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{{Era|H2|H3|HW|H3R|RE|FOR|TF|FS|GOO|CH|TCP|HE|LE|HGN|UP|ILB}}
{{Status|Canon}}
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<center>''This article describes about the intelligence branch of the UNSC. For the music, see [[The Office of Naval Intelligence (Song)]].''</center>
{{disambig header|the intelligence branch of the UNSC|the [[Halo 3: ODST]] track|The Office of Naval Intelligence (music)}}
{{Infobox Military Unit
{{Military infobox
|unit_name=Office of Naval Intelligence
|image=[[File:ONI Seal 1.png|100px]]<br>The [[Symbols of the Office of Naval Intelligence|Seal of the Office of Naval Intelligence]]
|image=[[File:ONI Seal 1.png|250px]]
[[File:SpartanAbduction.png|300px]]<br>ONI agents about to abduct [[Daisy-023]] for the SPARTAN-II program.
|dates= Unknown, probably after [[2164]]
|formed=[[2178]]{{Ref/Site|Id=universe|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/oni|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=ONI|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}
|country=  
|formed-title=Founded
|allegiance=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|affiliation=[[United Nations Space Command]]
|branch=[[UNSC Navy]]
|branch=[[UNSC Navy]]
|type= Intelligence Service
|type=Intelligence agency
|role= To provide intelligence for Naval forces.
|role=*Fleet observation and analysis
|size=
*Propaganda
|command_structure=
*Espionage
|garrison=
*Clandestine reconnaissance
|garrison_label=
*Advanced research
|nickname=
|size=''Semper Vigilans'' (Always Vigilant)<ref name="fs49">''[[Halo: First Strike]]'', p. 49</ref>
|patron=
|size-title=Motto
|motto= ''Semper Vigilans'' (Always Vigilant)<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', page 49</ref>
|nicknames=Spooks<ref>''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'', p. 18</ref>
|colors=
|battles=*[[Insurrection]]
|colors_label=
|march=
|mascot=
|anniversaries=
|equipment=
|equipment_label=
|battles=
*[[Insurrection]]
**[[Operation: KALEIDOSCOPE]]
**[[Operation: TREBUCHET]]
**[[Operation: TANGLEWOOD]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
**Many battles
*[[Great Schism]]
**[[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]]
*[[Post-Covenant War conflicts]]
|decorations=
|commanders=*[[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence]]
|battle_honours=
**[[Margaret Parangosky]] (25XX–255X)
|commanders=[[Admiral]] [[Margaret O. Parangosky]]
**[[Serin Osman]] (255X—){{Ref/SpOps|Id=Expendable|SpOps|Expendable}}
|notable_commanders=
}}
}}
{{Quote|no=two|Emile-A239|Kat-B320|q1=Kat, you read his file?|q2=Only the parts that weren't covered in black ink.|[[Catherine-B320]] remarks on ONIs censorship of [[SPARTAN-B312]]'s file.{{Ref/Level|HR|Noble Actual|Quote=I've seen your file. Even the parts the ONI censors didn't want me to|Quotee=Carter-A259}}}}


The '''Office of Naval Intelligence''', acronym '''ONI''' (pronounced as [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help:IPA_for_English /oʊni/]), is the intelligence service of the [[United Nations Space Command|UNSC]] [[UNSC Navy|Navy]]. Its formal name is the '''UNSC Military Intelligence Division'''.<ref>'''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]'''</ref>
The '''Office of Naval Intelligence''' ('''ONI''', commonly pronounced phonetically as [[Wikipedia:Help:IPA for English|/oʊni/]]) is the intelligence service of the [[UNSC Navy]]. Overtly, the agency is merely the information gathering and analysis division of the [[UNSC Naval Command]]. In reality, the operations of the Office of Naval Intelligence are far broader than simple intelligence gathering.{{Ref/Book|Id=enc67|Enc11|Page=67}}


==Introduction==
ONI has become known for their preeminent role in the acquisition and leveraging of military intelligence. The agency is widely known for using subterfuge, deception, and manipulation in defense of [[human]]ity in order to accomplish its goals. Additionally, the Office of Naval Intelligence employs numerous special projects, such as the [[SPARTAN programs]], [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|Project: MJOLNIR]], and the investigation of [[Forerunner]] sites—the most notable of which is [[Trevelyan]].{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}
The '''Office of Naval Intelligence''' is a division of the [[UNSC Navy]] that is responsible for UNSC&nbsp;SIGINT [signals intelligence],&nbsp;HUMINT [human intelligence], counter-espionage and propaganda.


Although it is under the jurisdiction of the Navy, ONI appears to report directly to [[HIGHCOM]]. It is responsible for intelligence matters across the UNSC. As such, ONI employs members of other military branches, and even civilians, to complete the Division's shadowy work.
==History==
The Office of Naval Intelligence was founded in [[2178]].{{Ref/Book|Id=vis229|H4EVG|Page=229}}{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}


Many of its functions and subdivisions, like the [[Beta-5 Division]] and the [[SPARTAN-III Program]], are enigmatic, and its personnel are regarded as mysteries by mainstream naval officers. ONI personnel, especially officers, are often referred to as "spooks". Agents appear to enjoy significant latitude in the discharge of their duties, often violating moral boundaries or acquiring vast amounts of UNSC resources to achieve their ends.
One of the earliest known projects undertaken by ONI was in [[2321]]. This project, dubbed [[ORION Project|ORION]], was an attempt to increase the effectiveness of [[Colonial Military Authority]] soldiers. However this initial run was eventually postponed.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/spartans|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spartans|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}


==Operations==
===Pre-Covenant war===
[[File:ONI emblem.jpg|thumb|Pre-[[Halo 3:ODST]] ONI symbol.]]
In [[2491]], the [[Carver Findings]] were released and ONI began to use it as their approach to the [[Insurrectionist]]s.{{Ref/Book|Enc09|Page=44}}
The '''Office of Naval Intelligence''' often operates independently of other [[UNSC]] branches. At times it contravenes the law and UNSC protocol to complete top-secret missions. It appears to have an unusually large amount of military equipment for an intelligence service, and has a strong fleet presence. The Office of Naval Intelligence possesses a 'destroyer'-class prowler Starship, the {{UNSCShip|Point of No Return}}, which is used as a command vessel and a secure conference location. ONI also maintains the UNSC's [[UNSC Prowler|Prowler]] fleet, a major source of [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] deployment intelligence, under the auspices of the [[UNSC Prowler Corps]]. ONI also manages field intelligence with units such as [[ONI Recon 111]] liaising with mainstream UNSC military units.<ref>'''[[Halo 3 Epsilon]]''', ''[[Tsavo Highway (level)|Tsavo Highway]]''</ref>


Intra-ONI dynamics are often strained with intense competition amongst its own personnel. Agents operate under heavy scrutiny with mistakes often leading to demotion or termination of employment.
In [[2517]], candidates for the new [[SPARTAN-II program|Generation II ORION Project]] were kidnapped and brought to [[Reach]] for training.{{Ref/Reuse|tforunknown}}
 
===Human-Covenant War===
{{Main|Human-Covenant War}}
In the first several months of the war, some ONI analysts believed the [[Covenant]] may have visited [[Earth]] in the past. Part of this was due to the meter and a half tall [[Unggoy]] the Covenant employed. As such, the Covenant received the nickname "LGM" or "Little Green Men".{{Ref/Novel|HSS|Chapter=1}}
 
Over the course of the war, ONI eliminated or gained control over most competing civilian and military espionage services.{{Ref/Book|Id=warfleetglossary|HWF|Section=Glossary|Page=90-92}}
 
By [[2552]], ONI was also known as the "UNSC Military Intelligence Division".<ref name="tforunknown">''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', Chapter ??</ref> Prior to the [[Battle for Earth|attack on Earth]] in that year, members of [[Blue Team]] reported to an ONI council.<ref>''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]'', [[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminal 15 - Unyielding]]</ref> Later during the [[Battle of Kenya]] of that year, [[ONI Recon 111]] helped provide intelligence in the field to UNSC forces.<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', campaign level, [[Tsavo Highway]]</ref>
 
===Postwar===
Following the war, the Office of Naval Intelligence had become the primary intelligence service of the UEG with nearly uncontested power in this field.{{Ref/Reuse|warfleetglossary}} ONI was also afforded a great deal of autonomy, due to its connections with the [[UNSC Security Council]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/unsc|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=UNSC|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}}
 
As of 2555, Admiral Margaret Parangosky was replaced with Admiral Serin Osman as Commander-in-Chief.<ref name="hitdpg67">''[[Halo: Hunters in the Dark]]'', p. 67</ref>
 
By [[2558]], ONI had a liaison with the [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] [[UNSC Security Committee|Security Committee]].<ref>''[[Halo: Escalation]]''</ref>
 
During the [[Created conflict]], ONI teams sanitized data on [[Earth]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/log-of-war|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Log of War|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}} As well, CINCONI Serin Osman went into hiding, along with [[Fleet Admiral]] [[Terrence Hood]].{{Ref/Anthology|HFra|Rossbach's World}}
 
==Role and operations==
{{Quote|no=two|q1=I know better than to trust you.|Macer|q2=We wouldn't be doing our job if people trusted us.|Locke|[[Jameson Locke]] and [[Talitha Macer]] discuss the nature of ONI.}}<ref name="nightfall2">''Halo: Nightfall'', Chapter 2</ref>
[[File:Nightfall - Hundley and Gaines.jpg|thumb|left|300px|Two ONI agents, LTJG [[Mason Hundley]] and LT [[Jordan Gaines]], on their mission in [[Sedra City]].]]
The Office of Naval Intelligence is responsible for UNSC [[Wikipedia:signals intelligence|signals intelligence]] (SIGINT), [[Wikipedia:Human intelligence (intelligence gathering)|human intelligence]] (HUMINT), [[Wikipedia:Counterintelligence|counter-espionage]], [[propaganda]], and top-secret research and development programs. The agency mostly operates independently of other UNSC branches, and at times it contravenes the law and UNSC protocol to complete top-secret missions. ONI's [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence|Commander-in-Chief]] (CINCONI), is [[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]], successor and protegé to [[Margaret Parangosky]].{{Ref/Reuse|Expendable}}
 
As it is responsible for intelligence matters across the UNSC, ONI employs members of other military branches, and even [[civilian]]s, to complete the division's shadowy work. Many of its functions and subdivisions, like the [[Beta-5 Division]] and the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] and [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-III]] programs, are enigmatic, and its personnel are regarded as mysteries by mainstream naval officers.<ref name="tfor18">''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', p. 18 (2001)</ref>
 
ONI is technically subordinate to the [[UNSC Naval Command]]. In practice, however, ONI's activities extend far beyond intelligence gathering, and often receives mandates and directives from [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] itself.<ref>''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''</ref> It is also not unheard of for ONI to operate without HIGHCOM's knowledge or official authorization, as was the case with [[Kilo-Five]]'s mission; indeed, CINCONI is often considered to hold significant power within the UNSC<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 44</ref>{{Ref/Reuse|mdic199}} and even the [[Unified Earth Government]] as a whole.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} All other competing intelligence services have been snuffed out long ago to ensure ONI's supremacy; according to the ONI AI [[Black-Box]], ''"...there are no rival agencies. We castrated them all. Left them cowering in our shadow"''.{{Ref/Novel|HGla|Chapter=17}}
 
ONI has an unusually large amount of military equipment for an intelligence service, and has a strong [[UNSC fleet|fleet]] presence. For example, ONI maintains joint control of the Navy's postwar [[flagship]], {{UNSCShip|Infinity}},<ref>''Halo: The Thursday War'', p. 46</ref> and holds considerable sway over her crew.{{Ref/Reuse|Expendable}} ONI also maintains the UNSC's [[prowler]] fleet, a major source of [[Covenant]] deployment intelligence, under the auspices of the [[UNSC Prowler Corps]]. The Office of Naval Intelligence possesses a stealth cruiser, {{UNSCShip|Point of No Return}}, which is used as a command vessel and a secure conference location. ONI also manages field intelligence with units such as [[ONI Recon 111]] liaising with mainstream UNSC military units.{{Ref/Level|H3|Tsavo Highway}}
 
ONI exerts virtually complete control over the flow of information across the territories under UEG control. Over the course of humanity's [[human colonies|colonial era]], a number of scattered alien artifacts built by a long-vanished civilization later to be known as the [[Forerunner]]s were discovered. ONI secretly concealed all of these findings and maintained a monopoly on [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] research into them;{{Ref/Book|Id=enc43|Enc09|Page=43}} any civilian scientists studying the artifacts would be drafted by ONI.<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions]]'', "[[From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal]]"</ref> In order to prevent information from leaking to the public, ONI is capable of initiating system-wide data purges which erase all information on a given subject. A noted example of this is [[Onyx]], originally surveyed as an ideal world for human settlement but erased from all UEG databases by ONI due to the alien technology discovered there.<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 124</ref>
 
==Divisions==
{{Quote|Is ONI one happy family? Oh, please. We've got four divisions, officially, and only one of them knows that we've actually got more than that. There's Section Two—made up of psyops and PR, who each kid themselves they're not like the other at all—which tells the lies; Section Zero, which thinks it spies on everyone else, tells lies to Section Two, and thinks it tells lies to Sections One and Three; Section One does stuff we can almost talk about, they interface with other branches; and Section Three does the stuff we can't talk about or else it would have to kill everyone in fascinating and groundbreaking new ways. Technically, [[Kilo-Five|you're]] not a numbered section at all. You're the praetorian guard for CINCONI, in a way, and we just call CINCONI's staff Core Four, although it's actually in [[Core 5|Core Five]] of [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6|Bravo-6]], and [[Department of Colonial Security|DCS]] reports directly to it. You'll note I didn't mention [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]], and that's because all ONI sections lie to HIGHCOM and tell it that it's the most powerful body on Earth, which generally works well at keeping the old buffers convinced that they make the decisions. Now, are you confused? I certainly hope so, because that's my mission.|[[Black-Box]], explaining the perceived structure of ONI to the rest of [[Kilo-Five]], and only partly joking<ref name="mdic199">''Halo: Mortal Dictata'', p. 199</ref>}}


==Sections==
===Section Zero===
===Section Zero===
The most secretive section, Section Zero's existence is not general knowledge outside ONI. Details of its role and operations are limited. Based on the records of an [[AI]] named [[Melissa (AI)|Melissa]], it is thought to be ONI Internal Affairs, charged with rooting out and eliminating illegal programs.<ref name="bees">'''[[I Love Bees]]'''</ref> It is very discreet in its work. The true nature and activities of Section Zero are highly classified and unknown outside the ONI command hierarchy. Zero is, essentially, an internal investigations division that polices other ONI activities. <ref name="pedia">'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]'''</ref>
{{Main|ONI Section Zero}}
Section Zero is ONI's Internal Affairs department, charged with rooting out and eliminating illegal programs.<ref name="bees">''[[I Love Bees]]''</ref> Section Zero is very discreet in its work; the true nature and activities of the division are highly classified and unknown outside the ONI command hierarchy.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} However, it appears that the other sections of ONI know Section Zero exists and while they are successful at deceiving Section Two, Sections One and Three are not as easily lied to and all three other sections are not easily spied on.{{Ref/Reuse|mdic199}}


This section has gained notoriety as the section that keeps and maintains sealed [[ORION Project|SPARTAN-I]] Program file archives, including [[Avery Johnson|Avery Johnson's]]. As Internal Affairs it enforces the rules and ensures standards are met. It is authorized to use lethal force in the course of its operations.
===Section One===
{{Main|ONI Section One}}
Section One is the proper intelligence-gathering branch of ONI. As such, the section's services are most often utilized by UNSC forces.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Its responsibilities include information gathering and codebreaking through military espionage.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} Information released by Section One includes evacuation notices for colony worlds and [[Covenant]] force deployments.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Section One is responsible for covering up all information on locations ONI wishes to keep hidden from the public eye, such as [[Onyx]].<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 48</ref>


===Section I===
===Section Two===
Section One is the main branch of ONI and the branch most often utilized by the [[UNSC]]. Information released by Section I includes evacuation notices for colony worlds and Covenant force deployments. <ref name="pedia"/>
{{Main|ONI Section Two}}
[[File:ONI PC.jpg|thumb|250px|[[Benjamin Giraud]] works with Section Two to make battlefield imagery appear less grotesque.]]
Section Two is the propaganda branch of ONI; they are also responsible for psychological operations.<ref name="mdic199">''Halo: Mortal Dictata'', p. 199</ref> Overtly, however, Section Two only deals with external communication and public morale.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} It handles communication between colonies to reduce the spread of rumors and information that would damage morale.<ref>''Halo: First Strike'', p. 98 (''"ONI Section Two had done a brilliant job of preserving the fiction that Earth forces held their own against the Covenant."'')</ref> It was responsible for releasing details of the SPARTAN-II program to the public to boost morale throughout [[Unified Earth Government|UEG]] territory.<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 46</ref> Once information about the Spartans was released to the public, Section Two had to maintain the Spartans' near-mythical status within the military by [[ONI Directive 930|listing those killed in action as MIA]]. It was believed that news of Spartan deaths would cripple the UNSC's already-flagging morale.{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Section Two is also responsible for broadcasting pre-recorded human carrier signals from various locations into [[slipspace]] to confuse Covenant triangulation technology, preventing them from discovering [[Earth]].<ref>''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]'', [[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]], Section Six: The Covenant War: The Cole Campaigns (2525-2532 CE)</ref>


===Section II===
===Section Three===
{{Main|ONI Section Three}}
Section Three is the top-secret projects division of ONI that oversees the various groups responsible for creating new innovations through the use of advanced alien technology.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}} It is responsible for the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] and [[SPARTAN-III program]]s and many other [[Wikipedia:Black operation|black operations]].{{Ref/Reuse|enc67}} Though a few of Section Three's programs are well-known and are widely celebrated for their success, the [[UNSC Marine Corps]] and top brass of the UNSC treat most with contempt. This is especially true of the Spartans, who are regarded as "freaks" by some humans. Though its overall purpose is unknown, Section Three's [[Beta-3 Division]] is known to analyze captured Covenant technology such as the [[Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet]].<ref>''Dr. Halsey's journal'', January 10, 2536 entry - third page</ref> In addition to performing black operations, Section Three's [[Beta-5 Division]] operates the SPARTAN-III program, which is kept secret from the majority of Section Three. This compartmentalization is designed to ensure secrecy and security. The [[Delta-6 Division]] has oversight of an unknown number of [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IVs]] in stealth operations, including counterinsurgency missions.<ref>[http://www.halowaypoint.com/en-US/halo4guide ''Halo 4 Interactive Guide'' (defunct)]</ref>


====Sub-divisions and ties====
*'''[[Materials Group]]''' is subgroup of Section Three, which is responsible for the development of advanced matériel. The group's most significant development is the Spartans' [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], as well as the prototype exoskeletons which preceded it. The Materials Group's HRUNTING team revived the exoskeleton project, leading to the development of the [[HRUNTING Mark III (B) Exoskeleton|Mark III [B] Cyclops]]. Later, the team merged with the YGGDRASIL project to create the [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark I Prototype Armor Defense System|Mark I prototype]] and [[HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System|Mark IX "Mantis" armor defense systems]]. Other developments include the [[XRP12 Combat Support Vehicle|XRP12 Gremlin]] and its [[X23 Non-Nuclear Electromagnetic Pulse Cannon|X23 EMP cannon]]; the [[XM4600 Zeus plasma munition howitzer|''Zeus''-class plasma cannon]];<ref>''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', p. 155</ref> and the planet-destroying [[NOVA bomb]].{{Citation needed}}
*'''Watershed Division''' is a group with ties to ONI. During the war, the Watershed Division produced over 2,000 units of the [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]], issued to the [[Spartan-III]]s. In post-war period it developed an upgrades for the first generation of MJOLNIR armor and a number of  [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor (GEN2)|MJOLNIR [GEN2]]] armor variants issued to a very short list of people with high levels of clearance to use such rare equipment.


[[File:ONI PC.jpg|thumb|A [[Photographer (character)|civilian contractor]] works with Section II to make battlefield imagery look less intimidating.]]
*'''[[Tip of the Shadow]]''': Tip of the Shadow is a sub-division of Section 3 dedicated with the recovery, analyzing, and decoding, of data that Section 3 is stuck with.
The propaganda branch of ONI. It handles communication between colonies to reduce the spread of rumors and information that would damage morale.<ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]''', page 98: ''ONI Section Two had done a brilliant job of preserving the fiction that [[Earth]] forces held their own against the Covenant.''</ref> It was responsible for releasing details of the [[SPARTAN-II program]] to the public to boost morale throughout the [[UNSC]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page 46</ref> Once information about the Spartans was released to the public, Section&nbsp;II had to maintain the Spartans' near-mythical status within the military by listing those killed in action as MIA. It was believed that news of Spartan deaths would cripple the UNSC's already-flagging morale. <ref name="pedia"/>


===Section III===
===Section Four===
The top-secret projects division of ONI. It is responsible for the SPARTAN-II project, the [[NOVA Bomb|NOVA project]], the [[MJOLNIR]] Program, and many other "black ops". <ref name="pedia"/> Though a few of Section III's programs are well known and celebrated for their success, the Marines and top brass of the UNSC treat most with contempt. This is especially true of the Spartans, who are regarded as "freaks" by&nbsp;some Humans. Beta-5 Division is the sub-cell of Section III that operates the [[SPARTAN-III]] project. <ref>'''[[Halo: First Strike]]'''</ref><ref name="ghosts">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'''</ref>The Spartan-III project was kept secret from the vast majority of Section III. This is not particularly unusual as Section III is a large division with numerous sub-cells. The division and compartmentalization is to ensure secrecy and security.
{{Main|ONI Section Four}}
Section Four is a clandestine survey group employed by ONI for the reconnaissance of new worlds, alongside conducting xenoarchaeology efforts. These efforts are used by ONI to claim new worlds for their own personal use, without oversight of the Unified Earth Government.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22P63|Enc22|Page=63}}


==UNSC Prowler Corps==
{{Clear}}
{{main|UNSC Prowler Corps}}


The ONI branch that handles the [[UNSC Prowler|Prowlers]] and its electronic intelligence gathering.<ref name="ghosts"/>
===Other===
In addition to the primary numbered sections, there are also a number of lesser-known or "theoretical" subdivisions within ONI.{{Ref/Reuse|universe}}


==ONI Signal Corps==
;[[Strategic Response Unit]]:
{{main|ONI Signal Corps}}
:A major decision-making body of three key individuals within ONI, conferring during major crises such as [[First Battle of Harvest|the onset]] of the [[Human-Covenant War]].<ref name="genesis">''Halo Wars: Genesis''</ref>
The Signal Corps is tasked with broadcasting radio signals in order to confuse [[Covenant Fleet]] and troop movements, diverting attention from UNSC Colonies that are evacuating.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050308074743/www.totalvideogames.com/pages/articles/?article_id=7042&page=3 TVG Chats To The ILoveBees Operator]</ref>


==Known ONI Personnel==
;[[ONI Signal Corps|Signal Corps]]:
{{scroll box
:The Signal Corps is tasked with broadcasting radio signals in order to confuse [[Covenant fleet]] and troop movements, diverting attention from [[Human colonies|UEG colonies]] that are evacuating.<ref>[http://web.archive.org/web/20050308074743/www.totalvideogames.com/pages/articles/?article_id=7042&page=3 TVG Chats To The ILoveBees Operator]</ref>
|content=*[[Admiral]] [[Margaret O. Parangosky]]
*[[Rear Admiral]] [[Ned Rich]]
*[[Captain]][[Gibson| Aaron G. Gibson]]
*[[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]]
*[[Colonel]] [[Herzog]]
*[[Commander (UNSC)|Commander]] [[Hadley]]
*[[Commander (UNSC)|Commander]] [[J. G. Ortega|Jerome G. Ortega]]
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Fhajad-084]]
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jack Hopper]]
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jilan al-Cygni]]
*[[Major]] [[Akio Watanabe]]
*[[Major]] [[Standish]]
*[[Captain]] [[Veronica Dare]] (Section l)
*[[Lieutenant]] [[Demos]]
*[[Lieutenant]] [[Elias Haverson]]
*[[Lieutenant]] [[Wagner]]
*[[Corporal]] [[Jason Morelli]]
*[[Codename: USUAL SUSPECTS]]
*[[Codename: SURGEON]] (Section III)
*[[Codename: COALMINER]]
*[[Kowalski]]
*[[Lawson]]
*[[Rani Sobeck]] (Section l)
*[[Corinthia Hansen]]
*[[Josh Smith]]
*[[John Smith|Dr. John Smith]] (Section III)
*[[Connor Brien]]
*[[Echo23023]]
*[[Mike44236]]
}}


==ONI Ships==
[[File:UNSC Aladdin - HQ.png|thumb|250px|The prowler {{UNSCShip|Aladdin}}.]]
*[[STARS]]
;[[UNSC Prowler Corps|Prowler Corps]]:
*{{Class|Calypso|Exfiltration Craft}} - Retired
:The Prowler Corps oversees the deployment of [[UNSC prowler|prowlers]] and their electronic intelligence gathering.<ref>''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx'', p. 326</ref>
*{{Class|Black Cat|Subprowler}}
*[[UNSC Prowler]]- Flagship
*{{Class|Chiroptera|Stealth Vessel}} - Retired
*[[Stealth Cruiser]]
*[[Unnamed Stealth Spacecraft]]


==ONI Facilities==
;[[Department of Colonial Security]]:
===Reach===
:A former branch of the [[Colonial Administration Authority]], the DCS was absorbed into ONI sometime after [[Margaret Parangosky]] achieved the rank of Captain the following the CAA's assimilation into the UNSC. The DCS operates intelligence-gathering agents within the colonies, and reports directly to CINCONI.{{Ref/Reuse|mdic199}}
{{main|Reach}}
*[[CASTLE Base]]
*[[ONI Medical Facility]]
*[[HIGHCOM Armory Omega]]
*[[Sword Base (Location)|Sword Base]]


===Onyx===
;[[Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department|REAP-X]] and [[Xeno-Materials Exploitation Group|XEG]]:
{{main|Onyx}}
:The Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department is tasked with developing advanced technologies from alien sources, both [[Covenant]] and [[Forerunner]].<ref name="Special Report">[http://us2.campaign-archive1.com/?u=8efbd7b88156ac5f6faed8b69&id=4fdccf0da5&e=7be5970a3b ''Mega Bloks'', Special Report: ONI REAP-X]</ref> They receive unlimited funding and resources and are unknown outside the Office of Naval Intelligence.{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}} The department was formed from many smaller groups created during the [[Human-Covenant War]]. Like the Materials Group, it helped disseminate new weapons and shield technologies to UNSC forces as the war neared its end by way of firms such as [[Misriah Armory]].{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}} Their activities include weapon development, technology research and analysis, reapplication of alien technology, vehicle development, and research into [[hard light]] technology.{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}} The REAP-X department's greatest breakthrough was the discovery of a working Forerunner [[slipspace drive]] used to complete the {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}, the post-war flagship of the UNSC Navy. The department utilizes many variants of standard military vehicles modified for special missions.{{Ref/Reuse|Special Report}}
*[[Zone 67]]
*[[Camp Currahee]]


===Earth===
;[[Physical and Technical Security Office]]
{{main|Earth}}
:Charged with the security of UNSC military bases and information depots.{{Ref/Game|Id=HI1|HI|Armor customization (Halo Infinite)|Armor Hall|Detail=Security - Helmet Description|Quote=Defending information depots and military sites remains a critical task for Spartans detached for assignment with ONI's Physical and Technical Security Office.}}
*[[Chawla Base]]<ref name="bees"/>
*[[HighCom Facility Bravo-6]]
*[[B5D]]
*[[ONI Alpha Site|Alpha Site]]


===Arcadia===
;[[ONI Security]]:
{{main|Arcadia (Planet)}}
:The main security force of the Office of Naval Intelligence, with personnel generally recruited from [[UNSC Army]] and [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine]] candidates.<ref name="Halo 4 page 34">''[[Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide]]'', p. 34</ref> A detachment of ONI Security was stationed on [[Ivanoff Station]] when it was [[Raid on Ivanoff Station|attacked]] by the [[Ur-Didact|Didact]].<ref>''Halo 4'', campaign level, [[Composer (level)|Composer]]</ref>
*[[ONI Base (Arcadia)|Unknown ONI facility]]
{{Clear}}


==ONI Units==
===Units===
*[[ONI Recon 111]]<ref>''[[Halo 3]]'', [[Tsavo Highway (Level)|Tsavo Highway]]</ref>
[[File:HM-K5-2.JPG|thumb|250px|Members of Kilo-Five preparing for the next mission.]]
*[[Black Team]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Broadside]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Ferrets]]
*[[Gray Team]]
*[[Kilo-Five]]
*[[Papa-10]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Locke's team]] {{C|disbanded}}
*[[ONI Recon 111]]
*[[ONI Assembly Team 56]]: An ONI construction team responsible for the construction of [[Ivanoff Station]].<ref>''[[Halo: Warfleet – An Illustrated Guide to the Spacecraft of Halo|Halo: Warfleet]]'', p. 34</ref>


===NavSpecWar===
====NavSpecWar====
{{main|UNSC Special Forces}}
{{main|UNSC Special Forces}}
*[[Beta-5 Division]]
*[[Beta-5 Division]]
*[[Spartan-II]]
*[[SPARTAN-II program]]
*[[Spartan-III|Spartan-III Battalion]]
*[[SPARTAN-III program]]
 
==Symbols and insignias==
{{Main|Symbols of the Office of Naval Intelligence}}
The agency's seal has many layers of meaning: superficially it is a stylized surveillance satellite, but it also represents a pyramid of knowledge with an all-seeing eye and an arrowhead directed to the heavens.<ref>''[[Halo Mythos]]'', p. 141</ref>
 
==Personnel==
{{Main|Category:Office of Naval Intelligence personnel|l1=ONI personnel}}
ONI personnel, especially officers, are often referred to as "spooks".{{Ref/Reuse|tfor18}} Many ONI agents enjoy significant latitude in the discharge of their duties, often violating legal and moral boundaries or acquiring vast amounts of UNSC resources to achieve their ends.<ref>''Halo: Evolutions'', "[[The Mona Lisa]]"</ref> Intra-ONI dynamics are often strained with intense competition amongst its own personnel. Agents operate under heavy scrutiny, with mistakes often leading to demotion or termination of employment.{{Citation needed}}
 
Notable individuals employed by ONI include the following:
<!--Only the most notable ONI personnel are to be listed in the following. A full personnel list can be accessed through the above category link.-->
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
*[[Admiral]] [[Margaret Parangosky]] — former CINCONI
*[[Admiral]] [[Serin Osman]] — current CINCONI as of 2558
*[[Vice Admiral]] [[Michael Stanforth]] — former head of Section Three; deceased
*[[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]] — former [[UNSC Army|Army]] liaison; deceased
*[[Black Team]] - A team of [[Spartan II]]'s that reported directly to [[ONI]]; All deceased
**[[Margaret-053]] (Black One)
**[[Roma-143]] (Black Two)
**[[Otto-031]] (Black Three)
**[[Victor-101]] (Black Four)
*[[Colonel]] [[Herzog]] — Section Zero operative; deceased
*[[Commander]] [[Michael Sullivan]] — Senior Communications Director
*[[Commander]] [[Maya Sankar]] — ONI agent; deceased
*[[Captain]] [[Damien Hogarth]] - ONI agent; "terminated" c. [[2558]]
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Fhajad-084]] — SPARTAN-II "washout", data analyst
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jilan al-Cygni]] — commanded operations during [[First Battle of Harvest|contact at Harvest]]
*[[Lieutenant Commander]] [[Jameson Locke]] — former operative; now a [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IV]]
*[[Major]] [[John Smith]] — led research into the [[Flood]] aboard ''[[Mona Lisa]]''
*[[Captain (Navy)|Captain]] [[Veronica Dare]] — Section One agent; participated in the [[Battle of Mombasa]]
*[[Lieutenant]] [[Elias Haverson]] — one of several survivors from the [[Battle of Installation 04]]; deceased
{{Col-2}}
*[[Codename: USUAL SUSPECTS]] — filed analysis on [[Preston Cole|Admiral Cole]]
*[[Codename: SURGEON]] — high-level Section Three operative
*[[Codename: COALMINER]] — SURGEON's colleague
*[[Rani Sobeck]] — Section One analyst
*[[Connor Brien]] — xenolinguistics expert; deceased
*[[Veta Lopis]] — Field agent and leader of a [[Ferret]] team comprising [[Ash-G099]], [[Olivia-G291]] and [[Mark-G313]]
 
'''Civilian consultants'''
*[[Benjamin Giraud]] - journalist and a war photographer who worked for Section Two; arrested
*[[Catherine Halsey|Doctor Catherine Halsey]] — known for her successful projects in Section Three; later disavowed by ONI
*[[Henry Glassman|Doctor Henry Glassman]] — astrophysicist and chief engineer aboard {{UNSCShip|Infinity}}
*[[Sandra Tillson|Doctor Sandra Tillson]] — researcher on ''[[Ivanoff Station]]''; deceased
*[[Melody Azikiwe]] - envoy of the [[UEG Diplomatic Corps]]
*[[Ellen Anders|Professor Ellen Anders]] — xenoarchaeologist drafted to serve aboard {{UNSCShip|Spirit of Fire}}
*[[Evan Phillips|Professor Evan Phillips]] — [[Sangheili]] expert and analyst
 
'''Mercenaries'''
*[[Ayit 'Sevi]] - a Sangheili mercenary
{{Col-end}}
 
===Field manuals===
ONI provides field manuals on a number of topics for use with its personnel.
*[[Field Operations Guide FM 90-10-140]]: This field guide has information on [[ODST]] and the systems and weaponry they use.
 
==Ships and vehicles==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
'''Ship types'''
*{{Class|Black Cat|subprowler}}
*{{Class|Calypso|exfiltration craft}} {{C|retired}}
*{{Class|Chiroptera|subprowler}} {{C|retired}}
*[[ONI prowler|Prowler]]
**{{Class|Point Blank|prowler}}
*[[Sloop]]
*[[U81 Condor]]
'''Individual ships'''
*''[[Beatrice]]'' {{C|formerly; destroyed}}
*''[[Han]]''
*''[[Long Time Coming]]'' {{C|destroyed}}
*''[[Turaco]]''
*[[ONI Acrisius|ONI ''Acrisius'']]
*[[ONI PRO-49776]]
*{{UNSCShip|Accra}} {{C|destroyed}}
*{{UNSCShip|Apocalypso}} {{C|destroyed}}
*{{UNSCShip|Applebee}} {{C|destroyed}}
*{{UNSCShip|Athens}}
{{Col-2}}
[[File:H5G-Argent Moon Approach.png|thumb|300px|''Argent Moon'' - ONI research and development station.]]
*{{UNSCShip|Circumference}} {{C|destroyed}}
*{{UNSCShip|Eclipse}}
*{{UNSCShip|Edge of Umbra}}
*{{UNSCShip|From the Ashes}}
*{{UNSCShip|Lark}} {{C|destroyed}}
*{{UNSCShip|Point of No Return}}
*{{UNSCShip|Port Stanley}}
*{{UNSCShip|Razor's Edge}}
*{{UNSCShip|Rubicon}} {{C|lost with all hands}}
*{{UNSCShip|Silberg}}
*{{UNSCShip|Song of the East}}
*{{UNSCShip|Taurokado}}
*{{UNSCShip|Tokyo Rules}}
*{{UNSCShip|Vacuna}} {{C|destroyed}}
*{{UNSCShip|Walk of Shame}}
*{{UNSCShip|Wink of an Eye}}
*{{UNSCShip|Witch Bucket}}
{{Col-end}}
 
===Vehicles===
The Office of Naval Intelligence maintains its own [[:Category:ONI vehicles|vehicles]] for use by its private security forces.
 
==Facilities==
[[File:H4-IvanoffStation-ScanScreen.jpg|thumb|250px|''[[Ivanoff Station]]'', an asteroid-based research facility near [[Installation 03]].]]
Many Office of Naval Intelligence facilities employ a very distinct style of architecture and design, which reflects the organization's role and field of work. Whereas the typical UNSC aesthetic favors a militaristic and utilitarian approach, ONI's structures are often monumental and imposing, covered in angular surfaces and sharp edges, resulting in an overall impression similar to a stealth aircraft, a motif also present in the ONI's [[ONI prowler|prowlers]]. The angled exteriors are contrasted by crisp, sterile interior spaces with cold-toned lighting and chiefly white surfaces as well as heavy use of glass and steel in larger spaces such as atriums. Examples of such architecture can be found in ONI's [[SWORD Base]], shaped like an upward-pointing wedge covered in metallic plating, the needle-like [[Olympic Tower]], as well as the enormous, cube-shaped [[ONI Alpha Site (location)|ONI Alpha Site]] in [[New Mombasa]].
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-2}}
;[[Algolis]]
*[[Weapons Research Facility T12A]] {{C|destroyed}}
 
;[[Arcadia]]
*[[Arcadia ONI facility|Unidentified ONI facility]] {{C|destroyed}}
 
;[[Beta Gabriel]]
*[[Fathom Station]] {{C|destroyed}}
 
;[[Carrow]]
*[[Gila Station]] {{C|destroyed}}
 
;[[Chi Ceti IV]]
*[[Damascus Materials Testing Facility]]
 
;[[Earth]]
*[[ONI Alpha Site (location)|Alpha Site]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Beta-5 Division Ordnance Testing Facility]]
*[[Chawla Base]]{{Ref/Reuse|bees}}
*[[HighCom Facility Bravo-6]]
*[[New Phoenix ONI facility]]
*[[Research Center Alpha]]
 
;[[Epsilon Eridani system]] [[Oort cloud]]
*[[Teller Station]]<ref name="FB">''[[Halo: Fleet Battles]]''</ref>
 
;[[Erebus VII]]
*[[Abandon|Unidentified research facility]]
 
;[[Installation 03]]
*[[Ivanoff Station]]
{{Col-2}}
;[[Installation 05]]
*[[Lisbon Station]]
 
;[[New Gangwon]]
*Unidentified weapons research facility
 
;[[Oban]]
*[[Operation: DAYBREAK]]
 
;[[Onyx]]
*[[Camp Currahee]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Zone 67]] {{C|destroyed}}
 
;[[Reach]]
*[[CASTLE Base]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[HIGHCOM Armory Omega]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Olympic Tower]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[ONI Medical Facility]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[SWORD Base]] {{C|destroyed}}
 
;[[Requiem]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Copernicus Base]] {{C|destroyed}}
*[[Galileo Base]] {{C|destroyed}}
 
;[[Sarcophagus]]
*ONI Research Facility Trevelyan
 
;Unknown location
*[[ONI Ilex Facility|Ilex Facility]]
*[[Midnight Facility]]
*''[[Argent Moon]]'' {{C|destroyed}}
{{Col-end}}


==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The Office of Naval Intelligence is a real life existing organization within the U.S. [[Navy]] established in 1882.
{{Linkbox|gallery=yes|gallerypage=Images of ONI personnel}}
*ONI's motto, "''Semper Vigilans''", is also the motto of the United States [[wikipedia:Civil Air Patrol|Civil Air Patrol]]. The phrase is Latin for "Always vigilant".
*In reality, the [[Wikipedia:Office of Naval Intelligence|Office of Naval Intelligence]] is an agency of the United States Navy that was established in 1882. There is also an Australian intelligence agency known as the [[Wikipedia:Office of National Intelligence|Office of National Intelligence]] that was established in 2018 and shares the same acronym.
*ONI's pre-''[[Halo 3: ODST]]'' insignia features the all-seeing eye, a nod to ONI's line of work.
*ONI's motto, "''Semper Vigilans''",{{Ref/Reuse|fs49}} is also the motto of the United States [[wikipedia:Civil Air Patrol|Civil Air Patrol]]. The phrase is Latin for "Always vigilant."
*"Oni" is also the name of one of Bungie's [[wikipedia:Oni (video game)|previous games]], which predates ''[[Halo: Combat Evolved]]''. It is also the name of an [[wikipedia:Oni (folklore)|ogre-like creature]] from Japanese mythology.
*''Halo: The Fall of Reach'' refers to ONI as the UNSC Military Intelligence Division.<ref>''Halo: The Fall of Reach'', page 19</ref> This name has never been mentioned in subsequent media, though the reference remains in the 2010 re-release of the book. Presumably, this is a production mistake rather than an alternate in-universe name; ONI had not yet been firmly integrated within canon so the Military Intelligence Division may have been a real-world working title for the group.
*The ONI insignia can be used as a multiplayer emblem in ''Halo 3: ODST''.
*ONI's pre-''Halo 3: ODST'' insignia features the [[Wikipedia:Eye of Providence|all-seeing eye]], a nod to ONI's line of work. The current symbol may also be interpreted as a stylized depiction of the eye motif.
*''[[wikipedia:Oni (video game)|Oni]]'' is the name of a [[Bungie]] third-person action game which predates ''Halo: Combat Evolved''. The game in turn is named for an [[wikipedia:Oni (folklore)|ogre-like creature]] from Japanese mythology.
*An official ''[[Halo Waypoint]]'' forum user known as {{Plain|[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_profile601146.aspx Catalog]}} (posing as the [[Catalog|entity of the same name]]) refers to the Office of Naval Intelligence as "[frumentarii]". The [[Wikipedia:Frumentarii|frumentarii]] were the secret service of the Roman Empire, reflecting ONI's position within the UNSC. Catalog also notes that it has infiltrated ONI data cores on several occasions.


==Gallery==
==Gallery==
<gallery>
<gallery>
File:SpartanAbduction.png|ONI Agents about to abduct a child for the SPARTAN-II Program.
File:H5 ONI Scout.png|A Scout Warthog in ONI black
File:H5G - ONI Wasp.png|A Wasp in ONI black
File:H5G-CFAcrisius.jpg|A Winter-class Prowler in ONI black
File:H5G-ONIMantis.png|A Mantis in ONI black
File:ONI emblem.png|An alternate ONI symbol
File:H4-SpartanOps-ONI.jpg|The ONI logo against a Forerunner-like background design
File:H5G Section 3.png|Section Three's logo
File:Halsey_Badge.jpg|[[Catherine Halsey|Dr. Halsey's]] ONI security badge
File:Homecoming_Agent_Concept.png|Concept art of an ONI agent from ''[[Halo Legends]]: [[Homecoming]]''
File:H4L - John 117 abduction 2.jpg|ONI agents abducting [[John-117]] into the SPARTAN-II program
File:Alphabase new 1.png|ONI's [[ONI Alpha Site (location)|Alpha Site]] in New Mombasa
File:Halo Reach - Sword Base 01.jpg|[[SWORD Base]] on Reach
File:The Olympic Tower 2.jpg|[[Olympic Tower]], ONI's Reach headquarters
File:H2A Terminals ONIHall.jpg|A hallway within an ONI facility
File:H2A Terminals - ONICouncil.jpg|[[Frederic-104]] and [[Linda-058]] before an ONI council
File:HtT MC-photo modifications-required.jpg|Benjamin Giraud's photo being altered by ONI Section II
</gallery>
</gallery>
==List of appearances==
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-3}}
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'' {{1st}}
**''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach#2010 bonus content|Adjunct]]''
*''[[Halo: The Flood]]''
**''[[Halo: The Flood#2010 bonus content|Adjunct]]''
*''[[Halo: First Strike]]''
**''[[Halo: First Strike#2010 bonus content|Adjunct]]''
*''[[i love bees]]''
*''[[Halo 2]]''
**''[[Conversations from the Universe]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''
*''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Uprising]]''
*''[[Halo 3]]''
*''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]''
*''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]''
*''[[Halo Wars: Genesis]]''
*''[[Halo Wars]]''
*''[[Halo: Helljumper]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST Pre-mission Evaluation]]''
*''[[Halo 3: ODST]]''
*''[[Halo Legends]]''
**''[[Homecoming]]''
**''[[Prototype]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Stomping on the Heels of a Fuss]]''
**''[[Dirt]]''
**''[[Headhunters]]''
**''[[The Mona Lisa]]''
**''[[The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole]]''
**''[[From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal]]''
{{Col-3}}
*''[[Halo: Blood Line]]''
*''[[Halo: Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Fall of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: Primordium]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Scanned]]''
*''[[Halo 4]]''
**''[[Spartan Ops]]''
*''[[Halo: Silentium]]''
*''[[Halo: Escalation]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
**''[[All Hail]]''
**''[[The Cost]]''
**''[[Hunt the Signal]]''
*''[[Halo: Spartan Strike]]''
*''[[Halo: Last Light]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Fractures]]''
**''[[Lessons Learned]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Breaking Strain]]''
**''[[A Necessary Truth]]''
**''[[Rossbach's World (story)|Rossbach's World]]''
{{Col-3}}
*''[[Halo: Smoke and Shadow]]''
*''[[Halo Wars 2]]''
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Legacy of Onyx]]''
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle Born]]''
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Meridian Divide]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo: Point of Light]]''
*''[[Halo: Divine Wind]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite: Memory Agent]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Outcasts]]''
*''[[Halo: Battle for the Blood-Moon]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Hippocratica]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Anvil Accord]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: The Machine Breaks]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Venezian Sonata]]''
{{Col-end}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources|2}}
 
==External Links==
*[[Wikipedia:Office of Naval Intelligence|United States Office of Naval Intelligence on Wikipedia]]
 


{{UNSC Services}}
{{United Nations Space Command}}


[[de:Office of Naval Intelligence]]
[[Category:Office of Naval Intelligence| ]]
[[ja:海軍情報局]]
[[Category:UNSC Armed Forces]]
[[Category:United Nations Space Command Defense Force]]

Latest revision as of 11:48, December 2, 2024

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This article is about the intelligence branch of the UNSC. For the Halo 3: ODST track, see The Office of Naval Intelligence (music).
Office of Naval Intelligence
ONI Seal 1.png
The Seal of the Office of Naval Intelligence

SpartanAbduction.png
ONI agents about to abduct Daisy-023 for the SPARTAN-II program.

Founded:

2178[1]

Affiliation:

United Nations Space Command

Branch:

UNSC Navy

Type:

Intelligence agency

Role:

  • Fleet observation and analysis
  • Propaganda
  • Espionage
  • Clandestine reconnaissance
  • Advanced research

Motto:

Semper Vigilans (Always Vigilant)[2]

Nicknames:

Spooks[3]

Engagements:

Commanders:

 

Emile-A239: "Kat, you read his file?"
Kat-B320: "Only the parts that weren't covered in black ink."
Catherine-B320 remarks on ONIs censorship of SPARTAN-B312's file.[5]

The Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI, commonly pronounced phonetically as /oʊni/) is the intelligence service of the UNSC Navy. Overtly, the agency is merely the information gathering and analysis division of the UNSC Naval Command. In reality, the operations of the Office of Naval Intelligence are far broader than simple intelligence gathering.[6]

ONI has become known for their preeminent role in the acquisition and leveraging of military intelligence. The agency is widely known for using subterfuge, deception, and manipulation in defense of humanity in order to accomplish its goals. Additionally, the Office of Naval Intelligence employs numerous special projects, such as the SPARTAN programs, Project: MJOLNIR, and the investigation of Forerunner sites—the most notable of which is Trevelyan.[1]

History[edit]

The Office of Naval Intelligence was founded in 2178.[7][1]

One of the earliest known projects undertaken by ONI was in 2321. This project, dubbed ORION, was an attempt to increase the effectiveness of Colonial Military Authority soldiers. However this initial run was eventually postponed.[8]

Pre-Covenant war[edit]

In 2491, the Carver Findings were released and ONI began to use it as their approach to the Insurrectionists.[9]

In 2517, candidates for the new Generation II ORION Project were kidnapped and brought to Reach for training.[10]

Human-Covenant War[edit]

Main article: Human-Covenant War

In the first several months of the war, some ONI analysts believed the Covenant may have visited Earth in the past. Part of this was due to the meter and a half tall Unggoy the Covenant employed. As such, the Covenant received the nickname "LGM" or "Little Green Men".[11]

Over the course of the war, ONI eliminated or gained control over most competing civilian and military espionage services.[12]

By 2552, ONI was also known as the "UNSC Military Intelligence Division".[10] Prior to the attack on Earth in that year, members of Blue Team reported to an ONI council.[13] Later during the Battle of Kenya of that year, ONI Recon 111 helped provide intelligence in the field to UNSC forces.[14]

Postwar[edit]

Following the war, the Office of Naval Intelligence had become the primary intelligence service of the UEG with nearly uncontested power in this field.[12] ONI was also afforded a great deal of autonomy, due to its connections with the UNSC Security Council.[15]

As of 2555, Admiral Margaret Parangosky was replaced with Admiral Serin Osman as Commander-in-Chief.[16]

By 2558, ONI had a liaison with the HIGHCOM Security Committee.[17]

During the Created conflict, ONI teams sanitized data on Earth.[18] As well, CINCONI Serin Osman went into hiding, along with Fleet Admiral Terrence Hood.[19]

Role and operations[edit]

Macer: "I know better than to trust you."
Locke: "We wouldn't be doing our job if people trusted us."
Jameson Locke and Talitha Macer discuss the nature of ONI.[20]
Halo: Nightfall screenshot
Two ONI agents, LTJG Mason Hundley and LT Jordan Gaines, on their mission in Sedra City.

The Office of Naval Intelligence is responsible for UNSC signals intelligence (SIGINT), human intelligence (HUMINT), counter-espionage, propaganda, and top-secret research and development programs. The agency mostly operates independently of other UNSC branches, and at times it contravenes the law and UNSC protocol to complete top-secret missions. ONI's Commander-in-Chief (CINCONI), is Admiral Serin Osman, successor and protegé to Margaret Parangosky.[4]

As it is responsible for intelligence matters across the UNSC, ONI employs members of other military branches, and even civilians, to complete the division's shadowy work. Many of its functions and subdivisions, like the Beta-5 Division and the SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III programs, are enigmatic, and its personnel are regarded as mysteries by mainstream naval officers.[21]

ONI is technically subordinate to the UNSC Naval Command. In practice, however, ONI's activities extend far beyond intelligence gathering, and often receives mandates and directives from HIGHCOM itself.[22] It is also not unheard of for ONI to operate without HIGHCOM's knowledge or official authorization, as was the case with Kilo-Five's mission; indeed, CINCONI is often considered to hold significant power within the UNSC[23][24] and even the Unified Earth Government as a whole.[1] All other competing intelligence services have been snuffed out long ago to ensure ONI's supremacy; according to the ONI AI Black-Box, "...there are no rival agencies. We castrated them all. Left them cowering in our shadow".[25]

ONI has an unusually large amount of military equipment for an intelligence service, and has a strong fleet presence. For example, ONI maintains joint control of the Navy's postwar flagship, UNSC Infinity,[26] and holds considerable sway over her crew.[4] ONI also maintains the UNSC's prowler fleet, a major source of Covenant deployment intelligence, under the auspices of the UNSC Prowler Corps. The Office of Naval Intelligence possesses a stealth cruiser, UNSC Point of No Return, which is used as a command vessel and a secure conference location. ONI also manages field intelligence with units such as ONI Recon 111 liaising with mainstream UNSC military units.[27]

ONI exerts virtually complete control over the flow of information across the territories under UEG control. Over the course of humanity's colonial era, a number of scattered alien artifacts built by a long-vanished civilization later to be known as the Forerunners were discovered. ONI secretly concealed all of these findings and maintained a monopoly on xenoarchaeological research into them;[28] any civilian scientists studying the artifacts would be drafted by ONI.[29] In order to prevent information from leaking to the public, ONI is capable of initiating system-wide data purges which erase all information on a given subject. A noted example of this is Onyx, originally surveyed as an ideal world for human settlement but erased from all UEG databases by ONI due to the alien technology discovered there.[30]

Divisions[edit]

"Is ONI one happy family? Oh, please. We've got four divisions, officially, and only one of them knows that we've actually got more than that. There's Section Two—made up of psyops and PR, who each kid themselves they're not like the other at all—which tells the lies; Section Zero, which thinks it spies on everyone else, tells lies to Section Two, and thinks it tells lies to Sections One and Three; Section One does stuff we can almost talk about, they interface with other branches; and Section Three does the stuff we can't talk about or else it would have to kill everyone in fascinating and groundbreaking new ways. Technically, you're not a numbered section at all. You're the praetorian guard for CINCONI, in a way, and we just call CINCONI's staff Core Four, although it's actually in Core Five of Bravo-6, and DCS reports directly to it. You'll note I didn't mention HIGHCOM, and that's because all ONI sections lie to HIGHCOM and tell it that it's the most powerful body on Earth, which generally works well at keeping the old buffers convinced that they make the decisions. Now, are you confused? I certainly hope so, because that's my mission."
Black-Box, explaining the perceived structure of ONI to the rest of Kilo-Five, and only partly joking[24]

Section Zero[edit]

Main article: ONI Section Zero

Section Zero is ONI's Internal Affairs department, charged with rooting out and eliminating illegal programs.[31] Section Zero is very discreet in its work; the true nature and activities of the division are highly classified and unknown outside the ONI command hierarchy.[6] However, it appears that the other sections of ONI know Section Zero exists and while they are successful at deceiving Section Two, Sections One and Three are not as easily lied to and all three other sections are not easily spied on.[24]

Section One[edit]

Main article: ONI Section One

Section One is the proper intelligence-gathering branch of ONI. As such, the section's services are most often utilized by UNSC forces.[6] Its responsibilities include information gathering and codebreaking through military espionage.[1] Information released by Section One includes evacuation notices for colony worlds and Covenant force deployments.[6] Section One is responsible for covering up all information on locations ONI wishes to keep hidden from the public eye, such as Onyx.[32]

Section Two[edit]

Main article: ONI Section Two
Benjamin Giraud working to propagandise a battle scene.
Benjamin Giraud works with Section Two to make battlefield imagery appear less grotesque.

Section Two is the propaganda branch of ONI; they are also responsible for psychological operations.[24] Overtly, however, Section Two only deals with external communication and public morale.[1] It handles communication between colonies to reduce the spread of rumors and information that would damage morale.[33] It was responsible for releasing details of the SPARTAN-II program to the public to boost morale throughout UEG territory.[34] Once information about the Spartans was released to the public, Section Two had to maintain the Spartans' near-mythical status within the military by listing those killed in action as MIA. It was believed that news of Spartan deaths would cripple the UNSC's already-flagging morale.[6] Section Two is also responsible for broadcasting pre-recorded human carrier signals from various locations into slipspace to confuse Covenant triangulation technology, preventing them from discovering Earth.[35]

Section Three[edit]

Main article: ONI Section Three

Section Three is the top-secret projects division of ONI that oversees the various groups responsible for creating new innovations through the use of advanced alien technology.[1] It is responsible for the SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III programs and many other black operations.[6] Though a few of Section Three's programs are well-known and are widely celebrated for their success, the UNSC Marine Corps and top brass of the UNSC treat most with contempt. This is especially true of the Spartans, who are regarded as "freaks" by some humans. Though its overall purpose is unknown, Section Three's Beta-3 Division is known to analyze captured Covenant technology such as the Kig-Yar point defense gauntlet.[36] In addition to performing black operations, Section Three's Beta-5 Division operates the SPARTAN-III program, which is kept secret from the majority of Section Three. This compartmentalization is designed to ensure secrecy and security. The Delta-6 Division has oversight of an unknown number of SPARTAN-IVs in stealth operations, including counterinsurgency missions.[37]

Sub-divisions and ties[edit]

  • Tip of the Shadow: Tip of the Shadow is a sub-division of Section 3 dedicated with the recovery, analyzing, and decoding, of data that Section 3 is stuck with.

Section Four[edit]

Main article: ONI Section Four

Section Four is a clandestine survey group employed by ONI for the reconnaissance of new worlds, alongside conducting xenoarchaeology efforts. These efforts are used by ONI to claim new worlds for their own personal use, without oversight of the Unified Earth Government.[39]

Other[edit]

In addition to the primary numbered sections, there are also a number of lesser-known or "theoretical" subdivisions within ONI.[1]

Strategic Response Unit
A major decision-making body of three key individuals within ONI, conferring during major crises such as the onset of the Human-Covenant War.[40]
Signal Corps
The Signal Corps is tasked with broadcasting radio signals in order to confuse Covenant fleet and troop movements, diverting attention from UEG colonies that are evacuating.[41]
The prowler UNSC Aladdin.
Prowler Corps
The Prowler Corps oversees the deployment of prowlers and their electronic intelligence gathering.[42]
Department of Colonial Security
A former branch of the Colonial Administration Authority, the DCS was absorbed into ONI sometime after Margaret Parangosky achieved the rank of Captain the following the CAA's assimilation into the UNSC. The DCS operates intelligence-gathering agents within the colonies, and reports directly to CINCONI.[24]
REAP-X and XEG
The Reverse Engineering and Prototyping–Xenotechnology department is tasked with developing advanced technologies from alien sources, both Covenant and Forerunner.[43] They receive unlimited funding and resources and are unknown outside the Office of Naval Intelligence.[43] The department was formed from many smaller groups created during the Human-Covenant War. Like the Materials Group, it helped disseminate new weapons and shield technologies to UNSC forces as the war neared its end by way of firms such as Misriah Armory.[43] Their activities include weapon development, technology research and analysis, reapplication of alien technology, vehicle development, and research into hard light technology.[43] The REAP-X department's greatest breakthrough was the discovery of a working Forerunner slipspace drive used to complete the UNSC Infinity, the post-war flagship of the UNSC Navy. The department utilizes many variants of standard military vehicles modified for special missions.[43]
Physical and Technical Security Office
Charged with the security of UNSC military bases and information depots.[44]
ONI Security
The main security force of the Office of Naval Intelligence, with personnel generally recruited from UNSC Army and Marine candidates.[45] A detachment of ONI Security was stationed on Ivanoff Station when it was attacked by the Didact.[46]

Units[edit]

Members of Kilo-Five preparing for the next mission.

NavSpecWar[edit]

Main article: UNSC Special Forces

Symbols and insignias[edit]

Main article: Symbols of the Office of Naval Intelligence

The agency's seal has many layers of meaning: superficially it is a stylized surveillance satellite, but it also represents a pyramid of knowledge with an all-seeing eye and an arrowhead directed to the heavens.[48]

Personnel[edit]

Main article: ONI personnel

ONI personnel, especially officers, are often referred to as "spooks".[21] Many ONI agents enjoy significant latitude in the discharge of their duties, often violating legal and moral boundaries or acquiring vast amounts of UNSC resources to achieve their ends.[49] Intra-ONI dynamics are often strained with intense competition amongst its own personnel. Agents operate under heavy scrutiny, with mistakes often leading to demotion or termination of employment.[citation needed]

Notable individuals employed by ONI include the following:

Civilian consultants

Mercenaries

Field manuals[edit]

ONI provides field manuals on a number of topics for use with its personnel.

Ships and vehicles[edit]

Vehicles[edit]

The Office of Naval Intelligence maintains its own vehicles for use by its private security forces.

Facilities[edit]

Ivanoff Station, an asteroid-based research facility near Installation 03.

Many Office of Naval Intelligence facilities employ a very distinct style of architecture and design, which reflects the organization's role and field of work. Whereas the typical UNSC aesthetic favors a militaristic and utilitarian approach, ONI's structures are often monumental and imposing, covered in angular surfaces and sharp edges, resulting in an overall impression similar to a stealth aircraft, a motif also present in the ONI's prowlers. The angled exteriors are contrasted by crisp, sterile interior spaces with cold-toned lighting and chiefly white surfaces as well as heavy use of glass and steel in larger spaces such as atriums. Examples of such architecture can be found in ONI's SWORD Base, shaped like an upward-pointing wedge covered in metallic plating, the needle-like Olympic Tower, as well as the enormous, cube-shaped ONI Alpha Site in New Mombasa.

Algolis
Arcadia
Beta Gabriel
Carrow
Chi Ceti IV
Earth
Epsilon Eridani system Oort cloud
Erebus VII
Installation 03
Installation 05
New Gangwon
  • Unidentified weapons research facility
Oban
Onyx
Reach
Requiem (destroyed)
Sarcophagus
  • ONI Research Facility Trevelyan
Unknown location

Trivia[edit]

  • In reality, the Office of Naval Intelligence is an agency of the United States Navy that was established in 1882. There is also an Australian intelligence agency known as the Office of National Intelligence that was established in 2018 and shares the same acronym.
  • ONI's motto, "Semper Vigilans",[2] is also the motto of the United States Civil Air Patrol. The phrase is Latin for "Always vigilant."
  • Halo: The Fall of Reach refers to ONI as the UNSC Military Intelligence Division.[51] This name has never been mentioned in subsequent media, though the reference remains in the 2010 re-release of the book. Presumably, this is a production mistake rather than an alternate in-universe name; ONI had not yet been firmly integrated within canon so the Military Intelligence Division may have been a real-world working title for the group.
  • ONI's pre-Halo 3: ODST insignia features the all-seeing eye, a nod to ONI's line of work. The current symbol may also be interpreted as a stylized depiction of the eye motif.
  • Oni is the name of a Bungie third-person action game which predates Halo: Combat Evolved. The game in turn is named for an ogre-like creature from Japanese mythology.
  • An official Halo Waypoint forum user known as Catalog (posing as the entity of the same name) refers to the Office of Naval Intelligence as "[frumentarii]". The frumentarii were the secret service of the Roman Empire, reflecting ONI's position within the UNSC. Catalog also notes that it has infiltrated ONI data cores on several occasions.

Gallery[edit]

List of appearances[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h Halo Waypoint, ONI (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  2. ^ a b Halo: First Strike, p. 49
  3. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, p. 18
  4. ^ a b c Halo 4 - Spartan Ops, episode SpOps, level Expendable
  5. ^ Halo: Reach, campaign level Noble Actual: "I've seen your file. Even the parts the ONI censors didn't want me to" - Carter-A259
  6. ^ a b c d e f Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 67
  7. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, page 229
  8. ^ Halo Waypoint, Spartans (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  9. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 44
  10. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach, Chapter ??
  11. ^ Halo: Silent Storm, chapter 1
  12. ^ a b Halo: Warfleet - Glossary, page 90-92
  13. ^ Halo 2: Anniversary, Terminal 15 - Unyielding
  14. ^ Halo 3, campaign level, Tsavo Highway
  15. ^ Halo Waypoint, UNSC (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  16. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, p. 67
  17. ^ Halo: Escalation
  18. ^ Halo Waypoint, Canon Fodder - Log of War (Retrieved on Jun 30, 2021) [archive]
  19. ^ Halo: Fractures - Rossbach's World
  20. ^ Halo: Nightfall, Chapter 2
  21. ^ a b Halo: The Fall of Reach, p. 18 (2001)
  22. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)
  23. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, p. 44
  24. ^ a b c d e Halo: Mortal Dictata, p. 199
  25. ^ Halo: Glasslands, chapter 17
  26. ^ Halo: The Thursday War, p. 46
  27. ^ Halo 3, campaign level Tsavo Highway
  28. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 43
  29. ^ Halo: Evolutions, "From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal"
  30. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, p. 124
  31. ^ a b I Love Bees
  32. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, p. 48
  33. ^ Halo: First Strike, p. 98 ("ONI Section Two had done a brilliant job of preserving the fiction that Earth forces held their own against the Covenant.")
  34. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, p. 46
  35. ^ Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe, The Impossible Life and the Possible Death of Preston J. Cole, Section Six: The Covenant War: The Cole Campaigns (2525-2532 CE)
  36. ^ Dr. Halsey's journal, January 10, 2536 entry - third page
  37. ^ Halo 4 Interactive Guide (defunct)
  38. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, p. 155
  39. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 63
  40. ^ Halo Wars: Genesis
  41. ^ TVG Chats To The ILoveBees Operator
  42. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, p. 326
  43. ^ a b c d e Mega Bloks, Special Report: ONI REAP-X
  44. ^ Halo Infinite, Armor Hall: Security - Helmet Description "Defending information depots and military sites remains a critical task for Spartans detached for assignment with ONI's Physical and Technical Security Office."
  45. ^ Halo 4: The Essential Visual Guide, p. 34
  46. ^ Halo 4, campaign level, Composer
  47. ^ Halo: Warfleet, p. 34
  48. ^ Halo Mythos, p. 141
  49. ^ Halo: Evolutions, "The Mona Lisa"
  50. ^ Halo: Fleet Battles
  51. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 19