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This article is about the military of the United Republic of Nations. For other similar uses, see Military (disambiguation).

The United Forces is the main military of the United Republic of Nations and serves as its first line of defense. Reflecting the multi-national makeup of the Republic, the Forces' troops include firebenders, earthbenders, and waterbenders, as well as nonbending soldiers.[2]


Anti-bending Revolution


Iroh&#039;s fleet sinking


Three days later, the First Division arrived and sailed into the waters of Yue Bay, encountering no initial resistance from the Equalists. However, as they neared the city, the ships were caught off guard when they inadvertently detonated several naval mines, placed in a defensive line by the Equalists. Not long afterwards, a large formation of biplanes, invented by Hiroshi Sato, attacked the crippled fleet from above, dropping bombs and torpedoes onto the warships before flying away. The firebenders and earthbenders were able to shoot down several planes with cannons and earth discs, while General Iroh himself was able to dispatch two planes before he was knocked into the water by an incoming bomb. Nonetheless, the battleships were not able to withstand the attack, and soon after, the remaining ships were either sinking or heavily damaged.

Second Division arriving


General Iroh survived the destruction of his division and retreated underground with the help of Avatar Korra. Later on, he used Gommu's previous experience as a telegraph operator to send a message to Commander Bumi, leader of the Second Division. Iroh advised Bumi not to approach Republic City until he received a signal from the general, instead ordering the commander to hold position at Red Sand Island, as none of the naval vessels used by the United Forces were suitably armed to take on Hiroshi's new combat planes. The Second Division arrived at Air Temple Island shortly after Iroh, Bolin, and Asami destroyed the Equalist air force.[3]

Unalaq Crisis

Six months after the Anti-bending Revolution, Korra requested that President Raiko, the commander-in-chief of the United Forces, deploy them to the South Pole in order to aid the Southern Water Tribe in the Water Tribe Civil War. However, Raiko refused to grant military aid, desiring to remain neutral and resolve the civil war by diplomatic means. Korra subsequently went directly to General Iroh, who plotted to bring his fleet to the south for training exercises as an excuse to engage the Northern forces. However, Raiko, who had been tipped off by Mako, discovered their intent and threatened to court martial Iroh if he disobeyed his direct orders, effectively placing the entire United Forces on lockdown.[4]

United Forces battleships attack



Kuvira's threat

In 174 AG, the United Forces were called upon to escort Prince Wu safely back to Ba Sing Se after his coronation as the new Earth King.[7] However, the plan was put on hold when Kuvira rejected Wu's authority and took power for herself.[8]

United Forces versus Kuvira&#039;s army



Spirit crisis

Several weeks later, the United Forces were deployed by President Raiko to erect a perimeter around Republic City's spirit portal. Their actions were opposed by Avatar Korra and the Air Nation, and although General Iroh sympathized with them, he deferred them to President Raiko, since he was the one who ordered the portal on lockdown.[10]


The navy of the United Forces is split into several divisions: The First Division is commanded by General Iroh, while the Second Division was led by Commander Bumi before his resignation in early 171 AG.[2][3] The First Division was completely destroyed during the battle for Republic City in 170 AG,[3] and part of the overall navy was again destroyed in 174 AG by Kuvira and her spirit energy cannon.[9]


The design of the United Forces' battleships reflects the multi-national makeup of their crews: the ships' cannons bear the insignia of the Fire Nation, the Earth Kingdom insignia is located on their bows, and the Water Tribe insignia emblazons their hulls.[2] Beyond simple aesthetics, the ships' weapon systems are also designed to maximize their crews' various bending abilities: the cannons act as a guide for firebenders to precisely aim and release fireball missiles; multiple platforms are equipped with stone discs to be launched by earthbenders; and waterbenders are stationed low to the waterline for anti-mine defense.[3]


United Forces uniform


The crewmen of the battleships wear differently colored uniforms, depending on the type of bending that they utilize: Firebenders wear maroon, earthbenders dark green, and waterbenders blue, while nonbenders wear gray. These uniforms may also be supplemented with caps or light helmets equipped with leather neck guards.

High-ranking officers wear a more elaborately designed uniform: The jacket is colored red and not discriminant of the officer's bending abilities, or lack thereof. These uniforms also include gold trimming, a black belt, and white trousers.

List of known commanding officers

Air Force

After the Anti-bending Revolution, the United Forces acquired biplanes, which were incorporated into their line of warfare and bore the emblem of the United Republic. The Air Force's only known engagement was their defense against the Dark Avatar during the Unalaq Crisis; one of the biplanes was destroyed in the ensuing battle.[6]





  10. DiMartino, Michael Dante (writer), Koh, Irene (artist), Nate Piekos; Blambot (letterer), Heather Campbell, Vivian Ng (cover). Turf Wars Part Two (January 17, 2018), Dark Horse Comics.
  12. Bryan Konietzko on DVD commentary for "Endgame".

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