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Stephen Kulansky is a minor character in ArmA 3's Stepping Stone mini-campaign.

Background[]

Kulansky is a combat medic in the U.S. Army's 21st Brigade Combat Team, 111th Infantry Division (21st BCT, 111th ID).

He is a subordinate of Sergeant John Sturrock and operates under the team's radio callsign of Pariah.

Stepping Stone (2035)[]

Responding to the unprovoked attack on the peacekeepers of Task Force Aegis, NATO MEDCOM has authorised the immediate deployment of the brigade to counter the Altian government's act of aggression.[1][2] Before the invasion of Altis can commence however, the strategic microstate of Malden controls vital air corridors between the Straits of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea.[3]

With Malden under CSAT influence, the risk of the invasion failing was too high without the guarantee of air superiority. There was only one option for the task force: invading the island to secure its airbases for the U.S. Navy's 6th Fleet to sail through safely.[3][4]

As the carrier battlegroup positioned itself within striking distance of Malden, Kulansky's reconnaissance fireteam under the command of SGT John Sturrock were assigned with the task of neutralising key North African defences. Their first target was a firebase located north of Cancon. Satellite imagery had confirmed that mortars were being used to provide fire support for the garrison in the city. It had to be taken out before the main ground assault was to commence.[1][5]

Once Kulansky's team infiltrated the firebase, they confirmed that the North Africans were using trucks to move around, having mounted their mortars onto the rear of the flatbed as an improvised platform.[6] They quickly silenced the crews, their escorts, destroyed the mortars, and prepared to exfiltrate.[7]

Before they could retreat however, they were diverted to scout the nearby grove where there were supposedly unconfirmed sightings of a platoon-sized tank formation. But upon scouting the place, they only found rusted hulks of tanks and IFVs that dated back to the Cold War.[8]

« Kulansky: Hey, Sturrock. Any idea what the fuck is going on? I mean - y'know, are we at war with CSAT now or what?
Sturrock: Yeah and no... maybe.
Kulansky
»

As morning turned to noon, Kulansky's team were ordered to move further north. The town of Houdan had been heavily fortified with anti-tank launchers, and they were tasked with eliminating the crews before giving the all-clear for ground forces to move in.[1][9][10] As they destroyed CSAT anti-tank fortifications[11][12], Kulansky's team luckily managed to discover a camouflaged tank hidden in the nearby forest.[13]

SGT Sturrock directed a fire mission on the tank, quickly destroying it and their guards.[14] With all the threats neutralised, Kulansky's team linked up with allied ground forces and in less than an hour, succeeded in taking over the town.[15]

While making their way into Houdan, they were diverted to the church to restrain a CSAT officer who had surrendered.[15][16] His team managed to overhear the officer gloating in French that a massive wave of reinforcements was inbound to ambush unsuspecting allied troops, which SGT Sturrock quickly relayed back to headquarters.[17]

Thanks to his team's early warning, an armed drone was dispatched to support the ground troops moving into Dourdan.[18] The drone destroyed most of the incoming North African tanks, and Kulansky's team subsequently boarded the truck that arrived to collect the officer back to base.[19]

Personality and Appearance[]

Kulansky is an African-American male with a shaved head and face. He only wears a light green/white undershirt with MTP-camouflaged pants and a ranger green-coloured plate carrier for chest protection. For headgear, he only wears a Light Combat Helmet (LCH).

Trivia[]

  • Curiously, Kulansky does not make an appearance in Steel Pegasus and can only be seen for the events of Stepping Stone.

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Mořický, K et al. 2011, Armaverse Timeline, Bohemia Interactive Community Wiki, viewed 7 March 2024, <https://community.bistudio.com/wiki/Armaverse_Timeline>.
  2. ARMA 3: Laws of War 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Remnants of War, The Major, "MACDADE: After the flashpoint on Stratis, there was chaos. Nobody seemed to know what to do. Finally, NATO got their act together. Launched an assault on the Altis mainland. BISHOP: And CSAT? MACDADE: Caught off-guard by the whole thing. They were there to fight guerrillas, not start World War Three. So, when CSAT dropped their support? Government forces panicked. They were on the back foot - needed to regroup. Major Gavras was put in charge, but that was a tall order. Gavras tried to fortify their position in the north west. But, it was a risk - and he ended up cut off. The guerrillas? They didn't hesitate. Stormed his position - sent the survivors running."
  3. 3.0 3.1 ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Fait Accompli, "The strategic island of Malden once again prepares for war. CSAT have taken control. NATO reinforcements, responding to a surprise attack on Stratis, must intercede. There are no good options. Air superiority over the Gibraltar Straits must be secured. The invasion simply cannot fail."
  4. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Fait Accompli, "After our exit and the catastrophic handling of Cold War-era stockpiles, Malden has drifted into CSAT's sphere of influence. Our former base, here, to the north of the main airport, is now a major concern. China's got a squadron of long-range aircraft there. Shikras. Brass tacks: we need air superiority over the Gibraltar Straits - if we don't have that, we can't invade Altis and Stratis."
  5. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Fait Accompli, "Having gained a foothold in the south around the harbor at Le Port, we now need to push westwards, towards Chapoi and Cancon. A supply depot and causality collection point will be our primary targets. 1. Secure AT defences around Point Crestone. 2. Eliminate any enemy forces garrisoned at Point Blackburn. 3. Together with other units, capture the fuel depot at Point Charleston. 4. Contact Delta team and greenlight the diversionary attack on the harbor at Point Massive. 5. Move in and assault the medical camp at Point Crillon. Remember to check your fire. Obviously, injured combatants are not legitimate targets."
  6. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Fait Accompli, "Pariah to Guardian. Got eyes on our mortar - it's being fired from a truck. Over."
  7. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Fait Accompli, "You and your squad did an excellent job out there, Sergeant! If we can continue to sever the enemy's logistics, we'll bring about a rapid conclusion to this conflict."
  8. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Fait Accompli, "You gotta be shitting me... Guardian, it's Pariah. You won't believe this. That armor? It's junk! Just some old Ruski wreckage, leftover from the fucking Cold War! Only danger here is if I cut myself and die of septicemia - over."
  9. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "The situation here on Malden is confused at best. China has attempted to de-escalate the crisis by allowing us to land a temporary holding force to monitor its long-range jets. However, troops from CSAT's North African member states are against us. They've retreated inland with some armored assets and man-portable AA systems, harassing our troops from afar."
  10. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "Despite the loss of two helicopter gunships, it seems we're making steady gains. The towns of Chapoi and Cancon, as well as the strategic harbor at La Riviere, are all in our control. More importantly, Malden's capital, La Trinité, is hanging by a thread. By advancing northand striking Houdan and Dourdan, we can isolate the city and prevent critical supplies reaching the frontlines around Saint Louis. If we play our cards right, this could be over in a matter of hours."
  11. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "Search the designated area for potential AT threats. If you discover anything, take it out. Once the main offensive on Houdan begins, your group will need to ambush any CSAT reinforcements moving from Point Everglades into the town. 1. Check for AT systems in the forest, beside the road. 2. Prepare an ambush, possibly at Point Sequoia, for enemy units leaving Point Everglades. Do not let them reach Houdan."
  12. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "STURROCK: Guardian, come in. GUARDIAN: Send your message. Over. STURROCK: Just bagged a couple of Titan launchers at Point Congaree. They would've had someone a real bad day, for sure... GUARDIAN: Outstanding. Keep it up. Acknowledged, we'll see what else's nearby. Out."
  13. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "STURROCK: Guardian, do you read? GUARDIAN: Receiving you, Pariah. Over. Spotted an enemy tank. So, er, that ordnance. It'd be real appreciated. GUARDIAN: Great catch! Your eagle eye, Sergeant... I guess all squads will owe you big. Fire support's online - out."
  14. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "Guardian, Pariah, gotta good hit on that armor."
  15. 15.0 15.1 ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "Charlie to Guardian. Houdan and Point Katmai are secure. Also... yup, we've got a white flag at the church. I say again, we've got a white flag at the church. Enemy combatants are surrendering, over."
  16. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "STURROCK: Guardian. Got an eye on those captives. Over. GUARDIAN: Solid copy - stand by, we'll assign someone to collect. Out."
  17. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "FAHIM: Pas de panique, Caporal. Les Américains ne savent pas dans quoi ils se sont mis. J'ai reçu un appel. Les renforts arrivent de La Trinité. Si on peut les retenir ici aussi longtemps que possible, nos amis en Chine pourront... STURROCK: Arrêtez - comment? FAHIM: Rien. STURROCK: Renforts? FAHIM: Euh... oui, vos renforts. Vous comptez nous déployer quelque part? [ FAHIM: Don't panic, Corporal. The Americans don't know what they've gotten themselves into. I received a communique. Reinforcements will be arriving from La Trinité. If we can keep them here as long as we have, our Chinese friends will-- STURROCK: Wait, what? FAHIM: Nothing. STURROCK: Reinforcements? FAHIM: Er... yes, your reinforcements. Are you planning to deploy us somewhere?]"
  18. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "STURROCK: Guardian, Pariah. Look, it might be nothing, but, I overheard some talk about a counterattack. GUARDIAN: There's not much between you and La Trinité... It could be legit."
  19. ARMA 3: Tac-Ops 2017 [Video Game], Bohemia Interactive a.s., Stepping Stone, Disintegration Point, "STURROCK: Guardian, it's over. All enemy reinforcements destroyed. GUARDIAN: Good going, Pariah, we're seeing it across the board, CSAT's frontlines are crumbling!"

See also[]

Characters of ArmA 3
NATO TF Aegis Andrew MacKinnon† • Ben KerryConway† • Lacey† • Martinez† • Mitchell† • Thomas Adams
7th MBCT, 111th ID David Armstrong
21st BCT, 111th ID Adam GrantCarl OwenJared SpenderJeremy CollinsJohn SturrockLouis BarklemStephen KulanskyTerry Simpson
Pacific Vince Broadale
CTRG A.J. DuttonDonald SnoweGrimmHardy† • JamesMcKayNorthgateO'ConnorRadcliffe† • RikerRoberts† • Robinson† • SalvoScott Miller* • Smith† • Truck
Exercise Electron Aiden RudwellDon Homewood† • Jack StypeJed DillonJohn KingslyKurt Spender† • Max BakerRichard LaneRichter
CSAT Abdul-Wahhab FahimVahid NamdarXu Haifeng
Russian Spetsnaz Boris KrupinIvan Severov
Loyalists Hektor Anastas* • Kael Mavros* • Loukas Thanos* • Rouvin Carras*
FIA Alexis Kouris† • Kostas Stavrou† • Nikos PanagopoulosOrestes
AAF Georgious AkhanterosKostas DimitriouKyros Kalogeros* • Thanos Gavras
LDF Aleksy NowakZbigniew Stolarski
Syndikat Solomon Maru
L'Ensemble Oringo MadakiSamjo

IDAP

Andy PatersonNathan MacDade

Civilians

Arthur* • Benjamin HopeDrábek* • Howard* • Ian KessonJohn* • Katherine BishopLucas* • Mark ColeMarkos Kouris† • Renly* • "Santiago"Šimon Čapek
indicates deceased characters | * indicates character status is unknown
DLCs that the character was first introduced in:
Marksmen DLC | Apex DLC | Laws of War DLC | Tac-Ops DLC | Tanks DLC | Contact DLC
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