Arkansas Self Defense Force (Formerly, Arkansas State Guard)
In late 2026, with the federalized Arkansas National Guard deployed overseas, Governor Steve Ralford ordered the reactivation of the long-defunct (since 1946) State Guard, renamed the Arkansas Self Defense Force (by a 1986 law). This proved a timely measure, as shortly thereafter (in 2027), the U.S. was subjected to multiple nuclear strikes and a foreign military invasion of its Southwestern states (in 2028). The ASDF is an all-volunteer force, drawing heavily on state law enforcement agencies for its cadre. Unable to adequately supply the guard, volunteers were encouraged to provide their own weapons and personal equipment whenever possible.
The U.S. Army's 197th Infantry Brigade (Mechanized), based in Memphis, Tennessee, is assisting the government of Arkansas in conducting pacification operations in the northeast quadrant of the state, leaving the ASDF to do the same in the remainder.
For a brief history of the ASG prior to WWIII see,
http://www.encyclopediaofarkan...il.aspx?entryID=5301
Uniform
When used to describe the clothing and personal equipment of ASDF personnel, the term 'uniform' is a misnomer. The State only had access to a relatively small number of military field uniforms when the State Guard was reactivated. To supplement these modest stocks, milsurp uniforms and some commercial hunting clothing was requisitioned from in-state retailer vendors. Still, the ASDF were not able to completely clothe every volunteer; those who weren't issued uniforms by the State Guard were expected to garb themselves for field service. The same holds true for load-bearing equipment, resulting in a wide array of milsurp and commercially available LBE in use.
Above: Patch worn by members of the Arkansas State Guard, c. 1943
Insignia:
A few boxes of WWII-era State Guard unit patches (see image above) were found in storage; most of these were issued to officers. The majority of ASDF personnel must make due with either commercially-sold state flag patches, facsimiles thereof, or ad-hoc insignia. The most common of these is an elongated white diamond oriented horizontally inside a red rectangle (resembling the state flag). Arkansas National Guard dress patches (see image below) are also widely used.
Weapons
The ASDF is largely equipped with obsolescent military weaponry and equipment scrounged from deep reserve ANG storage, supplemented by sundry civilian and law enforcement small arms, purchased, donated, or requisitioned. In some cases, volunteers chose to carry their own weapons, rather than ASDF-issued ones.
ASDF heavy weapons consist of a handful of M40 105mm and M67 90mm recoilless rifles, early versions of the M72 LAW, M2HB heavy machineguns, and Mk-19 and M79 40mm grenade-launchers. ASDF artillery is limited to a handful of ancient 60mm and 81mm mortars.
Vehicles
The ASDF's motor pool consists primarily of retired ANG trucks, most commonly unarmored Humvee squad and weapons carriers, M35 2.5-ton 6x6 trucks (assorted variants), M54 5-ton 6x6 trucks (assorted variants), M1009 ¾-ton utility rigs, and several similar CUCVs. A few of the 2.5 and 5-ton trucks were converted into lightly-armored, heavily-armed gun trucks.
The State Guard motor pool also boasts a few former USAF armored cars, and a handful of purpose-built, former LEA SWAT team armored vehicles.
This military vehicle fleet has been supplemented by various makes and models of lightly modified civilian pickup trucks and SUVs, most painted in custom camouflage suited to the geography of the region.
Aircraft
The handful of aircraft, both fixed wing and rotary, left at Little Rock AFB are currently inoperable due to a lack of aviation fuel and spare parts. Those that can still fly are used only sparingly. However, the ASDF employs several alcohol-burning ultralight aircraft in the scouting and light attack roles. Two helicopters, originally belonging to state law enforcement agencies, are also on the ASDF's aviation rolls, but neither have flown in some time due to a lack of spare parts.
TBC...
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This message was last edited by the GM at 00:00, Tue 11 June 2019.