Robotech Defense Forces

Army of the Southern Cross - The R.D.F.

The Army of the Southern Cross, also referred as the Robotech Defense Force or R.D.F. was the military force and a part of the United Earth Government is a global organization that spanned the planet Earth that was formed after the S.D.F.-1 crash landed on the planet.

Shortly after that event, the divided Human nations of the world decided to unite after discovering the potential threat posed by an alien invasion and created the United Earth Government which began to study the newly acquired Robotechnology. It was officially ratified in 2005 when it became apparent that the alien battlefortress on Macross Island would eventually attract a threatening race of alien invaders that were searching for it.

The military organization was founded by after the alien spacecraft, I.E. the S.D.F-1 crashed into Macross island in 1999 A.D. Anatole Leonard became the Supreme Commander years after Gloval, and Lang was made Supreme Commander of Tirol's R.D.F.

With the exception of the Veritech Hover Tank, the mecha and battloids of the R.D.F. are of a considerably lighter fare in later years. The Veritech Logan and the Civil Defense Battloid, are less armored and much more maneuverable than much of the RDF's mecha from a generation earlier. All R.D.F. mecha is laser resistant.

The R.D.F. was victorious against the Robotech Masters during the Second Robotech War, they was all but wiped out by the Invid due to being depleted of man power and equipment thanks to almost constant battles with the Masters.

As a result, many of the surviving R.D.F personal, opted to flee Earth during the initial stages of the Invid invasion and chose to meet up with returning Robotech Expeditionary Forces  or R.E.F. at Space Station Liberty and the colonies and Sentinel worlds to fight another day.

Army of the Southern Cross - The R.D.F.

Department of Surface Operations

1. Tactical Corps, is the basic infantry unit of the ground forces of the United Earth Government. This division is the equivalent of the contemporary "United States Marine Corps". They are able to go into a variety of terrains and environments with a simple change of uniform. Tactical Corps is an umbrella organization that has several specialized squads. These are;
• Recon Escort Patrol, are the members of the Tactical Corps responsible for all communications-related missions. They function as intelligence gathers and provide tacitical support for the Global Military Police. The Recon Escort Patrol's area of expertise is simple, "locate, identify and neutralize the enemy". The escort aspect of operations means that a R.E.P. team will accompany an individual, squadron or convoy; scouting ahead to make certain that any enemies in the area located, identified and neutralized before they can harm the target of the escort.
• Desert Squad, is the branch of the Tactical Corps that serve as United Earth Government's version of the "French Foreign Legion." Stationed at remote desert outposts, these troop man heavy artillery. They are savage fighters who relish the opportunity to engage in hand-to-hand combat.
• Humid Climate Offensive Squad, are basically, the "Green Beret" of the Tactical Corps. These troops are assigned to marshy enviroments. They are master at camouflage and infiltration.
• Jungle Squad, is a forest branch of the Tactical Corps. The main difference is in ordinance of weaponry and combat armor.
• Sea Squad, is basically, the Naval Division of the Army of the Southern Cross. These troops work as either re-con or offensive units. Their actions are confined to deep water research in the development of Protoculture.
• Cold-Weather Offensive Squad,  is another variation of the basic Tactical Corps. Assigned to the polar regions, these troops are assigned to protect the Robotech Research Scientists who are active in the region. They are also trained for first strike capability
• Mountain Offense Squad, is a specialized branch of the Tactical Corps. This squad is assigned the task of patrolling the many mountain ranges on the planet. A ground based unit.
2. Alpha Tactical Armored Corps (ATAC), is the elite unit of the Department of Surface Operations (ground forces) of the R.D.F. assigned the task of piloting the remarkable VHT-1 Veritech Hovertank - a transformable heavy armored personnel combat vehicle. The Alpha Corps is able to work with most of the various divisions of the R.D.F.' other tactical groups. Only the best soldiers are inducted into the Alpha Corps;
• Wolff Pack
• 1st ATAC Squadron
• 14th ATAC Squadron
• 15th ATAC Squadron
3. Civil Defense Unit, is a unit of the Department of Surface Operations of the R.D.F.. This division is used as a basic civilian policing force. They are assigned to protect the local cities and encampments and provide a high profile for the Army of the Southern Cross and the United Earth Government. They work in conjunction with Civil Defense Flying Corps

Department of Aerospace Operations

1. Tactical Air Force, is the basic Air Force of the United Earth Government. This division which trains combat pilots and all technical support teams for conventional (non-space related) missions.
2. Tactical Armored Space Corps, is the equivalent of the A.T.A.C. in regard to their elite status in the United Earth Government's Air and Space Forces. The pilots of the Armored Space Corps are assigned to the Veritech Fighter, because of it's capable of prolonged flight in outer space. TASC pilots also use a VF-8 Logan and the VFH-10 AGAC --a transformable attack 'copter'. The TASC also operates in space using starships that are commissioned by the R.D.F. Only the best soldiers are inducted into the Space Corps;
• Skull Squadron
• Ghost Squadron
• 21 Squadron
3. Civil Defense Flying Corps, is a squad of the department of aerospace operations of the R.D.F. This squad works in conjunction with the Civil Defense Unit to police the non-military outposts cities which have sprung up after the First Robotech War.
4. Cosmic Units (R.E.F.), are the troops of the United Earth Government who guard the various off-world military outposts; such as Colonies, Sentinel Homeworlds, Tirol-Third Moon of Fantoma, Moon Base ALUCE, Space Station Liberty and orbiting space stations which provide security and research for the Robotech Research Group. They can function as pilots in case of emergency.
• Zentraedi or Tactical Armored Alien Corps, is was a military division within the R.D.F which consisted of Zentraedi allies.
• Earth Cosmic Units, off-world military outposts; such as Colonies.
• Mars Division
• Jupiter Division
• Expeditionary Force, is originally part of the Pioneer Expedition, but is now a division belonging to the United Earth Forces. The Flagship of the REF is the SDF-3 Pioneer. The REF's mission is to protect Human Colonies, however when the Third Robotech War started the REF had to create a division called the Earth Reclamation Force.
• Tactical Armored Sentinels Corps,  is was a military and diplomatic division within the R.D.F which consisted of Zentraedi, Masters, Karbarrans, and Other Alien allies.
• Earth Reclamation Force, is formed after the Invid had conquered the planet Earth. In response to this act, the REF created divisions that were charged with the liberation of the planet. Among its military units included;
• 1st Reclamation Force : launched in 2038 but failed in its mission and was destroyed.
• 2nd Reclamation Force : launched in 2042 but failed in its mission and was destroyed.
• 3rd Reclamation Force : launched in 2044 and succeeded when the Invid departed Earth after the launch of the Neutron-S missiles.