717th Xeno-Materials Exploitation Battalion

The 717th Xeno-Materials Exploitation Battalion was a formation of the United Nations Space Command Marine Corps under the operational command of the Office of Naval Intelligence's Xeno-Materials Exploitation Group. It was tasked with securing and retrieving alien materials, including Forerunner artifacts.

History
After the detection of Forerunner activity on the planet Gao on April 14, 2553, CINCONI Margaret Parangosky gave command of battalion to Commander Murtag Nelson and deployed it to the planet in order to secure a hypothesized Forerunner ancilla. The battalion's deployment, however, angered many of Gao's anti-centralist citizens. During the course of the expedition, numerous people were found murdered in Gao's Montero Cave System, which launched a joint UNSC-Gao Ministry of Protection investigation into the murders. The UNSC believed that the murders were committed by radicals wishing to blame them on the UNSC occupation, while many of the Gaos were convinced the UNSC to be responsible.

Composition
The battalion was composed of three combat companies, two-three support companies and one security company, in addition to several scientific units that allowed it to pursue its unique mission.


 * Identified units
 * Alpha Company (UNSC Marine Corps)
 * Charlie Company (UNSC Marine Corps; heavy infantry)
 * Sierra Company (UNSC Marine Corps)
 * Blue Team (UNSC Navy; Spartan Special Warfare team) (attached during Operation: JOVIAN WHISTLE)

List of appearances

 * Halo: Last Light
 * Halo Mythos
 * Halo: Retribution
 * Halo: Shadows of Reach