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UNSC Armed Forces: Difference between revisions
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The UNSC Armed Forces were created during the [[Interplanetary War]], fighting in a series of brutal conflicts across the Solar System and humanity's space confines between [[2160]] and [[2164]], most prominently among them the [[Jovian Moons Campaign]], the [[Rain Forest Wars]], and a [[Argyre Planitia Campaign|series of battles]] on [[Mars]].<ref name="xbox">''Xbox.com'': The Halo Timeline (defunct, [[Archive:Xbox.com/Halo/Timeline|Archived]])</ref> These encounters were centered around UN clashes with dissident political movements, the most important of which were the [[Koslovics]] and the [[Frieden]]. | The UNSC Armed Forces were created during the [[Interplanetary War]], fighting in a series of brutal conflicts across the Solar System and humanity's space confines between [[2160]] and [[2164]], most prominently among them the [[Jovian Moons Campaign]], the [[Rain Forest Wars]], and a [[Argyre Planitia Campaign|series of battles]] on [[Mars]].<ref name="xbox">''Xbox.com'': The Halo Timeline (defunct, [[Archive:Xbox.com/Halo/Timeline|Archived]])</ref> These encounters were centered around UN clashes with dissident political movements, the most important of which were the [[Koslovics]] and the [[Frieden]]. | ||
The war began with an attack on [[United Nations colonial advisers]] on the moon of [[Io]], one of the moons of [[Jupiter]], but would spread to Mars and parts of [[South America]] in the [[Rain Forest Wars]]. These events culminated in a UN build-up in the mid to late 2160s, which would result in the UN establishing a unified military and a permanent [[Unified Earth Government]] as an ultimate power to lead the human race by [[2170]]. | The war began with an attack on [[United Nations colonial advisers]] on the moon of [[Io]], one of the moons of [[Jupiter]], but would spread to Mars and parts of [[South America]] in the [[Rain Forest Wars]]. These events culminated in a UN build-up in the mid to late 2160s, which would result in the UN establishing a unified military and a permanent [[Unified Earth Government]] as an ultimate power to lead the human race by [[2170]].{{Ref/Reuse|xbox}}<ref name="timeline">[http://www.halowars.com/GameInfo/Timeline.aspx ''Official Halo Wars Community Site'': Timeline] (defunct, [[Archive:Halowars.com/Timeline|Archived]])</ref> | ||
===Insurrection=== | ===Insurrection=== | ||
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===The Human-Covenant War=== | ===The Human-Covenant War=== | ||
{{Main|Human-Covenant War}} | {{Main|Human-Covenant War}} | ||
[[2525]] marked the most important turning point in human history; it would mark the beginning of the great technological advancement, the unification of a divided and fractured human race, and the [[Halo: Contact Harvest|first contact]] of humanity and an extra-terrestrial intelligence, the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]. It would also see a majority of the Earth government's colony worlds destroyed, and billions of colonists and military personnel slaughtered by orbital plasma bombardment and planetary invasion, known as [[glassing]]. Thus began the Human-Covenant War with the [[First Battle of Harvest]]. Intercepted communications identified the enemy as the Covenant, a caste-driven, theological organization made up of several alien species. The message "''Your destruction is the will of the gods...and we are their instrument''" was broadcast in perfect [[English]]. | [[2525]] marked the most important turning point in human history; it would mark the beginning of the great technological advancement, the unification of a divided and fractured human race, and the [[Halo: Contact Harvest|first contact]] of humanity and an extra-terrestrial intelligence, the [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]]. It would also see a majority of the Earth government's colony worlds destroyed, and billions of colonists and military personnel slaughtered by orbital plasma bombardment and planetary invasion, known as [[glassing]]. Thus began the Human-Covenant War with the [[First Battle of Harvest]]. Intercepted communications identified the enemy as the Covenant, a caste-driven, theological organization made up of several alien species. The message "''Your destruction is the will of the gods...and we are their instrument''" was broadcast in perfect [[English]].{{Ref/Reuse|Reach}} | ||
Since the later [[Second Battle of Harvest]] in [[2526]], where a huge human fleet led by [[Vice Admiral]] [[Preston Cole]] barely won against a smaller [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] fleet in a symbolic "victory" for humanity, the humans' grip on their territories declined significantly in the course of their struggle. The Covenant had managed to capture the majority, if not all of the [[Outer Colonies]], and a portion of the [[Inner Colonies]]. | Since the later [[Second Battle of Harvest]] in [[2526]], where a huge human fleet led by [[Vice Admiral]] [[Preston Cole]] barely won against a smaller [[Covenant Empire|Covenant]] fleet in a symbolic "victory" for humanity, the humans' grip on their territories declined significantly in the course of their struggle. The Covenant had managed to capture the majority, if not all of the [[Outer Colonies]], and a portion of the [[Inner Colonies]]. | ||
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By this time, the UNSC had overridden the UEG, and thus the central civilian authority throughout the human worlds and Earth itself. Although the central government was more willing to step down, the [[Colonial Administration Authority]] was far more reluctant to this idea, and thus the UNSC stripped it of most of its power. By the middle to late stages of the war, the government of humanity could be more accurately described as an "emergency military" government. | By this time, the UNSC had overridden the UEG, and thus the central civilian authority throughout the human worlds and Earth itself. Although the central government was more willing to step down, the [[Colonial Administration Authority]] was far more reluctant to this idea, and thus the UNSC stripped it of most of its power. By the middle to late stages of the war, the government of humanity could be more accurately described as an "emergency military" government. | ||
By [[2552]], the UNSC, outnumbered and outgunned, had managed to slow down the Covenant's inexorable progress through former human space, but the situation was dire. In desperation, [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] ordered a [[Operation: RED FLAG|high-risk op]], sending the Spartan-II supersoldiers, the best soldiers ever fielded by humanity, to insert into Covenant space, capture a high-ranking [[San'Shyuum|Prophet]], and return to UNSC space in an attempt to ransom for a truce. Before the operation began, the Covenant attacked the planet [[Reach]], killing most of the Spartans and a large portion of the UNSC Armed Forces, inadvertently stopping the operation and rendering most of the Spartans [[MIA]]. | By [[2552]], the UNSC, outnumbered and outgunned, had managed to slow down the Covenant's inexorable progress through former human space, but the situation was dire. In desperation, [[UNSC High Command|HIGHCOM]] ordered a [[Operation: RED FLAG|high-risk op]], sending the Spartan-II supersoldiers, the best soldiers ever fielded by humanity, to insert into Covenant space, capture a high-ranking [[San'Shyuum|Prophet]], and return to UNSC space in an attempt to ransom for a truce. Before the operation began, the Covenant attacked the planet [[Reach]], killing most of the Spartans and a large portion of the UNSC Armed Forces, inadvertently stopping the operation and rendering most of the Spartans [[MIA]].{{Ref/Reuse|Reach}} | ||
A single ship, the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} managed to escape the planet. The ship followed coordinates derived by the AI [[Cortana]] to a ringworld known as [[Installation 04|Halo]]. There, the UNSC forces encountered a parasitic lifeform known as [[the Flood]], the species that the ring, [[Halo Array|Halo]], had been built to starve. The activation of the ring would lead to the extinction of all life within three radii of the galactic center. Spartan [[John-117]] destroyed the ring, believing it to be too powerful, by detonation of the [[fusion drive]]s of the ''Pillar of Autumn''. After hijacking a Covenant flagship ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', the Spartan reunited with the remaining survivors from Installation 04 and the destruction of Reach and attacked a force of Covenant ships in [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]], one of the most successful UNSC operations against the Covenant in the entire war.<ref name="Halo: First Strike">''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref> | A single ship, the {{UNSCShip|Pillar of Autumn}} managed to escape the planet. The ship followed coordinates derived by the AI [[Cortana]] to a ringworld known as [[Installation 04|Halo]]. There, the UNSC forces encountered a parasitic lifeform known as [[the Flood]], the species that the ring, [[Halo Array|Halo]], had been built to starve. The activation of the ring would lead to the extinction of all life within three radii of the galactic center. Spartan [[John-117]] destroyed the ring, believing it to be too powerful, by detonation of the [[fusion drive]]s of the ''Pillar of Autumn''. After hijacking a Covenant flagship ''[[Ascendant Justice]]'', the Spartan reunited with the remaining survivors from Installation 04 and the destruction of Reach and attacked a force of Covenant ships in [[Operation: FIRST STRIKE]], one of the most successful UNSC operations against the Covenant in the entire war.<ref name="Halo: First Strike">''[[Halo: First Strike]]''</ref> | ||
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==Organization== | ==Organization== | ||
===Command organization=== | ===Command organization=== | ||
The Armed Forces are the major organization within the [[United Nations Space Command]], which in of itself takes orders from the [[Unified Earth Government]] (UEG), a governing body that covers military, exploratory and scientific agencies. While the UNSC as a whole encompasses major other departments such as the [[UNSC Department of Commercial Shipping]] and [[UNSC Astronavigation]], the Armed Forces are specifically the UNSC's (and thus, the UEG's) military arm. As of [[2558]], the UNSC Armed Forces are divided into a joint staff known as [[UNSC High Command]] (HIGHCOM) and six departments. HIGHCOM makes its in [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] in [[Sydney]], with a senior leadership council comprised of the senior officer of every military department, collectively known as the [[UNSC Security Council]]. | The Armed Forces are the major organization within the [[United Nations Space Command]], which in of itself takes orders from the [[Unified Earth Government]] (UEG), a governing body that covers military, exploratory and scientific agencies. While the UNSC as a whole encompasses major other departments such as the [[UNSC Department of Commercial Shipping]] and [[UNSC Astronavigation]], the Armed Forces are specifically the UNSC's (and thus, the UEG's) military arm. As of [[2558]], the UNSC Armed Forces are divided into a joint staff known as [[UNSC High Command]] (HIGHCOM) and six departments. HIGHCOM makes its in [[HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6]] in [[Sydney]], with a senior leadership council comprised of the senior officer of every military department, collectively known as the [[UNSC Security Council]].{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM120}} HIGHCOM has a number of sub-commands including [[UNSC Personnel Command|PERSCOM]] and [[UNSC Astrophysics]]. Committees such as the [[UNSC Ordnance Committee]] ensure quality in Armed Forces equipment and personnel. Additionally, all members of the Armed Forces are expected to follow the UNSC's [[Constitution]].<ref>''Halo 4 Infinity Challenge'' Enlistment Verification</ref><ref>''Halo 4 Global Championship, 2013'' Enlistment Verification</ref> | ||
===The Armed Forces=== | ===The Armed Forces=== | ||
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The UNSC Army, Air Force and Marine Corps assets are administered by UNICOM, responsible for coordinating terrestrial and close-orbit missions. The Marine Corps works alongside the Navy and Air Force to rapidly deploy onto other worlds from space.<ref name="OSFM132">''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'', Marine Corps Missions - p.132</ref> The Army serves as a heavy ground force, deploying the majority of soldiers in ground campaigns and serving to defend territory from invading forces.<ref name="OSFM133">''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'', Army - p.133</ref> | The UNSC Army, Air Force and Marine Corps assets are administered by UNICOM, responsible for coordinating terrestrial and close-orbit missions. The Marine Corps works alongside the Navy and Air Force to rapidly deploy onto other worlds from space.<ref name="OSFM132">''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'', Marine Corps Missions - p.132</ref> The Army serves as a heavy ground force, deploying the majority of soldiers in ground campaigns and serving to defend territory from invading forces.<ref name="OSFM133">''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]'', Army - p.133</ref> | ||
The Air Force is tasked with maintaining close-orbit defense, employing a range of defensive satellites and [[orbital defense platform]]s as well as a multitude of combat aircraft, including unmanned drones such as the [[F-99 Wombat]]. Within the Air Force are a number of major commands tasked with different administrative and operational roles. Among these are the [[Air Combat Command]], which is tasked with gaining air superiority and providing support for ground forces, and the [[Wikipedia:Air Mobility Command|Air Mobility Command]], which contains [[Air Mobility Express]], assigned to airlift materiél and personnel during wartime. | The Air Force is tasked with maintaining close-orbit defense, employing a range of defensive satellites and [[orbital defense platform]]s as well as a multitude of combat aircraft, including unmanned drones such as the [[F-99 Wombat]]. Within the Air Force are a number of major commands tasked with different administrative and operational roles. Among these are the [[Air Combat Command]], which is tasked with gaining air superiority and providing support for ground forces, and the [[Wikipedia:Air Mobility Command|Air Mobility Command]], which contains [[Air Mobility Express]], assigned to airlift materiél and personnel during wartime.{{Ref/Reuse|Reach}}<ref>[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/air+mobility+express "The Free Dictionary" article on 'AMX']</ref> | ||
Operational control of UNICOM and NAVCOM groupings is exercised through one of four regional [[Central Command]]s (CENTCOMs), which have responsibility over certain areas of space.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p.34</ref> These regions are known as "CentCom Regions", designated by select groupings of [[slipspace]] routes. Forces from one CENTCOM region may not be moved to another without authorization from HIGHCOM, meaning regional commanders must consider their force deployments wisely. | Operational control of UNICOM and NAVCOM groupings is exercised through one of four regional [[Central Command]]s (CENTCOMs), which have responsibility over certain areas of space.<ref>''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]'', p.34</ref> These regions are known as "CentCom Regions", designated by select groupings of [[slipspace]] routes. Forces from one CENTCOM region may not be moved to another without authorization from HIGHCOM, meaning regional commanders must consider their force deployments wisely.{{Ref/Reuse|OSFM122}} After 2553, the Spartan branch was formed; it is responsible for command of [[Wikipedia:Special operations|special operations]] undertaken by the [[SPARTAN-III|third]] and [[SPARTAN-IV|fourth]] generations of [[Spartan]] supersoldiers.{{Ref/Reuse|Waypoint story}} The Spartans are the smallest operational component in the entire Armed Forces. | ||
The '''UNSC Defense Force''' ('''UNSCDF''') is a subdivision of the Armed Forces that includes the majority of the UNSC Army, Air Force, [[Colonial Militia]],<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', cover art ([[:File:SSgt Avery Johnson, UNSC Marine Corps.JPG|UNSCDF emblem on SSgt Johnson's cap]])</ref> and elements of the Navy and Marine Corps. As its name implies, the Defense Force is charged with occupying territory as a defensive force. | The '''UNSC Defense Force''' ('''UNSCDF''') is a subdivision of the Armed Forces that includes the majority of the UNSC Army, Air Force, [[Colonial Militia]],<ref>''Halo: Contact Harvest'', cover art ([[:File:SSgt Avery Johnson, UNSC Marine Corps.JPG|UNSCDF emblem on SSgt Johnson's cap]])</ref> and elements of the Navy and Marine Corps. As its name implies, the Defense Force is charged with occupying territory as a defensive force.{{Ref/Reuse|interview}} The Armed Forces also include an organization with the acronym '''UNSCEF''', which is known to encompass at least UNSC Navy and Marine Corps assets.<ref>'''Halo 2''', M247 machine gun tripod decal ([[:File:M247 1.png|File link]])</ref><ref>''[[The Art of Halo: Creating a Virtual World]]'', p.159</ref>{{Ref/Note|It is possible, though unconfirmed, that "UNSCEF" stands for "UNSC Expeditionary Force(s)" as this would effectively contrast the defensive role of the UNSCDF, and match with the military assets with which the "UNSCEF" label has been associated with the uniforms of the crewmen of the frigate {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and a UNSC Marine Corps M247 machine gun).}} | ||
==Origins== | ==Origins== | ||