Canon

UNSC Special Forces: Difference between revisions

From Halopedia, the Halo wiki

Tag: Mobile edit
mNo edit summary
 
(14 intermediate revisions by 5 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{Era|UNSC|HCW|Post}}
{{Status|Canon}}
The '''Special Forces''' comprise the special operations units of the [[United Nations Space Command]].<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3shotgun '''Bungie.net''': ''M90A Close Assault Weapon System'']</ref> By [[2555|March 2555]], the UNSC Special Forces is headed by Captain [[Annabelle Richards]], who reports directly to the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence|Commander-in-Chief]], Admiral [[Serin Osman]].<ref name="preview 2">[http://books.simonandschuster.com/Hunters-in-the-Dark/Peter-David/HALO/9781476795874/browse_inside '''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''Preview'']</ref>
The '''Special Forces''' comprise the special operations units of the [[United Nations Space Command]].{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/halo3/content.aspx?link=h3shotgun|Site=Bungie.net|Page=The M90A Shotgun|D=08|M=6|Y=2020|LocalArchive=Machines, Materiel and Munitions from the Human-Covenant Conflict, 2525 - Present/M90A}} By [[2555|March 2555]], the UNSC Special Forces is headed by Captain [[Annabelle Richards]], who reports directly to the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]]'s [[Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence|Commander-in-Chief]], Admiral [[Serin Osman]].<ref name="preview 2">[http://books.simonandschuster.com/Hunters-in-the-Dark/Peter-David/HALO/9781476795874/browse_inside '''Halo: Hunters in the Dark''', ''Preview'']</ref>


==Naval Special Warfare Command==
==Naval Special Warfare Command==
Line 6: Line 6:
'''Naval Special Warfare Command''' ('''NAVSPECWARCOM''') is a major special forces division under the oversight of [[UNSC Naval Command]]. The branch includes the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]], operatives of the now defunct [[ORION Project]], and most of the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]]. The [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-IIIs]] also served under NAVSPECWARCOM until early [[2553]], when they were folded into the independent [[Spartan Operations|Spartan branch]]. NAVSPECWARCOM specializes in covert operations, assassinations, and conducting high-priority, high-risk operations against enemy forces.
'''Naval Special Warfare Command''' ('''NAVSPECWARCOM''') is a major special forces division under the oversight of [[UNSC Naval Command]]. The branch includes the [[Orbital Drop Shock Troopers]], operatives of the now defunct [[ORION Project]], and most of the [[SPARTAN-II program|SPARTAN-IIs]]. The [[SPARTAN-III program|SPARTAN-IIIs]] also served under NAVSPECWARCOM until early [[2553]], when they were folded into the independent [[Spartan Operations|Spartan branch]]. NAVSPECWARCOM specializes in covert operations, assassinations, and conducting high-priority, high-risk operations against enemy forces.


NAVSPECWARCOM also includes '''Naval Special Weapons''' ('''NAVSPECWEP'''), under which the ODSTs<ref>[http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx '''Bungie.net''': ''Halo 3: ODST Field Guide'']</ref><ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/odst '''Halo Waypoint''': ''ODST'']</ref> and the SPARTAN-IIs serve.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 175'' (2003)</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 121''</ref> Some NAVSPECWEP units fall under the operational supervision of [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Three|Section Three]] within the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]].<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 224'' (2003)</ref> The group has a large amount of operational and command flexibility. Although this office is technically subordinate to both the UNSC Naval Command and the [[Unified Ground Command]], UNICOM primarily has oversight of NAVSPECWEP special forces.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia]]''', ''page 65'' (2011 edition)</ref>
NAVSPECWARCOM also includes '''Naval Special Weapons''' ('''NAVSPECWEP'''), under which the ODSTs{{Ref/Site|URL=http://halo.bungie.net/projects/odst/guide.aspx|Site=Bungie.net|Page=Halo 3 ODST : Field Guide - ODST|D=25|M=05|Y=2013|LocalArchive=Archive:Bungie.net/Halo 3: ODST: Field Guide#Intel}}<ref>[https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/universe/factions/odst '''Halo Waypoint''': ''ODST'']</ref> and the SPARTAN-IIs serve.<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 175'' (2003)</ref><ref>'''[[Halo: The Essential Visual Guide]]''', ''page 121''</ref> Some NAVSPECWEP units fall under the operational supervision of [[Office of Naval Intelligence#Section Three|Section Three]] within the [[Office of Naval Intelligence]].<ref>'''Halo: The Fall of Reach''', ''page 224'' (2003)</ref> The group has a large amount of operational and command flexibility. Although this office is technically subordinate to both the UNSC Naval Command and the [[Unified Ground Command]], UNICOM primarily has oversight of NAVSPECWEP special forces.<ref>'''[[Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition)]]''', ''page 65'' (2011 edition)</ref>
{{Expand-section}}
{{Expand-section}}


===SPARTAN===
===SPARTAN===
[[SPARTAN programs|Spartans]] are the most skilled and disciplined soldiers in service to the UNSC. SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III personnel took part in intense training from childhood; most saw combat by their early teens. The SPARTAN-IIs wear performance-enhancing [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], whereas most SPARTAN-IIIs wore [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]]. After the Spartan branch's establishment, NAVSPECWARCOM still maintains operational command over Blue Team.<ref>[https://forums.halowaypoint.com/yaf_postsm2963582_-Spoilers--John-117-is-no-longer-blue-leader.aspx#post2963582 '''Halo Waypoint''' - ''John-117 is no longer blue leader (Catalog's answer)'']</ref>
[[SPARTAN programs|Spartans]] are the most skilled and disciplined soldiers in service to the UNSC. SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III personnel took part in intense training from childhood; most saw combat by their early teens. The SPARTAN-IIs wear performance-enhancing [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor]], whereas most SPARTAN-IIIs wore [[Semi-Powered Infiltration armor]]. After the Spartan branch's establishment, NAVSPECWARCOM still maintains operational command over Blue Team.{{Ref/Site|URL=https://www.halowaypoint.com/en-us/forums/db05ce78845f4120b062c50816008e5d/topics/spoilers-john-117-is-no-longer-blue-leader/00e462e3-9293-42ac-8f61-12c0dcc878df/posts|Site=Halo Waypoint Forums|Page=John-117 is no longer blue leader|D=29|M=12|Y=2019|LocalArchive=Catalog/Archive/2014#John-117 is no longer blue leader}}


====Known units====
====Known units====
Line 66: Line 66:


==Unified Special Warfare Command==
==Unified Special Warfare Command==
'''Unified Special Warfare Command''' ('''USW''')<ref>'''[[Halo: Reach]]''', ''game manual''</ref> often simplified as '''Special Warfare Command''' ('''SPECWARCOM'''), is a special forces branch under the authority of [[Unified Ground Command]].<ref group="note">Most sources refer to the organization solely as "Special Warfare Command". The "Unified" part of the name is extrapolated from various sources but it has never been used directly in official material. The introduction to the ''Halo: Reach'' game manual refers to [[Colonel]] [[Urban Holland]]'s group as "USW". In several pre-release materials for ''Halo: Reach'' (including the [[Halo: Reach Multiplayer Beta|multiplayer beta]] and the pre-order bonus card for the [[MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/R variant|Recon]] helmet), Special Warfare Group Three is indicated to be under UNICOM's operational authority. Based on this information, "USW" can be inferred to mean "Unified Special Warfare". The wiki uses this title for the sake of consistency with the naming of Naval Special Warfare as well as to more clearly differentiate the two organizations.</ref> It maintains oversight of special operations carried out by the [[UNSC Army]].<ref name="voc">[http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=1085710 '''halo.bungie.org''': ''Re: Just checked out the Essential Visual Guide'']</ref> Given UNICOM's authority over the UNSC Marine Corps on the whole,<ref>'''Halo Encyclopedia''', ''pages 54-55'' (2011)</ref> it is possible that USW also oversees Marine special force units apart from the ODST, who fall under NAVSPECWAR's authority.
'''Unified Special Warfare Command''' ('''USW'''{{Ref/Book|Halo: Reach manual|Page=1}} or '''UNISPECWARCOM''') often simplified as '''Special Warfare Command''' ('''SPECWARCOM'''), is a special forces [[division]] under the authority of [[Unified Ground Command]].{{Ref/Book|Id=Enc22p74|Enc22|Page=74}}{{Ref/Book|Id=USWDivision|Enc22|Page=98|Quote=Directly attached to the USW division....}} It maintains oversight of special operations carried out by the [[UNSC Army]],{{Ref/Site|Id=voc|URL=http://carnage.bungie.org/haloforum/halo.forum.pl?read=1085710|Site=halo.bungie.org|Page=Re: Just checked out the Essential Visual Guide|D=30|M=04|Y=2023}} alongside the ability to provide tactical oversight of personnel deployments in the [[Spartan Operations]] division (something shared with NAVSPECWARCOM).{{Ref/Reuse|Enc22p74}}
 
Given UNICOM's authority over the UNSC Marine Corps on the whole,{{Ref/Book|Enc11|Page=54-55}} it is possible that USW also oversees Marine special force units apart from the ODST, who fall under NAVSPECWAR's authority.


====Known units====
====Known units====
Within the UNSC Army, UNISPECWARCOM is divided into a number of "Special Warfare Groups", with at least three such units in existence. Each Special Warfare Group is commanded by a [[Colonel]], with a strength likely equivalent to a [[brigade]]. Overall, USW has the strength of a division.{{Ref/Reuse|USWDivision}}
*'''[[Special Warfare Group Three|Special Warfare Group THREE]]'''
*'''[[Special Warfare Group Three|Special Warfare Group THREE]]'''
**[[NOBLE Team]]
**[[NOBLE Team]]
Line 104: Line 107:
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[Origins]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Babysitter]]''
**''[[The Package]]''
**''[[The Package (animated short)|The Package]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
*''[[Halo: Evolutions - Essential Tales of the Halo Universe]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
**''[[Blunt Instruments]]''
Line 111: Line 114:
**''[[Human Weakness]]''
**''[[Human Weakness]]''
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]
**''[[Midnight in the Heart of Midlothian]]
**''[[Palace Hotel (short story)|Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Palace Hotel]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
**''[[Pariah]]''
{{col-2}}
{{col-2}}
Line 126: Line 129:
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Glasslands]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo: The Thursday War]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
*''[[Halo 4: Forward Unto Dawn]]''
Line 136: Line 139:
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo: Mortal Dictata]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
*''[[Halo 2: Anniversary]]''
**''[[Terminal/Halo 2: Anniversary|Terminals]]''
**''[[Terminal (Halo 2: Anniversary)|Terminals]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: New Blood]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
*''[[Hunt the Truth]]''
Line 145: Line 148:
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo: The Fall of Reach - The Animated Series]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
*''[[Halo 5: Guardians]]''
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition|Limited Edition]]'' {{Mo}}
**''[[Halo 5: Guardians Limited Edition dossiers|Limited Edition dossiers]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo: Ground Command]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
*''[[Halo Mythos]]''
Line 152: Line 155:
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]
*''[[Halo: Envoy]]
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Retribution]]''
*''[[Halo: Collateral Damage]]''
*''[[Halo: Silent Storm]]''
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Bad Blood]]''
*''[[Halo: Official Spartan Field Manual]]''
*''[[Halo: Lone Wolf]]''
*''[[Halo: Renegades]]'' {{Mo}}
*''[[Halo: Outpost Discovery]]''
*''[[Halo: Oblivion]]''
*''[[Halo: Shadows of Reach]]''
*''[[Halo Infinite]]''
*''[[Halo: The Television Series]]''
{{col-end}}
{{col-end}}


==Notes==
==Notes==
<references group="note"/>
{{Ref/Notes}}


==Sources==
==Sources==
<references/>
{{Ref/Sources}}


{{United Nations Space Command}}
{{United Nations Space Command}}
[[Category:UNSC Special Forces| ]]
[[Category:UNSC Special Forces| ]]
[[Category:UNSC Armed Forces|Special Forces]]
[[Category:UNSC Armed Forces|Special Forces]]

Latest revision as of 09:33, July 27, 2023

The Special Forces comprise the special operations units of the United Nations Space Command.[1] By March 2555, the UNSC Special Forces is headed by Captain Annabelle Richards, who reports directly to the Office of Naval Intelligence's Commander-in-Chief, Admiral Serin Osman.[2]

Naval Special Warfare Command[edit]

SPARTAN-II Blue Team in combat with the Covenant

Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWARCOM) is a major special forces division under the oversight of UNSC Naval Command. The branch includes the Orbital Drop Shock Troopers, operatives of the now defunct ORION Project, and most of the SPARTAN-IIs. The SPARTAN-IIIs also served under NAVSPECWARCOM until early 2553, when they were folded into the independent Spartan branch. NAVSPECWARCOM specializes in covert operations, assassinations, and conducting high-priority, high-risk operations against enemy forces.

NAVSPECWARCOM also includes Naval Special Weapons (NAVSPECWEP), under which the ODSTs[3][4] and the SPARTAN-IIs serve.[5][6] Some NAVSPECWEP units fall under the operational supervision of Section Three within the Office of Naval Intelligence.[7] The group has a large amount of operational and command flexibility. Although this office is technically subordinate to both the UNSC Naval Command and the Unified Ground Command, UNICOM primarily has oversight of NAVSPECWEP special forces.[8]

Help.png This section needs expansion. You can help Halopedia by expanding it.

SPARTAN[edit]

Spartans are the most skilled and disciplined soldiers in service to the UNSC. SPARTAN-II and SPARTAN-III personnel took part in intense training from childhood; most saw combat by their early teens. The SPARTAN-IIs wear performance-enhancing MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, whereas most SPARTAN-IIIs wore Semi-Powered Infiltration armor. After the Spartan branch's establishment, NAVSPECWARCOM still maintains operational command over Blue Team.[9]

Known units[edit]

Orbital Drop Shock Troopers[edit]

UNSC Marine Shock Troopers of the 7th ODST Battalion during the Battle of Installation 00 in the Human-Covenant War.
7th Battalion troops heading toward an enemy position on the Ark.

The Marines Corps' Orbital Drop Shock Troopers (ODST) are an important part of the UNSC's offensive operations. Disciplined and skilled, they drop into the most hostile areas via SOEIV drop pods. They attempt to complete some of the most difficult tasks in hostile areas, such as clearing enemy ground forces or establishing landing zones for incoming dropships.

Known units[edit]

Unified Special Warfare Command[edit]

Unified Special Warfare Command (USW[10] or UNISPECWARCOM) often simplified as Special Warfare Command (SPECWARCOM), is a special forces division under the authority of Unified Ground Command.[11][12] It maintains oversight of special operations carried out by the UNSC Army,[13] alongside the ability to provide tactical oversight of personnel deployments in the Spartan Operations division (something shared with NAVSPECWARCOM).[11]

Given UNICOM's authority over the UNSC Marine Corps on the whole,[14] it is possible that USW also oversees Marine special force units apart from the ODST, who fall under NAVSPECWAR's authority.

Known units[edit]

Within the UNSC Army, UNISPECWARCOM is divided into a number of "Special Warfare Groups", with at least three such units in existence. Each Special Warfare Group is commanded by a Colonel, with a strength likely equivalent to a brigade. Overall, USW has the strength of a division.[12]

List of appearances[edit]

Notes[edit]

Sources[edit]

  1. ^ Bungie.net, The M90A Shotgun (Retrieved on Jun 8, 2020) [local archive] [external archive]
  2. ^ Halo: Hunters in the Dark, Preview
  3. ^ Bungie.net, Halo 3 ODST : Field Guide - ODST (Retrieved on May 25, 2013) [local archive] [external archive]
  4. ^ Halo Waypoint: ODST
  5. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 175 (2003)
  6. ^ Halo: The Essential Visual Guide, page 121
  7. ^ Halo: The Fall of Reach, page 224 (2003)
  8. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2009 edition), page 65 (2011 edition)
  9. ^ Halo Waypoint Forums, John-117 is no longer blue leader (Retrieved on Dec 29, 2019) [local archive] [external archive]
  10. ^ Halo: Reach manual, page 1
  11. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 74
  12. ^ a b Halo Encyclopedia (2022 edition), page 98: "Directly attached to the USW division...."
  13. ^ halo.bungie.org, Re: Just checked out the Essential Visual Guide (Retrieved on Apr 30, 2023) [archive]
  14. ^ Halo Encyclopedia (2011 edition), page 54-55

v • d • e
 
United Nations Space Command
Leadership
Organisation
Personnel
History, culture and traditions
Equipment
Retrieved from "https://www.halopedia.org/index.php?title=UNSC_Special_Forces&oldid=1586858"