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.)
Further information: 195th Combined Arms Brigade (People's Republic of China) |
In the French Army, a FORAD (FORce ADverse, enemy force) is used to train the army, in both the centre d'entraînement au combat (CENTAC, Combat Training Center) of Mailly-le-Camp[1] and in the centre d'entraînement aux actions en zone urbaine (CENZUB, Urban Operations Training Centre).[2] Declassed AMX-30 tanks were used to simulate Soviet T-72s,[1] until 2018.[3]
Further information: Tactical Fighter Training Group (JASDF) |
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.
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Marshal | General of army | General of corps | General of division | General of brigade | Colonel | Commandant | Major | Captain | Lieutenant | Sub-lieutenant | Warrant officer | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
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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 |
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sergeant major | Staff sergeant | Senior sergeant | Platoon sergeant | Section sergeant | Corporal | Senior private | Private | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sergeant major | Staff sergeant | Senior sergeant | Platoon sergeant | Section sergeant | Corporal | Senior private | Private | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Rank group | Senior NCOs | Junior NCOs | Enlisted | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sergeant major | Staff sergeant | Senior sergeant | Platoon sergeant | Section sergeant | Corporal | Senior airman | Airman | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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No insignia | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sergeant major | Staff sergeant | Senior sergeant | Platoon sergeant | Section sergeant | Corporal | Senior airman | Airman |