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Arma3-flag-nato

NATO flag

The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (alternately known as the North Atlantic Alliance and shortened to NATO or OTAN in French) is a multi-national BLUFOR faction that has been featured in ArmA: Cold War Assault, ArmA 2 and ArmA 3.

Background

First signed in 1949, NATO is an intergovernmental military alliance that was formed between several North American and European countries. It was founded on the principle of collective defence, and of guaranteeing the peace and security of its members through mutual political and military co-operation.

Throughout the series, NATO by itself has traditionally been more of a broad figure used to encompass all of the playable, Western-based factions such as those from the United States or the United Kingdom.

As such, NATO as a whole actually comprises of individual forces from the U.S. Army, the British Army, the Army of the Czech Republic (ACR), German special operations (KSK), and the Livonian Defense Force (LDF).


ArmA: Cold War Assault

In ArmA: Cold War Assault, the vanguard of NATO's presence on the Everon group of islands consisted solely of forces from the United States. U.S. troops were primarily based on Malden and prior to the Soviet invasion, Everon as well.

At this time, notable members included Colonel Blake, the commander of all American forces in the region, David Armstrong, Sam Nichols, Robert Hammer, and James Gastovski, a black ops team leader who would become one of the key supporters of the FIA.


ArmA 2

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TF Knight flag.

In ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead, a U.S.-led coalition is formed after the Takistani government threatens to invade its neighbouring country of Karzeghistan.

The bulk of the NATO presence in Takistan at this time consisted of troops from the U.S. Army/U.S. Marine Corps, along with several British Army paratrooper battalions. A detachment of operatives from the Czech Republic's 601st Special Forces Group (601st SFG) and the German Bundeswehr's Kommando Spezialkrafte (KSK) were also sent to support ongoing operations.

A total of four task forces were assembled to participate in the main invasion; two American contingents consisting of U.S. Army forces (Task Force Knight) and U.S. Marines (Task Force Bishop), Royal Marines as part of Task Force Queen, and lastly, several Special Air Service (SAS) teams assigned to Task Force Rook.

A Royal Navy Fleet Air Arm (FAA) also provided air support for their counterparts from the United States. At the time of the invasion, coalition forces were primarily commanded by U.S. Army Colonel C.F. Kane.


ArmA 3

File:Task Force Aegis insignia.png

TF Aegis emblem.

In ArmA 3, the NATO presence on the island nation of the Republic of Altis and Stratis was initially limited to the joint British/American Task Force Aegis, led by U.S. Army Colonel Andrew MacKinnon.

TF Aegis consisted of American and British troops. They were assigned with the task of overseeing and preventing further outbreaks of fighting between the local Freedom and Independence Army guerilla movement (FIA) and the Altis Armed Forces (AAF).

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Emblem of the 111th ID.

Due to their mandate expiring, British forces are eventually withdrawn several months prior to the events of The East Wind.

NATO's presence in the country is later expanded with the addition of the 111th Infantry Division (111th ID) and the 21st Brigade Combat Team (21st BCT), also from the U.S. Army. The 111th was commanded by Colonel David Armstrong. Both the 111th and 21st operated off an aircraft carrier from the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet, the USS Freedom (CVN-83), which served as the lead ship of Carrier Strike Group 14.

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Carrier Strike Group 14's insignia.

In Eastern Europe, NATO's presence consists of both American and local troops from the Livonian Defense Force. Some elements of the LDF's special operations 5th Regiment unit, participated in the ongoing multilateral training exercises. At the time of their deployment, the post of NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe (SACEUR) was held by General Hans Brecht.

Notable personnel included Corporal Ben Kerry (the protagonist of The East Wind campaign), along with Sergeants Conway and Adams of TF Aegis.

ArmA: Cold War Assault

NATO forces in ArmA: Cold War Assault are based on Malden and the Everon islands group.

History

Events of Resistance (1982)

During the Soviet occupation of Nogova, a U.S. black ops team led by Major James Gastovski covertly assisted the anti-Soviet partisan movement on the island.

They provided shipments with the latest in Western-made firearms and equipment that would greatly assist the group in eventually driving off Colonel Aleksei Guba's forces.

When the guerillas were about to be overrun, a squadron of American attack helicopters were dispatched from Malden to assist the beleaguered rebels. Their air support was crucial in bringing an end to the occupation, with the Soviet forces destroyed and its remaining survivors being forced to surrender to the rebels.

Events of Cold War Crisis (1985)

SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA: Cold War Assault's 'Cold War Crisis' campaign.

On May 5th, 1985, "unknown forces" attack and destroy the NATO training camp based on Everon.

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NATO forces on Malden prepare to ship out to Everon following the initial attack.

A response force is dispatched by the NATO commander on Malden, Colonel Caper Blake, to investigate the identity of the "unknown" attackers, but is eventually driven (literally) back into the sea when a massive wave of (apparently) Soviet troops overrun the Americans following a failed attack against the city of Montignac.

Two weeks pass without further incident while NATO and Western governments furiously scramble to obtain answers from the Soviet Union, which continued to stubbornly deny any involvement in the occupation. But to make matters worse, the "Soviet" troops suddenly launch a full-scale invasion of Malden itself. They quickly seize Malden's ports from the outnumbered NATO defenders, while Soviet forces thundered north towards the main airport.

Though NATO forces stationed on the island mostly consisted of rookie troops still in training, no men could be spared and everyone was mobilised to make a stand; at least until reinforcements could be brought in.

Outnumbered ten to one, they had to trade territory for time until Soviet forces finally reached the city of Houdan. NATO tanks and infantry fought their Soviet counterparts in a fierce battle that lasted for several hours. At the end of it, NATO forces achieved their first "victory" for the first time since the invasion.

Having regained some of their initiative, NATO forces slowly pushed back south. They held the city of Chapoi against another massive Soviet attack, broke through Soviet lines at the heavily fortified border-zone of Lolisse, and then finally retook La Riviere and Malden's ports, cutting off Soviet reinforcements.

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NATO forces stage a successful breakout at the village of Lolisse.

To the relief of all sides involved, the commander of the unknown forces is revealed to be (now General) Aleksei Guba, the very same leader who conducted the occupation of Nogova three years earlier. Guba personally issues a threat to Blake to leave the region immediately. If they refused, his personal army would destroy the Americans to the last man without mercy.

Blake disregards the threat however, and continues to work on driving off the Soviets from Malden first. He secretly dispatched Maj. Gastovski and Lieutenant David Armstrong on a covert mission back to Everon to enlist the aid of the guerilla fighters based there.

NATO forces regrouped for one final attack against the remaining Soviet troops on Malden, but first they needed to ascertain the location of their camp, which was hidden somewhere north of the town of Goisse. NATO scouts are able to identify the camp's location after luring their forces out, and raze the camp to the ground after another massive battle.

Having destroyed their only remaining base on Malden, NATO forces (along with freshly arrived reinforcements) prepared to mount an invasion on Everon itself. With the help of the local guerillas, U.S. special forces infiltrated the island days before the main assault to sabotage Soviet defences.

On June 20th, NATO forces stepped foot onto Everon for the first time in more than a month since their defeat at Montignac. They first secured the main airport north of Everon to clear the way for their heavy armour to be brought in, while air support and special forces teams worked around the clock to ferry troops and cripple Soviet supply lines.

NATO forces continued to cut their way through Soviet lines, liberating the villages of Morton, Le Moule, and Regine, before finally retaking the city of Montignac itself. Their focus then shifted towards the central sector of the island where the Soviets had set up numerous bases near the village of Levie. NATO tanks rolled through and smashed the Soviet defences, while also driving off a counterattack aimed at dislodging the Americans.

The liberation of Everon finally culminated in a total victory for NATO forces when U.S. troops and armour supported by attack helicopters, struck the main Soviet headquarters at Saint Pierre. The loss of the HQ forced the remaining Soviet troops to flee back to Kolgujev, their base back in Soviet-controlled territory.

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From their bases on both Malden and Everon, NATO aircraft take off to commence airstrikes against Guba's bases on Kolgujev.

NATO widened its front against the rogue Soviets, hoping to destroy them completely to put a decisive end to their threat. Col. Blake launched multiple airstrikes on their bases and carried out an amphibious landing on the southern end of the island.

But in an unprecedented act of defiance, Guba threatens Blake once again with a televised message, warning that he had nuclear missiles primed and ready to launch if they continued to refuse his demands.

With time running short and the flashpoint on Everon now at a breaking point, NATO forces desperately scrambled to locate the missiles. U.S. special forces led by Maj. Gastovski manage to locate the missile site in central Kolgujev and destroys it moments before it could be launched.

Before they could proceed with the arrest of Guba himself, he inexplicably reveals that a second missile was still stashed away in the north of the island, and was planning to use it to destroy not just himself but all NATO forces as well, hoping to spark a global conflict between NATO and the Warsaw Pact.

Fortunately, Gastovski's team are successful in destroying the second missile and take Guba into custody, putting an end to the crisis on Everon once and for all.

Post-Cold War Crisis

« In an official statement, the Secretary of Defense revealed that a US training camp on the island had been attacked by a small group of lightly-armed terrorists, led by a disgraced former General of the Russian army. US military sources stated that the assault was a poorly-planned, publicity-seeking maneuver by an extremist organisation, which was easily resisted by American troops. There were no significant casualties.
Post-flashpoint radio news report
»

Guba is apprehended by NATO troops, and possibly awaits trial to face charges over the numerous war crimes his forces committed against the people of Everon.

Meanwhile, both the United States and Soviet Union publicly denied all allegations of NATO and Soviet forces fighting against each other; bilaterally agreeing to cover up the incident and of Guba's involvement.

ArmA 2

NATO forces in ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead are deployed to Takistan, a country based in the Green Sea Region.

Overview

« Some of the NATO armies supported the operations in Takistan by sending in their cream of the crop: usually the special forces or specialized detachments, e.g. Czech Rapid Reaction Brigade and Special Forces Group or German Kommando Spezialkräfte.
Official ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead site description
»

History

Events of Operation Arrowhead (2012)

SPOILER ALERT

NOTE: This section contains spoilers from ArmA 2: Operation Arrowhead's 'Operation Arrowhead' campaign.

With his power gradually slipping away, the dictator of Takistan, Colonel Muhammad R. Aziz, threatens the nearby country of Karzeghistan with an ultimatum; chemical missiles would be launched against the country should the oil-rich fields of the Sharig Plateau not be "immediately returned to the people of Takistan".

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The main invasion of Takistan begins with U.S.-led NATO force striking the Loy Manara airfield

With unanimous approval from the Security Council, the United Nations directs that the Takistani government step down from its demands. Aziz refuses to do, and the Council authorises foreign intervention in the country to pre-empt Aziz's threat.

Operation Arrowhead immediately commences in full swing after the deadline expires, with American forces from Task Force Knight leading the charge into the country. Prior to the operation's start, British special forces quietly inserted behind enemy lines and were successful in disabling many of the Takistani Army's SCUD ballistic missile launchers.

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NATO special operations forces assassinate key Takistani Army officers

After a day of heavy fighting throughout the country, NATO forces continue to push northward and liberate several Army/Republican militia-held towns and villages while only suffering minimal casualties. The advance does encounter a slight setback after a cargo plane transporting journalists and Non-Government Organisation workers is shot down by the Takistani Army.

The priority for NATO immediately switches from attacking to search-and-rescue, but they are unable to find any trace of the survivors.

NATO forces eventually move onto the provincial capital of Zargabad after U.S. intelligence sources successfully gain actionable intel on the location of both Aziz and the hostages. At the same time however, Aziz, in a moment of desperation, orders the last of his SCUD missiles to be armed in order to inflict serious damage on coalition forces, as well as on the neighbouring country of Karzeghistan.

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The final Battle for Zargabad begins as U.S. troops race against time to stop the SCUD missiles from launching

Even with time running short, U.S.-led NATO forces successfully dismantle the last of the ballistic missile threat before their refuelling process can finish. On top of that, Aziz himself is fatally shot by U.S. Army troops after he's cornered at the presidential palace.

A press conference is later held at FOB Revolver with the U.S. Army's TF Knight commander, Colonel Kane, reporting on NATO's successes to the global media.

Post-Operation Arrowhead

With Aziz and his senior officers out of the way, NATO's priorities in the region immediately shifted from regime change to peacekeeping, counterinsurgency, and stabilisation operations instead.

Their main focus was hunting down remnants of the Takistani Army, along with training the local authorities and reformed New Takistani Army (NTA) in maintaining peace throughout the country. To assist in these efforts, a troop surge consisting primarily of British forces spearheaded ongoing operations.

Dubbed Operation Crimson Lance, this troop surge bolstered NATO's presence in the region and a few days later, successfully rooted out the last remnants of the pro-Aziz faction.

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Distribution of coalition forces throughout Takistan (2013)

Unfortunately, this victory also heralded the beginning of the country's gradual slide into chaos once more.

As the bulk of NATO forces - including those from both the United States and the United Kingdom, began to withdraw from the country, only a few non-frontline and administrative personnel remained in static positions within the secure "Green Zones" of the country.

A mixture of government corruption and infighting between NTA troops and the regional warlords (former rebel leaders) increased, as the latter were no longer unconditionally pro-NATO. Numerous factions began challenging the NTA's authority, hoping to seize control of the country for their own motives.

By the mid 2010s, the last of the NATO peacekeeping force was completely pulled out of Takistan. In 2020, a small detachment of U.S. troops were dispatched to assist Non-Government Organisations still operating in the country. However, their presence was largely limited to providing security rather than helping to restore order.

ArmA 3

NATO forces in ArmA 3 are deployed on a peacekeeping operation to the Republic of Altis and Stratis, an island nation based in the Mediterranean region. They also maintain a small presence in the abandoned Nadbór regions of Livonia, Eastern Europe, as part of multi-national training exercises aimed at countering Russian infiltration attempts.

Overview

« Decades of economic and political turbulence across member states has left NATO weakened and facing a strategic paradigm shift.

With CSAT political and military influence dominating from the Pacific to the Mediterranean, NATO seeks to consolidate their diminished forces around traditional strongholds. As tensions continue to grow in the east, a US-led joint NATO-AAF peacekeeping force stationed on Stratis - Task Force Aegis - is in the middle of a staged drawdown.

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

History

Arma3-campaign-survive-intro-00

Top-left: Public opinion in the United States begins to turn away from supporting NATO
Top-right: Waning American power sees a dramatic rise in China's hold over the Pacific region, intruding into areas traditionally dominated by American influence
Bottom-left: The ongoing economic depression sees constant riots take place in many Western European capitals
Bottom-right: The peacekeeping mandate for the continued deployment of British forces on Altis is denied an extension by an overwhelming majority in the UK's Parliament

Two decades of geopolitical turmoil after the events of Operation Arrowhead have seen a drastic reduction to NATO's influence on world affairs.

In the subsequent power vacuum, the Canton Protocol Strategic Alliance Treaty (CSAT), a coalition of Eastern nations led by the People's Republic of China, has risen to assume its place.

« AAN News Report: Meanwhile, civil disorder spilled over into a third week of violent riots and mass protest across European capitals. Again, the streets of Paris and Rome were ablaze last night as military-enforced curfews passed ignored, and the number of deaths rose into the hundreds.

Senator Raymond Givens (R-GA): 'CSAT wants to invest in Altis? Let them! The US can no longer be seen to prop up Europe's failed economic situation. This is their mess. We got our own problems - let's deal with those.'
Civil unrest and political deadlock throughout NATO sees its existence left hanging in the balance
»

Economic issues continue to plague many of the core NATO members. A two decade-long depression in the United States, as well as throughout the European continent, has set into motion an irreversible dwindling of Western European soft power.

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Top: U.S. prisoners of war held at an undisclosed location in Karpanga (2022)
Middle: Soldiers await evacuation at Bodrum, Turkey, following their defeat at the hands of CSAT forces in the Battle at Galfara Gorge (2029)
Bottom: Despite cutbacks to the military budget being reversed, the U.S. Treasury announces yet another contraction of the economy in Q2 FY35 (2035)

Germany, once considered the economic heart of Europe, suffers from a staggering 33% unemployment rate while other European countries average higher at 42%. Mass rioting in capital cities occur on a regular basis, necessitating the deployment of soldiers and often culminating in bloodshed.

The U.S. has been equally impacted by the depression, with its economy shrinking at the turn of every financial quarter. Combined with constant military defeats in proxy wars against China in the Asia-Pacific region, and elsewhere in the globe, these losses have contributed to a sharp rise in isolationist sentiments.

With the alliance collectively struggling to tackle domestic issues, many of its members have opted to shy away from foreign deployments. This has resulted in the U.S. being stretched thin militarily, and unable to secure its traditional spheres of influence against CSAT expansionism.

Prior to the start of the events of The East Wind, the alliance has already been severely fragmented. Several Southern European nations are facing total economic collapse, while many of its Eastern European members have opted to leave the organisation on the promise of receiving Russian oil.

Events of the Prologue (2034)

SPOILER ALERT

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

Four years after the end of the civil war on Altis, NATO forces from the joint-U.S./British Task Force Aegis are in their fourth year of a five year-long deployment. Their primary mission is limited to peacekeeping; aimed at preventing any further major outbreak of hostilities between the AAF and the anti-government FIA insurgency.

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NATO forces clash with the AAF on the latter's questionable ethics.

U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Adams, alongside Sergeant Conway, is a part of a small detachment of the task force that has been assigned to train AAF recruits in military basics and counterinsurgency warfare.

Relations between the AAF and NATO forces gradually between to wear down however, as one incident after another begins to cause conflicts of interest between the two forces. The deterioration in relations hits a new low after the AAF and FIA agree to a sit-down at the old capital of the nation, Kavala, in order to arrange a ceasefire between the two sides.

In reality, both sides had hidden motives for agreeing to the meeting; the former sought to take out all of the FIA's leaders in one stroke, while the latter hoped to stir an uprising in the city to seize it from their control. The uprising predictably fails and is crushed by the AAF completely.

Following a small skirmish with the guerillas, NATO forces eventually return to the capital to the sight of a one-sided massacre. According to the AAF, the guerillas had "thrown themselves" against the military and were "forced" to retaliate against them.

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NATO forces arrive in Kavala to find things having gone from bad to worse.

« Akhanteros: Is there a problem here, Sergeant?
Conway: What's the problem? Your men are abusing these prisoners.
Akhanteros: This is none of your business, American.
Conway: The hell it is! Corporal, arrest them.
Akhanteros: What my men do is my concern, and mine alone, Sergeant.
Sgt. Conway angrily protests against Akhanteros' treatment of the guerillas
»

Unable to overrule them due to CSAT influence, NATO forces are forced to simply stand aside and watch with disgust while the surviving FIA guerillas are rounded up and executed by the AAF.

Events of Remnants of War (2034)

SPOILER ALERT

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

Almost a week after the failed uprising in Kavala, NATO forces are reassigned to other areas of the country, with the village of Oreokastro to the north-west of the country being one of the notable locations that they were present in where they worked alongside the local IDAP NGO group.

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NATO ferries in supplies for the IDAP encampment in the centre of the village.

As ground transportation was simply too risky to attempt due to the prevalence of bandit raids on vehicle convoys, NATO forces on-site helped to direct in an airdrop of much-needed humanitarian supplies for the village.

Though they came under fire from bandits while retrieving the airdrop, they managed to recover all of the supplies and brought them back to the camp intact.

Events of The East Wind (2035)

SPOILER ALERT

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

Survive
Drawdown 2035

The last of the NATO forces on Stratis prepare to pack up and leave

As their mandate had already expired and there was absolutely no chance of it being extended, NATO forces from TF Aegis begin preparations to leave the island nation.

By the start of The East Wind, most of the NATO forces have already left the country, with only U.S. Army engineering and support personnel staying behind in order to oversee the decommissioning of the remaining NATO facilities on the island of Stratis.

Likewise, British forces had also already left the country many months prior due to their government's motion to extend their deployment being overruled in Parliament.

« 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.
Callsign Broadway, moments before being cut off
»

Without notice, the AAF launch a supposedly unprovoked attack on NATO forces. Caught completely off-guard, both the Stratis airbase and several other outposts quickly overrun, with all remaining high-ranking officers eliminated and what's left of the survivors being forced to retreat into the woods.

NATO forces eventually regroup at Camp Maxwell, a former NATO encampment that had been decommissioned many months prior. Under the leadership of a British special forces Captain, Scott Miller, they wage a guerilla campaign against the AAF in order to take back the initiative and at the same time, attempt to call for reinforcements.

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The last of the U.S. troops retake Agia Marina from the AAF

While successful to some extent, they suffer a major setback when the AAF finally locate Maxwell and raze it with an artillery strike. It is then revealed that during the chaos, Miller's team was able to raise communications with NATO MEDCOM, but they would first need to clear out the town of Agia Marina before the invasion force could arrive.

Combining the last of their fighting strength, the remaining NATO forces attack the town and in spite of the odds that were against them, manage to seize it from the AAF.

However, just as they had seemingly achieved victory, a CSAT force counterattacks and wipes out what's left of the NATO task force. A few survivors attempt to escape via boats, but are also sunk by the AAF.

Stepping Stone

NOTE: Stepping Stone takes place during the events of The East Wind's Adapt episode.

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NATO forces based on the USS Freedom take-off in preparation to invade Malden.

In response to the AAF's surprise attack against the peacekeepers of TF Aegis, a U.S.-led NATO task force sails eastward towards the Republic of Altis and Stratis. Before they can invade the island nation however, the skies over the Gibraltar Straits must first be secured to ensure that air superiority can be maintained over the region.

To that end, the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet sails into position to strike Malden. Once a former NATO outpost during the Cold War, the island has fallen under CSAT influence in the past two decades and has become a strategic location for CSAT forces in the region.

A small Chinese fleet of fighters are based at the former U.S. airbase to the north of the island, and a North African garrison are based in the south of the island. While the Chinese remain neutral and even allow NATO forces to observe their activities, North African Scimitar Regiment forces refuse to back down and remain hostile to NATO forces.

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NATO forces begin their final push towards Dourdan.

Invading through Le Port, U.S.-led NATO forces seize multiple key locations throughout the towns of Chapoi and Cancon, while also taking Scimitar Regiment's MSR at Hourdan. After inflicting severe damage against the North Africans, NATO forces roll northwards to deal a finishing blow against them by striking against the city of Dourdan and eventually, La Trinite itself.

Although NATO command remains concerned about the Chinese possibly intervening at the last second, their worries are immediately dashed after the Chinese government disavows any involvement in the fighting, which essentially gives a green light for the invasion force to continue advancing northward.

Without Chinese support, the North Africans are easily overwhelmed by NATO forces, and promptly choose to surrender their remaining troops to the invasion force.

Win
Arma3-campaign-theeastwind-win-00

The 111th ID plan their next move on the mainland following the initial failed attack on the airport

Now with Malden secured and air superiority achieved, NATO forces begin the invasion of Altis with a multi-pronged attack against the island of Stratis first. They quickly take the island from the now-outgunned AAF, and make preparations to take Altis' main airport as well.

Leading the charge into the country, the U.S. Army's 111th Infantry Division (111th ID) work alongside the 21st Brigade Combat Team (21st BCT) in an attempt to simultaneously seize multiple strategic targets on the mainland.

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NATO forces race to plug the gap in the defensive lines at Neochori after the CSAT counteroffensive

Though they manage to easily secure the entire western half of the island, the drive eastward is met with failure as they encounter heavier-than-expected resistance from the AAF/CSAT garrison at the Altis International Airport.

They are forced to retreat all the way back to Neochori and plan for another offensive. Soon afterwards however, a CSAT raid and armoured counteroffensive almost overruns the defensive lines at Neochori, but are beaten back at the last moment with the help of the local guerillas.

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Against all odds, NATO forces manage to lay claim on Chalkeia in spite of their heavy losses

Meanwhile, a second offensive is attempted via airborne assault on the south-eastern half of the island, aimed at seizing the city of Chalkeia in order to draw the AAF away from the airfield.

The invasion almost fails due to a unforeseen series of events that almost wipe out one half of the attacking force, but the initiative is reclaimed thanks to the resourcefulness of the surviving troops, who manage to regroup and deal a critical blow to the AAF garrison in Chalkeia.

At the same time, the bulk of the NATO invasion force manages to overrun the main airport, seizing it at last from the AAF and CSAT garrison. NATO forces continue to push southwards towards the capital Pyrgos and finally seize the city after heavy fighting.

Arma3-campaign-theeastwind-win-02

NATO forces move north-east to deal the finishing blow against the AAF

The combined elements of the 21st and the 111th then prepare to strike north-east, aiming to take the towns of Kalochori and Sofia. A separate force of ground units are dispatched to advance south towards Selakano instead, where they run into the remainder of the AAF's heavy armour assets.

They continue to remain wary of the CSAT garrison who are suspiciously attempting to avoid all direct combat with the U.S.-led NATO forces, leaving the majority of the fighting to the AAF.

« 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.
Armstrong's orders to all NATO forces following Akhanteros' surrender
»

After almost every town is seized by NATO forces, they eventually reach the north-eastern corner of the island. Surrounded completely on all sides; not to mention that more than a third of his troops were confirmed to be either dead or mortally wounded, the AAF's commander, Colonel Akhanteros, unconditionally surrenders to NATO forces.

Post-The East Wind

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U.S.-led NATO forces continue to maintain watch over the island nation.

« NATO's invasion - albeit swift and, ultimately, successful - has stirred a new round of debates over the funding of military forces in this region. The conclusion was clear: there is no way NATO can maintain their position here while tensions in the pacific region rise. The decommissioning will continue and NATO will abandon this region.
The aftermath of the Altis Incident
»

Six weeks pass following the AAF's capitulation. Under the leadership of its new civilian government and soon-to-be president-elect, Nikos Panagopoulos, the FIA guerillas have transitioned from a military opposition into a political body and work hard restore their homeland.

NATO forces continue to maintain a heavy presence in order to ensure the stability of the country, and can also be seen overseeing the conference being held at Kavala as the new Altian government, NATO and CSAT agree to a joint peacekeeping deal.

While successful, the invasion had nonetheless been a costly expedition for NATO, as more than a hundred NATO soldiers had been killed before and after the invasion, and several other key SIGINT facilities (such as Mike-26) had been completely destroyed in the fighting.

The last of the U.S. Army troops on the island eventually leave the country for good after the remaining NATO facilities are decommissioned.

Events of Apex Protocol (2035)

U.S. Army troops form the bulk of the Pacific NATO forces operating in Tanoa, one of the central landmasses amongst the Horizon Islands group of nations. Working alongside the local authorities as part of the "Safe Horizon" exercises, their primary mission was to assist them in rooting out a growing insurgency threat that called itself the Syndikat.

In reality however, the exercises were being used as a cover for NATO's CTRG black ops unit, who had a completely different set of priorities and reasons for operating in the country.

Their initial involvement is mostly limited to providing just logistical support. They otherwise do not directly take part in any of the covert operations being conducted by CTRG.

Post-Apex Protocol

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NATO's focus continues to shift towards the South China Sea.

« NATO sources have moved quickly to condemn the, quote, 'illegal, immoral, and indefensible act of war'. With a UN Security Council Resolution set to mandate peacekeeping operations in the South China Sea, NATO forces remain on a heightened state of alert.
News reports detailing the aftermath of the revelations
»

Upon revelation of the "Apex Protocol Papers", NATO leaders were quick to voice their disapproval and condemnation of CSAT's activities; in spite of the latter's continued denials in the face of the overwhelming evidence covertly provided by CTRG.

With global tensions running high and CSAT influence now on the back foot, Western representatives have moved to put forward a new motion at the UN Security Council. If successful, NATO-led peacekeepers would be authorised to conduct joint patrols in the South China Sea - all in order to curtail Chinese influence in the region.

However, while the "Apex Protocol" itself was exposed to the public, the existence of CSAT's Eastwind device is never revealed. Its fate is ultimately left unclear even in light of the revelations.

Events of Old Man (2038)

U.S.-led NATO forces continued to maintain a moderate presence on the Horizon Islands long after the "Apex Protocol Papers", working alongside their local counterparts to root out the final remnants of the Syndikat.

Nonetheless in spite of the revelations, CSAT expansionism in the region was only temporarily held in check, not halted. Since then, the country has entered into a wildly turbulent era of politics and controversies in the three years that have passed.

The mysterious deaths of pro-NATO politicians, the retirement of former president Benjamin Hope, and the outbreak of an unknown super-strain of malaria in the country's Tanoa province; all of this has led to the election victory of a pro-CSAT political party named "Nouveaux Horizons".

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At the request of the Horizon Islands government, the NATO withdrawal comes into effect almost immediately and is completed by mid 2038.

Furthermore, NATO scientists and medical teams were puzzled by the malaria super-strain and could not formulate a solution to the sudden outbreak.

Conventional anti-malaria medications proved to be ineffective, and discontent from the newly-elected government for the NATO presence was growing. CSAT humanitarian assistance on the hand, immediately succeeded at halting the diseases' spread, with patients quickly recovering from the illness under their treatments.

As the CSAT presence slowly grew in scope, the Horizon Islands government saw little reason for NATO forces to remain in the country. By mid 2038, the last of the U.S. Army garrison would be withdrawn, making way for Chinese-led CSAT troops accompanying the growing numbers of medical teams.

Events of First Contact (2039)

« About 14,000 Livonian and 10,000 US personnel are taking part this week, as well as 1,000 from the UK and other NATO states. Attending forces will focus on interoperability, CBRN (Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear) defenses, and Electronic Warfare. But AAN's correspondent in Andrzejów, Sean Bradwell, says paranoia in Eastern Europe has reached a fever pitch since Belarus began accession talks with CSAT, following the 2035 Moscow Summit.
News reports on Electron-39's commencement
»

In-conjunction with Livonian forces, a contingent of U.S. Army soldiers and UKSF operatives are conducting joint training operations as part of the biennial "Electron" exercises. First held in late 2035, this year's "Exercise Electron-39" is the third to take place and will be conducted in the semi-abandoned Nadbór region.

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UKSF operatives training alongside their U.S./Livonian allies.

It will involve over 14,000 soldiers from the Livonian Defense Force, along with approximately 10,000 U.S. personnel and 1,000 from the U.K. and other NATO members. Livonian troops will be playing the role of aggressors (portraying Russian military forces) while U.S./British troops work to counter their infiltration attempts.

Livonia's close proximity to the Russian Federation's border has rendered the region of particularly vital importance to NATO interests in recent years. The region - dubbed the "Andrzejów Gap" - is essentially NATO's modern day Fulda Gap; it is the only land route that links NATO's remaining Eastern European members to the Baltics.

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Livonia lies at the heart of the so-called "Andrzejów Gap", a region under constant threat of Russian infiltration.

However, the proximity of the exercises to the Russian border immediately sparks protest from the Kremlin. The thinly-veiled portrayal of the "aggressors" is quickly denounced, though NATO officials dismissed such concerns, stating that Electron-39 was aimed at improving interoperability between allies and training in electronic/CBRN warfare.

Nonetheless, a membership offer from CSAT to the Russian government has further heightened tensions and anti-CSAT paranoia in the region.

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NATO's continued existence and by extension, Western influence, hinges entirely on the Russian government as they debate the merits of joining CSAT.

« Russia says that such a show of force, close to its borders, is a threat to its security. Foreign Minister Poda Makarovich said: "NATO sabre-rattling is counterproductive. The world is already on a precipice. A return to bilateral Cold War-era thinking could be disastrous for everyone. If the US continues to ignore the new world order, and insists on creating enemies where there are none, they run the risk of making their fears a reality."
Russian officials denounce Electron-39's commencement
»

Should Russia join CSAT; a move made likely as a result of NATO's geopolitical mistakes, CSAT's ascension to status of being the dominant global hegemony would be set into stone. Electron-39 could not have occurred at a more geopolitically inauspicious time.

Equipment

ArmA: Cold War Assault

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ERDL woodland camouflage pattern utilised by ArmA: Cold War Assault-era NATO forces.

The bulk of NATO forces on Everon and Malden consisted of U.S. Army troops, who mainly utilised the ALICE load bearing system and wore Battle Dress Uniforms (BDU) which were concealed in the ERDL woodland camouflage pattern.

On the other hand, the PASGT helmet served as the basic combat helmet worn by NATO forces, which was also camouflaged in ERDL.

ArmA 2

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Camouflage patterns used by ArmA 2-era NATO forces from left-to-right, top row:
- MARPAT Woodland (USMC, Chernarus)
- UCP (U.S. Army, Takistan)
- MultiCam (U.S. Army, 1st SFOD-D only)
- Multi-Terrain Pattern (British Army, Takistan)
- DPM (British Army, Chernarus)

Bottom row:
- DDPM (British Army, Takistan)
- vz 95 Desert (ACR, 601st SFG only)
- vz 95 Woodland (ACR, Bystrica/Chernarus)
- Tropentarn (Bundeswehr, KSK only)

Equipment used by each nation's military (American, British, Czech, German) drastically varied on a country-by-country basis. All Western forces were always equipped with the latest in electronic devices and weapons, which made the average BLUFOR soldier superior in capability to their OPFOR counterparts.

Likewise, camouflage utilised by each nation varied depending on the area of operations and their preferred pattern; U.S. Army soldiers for example, were always seen using Universal Camouflage Pattern (UCP)-camouflaged gear.

British Army troopers on the other hand wore gear that utilised a mixture of the older DPM and DDPM patterns, along with the newer Multi-Terrain Pattern camouflage patterns while operating in Takistan.

German and Czech special operations units deployed to Takistan used their own arid camouflage patterns, while conventional Czech forces utilised a woodland-based pattern for use in Bystrica.

ArmA 3

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Camouflage patterns used by ArmA 3-era NATO forces:
- MTP (Left, Altis)
- Tropic MTP (Right, Tanoa)
- Woodland MTP (Bottom, Livonia)

Predominately consisting of infantrymen from the U.S. Army, NATO forces wear plate carriers and helmets which offer decent protection to the head and torso at the cost of storage capacity.

Conventional troops wear a mixture of light and blast-resistant carrier vests. Squad leaders and some specialist troops on the other hand, prefer to don special plate carriers made out of ceramic materials. Combat helmets range from Light, Enhanced and Camouflaged variants, which are standard issue across all NATO forces.

Soldiers deployed to the Mediterranean theatre wear MTP-camouflaged uniforms with ranger green-coloured vests and a variety of spraypainted helmets, while soldiers operating in the Pacific are issued Tropic-camouflaged uniforms, vests and headgear instead.

Lastly, troops based in mainland Europe utilise Woodland-camouflaged uniforms and personal gear specially tailored for the heavily-forested landscapes of Eastern Europe.

Depending on whether NBC threats to humans are present, MOPP gear may also be distributed to line infantry in the form of protective suits and respirators with gas masks. Intended to shield them against the hazards of a contaminated battlefield, these cumbersome (but essential) pieces of equipment are available to all NATO forces regardless of the region they operate in.

Arsenal


Gallery

Trivia

  • The U.S. Army reinforcements in ArmA 3 were initially known as the 111th Mechanized Brigade Combat Team (111th MBCT) before being retconned into becoming the 111th ID.
  • For unclear reasons, Livonian forces in ArmA 3 are strangely categorised as an Independent faction rather than BLUFOR in spite of the country being a member of NATO.
    • This is later expanded on during the events of the First Contact campaign, though its non-canonical status makes the LDF's categorisation of not being a BLUFOR faction questionable.
  • The so-called "MTP" camo utilised by ArmA 3 NATO forces is directly based on the real-world "MultiCam" family of camouflage patterns produced by Crye Precision.
    • The arid and tropic versions worn by in-game Mediterranean and Pacific NATO forces (respectively) are inspired by two real MultiCam derivatives. Only the woodland version is completely fictional.
    • It should not be confused with the British Army's "Multi-Terrain Pattern" which is also referred to in short as MTP. Nor should it be confused with the U.S. Army's "Operational Camouflage Pattern" (OCP), as the latter is visibly different to both MultiCam and the in-game "MTP".

External links

See also

Factions - BLUFOR (ArmA 3)
NATOCTRGFIAGendarmerie
Apex DLC
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