UPM Through the Ages: 1970s

Instructions

Space or Click The 1970s were the still young UNOP's years to begin building itself up as a nation. Its first large move was to break free from its isolationist tendencies of its Kingdom era. Establishing alliances with Hunsdera and Umbra and strengthening trade with UAC, Alverton, and Naidun, the UNOP began putting itself onto the global level. Most military action throughout this decade manifested itself in exercises with allies, with two main exceptions (which you can read about below). Equipment Shown: -M69 Parrot Battle Uniform (70s pattern): An improvement of the M61 PBU, the M69 featured more modern materials and a more modern cut with covered gig buttons. -M74 Parrot Battle Uniform: A UPMC color alteration of the M69, hoping it would perform better in wooded areas. -M69 Parachutist's Smock and Trousers: An improvement of the M61 paratrooper uniform, the M69 featured an adjustable waist cinch and removed the comfortable but water-absorbant wool cuffs of the M61 smock. -M74 Parachutist's Smock and Trousers: In addition to adding a hood, this evolution of the M69 featured the UNOP's first domestic camouflage pattern. Though its effectiveness was... questionable, it was an iconic look, and contributed significantly to camouflage development from that point on. -M59 Jungle Boots: Utilizing a UIS sole attached to black leather and OD canvas with drain holes on the side, the jungle boots were rugged boots capable of use in a variety of weather conditions. -M58 Webbing, Operational Load Carrying (WOLC): A canvas belt and suspenders with a suite of pouches including 7.62 mag pouches, bandage/compass pouches, and several storage pouches. By the 70s, some pouches had been redesigned (M58 1970s pattern) but it remained largely the same. It was more common to see even non-specialized units with the WOLC pack instead of the kidney pouches. -M68 Composite Combat Helmet (CCH): A lighter weight replacement for the ISH, the CCH was extremely popular with troops compared to the heavy ISH. UNOP material scientists managed to create a helmet made of a composite of various materials that was strong enough to stop most shrapnel, but light enough to not give the wearer a headache. Neat, huh? -M68 Parrot Protective Flak Jacket (PPFJ): A flak jacket. Yeah. Weaponry: -Down DRS51 Mk. family of rifles, including: *Mk.1A1 (13th ID 1973) for normal army rifleman use *Down Model 351 (SOD) with night vision scope *Mk.1A2 (3rd MARDIV 1974) collapsible stock for compactness in amphibious operations *Mk.2A2 (5th AB 1972, 2nd AB 1976) shortened barrel and collapsible stock, issued exclusively to paratroopers Notable Operations: ---STS Border Skirmishes (March-August 1972)--- *The last of the UNOP and Scratch Town State's centuries of fighting took place from Spring to Summer 1972. Following Sovereign Resolve, STS placed troops along most of their Eastern border, fearing further UNOP expansionism. The UNOP, seeing this as a threat of STS retaking their lost territory, responded by placing their own units along the border. Though it was mostly creative profanities flung between the two lines, the occasional exchange of rounds was known to happen. This was put to an end by the signing of the historic Featherton-Pawsley Accords, creating permanent non-aggression between the two historic enemies. ---The Sharpsburg Attacks (September 1973)--- In fall of 1973, the Southern Mackosas city of Sharpsburg was suddenly attacked by a militia known as "The Wings of Renewal," a Manifest Destiny movement. The attacks, done wearing and using STAF equipment and weapons, were believed to have been trying to spur renewed hostility toward STS. The greatest threat posed by the Wings came after they had realized they'd instead spurred hostility against only themselves. On September 26th, they claimed, chemical weapons would be released on Sharpsburg. Less than an hour after this announcement was made, the leader of the organization mysteriously disappeared after a break-in at Wings HQ, and the militia turned into scattered groups that were eventually captured or cleared out of Sharpsburg by the 28th. ---Exercise Soggy Moss--- *Beginning in 1974 and continuing annually, Soggy Moss was the first instance of the UNOP and Hunsdera working together militarily. The historic exercise regularly demonstrates the close relationship the birds of the UNOP and the humans of their neighbor to the North share, ensures both nations' amphibious landing skills are up to snuff, and further UNOP-Hunsdera interoperability. ---Exercise Federkralle--- The UNOP's second military cooperation initiative began with Umbra in 1976 with Exercise Federkralle, another annual exercise that continues even to this day. This exercise ensures the UNOP and its allies' ability to participate in a joint airborne operation, practicing not only infantry work on the ground but also coordination of the two countries' air forces.