Opposing force

Military term
This article is about a military term. For the game, see Half-Life: Opposing Force.
The term "opposing force" is occasionally used to refer to a genuine military foe. This article is concerned only with its use in simulated conflict.
U.S. OPFOR soldiers playing the role of Iraqi insurgents in Fort Polk, Louisiana.[note 1]

An opposing force (alternatively enemy force, abbreviated OPFOR or OpFor) is a military unit tasked with representing an enemy, usually for training purposes in war game scenarios. The related concept of aggressor squadron is used by some air forces. The United States maintains the Fort Irwin National Training Center with the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment serving in the OPFOR role. Fort Johnson's (formerly Fort Polk) Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) is another major training site typically reserved for light infantry units, and the OPFOR are the 1st of the 509th Airborne Infantry Regiment. The Army's Joint Maneuver Readiness Center (JMRC, at Hohenfels, Bavaria, Germany) has the 1st of the 4th Infantry Regiment as their OPFOR. Other major units include the First United States Army which consists of 16 training brigades that often also serve as OPFOR.

At a basic level, a unit might serve as an opposing force for a single scenario, differing from its 'opponents' only in the objectives it is given. However, major armies commonly maintain specialized groups trained to accurately replicate real-life enemies, to provide a more realistic experience for their training opponents. (To avoid the diplomatic ramifications of naming a real nation as a likely enemy, training scenarios often use fictionalized versions with different names but similar military characteristics to the expected real-world foes.)

Units

China

Further information: 195th Combined Arms Brigade (People's Republic of China)

France

In the French Army, a FORAD (Lua error in Module:Unicode_data at line 15: attempt to call field 'length' (a nil value)., enemy force) is used to train the army, in both the Lua error in Module:Unicode_data at line 15: attempt to call field 'length' (a nil value). (CENTAC, Combat Training Center) of Mailly-le-Camp[1] and in the Lua error in Module:Unicode_data at line 15: attempt to call field 'length' (a nil value). (CENZUB, Urban Operations Training Centre).[2] Declassed AMX-30 tanks were used to simulate Soviet T-72s,[1] until 2018.[3]

Japan

Further information: Tactical Fighter Training Group (JASDF)

United States

A UH-1H replicating a Mi-24 at Fort Irwin in 1985

There are three major training centers that utilize home-based OPFOR units for the US Army:

Various US military installations or major units have their own local versions of opposing force used for training exercises. The joint Australian–US military exercise "Crocodile '03" featured an Australian-led opposing force in which soldiers from a range of Australian units worked together with a US Marine Corps contingent.[7]

Several state defense forces have served as OPFOR units when training with the National Guard. The California State Guard,[8] the Georgia State Defense Force,[9] and the New York Guard[10] have provided OPFOR services to their respective National Guard counterparts. In 2018, the Georgia State Defense Force established the OPFOR Battalion[11] to assist National Guard Soldiers with pre-deployment training.

Ranks

Officer ranks
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Army
(1953–1962)[12] 		US-AGRO-Army-OF-10 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-9 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-8 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-7 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-6 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-5 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-4 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-3 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-2 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-1c (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-1b (1959).svg File:Blank.svg
Marshal General of army General of corps General of division General of brigade Colonel Commandant Major Captain Lieutenant Sub-lieutenant Warrant officer
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Army
(1962–?)[13] 		File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg
Marshal General of army General of corps General of division General of brigade Colonel Commandant Major Captain Lieutenant Sub-lieutenant Warrant officer
Rank group General / flag officers Senior officers Junior officers Officer cadet
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Air Force
(1953–1962)[14] 		File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:US-AGRO-AirForce-OF-5 (1953).svg File:US-AGRO-AirForce-OF-4 (1953).svg File:US-AGRO-AirForce-OF-3 (1953).svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg
Air marshal General of air General of air army General of air corps General of air division Colonel Commandant Major Captain Lieutenant Sub-lieutenant Warrant officer
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Air Force
(1962–?)[15] 		File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg
Air marshal General of air General of air army General of air corps General of air division Colonel Commandant Major Captain Lieutenant Sub-lieutenant Warrant officer
Other ranks


Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Army
(1953–1962)[16] 		File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-9 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-8 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-7 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-6 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-5 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-4 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-3 (1959).svg No insignia
Sergeant major Staff sergeant Senior sergeant Platoon sergeant Section sergeant Corporal Senior private Private
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Army
(1962–?)[17] 		File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg No insignia
Sergeant major Staff sergeant Senior sergeant Platoon sergeant Section sergeant Corporal Senior private Private
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Air Force
(1953–1962)[18] 		File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-9 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-8 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-7 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-6 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-5 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-4 (1959).svg File:US-AGRO-Army-OR-3 (1959).svg No insignia
Sergeant major Staff sergeant Senior sergeant Platoon sergeant Section sergeant Corporal Senior airman Airman
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Aggressor Air Force
(1962–?)[19] 		File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg File:Blank.svg No insignia
Sergeant major Staff sergeant Senior sergeant Platoon sergeant Section sergeant Corporal Senior airman Airman

Gallery

  • The British Army in the United Kingdom 1939-45 H14956.jpg

    49th Royal Tank Regiment Matilda II with swastika and Iron Cross markings to denote opposing force status during an 1941 exercise in Dover.

  • Multinational forces tackle Exercise Kiwi Koru challenges 141113-F-AD344-172.jpg

    New Zealand Defence Force soldier denoting opposing force status by wearing Desert Disruptive Pattern Material (DPM) in a temperate environment.

  • Royal Marine Commando Display Team at Bournemouth Air Festival 2009 (3852794973).jpg

    Scene from a simulated Royal Marines beach landing during the 2009 Bournemouth Air Festival; "opposing force" Marine is bareheaded and wears Desert DPM, "blue force" Marines in the background wear berets, camouflage face paint, and woodland DPM. An additional distinction is achieved by the use of iron sights on the "opposing force" Marine's L85A2, while those of the "blue force" are fitted with the then-standard SUSAT sight.

  • CENZUB-FORAD.JPG

    A sniper from the French CENZUB opposing force wearing a blue-and-gray version of Camouflage Central-Europe.

  • Exercise BEVERLY BULLDOG DF-SD-03-17733.jpg

    51st Fighter Wing airman denoting opposing force status by wearing his Battle Dress Uniform back to front (note the contrast of the uniform with the Individual Integrated Fighting System vest that is also being worn).

  • U.S. Soldiers with the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment conduct a change of command ceremony for incoming commander Lt. Col. Barry Carlson and outgoing commander Lt. Col. Mitchell Watkins at Warrior Field 130702-A-WB953-454.jpg

    4th Infantry Regiment soldiers wearing United States Army opposing force uniform (Battle Dress Uniform in black with olive 'OPFOR' shoulder title)

  • Operation force Surrogate Vehicle.jpg

    An OSV replicating a Soviet BMP at NTC, Fort Irwin, CA

  • MT-LB US Marines.jpg

    US Marines using a former Soviet MT-LB vehicle as part of the OPFOR during an exercise

  • Northern Strike 23-1 "OPFOR" builds readiness, challenges visiting units 230126-Z-ZH169-1005.jpg

    Michigan National Guard OPFOR wearing tiger stripe camouflage uniform and carrying a simulated RPG-7.

  • OPFOR Shirt GRN and Shoulder Boards GRN, BLK, RED.jpg

    OPFOR rank insignia mimicking the Soviet style (used during the Cold War)

Notes

  1. ↑ Photo was taken during Operation Cajun Fury with one of the many training exercises that take place at Joint Readiness Training Command (JRTC).

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 "CENTAC/5e régiment de Dragons" [CENTAC/5th Dragoon Regiment]. Batailles & Blindés (in French). No. Hors Série 24. 2014. pp. 52–55. ISSN 1950-8751.
  2. ↑ "Dans la ville fantôme de Jeoffrécourt, les armées étrangères simulent la guerre" [In the ghost town of Jeoffrécourt, foreign armies simulate war]. Le Point (in French). Agence France-Presse. 8 May 2016.
  3. ↑ Lagneau, Laurent (17 October 2018). "Le 5e Régiment de Dragons se sépare de ses derniers chars AMX-30 Brenus" [The 5th Dragoons Regiment separates from its last AMX-30 Brenus tanks]. opex360.com (in French).
  4. ↑ "Brave Rifles OPFOR dominates at NTC".
  5. ↑ "Paratroopers refine war fighting skills at the Joint Readiness Training Center".
  6. ↑ "Army.mil". Archived from the original on 2018-03-26. Retrieved 2020-04-26.
  7. ↑ Wellfare, John. "Exercise Crocodile '03: You win some, you lose some". Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper.
  8. ↑ "OPFOR". 1st Battalion (MP), 2nd Brigade (Civil Support), California State Military Reserve. Archived from the original on 18 January 2016. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  9. ↑ Seay, Howard. "Operation Roughrider Cold". Heads up. Georgia State Defense Force. 11 (1): 3. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  10. ↑ Mendie, Ubon (31 March 2009). "N.Y. Guard 'Brings the Fight' to Fighting 69th". Guard Times Magazine. p. 36. Retrieved 22 December 2018.
  11. ↑ "OPFOR Battalion". Georgia State Defense Force. Retrieved 2019-12-10.
  12. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor The Maneuver Enemy 9-23-1959. Department of the Army. 1959. p. 13. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  13. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy. Department of the Army. 1962. pp. 10–11. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  14. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor The Maneuver Enemy 9-23-1959. Department of the Army. 1959. p. 30. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  15. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy. Department of the Army. 1962. pp. 28–29. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  16. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor The Maneuver Enemy 9-23-1959. Department of the Army. 1959. p. 21. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  17. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy. Department of the Army. 1962. p. 30. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  18. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor The Maneuver Enemy 9-23-1959. Department of the Army. 1959. p. 31. Retrieved 5 August 2021.
  19. ↑ FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy. Department of the Army. 1962. p. 30. Retrieved 5 August 2021.

Further reading

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