SPARTAN-III program: Difference between revisions

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m (I wonder how that happened)
(Whew! I spent half an hour cleaning this article. It's SPARTAN-II/III, not Spartan-II/III.)
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**[[ONI]]
**[[ONI]]
**[[Beta-5 Division]]
**[[Beta-5 Division]]
|type = Special Operations
|type = Special operations
|size = *[[Alpha Company]] - Killed In Action
|size = *[[Alpha Company]] - [[Killed In Action]]
*[[Beta Company]] - Killed In Action
*[[Beta Company]] - Killed In Action
*[[Gamma Company]] - Active
*[[Gamma Company]] - Active
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*[[Headhunters (Team)|Headhunters]] - Unknown
*[[Headhunters (Team)|Headhunters]] - Unknown
|garrison = [[Camp Currahee]]
|garrison = [[Camp Currahee]]
|equipment = *[[SPI Armor]]
|equipment = *[[Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor]]
|battles = *[[The Insurrection]]
|battles = *[[Insurrection]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
*[[Human-Covenant War]]
|commanders = *[[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]]
|commanders = *[[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]]
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*[[Senior Chief Petty Officer]] [[Franklin Mendez]]
*[[Senior Chief Petty Officer]] [[Franklin Mendez]]
|notable_commanders = *[[Carter-A259]]
|notable_commanders = *[[Carter-A259]]
*[[Lucy-B091]]
*[[Tom-B292]]
*[[Tom-B292]]
*[[Lucy-B091]]
*[[Ash-G099]]
*[[Ash-G099]]
}}
}}
{{Quote|Make the units better with new technology. Make more of them. And make them cheaper.|[[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]]}}
{{Quote|Make the units better with new technology. Make more of them. And make them cheaper.|[[Colonel]] [[James Ackerson]]}}


The '''SPARTAN-III Program''' was an [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], [[Office of Naval Intelligence|Section-III]], [[Beta-5 Division]] program to produce cheap and expendable super soldiers to fight for the survival of [[Humanity]] and the [[UNSC]] colonies.
The '''SPARTAN-III program''' was a project initiated by the [[Beta-5 Division]] of the [[Office of Naval Intelligence|Office of Naval Intelligence's Section-III]] in order to produce cheap and expendable super soldiers to fight for the survival of [[Human|humanity]] and the [[United Nations Space Command]]'s colonies.


==Introduction==
==Introduction==
The SPARTAN-III Program was the successor and suplement to the [[SPARTAN-II Program]]. Created and engineered by Colonel Ackerson of the Office of Naval Intelligence, the SPARTAN-III soldiers were to be the next generation of supersoldiers. Composed primarily of vengeful orphans from fallen colonies,<ref name="Page 70">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page 70</ref> they would be cheaper to arm, train, and produce; chosen from a wider pool of candidates, and more numerous than their SPARTAN-II predecessors. They would rely on superior battle tactics, teamwork, and sheer numbers rather than technology and equipment, to achieve their effectiveness.<ref name="Page 44">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', pages 44 - 48</ref>
The SPARTAN-III program was both the successor and suplement to the [[SPARTAN-II program]]. Created and engineered by Colonel Ackerson of the Office of Naval Intelligence, the SPARTAN-III soldiers were to be the next generation of supersoldiers. Composed primarily of vengeful orphans from fallen colonies,<ref name="Page 70">'''''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''''', page 70</ref> they would be cheaper to arm, train, and produce; being chosen from a wider pool of candidates, they would also be more numerous than their SPARTAN-II predecessors. They would rely on superior battle tactics, teamwork, and sheer numbers rather than technology and equipment, to achieve their effectiveness.<ref name="Page 44">'''''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''''', pages 44 - 48</ref>


==Purpose==
==Purpose==
The SPARTAN-II program had been a dazzling success for the [[UNSC]]. Tales of Spartan super soldiers fighting off thousands of [[Covenant]] attacks had become the stuff of legend. Unfortunately, there were too few SPARTAN-IIs to turn the tide of the war. Even worse, the director for the program, Dr. [[Catherine Halsey]], had postponed the training of new Spartan-IIs for years due to the extremely specific genetic requirements for the children to be selected (this was one of [[Ackerson]]'s issues with the program).
The SPARTAN-II program had been a dazzling success for the UNSC. Tales of Spartan super soldiers fighting off thousands of [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] attacks had become the stuff of legend. Unfortunately, there were too few SPARTAN-IIs to turn the tide of the war. Even worse, the director for the program, [[Catherine Elizabeth Halsey|Dr. Catherine Halsey]], had postponed the training of new Spartan-IIs for years due to the extremely specific genetic requirements for the children to be selected.


The SPARTAN-II program also had several problems and deficiencies which overshadowed its success to [[ONI]]. Firstly, the high mortality rate of the children during augmentation was counter-productive to the purpose, drive, and ambition of the program. Next, funding the Spartan program, plus their [[MJOLNIR Armor]] and training for the Spartans cost as much as a [[battle group]], at least according to [[Rear Admiral]] [[Rich]]. Third, there were far too few of them for them to turn the tide of the war. Finally, the Spartan-II program had gone public for morale. Even though it was a huge morale boost to the UNSC, it was a problem for most of the Office of Naval Intelligence. ONI operated in secrecy, and anything that shone light on their operations was seen as detrimental to their efforts.
The SPARTAN-II program also had several problems and deficiencies which overshadowed its success to ONI. Firstly, the high mortality rate of the children during [[SPARTAN-II Augmentation Procedures|augmentation]] was counter-productive to the purpose, drive, and ambition of the program. Next, funding the Spartan program, including their training and [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]], cost as much as a [[battle group]], at least according to [[Rear Admiral]] [[Ned Rich]]. Third, there were far too few of them for them to turn the tide of the war. Finally, the Spartan-II program had gone public to improve morale in [[2547]]. Even though it was a huge morale boost to the UNSC, it was a problem for most of the Office of Naval Intelligence. ONI operated in secrecy, and anything that shone light on their operations was seen as detrimental to their efforts.


The SPARTAN-III's were designed to be better trained, cheaper, and expendable. They would be trained in companies of 300 to 330 at a time, and then sent on suicide missions that the UNSC could not accomplish even with the elite [[ODST]]s. Though the casualty rates of the S-IIIs stood at 100 percent on some missions, to ONI, all the operations were strategic successes. They were trading lives for time against the larger and technologically superior [[Covenant Empire]]. ONI hoped that in time, enough Spartans would survive to train more and more future Spartans, swelling the ranks of available super soldiers from only thirty SPARTAN-IIs in [[2531]] to a hundred thousand SPARTAN-IIIs within ten to twenty years.<ref name="Page 44"/>
The SPARTAN-IIIs were designed to be better trained, cheaper, and expendable. They would be trained in companies of 300 to 330 at a time, and then sent on suicide missions that the UNSC could not accomplish even with the elite [[Orbital Drop Shock Trooper]]s. Though the casualty rates of the SPARTAN-IIIs stood at 100 percent on some missions, to ONI, all the operations were strategic successes. They were trading lives for time against the larger and technologically superior [[Covenant Empire]]. ONI hoped that in time, enough Spartans would survive to train more and more future Spartans, swelling the ranks of available super soldiers from only thirty SPARTAN-IIs in [[2531]] to a hundred thousand SPARTAN-IIIs within ten to twenty years.<ref name="Page 44"/>


==Personnel==
==Personnel==
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==Spartan-III Companies==
==Spartan-III Companies==
===Alpha Company===
===Alpha Company===
{{Main|Alpha Company}}
{{Main|SPARTAN-III Alpha Company}}
[[File:Spartan III Alpha Company.png|thumb|A section of Alpha Company being inspected by [[Franklin Mendez]].]]
[[File:Spartan III Alpha Company.png|thumb|A section of Alpha Company being inspected by [[Franklin Mendez]].]]
On December 27, [[2531]], the first group of Spartan-III's, known as Alpha Company, were sent to [[Onyx]] to be trained. Of the 497 candidates conscripted, only 300 became Spartans. This class of [[Spartan]]s all survived the augmentations and was activated in November of [[2536]]. Their record was at first exemplary, as they saw action at the insurrection of [[Mamore]], the [[Battle of New Constantinople]], and the [[Bonanza Asteroid Belt]]. Nine months after they were activated, they were massacred in [[Operation: PROMETHEUS]]. All of the three-hundred Spartans on the mission were supposedly killed. The only fire team mentioned for Alpha Company is [[Team Wolf Pack]].<ref name="Page 83"/>
On December 27, [[2531]], the first group of Spartan-IIIs, known as Alpha Company, were sent to [[Onyx]] to be trained at [[Camp Currahee]]. They were led by [[Kurt-051]] a SPARTAN-II operating under the pseudonym "Ambrose". Of the 497 candidates who were conscripted, only 300 became Spartans. This class of Spartans all survived the augmentations and was activated in November of [[2536]]. Their record was at first exemplary, as they saw action at the [[Insurrection of Mamore|Insurrection of]] [[Mamore]], the [[Battle of New Constantinople]], and at the [[Bonanza Asteroid Belt]]. Nine months after they were activated, they were massacred in [[Operation: PROMETHEUS]]. All of the three-hundred Spartans deployed on the mission were supposedly killed. The only fire team mentioned for Alpha Company is [[Team Wolf Pack]].<ref name="Page 83"/>


===Beta Company===
===Beta Company===
{{Main|Beta Company}}
{{Main|SPARTAN-III Beta Company}}
Beta Company was approved right after Operation: PROMETHEUS in [[2537]].&nbsp;418 candidates were&nbsp;conscripted in [[2539]], but only 300 became Spartans. [[Kurt-051]] was disheartened at the loss of his first Spartans, and trained this group in unit cohesiveness along with a tougher training program. Though they were even better trained than the previous Spartans, they were similarly massacred in [[Operation: TORPEDO]] in [[2545]]. Only two members from the entire company survived the battle.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''Prologue''</ref><ref>''Game Informer'' February Issue</ref>
Beta Company was approved right after Operation: PROMETHEUS in [[2537]]. 418 candidates were&nbsp;conscripted in [[2539]], but only 300 became Spartans. Kurt-051 was disheartened at the loss of his first Spartans, and trained this group in unit cohesiveness along with a tougher training program. Though they were even better trained than the previous Spartans, they were similarly massacred in [[Operation: TORPEDO]] in [[2545]]. From the entire company, only two participants survived the battle.<ref>'''''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''''', ''Prologue''</ref><ref>''Game Informer'' February Issue</ref>


===Gamma Company===
===Gamma Company===
{{Main|Gamma Company}}
{{Main|SPARTAN-III Gamma Company}}
Gamma Company was trained with the help of the only two surviving Spartan-IIIs from Beta Company: [[Spartan-B292]] and [[Spartan-B091]]. Gamma Company was said by Kurt to be the finest of the Spartan-III companies ever. 330 candidates were selected, on average only six years old; and at the request of Kurt, all 330 were approved. Every one of them survived the augmentation procedures.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', pages 96-120</ref> Gamma Company received deployment orders only a few weeks after the [[Battle of Reach]], and most left Onyx before the [[Battle of Onyx]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', page 139</ref> Left on Onyx were only fifteen Spartan-IIIs who were competing for top honors. By the time the Battle of Onyx was over, seven had been killed in action. Teams Gladius and Katana were not present in the early stages of the battle, leaving only [[Team Saber]]. Team Saber was the only Spartan-III unit to fight alongside the Spartan-II unit [[Blue Team]]. With the help of their older, more experienced counterparts, they successfully fought off a Covenant attack along with destroying a [[Sentinel]] manufacturing facility. In the end, the surviving Spartan-IIIs had to escape to the [[Shield World]].<ref name="Page 369">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', pages 369-383</ref>
Gamma Company was trained with the help of the only two Spartan-IIIs from Beta Company who survived Operation: TORPEDO: [[Tom-B292]] and [[Lucy-B091]]. Lieutenant Commander Ambrose regarded Gamma Company to be the finest of the SPARTAN-III companies. 330 candidates were selected, on average only six years old, and at the request of Kurt, all 330 were approved. Every one of them survived the [[Project CHRYSANTHEMUM|augmentation procedures]].<ref>'''''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''''', pages 96-120</ref> Gamma Company received deployment orders only a few weeks after the [[Fall of Reach]], and most left Onyx before the [[Battle of Onyx]].<ref>'''''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''''', page 139</ref> Only fifteen SPARTAN-IIIs remained on Onyx as they competed for top honors. Following the Battle of Onyx, seven had been killed in action. [[Team Gladius|Teams Gladius]] and [[Team Katana|Katana]] were not present in the early stages of the battle, leaving only [[Team Saber]]. Team Saber was the only SPARTAN-III unit to fight alongside the SPARTAN-II unit [[Blue Team]]. With the help of their older, more experienced counterparts, they successfully fought off a Covenant attack along with destroying a [[Onyx Sentinel|Seninel]] [[Sentinel Constructor Factory|manufacturing facility]]. Ultimately, the surviving SPARTAN-IIIs escaped to the [[Shield World]] at the core of Onyx.<ref name="Page 369">'''''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''''', pages 369-383</ref>


===Delta Company===
===Delta Company===
{{Main|Delta Company}}
{{Main|SPARTAN-III Delta Company}}
Delta Company was proposed, and [[Camp Currahee]] was being prepared for their arrival when the Battle of Onyx occurred in [[2552]]. With the death of Spartan-051 and the disappearance of [[SCPO]] [[Mendez]] and Dr. Catherine Halsey, as well as the immediate concerns of the [[Battle of Earth]] and the partial disintergration of Onyx, it is highly unlikely that Delta Company will ever be trained.
Delta Company was proposed, and [[Camp Currahee]] was being prepared for their arrival when the Battle of Onyx began on [[2552#October|October 31, 2552]]. With the death of Kurt-051 and the disappearances of [[Senior Chief Petty Officer|SCPO]] [[Franklin Mendez]] and Dr. Catherine Halsey, as well as the immediate concerns of the [[Battle of Earth]] and the disintegration of Onyx, it is highly unlikely that Delta Company will ever be trained.


==Special-Purposed==
==Special-Purposed==
A number of soldiers were specially selected and separated from their respected companies to fight in smaller fireteams.
A number of soldiers were specially selected and separated from their respective companies to fight in smaller fireteams.


===Headhunters===
===Headhunters===
{{main
{{main
|1=Headhunters (Team)
|1=Headhunters
|l1=Headhunters
|l1=Headhunters
}}
}}


Only SPARTAN-IIIs that had survived two or more specially-assigned training missions would become a "Headhunter". These SPARTAN-IIIs would go onto missions far behind enemy lines and would more than likely be expected to die in combat. They are described as secrets even to their peers, and once selected, candidates for the program would be separated from their fellow Spartans.
Only SPARTAN-IIIs who had survived two or more specially-assigned training missions would become a "Headhunter". These SPARTAN-IIIs would go onto missions far behind enemy lines and would more than likely be expected to die in combat. They are described as secrets even to their peers, and once selected, candidates for the program would be separated from their fellow Spartans.


===Noble Team===
===Noble Team===
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[[File:Noble Team.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Noble Team]].]]
[[File:Noble Team.jpg|250px|thumb|right|[[Noble Team]].]]


Noble Team is a [[UNSC Special Forces|Special Operations]] squad of the [[Special Warfare Command]] it is made up of SPARTAN-IIIs from both [[Alpha Company|Alpha]] and [[Beta Company|Beta Companies]]. Composed of five Spartan-IIIs and an additional [[Spartan-II]], Noble Team employs special tactics and expensive equipment such as [[Mark V(B) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR Mark V(B) Armor]]. So far, they have only been seen in combat in the [[Fall of Reach]]. The team is commanded by [[Carter-A259]], with [[Kat-B320]] as the second in command.
Noble Team is a [[UNSC Special Forces|special operations]] squad of the UNSC's [[Special Warfare Command]] it is made up of SPARTAN-IIIs from both [[Alpha Company|Alpha]] and [[Beta Company|Beta Companies]]. Composed of five SPARTAN-IIIs and an additional SPARTAN-II, Noble Team employs special tactics and expensive equipment such as [[Mark V(B) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR Mark V(B) Armor]]. So far, their only known combat deployment has been the [[Fall of Reach]]. The team is commanded by [[Carter-A259]], with [[Catherine-B320]] as his second in command.


==Operational History==
==Operational History==
The Operational History of the Spartan-III Program has been marked by success and tragedy. Many of the operations undertaken by the soldiers were suicide missions, but were listed as successes by the UNSC.
The operational history of the SPARTAN-III program has been marked by success and tragedy. Many of the operations undertaken by the soldiers were suicide missions, but were listed as successes by the UNSC.


===2536 - 2537===
===2536 - 2537===
*Alpha Company is activated.
*Alpha Company is activated.
*Alpha Company quells Insurrection at [[Mamore]] - Success.
*Alpha Company quells [[Insurrection of Mamore|Insurrection at]] [[Mamore]] - Success.
*[[The Battle of New Constantinople]] - Success.
*[[Battle of New Constantinople]] - Success.
*Operations in the [[Bonanza Asteroid Belt]] – Success.
*Operations in the [[Bonanza Asteroid Belt]] – Success.
*Six other successful unnamed battles in which Alpha Company participated.<ref name="Page 83">'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', pages 81-83</ref>
*Six other successful unnamed battles in which Alpha Company participated.<ref name="Page 83">'''''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''''', pages 81-83</ref>
*July 27, [[2537]] - August 2, 2537 - [[Operation: PROMETHEUS]] – Success, all participants confirmed KIA.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', pages 83-88</ref>
*July 27, [[2537]] - August 2, 2537 - [[Operation: PROMETHEUS]] – Success, all participants confirmed KIA.<ref>'''''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''''', pages 83-88</ref>


===2539===
===2539===
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===2545–2552===
===2545–2552===
*Candidates for Gamma Company are selected.
*Candidates for Gamma Company are selected.
*August 30, [[2552]] - Noble Team participates in the [[Battle of Reach]].
*August 30, [[2552]] - Noble Team participates in the [[Fall of Reach]].
*September/October, 2552 - The majority of Gamma Company are sent out on an unknown mission.
*September/October, 2552 - The majority of Gamma Company are sent out on an unknown mission.
*October 31, 2552 - November 3, 2552 – [[Battle of Onyx]].
*October 31, 2552 - November 3, 2552 – [[Battle of Onyx]].
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{{Main|Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor}}
{{Main|Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor}}


[[Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor]], colloquially called "SPI Armor", was a powered [[armor]] system used by the Spartan-IIIs. Though far more advanced and far more powerful than the ODST [[Body Suits]], it was less advanced and less powerful than the MJOLNIR Armor used by the Spartan-IIs. Its main benefit was that it was drastically cheaper to produce than the MJOLNIR armor.
Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor, colloquially called "SPI Armor", is a powered [[armor]] system used by the SPARTAN-IIIs. Though far more advanced and far more powerful than the [[ODST Ballistic Battle Armor|ODST combat suit]], it is less advanced and less powerful than the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor|MJOLNIR armor]] used by the SPARTAN-IIs. Its main benefit was that it is drastically cheaper to produce than the MJOLNIR armor.


This armor was designed with an emphasis on stealth rather than raw power. It featured [[Camouflage Cloak|photo-reactive panels]] that mimic the surrounding textures, which was developed by [[UNSC]] scientists. It has been described as "part legionnaire mail, part tactical body armor, and part chameleon." It lacks the energy shielding of the Mark V and VI MJOLNIR armor designs, and a single "splash" from an enemy plasma weapon melts the suit's photo-reactive panels, rendering its camouflage capabilities useless.
This armor is designed with an emphasis on stealth rather than raw power. It features [[Camouflage Cloak|photo-reactive panels]] that mimic the surrounding textures which were developed by UNSC scientists. It has been described as "part legionnaire mail, part tactical body armor, and part chameleon." It lacks the energy shielding of the Mark V and VI MJOLNIR armor designs, and a single "splash" from an enemy plasma weapon melts the suit's photo-reactive panels, rendering its camouflage capabilities useless.


===Mark V[B] Armor===
===Mark V[B] Armor===
{{Main|Mark V(B) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor}}
{{Main|Mark V(B) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor}}
Not much is known about this armor except, it is designed and manufactured by privatized organizations hired by the [[UNSC]] rather than developed by the [[UNSC]] specifically, due to numerous problems with funding. This armor has several differences from the standard [[Mark V]]. So far, the [B] variant is known to include shoulder pauldrons and a helmet. The Mark V[B] variant entered service in [[2551]] along with the standard [[Mark V]] armor set. However, components of the [B] variant were issued exclusively to members of [[Special Warfare Command|SPECWAR]] Group Three, including some members of [[Noble Team]].
Not much is known about this armor except that it is designed and manufactured by privatized organizations hired by the UNSC rather than developed by the UNSC proper, due to numerous problems with funding. This armor has several differences from the standard [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V|Mark V]]. So far, the [B] variant is known to include shoulder pauldrons and a helmet. The Mark V[B] variant entered service in [[2551]] along with the standard MJOLNIR Mark V armor set. However, components of the [B] variant were issued exclusively to members of [[Special Warfare Command|SPECWAR/Group Three]], including some members of [[Noble Team]].


===Augmentation Procedures===
===Augmentation Procedures===
[[File:BirthOfASpartan - Augmentation.png|thumb|A screen monitoring [[Carter-A259]]'s augmentations during [[Project: CHRYSANTHEMUM]].]]
[[File:BirthOfASpartan - Augmentation.png|thumb|A screen monitoring [[Carter-A259]]'s augmentations during [[Project CHRYSANTHEMUM]].]]
{{Main|Project CHRYSANTHEMUM}}
{{Main|Project CHRYSANTHEMUM}}
The Spartan-IIIs underwent enhancement procedures similar to those of the Spartan-IIs, but with higher success rates due to the advances in technology. The rate of survival went up from 44% for the Spartan-IIs to 100% for the Spartan-IIIs.
The SPARTAN-IIIs underwent enhancement procedures similar to those of the SPARTAN-IIs, but with higher success rates due to advancements in technology. The rate of survival went up from 44% for the SPARTAN-IIs to 100% for the SPARTAN-IIIs.




==Trivia==
==Trivia==
*The naming convention of the SPARTAN-III Companies follows the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc). Each individual SPARTAN-III's identifier becomes A,B or G (Letter of Company), followed by a three-digit number between 001 and 300 or so, such as [[Ash-G099]]. This numbering system is very much like that of the SPARTAN-IIs.
*The naming convention of the SPARTAN-III companies follows the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc). Each individual SPARTAN-III's identifier becomes A,B, or G (letter of respective company), followed by a three-digit number between 001 and 300 or so, such as [[Ash-G099]]. This numbering system is very much like that of the SPARTAN-IIs.
*For some reason, Ash-G099 was referred to as a Private. This may suggest that the SPARTAN-IIIs were actually Marine-esque personnel. Evidence of this includes the use of SOEIVs like the ODSTs, and their only known combat experience being ground-ops. However, the reference to Ash being a Private may simply be a mistake, since Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091 are identified as Petty Officers, Second Class.
*For some reason, Ash-G099 was referred to as a private. This may suggest that the SPARTAN-IIIs were actually Marine-esque personnel. Evidence of this includes the use of [[Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pod]]s, a more sophisticated counterpart to the [[Single Occupant Exoatmospheric Insertion Vehicle|SOEIVs]] used by the ODSTs, and their only known combat experience being ground operations. However, the reference to Ash being a private may simply be a mistake, since Tom-B292, Lucy-B091, and the members of Noble Team are given Navy ranks.
*The number of 300 SPARTAN-IIIs in both Alpha and Beta companies, who were both massacred but completed their missions and took many [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] with them (with the exception of Tom and Lucy in Beta, who survived) is a reference to the last stand of the 300 Spartans in the [[Battle of Thermopylae]].
*The number of 300 SPARTAN-IIIs in both Alpha and Beta companies, who were both massacred but completed their missions and killed many [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] warriors in the process is a reference to the last stand of the 300 Spartans in the [[Battle of Thermopylae]].
*In ''[[Halo: Reach]]'', the main protagonist is [[SPARTAN-B312]], a SPARTAN-III that was pulled from Beta Company right before [[Operation: TORPEDO]] commences.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=personnel&cid=24040 '''Bungie.net:''' Letter from Kurt to Mendez]</ref>
*The protagonist of ''[[Halo: Reach]]'' is [[SPARTAN-B312]], a SPARTAN-III who was pulled from Beta Company right before [[Operation: TORPEDO]] commenced.<ref>[http://www.bungie.net/projects/reach/article.aspx?ucc=personnel&cid=24040 '''Bungie.net:''' Letter from Kurt to Mendez]</ref>


==Sources==
==Sources==
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==Related Pages==
==Related Pages==
*[[SPARTAN-II Program|The SPARTAN-II Program]]
*[[SPARTAN Program]]
*[[Semi Powered Infiltration Armor]]
*[[SPARTAN-II program]]


{{Spartan III}}
{{Spartan III}}

Revision as of 16:41, July 24, 2010

Template:Ratings Template:New Content Template:Infobox Military Unit

"Make the units better with new technology. Make more of them. And make them cheaper."
— Colonel James Ackerson

The SPARTAN-III program was a project initiated by the Beta-5 Division of the Office of Naval Intelligence's Section-III in order to produce cheap and expendable super soldiers to fight for the survival of humanity and the United Nations Space Command's colonies.

Introduction

The SPARTAN-III program was both the successor and suplement to the SPARTAN-II program. Created and engineered by Colonel Ackerson of the Office of Naval Intelligence, the SPARTAN-III soldiers were to be the next generation of supersoldiers. Composed primarily of vengeful orphans from fallen colonies,[1] they would be cheaper to arm, train, and produce; being chosen from a wider pool of candidates, they would also be more numerous than their SPARTAN-II predecessors. They would rely on superior battle tactics, teamwork, and sheer numbers rather than technology and equipment, to achieve their effectiveness.[2]

Purpose

The SPARTAN-II program had been a dazzling success for the UNSC. Tales of Spartan super soldiers fighting off thousands of Covenant attacks had become the stuff of legend. Unfortunately, there were too few SPARTAN-IIs to turn the tide of the war. Even worse, the director for the program, Dr. Catherine Halsey, had postponed the training of new Spartan-IIs for years due to the extremely specific genetic requirements for the children to be selected.

The SPARTAN-II program also had several problems and deficiencies which overshadowed its success to ONI. Firstly, the high mortality rate of the children during augmentation was counter-productive to the purpose, drive, and ambition of the program. Next, funding the Spartan program, including their training and MJOLNIR armor, cost as much as a battle group, at least according to Rear Admiral Ned Rich. Third, there were far too few of them for them to turn the tide of the war. Finally, the Spartan-II program had gone public to improve morale in 2547. Even though it was a huge morale boost to the UNSC, it was a problem for most of the Office of Naval Intelligence. ONI operated in secrecy, and anything that shone light on their operations was seen as detrimental to their efforts.

The SPARTAN-IIIs were designed to be better trained, cheaper, and expendable. They would be trained in companies of 300 to 330 at a time, and then sent on suicide missions that the UNSC could not accomplish even with the elite Orbital Drop Shock Troopers. Though the casualty rates of the SPARTAN-IIIs stood at 100 percent on some missions, to ONI, all the operations were strategic successes. They were trading lives for time against the larger and technologically superior Covenant Empire. ONI hoped that in time, enough Spartans would survive to train more and more future Spartans, swelling the ranks of available super soldiers from only thirty SPARTAN-IIs in 2531 to a hundred thousand SPARTAN-IIIs within ten to twenty years.[2]

Personnel

Alpha Company

Beta Company

Gamma Company

Others

Team 1

Team 2

    • Unnamed SPARTAN-III - KIA - Participated in a failed mission on an unnamed Covenant moon.
    • Unnamed SPARTAN-III - KIA - Participated in a failed mission on an unnamed Covenant moon.

Spartan-III Companies

Alpha Company

Main article: SPARTAN-III Alpha Company
A section of Alpha Company being inspected by Franklin Mendez.

On December 27, 2531, the first group of Spartan-IIIs, known as Alpha Company, were sent to Onyx to be trained at Camp Currahee. They were led by Kurt-051 a SPARTAN-II operating under the pseudonym "Ambrose". Of the 497 candidates who were conscripted, only 300 became Spartans. This class of Spartans all survived the augmentations and was activated in November of 2536. Their record was at first exemplary, as they saw action at the Insurrection of Mamore, the Battle of New Constantinople, and at the Bonanza Asteroid Belt. Nine months after they were activated, they were massacred in Operation: PROMETHEUS. All of the three-hundred Spartans deployed on the mission were supposedly killed. The only fire team mentioned for Alpha Company is Team Wolf Pack.[5]

Beta Company

Main article: SPARTAN-III Beta Company

Beta Company was approved right after Operation: PROMETHEUS in 2537. 418 candidates were conscripted in 2539, but only 300 became Spartans. Kurt-051 was disheartened at the loss of his first Spartans, and trained this group in unit cohesiveness along with a tougher training program. Though they were even better trained than the previous Spartans, they were similarly massacred in Operation: TORPEDO in 2545. From the entire company, only two participants survived the battle.[6][7]

Gamma Company

Main article: SPARTAN-III Gamma Company

Gamma Company was trained with the help of the only two Spartan-IIIs from Beta Company who survived Operation: TORPEDO: Tom-B292 and Lucy-B091. Lieutenant Commander Ambrose regarded Gamma Company to be the finest of the SPARTAN-III companies. 330 candidates were selected, on average only six years old, and at the request of Kurt, all 330 were approved. Every one of them survived the augmentation procedures.[8] Gamma Company received deployment orders only a few weeks after the Fall of Reach, and most left Onyx before the Battle of Onyx.[9] Only fifteen SPARTAN-IIIs remained on Onyx as they competed for top honors. Following the Battle of Onyx, seven had been killed in action. Teams Gladius and Katana were not present in the early stages of the battle, leaving only Team Saber. Team Saber was the only SPARTAN-III unit to fight alongside the SPARTAN-II unit Blue Team. With the help of their older, more experienced counterparts, they successfully fought off a Covenant attack along with destroying a Seninel manufacturing facility. Ultimately, the surviving SPARTAN-IIIs escaped to the Shield World at the core of Onyx.[4]

Delta Company

Main article: SPARTAN-III Delta Company

Delta Company was proposed, and Camp Currahee was being prepared for their arrival when the Battle of Onyx began on October 31, 2552. With the death of Kurt-051 and the disappearances of SCPO Franklin Mendez and Dr. Catherine Halsey, as well as the immediate concerns of the Battle of Earth and the disintegration of Onyx, it is highly unlikely that Delta Company will ever be trained.

Special-Purposed

A number of soldiers were specially selected and separated from their respective companies to fight in smaller fireteams.

Headhunters

Main article: Headhunters

Only SPARTAN-IIIs who had survived two or more specially-assigned training missions would become a "Headhunter". These SPARTAN-IIIs would go onto missions far behind enemy lines and would more than likely be expected to die in combat. They are described as secrets even to their peers, and once selected, candidates for the program would be separated from their fellow Spartans.

Noble Team

Main article: Noble Team
Noble Team.

Noble Team is a special operations squad of the UNSC's Special Warfare Command it is made up of SPARTAN-IIIs from both Alpha and Beta Companies. Composed of five SPARTAN-IIIs and an additional SPARTAN-II, Noble Team employs special tactics and expensive equipment such as MJOLNIR Mark V(B) Armor. So far, their only known combat deployment has been the Fall of Reach. The team is commanded by Carter-A259, with Catherine-B320 as his second in command.

Operational History

The operational history of the SPARTAN-III program has been marked by success and tragedy. Many of the operations undertaken by the soldiers were suicide missions, but were listed as successes by the UNSC.

2536 - 2537

2539

  • Candidates for Beta Company are selected.

2545

2545–2552

  • Candidates for Gamma Company are selected.
  • August 30, 2552 - Noble Team participates in the Fall of Reach.
  • September/October, 2552 - The majority of Gamma Company are sent out on an unknown mission.
  • October 31, 2552 - November 3, 2552 – Battle of Onyx.

Equipment

SPI Armor

Main article: Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor

Semi-Powered Infiltration Armor, colloquially called "SPI Armor", is a powered armor system used by the SPARTAN-IIIs. Though far more advanced and far more powerful than the ODST combat suit, it is less advanced and less powerful than the MJOLNIR armor used by the SPARTAN-IIs. Its main benefit was that it is drastically cheaper to produce than the MJOLNIR armor.

This armor is designed with an emphasis on stealth rather than raw power. It features photo-reactive panels that mimic the surrounding textures which were developed by UNSC scientists. It has been described as "part legionnaire mail, part tactical body armor, and part chameleon." It lacks the energy shielding of the Mark V and VI MJOLNIR armor designs, and a single "splash" from an enemy plasma weapon melts the suit's photo-reactive panels, rendering its camouflage capabilities useless.

Mark V[B] Armor

Main article: Mark V(B) MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor

Not much is known about this armor except that it is designed and manufactured by privatized organizations hired by the UNSC rather than developed by the UNSC proper, due to numerous problems with funding. This armor has several differences from the standard Mark V. So far, the [B] variant is known to include shoulder pauldrons and a helmet. The Mark V[B] variant entered service in 2551 along with the standard MJOLNIR Mark V armor set. However, components of the [B] variant were issued exclusively to members of SPECWAR/Group Three, including some members of Noble Team.

Augmentation Procedures

A screen monitoring Carter-A259's augmentations during Project CHRYSANTHEMUM.
Main article: Project CHRYSANTHEMUM

The SPARTAN-IIIs underwent enhancement procedures similar to those of the SPARTAN-IIs, but with higher success rates due to advancements in technology. The rate of survival went up from 44% for the SPARTAN-IIs to 100% for the SPARTAN-IIIs.


Trivia

  • The naming convention of the SPARTAN-III companies follows the Greek alphabet (Alpha, Beta, Gamma, Delta, etc). Each individual SPARTAN-III's identifier becomes A,B, or G (letter of respective company), followed by a three-digit number between 001 and 300 or so, such as Ash-G099. This numbering system is very much like that of the SPARTAN-IIs.
  • For some reason, Ash-G099 was referred to as a private. This may suggest that the SPARTAN-IIIs were actually Marine-esque personnel. Evidence of this includes the use of Long Range Stealth Orbital Insertion Pods, a more sophisticated counterpart to the SOEIVs used by the ODSTs, and their only known combat experience being ground operations. However, the reference to Ash being a private may simply be a mistake, since Tom-B292, Lucy-B091, and the members of Noble Team are given Navy ranks.
  • The number of 300 SPARTAN-IIIs in both Alpha and Beta companies, who were both massacred but completed their missions and killed many Covenant warriors in the process is a reference to the last stand of the 300 Spartans in the Battle of Thermopylae.
  • The protagonist of Halo: Reach is SPARTAN-B312, a SPARTAN-III who was pulled from Beta Company right before Operation: TORPEDO commenced.[11]

Sources

  1. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 70
  2. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 44 - 48
  3. ^ Letter from Eric Nylund
  4. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 369-383
  5. ^ a b Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 81-83
  6. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, Prologue
  7. ^ Game Informer February Issue
  8. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 96-120
  9. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, page 139
  10. ^ Halo: Ghosts of Onyx, pages 83-88
  11. ^ Bungie.net: Letter from Kurt to Mendez

Related Pages

v • d • e
 
Spartan-IIIs

v • d • e
 
The SPARTAN programs and related topics
Training and protocol
Technology
Non-UNSC super soldiers
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