Opposing force: Difference between revisions

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{{Short description|Military term}}
{{Short description|Military term}}
{{about|a military term|the game|Half-Life: Opposing Force}}
{{about|a military term|the game|Half-Life: Opposing Force{{!}}''Half-Life: Opposing Force''}}
{{hatnote|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.}}
{{hatnote|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.}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2009}}
{{more citations needed|date=November 2009}}
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=== China ===
=== China ===
{{see|195th Combined Arms Brigade (People's Republic of China)}}
{{further|195th Combined Arms Brigade (People's Republic of China)}}
{{see|66th Brigade (People's Republic of China)}}
{{further|66th Brigade (People's Republic of China)}}


=== France ===
=== France ===
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=== Republic of Korea ===
=== Republic of Korea ===
{{see|Korea Combat Training Center}}
{{further|Korea Combat Training Center}}


=== Japan ===
=== Japan ===
{{see|Tactical Fighter Training Group (JASDF)}}
{{further|Tactical Fighter Training Group (JASDF)}}


=== United States ===
=== United States ===
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* The [[National Training Center]] (NTC) at [[Fort Irwin, California]]—home unit is the [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]] (the ''Blackhorse'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/news/brave-rifles-opfor-dominates-at-ntc/article_c5347e44-7a1b-11e8-8d7b-d3f18cc18bec.html |title=Brave Rifles OPFOR dominates at NTC|date=28 June 2018 }}</ref>
* The [[National Training Center]] (NTC) at [[Fort Irwin, California]]—home unit is the [[11th Armored Cavalry Regiment]] (the ''Blackhorse'')<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.forthoodsentinel.com/news/brave-rifles-opfor-dominates-at-ntc/article_c5347e44-7a1b-11e8-8d7b-d3f18cc18bec.html |title=Brave Rifles OPFOR dominates at NTC|date=28 June 2018 }}</ref>
* The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at [[Fort Johnson]], Louisiana—home unit is the 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment (the ''Geronimos'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jber.jb.mil/News/News-Articles/Article/291020/paratroopers-refine-war-fighting-skills-at-the-joint-readiness-training-center/ |title=Paratroopers refine war fighting skills at the Joint Readiness Training Center|work=Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson |date=6 September 2011 }}</ref>
* The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at [[Fort Polk]], Louisiana—home unit is the 1st Battalion, [[509th Infantry Regiment (United States)|509th Parachute Infantry Regiment]] (the ''Geronimos'')<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.jber.jb.mil/News/News-Articles/Article/291020/paratroopers-refine-war-fighting-skills-at-the-joint-readiness-training-center/ |title=Paratroopers refine war fighting skills at the Joint Readiness Training Center|work=Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson |date=6 September 2011 }}</ref>
* The [[Joint Multinational Readiness Center]] (JMRC)—formerly known as the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC)—at Hohenfels, Germany<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hohenfels.army.mil/ |title=Army.mil |access-date=2020-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326223100/http://www.hohenfels.army.mil/ |archive-date=2018-03-26 }}</ref>—home unit is the 1st Battalion, [[4th Infantry Regiment (United States)|4th Infantry Regiment]] (Separate) (the ''Warriors'')
* The [[Joint Multinational Readiness Center]] (JMRC)—formerly known as the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC)—at Hohenfels, Germany<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.hohenfels.army.mil/ |title=Army.mil |access-date=2020-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180326223100/http://www.hohenfels.army.mil/ |archive-date=2018-03-26 }}</ref>—home unit is the 1st Battalion, [[4th Infantry Regiment (United States)|4th Infantry Regiment]] (Separate) (the ''Warriors'')
Over time, the Army has patterned the OPFOR units after real or imagined opponents and given them various fictional names, even though the US Army denies any resemblance.
[[File:CIRCLE TRIAGON BADGE.png|left|frameless|100x100px]]
"Circle Triagonists" - patterned after the [[Wehrmacht]] from 1947 to 1978.<ref>{{Cite web |last=TREVITHICK |first=JOSEPH |date=July 23, 2014 |title=The U.S. Army Once Created a Whole Alternate History For Its War Games |url=https://medium.com/war-is-boring/the-u-s-army-once-created-a-whole-alternate-history-for-its-war-games-e733acd8438d |access-date=July 6, 2025 |website=Medium}}</ref>
"Krasnovians" - patterned after the [[Red Army|Soviet Red Army]] from 1978 to 1990 at the [[Fort Irwin National Training Center|National Training Center]] in Fort Irwin.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Brown |first=David W. |date=Feb 12, 2025 |title=5 Fictional Countries Where the U.S. Army is Trained to Fight |url=https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/31437/5-fictional-countries-where-us-army-trained-fight |access-date=July 6, 2025 |website=Mental Floss}}</ref> 
The People's Republic of Pineland - a make believe foe for Army Special Forces candidates to face in their final test. 
The Island of Aragon - an invasion scenario for troops to play out at the US [[Fort Johnson|Joint Readiness Training Center]] at Fort Polk, Louisiana.
Attica - a crisis to handle at [[White Sands Missile Range]] in New Mexico. 


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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Exercise Crocodile '03: You win some, you lose some |first=John |last=Wellfare |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1084/features/feature01a.htm |publisher=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper}}</ref>
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.<ref>{{cite news |title=Exercise Crocodile '03: You win some, you lose some |first=John |last=Wellfare |url=http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1084/features/feature01a.htm |publisher=Army: The Soldiers' Newspaper}}</ref>


Several [[state defense force]]s have served as OPFOR units when training with the [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]]. The [[California State Military Reserve|California State Guard]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://4thmpbnpmo.com/opfor.htm |title=OPFOR |publisher=1st Battalion (MP), 2nd Brigade (Civil Support), California State Military Reserve |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118090016/http://4thmpbnpmo.com/opfor.htm |archive-date=18 January 2016 }}</ref> the [[Georgia State Defense Force]],<ref>{{cite journal |last=Seay |first=Howard |title=Operation Roughrider Cold |url=http://issuu.com/allanhayesgsdf/docs/headsup_june2015 |journal=Heads up |date=8 May 2015 |publisher=[[Georgia State Defense Force]] |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=3 |access-date=16 November 2015}}</ref> and the [[New York Guard]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mendie |first=Ubon |date=31 March 2009 |title=N.Y. Guard 'Brings the Fight' to Fighting 69th |url=https://issuu.com/nynationalguard/docs/gt_spring09 |magazine=Guard Times Magazine |page=36 |access-date=22 December 2018}}</ref> have provided OPFOR services to their respective National Guard counterparts. In 2018, the Georgia State Defense Force established the OPFOR Battalion<ref>{{cite web|url=https://paonews.net/units/opfor/ |title=OPFOR Battalion |publisher=[[Georgia State Defense Force]] |language=en-US |access-date=2019-12-10}}</ref> to assist National Guard Soldiers with pre-deployment training.
Several [[state defense force]]s have served as OPFOR units when training with the [[National Guard of the United States|National Guard]]. The [[California State Military Reserve|California State Guard]],<ref>{{cite web |url=http://4thmpbnpmo.com/opfor.htm |title=OPFOR |publisher=1st Battalion (MP), 2nd Brigade (Civil Support), California State Military Reserve |access-date=16 November 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118090016/http://4thmpbnpmo.com/opfor.htm |archive-date=18 January 2016 }}</ref> the [[Georgia State Defense Force]],<ref>{{cite journal |last=Seay |first=Howard |title=Operation Roughrider Cold |url=http://issuu.com/allanhayesgsdf/docs/headsup_june2015 |journal=Heads up |date=8 May 2015 |publisher=[[Georgia State Defense Force]] |volume=11 |issue=1 |pages=3 |access-date=16 November 2015}}</ref> and the [[New York Guard]]<ref>{{cite magazine |last=Mendie |first=Ubon |date=31 March 2009 |title=N.Y. Guard 'Brings the Fight' to Fighting 69th |url=https://issuu.com/nynationalguard/docs/gt_spring09 |magazine=Guard Times Magazine |page=36 |access-date=22 December 2018}}</ref> have provided OPFOR services to their respective National Guard counterparts. In 2018, the Georgia State Defense Force established the OPFOR Battalion<ref>{{cite web |url=https://paonews.net/units/opfor/ |title=OPFOR Battalion |publisher=[[Georgia State Defense Force]] |language=en-US |access-date=2019-12-10 |archive-date=2019-12-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191205095656/http://paonews.net/units/opfor/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> to assist National Guard Soldiers with pre-deployment training.


==== Ranks ====
==== Ranks ====
;Officer ranks
=====Officer ranks =====
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; text-align:center;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
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|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| {{flagicon image|Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg}} '''Circle Trigonists Army'''<br />{{small|(1962–1978)}}<ref>{{cite book |title=FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy |date=1962 |publisher=Department of the Army |pages=10–11 |url=https://archive.org/details/FM30-101/page/n9/mode/2up |access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref>
| rowspan=2| {{flagicon image|Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg}} '''Circle Trigonists Army'''<br />{{small|(1962–1978)}}<ref>{{cite book |title=FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy |date=1962 |publisher=Department of the Army |pages=10–11 |url=https://archive.org/details/FM30-101/page/n9/mode/2up |access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref>
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O11.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O10.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O9.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O8.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O7.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-5 (1962).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O6.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-4 (1962).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O5.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-3 (1962).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O4.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-2 (1962).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O3.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-1c (1962).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O2.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:US-AGRO-Army-OF-1b (1962).png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon O1.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
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| colspan=2| [[Sub-lieutenant]]
| colspan=2| [[Sub-lieutenant]]
| colspan=2| [[Warrant officer]]
| colspan=2| [[Warrant officer]]
|-
| rowspan=2| '''Krasnovian Army'''<br />{{small|(1978–present)}}{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
| colspan=10 rowspan=2|
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR O6C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR O5C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR O4C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR O3C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR O2C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR O1C.png|50px]]
|-
| colspan=2| [[Colonel]]
| colspan=2| [[Lieutenant colonel]]
| colspan=2| [[Major (rank)|Major]]
| colspan=2| [[Captain (armed forces)|Captain]]
| colspan=2| [[Lieutenant]]
| colspan=2| [[Junior lieutenant]]
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank}}
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
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| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:blank.svg|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|-
| colspan=2| [[Air marshal]]
| colspan=2| [[Air marshal]]
| colspan=2| [[General officer|General of air]]
| colspan=2| [[General officer|General of air]]
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|}
|}


;Other ranks
=====Other ranks=====
<noinclude>
<noinclude>
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px;"
{| style="border:1px solid #8888aa; background-color:#f7f8ff; padding:5px; font-size:95%; margin: 0px 12px 12px 0px; text-align:center;"
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
</noinclude>
</noinclude>
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| colspan=8| [[Private (rank)|Private]]
| colspan=8| [[Private (rank)|Private]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| {{flagicon image|Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg}} '''Circle Trigonists Army'''<br />{{small|(1962–1978)}}<ref name="auto">{{cite book |title=FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy |date=1962 |publisher=Department of the Army |page=30 |url=https://archive.org/details/FM30-101/page/n9/mode/2up |access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref>
| rowspan=2| {{flagicon image|Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg}} '''Circle Trigonists Army'''<br />{{small|(1962–1978)}}<ref name="Department of the Army-1962">{{cite book |title=FM 30-101 Aggressor: the Maneuver Enemy |date=1962 |publisher=Department of the Army |page=30 |url=https://archive.org/details/FM30-101/page/n9/mode/2up |access-date=5 August 2021}}</ref>
| colspan=6| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Circle Trigon E8.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon E7.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon E6.png|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Circle Trigon E5.png|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Circle Trigon E4.png|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=4| [[File:Circle Trigon E3.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Circle Trigon E2.png|50px]]
| colspan=8| '''No insignia'''
| colspan=8| [[File:Circle Trigon E1.png|50px]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant major]]
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant major]]
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| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=4| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=2| [[Private first class|Senior private]]
| colspan=2| [[Private first class|Senior private]]
| colspan=8| [[Private (rank)|Private]]
|-
| rowspan=2| '''Krasnovian Army'''<br />{{small|(1978–present)}}{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
| colspan=6| [[File:OPFOR E6C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2|
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR E5C.png|50px]]
| colspan=6 rowspan=2|
| colspan=6| [[File:OPFOR E4C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR E3C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:OPFOR E2C.png|50px]]
| colspan=2 rowspan=2|
| colspan=8| [[File:OPFOR E1C.png|50px]]
|-
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant major]]
| colspan=2| [[Senior sergeant]]
| colspan=6| [[Sergeant]]
| colspan=2| [[Junior sergeant]]
| colspan=2| [[Corporal]]
| colspan=8| [[Private (rank)|Private]]
| colspan=8| [[Private (rank)|Private]]
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
{{Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armies/OR/Blank}}
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| colspan=8| [[Airman]]
| colspan=8| [[Airman]]
|- style="text-align:center;"
|- style="text-align:center;"
| rowspan=2| {{flagicon image|Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg}} '''Circle Trigonists Air Force'''<br />{{small|(1962–1978)}}<ref name="auto"/>
| rowspan=2| {{flagicon image|Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg}} '''Circle Trigonists Air Force'''<br />{{small|(1962–1978)}}<ref name="Department of the Army-1962"/>
| colspan=6| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=6| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
| colspan=2| [[File:Blank.svg|50px]]
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|}
|}
{{clear}}
{{clear}}
Often, the colour of the epaulette shows what specialisation the particular OPFOR soldier has. Green is worn by everyday soldiers, red by fusiliers, and blue by airborne forces.


== Gallery ==
== Gallery ==
===Personnel===
<gallery>
<gallery>
File: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 a 1941 exercise in Dover.
File:Militairen van 11 Pantserinfanteriebataljon Garderegiment.jpg|Dutch soldiers of [[Grenadiers' and Rifles Guard Regiment|11 Pantserinfanteriebataljon Garderegiment Grenadiers]] wearing mohawk-style additions on their helmets to denote opposing force status.
File:Militairen van 11 Pantserinfanteriebataljon Garderegiment.jpg|Dutch soldiers of [[Grenadiers' and Rifles Guard Regiment|11 Pantserinfanteriebataljon Garderegiment Grenadiers]] wearing mohawk-style additions on their helmets to denote opposing force status.
File: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.
File: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.
File: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.
File: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.
File:Royal Marines, commando assault demo, Viking vehicle (28167968570).jpg|Royal Marine "opposing force" members during a 2016 assault demonstration; they wear [[Tropentarn]] uniforms and soft hats while the assaulting "blue force" Marines would be wearing [[Multi-Terrain_Pattern|MTP]] uniforms with [[Mk 7 helmet]]s.
File:Royal Marines, commando assault demo, Viking vehicle (28167968570).jpg|Royal Marine "opposing force" members during a 2016 assault demonstration; they wear [[Tropentarn]] uniforms and soft hats while the assaulting "blue force" Marines would be wearing [[Multi-Terrain Pattern|MTP]] uniforms with [[Mk 7 helmet]]s.
File:CENZUB-FORAD.JPG|A sniper from the French [[centre d'entraînement aux actions en zone urbaine|CENZUB]] opposing force wearing a blue-and-gray version of [[Camouflage Central-Europe]].
File:CENZUB-FORAD.JPG|A sniper from the French [[centre d'entraînement aux actions en zone urbaine|CENZUB]] opposing force wearing a blue-and-gray version of [[Camouflage Central-Europe]].
File: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).
File: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).
File: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 (United States)|4th Infantry Regiment]] soldiers wearing United States Army opposing force uniform (Battle Dress Uniform in black with olive 'OPFOR' shoulder title)
File: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 (United States)|4th Infantry Regiment]] soldiers wearing United States Army opposing force uniform (Battle Dress Uniform in black with olive 'OPFOR' shoulder title)
File:Operation force Surrogate Vehicle.jpg|An OSV replicating a Soviet BMP at NTC, Fort Irwin, CA
File:MT-LB US Marines.jpg|[[US Marines]] using a former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[MT-LB]] vehicle as part of the OPFOR during an exercise
File: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]].
File: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]].
File:OPFOR Shirt GRN and Shoulder Boards GRN, BLK, RED.jpg|OPFOR rank insignia mimicking the Soviet style (used during the [[Cold War]])
File:OPFOR Shirt GRN and Shoulder Boards GRN, BLK, RED.jpg|OPFOR rank insignia mimicking the Soviet style (used during the [[Cold War]])
</gallery>
===Vehicles===
<gallery>
File: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 a 1941 exercise in Dover.
File:Operation force Surrogate Vehicle.jpg|An {{Abbr|OSV|Opfor Surrogate Vehicle}}, [[Vismod|visually]] modified [[M113 armored personnel carrier|M113]] APC replicating a Soviet [[BMP development|BMP]] at NTC, Fort Irwin, CA
File:MT-LB US Marines.jpg|[[US Marines]] using a former [[Soviet Union|Soviet]] [[MT-LB]] vehicle as part of the OPFOR during an exercise
File:OPFOR T-72 at Camp Pendleton, USA.JPEG|T-72M1 used by the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, [[1st Marine Division]] of US Marines at [[Camp Pendleton]] during  Kernel Blitz 1997 exercise
File:OPFOR T-72 at Camp Pendleton, USA.JPEG|T-72M1 used by the 3rd Amphibious Assault Battalion, [[1st Marine Division]] of US Marines at [[Camp Pendleton]] during  Kernel Blitz 1997 exercise
File:Warrior_Infantry_Fighting_Vehicle_MOD_45149219.jpg|[[FV510 Warrior]] and other British vehicles in a green-and-tan paint scheme; while normally associated with [[British Army Training Unit Suffield|BATUS]], the paint scheme denotes opposing force status if used on the British mainland (as in this photograph).<ref>{{cite book |last1=Dunstan |first1=Simon |title=Europa Militaria No. 25, Warrior Company |date=1998 |publisher=The Crowood Press |isbn=1861261918 |pages=10–11, 18}}</ref>
</gallery>
</gallery>


Latest revision as of 03:30, 28 December 2025

Template:Short description Script error: No such module "about". Script error: No such module "Hatnote". Script error: No such module "Unsubst".

File:OPFOR Soldiers.jpg
U.S. OPFOR soldiers playing the role of Iraqi insurgents in Fort Polk, Louisiana.Template:Refn

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.

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

Canada

The Canadian Armed Forces has OPFOR units from the Canadian Manoeuvre Training Centre.[1]

China

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France

In the French Army, a FORAD (Script error: No such module "Lang"., enemy force) is used to train the army, in both the Script error: No such module "Lang". (CENTAC, Combat Training Center) of Mailly-le-Camp[2] and in the Script error: No such module "Lang". (CENZUB, Urban Operations Training Centre).[3] Declassed AMX-30 tanks were used to simulate Soviet T-72s,[2] until 2018.[4]

Republic of Korea

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Japan

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United States

File:UH-1H disguised as Mi-24 Fort Irwin 1985.JPEG
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:

Over time, the Army has patterned the OPFOR units after real or imagined opponents and given them various fictional names, even though the US Army denies any resemblance.

File:CIRCLE TRIAGON BADGE.png

"Circle Triagonists" - patterned after the Wehrmacht from 1947 to 1978.[8]

"Krasnovians" - patterned after the Soviet Red Army from 1978 to 1990 at the National Training Center in Fort Irwin.[9]

The People's Republic of Pineland - a make believe foe for Army Special Forces candidates to face in their final test.

The Island of Aragon - an invasion scenario for troops to play out at the US Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, Louisiana.

Attica - a crisis to handle at White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico.

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.[10]

Several state defense forces have served as OPFOR units when training with the National Guard. The California State Guard,[11] the Georgia State Defense Force,[12] and the New York Guard[13] have provided OPFOR services to their respective National Guard counterparts. In 2018, the Georgia State Defense Force established the OPFOR Battalion[14] to assist National Guard Soldiers with pre-deployment training.

Ranks

Officer ranks
Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Circle Trigonists Army
(1953–1962)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[15] 		File: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 Circle Trigonists Army
(1962–1978)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[16] 		File:Circle Trigon O11.png File:Circle Trigon O10.png File:Circle Trigon O9.png File:Circle Trigon O8.png File:Circle Trigon O7.png File:Circle Trigon O6.png File:Circle Trigon O5.png File:Circle Trigon O4.png File:Circle Trigon O3.png File:Circle Trigon O2.png File:Circle Trigon O1.png 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
Krasnovian Army
(1978–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 		File:OPFOR O6C.png File:OPFOR O5C.png File:OPFOR O4C.png File:OPFOR O3C.png File:OPFOR O2C.png File:OPFOR O1C.png
Colonel Lieutenant colonel Major Captain Lieutenant Junior lieutenant

Template:Ranks and Insignia of Non NATO Armed Forces/OF/Blank

File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Circle Trigonists Air Force
(1953–1962)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[17] 		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 Circle Trigonists Air Force
(1962–1978)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[18] 		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 Circle Trigonists Army
(1953–1962)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[19] 		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 Circle Trigonists Army
(1962–1978)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[20] 		File:Circle Trigon E8.png File:Circle Trigon E7.png File:Circle Trigon E6.png File:Circle Trigon E5.png File:Circle Trigon E4.png File:Circle Trigon E3.png File:Circle Trigon E2.png File:Circle Trigon E1.png
Sergeant major Staff sergeant Senior sergeant Platoon sergeant Section sergeant Corporal Senior private Private
Krasnovian Army
(1978–present)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".Script error: No such module "Unsubst". 		File:OPFOR E6C.png File:OPFOR E5C.png File:OPFOR E4C.png File:OPFOR E3C.png File:OPFOR E2C.png File:OPFOR E1C.png
Sergeant major Senior sergeant Sergeant Junior sergeant Corporal Private
Rank group Senior NCOs Junior NCOs Enlisted
File:Flag of US Aggressor Forces.svg Circle Trigonists Air Force
(1953–1962)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[21] 		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 Circle Trigonists Air Force
(1962–1978)Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters".[20] 		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

Often, the colour of the epaulette shows what specialisation the particular OPFOR soldier has. Green is worn by everyday soldiers, red by fusiliers, and blue by airborne forces.

Gallery

Personnel

Vehicles

Notes

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References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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Further reading

Template:Sister project

Template:Military ranks by country

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