paa) is hidden within ArmA 3's Apex expansion files, though it is simply a stretched-out placeholder image rather than an actual flag.[64]

Notes

  1. Armed Assault's Black Element mercenary units are BLUFOR for gameplay purposes. This is because the Real Virtuality 2 engine does not allow for INDFOR factions to be pitted against one another (the RACS is an INDFOR faction).
  2. Black Element and its successor organisation, ION Services, are canonically an INDFOR faction.
  3. For unknown reasons, the official Armaverse Timeline inconsistently states that ION was founded in January 1998. However, this is contradicted by pre-ArmA 3 news articles which stated that it was founded in September 1998. For consistency's sake, this article assumes that the official timeline's date of January 1998 is ION's canonical date of establishment (despite the retcon).

References

  1. 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Mořický, K et al. 2011, Armaverse Timeline, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 29 October 2022‎, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Armaverse_Timeline>.
  2. 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 2.12 2.13 Mořický, K 2010, Black Element Rebrand Corporate Image, AAN Online, viewed 9 July 2018‎, <http://aan.moricky.com/en/europe/29-black-element-rebrand-corporate-image.html>.
  3. 3.0 3.1 Mořický, K 2010, Services, Fake ION Inc., viewed 16 May 2022, <http://temp.moricky.com/ION/services>.
  4. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\structures_f_exp\signs\companies\data\cornerads_01_v3_co.paa
  5. 5.0 5.1 ARMA 3: Malden 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\structures_f_argo\commercial\billboards\data\advertisements\bill_ion_co.paa
  6. 6.0 6.1 6.2 ARMA 3: Malden 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\structures_f_argo\commercial\billboards\data\advertisements\bill_ionbase_co.paa
  7. 7.0 7.1 7.2 Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2010, ION, Inc., Arma 2, viewed 30 September 2024‎, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-pmc-factions/a2omc-ion>.
  8. Mořický, K 2010, Chernarussian Geologist Killed in Karzeghistan, AAN Online, viewed 30 September 2024, <http://aan.moricky.com/en/europe/25-chernarussian-geologist-killed-in-karzeghistan.html>.
  9. 9.0 9.1 Mořický, K 2010, Company, Fake ION Inc., viewed 16 May 2022, <http://temp.moricky.com/ION/company>.
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 10.3 10.4 Mořický, K 2010, Careers, Fake ION Inc., viewed 16 May 2022, <http://temp.moricky.com/ION/careers>.
  11. Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2010, Brian Frost, Arma 2, viewed 16 May 2022‎, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-pmc-characters/a2pmc-brian-frost>.
  12. Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2010, Henry Asano, Arma 2, viewed 16 May 2022‎, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-pmc-characters/henry-asano>.
  13. Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2010, 'Tanny' Radcliffe, Arma 2, viewed 16 May 2022‎, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-pmc-characters/tanny-radcliffe>.
  14. 14.0 14.1 Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2010, Patrick Dixon, Arma 2, viewed 16 May 2022‎, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-pmc-characters/patrick-dixon>.
  15. 15.0 15.1 15.2 Mořický, K 2010, Green Sea ARMEX events confirmed, AAN Online, viewed 30 September 2024, <http://aan.moricky.com/en/europe/30-green-sea-armex-events-confirmed.html>.
  16. 16.0 16.1 ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Escape, "You probably haven't heard the news. Isabella is returning to the palace. She announced that the so-called prince was a look-a-like. The whole affair was an unsuccessful attempt of a coup d'etat. She's reinstated the army. They're patrolling the streets and soldiers are guarding the airport. Soon she remembers about us and sends a military unit our way."
  17. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Spy, "However, the king Joseph III, known as the Liberator, together with his son, the Crown Prince Orlando, perished in a helicopter crash a year after reunification. Without his unifying presence, the tension grew between the poor and republican North and wealthy South that got the better of the postwar reconstruction."
  18. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Spy, "When the king's daughter, princess Isabella, assumed the throne, the tension turned into a full-blown insurgency. Formed partly by the remnants of the original Northern army, and partly by the people turned off by the policies of the new Queen, the insurgents operate from the northern hills and forests."
  19. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Spy, "To deal with this threat, a group of mercenaries has been brought in, on a very special mission."
  20. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Spy, "All right, guys, this is what's up. The insurgents appear to have captured one of the secret communist bases with some kind of biological weapons. We have to get them before they figure out how to use them."
  21. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Base, "We are requesting free passage for the rightful successor to the throne, Prince Orlando, who is currently in exile. If you intend to take us captive, we will defend ourselves."
  22. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Base, "WICKS: Don't move an inch! That is the crown prince. Assasination was not part of the contract! CHANCELLOR: No in fact, it was not. So kindly don't interest yourself in it too much! You carried out your job in accordance with our contract and we will pay you on those terms -- but be careful, gentlemen. If you shoot me now, there will be no one to sign the checks. So dammit, think it over! ORLANDO: I am the only rightful heir to the throne and I will pay twice as much for your protection!"
  23. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Genocide, "They captured me yesterday. I knew that I was taking a risk, but it was necessary. I received information that Isabella was going to use foreign military advisors and then it ocurred to me that she was going after you, your Majesty. If she wanted to kill anyone else she would have simply sent her guards. So I wrote a message for the commander."
  24. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Genocide, "ORLANDO: You weren't convincing enough, Raoul? I always thought that you could convince anyone of anything! GONZALES: But your Majesty! ORLANDO: Don't give me that, 'But your Majesty!' I know your qualities, Raoul, and I intend to use them to my advantage. As long as I didn't have any military support, I had to stay in hiding. But now is the time to inform the people about my existence. Enter publicity. I believe that many of those who are now on Isabella's side would join us. And this is precisely the job for you - to organize a publicity stunt. GONZALES: Great strategy, your Majesty! Hmmm. I can handle planning it. But the execution is gonna be interesting now that we are enemies of the state, right? Let's go on the air. I know of one suitable place, a broadcast station. I will organize for a direct broadcast...but the red carpet will not be rolled out there to welcome us. We can be sure about that. LAMBOWSKI: The way I see it, sir, is that the only way to get in will be to shoot our way through."
  25. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Meeting, "There are negotiations under way. The prince just went off to a nearby undisclosed location where he is meeting with the queen. Both are without a military entourage; this was her condition. In exchange for compensation and free passage, Isabella is willing to give up all claims to the throne and leave the island."
  26. ARMA: Armed Assault Queen's Gambit 2007 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Royal Flush, Escape, "The prince is dead. Yesterday you handled things perfectly, to the point that you let Isabella lure the prince into the mountains to be killed. I hope that at least you guys had a restful night's sleep."
  27. Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2010, Mark Reynolds, Arma 2, viewed 30 September 2024, <https://www.arma2.com/arma-2-pmc-characters/mark-reynolds>.
  28. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Reception, "SECURITY ASSIGNMENT CONTRACT ION, Incorporated, hereafter referred to as the COMPANY, and the CONTRACTOR agree to enter into a new formal arrangement commencing on the TWENTY NINTH (29) Day of the SIXTH (6) Month of the Year TWO THOUSAND AND THIRTEEN (2013), hereafter referred to as the OPERATION. COMPANY requires the CONTRACTOR to deploy into the strategic Area of Responsibility in Zargabad; specifically, the drawn-down US Air Base, hereafter referred to as the AOR, to execute the terms of the OPERATION. The CONTRACTOR agrees to provide security to the United Nations agile weapons inspection team, hereafter referred to as the CLIENT, during the course of the OPERATION. The OPERATION requires the safe entry and transportation of the CLIENT within the AOR. The Standard Uniform Code of Military Justice, hereafter referred to as the UCMJ, is understood to be voluntarily applied to the CONTRACTOR in full within the AOR during the lifetime of the OPERATION. The CONTRACTOR agrees that the rules of engagement, hereafter referred to as the ROE (expounded in detail in Annex II), fall under the remit of the UCMJ. Furthermore, the OPERATION stipulates NO UNAUTHORIZED USE OF DEADLY FORCE unless fired upon. The COMPANY reserves the right to extend or narrow the scope of the UCMJ as appropriate. Amendments to the UCMJ are to be detailed and countersigned in future addenda to this contract. Agile changes to the ROE are authorized under tactical COMPANY authorized supervision. The CONTRACTOR agrees to the full liability of any and all deviations from the ROE within the OPERATION AOR notwithstanding CLIENT or COMPANY contractual addenda."
  29. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Reception, "ASANO: Any recent reports on guerilla movement, boss? REYNOLDS: Negative, Ry-man. Guerilla activity's all but died down. The New Takistani Army believes their regrouping for a goddamn second civil war. ASANO: The NTA, Boss? But, y'know, we've heard numerous reports about them.. REYNOLDS: Sure - and if even half of them are true - we should expect trouble. FROST: Corruption, power plays, sheer bloody incompetence.. rife through almost every branch of the NTA. ASANO: ..and they sure as hell don't like us getting paid to be here. REYNOLDS: Alright - the transport is inbound. Patrol the area: keep your eyes open. Watch for explosives and let's have an uneventful day."
  30. 30.0 30.1 ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Inception, "ASANO: What happened boss? Why did.. and who the hell..? REYNOLDS: I'm getting the answers. The NTA brought their strike forward; no explanation."
  31. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Transportation, "U.S ARMY SOLDIER: Approaching vehicle, halt! Stop where you are! DIXON: Sir, we have clearance to head through to Nasdara. U.S. ARMY SOLDIER: Negative, mercenary. This area is locked down. All special access rights are revoked."
  32. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Reception, "REYNOLDS: Ok, deadly force is authorised! Poet, Ry: you're Team Sword. Everyone else: Team Shield. Spread out and defend the area. FROST: Alright, boss. Lads, keep your heads down. No risks. RADCLIFFE: Av'e Goat yer back, ehy; movement to the west and south-west. Stay Frosty, bud."
  33. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Reception, "REYNOLDS: Ok, listen up: we've got a shooter with a range on us. Team Sword, neutralise the threat. FROST: Understood. Alright, lads. Keep him pinned down, but conserve your rounds. I'll move to flank him, and take him out up close."
  34. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Reception, "Despite an opportunistic guerilla ambush, the PMC security team successfully guarded the landing zone and ensured that the weapons investigation team arrived safely."
  35. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Vocation, "Listen up, the team's finished here. Regroup at the vehicles and prepare to move out - we have a new contact."
  36. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Vocation, "The team successfully cleared a potential threat from a factory compound, while the inspection team discovered new information regarding a new contact in Zargabad."
  37. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Confirmation, "REYNOLDS: We've got incoming! Get your heads down! FROST: What the hell..? The NTA? REYNOLDS: Team Sword, Team Shield, regroup! Shield, protect the investigators - get them outta here! FROST: Ry, Tanny, Dixon, form on me! Protect the contact; get to the vehicles! RADCLIFFE: This is a disaster, mate. Boys, keep your heads down! Frosty! Frosty, mate! Grab the contact! Grab Abdul! REYNOLDS: Shield, get to the car, a-sap. Go, go, go! FROST: Abdul, get back! Get to the SUV! Abdul! Tanny! Tanny mate, regroup! Tanny!"
  38. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Inception, "REYNOLDS: Welcome aboard. Look, Poet - about Tanny - I'm sorry, man. FROST: Boss, I - we - I need to recover him.. I owe him that much at least. REYNOLDS: Negative, this city's about to be flattened - there's no time. ASANO: He's right - we're sitting ducks here, man."
  39. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Inception, "Everything went wrong. An artillery strike broke up the team and killed our only contact. You've successfully retrieved crucial information regarding the location of an abandoned Takistani Weapons Test Facility, and escaped Zargabad alive, but at great cost..."
  40. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Transportation, "Sucker-punched. Goddamn NTA bastards. We lost some good men, honest men - men not just in it for the money. In it because it's all the knew how to do - trying to fight the good fight. We're heroes as much as the next soldier, KIA. We're supposed to be doing the right job here - protecting goddamn UN investigators. So, we're heading south. We're to protect the client vehicles in convoy through Takistan's rugged terrain. The guys are gonna be edgy. Poet's in a fucking state. Our ROE has already been updated. I just pray to God no civvies get in the way on our route south. I've got to keep my game up - gotta make it back to Cali. Back to my home - my future. Out of this nightmare - this hell."
  41. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Retaliation, "FROST: Dr. Ruce, what's the situation? RUCE: Ah, Mr. Frost. My team has discovered a dangerous quantity of potentially weaponisable material. FROST: Materials, Doctor? RUCE: Yes, enough to construct a bomb. Preliminary investigations indicate Russian - possibly Chinese - origins, but we can't know for sure yet. FROST: Understood. I'll radio Reynolds immediately. RUCE: Thank you, Mr. Frost. My team will continue the extraction. We will be ready by morning. FROST: OK. Secure the materials ASAP. We may still have a security situation."
  42. 42.0 42.1 ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Decision, "I'm no goddamned economist; I'm no goddamned politician - who the hell am I to know the repercussions of a situation that I can barely get my head around? My gut tells me one thing - but - who's to say..? I'm just a man who gets the job done. The Chinese have got their hands all over this. They've made their underhand play in the region - trying to strike a blow against both Russia and the U.S. - and now it's blown up in their own faces.. It seems like there's so much at stake: international relations, the domestic jobs market - hell, my whole future back in Cali could be defined by my actions in this backwater of humanity. Can I do this? I trust Reynolds - I mean, I thought I did. I just don't know what's going on. Where do these orders come from? ION? Vrana Corp Industries? Reynolds acting alone as a loose cannon? Hell, I don't know what's better right now - or what's worse."
  43. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Decision, "The situation has changed. The materials are safe; they're with me. These materials cannot fall into the UN's hands; the consequences are too serious. The origin of these materials is highly sensitive. Their very presence makes it clear outside forces have supplied Takistan with weapons grade materials. [...] Wrong: it is our concern. If this gets out, make no mistake: we're talking about a major international crisis. [...] The destabilisation of the region: politically, economically, diplomatically - the whole nine yards. Trades route closing, assets frozen, fiscal paralysis - do you have any idea how much the U.S. alone has leveraged abroad? [...] We're talking major economic meltdown. 2008 is dwarfed by this - we're talking Wall Street Crash, here. Deep depression: millions thrown out of work; protests, starvation, riots in the street - extremist politics from the left and the right. [...] The lives of a few investigators are nothing compared to the consequences.. [...] Wrong: us - paying us. Look, there's no more time for screwing around. You're either with me, or you're against me. Make your decision carefully; out."
  44. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, Deception, "ASANO: Poet.. man... are we doing the right thing? Does this feel right to you? FROST: I don't know what's right, Ry-man. I don't know what to feel any more. ASANO: We can still stop this, if we want. We still have control; we can fight the good fight. FROST: And just what is that? Huh? Tearing the world's economies apart? Killing investigators? It's all fucked, mate. ASANO: Look, man, I'm not goddamn economist - I don't know what the hell's going on. All I know is, I trust Reynolds. FROST: Let's just get this contract completed."
  45. 45.0 45.1 ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, \ca\video_pmc\cp10_outro_b.ogv, 00:05, "The investigation into the slaying of several UN weapons inspectors continued today, with initial reports implicating Takistani guerilla groups in yesterday's Zargabad ambush. The inspectors were active in region, following the discovery of new information pertaining to Takistan's abandoned weapons programme; however, the investigation had failed to uncover any firm evidence.", AAN News
  46. Take On Helicopters 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Lark Rising, The Shakedown, "No, no my flight is leaving in the morning. Not the usual airfield. No, we'll depart from the secondary location. Well, extracting such material out of Zargabad was a big risk. Bringing it here? Yes, that was simple folly. We should have stuck by our original plan - should have just returned it to them. I authorised the cargo ship. As you say, it should have been a simple enough arrangement. And, no, the organisational structure clouds that sort of thing. No one above me is anywhere near it - Dr Ruce is no longer a concern. Yes, it's in the shipping container. We'll move it when things cool down a little."
  47. 47.0 47.1 ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, \ca\video_pmc\cp10_outro_b.ogv, 00:51, "The expansion of private contraction is a natural progression of a healthy relationship between state interests and private sector professionalism.", AAN News
  48. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, \ca\video_pmc\cp10_outro_b.ogv, 00:35, "Calls for the extension of private sector contracts are increasing, in an attempt to spread the load currently placed on the New Takistani Army, and remaining peacekeeping forces.", AAN News
  49. ARMA 2: Private Military Company 2010 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Operation Black Gauntlet, \ca\video_pmc\cp10_outro_b.ogv, 01:01, "The UK government is due to publish a white paper in the coming weeks, examining the role that private contractors will play in current, and future engagements.", AAN News
  50. 50.0 50.1 Take On Helicopters 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Lark Rising, The Best Laid Plans, "CIVIL AVIATION CONTRACT Vrana Industries Incorporated, hereafter referred to as the COMPANY, and the CONTRACTOR hereby agree to enter into a new formal arrangement hereafter referred to as the CONTRACT. The COMPANY requires the CONTRACTOR to supply collateral training support for ION Incorporated, at the Northwest Training Centre, under the authority of Brian Frost, hereafter referred to as the CLIENT. The CONTRACTOR will assist in standard training manoeuvres, providing a range of support alongside training exercises, under the supervision and direction of the CLIENT. Failure to comply with training support protocols will result in the termination of the CONTRACT."
  51. Take On Helicopters 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Lark Rising, The Best Laid Plans, "Alright then. Now I want a fast extraction. Land quickly, get the boys aboard, and get the hell out of there!"
  52. Take On Helicopters 2011 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Lark Rising, The Best Laid Plans, "Alright then. I want a fast insertion. Larking will set us down. Lads, quick dismount on my orders. Weapons free down range."
  53. Bohemia Interactive a.s., 2013, Factions, Arma 3, viewed 2 October 2024, <https://arma3.com/features/factions>.
  54. 54.0 54.1 54.2 ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, \a3\missions_f_epa\video\a_in_intro.ogv, 00:21, "ION-INC WINS US ARMY DECOMMISSIONING CONTRACTS IN EUROPE", AAN News
  55. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Drawdown 2035, "TF AEGIS PEACEKEEPER 1: Wait, what's the assignment today? TF AEGIS PEACEKEEPER 2: Just the same shit as yesterday, man. Vehicle tear-down. TF AEGIS PEACEKEEPER 1: What, we're on that for the whole week? TF AEGIS PEACEKEEPER 2: Yup. At least until the contractors get here, we're the junkyard dogs. TF AEGIS PEACEKEEPER 1: ...I literally cannot wait to get off this fucking rock."
  56. ARMA 3 2013 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Drawdown 2035, "That's a negative, Rogain. Broadway to all NATO forces on Stratis: Code Foxtrot. Code Foxtrot. AAF forces have overwhelmed the airfield and Air Station Mike-26. We're pulling back. Try to get -"
  57. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Paradise Found, "All units, stand down. I say again, stand down. The AAF have issued their formal surrender. Straight from Akhanteros himself. Hold your fire and prepare to receive POWs."
  58. ARMA 3 2014 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., The East Wind, Status Quo
  59. ARMA 3: Contact 2019 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., News Today 06.18.39, \a3\props_f_enoch\items\documents\data\newspaper_01_co.paa, "VRANA Industries Faces Catastrophic Collapse", News Today
  60. Mořický, K 2012, 'PRIVATE MILITARY CREATORS', Karel Mořický, 23 July, viewed 4 March 2022‎, <http://moricky.com/2012/07/private-military-creators/>.
  61. Smith, M et al. 2005, Private Warriors, Public Broadcasting Service, viewed 2 October 2024‎, <https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/shows/warriors/view/>.
  62. Temple-Raston, D 2007, Iraq Victims, Witness Recount Blackwater Shooting, National Public Radio, viewed 30 September 2024‎, <https://www.npr.org/2007/12/17/17284785/iraq-victims-witness-recount-blackwater-shooting>.
  63. Mazzon, M et al. 2019, CorePatch, GitHub, viewed 1 March 2022‎, <https://github.com/Goliath86/CorePatch/blob/master/Changelog.txt>.
  64. ARMA 3: Apex 2016 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., \a3\data_f_exp\flags\flag_ion_co.paa

External links

See also

Factions of ArmA 2
BLUFOR USMCCDFU.S. ArmyKSKACRBritish Army
REDFOR Russian Armed ForcesChDKZTakistani ArmyTakistani Militia
INDFOR NAPATakistani RebelsUnited NationsION
Operation Arrowhead | British Armed Forces
Factions - INDFOR (ArmA 2)
NAPATakistani RebelsUnited NationsION
Operation Arrowhead | British Armed Forces
Armaverse companies and brands
Aerospace Astra
Air travel Larkin AviationPegasus Air Taxi
Alcoholic beverages Bardak & Sons DistilleryBoganSmädný MaškrtníkZdroj Zagoria Pivovary
Auto manufacturers CoyotaFTWGeneric MotorsHand OverLamataRozkosSUNDATZamak
Automotive parts Redstone
Book publishing Acropolis BooksAnvil BooksBroadsword BooksPurely BooksToucan Classic
Conglomerates Bohemia Interactive IndustriesVrana Corporation
Electronics/mechanical devices AuaClonusEuleKaiserkom GmbHMelleRaman NanoporeSonoStoneWellSungsing
Energy/oil Agola SolarBenzynaBLAZENAFuelMalevilPohonaShnell DieselSun OilTanoilTanoa Energy CompanyTucan Oil
Fast food chains BlukingPizza PrestoRed Burger
Finance Bank of TanoaBankRotFasterCardSUATMM
Arms manufacturers Bowen Arms Co.CMMGKalberg-KiseShenlong GroupSister SystemsSovak ArmsTIAN TIANVigilante Design
Firearms accessories ClearskeyeFlashPointThermal Armament Co.UnSure
Logistics Quontrol BrouwerijSWIFD
Media network AAN NewsČERT24KBBC RadioNews TodayRadio ChernarusRadio HorizonsRussian Voice RadioTalk FMThe Tanoa Times
Mining/exploration DaltgreenSolnichniy Quarry Corporation
Pharmaceutical/medical equipment ArgophArmABuxter Healthcare CorporationMEDEX
Private military companies Cloud CorporationFlamesION ServicesTalon International
Social media platforms Chirrup
Soft drinks Burst-KokeRedGull
Technology Macrotech CorporationProcella CorporationVantland IndustriesZubr
Telecommunications ALCOMKecalMCOMR.T.D. Telefono
Tourism Horizon TravelMalden ToursTanoa AccommodationVisit Tanoa
Sub-factions
ArmA: Armed Assault Black ElementResistanceUSMC
ArmA 2 Bystrican MilitiaTakistani Militia
ArmA 3 CTRGIDAPTask Force AegisThe Visitors*Viper
ArmA: Mobile Ops Attidan GuerrillasTask Force
* this sub-faction does not canonically exist within the main Armaverse timeline.