Reinforced Intervention Group

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"There is no right or wrong in our actions. The present changes the past from moment to moment. I only pray that the future vindicates us for what we have already done."

- Attributed to an unknown RIGRU operator, 2019

The Reinforced Intervention Group (abbreviated RIGRU) is a special operations unit within the Ellbonnian Defense Force which has been active since 1977. The unit is headquartered at Carlsberg Fortress in Carlsberg, West Göthicland County.

History

RIGRU was formed after the dissolution of the Ellbonnian Special Police Tactical Unit (SPTU), a paramilitary police unit under the command of Mahan Joseph. The SPTU was embroiled in the failed 1976 coup attempt against King Gustav M. Ellbonnia VIII, and its members were either killed in a chaotic shootout at their headquarters or forcibly discharged in the immediate aftermath of the coup. It was decided to replace the SPTU with a new formation answering directly to the Supreme Commander of the Ellbonnian Defense Force, which would (in theory) place a limit on its autonomy and prevent a similar situation from occurring again.

RIGRU gained international recognition in 1996 with its successful assault on a hijacked Air Ixiom flight at Los Canas. Three passengers on the plane were killed by the group of AWWNB hijackers during negotiations before the RIGRU team arrived; among the dead was an ex-Ellbonnian Amphibious Corps veteran, who was shot after trying to fight back against the terrorists. As multiple news channels filmed the mission live, 30 RIGRU operators stormed the airliner and killed all four terrorists with no fatalities amongst the operators or surviving passengers and crew; the entire assault lasted 20 minutes from beginning to end.

Since its inception, RIGRU has taken part in over 1,800 operations, liberated over 600 hostages, and apprehended over 1,500 high-value targets, while losing two members KIA and seven in training. The two fatalities in action were both sustained when dealing with heavily-armed terrorists in the Morelei Caverns near Fable Island.

RIGRU has been accused of multiple high-profile extrajudicial killings throughout its history, though there has not been any concrete evidence linking the group to any of the attacks so far. Supreme Commander Ripley Meryl has stated in the past that RIGRU is tasked with defending Ellbonnian interests no matter what the cost in human and material damage may be; this implies that assassinations are indeed one of the many tasks that this secretive team is expected to carry out, regardless of potential collateral damage. At a press conference in 2021, Commander Meryl said:

"Ellbonnia will never lend credence to any baseless accusations made by disreputable parties concerning supposed actions of the Intervention Group. We do not run a barbaric hit squad that aims to destabilize peace around the world in any way, shape, or form. Any threat to the Ellbonnian people or our sovereign nation must be addressed, for we have the right to defend our lives and our land as much as any other country does. Every mission of the Intervention Group is personally approved by myself and the Director of the Special Forces, and is completely justified under Ellbonnian law as determined by the people. The Intervention Group will continue to save lives and maintain the security of the Holy Kingdom, no matter what malicious rumors might emerge from those who would like nothing more than to see our peace-loving nation fall to the likes of terrorists or rogue states."

RIGRU was essential in preserving the Ellbonnian government during the tumultuous Usean coup d'état of 1997. Embedded operators exposed potential defectors to the Usean Rebel Forces in all branches of the Defense Force, and most would-be revolutionaries were quickly taken into custody before any damage could be done. While RIGRU could not prevent some Defense Force elements of the Usean Allied Forces from rebelling, they were able to help Ellbonnia secure its borders and prevent any internal strife from developing. In the only major battle of the conflict on Ellbonnian soil, RIGRU assets helped defeat a ragtag mob of rebellious Ellbonnian soldiers, which briefly occupied Ptolemaeus before being driven out of the city and defeated by the rest of the Defense Force.

All RIGRU operators survived the beginning of the 2003 First Usean Continental War, owing to their already-secretive nature and ability to operate unsupported from the rest of the Defense Force. RIGRU operators participated in delaying actions on the western border of Ellbonnia, helping Interior Guard conscripts hold back the Erusean onslaught until most of the professional but tiny Defense Force was able to evacuate to North Point with the rest of the ISAF. Once they succeeded, the operators stayed hidden in their occupied homeland, participating in guerrilla warfare with surviving Interior Guard elements.

It is rumored that RIGRU forces were sent on a top-secret reconnaissance mission into White Valley to root out the location of Free Erusean guerrillas in 2006, and contributed to relaying valuable information to the ISAF which allowed them to ultimately put down the uprising. The government of White Valley has, on multiple occasions, asked for a response from Ellbonnia confirming or denying these rumors, as they view such an act as a blatant violation of their sovereign territory should it actually be true; Ellbonnia has yet to respond to these demands.

When the Second Usean Continental War suddenly erupted in 2019, RIGRU as a formation stayed intact instead of fracturing into separate resistance groups like the rest of the Defense Force, and was possibly the biggest threat to Erusean occupation forces for the duration of the conflict. Again, operators helped form resistance cells with the general public, sabotaged Erusean assets, and assassinated high-ranking Erusean officers at every opportunity. The most infamous (confirmed) RIGRU operation of the Lighthouse War was the nighttime infiltration of an Erusean ammunition dump in the Sandbury Desert, when two demolition specialists snuck past several sentries and planted M112 explosive charges around the base before slipping away into the dark. The resulting detonation the next morning leveled the entire base in an explosion that could be seen from miles away, leaving a massive crater in the sand that can still be seen from space today. The force of the blast was so powerful that it jolted awake Erusean Field Marshal Trenton NeMour, who was sleeping soundly in his armored command vehicle roughly 12 kilometers away.

Historians still debate the true effectiveness of the Intervention Group during both Continental Wars, as it is extremely difficult to determine how many attacks on Erusean forces were actually conducted by RIGRU, instead of other resistance cells. It is possible that said resistance holdouts were trained by RIGRU anyways, so the argument is ultimately a moot point.

Following the conclusion of the Lighthouse War, Erusea accused RIGRU of several major warcrimes, and used testimony from Erusean soldiers and confessions from alleged RIGRU prisoners of war as evidence. RIGRU operators were accused of summarily-executing hundreds of Erusean POWs throughout the war, including a group of 19 young Erusean conscripts who surrendered after their commanding officer was killed in action, only to be shot dead in a field outside of Requiem. Another incident involved the detonation of a large IED in the middle of a clearly-marked Erusean field hospital in Ptolemaeus, killing 35 patients and 6 noncombatant medical personnel, and injuring over 100 (many of the killed and wounded were actually captured Ellbonnian soldiers undergoing medical treatment). Most of these cases have stalled in the International Criminal Court, and no RIGRU personnel have ever been charged for warcrimes committed during any of the conflicts they have participated in.

Organization

The Reinforced Intervention Group (RIGRU) answers directly to the Supreme Commander and the Director of the Special Forces. The unit, combined with the Special Forces Command (SFC), comprises the Ellbonnian Defense Force Special Forces (EDFSF). In addition to this, there are several special forces support units (EDFSFS). The personnel within these support units are specially selected, trained and equipped for air, sea, and land infiltration, along with technical, logistical and medical support. Some of these formations are the Special Helicopter Group (SHG), Special Boat Unit (SBU), Special Signals Unit (SSU), and the Section for Operative Technology (SOT).

RIGRU consists of two so-called Response Units (RU). RU-1 is focused on combat tasks (Direct Action), and RU-2 is focused on intelligence gathering (Special Reconnaissance). RU-2 is known to utilize female intelligence personnel to conduct certain clandestine HUMINT tasks.

Each RIGRU Response Unit is organized in squads, troops, and patrols. Three 4-man patrols make up a troop, and an unknown number of troops make up a squad. Besides the operational elements of the unit, there is also a Training Wing, responsible for the selection and training of future and current operators. Each operator has a broader skill base than a regular soldier and one or two patrol skills at which he or she is exceptionally skilled. A typica RIGRU team consists of four operators: A team leader, a demolitions expert/breacher, a communicator, and a combat medic. Each patrol can be augmented with EOD technicians, JTAC-specialists, military working dog handlers, or snipers.

Furthermore, every operator has an infiltration specialty in either military freefall parachuting (HALO/HAHO) or combat diving. All operators are qualified as static line parachutists and combat swimmers. RIGRU operators rely on the Verusan martial art of Krav Maga (lit. "Contact Combat") for close-quarters engagements.

Every RIGRU operator needs to exhibit superior physical and mental capabilities to a greater extent than even the marines of the Amphibious Corps, and must be fluent in at least three languages other than Nordennavic (the native language of Ellbonnia). This is to aid in blending in with local populations when needed, though most communication between operators is done either through sign language or "RIGRU Encryption" (see Equipment and armament). While synergy between teammates is prioritized in training, personnel are encouraged to think independently on a regular basis, and are expected to be able to survive and fight proficiently in the event they find themselves operating alone and without support.

A single squad within the Intervention Group operates under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Ellbonnian Intelligence Agency (EIA). Little is known about this squad, other than that this is the only component of RIGRU that is allowed to conduct missions without the explicit permission of the Supreme Commander or the Director of Special Forces. The unnamed squad belongs to the secretive "Damocles" division of the EIA, and it is rumored that these elite operators are permitted to use pre-emptive sabotage and assassination tactics that are forbidden to the rest of RIGRU and the Defense Force. This squad has been accused of using unorthodox tactics that are considered highly illegal in the international community, such as wearing the uniforms of foreign militaries for deception, utilizing armored cars disguised as emergency vehicles, and even resorting to chemical weapons to flush out and/or kill targets.

All RIGRU operators are not allowed to be publicly photographed, and remain anonymous to the public even when killed or wounded in action. Operators normally wear unmarked, dark Ellbonnian Army uniforms during missions, but plainclothes personnel with masks or balaclavas can often be seen escorting VIPs or performing other duties in public. If the situation calls for it, RIGRU operators sometimes wear uniforms from other branches of the Defense Force to blend in with normal formations, or wear municipal police uniforms for the same reason.

Role

The most frequent usage of the Intervention Group is during multi-national special operations such as Operation: Zastrugi.

RIGRU combat operations are of great strategic importance that cannot be accomplished by conventional forces or weapon systems. Combat missions can be to disable high-value targets of great importance to the enemy, to conduct complex rescue operations of Ellbonnian personnel held captive or hostage, or to gather time-critical intelligence through direct action. RIGRU can also, if needed and requested, augment municipal police counter-terrorism assets to intervene during domestic terrorism and/or hostage crises due to new legislation implemented in 2009.

Special reconnaissance and intelligence gathering is intended to gather information of great tactical importance about the enemy´s activities, enemy personnel or other bits of information of operational significance.

EDF Special Forces can also be tasked with advising and training foreign military units as part of an international peacekeeping military operation.

The unit maintains a high degree of readiness and can be deployed on short notice within a 6,000-kilometer (3,700 mi.) radius of Ptolemaeus, and can operate in any environment; for example, jungles, deserts, mountain/alpine terrain, sub-arctic climates, and cities. The unit is deployed on request by the IUN, G7, or the FCU, but must first be approved on a political level.

Due to operational security, the unit's capabilities, equipment, and operational methods are classified.

RIGRU's predecessor, the SPTU, participated in operations in Belka, Kaluga, Estovakia, and the Federation of Central Usea. Ellbonnian special forces have also been continuously deployed in Leasath from the beginning of the conflict through the ongoing civil war. In February of 2024, an Ellbonnian 150-man strong special operations task force made up of RIGRU elements, helicopters and support staff deployed to Perbla as part of Task Force Tacoma, a multinational Erusean-led counter-terrorism task force operating in the border region of Perbla and Leasath. The contribution to Tacoma is separate from the ongoing Ellbonnian contribution to the IUN-led intervention in Leasath.

Selection and training

Selection is open for Defense Force members of both sexes who are at least eligible for specialist officer's training.

The candidates are advised to prepare themselves at least six months prior to the selection course and are invited to attend a pre-selection weekend where they will be tested and advised on their likelihood of success or failure, and also notified where they need to improve.

The selection process takes 2–3 weeks, and is held once a year. Historically, candidates for RIGRU’s predecessor, the SPTU, were sought out by the unit itself and invited to attempt the selection process. Selection for RIGRU, however, is openly advertised on the Defense Force website and at unit garrisons, and is open for anyone who meets the basic requirements.

The selection consists of an extremely grueling field exercise, stretching over more than a week, where the candidates are tested on their physical fitness, fieldcraft and land navigation skills, and firearms proficiency. The tests are conducted during periods of great stress, and most candidates wash out during the first week. The second week consists of psychological tests, similar to those undertaken by fighter pilots. Candidates are also tested for their predisposition for phobias, such as heights and confined spaces. Typically, only 5% of all candidates make it through the whole selection process. If the candidate is successful, he/she will begin the basic operator course which lasts for 12 months and is divided into three blocks: Basic combat skills, patrol skills, and specialist skills.

Once completed, the new operator will be put in an operational patrol within a troop, and can be deployed with the unit.

Personnel applying to join the unit as EOD or JTAC operators undergo the same selection process as normal operators, but undergo a shorter eight month basic operator course, after which they continue with specialist training in the EOD or JTAC functions.

Operators train at their own compound at a secret location near Carlsberg, which includes multiple shooting ranges and a large multi-story CQB-building, with bullet-absorbing lining in its walls for live-fire training. The state-of-the-art building also facilitates helicopter insertions on its roof. Much of their training is also conducted internationally, often alongside the special forces units of Ellbonnia's IUN partners.

Equipment and armament

RIGRU differs greatly from the rest of the Ellbonnian Defense Force in its equipment and armament. The most noticeable difference is their usage of solid dark colors rather than the default Ellbonnian M90 camouflage. Operators have been seen wearing combat uniforms from Crye Precision or Arcteryx, a wide variety of different plate carriers, and Ops-Core FAST ballistic helmets. RIGRU operators always wear face-concealing masks, balaclavas, or bandannas, regardless of their uniform, as well as goggles or sunglasses to hide their eyes when needed.

Every RIGRU operator wears special comms gear that contains a unique voice scrambler in the microphone. Operators can choose to activate their scramblers with the push of a button, which distorts their voice to the point of incomprehensibility to the average listener. The sound of the unnerving vocals, known informally as "RIGRU Encryption", is akin to a deep, menacing electronic rumble, which adds to the intimidating aura of the faceless operator. RIGRU personnel can occasionally be heard communicating with their scramblers activated, implying that the unnatural noise is actually a unique language utilized by the operators when secrecy is required. As RIGRU operators tend to carry out most of their public missions (such as escort duties and VIP protection) in complete silence, it is extremely rare to actually hear this feature in action.

Besides the differences in equipment, RIGRU also issues different firearms than the conventional military as well. Operators have been seen utilizing a wide variety of weapons, and it is debatable if there is actually any true standardization in the unit. Some weapons seem to be used more prevalently than others, and they correlate with particular specializations: Snipers favor the McMillan TAC-50 anti-materiel rifle, demolitions experts use the Kel-Tec KSG shotgun, and comms and medical personnel tend to carry the FN P90 SMG. There are always exceptions to these "norms", and non-specialist RIGRU operators have been seen wielding almost every conceivable type and brand of firearm, from commonplace AKS-74Us, to extremely rare KRISS Vectors, and even RIGRU-exclusive MR 73 revolvers modified with scopes and bipods.

Support weapons such as machine guns and anti-armor weapons also differ greatly from those usually employed by the conventional military. According to some sources within the Defense Force, RIGRU operators are considered skilled and experienced enough to be able to choose whatever weapon they want for any given mission, a unique privilege not shared with any other unit.

Every RIGRU operator owns a special gilded Fairbairn-Sykes stiletto, given to new recruits once they successfully complete the basic operator course. Operators seem to take great pride in earning these knives, as they are never seen without the stiletto's distinctive scabbard hanging somewhere on their body. These stilettos are designed with actual combat in mind, and operators have never been seen carrying any other kind of bladed weapon, implying they rely solely on these unique knives for close-quarters fighting.

Heraldry

The RIGRU unit insignia is blazoned thus: Upon a black shield is a bone-white phantom outlined in crimson, looking down with an outstretched hand. From the hand shoots three crimson lightning bolts, all radiating downwards.

The insignia was developed by the Defense Force Board of Traditions. The phantom represents the unit's penchant for absolute secrecy, and the fear that the operators strike into the hearts of their foes; the imperfections of the ghost also represent the unpredictability and independent spirit of every individual operator. The three lighting bolts symbolize the speed and power with which the operators strike in the name of God, their king, and their country. The black shield is a symbol of the uncompromising protection RIGRU offers through clandestine means, and the crimson throughout stands for the blood spilled for the preservation of the nation; it is ambiguous whether this blood is that of the operators, their enemies, or simply anyone who dies in the name of Ellbonnian sovereignty, whether innocent or not.

See also

• Ellbonnian Defense Force

• Special Police Tactical Unit

• Ellbonnian Direct Reconnaissance Paratroopers

• Ellbonnian Coastal Rangers (CR)

• Ellbonnian Army Ranger Battalion (ARB)