Mercenary Review and Bonding Commission
Unit Brief
Beginning with a 10 year contract with the Lyran Commonwealth signed in 2785, the Blackhawks have seen combat action throughout the course of the long Succession Wars. Serving House Steiner through the 1st and 2nd Succession Wars the Blackhawks saw action against the Draconis Combine as well as the Free Worlds League.
With the start of the 3rd Succession War the Blackhawks were weary of Steiner politics and growing LCAF incompetence. They signed on with the Free Worlds League in 2880 and were sent into action against the Capellan Confederation. Following a string of successful operations against House Liao disaster struck the Blackhawks in 2899.
Deployed with a Free Worlds League invasion force attacking the Capellan world of Bandora the 321st Hussar regiment found itself stranded after the Marik force broke and fled in the wake of a Capellan counter-attack. In spite of being marooned in hostile territory the 321st refused to surrender.
Recieving word of the 321st's dire situation, the rest of the Blackhawks were enraged. Pulling up stakes, the entire Blackhawks mounted a rescue operation to save the stranded 321st Hussars. Fighting their way onto Bandora with raw fury, the Blackhawks slammed into the Capellan defenders. By the time elements of the 38th Dragoon regiment broke through to the 321st, only the shattered remains of BattleGroup Javelin survived as a unit. BattleGroups King and Lion were reduced to a few dozen survivors between them. When the 321st was rebuilt, BattleGroups King and Lion were ceremonially retired and BattleGroups Kaiser and Leopard formed in their place.
Following the cowardly actions of the FWL forces the Blackhawks ended their service to House Marik. Impressed by the valiant actions of the Blackhawks they were hired by the Capellan Confederation in 2901.
The Blackhawks served House Liao until the Capellan military attempted to absorb the Blackhawks to replace mounting losses. Mounting a daring special forces operation, the Blackhawks commandeered numerous Capellan DropShips and JumpShips and made for Davion space.
Upon agreeing to a contract with the Federated Suns, the Blackhawks sold several of the captured Liao JumpShips to finance the full reconstruction of the 321st Hussar regiment. The Blackhawks quickly earned a reputation as a spearhead unit during many successful campaigns launched by House Davion against the Capellan realm.
In 2937 the Blackhawks transfered to the FedSuns/ Draconis Combine front to be put into action against the Dragon. Serving again as a spearhead assault unit, the Blackhawks participated in numerous operations as the Federated Suns offensive reclaimed much lost territory fom the Combine. Based on Exeter, the Blackhawks saw continued heavy action up and down the Kurita front until the end of the 3rd Succession War.
With the start of the 4th Successon War in 3028, the Blackhawks were assigned to the Capellan front and were instrumental to the successful conquest of several Liao worlds such as Yangtze, Kansu, and Zurich. After the stunning FedSuns victory over the Capellan Confederation the Blackhawks were well rewarded with large bonuses and huge caches of captured supplies.
The War of '39 inflicted heavy damage to the Blackhawks during its short duration. When Theodore Kurita launched his counter attack against the Federated Commonwealth, one of his main thrusts struck the Blackhawks homeworld of Exeter. The battle on Exeter was brutal to both sides. The Combine forces were forced to eventually withdraw, but not before inflicting almost sixty percent casualties upon the Blackhawks.
Following the Clan Invasion in 3049-50, the Blackhawks were posted to Glengarry to prepare for operations against the Clans. Following the Peace of Tukayyid the Blackhawks transferred to Kandersteg in the Arc Royal Defense Cordon to aid in the defense against Clan encroachment. The Blackhawks began raiding into the Clan Occupation Zone to gather intelligence as well as capture ClanTech and personnel. During these raids the Blackhawks gained valuable experience as well as equipment.
With the recovery of LosTech and the capture of ClanTech, the Blackhawks have been hard at work making use of advanced technologies to upgrade all equipment and vehicles. With the continal threat from the Clans everpresent, the Blackhawks maintain a rigourous training regimen and continue to conduct quick raids into the Clan Occupation Zones to maintain a high skill level and familiarity with Clan methods and tactics, as well as to capture additional Clan equipment
Following the formation of the new Star League in 3058, the Blackhawks returned to their roots. Contracting with the Star League Defense Force, the Blackhawks once again serve under the banner of the Star League. The contract stipulates that the Blackhawks will become a regular Star League unit if the new League remains solvent for ten years, and then the Blackhawks must remain a distinct unit as the Blackhawks Armored Cavalry Brigade.
Unlike many typical mercenary units, the Blackhawks do not maintain a hereditary command structure. Promoting the most qualified personnel to command positions, the Blackhawks encourage all members to perform to high levels in order to ensure no short supply of well qualified personnel.
The commanding general does not command a regiment but takes to the field with an independent command detatchment in order to maintain overall battlefield perspective. In the event of the general's death in combat, the senior regimental commander assumes command.
In all contracts the Blackhawks insist on complete tactical control and only under certain conditions will they relinquish strategic command rights.
