enemy force

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.

China

France

In the French Army, a FORAD (, enemy force) is used to train the army, in both the (CENTAC, Combat Training Center) of Mailly-le-Camp and in the (CENZUB, Urban Operations Training Centre). Declassed AMX-30 tanks were used to simulate Soviet T-72s, until 2018.

Republic of Korea

Japan

United States

There are three major training centers that utilize home-based OPFOR units for the US Army:

* The National Training Center (NTC) at Fort Irwin, California—home unit is the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment (the ''Blackhorse'')
* The Joint Readiness Training Center (JRTC) at Fort Johnson, Louisiana—home unit is the 1st Battalion, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment (the ''Geronimos'')
* The Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC)—formerly known as the Combat Maneuver Training Center (CMTC)—at Hohenfels, Germany—home unit is the 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment (Separate) (the ''Warriors'')

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.

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

Ranks

;Officer ranks

;Other ranks

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 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: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 MTP uniforms with Mk 7 helmets.
File:CENZUB-FORAD.JPG, A sniper from the French 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: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 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 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:OPFOR Shirt GRN and Shoulder Boards GRN, BLK, RED.jpg, OPFOR rank insignia mimicking the Soviet style (used during the Cold War)
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

Notes

References

Further reading

Validating the "Enemy"
(discusses the United States Army OPFOR units and post-Cold War changes to OPFOR.)


a summary of the opposing force Aggressor used by the United States Army from ca. 1946–1978

{{Military ranks by country

Military education and training