Third Fleet

The Third Fleet was a fleet in the UNSC Navy during the Human-Covenant War.

Operational history
The Third Fleet was commanded by Admiral Preston Cole early in the war and took part in the extended campaign to recapture Harvest from the Covenant. During this time, the was part of its Battle Group D. Years later, in the final months of the war, the fleet was commanded by Captain W. Murray. On October 10, 2552, one of the third Fleet's battle groups, Battle Group Rhino, detected twelve unidentified large vessels in the Sol system broadcasting outdated civilian IFF codes. Upon approach, eleven of the vessels made unauthorized slipspace transits from the Sol system. Pursuant to standing orders to engage vessels not positively identified as friendly, Battle Group Rhino moved to engage the remaining ship. The was subsequently lost with all hands after reportedly suffering multiple hull breaches and boarding parties. The battle group then disengaged and regrouped at Phase Line Alpha above Enceladus. Vice Admiral Williams, in charge of the entire Third Fleet, requested permission from Fleet Admiral Harper to attack the ship, but permission was denied. The brief spout of violence in which the Totem Lake was lost came to be known simply as the Battle of October 10.

List of appearances

 * Halo Wars
 * Halo: Reach
 * Dr. Halsey's personal journal
 * Halo: Escalation