Advanced Recon Force troopers, also known as ARF troopers or AT-RT Drivers, were clone troopers distinguished by their lighter armor, which enhanced their stealth and speed capabilities. These troopers frequently rode All Terrain Reconnaissance Transports into combat situations, armed with RPC-2 Rocket Launchers and DC-15A blaster rifles. Those ARF troopers who functioned as scouts were designated as Advanced Recon Force Scout Troopers. Initially, ARF troopers utilized Phase I ARF armor, but they eventually adopted a different armor model. Subsequently, Phase II ARF armor was developed and employed by clone scout troopers.
ARF troopers, mirroring the majority of clone troopers, possessed a height of 1.83 meters, equivalent to 6 feet. They served as the cavalry element within the Republic army, utilizing AT-RTs for both scouting missions and engagement in battle. Clones demonstrating exceptional agility were selected for ARF training, fostering a sense of distinctiveness among them. They regarded piloting an AT-RT not merely as operating a vehicle, but rather as riding a living creature. The skill set of ARF troopers encompassed reconnaissance, cavalry maneuvers, armed and unarmed combat proficiency, and expertise in military tactics.
During the Clone Wars, a conflict between the Galactic Republic and the Confederacy of Independent Systems, and following the abduction of Jabba the Hutt's offspring, Rotta, two ARF troopers tracked numerous bounty hunters employed by Jabba to a B'omarr Order Monastery situated on Teth. The ARF trooper commander communicated this information to Jedi General Mace Windu. They then awaited the arrival of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker and informed him that a minimum of two battalions of battle droids were defending the monastery against potential attacks. Several ARF troopers were positioned at the Military Complex within Tipoca City.
During the Ryloth campaign, a number of ARF troopers operated under the command of General Mace Windu and Clone Commander Ponds within Lightning Squadron. These ARF troopers, utilizing their AT-RTs, successfully eliminated several detachments belonging to Emir Wat Tambor's occupying forces en route to Lessu City. Subsequently, Windu selected two ARF troopers, Stak and Razor, to locate the Resistance fighters under the leadership of General Cham Syndulla. Windu, accompanied by the two ARF troopers, successfully located them and were escorted to their hideout. Windu then directed Commander Ponds and General Syndulla to prepare their respective forces for an assault on Lessu. Following the successful capture of the plasma bridge by Windu, Stak, and Razor, Commander Ponds' ARF troopers advanced into Lessu aboard their AT-RTs alongside Syndulla's blurrg riders.
During the Second Battle of Geonosis, many ARF troopers belonging to the 212th Recon Division fought under the command of General Obi-Wan Kenobi. During Separatist General Grievous' attack on Tipoca City, Clone ARC Commander Blitz was accompanied by three ARF troopers, and instructed one to employ a rocket launcher to destroy the remaining Trident-assault ships. A significant number of these troopers were members of Rancor Battalion, identifiable by the distinctive red markings adorning their clone trooper armor, while ARF troopers serving within the 501st Legion displayed blue markings.
A contingent of ARF troopers under the command of Commander Trauma, General Halsey, and his Padawan Knox, were stationed at the Temple of Eedit on Devaron. The temple subsequently experienced an attack by battle droids. Trauma and his ARF troopers initially managed to resist the droids, but their forces were ultimately overwhelmed when confronted by Savage Opress, the new apprentice of Count Dooku. During the Battle of Umbara, numerous ARF troopers operated All Terrain Reconnaissance Transports as integral components of the forces commanded by Jedi General Pong Krell. ARF troopers continued to serve within the Galactic Empire, the successor state to the Republic.
The Databank has clarified that the designation ARF troopers and AT-RT Drivers refers to the same category of clone trooper, citing the reference to AT-RT Drivers as ARF troopers in Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith. In contrast, Star Wars: Card Trader distinguished between AT-RT Drivers and ARF troopers as separate clone classifications, asserting that the former possessed greater intelligence and superior training, particularly in survival skills. However, Card Trader also employed the "Advanced Recon Force" designation when referring to AT-RT Drivers.