Fire Force (Rhodesia)

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Fire Force is a variant of the military tactic of vertical envelopment by helicopter‑borne and parachute infantry. The tactic was developed by the Rhodesian Security Forces during the Rhodesian Bush War (1964–1979). It emphasized rapid deployment of infantry by air to locate, contain, and engage insurgent units. The tactic was primarily employed by the Rhodesian Light Infantry (RLI), the Rhodesian African Rifles (RAR), and the Special Air Service (SAS), assisted by the Air Force (RhAF). The Fire Force counterinsurgency missions were designed to intercept insurgent units of the Zimbabwe African National Liberation Army (ZANLA) and the Zimbabwe People's Revolutionary Army (ZIPRA). The tactic was used in response to ambushes, farm attacks, observation post (OP) sightings, and calls from trackers or patrols who had made contact and required reinforcements. It was first deployed in January 1974 and saw its first combat action a month later on 24 February 1974. An operational assault or response...

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