View source for Special Asteroid Support Force

''(References to [[Special:Whatlinkshere/Special Asteroid Support Force | SASF]])''

The '''Special Asteroid Support Force''' or '''SASF''' is a special defensive unit unique to the Taurian Concordat

{{infoBoxMilitaryCommand
| image          = [[File:XTC Marine TRO3085.png|200px]]
| Designation    = Special Asteroid Support Force
| formed         = pre–Star League
| Disbanded      = 
| Previous Designation = 
| Nickname       = SASF
| Affiliation    = [[Taurian Concordat]]
| Parent Command = [[Taurian Special Forces]]
| Sub-Command    = 
}}

[[Flannagan's Nebulea]] in the [[Hyades Cluster]] is a cloud of gas, dust and asteroids that surrounds the planet of [[Taurus]], capital of the [[Taurian Concordat]].

With the establishment of the Taurian Concordat a decision was made to enhance the defensive capabilities inherent in this natural feature. With that in mind the Taurian government established a special forces unit, the Special Asteroid Support Force or SASF, to man the bases and defensive platforms that are found throughout the nebula's extensive asteroid field.

==Beginnings==
Established with the inception of the Taurian Concordat, the Special Asteroid Support Force or SASF is one of the oldest and worst-kept secrets of the Taurian Defense Force.<ref name=TRO-214-215/> The SASF is a five thousand strong all volunteer force of soldiery and naval personnel that are permanently assigned to the capital world surrounding asteroid fields.<ref name=FMP-53>''Field Manual: Periphery'', p. 53</ref> Viewed by many Taurians as the last defensive line between the Concordat and the hostile forces beyond their borders the SASF has only failed once in its long and storied history, and it took the combined might of the Inner Sphere to conquer it during the Reunification War. Though the survival potential for troops in the SASF is low it does not seem to affect this dedicated all volunteer force.<ref name=PeriI_80>''The Periphery'', p. 80: "Taurian SASF"</ref>

==Capabilities==
The Taurians have an established expertise in Zero-G construction<ref name=ISP_97>''Interstellar Players'', p. 97: "Arcologists"</ref> and have leveraged this technology to build a series of defensive and assault platforms, supply caches and bases throughout the Flannagan's Nebulea asteroid fields. The SASF man these facilities and, with the support of the [[Taurian Guards Corps]] [[Regiment]]s who also have asteroid based facilities, form the last bastion of defense for the Taurian core worlds in the Hyades Cluster.<ref name=MM-190>''Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers'', p. 190: "Key Worlds of the Taurian Concordat"</ref>

The SASF is one of the most highly trained, motivated and fanatically loyal forces in the [[Taurian Defense Force|TDF]].<ref name=TP-80>''The Periphery, First Edition'', p. 80</ref> Though they do not have extensive combat experience, the troopers of the SASF have extensive training in Zero-G and vacuum combat doctrines and in the utilization of their assigned technologies.<ref name=TRO-214-215/>

The core of their defensive capabilities are the numerous aerospace bases and the Zero-G defense and assault platforms that are armed with both missile and laser emplacements.<ref name=MM-190/> In addition to the assault platforms and aerospace facilities there are numerous supply caches and operations bases that are built on the bigger asteroids and moonlets throughout the nebula.<ref name=TRO-214-215/> With their training and their organizational structure the SASF are adept at asymmetric warfare, utilizing hit and fade tactics that are capable of crippling even the greatest of WarShips available to any antagonistic power intent on invasion.<ref name=HMP-114>''Handbook: Major Periphery States'', p. 114</ref>

The SASF Marines are also trained as heavy infantry for defense of their bases and facilities throughout the nebula. They are equipped with [[XCT Marine]] [[Power Armor (Light)#Power Armor|Exoskeletal Armor]],<ref name=TRO-214-215>''Technical Readout: 3085'', pp. 214–215</ref> a technological outgrowth of the Zero-G Exoskeleton construction suits utilized throughout the Concordat. This armor is the most advanced vacuum/Zero-G exoskeletal armor found outside of the [[Clans]].<ref>''Interstellar Players'', p. 122</ref> The typical SASF Marine is armed with the Mark XX Laser Rifle and utilizes a Vibroblade as a backup/close assault weapon. This trooper is adept at both ranged and hand to hand combat in a vacuum microgravity environment. The bases themselves are fortresses dug into the larger asteroids and moonlets, designed with heavy defensive structures to make any invading force pay heavily.<ref name=TRO-214-215/>

The Taurian myth of the impenetrability of the nebula does not lessen the dangers of this barrier to attacking forces.<ref name=MM-190/> Though invaders may avoid the inherent navigation hazards by entering from above the ecliptic, forces that wish to have aerospace superiority must address the asteroid fields least the defenders attack from their many hidden and fortified bases. This, combined with the well trained and fanatical SASF forces, is the Taurians' truest defense against invasion and conquest by hostile forces.

==Officers==
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Rank
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Name
! scope="col" width="220" style="background: #dedede;" | Command
|-
| colspan="4" style="background: #efefef;" | '''Commanding Officers of the Special Asteroid Support Force'''
|-
|}

==Tactics==
The SASF Marine excels in Vacuum and Microgravity tactical doctrine and is adept at hand-to-hand, ranged personal combat and the use of the extensive defensive and assault space platforms that have been built throughout the nebulae. They are extensively trained in all applicable technologies and are able to move from one form of attack or defense to another as needs dictate. Masters of asymmetric warfare they often utilize hit and fade tactics that are capable of disabling any ship that attempts to invade their space, even WarShips.<ref name=FMP-53/> Fanatical in their devotion to the Taurian Concordat, SASF troopers will fight to the last man to defend their bases and Taurian space.<ref name=TP-80/>

==Organization==
The SASF Marine force is typically organized at the [[Platoon]] level, with three 10 man [[squad]]s to each Platoon.

Each trooper is typically equipped with the following:<ref name=TRO-214-215/>

*[[XCT Marine]] [[Power Armor (Light)#Power Armor|Exoskeletal Armor]]
*[[Laser Rifle (Mark XX|Mark XX Laser Rifle]]
*[[Vibroblade]] Backup/Close combat Weapon

==Alpha Strike==
This is a direct link to the [[MUL]] page for the Alpha Strike card:
* [http://www.masterunitlist.info/Unit/Card/3607?skill=4/ XCT Marine]

==References==
<references />

== See also ==
*[[Space Marine]]

==Bibliography==
* ''[[Field Manual: Periphery]]''
* ''[[Handbook: Major Periphery States]]''
* ''[[Inner Sphere (sourcebook)|Inner Sphere]]''
* ''[[Interstellar Players]]''
* ''[[Masters and Minions: The StarCorps Dossiers]]''
* ''[[The Periphery (sourcebook)|The Periphery]]''
* ''[[The Periphery, 2nd Edition (sourcebook)|The Periphery, 2nd Edition]]''
* ''[[Technical Readout: 3085]]''


[[Category:Infantry Units]]
[[Category:Taurian Concordat Commands|Special Asteroid Support Force]]