Aerorifles

The Aerorifles are the land component of the Arcean Republican Air Force. They are considered the elite shock troops of the Arcean Republic. The force includes several specialties, including infantry, artillery, armored, engineering, and signal detachments. Originally a force dedicated to small actions, they have slowly become a branch of the military capable of operation largely independently.

Air Marines
The Aerorifles developed from the Air Marines. The Air Marines were a force whose history stretches back to the days of the Dictatorship of the Merchants era Kingdom of Syerdawn. Early Air Marines consisted of soldiers who would fire from the floating platforms that predated airships. As airships developed, Air Marines ultimately saw their role relegated to acting as security forces on airships, occasionally doing boardings and raids. After the Arcean Civil War, the Air Marines were reconstituted within the ARAF with largely a similar mission.

Great War Developments
During the Great War, Kennewick Von Lark lead a force of volunteer Air Marines who became actively involved in ground combat. This force, working alongside a similar Karelian unit, became decisive in many Great War campaigns. The ability of this experimental unit to deploy from fast flying, difficult to detect air turrets allowed them to attack key Shirudan installations that were otherwise impossible to assail.

Intermediate Army Reforms
Fabrice Hickey's Pragmatist Administration took on the task of reorganizing the military. Known as the Intermediate Army Reforms, the Air Marines were reconstituted as the Aerorifles. The force was developed out of Von Lark's experimental unit, with the unit no longer focused on airship security, and instead on ground actions. The new force would first see combat in 1823 as part of Operation Express supporting the Wiederherstellung Heer.

Long Peace
Following Operation Express, the Aerorifles proved their utility, and the unit was ultimately expanded. Due to Arcea's limited commitment in terms of manpower to the former UHR following Operation Exress, the Aerorifles consist the majority of professional soldiers available in the region thanks to their speed. The aerorifles in the region have gained the nickname "Foroughi's Fire Brigade". The name coming from the Arcean commander in the former UHR. The unit now has armoured, armoured cavalry, artillery, and support formations, allowing them to fight independently. Because of their ongoing active deployment, Air Marines also have gained access to modern equipment not yet available to the Army.