Green’s Dictionary of Slang

(US) a gang, a mob.

1966		(con. 1958) R. Farina Been Down So Long (1972) 20: Witty conversation, parlor games, charades [...] impress the troops.
1999		K. Sampson Powder 190: Adam gurned comically at the troops.
2001		D. Looser Boobslang [U. Canterbury D.Phil. thesis] 193/2: troops, the n. = the boys.
2020		G. Armstrong Young Team 3: The troops wur steamin, launchin themselves oot the broken windaes.