United Nations Space Command: Difference between revisions
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{{Quote|Per Mare, Per Terras, Per Constellatum.|Motto <small>([[Latin]] for ''"Through Sea, Through Land, Through the Stars."'')</small><ref name="spartan ops">'''[[Halo 4]]''', ''[[Spartan Ops]]''</ref><ref>[[:File:Colonial Militia logo.jpg|Colonial Militia emblem from licensed ''Halo'' products]]</ref>}} | {{Quote|Per Mare, Per Terras, Per Constellatum.|Motto <small>([[Latin]] for ''"Through Sea, Through Land, Through the Stars."'')</small><ref name="spartan ops">'''[[Halo 4]]''', ''[[Spartan Ops]]''</ref><ref>[[:File:Colonial Militia logo.jpg|Colonial Militia emblem from licensed ''Halo'' products]]</ref>}} | ||
The '''United Nations Space Command''' ('''UNSC''') is the military, exploratory, and scientific agency of the [[Unified Earth Government|Unified Earth Government (UEG)]] and has acted as the emergency governing body of the [[human]] race at large for a time.<ref name="McLees">[http://halostory.bungie.org/oconnor_mclees_080508.html '''Halo.bungie.org''': ''Interview with Frank O'Connor and Robert McLees'']</ref> The UNSC was formed in the 22nd century, a time when remnants of old cultural ideologies clashed for supremacy in the [[Sol System]]. The UNSC served mainly as overseer of [[United Nations]] military operations in space. After initiating massive militarization [[propaganda]] throughout its off-world colonies, through the UNSC, the UN defeated [[Frieden]] and [[Koslovic]] insurgent forces in a conflict known as the [[Interplanetary War]], which consisted of several side-battles that took place on [[Mars]], the [[Jovian Moons]] and the [[South America]]n rainforests. Although the Interplanetary War brought a great deal of suffering to both the colonial population and the residents of Earth, it also united most of humanity's military forces by the end of the 22nd century. | The '''United Nations Space Command''' ('''UNSC''') is the military, exploratory, and scientific agency of the [[Unified Earth Government|Unified Earth Government (UEG)]] and has acted as the emergency governing body of the [[human]] race at large for a time.<ref name="McLees">[http://halostory.bungie.org/oconnor_mclees_080508.html '''Halo.bungie.org''': ''Interview with Frank O'Connor and Robert McLees'']</ref> The UNSC was formed in the 22nd century, a time when remnants of old cultural ideologies clashed for supremacy in the [[Sol System]]. The UNSC served mainly as overseer of [[United Nations]] military operations in space. After initiating massive militarization [[propaganda]] throughout its off-world colonies, through the UNSC, the UN defeated [[Frieden]] and [[Koslovic]] insurgent forces in a conflict known as the [[Interplanetary War]], which consisted of several side-battles that took place on [[Mars]], the [[Jovian Moons]] and the [[South America]]n rainforests. Although the Interplanetary War brought a great deal of suffering to both the colonial population and the residents of Earth, it also united most of humanity's military forces by the end of the 22nd century.{{Ref/Site|Id=xbox|URL=http://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/h/halo/storyline.htm|Site=Xbox.com|Page=Halo Storyline|D=24|M=04|Y=2008|LocalArchive=Archive:Xbox.com/Halo/Timeline}} | ||
Prior to the [[Covenant]] [[First Battle of Harvest|attack]] on [[Harvest]] in [[2525]],{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}} the UNSC was stretched across [[Human colonies|human space]]. The most urgent concern was to contain the spread of the [[Insurrectionist]]s, a violent resistance movement consisting of colonists who wanted independence from the Unified Earth Government. The UNSC fought constant battles in a loosely-defined civil war known as the [[Insurrection]]. In an attempt to help end the long-running war, the UEG commissioned the [[ORION Project]] and later the [[SPARTAN-II program]], which created elite supersoldiers to combat the Insurrectionists. When the [[Human-Covenant War]] began and the alien invaders began destroying the [[Outer Colonies]], these Spartans became humanity's best hope against the technological superiority of the hegemony. When the war began, the UNSC, which had been mired in controversy, became humanity's greatest protector. This allowed the UNSC to override civilian rule and establish itself as humanity's primary government. Although the Unified Earth Government was more open to step down, the [[Colonial Administration Authority]], the arm of the UEG ruling over the colonies, resisted the UNSC's rise to power, and was stripped of its influence.{{Ref/Reuse|McLees}} | Prior to the [[Covenant]] [[First Battle of Harvest|attack]] on [[Harvest]] in [[2525]],{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}} the UNSC was stretched across [[Human colonies|human space]]. The most urgent concern was to contain the spread of the [[Insurrectionist]]s, a violent resistance movement consisting of colonists who wanted independence from the Unified Earth Government. The UNSC fought constant battles in a loosely-defined civil war known as the [[Insurrection]]. In an attempt to help end the long-running war, the UEG commissioned the [[ORION Project]] and later the [[SPARTAN-II program]], which created elite supersoldiers to combat the Insurrectionists. When the [[Human-Covenant War]] began and the alien invaders began destroying the [[Outer Colonies]], these Spartans became humanity's best hope against the technological superiority of the hegemony. When the war began, the UNSC, which had been mired in controversy, became humanity's greatest protector. This allowed the UNSC to override civilian rule and establish itself as humanity's primary government. Although the Unified Earth Government was more open to step down, the [[Colonial Administration Authority]], the arm of the UEG ruling over the colonies, resisted the UNSC's rise to power, and was stripped of its influence.{{Ref/Reuse|McLees}} | ||
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==Mission== | ==Mission== | ||
Though the official UNSC mission statement has been amended since it was established in [[2163]], | [[File:HW2_MarineDeployment_Concept.png|thumb|250px|A UNSC unit preparing to conduct a mass-deployment.]] | ||
Though the official UNSC mission statement has been amended since it was established in [[2163]],{{Ref/Book|Id=osfm2|OSFM|Section=8: UNSC Organization}} the UNSC's statement of function can be summarized in two points: | |||
*Uphold and advance the policies of the [[Unified Earth Government]].{{Ref/Reuse|osfm2}} | *Uphold and advance the policies of the [[Unified Earth Government]].{{Ref/Reuse|osfm2}} | ||
*Ensure the safety and security of Unified Earth Government territories, possessions, and areas vital to its interests.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm2}} | *Ensure the safety and security of Unified Earth Government territories, possessions, and areas vital to its interests.{{Ref/Reuse|osfm2}} | ||
During the [[Human-Covenant War]], notably during the [[Siege of the Inner Colonies|later years]], the UNSC's purpose was to protect [[humanity]] and ensure the survival of the human species.{{ | During the [[Human-Covenant War]], notably during the [[Siege of the Inner Colonies|later years]], the UNSC's purpose was to protect [[humanity]] and ensure the survival of the human species. | ||
==Structure== | |||
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 authorised 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}} | |||
Despite the official status of the UNSC as subordinate to the UEG, the [[Massacre of the Outer Colonies]] in the war with the Covenant saw substantial authority handed from the government to the UNSC - with the military granted substantial emergency powers and martial law declared for the duration of the conflict. Civilian governance was formally restored in [[2553]] following the war's end, though this process considerably eroded the institutions of government and as such the UNSC retains a wide latitude of operational freedom regarding interactions with surviving colonies and affairs on Earth. This has led to a mass public sentiment that the UNSC is a military government, with the UEG in practice merely acting as its public relations arm.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} The UNSC is additionally bound by the laws of the [[UNSC colonial charter]], a document written to provide a set of regulations regarding military colonial governance.{{Ref/Novel|CH|Chapter=15}} | |||
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 organisations 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}} | |||
Overall, HIGHCOM ensures that the UNSC's component branches work in close coordination, with very few "turf wars" over resources or responsibilities.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} | |||
===Combatant commands=== | |||
The UNSC is divided into two primary combatant commands - [[UNSC Naval Command|Naval Command]] (NAVCOM) and [[Unified Ground Command]] (UNICOM). The former controls all space-based assets and operations, while the latter focuses on terrestrial and close-orbit missions.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFMCommands|OSFM|Page=122-123}} NAVCOM has administrative control over the Navy{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}} and its officers alongside select Marine Corps units.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} UNICOM has operational authority over UNSC Army{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Army}} and Air Force deployments and some Marine units{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}}, and work alongside the Navy to coordinate [[Orbital bombardment|orbital fire support]] missions and in-atmosphere support.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}} | |||
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 organised into [[task force]]s that contain ground, air and maritime combat assets.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMCommands}} | |||
==Military departments== | |||
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 recognised and defined in UEG law, while the [[Spartan Operations]] division is a "continuing organisation" 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 organisation that is bureaucratically a subordinate service of the Navy and not recognised 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 organisations 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}} | |||
The military departments themselves are broken down into two major groupings; the '''UNSC Defense Force''' (UNSCDF) and the UNSCEF (presumably standing for something akin to '''UNSC Expeditionary Force'''). The former administers defensive assets of the UNSC and encompasses the Army and Air Force{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halostory.bungie.org/oconnor_mclees_080508.html|Site=halo.bungie.org|Page=Frank O'Connor/Robt McLees Interview - August 2008|D=18|M=04|Y=2022}}, while the latter includes Naval and Marine Corps forces. It is unclear whether the UNSCDF and UNSCEF have any relation to NAVCOM and UNICOM. | |||
===Navy=== | |||
[[File:UNSC-Navy-logo1.png|thumb|right|250px|The UNSC Navy's logo.]] | |||
{{Main|UNSC Navy}} | |||
{{Quote|Provide naval forces to ensure freedom of access for aerospace and terrestrial operations.|The Navy's official mission statement.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMNavy}}}} | |||
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 [[Commander-in-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, organises and equips space forces to establish local naval 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}} | |||
The Navy's collateral functions include; | |||
*Interstellar transportation of UNSC combat assets.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMNavy}} | |||
*Development of doctrine, procedures and equipment that are of common interest to the Air Force and Marine Corps.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMNavy}} | |||
*Providing forces for joint aerospace and terrestrial operations, in accordance with UNSC doctrine.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMNavy}} | |||
*Coordinating with UEG civil agencies for the establishment and maintenance of naval depots and orbital yards.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMNavy}} | |||
*Establishment of emergency military government in designated crisis areas.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMNavy}} | |||
[[File:HM_SpaceBattle_ColourAdjusted_Small.jpg|thumb|right|250px|UNSC Navy frigates engaging Covenant warships in space.]] | |||
The Navy has a dual chain of command; administratively, Navy personnel report to NAVCOM while operationally they report to their assigned Task Command. There are three Task Commands under NAVCOM; | |||
*[[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 maximising 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}} | |||
*[[Logistical Operations Command|UNSC Navy Logistical Operations Command]] (NAVLOGCOM) - Oversees the design, contracting and construction of Navy spacecraft alongside making sure that Navy warships are spaceworthy and supplied with parts, munitions, food and reaction mass.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}} | |||
*[[Naval Special Warfare Command]] (NAVSPECWARCOM) - A smaller, culturally-distinct section of the Navy that trains, equips and oversees [[UNSC Special Forces|special forces]] personnel in support of UNSC space operations.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}} Marine Corps special forces units are typically tasked under NAVSPECWARCOM, as were the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] and [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-III]] program personnel prior to the establishment of the Spartan Operations branch. | |||
Navy warships are assigned to [[fleet]]s, which are organised in one of two ways; | |||
*Expeditionary fleets - Numbered fleets (e.g. [[Third Fleet]]) designed for offensive operations in deep space and centred 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|Section=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 desparately-needed training cadres and battle-ready (if outdated) warships.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Navy}}{{Ref/Reuse|HFB9}} | |||
Fleets are assigned to numbered numbered [[Sector]]s such as [[FLEETCOM Sector One]], contextually organised 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}} | |||
The UNSC Navy maintains its own [[military police]] force{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM112|OSFM|Page=112}} | |||
===Marine Corps=== | |||
[[File:UNSC-Marines-logo1.png|thumb|right|250px|The UNSC Marine Corps' logo.]] | |||
{{Main|UNSC Marine Corps}} | |||
{{Quote|Provide combined arms expeditionary forces and security detachments.|The Marine Corps' official mission statement.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}}}} | |||
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 naval 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 organises, trains, equips and maintains land, air 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 reorganise, 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 organisation 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, synchronised 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, [[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 UNNICOM control.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
[[File:H3ODST_Mombasa_Marines_Concept.png|250px|thumb|right|Marines and ODSTs on deployment in [[Mombasa]].]] | |||
The Marine Corps' collateral functions include; | |||
*Enforcement of emergency military law in designated crisis areas.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}} | |||
*Development of doctrine, procedures and equipment that are of common interest to the Army and Navy.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}} | |||
*Furnishing security teams for the protection of UNSC property and high-value personnel.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}} | |||
*Deployment of security detachments and organisations for service on Navy ships.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}} | |||
*Development of doctrine, tactics, techniques and equipment for the rapid deployment and utilisation of interstellar combat power.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMMarines}} | |||
Marine Corps forces are typically deployed as part of a [[Marine Expeditionary Force]], which may encompass several divisions as subordinate units and is itself subordinate to Fleet Marine Forces.{{Ref/Novel|CH|Chapter=7}} | |||
:xx - [[Division]] - 14,000 Marines led by a [[Major General]] and deployed as a [[Marine Expeditionary Force|Marine Expeditionary Unit]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:x - [[Brigade|Marine Brigade]]/[[Wing|Marine air wing]] - 9,000 Marines led by a [[Brigadier General]] and deployed as a Marine Air Wing{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:||| - [[Regiment]]/Marine Air Regiment - 3,000 Marines led by a [[Lieutenant Colonel]] or [[Colonel]] and deployed specifically by UNICOM as a Rapid Reaction Force{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:|| - [[Battalion]] - 900 Marines led by a Lieutenant Colonel or Colonel and deployed as a [[task force]] ground combat element or as a unit assigned to a [[UNSC carrier|carrier]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:| - [[Company]] - 180 Marines led by a [[First Lieutenant]] or [[Captain (UNICOM)|Captain]] and deployed as a special task force or as a unit assigned to a [[cruiser]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:{{*}}{{*}}{{*}} - 40 Marines led by a [[Second Lieutenant]] or [[Staff Sergeant]] and deployed as a unit assigned to a [[UNSC frigate|frigate]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:{{*}}{{*}} - [[Squad]] - Thirteen Marines led by a Corporal or [[Sergeant]]{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:{{*}} - [[Section]] - Eight Marines led by a Lance Corporal or Corporal{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Marines}} | |||
:Ø - [[Fireteam]] - Four Marines led by a [[Lance Corporal]] or [[Corporal]]{{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 specialised internal divisions to oversee special activites 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]] - specialised 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}} | |||
===Army=== | |||
[[File:UNSC-Army-logo1.png|thumb|right|250px|The UNSC Army's logo.]] | |||
{{Main|UNSC Army}} | |||
{{Quote|Provide forces for sustained terrestrial combat operations and civil works.|The Army's official mission statement.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMArmy}}}} | |||
The UNSC Army is the primary terrestrial department of the UNSC, and provides the majority of the logistical support and reserve 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 marshal]]s and UNSC peacekeeping forces in fighting against [[Insurrectionist]] elements, monitoring megacorporate activities and guarding critical infrastructure.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Army}} | |||
[[File:HR_Campaign_Winter_Contingency_3_Charlie_attacking.jpg|250px|left|thumb|Troopers of [[3 Charlie]] engaging Covenant forces in the [[Visegrád]] region on the morning of [[2552#July|July 24, 2552]].]] | |||
The Army's collateral functions include; | |||
*Conducting civil works that have strategic application, including projects for improvement of navigation and follow-on [[terraforming]].{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMArmy}} | |||
*Development of doctrine, procedures and equipment that are of common interest to the Air Force and Marine Corps.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMArmy}} | |||
*Organisation and training of civil defense units (colloquially "[[Colonial Militia|militias]]"){{Ref/Reuse|OSFMArmy}} | |||
*Providing forces for joint aerospace and space operations, in accordance with UNSC doctrines.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMArmy}} | |||
Army forces have been historically administratively organised under the control of specialised local commands ([[Army Component Command]]) based on a particular assigned [[Human colonies|colony]], though the destruction of many of these worlds in the war with the Covenant saw most of these "temporarily" disestablished and replaced by sector working groups on [[Earth]] and [[Reach]]. Operational authority of Army forces is granted to UNICOM.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Army}} | |||
The Army operates its own special forces such as the [[UNSC Army airborne|Army airborne]], [[UNSC Army Pathfinders|Pathfinders]] and [[UNSC Army Rangers|Army Rangers]] - who are presumably organised under [[Unified Special Warfare Command]] (USW), or simply Special Warfare Command (SPECWARCOM). SPECWARCOM organises its detachments into "Groups" such as [[Special Warfare Group Three]]. , as well as specialised maritime forces colloquially referred to as the "wet navy". Army submarine arsenal ships and aircraft carriers are vital components in the defense of colony worlds.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Army}} | |||
===Air Force=== | |||
[[File:UNSC-AirForce-logo1.png|thumb|right|250px|The UNSC Air Force's logo.]] | |||
{{Main|UNSC Air Force}} | |||
{{Quote|Provide aerospace defense and conduct space control operations.|The Air Force's official mission statement.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMAirForce}}}} | |||
The UNSC Air Force serves as the primary air 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 aircraft]] 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:F-99_CAP.jpg|thumb|250px|left|The Air Force operates a number of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) such as the F-99 Wombat (pictured).]] | |||
The Air Force's collateral functions include; | |||
*Deployment and maintenance of UNSC unmanned defense satellites and orbital weapon platforms.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMAirForce}} | |||
*Monitoring and regulation of military and civilian orbital activites.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMAirForce}} | |||
*Development of doctrine, procedures and equipment that are of common interest to the Army and Navy{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMAirForce}} | |||
*Furnishing support and space support for the Army and Navy.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMAirForce}} | |||
Air Force units may be expeditionary or garrison in nature, with the largest overall groupings named [[Group]]s and [[Wing]]s, respectively. A given Group/Wing is a larger organisation within the Air Force that combines several air [[Squadron]]s with non-aircraft units to provide specialised functions such as airbase operation and fuel refining. Squadrons consist of two to six [[Flight]]s plus additional command and technical elements, and are typically named by a number and a mission type (such as the [[980th Intercept Squadron]]), while a Flight consists of three to four individual aircraft and their support personnk. Flights are officially identified by a phonetic letter designation, though most also get an informal nickname.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22AirForce}} | |||
Air Force orbital defense platform assets are grouped under the [[Orbital Defense Command]]{{Ref/Level|H4|Midnight}}, while regular air combat operations are conducted under the [[Air Combat Command]].{{Ref/Map|HR|Tempest}} The Air Force also maintains its own [[Wikipedia:Signals intelligence|signals intelligence]] (SIGINT) division{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM113|OSFM|Page=113}} and the [[Air Mobility Express]] - who work to provide airlift and spacelift capacity for the UNSC.{{Ref/Game|HR|[[AMX-4]] and [[AMX-42]] decals}} The Air Force often employs Army maritime forces as launch platforms for its operations, using roving watercraft and carrier platforms to vector strikes against targets from outside the enemy's sensor horizon before retreating to underwater staging areas.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22AirForce}} | |||
The Air Force was the first service department to directly collaborate with the newly-established Spartan Operations branch, funding a joint-operations laboratory to test novel ways in which super-soldiers can augment their capabilities and certifying [[SPARTAN-IV program|Spartan-IV]] personnel as [[pilot]]s for next-generation fighters.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMAirForce}} | |||
===Office of Naval Intelligence=== | |||
[[File:ONI Seal 1.png|thumb|right|250px|The Office of Naval Intelligence's logo.]] | |||
{{Main|Office of Naval Intelligence}} | |||
{{Quote|Provide technical capabilities for the support of psychological, information and cyber operations.|The Office of Naval Intelligence's official mission statement.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMONI}}}} | |||
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 bureacratically 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}} | |||
ONI's collateral functions include; | |||
*Deployment of covert teams for direct action and technical data collection.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMONI}} | |||
*Oversight of the gathering, analysis and dissemination of national security information from around the UEG.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMONI}} | |||
*Development of doctrine, techniques and equipment for the collection and exploitation of information in support of UEG security.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMONI}} | |||
*Providing combat support intelligence for UNSC operations.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMONI}} | |||
*Establishment of covert observation systems around enemy colonies and facilities.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMONI}} | |||
To achieve its goals, ONI is divided into five sections that each specialise in different aspects of intelligence gathering, analysis and dissemination. Each section in turn, has its own compartmentalised teams dedicated to more specific long-term taskings and program management.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22ONI}} | |||
*[[ONI Section Zero|Section Zero]] - Section dedicated to internal affairs and security audits. Section Zero believes its existence to be a secret, but other sections are aware of their existence and often work to infiltrate it and turn it against their rivals.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22ONI}} | |||
*[[ONI Section One|Section One]] - Section dedicated to military intelligence gathering and analysis. This is the oldest and most traditional element of ONI, with offices and functions that predate even the creation of the UNSC.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFMONI}} As such, this is the only section to have a notable public presence, with the [[Fleet Intelligence Center]] (FIC) issuing UEG slipspace travel interdiction orders, planetary evacuation notices and thread advisories on behalf of the UNSC and UEG.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22ONI}} | |||
*[[ONI Section Two|Section Two]] - Section dedicated to information operations and public relations. This section began as the public relations division of ONI, but soon grew into an organisation specialising in "information shaping" across the UEG. This has seen Section Two commonly labelled as a propaganda centre, though the section's activities tend more toward disseminating accurate information and reports for use by policy makers.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22ONI}} | |||
*[[ONI Section Three|Section Three]] - Section dedicated to special acquisition, research and development projects for the UNSC. Section Three maintains a vast number of front organisations and wields considerable power, and leverages this both covertly and overtly in the corporate and academic worlds.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22ONI}} | |||
*[[ONI Section Four|Section Four]] - Clandestine survey group that conducts [[xenoarchaeology]] and planetary survey studies, claiming new worlds for ONI use without the approval or knowledge of the UEG. Section Four additionally maintains observation capabilities on ex-Covenant, Banished and independent human worlds.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22ONI}} | |||
===Spartan Operations=== | |||
[[File:Spartan_Branch_insignia.png|thumb|right|250px|The insignia of Spartan Operations.]] | |||
{{Main|Spartan Operations}} | |||
Established in [[2553]]{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Spartan|Enc22|Page=64-65}}{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM32|OSFM|Page=32}}, Spartan Operations (sometimes unofficially termed the "Spartan branch") is the sixth and newest military department of the UNSC, charged with oversight of the [[Spartan]] supersoldiers. Unlike the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force, Spartan Operations is not a formal military branch recognised in UEG law but instead a "continuing organisation" that lacks explicit legal recognition.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} Spartan Operations instead functions as a [[UNSC Special Forces|special forces]] command that answers directly to the UNSC Security Council, eschewing the oversight of ONI that characterised the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-II]] and [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-III]] programs in the earlier half of the 26th century.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spartan}} The Spartan Operations program is led by [[Commander-in-Chief of the Spartans]] (CINCSPAR), a position which was granted a non-voting advisory seat on the UNSC Security Council in [[2554]].{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22UNSC}} | |||
[[File:H4SO_Lancer.png|thumb|left|250px|Spartan Operations personnel are signified by their unique usage of [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]].]] | |||
Spartan Operations is predominantly comprised of [[SPARTAN-IV program|SPARTAN-IV]] personnel; a program originated in the final months of [[2552]], alongside some remaining SPARTAN-III personnel. SPARTAN-III personnel also serve in the unit, with all known surviving IIIs offered integration into SPARTAN-IV following the war's end.{{Ref/Site|Id=HWSpartan|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/spartans|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Spartans|D=21|M=04|Y=2021}} Despite this, Spartan Operations only retains administrative control of the Spartans themselves, with operational authority granted to [[Unified Special Warfare Command]] and [[Naval Special Warfare Command]] for field deployments.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22Fireteams|Enc22|Page=74-75}} Tactical deployments of Spartan personnel are overseen by Central Command in their assigned CENTCOM Regions, who oversee the allocation of Spartans to various UNSC fleets and armies within their purview.{{Ref/Book|Id=OSFM34|OSFM|Page=34}} As such, Spartans are often deployed alongside UNICOM and NAVCOM special forces units, such as ODSTs and Army Rangers.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spartan}} Spartan Operations additionally continues to operate programs inherited from prior Spartan generations such as the [[Headhunters]].{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/news/canon-fodder-have-s-moa|Site=Halo Waypoint|Page=Canon Fodder - Have S'Moa|D=30|M=06|Y=2021}} | |||
Unlike the rest of the UNSC, the Spartans do not operate a strict escalating rank structure and instead operate in a strict framework that emphasises teamwork, co-operation and specialisation based on personal skill alone.{{Ref/Book|Id=H4EVG33|H4EVG|Page=33}} This is the result of a deliberate effort to emphasise the informal leadership traditions of prior Spartan programs and adapt them to emphasise independence of rigid chain of command adherence. As such, all Spartans receive a direct commission as an [[Commissioned officer|officer]] in the UNSC, though this authority typically does not extend outside of their direct chain of command. Nonetheless, UNSC personnel in the field are often expected to defer to Spartans and in turn, Spartans are expected to take the initiative in combat scenarios. The baseline Spartan role sees a given Spartan tasked with the equivalent authority of a [[Lieutenant]] in the Navy, with higher ranks awarded appropriately equivalent officer status.{{Ref/Book|OSFM|Page=32-33}} | |||
Spartans are typically deployed in fireteams of 4-5 personnel, with each member assumed to be omni-capable in most disciplines. As such, they are typically expected to develop specific highly-specialised skillsets known as "[[Specializations]]" to further aid their team and enhance their subject matter expert status. Fireteams are generally assigned based on social dynamics and combat efficiency, though Spartans are expected to perform well in any unit.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spartan}} | |||
Alongside the Spartan personnel themselves, Spartan Operations operates its own network of infrastructure to serve as training and stationing grounds. These include orbital training stations such as [[Laconia Station|Laconia]], [[Naxos Station|Naxos]] and [[Virgo Station|Virgo]], alongside smaller [[War Games]] platforms known as [[Munera Platform]]s.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22Spartan}} Spartan Operations is also involved in the [[Anvil Initiative]] and [[Project CRUCIBLE]], a joint-initiative with the [[Swords of Sanghelios]] to equip and train Spartans and [[Sangheili]] for joint operations, based on [[ANVIL Station]].{{Ref/Book|Enc22|Page=37}} | |||
==History== | ==History== | ||
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[[File:United nations flag.png|thumb|left|150px|The United Nations flag.]] | [[File:United nations flag.png|thumb|left|150px|The United Nations flag.]] | ||
{{Main|Human colonies#Interplanetary age|l1=Human interplanetary colonization}} | {{Main|Human colonies#Interplanetary age|l1=Human interplanetary colonization}} | ||
As space exploration progressed in the 21st century, colonization operations required international cooperation and assistance in order to effectively conduct territorial expansion throughout the [[Sol system|Solar System]]. The [[International Society of Civil Engineers]] was formed at this time ([[2021]]), an organization that contributed immensely to furthering the quality of space engineering. | As space exploration progressed in the 21st century, colonization operations required international cooperation and assistance in order to effectively conduct territorial expansion throughout the [[Sol system|Solar System]]. The [[International Society of Civil Engineers]] was formed at this time ([[2021]]), an organization that contributed immensely to furthering the quality of space engineering.{{Ref/Map|H3|Orbital}} National-conservative philosophies quickly made changes to adapt to the situation.{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}} An imperative change in worldwide government was necessary to accommodate space colonization demands, which the only global administration organization humanity could rely on. [[National government]]s began to combine their overall authority on a global scale, thus enhancing the influence of the United Nations under their supervision.<ref>'''Halo: Contact Harvest''', ''page 37''</ref> In [[2075]], the United Nations (under the nations' influence) created the Unified Earth Government, then as an international think tank tasked with solving the challenges of interplanetary expansion and governmental unification.{{Ref/Book|Id=h4evg|H4EVG|Page=229}} | ||
By [[2080]], human colonization of the Solar System was fully underway. | By [[2080]], human colonization of the Solar System was fully underway.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=32}} Offering reasonable living conditions and a physical composition similar to that of Earth, [[Mars]] was the first planet to be colonized and soon became a major center of science and industry.{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=294}} Settlements were also established on [[Luna]], the [[Wikipedia:Asteroid belt|asteroid belt]], as well as the [[Jovian Moons]], the latter sponsored in large part by [[Unified German Republic]] corporations. Advances in [[terraforming]] technology enabled the reshaping of many of the Solar System's formerly inhospitable worlds into sustainable earthlike environments.{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc11p42|Enc11|Page=42-43}} | ||
Human settlement of the Solar System was initially driven more by commercial goals than the comparatively modest programs run by Earth's nation-states. Corporations sought to escape the bureaucracy and laws of national governments and the United Nations that interfered with their operations on Earth. While this resulted in many scientific and technological developments, it also bred suspicions about the ethics of the offworld corporations' activities. In response, the UN enacted the [[UN Genetic Rights Act|Genetic Rights Act]] in [[2165]] in order to ensure the fulfillment of basic human rights in humanity's expanding domain.{{Ref/Reuse| | Human settlement of the Solar System was initially driven more by commercial goals than the comparatively modest programs run by Earth's nation-states. Corporations sought to escape the bureaucracy and laws of national governments and the United Nations that interfered with their operations on Earth. While this resulted in many scientific and technological developments, it also bred suspicions about the ethics of the offworld corporations' activities. In response, the UN enacted the [[UN Genetic Rights Act|Genetic Rights Act]] in [[2165]] in order to ensure the fulfillment of basic human rights in humanity's expanding domain.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11p42}} | ||
===Political conflicts (2160-2170)=== | ===Political conflicts (2160-2170)=== | ||
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{{Main|Domus Diaspora|Human colonies|Inner Colonies|Outer Colonies}} | {{Main|Domus Diaspora|Human colonies|Inner Colonies|Outer Colonies}} | ||
[[File:HM-DomusD 1.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[colony ship]] readying for departure during the ''Domus Diaspora''.]] | [[File:HM-DomusD 1.jpg|thumb|250px|A [[colony ship]] readying for departure during the ''Domus Diaspora''.]] | ||
The pressures engendered by the Interplanetary War made space colonization seem more attractive in subsequent centuries, and the Unified Earth Government would sign off on the first large-scale interstellar colony ship program that was revealed in [[2310]] to ease the burden of an overpopulated Earth. This would not have been possible without the invention of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] in [[2291]], which allowed the ships to travel vast distances within a reasonable time by opening portals into [[Slipstream space]].{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}} At the same time, the UEG established a separate colonial governing body known as the [[Colonial Administration Authority]] as well as the [[Colonial Military Authority]], a dedicated military force to police the colonies. | The pressures engendered by the Interplanetary War made space colonization seem more attractive in subsequent centuries, and the Unified Earth Government would sign off on the first large-scale interstellar colony ship program that was revealed in [[2310]] to ease the burden of an overpopulated Earth. This would not have been possible without the invention of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] in [[2291]], which allowed the ships to travel vast distances within a reasonable time by opening portals into [[Slipstream space]].{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}} At the same time, the UEG established a separate colonial governing body known as the [[Colonial Administration Authority]] as well as the [[Colonial Military Authority]], a dedicated military force to police the colonies.{{Ref/Book|H4EVG|Page=228}} | ||
In [[2362]], the first colony ship, the ''[[Odyssey]]'', was launched, beginning the period of human history later known as the ''[[Domus Diaspora]]''. | 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/Reuse|Enc11p42}} 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}} | ||
The apex of this colonization movement would come in [[2492]] when more then 800 worlds were inside UNSC territory, many of them targeted for human habitation. These settlements ranged from fairly well-tamed planetary strongholds to tiny hinterland settlements. During this period, the planet [[Reach]] (orbiting Epsilon Eridani, right on Earth's metaphorical doorstep) became the UNSC's primary naval yard and training academy. Reach was a major producer of warships and colony vessels, as well as a training ground for covert operatives and [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Forces]].{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}} | The apex of this colonization movement would come in [[2492]] when more then 800 worlds were inside UNSC territory, many of them targeted for human habitation. These settlements ranged from fairly well-tamed planetary strongholds to tiny hinterland settlements. During this period, the planet [[Reach]] (orbiting Epsilon Eridani, right on Earth's metaphorical doorstep) became the UNSC's primary naval yard and training academy. Reach was a major producer of warships and colony vessels, as well as a training ground for covert operatives and [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Forces]].{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}} | ||
Over the course of humanity's interstellar expansion, a number of alien artifacts were discovered; while unknown at the time, these were the works of a long-vanished civilization known as the [[Forerunner]]s. However, virtually all of these findings were discreetly concealed by the UNSC's [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], which exerted virtually complete control over the research and information flow about [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] discoveries. A noted example of this is [[Onyx]], originally surveyed as an ideal world for human settlement but declared off-limits by ONI due to the alien technology discovered there.{{Ref/Reuse| | Over the course of humanity's interstellar expansion, a number of alien artifacts were discovered; while unknown at the time, these were the works of a long-vanished civilization known as the [[Forerunner]]s. However, virtually all of these findings were discreetly concealed by the UNSC's [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], which exerted virtually complete control over the research and information flow about [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] discoveries. A noted example of this is [[Onyx]], originally surveyed as an ideal world for human settlement but declared off-limits by ONI due to the alien technology discovered there.{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11p42}} | ||
===The Insurrection=== | ===The Insurrection=== | ||
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{{Quote|The UNSC is gone!|[[Warmaster]] [[Atriox]] to [[Cortana]] during [[Installation 07 conflict]].{{Ref/Level|HI|Silent Auditorium}}}} | {{Quote|The UNSC is gone!|[[Warmaster]] [[Atriox]] to [[Cortana]] during [[Installation 07 conflict]].{{Ref/Level|HI|Silent Auditorium}}}} | ||
Following October 28, [[2558]] the UNSC was largely immobilized by the [[Created]] when Cortana and her [[Guardian]]s took over Earth and most human colonies.<ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref> UNSC expeditionary forces that managed to avoid the Created's Guardians were able to regroup with the Swords of Sanghelios on Sanghelios.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-driving-force''Halo Waypoint'' - Canon Fodder: Driving Force]</ref> | Following October 28, [[2558]] the UNSC was largely immobilized by the [[Created]] when Cortana and her [[Guardian]]s took over Earth and most human colonies.<ref name="H5G">'''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]'''</ref> UNSC expeditionary forces that managed to avoid the Created's Guardians were able to regroup with the Swords of Sanghelios on Sanghelios.<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/community/blog-posts/canon-fodder-driving-force''Halo Waypoint'' - Canon Fodder: Driving Force]</ref> | ||
Already crippled by the Created and fleeing, the UNSC's flagship, ''[[UNSC Infinity]]'', and several other ships were [[Battle for Installation 07|defeated]] by the [[Banished]] at [[Installation 07]] in [[2559]]. | Already crippled by the Created and fleeing, the UNSC's flagship, ''[[UNSC Infinity]]'', and several other ships were [[Battle for Installation 07|defeated]] by the [[Banished]] at [[Installation 07]] in [[2559]]. | ||
===Later history=== | ===Later history=== | ||
By [[2589]], the former UNSC stronghold of [[Reach]] had been re-terraformed and resettled.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Lone Wolf]]''</ref> | By [[2589]], the former UNSC stronghold of [[Reach]] had been re-terraformed and resettled.<ref>'''Halo: Reach''', campaign level ''[[Lone Wolf]]''</ref> | ||
==Military assets== | ==Military assets== | ||
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These allegations are not completely baseless, considering most of this perceived UNSC-directed oppression lies with poor administration in the [[Outer Colonies]], which has led to violent [[Scyllion Warehouse District Riot|food riots]] perpetrated by proto-rebellious groups of dissatisfied colonial workers suffering from hunger and poverty at the hands of corporate planetary control.<ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'', p. 106-107</ref> | These allegations are not completely baseless, considering most of this perceived UNSC-directed oppression lies with poor administration in the [[Outer Colonies]], which has led to violent [[Scyllion Warehouse District Riot|food riots]] perpetrated by proto-rebellious groups of dissatisfied colonial workers suffering from hunger and poverty at the hands of corporate planetary control.<ref>''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'', p. 106-107</ref> | ||
The UNSC also limits the freedom of the press to an extent, a measure put in place by ONI's Section Two after the [[Inner Colony Wars]]—allegedly to prevent humanity from tearing itself apart from within.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise over New Mombasa]]''</ref> ONI also exerts almost complete control over information about [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] findings;{{Ref/Reuse| | The UNSC also limits the freedom of the press to an extent, a measure put in place by ONI's Section Two after the [[Inner Colony Wars]]—allegedly to prevent humanity from tearing itself apart from within.<ref>'''[[Halo Graphic Novel]]''', ''[[Second Sunrise over New Mombasa]]''</ref> ONI also exerts almost complete control over information about [[xenoarchaeology|xenoarchaeological]] findings;{{Ref/Reuse|Enc11p42}} any scientists studying alien artifacts are drafted to serve under ONI's supervision.<ref>'''Halo: Evolutions''', ''"[[From the Office of Dr. William Arthur Iqbal]]"''</ref> Nepotism is notably prevalent within the organization,<ref>[[:File:MajesticBio-Madsen.png|Spartan Madsen's biography]]</ref><ref>'''Halo: Escalation''', ''Issue #5''</ref> sometimes openly; [[Corbulo Academy of Military Science]] was based around the concept of training the offspring of high-ranked military and government officials as commissioned officers.<ref>'''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]'''</ref> | ||
==Production notes== | ==Production notes== | ||
