61,036
edits
UNSC Armed Forces: Difference between revisions
m
Replacing text
Covenant PhD (talk | contribs) mNo edit summary |
m (Replacing text) |
||
| Line 39: | Line 39: | ||
===Insurrection=== | ===Insurrection=== | ||
In the aftermath of the war, following the invention of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] in the late 2200s and the discovery of [[Slipstream space]], the Unified Earth Government began a colonization programme that saw [[human]]ity [[Domus Diaspora|spreading out]] from the [[Sol system]]. The apex of human colonization would come in [[2492]], when more then 800 worlds were inside UNSC territory and a handful of them were under development or had already developed into colonies. By this time, a ring of [[Outer Colonies]] was providing the UEG with the raw materials that made the macro-economy work; the political power, however, remained with the aforementioned [[Inner Colonies]]. The massive difference in wealth distribution and political power, which became a hallmark of humanity by this period, led to new threats of secession from the outer ring. Fearing the consequences of the breakup of the interstellar empire and seeing the benefits of avoiding all-out war to defend their hold on the colonies, the Earth government would establish the [[ORION Project]] in [[2491]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'''</ref><ref | In the aftermath of the war, following the invention of the [[Shaw-Fujikawa Translight Engine]] in the late 2200s and the discovery of [[Slipstream space]], the Unified Earth Government began a colonization programme that saw [[human]]ity [[Domus Diaspora|spreading out]] from the [[Sol system]]. The apex of human colonization would come in [[2492]], when more then 800 worlds were inside UNSC territory and a handful of them were under development or had already developed into colonies. By this time, a ring of [[Outer Colonies]] was providing the UEG with the raw materials that made the macro-economy work; the political power, however, remained with the aforementioned [[Inner Colonies]]. The massive difference in wealth distribution and political power, which became a hallmark of humanity by this period, led to new threats of secession from the outer ring. Fearing the consequences of the breakup of the interstellar empire and seeing the benefits of avoiding all-out war to defend their hold on the colonies, the Earth government would establish the [[ORION Project]] in [[2491]].<ref>'''[[Halo: Contact Harvest]]'''</ref><ref name="Reach"/><ref>'''[[Halo: The Cole Protocol]]'''</ref> | ||
===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]].<ref | [[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 name="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]]. | ||
| Line 49: | Line 49: | ||
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]].<ref | 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 name="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>'''[[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> | ||
By October of [[2552]], the Covenant had haphazardly discovered the position of the human home world, Earth, and sent a preliminary task force there, believing it to be the location of the [[Installation 00|Ark]], an ancient Forerunner relic. They encountered staunch resistance, and were initially fended off. Further complications arose from the political and religious crisis that emerged in the wake of a UNSC operation to assassinate the [[Prophet of Regret]], and the secession of the [[Sangheili]] from the hegemony, leading to the [[Great Schism]], further throwing the Covenant into chaos. Nevertheless, by November, what was left of the Covenant had subjugated large parts of Africa in addition to devastating much of the planet. Only their retreat through a Forerunner [[The Portal|portal]] in [[Africa]], and the arrival of the [[Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution|fleet]], stopped the utter destruction of the UNSC and Earth itself.<ref name="cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref> | By October of [[2552]], the Covenant had haphazardly discovered the position of the human home world, Earth, and sent a preliminary task force there, believing it to be the location of the [[Installation 00|Ark]], an ancient Forerunner relic. They encountered staunch resistance, and were initially fended off. Further complications arose from the political and religious crisis that emerged in the wake of a UNSC operation to assassinate the [[Prophet of Regret]], and the secession of the [[Sangheili]] from the hegemony, leading to the [[Great Schism]], further throwing the Covenant into chaos. Nevertheless, by November, what was left of the Covenant had subjugated large parts of Africa in addition to devastating much of the planet. Only their retreat through a Forerunner [[The Portal|portal]] in [[Africa]], and the arrival of the [[Sangheili]] [[Fleet of Retribution|fleet]], stopped the utter destruction of the UNSC and Earth itself.<ref name="cairo">'''[[Halo 2]]''', campaign level, ''[[Cairo Station (level)|Cairo Station]]''</ref><ref>'''[[Halo 3]]''', campaign level, ''[[Crow's Nest (level)|Crow's Nest]]''</ref> | ||
| Line 66: | Line 66: | ||
The Armed Forces take orders from the [[Unified Earth Government]]. The professional, controlling body of the UNSC Armed Forces is the [[UNSC High Command]] (HIGHCOM), headed by the [[UNSC Security Council]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike'''</ref> Within HIGHCOM are a number of administrative commands, including [[UNSC Personnel Command|PERSCOM]], the [[UNSC Medical Corps]] and the [[UNSC Engineering Corps|Engineering Corps]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 138''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 123''</ref> 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 take orders from the [[Unified Earth Government]]. The professional, controlling body of the UNSC Armed Forces is the [[UNSC High Command]] (HIGHCOM), headed by the [[UNSC Security Council]].<ref>'''Halo: First Strike'''</ref> Within HIGHCOM are a number of administrative commands, including [[UNSC Personnel Command|PERSCOM]], the [[UNSC Medical Corps]] and the [[UNSC Engineering Corps|Engineering Corps]].<ref>'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]''', ''page 138''</ref><ref>'''Halo: Ghosts of Onyx''', ''page 123''</ref> 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 UNSC Armed Forces comprise the [[UNSC Army|Army]], the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], the [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]], and the recently formed [[Spartan Operations]]. Control of the Navy is exercised by the [[UNSC Naval Command]], which contains [[UNSC Fleet Command]], the [[Logistical Operations Command]], the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], and the [[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare Command]]. The UNSC Army and Marine Corps are administered by the [[Unified Ground Command]]. 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>'''Halo: Reach'''</ref><ref>[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/air+mobility+express "The Free Dictionary" article on 'AMX']</ref> Operational control is exercised through regional [[Central Command|CENTCOMs]], which have responsibility over certain areas of space.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 34''</ref> 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 name=" | The UNSC Armed Forces comprise the [[UNSC Army|Army]], the [[UNSC Navy|Navy]], the [[UNSC Marine Corps|Marine Corps]], the [[UNSC Air Force|Air Force]], and the recently formed [[Spartan Operations]]. Control of the Navy is exercised by the [[UNSC Naval Command]], which contains [[UNSC Fleet Command]], the [[Logistical Operations Command]], the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]], and the [[UNSC Special Forces|Naval Special Warfare Command]]. The UNSC Army and Marine Corps are administered by the [[Unified Ground Command]]. 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>'''Halo: Reach'''</ref><ref>[http://www.thefreedictionary.com/air+mobility+express "The Free Dictionary" article on 'AMX']</ref> Operational control is exercised through regional [[Central Command|CENTCOMs]], which have responsibility over certain areas of space.<ref>'''[[Halo: Ghosts of Onyx]]''', ''page 34''</ref> 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 name="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.<ref name="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''', [[:File:M247 1.png|decal on M247 GPMG's tripod]]</ref><ref>'''[[The Art of Halo: Creating a Virtual World]]''', ''page 159''</ref><ref group="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 (the uniforms of the crewmen of the frigate {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and a UNSC Marine Corps M247 machine gun).</ref> | 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 name="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''', [[:File:M247 1.png|decal on M247 GPMG's tripod]]</ref><ref>'''[[The Art of Halo: Creating a Virtual World]]''', ''page 159''</ref><ref group="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 (the uniforms of the crewmen of the frigate {{UNSCShip|In Amber Clad}} and a UNSC Marine Corps M247 machine gun).</ref> | ||
| Line 79: | Line 79: | ||
==Equipment== | ==Equipment== | ||
[[File:HE18-Pelicanbay.png|Various ballistic armor used by the Armed Forces in 2556.|right|thumb|250px]] | [[File:HE18-Pelicanbay.png|Various ballistic armor used by the Armed Forces in 2556.|right|thumb|250px]] | ||
Unlike the Covenant, the UNSC Armed Forces' military technology is still based on comparatively primitive mechanisms - projectile weaponry, wheeled vehicles, and combustion engines. The UNSC Armed Forces' grasp of certain scientific concepts is more advanced than the Covenant, but turning these concepts into functional machinery has proven more problematic. Recently, the UNSC has introduced a variety of Covenant-derived technologies into their arsenal: gravity plating aboard ships, [[energy shields]] to protect Spartans, and limited use of [[ | Unlike the Covenant, the UNSC Armed Forces' military technology is still based on comparatively primitive mechanisms - projectile weaponry, wheeled vehicles, and combustion engines. The UNSC Armed Forces' grasp of certain scientific concepts is more advanced than the Covenant, but turning these concepts into functional machinery has proven more problematic. Recently, the UNSC has introduced a variety of Covenant-derived technologies into their arsenal: gravity plating aboard ships, [[energy shields]] to protect Spartans, and limited use of [[directed-energy weapon]]s, usually lasers, for example, the [[M6 Grindell/Galilean Nonlinear Rifle]], though the Covenant still retain their technological advantage. | ||
UNSC starship weaponry is based around [[Archer Missile|missiles]] and [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s. Their technological inferiority in the face of the Covenant means that it was often necessary for the UNSC to have a three-to-one numerical advantage against them in ship-to-ship combat. The UNSC also possesses a weapon of mass destruction in the form of the [[NOVA bomb]]. | UNSC starship weaponry is based around [[Archer Missile|missiles]] and [[Magnetic Accelerator Cannon]]s. Their technological inferiority in the face of the Covenant means that it was often necessary for the UNSC to have a three-to-one numerical advantage against them in ship-to-ship combat. The UNSC also possesses a weapon of mass destruction in the form of the [[NOVA bomb]]. | ||
| Line 93: | Line 93: | ||
*'''[[Firebase Bravo]]'''<ref name="Reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'''</ref> | *'''[[Firebase Bravo]]'''<ref name="Reach">'''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach]]'''</ref> | ||
*'''[[Camp Hathcock]]'''<ref name="Reach"/> | *'''[[Camp Hathcock]]'''<ref name="Reach"/> | ||
*'''[[Camp Independence]]'''<ref | *'''[[Camp Independence]]'''<ref name="Halo: First Strike"/> | ||
*'''[[Chawla Base]]'''<ref>'''[[I Love Bees]]'''</ref> | *'''[[Chawla Base]]'''<ref>'''[[I Love Bees]]'''</ref> | ||
*'''[[Diego Garcia]]'''<ref name="H2">'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref> | *'''[[Diego Garcia]]'''<ref name="H2">'''[[Halo 2]]'''</ref> | ||