Editing United Nations Space Command

|image=[[File:Merch UNSC Logo Black.svg|100px]]<br/>The [[Symbols of the UNSC|UNSC logo]] circa [[2560]].

|role=Military defense of [[Earth]] and [[Human colonies|her colonies]]{{Ref/Site|Id=waypointuniunsc|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Section=Universe, Factions|Page=UNSC|D=19|M=1|Y=2021|LocalArchive=https://archives.halopedia.org/waypoint/www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc.html}}

*UNSC armed forces

***'''[[UNSC Marine Corps]]'''

**'''[[Spartan Operations]]'''

{{Quote|Per Mare, Per Terras, Per Constellatum.|Motto <small>([[Latin]] for ''"Through Sea, Through Land, Through the Constellations."'')</small><ref name="spartan ops">'''[[Halo 4]]''', ''[[Spartan Ops]]''</ref><ref>[[:File:Colonial Militia logo.jpg|Colonial Militia emblem from licensed ''Halo'' products]]</ref>}}

In the aftermath of the war, the UNSC has upheld its [[Treaty of 2552|alliance]] with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] and eventually ceded political power back to the UEG. The UNSC is now experiencing a resurgence as it rebuilds humanity's war-torn domain and moves to reestablish itself as a major power within the [[Orion Arm]].

Ultimate authority to direct the actions of the UNSC's armed forces lies in the office of the [[President of the Unified Earth Government]]. The authority granted to the President is legally absolute, though the Chairman of the [[UNSC Security Council]] is the principal commander of all UEG military assets and is authorized to act in the president's stead regarding matters of defense.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} The Security Council acts as the principal staff element of the UNSC and is responsible for policy development, strategic planning, resource management and fiscal evaluations. The Security Council is staffed by the highest-ranking officers from the Navy, Marine Corps, Army, Air Force and Office of Naval Intelligence - with the [[Chief of Staff of Spartan Operations|Chief of Staff]] of the Spartan Operations department granted a non-voting advisory role on the council as of [[2554]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} The UEG also maintains a [[Secretary of Defense]] position, though the powers and limitations of this office are unknown.{{Ref/Level|H2|Metropolis}}

Below the UNSC Security Council is the [[UNSC High Command]], or HIGHCOM - the UNSC's joint staff and executive body. Senior HIGHCOM officers report to the Security Council, but they primarily serve to coordinate joint and inter-agency protocols and objectives. HIGHCOM controls a wide range of sensitive and strategically vital officers and boards including the [[UNSC Inspector General]], [[General Officer Review Board]], [[UNSC Special Topics Committee]] and [[UNSC Ordnance Commission]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} HIGHCOM also serves to advise UEG civilian leadership on issues relating to defense, and are based at [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]].{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFMOrganisation|OSFM|Page=120-121}} Other organizations included within HIGHCOM are a number of administrative commands, including [[UNSC Personnel Command]] (PERSCOM), the [[UNSC Medical Corps|Medical Corps]], the [[UNSC Engineering Corps|Engineering Corps]], [[UNSC Human Resources|Human Resources]], and [[UNSC Astrophysics|Astrophysics]].{{Ref/Novel|FoR|Chapter=15}} Legal matters such as the issuing and enforcement of [[:Category:UNSC protocols|protocols]] are handled by the [[UNSC Judge Advocate General's Corps]].<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p. 123</ref> Research designed to improve the UNSC's operations is carried out by the [[UNSC Internal Audit|Internal Audit]] office.{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=13}}  

NAVCOM and UNICOM form joint task forces that are thus then assigned to one of four [[Central Command]]s (CENTCOMs) - responsible for the defense and security of a given region of human space, referred to as CENTCOM Regions. These regions follow well-mapped [[Slipstream space|slipspace]] routes which connect dozens of star systems; forces assigned to one CENTCOM cannot be moved to another without the approval of HIGHCOM, thus meaning each region must carefully marshal their limited resources. UNICOM planetside forces are organized into [[task force]]s that contain ground, aerospace, and maritime combat assets.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMCommands}}

The UNSC's armed forces are comprised of six major military departments; four of these branches ([[UNSC Navy|Navy]], [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], [[UNSC Army|Army]] and [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]]) are recognized and defined in UEG law, while the [[Spartan Operations]] division is a "continuing organization" that lacks explicit recognition and instead works directly under the UNSC's [[UNSC High Command|High Command]]. The [[Office of Naval Intelligence]] is a unique case; an organization that is bureaucratically a subordinate service of the Navy and not recognized as an independent service branch, but has enjoyed ''de facto'' autonomy from the Navy for nearly a century.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22UNSC|Enc22|Page=52-53}} Despite these technicalities, these six organizations are all on occasion informally referred to as the six branches of the UNSC{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM120|OSFM|Page=12-121}}{{Ref/Site|Id=WPUNSC|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=UNSC|D=30|M=04|Y=2021}}

[[File:UNSC Navy Logo.svg|thumb|250px|The UNSC Navy's logo.]]

The Navy is the senior service of the UNSC{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Navy|Enc22|Page=62}}, formed in [[2163]] during the [[Interplanetary War]].{{Ref/Reuse|WPUNSC}} The UNSC Navy is commanded by the [[Chief of Naval Operations]] (CINCNAV){{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=104}}, with a [[Deputy Chief of Naval Operations]] serving as their deputy.{{Ref/Novel|HFS|Chapter=11}} The Chief of Naval Operations serves as the Navy's representative on the UNSC Security Council.{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=1}} The Chief of Naval Operations also serves as the [[Commander-in-Chief Fleet]] (CINCFLEET).{{Ref/Novel|Gla|Chapter=11}}

The UNSC Navy operates, trains, organizes and equips space forces to establish space superiority in deep space and close orbit - primarily signified by the use of its vast fleet of [[UNSC starship|spacecraft]]. This force is used for the purpose of destroying or suppressing enemy space components, in particular those seeking to attack UEG commercial or terrestrial holdings.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFMNavy|OSFM|Page=124-126}} The Navy ensures the safety of UEG trade and commerce, assists other governmental agencies in agencies of interstellar governance and as such, very little of interstellar consequence happens without the help or oversight of the Navy.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}} The UNSC Navy is headquartered at [[Fleet Command Headquarters]] on [[Reach]].{{Ref/Novel|Id=CH2|CH|Chapter=2}}

[[File:HM SpaceBattle ColourAdjusted Small.jpg|thumb|250px|UNSC Navy frigates engaging Covenant warships in space.]]

*[[UNSC Naval Command|UNSC Navy Fleet Command]] (FLEETCOM) - Headed by the Secretary of Fleet Command{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/characters/dimah-tchakova|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Dimah Tchakova|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}} and directs the movement and tasking of naval squadrons and coordinates with UNICOM. FLEETCOM is responsible for the deployment of Navy warfighting assets and maximizing their combat efficacy.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}} Their direct deployment of the UNSC fleet sees them as the largest and most powerful of any NAVCOM grouping.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMNavy}}

*[[Naval Logistical Operations Command|UNSC Navy Logistical Operations Command]] (NAVLOGCOM) - Oversees the design, contracting and construction of Navy spacecraft alongside ensuring they are spaceworthy and supplied with parts, munitions, food and reaction mass.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}}

Navy spacecraft are assigned to [[fleet]]s, which are organized in one of two ways;

*Expeditionary fleets - Numbered fleets (e.g. [[Third Fleet]]) designed for offensive operations in deep space and centered around massive [[UNSC carrier|carriers]].{{Ref/Book|HWF|Page=40-41}} Expeditionary fleets were largely decimated during the early years of the Covenant War, and by the war's end had no appreciable differences with defensive fleets due to being unable to make any major offensives without leaving the Inner Colonies dangerously vulnerable.{{Ref/Book|Id=HFB9|Halo: Fleet Battles core rulebook|Page=9}}

*Defensive fleets - Named fleets (e.g. [[Epsilon Eridani Fleet]]) typically named after the star system in which they are based. Defense fleets were historically considered little more than revenue police, though the onset of the Covenant war saw these units take a valuable role in providing desperately-needed training cadres and battle-ready (if outdated) warships.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}}{{Ref/Reuse|HFB9}}

Fleets are assigned to numbered [[Sector]]s such as [[FLEETCOM Sector One]], contextually organized based on low-energy slipspace routes leading away from [[Earth]]. Special [[task force]]s may also be created without being assigned to a sector, and given responsibility for regions outside of these standard routes - designated as "lettered sectors".{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}} Fleets are comprised of numerous [[battle group]]s, flexible combat elements that can be "plugged together" into ad-hoc fighting forces depending on the immediate situation. [[Squadron]]s serve as administrative groupings of warships for record-keeping and honorific purposes.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}}

[[File:UNSC MC Logo.svg|thumb|250px|The UNSC Marine Corps' logo.]]

The UNSC Marine Corps is another senior service of the UNSC{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}}, and was formed alongside the Navy in 2163.{{Ref/Reuse|WPUNSC}}{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Marines|Enc22|Page=56-57}} The Marine Corps is the space infantry department of the UNSC, and works closely alongside the Navy to effect military action across human space.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} The administrative head of the Marine Corps is the [[Commandant of the Marine Corps]] (CMC), who serves as the Marine Corps' senior general and service representative on the UNSC Security Council and Unified Ground Command staff. The CMC is responsible for organising, planning and implementing all Marine Corps activities.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} The Marine Corps is headquartered at [[Fleet Command Headquarters]] on Reach.{{Ref/Reuse|CH2}}

The Marine Corps is responsible for maintaining an expeditionary force in readiness, which can seize and defend terrestrial and extraterrestrial strategic sites in advance of a larger main UNSC deployment. As such, the Marine Corps organizes, trains, equips and maintains planetary and space-based combined-arms teams capable of being rapidly deployed by the Air Force and Navy.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFMMarines|OSFM|Page=130-132}} They are the general-purpose combat force of the UNSC, and employ a wide range of personnel from [[Sniper|sharpshooters]] to [[combat engineer]]s to xenolinguists.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}} Marine Corps forces are under administrative control (ADCON) of [[Marine Corps Forces]] (MARFOR), which focuses on the ability to reorganize, train and direct a given unit's long-term activities. Operational control (OPCON) of combat forces is handed to one of two combatant commands; Naval Command (NAVCOM) and Unified Ground Command (UNICOM) - which provides the authority to conduct missions and delegate tasks, but not the ability to alter the internal organization of subordinate units.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}}

Marine Corps forces are unusual in that they may transition back and forth between combatant commands in combat zones, synchronized by [[Joint Deconfliction Team]]s. Marine Corps forces assigned to NAVCOM form a unit referred to as Fleet Marine Forces, under the operational control of [[UNSC Fleet Command|FLEETCOM]] command. Fleet Marine Forces include Marines assigned to shipboard and facility security, [[Naval boarding|boarding parties]] and most aerospace assets. Landing parties and expeditionary ground combat elements remain under the jurisdiction of NAVCOM, though this reading of the regulations is vehemently contested by UNICOM. Conversely, Marines conducting long-term planetary security missions, train-and-equip details and force augmentation for UNSC garrisons fall under UNICOM control.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}}

[[File:H3ODST Mombasa Marines Concept.png|250px|thumb|Marines and ODSTs on deployment in [[Mombasa]].]]

*Deployment of security detachments and organizations for service on Navy ships.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}}

*Development of doctrine, tactics, techniques and equipment for the rapid deployment and utilization of interstellar combat power.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}}

:{{*}}{{*}}{{*}} - [[Platoon]] - 40 Marines led by a [[Second Lieutenant]] or [[Staff Sergeant]] and deployed as a unit assigned to a [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}}

Marine [[Special operations (disambiguation)|special operations]] forces such as the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]] (ODSTs), [[UNSC Marine Corps Force Reconnaissance]] and other Marine special forces are typically deployed under the control of [[Naval Special Warfare Command]] (NAVSPECWARCOM).{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} The ODSTs maintain a number of specialized internal divisions to oversee special activities such as the [[ODST Special Purpose Forces]], containing the air assault units nicknamed "[[Bullfrogs]]" and the [[Special Tactics and Equipment Group]] (STEG), who oversee the [[Hellbringers]] - specialized ODST warfighters who oversee the usage and deployment of demolition charges, incendiary weapons, [[nuclear weapon]]s and thermobaric weapons.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22ODST|Enc22|Page=58-59}}

[[File:UNSC Army Logo.svg|thumb|250px|The UNSC Army's logo.]]

The UNSC Army is the primary terrestrial department of the UNSC, and provides the majority of the logistical support and [[UNSC Army Reserve|reservist soldiers]] who fight in ground campaigns.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Army|Enc22|Page=61}}{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFMArmy|OSFM|Page=133-135}} The Army is responsible for defense of UEG territorial holdings and the long-term occupation of enemy territories, and as such trains, organises, equips and maintains amphibious, land, and airborne forces for this mission.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMArmy}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} As such, while all Army soldiers are trained warfighters, in peacetime they also provide an invaluable force of engineers, technicians, builders and designers who perform public works and improve existing colonial infrastructure to support future UNSC deployments.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMArmy}}{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Army}} The Army also maintains its own [[UNSC Army Corps of Engineers|Corps of Engineers]] for performing some of the duties listed above{{Ref/Game|H5G|Edition=Limited Edition|[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Dossier]] - Holly Tanaka}}{{Ref/Comic|HE|Issue=17}}, alongside the [[UNSC Army Security Forces|Army Security Forces]] for the purpose of [[Military police|military policing]] - particularly among the [[Inner Colonies]]. Army Security Forces may be employed for the duties of colonial occupation, reconstruction oversight and even civilian law enforcement, or deployed into the [[Outer Colonies]] to assist [[CAA Marshals]] and UNSC peacekeeping forces in fighting against [[Insurrectionist]] elements, monitoring megacorporate activities and guarding critical infrastructure.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Army}}

[[File:UNSC AF Logo.svg|thumb|250px|The UNSC Air Force's logo.]]

The UNSC Air Force serves as the primary aerospace combat department of the UNSC. Contrary to their name, the Air Force does not simply operate aircraft within a planetary atmosphere, but instead focus on maintaining aerospace superiority over a given world via the use of unmanned drones, [[Space fighter|crewed aerospacecraft]] and [[orbital weapon platform]]s.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22AirForce|Enc22|Page=60}} The Air Force operates a network of quick rapid reaction squadrons on Earth and in the Inner Colonies, which are prepped and ready to deploy atmospheric fighter craft and military spaceplanes at a moment's notice. These strikecraft work alongside surveillance and weapons satellites to attrition an attack and assist Navy elements on station - this task saw the Air Force rack up a considerable kill ratio against Covenant invaders during the Great War despite their disadvantage in numbers and technology.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFMAirForce|OSFM|Page=136-138}} The Air Force's atmospheric forces are primarily comprised of unmanned drones such as the [[F-99 Wombat]] which are deployed in large numbers, though they are augmented by crewed multi-role craft such as [[GA-TL1 Longsword]] interceptors, [[F-41 Broadsword]] fighters and even [[B-65 Shortsword]] strategic bombers.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22AirForce}}

[[File:ONI Seal 1.png|thumb|250px|The Office of Naval Intelligence's logo.]]

The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI) is the preeminent intelligence service within the UEG.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFMONI|OSFM|Page=127-129}} The organisation is ostensibly and bureaucratically subordinate to the UNSC Navy, though in practice retains almost complete autonomy thanks to nearly a century of growth. This has seen ONI take over the duties of previously-independent agencies such as the [[Department of Colonial Security]] (DCS) to become the sole major intelligence organisation in human space. ONI is headed by the [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence]] (CINCONI), who is granted a seat on the UNSC Security Council. ONI remains closely-linked with the Navy in terms of administration and overall culture, though collaboration at the flag officer level is fraught with political peril and bureaucratic manoeuvring.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22ONI|Enc22|Page=63}}

[[File:Spartan Branch insignia.png|thumb|250px|The insignia of Spartan Operations.]]

===Mars Campaign===

In the most spectacular offensive since the start of the bloody tripartite war, UN command adopted a military strategy long-forgotten throughout the peace-dominated period prior to the outbreak of the Jovian Moons Campaign in 2160 - the "Blitzkrieg"-style lightning ground assault. After capturing both Frieden and Koslovic forces on Mars, the UN delivered the first space-deployed contingent of the newly-established [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marines]] in December of [[2163]] on a mission to crush communist infantry encampments in the basin of [[Argyre Planitia]], marking a turning-point in space warfare through dedicated deployments of Marine forces in ground assaults and ship-[[Naval boarding|boarding]] operations that would follow during the war.{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}}

===Interplanetary War===

[[2170]] saw the creation of the first multinational and multicolonial representation of democracy in outer space. Faced with concerns of overpopulation and starvation on Earth, consequently coupled with a looming destabilization of capitalist economy, the [[Unified Earth Government]]—up until then lacking concrete power—was formed into a full-fledged governing body in a time of cultural and military reconstruction.{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}}

In [[2362]], the first colony ship, the ''[[Odyssey]]'', was launched, beginning the period of human history later known as the ''[[Domus Diaspora]]''.{{Ref/Book|HM|Page=52}} This initial colonization effort was concentrated in the [[Epsilon Eridani system]], which would later become one of the centers of humanity's interstellar empire.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11p42|Enc11|Page=42}} Vast numbers of citizens and soldiers elected to travel to these new colonies, stabilizing the overpopulation problem on Earth and giving the military new tasks to handle. As the first colonists are stringently selected, the Inner Colonies eventually formed an elite society of the best physical and mental human specimens. A core ring of 210 Inner Colonies were not fully developed until the end of the 24th century.{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}}

[[File:HW-Red Team.jpg|thumb|right|250px|Spartan-II [[Red Team]] in MJOLNIR armor.]]

{{Main|Massacre of the Outer Colonies}}

[[File:HWG SecondBattleOfHarvest.png|thumb|250px|Admiral Cole's victory at Harvest.]]

By [[2552#October|October of 2552]], an estimated twenty-three billion civilians were killed since the dawn of the Human-Covenant War,<ref>'''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''', "[[Palace Hotel]]", ''page 358''</ref> and the Covenant haphazardly discovered the position of the human homeworld, Earth, and sent a [[Fleet of Sacred Consecration|preliminary task force]] there, believing it to be the location of the [[Installation 00|Ark]], an ancient Forerunner relic. They encountered staunch resistance, and were initially fended off as soon as more Covenant reinforcements continued to arrive in-system days and weeks after the [[Battle of Mombasa|initial invasion]].{{Ref/Film|Id=Oct20|Film=Halo Waypoint|Story=Ten Twenty|StoryLinkText=Ten Twenty}}{{Ref/Level|Id=H2Metro|H2|Metropolis}}{{Ref/Generic|Id=FTH|Heading=[[Halo Legendary Crate]]|Subheading=[[Halo Legendary Crate/Data Drops|Data Drop #2]]|Detail=[[:File:LC 002 Doc 1.jpg|First Twelve Hours]]}} Further complications arose from the political and religious crisis that emerged in the wake of a UNSC operation to [[Assassination of the Prophet of Regret|assassinate]] the [[Prophet of Regret]], and the [[Changing of the Guard|secession]] of the [[Sangheili]] from the hegemony, leading to the [[Great Schism]].{{Ref/Level|Id=deltahalo|H2|Delta Halo}}{{Ref/Reuse|gravemind}} Overnight, the Covenant was thrown into chaos.{{Ref/Level|Id=gravemind|H2|[[Gravemind (level)|Gravemind]]}} Nevertheless, by November, the forces loyal to the [[Prophet of Truth]] had already subjugated large parts of Africa since its arrival shortly after Regret's departure from Earth by attempting to excavate a long-buried [[Portal at Voi|large Forerunner structure]].{{Ref/Level|Id=H3RCoast|ODST|Coastal Highway}} Later, Truth took the majority of remaining Covenant loyalist fleets with him after he departed aboard the Forerunner [[keyship]] ''[[Anodyne Spirit]]'' for Earth.{{Ref/Novel|Novel=[[Halo: Broken Circle]] (Google Books)|Page=286|Quote=He has taken what is left of the Covenant fleets and is heading for the human world, Earth. He is seeking the Ark.|Quotee=[[G'torik 'Klemmee]]}} Upon their arrival in the [[Sol system]], the final Covenant fleets devastated much of the planet, mostly via [[orbital bombardment]], after routing the numerically-inferior [[UNSC Home Fleet|Home Fleet]] on November 17.{{Ref/Level|Id=Truthfleet|H3|Crow's Nest|Quote=The Prophet of Truth's ships breached the Lunar perimeter. Smashed what was left of the Home Fleet. Terrestrial casualties from the subsequent bombardment were... extreme.}} Only the [[Battle Group Victory|offensive]] led by [[Commander]] [[Miranda Keyes]] through the [[Portal at Voi|Forerunner portal]] uncovered in [[Africa]], and the help of the [[Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution|fleet]] prevented the eventual destruction of the UNSC and Earth itself.{{Ref/Level|Id=TheCovenant|H3|[[The Covenant (level)|The Covenant]]}}

The UNSC and [[Fleet of Retribution|their Sangheili allies]] launched a joint operation to destroy the Covenant once and for all at the Ark. Fighting against a [[Truth's fleet|massive Covenant fleet]] (3:1 numerical superiority in space), and even greater forces garrisoned on the Ark, the allies were able to stop Truth from firing the Halo Array.{{Ref/Level|Id=TheArk|H3|The Ark}} In addition, the Sangheili known as [[Thel 'Vadam|the Arbiter]] killed Truth, the Covenant's last remaining leader, while SPARTAN-117, leading the ground effort to destroy the Covenant's remaining forces, deactivated the Halo Array before the Halo installations could be fired.{{Ref/Reuse|TheCovenant}} On March 3, [[2553]], the Human-Covenant War officially ended in a victory for the UNSC and the Sangheili, but at a high price.{{Ref/Level|Id=halo3epilogue|H3|[[Epilogue (Halo 3)|Epilogue]]}} Most major military outposts, along with countless colonies had been destroyed. Earth, despite the loss of billions to orbital bombardment,{{Ref/Reuse|Id=Truthfleet}} remained battered but standing.  

Since 2553, the UNSC has engaged in an extensive period of reconstruction in order to restore stability to the shattered remnants of its territory. The UNSC has moved to reclaim those worlds that were not completely destroyed during the Human-Covenant War. Former colonies such as [[Eridanus II]],{{Ref/Map|H4|[[Skyline]]}} [[Meridian]] and [[Draco III]] were resettled and became strategic staging points for humanity's efforts to reunite its reach across space.<ref>'''Halo: New Blood''', ''pages 17-18'' (Google Play edition)</ref> New planets such as [[Oban]] have also been colonized for the purpose of resettling the countless millions of [[refugee]]s whose worlds were lost in the conflict. The UNSC also aimed to [[Salvaging|salvage]] any recoverable military assets lost during the war; paying companies such as [[Warner & Ives]] to [[Fetching|recover]] slipspace drives from derelict vessels, and buying scrap from clearing house auctions, such as those in [[New Tyne]] on the planet [[Venezia]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Fractures]]''', ''[[Into the Fire]], page 301''</ref> With the genocidal threat of the Covenant ended, the UNSC has employed some of its former species including [[Unggoy]] and [[Huragok]] in a limited capacity. The UNSC also maintains its earlier [[Treaty of 2552|peace treaty]] with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] under the leadership of [[Arbiter]] [[Thel 'Vadam]]. In [[2553]] the [[Joint Occupation Zone]]s were created and are now governed by both the UNSC and the Sangheili, with former colonies such as [[Carrow]] now hosting new citizens from both sides. The UNSC has also established outposts around the Halo Array and other such Forerunner installations, which they closely monitor with the Sangheili. However, tensions remain as insurrectionist movements have grown in strength, with worlds like [[Venezia]] and [[Gao]] effectively having seceded from the UEG as recently as 2553.<ref>''Halo: Glasslands''</ref><ref>''[[Halo: Last Light]]''</ref> In early 2553, the Office of Naval Intelligence began authorizing operations to sow dissent among the Sangheili, disregarding the alliance in the hopes of rendering them unable to fight should they become a threat again. These actions culminated in a [[Blooding Years|civil war]] between the Arbiter's forces and those who opposed the alliance with humanity.<ref>''Halo: The Thursday War''</ref>

[[File:Commissioning-1.jpg|thumb|left|200px|The commissioning of {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}.<ref>''[[The Commissioning]]''</ref>]]

===Created uprising===

{{Main|Created uprising}}

Already crippled by the Created and fleeing, the UNSC's flagship, {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, and several other ships were [[Battle for Installation 07|defeated]] by the [[Banished]] at [[Installation 07]] in [[2559]].{{Ref/Level|HI|[[Warship Gbraakon]]}} What remains of the UNSC is scattered across human space in disconnected pockets, without the ability to effect much change or communicate back to Earth.{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=17}}

By [[2589]], the former UNSC stronghold of [[Reach]] had been re-terraformed and resettled.{{Ref/Level|HR|[[Lone Wolf]]}}

[[File:Infinite Recruitment Poster.jpg|thumb|left|130px|A UNSC poster created for public consumption from [[2560]].]]

During the [[Development of Halo: Combat Evolved|development]] of ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]'', one working name for the UNSC was the UNSF - or United Nations Space Force.{{Ref/Twitter|joestaten|1010437502501572608|Joseph Staten|Quote=Now seems like the right time to bring up the fact that one of the working titles for the #Halo U.N.S.C. was the U.N.S.F. or “Space Force”. But we decided that sounded a little too sci-fi silly. #GoAirForce|D=10|M=05|Y=2023}}

File:Halo4UNSCLogoSpinAnimated.gif|The UNSC Logo used as ''Halo 4''{{'}}s loading screen.