Action Force...

[Malcolm Orr]

I'm sure this has been debated before...

GI Joe is clearly based on Delta Force - ie a US Army Special Force group with a chain of command involving the Pentagon and the President. Easy peasy, and I might add a lemon squeezy into the bargain.

But Action Force is trickier...

They are 'International Heroes' (which eventually became a subtitle)

In the BAF era, they were truly international, and by the MAF era they had distinct regions - Europe (Flint); US (Duke); Mid East (Dusty- - sometimes).

So who do they work for in each of the two era's...

BAF era:

United Nations? (So do they then represent the interests of China and Russia and Iran as well???)

MAF era:

Does the US branch work for the US Government? Does the UK Action Force work for or with the UK Government? Are the Russians excluded (otherwise why the Oktober Guard)?

Are they NATO? UN?

[Rude Kid]

I always thought of them as a UN fighting force, doing a similar job that the UN asked NATO to do in Afghanistan. The real UN 'blue helments' being peacekeepers,

also, when ironblood betrays the shadows to the UN, that's when they are decimated, so yeah, they are a UN team for me.

[Chopper]

The UN are limp wristed pansies that don't like dirty fingers. I'd reckon NATO, as long as they are in their own teritory. Otherwise its very hush, hush. Seems to fit really.

I'd say with UN input too. Its not a good idea to invade a country without UN approval, eh George?

[S.A.S.Sparrowhawk]

I think the answer is a NATO anti-terrorist fast reaction force.

[The Baron]

The UN features in the opening BAF story Action Force, in the turning-point World Enemy No. 1 and again in the Deep Cover finale.

The Internatioanl Heroes tag was from MAF-era.

[paul463]

I think the answer is a NATO anti-terrorist fast reaction force.

Allied Rapid Reaction Corps

[Chopper]

I think the answer is a NATO anti-terrorist fast reaction force.

Allied Rapid Reaction Corps

Allied Rapid Security Engagement team. or Allied Security Skirmish team if you are American. Bandit's is just no substitute for team. Pity, and its not even Friday.

[The Baron]

Allied Stealth Special Heavy Ordnance Lunar Exploration Squadron.

[Sundance]

i kinda assumed that the Marvel-era AF were NATO, although given the way they talk about being suspended by the British government in 'Rigged', 'Cold Comfort' and others, i'd say they're more a joint US-UK task-force who managed to recruit some 'outside' specialists like Airtight, Barbecue, Outback, Ace and so on. They're clearly not UN though, since the WarPac nations had the Oktober Guard.

as for Pallitoy's AF, i'd say they're UN.

my fan-fic has AF start as a NATO response to the Shads, but then given UN sanction and forced to allow volenteers from any nation to try selection. hence then having Aussies, Kiwis, Russkies, a Chinese, a South Korean, an Argentine, a Mexican, Swedes, a Swiss and an Omani in their ranks.

[Chopper]

There were as many Europeans (and further) as there were UK/US guys and gals in AF tho. The UN really doesn't get involved in any more than token peace keeping. Maybe it was a joint Nato/Warsaw operation with UN sanction? Even China has a terrorist problem after all.

When's the story going to be ready Sundance?