Spartan Operations

''Were you looking for the glossary of individual Spartan programs?

Spartan is the fifth and newest branch of the United Nations Space Command, responsible for command of special operations undertaken by the Third and Fourth generations of augmented soldiers. This branch was established in the years following the apocalyptic Human-Covenant War on the orders of Admiral Margaret Parangosky, Commander-in-Chief, Naval Intelligence. Its activities across the galaxy are classified much like their predecessor organizations. The Spartans have an active force numbering at least 348 soldiers, making it the smallest operational component in the entire Defense Force.

Creation
The beginnings of the fourth generation of the venerable Spartan programs began shortly before the end of hostilities in the Human-Covenant War. Admiral Parangosky, who had signed off on the previous second and third generations, ironically believed that the kidnapping of six-year old children for seven years of harsh training, especially the flash cloning of covert replacements, was unethical. Because of this, the elderly director of Naval Intelligence ordered that all future Spartans would be consenting adults, all of whom were handpicked from all four branches by Beta-5 Division for their exceptional service during the war, mainly from special operations units from across the military. The last program to augment adults would be the original unit, the ORION soldiers of Naval Special Warfare Command who were created to fight the growing Insurrection in the Outer Colonies; ironically, the Fours would come to serve in a similar capacity, fighting a resurgent colonial rebellion.

Originally, Parangosky was to give command of the SPARTAN-IV program and ultimately Spartan Branch to the Army veteran and ONI confidant Colonel James Ackerson, the mastermind behind the third generation which trained, augmented, and graduated nearly a thousand Spartans into her command between 2531 and 2552. Serving under him, presumably in a scientific role to enhance the augmentation procedures and spearhead new technologies, would be Dr. Catherine Elizabeth Halsey, MD, PhD. However, neither would come to serve the SPARTAN-IV's; Colonel Ackerson was executed as a war prisoner aboard the Triumphant Declaration following his defeat at Mare Erythraeum in November 2552 while Dr. Halsey convinentaly became trapped within Trevelyan, later to be exiled to Ivanoff Station orbiting Installation 03 by Admiral Parangosky.

Due to the overwhelming successes of CHRYSANTHEMUM and its near perfect mortality rate, it is probable that all fourth generation candidates survived as well. It is unknown how many Spartans have been augmented with fourth generation protocols, or the number of distinct training classes, but it is noted that a number of candidates were given gene manipulation therapy prior to 2552. Training was conducted in various places, particularly the virtual reality deck aboard the highly advanced warship Infinity, then located in the Oort cloud, one lightyear beyond Sol. SPARTAN-III's, then consisting of two Beta Company veteran instructors, 323 Gamma Company, and an unknown number of Headhunters were requested by Admiral Parangosky and Naval Intelligence for reassignement to Spartan branch. It is unknown whether or not the the SPARTAN-II's, the iconic legends of the Class of 2525, were asked to join the command; if so, a possible active thirteen additional Spartans would be added to the unit's roster.

Requiem
During an exploration mission, the Spartans aboard the UNSC Infinity were pulled into the Requiem, an ancient Forerunner shield world, by a Cryptum-occupying Promethean and his forces. These soldiers, aided by Infinity ' s Marines would later assist MCPO John-117 in his fight against the Prometheans, as well as the the distracting Covenant resurgence which had followed the beleaguered SPARTAN-II to Requiem. With the Infinity high above, both Majestic Squad and Fireteam Crimson would serve on Requiem six months after the Battle of Requiem fighting both elements.

Current structure
all units are noted as they remain following the battles on Onyx (10.2552) and Requiem (6.2557); all SPARTAN-III's are presumed to have enlisted with the new branch.


 * Gamma Company - 325 soldiers (III)
 * Blue Team — 10 soldiers (III)
 * Katana — 5 soldiers (III)
 * Saber — 3 soldiers (III)
 * Headhunters — 15 soldiers (III)
 * Majestic Squad — 4 soldiers (IV)
 * Fireteam Crimson — 4 soldiers (IV)

List of appearances

 * Kilo-Five Trilogy
 * Halo: Glasslands
 * Halo: The Thursday War
 * Halo 4
 * Spartan Ops