Starfleet Task Force 59
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| Unit | |
| Unit designation: | Task Force 59 |
| Affiliation: | Federation Starfleet |
| Type: | task force |
| Complement: | 32 starships |
| Craft: | see below |
Task Force 59 was a Starfleet task force mainly used in combat situations. (Star Trek: Swiftfire)
Contents |
[edit] History
The task force was first created in the 2320s in response to a conflict the Federation had with a neighbouring power. It was created as a combat ready force that could be deployed and act semi-independently of Starfleet Command. Following the end of the conflict the task force was disbanded. In many of the following conflicts Starfleet has reactivated the task force to perform a similar role, including during the Second Federation-Klingon War in 2372. ("Q, Time and Again")
[edit] The Dominion War
Task Force 59 was not recreated until after the successful recapture of DS9. It was created out of the remnants of the 59th Tactical Wing, which was connected with the Fifth fleet. The 59th was released from the Fifth fleet and given operations along the Cardassian border and renamed Task Force 59 under the command of Rear Admiral Jennifer Douglas. Their first operation was to hunt down a Jem'Hadar super carrier that was keeping a section of the front supplied. ("Task Force 59")
Originally only sixteen vessels, the task force would be reinforced to double its size. This increased force gave the task force much more flexibility in operations and gave it the ability to strike against small to medium sized enemy targets. ("No Rest for the Wicked")
The reinforced task force was shifted from the front to the Breen border where it undertook anti-pirating duties in an effort to bring down the group, the Rough Necks. The task force succeeded in capturing most of the group's members and equipment. ("A Rough Time")
The task force was returned to the front and a detachment attacked what was meant to be a minor Jem'Hadar hatchery near the Kalandra sector. After encountering stiffer then expected resistance the force retreated. ("Change in Command")
After the Dominion attack Betazed the task force responded to a distress call from the Tenth Fleet, but was unable to arrive in the system before the Dominion conquered the planet. ("Change in Command")
The USS Fury, USS Renown and USS Swiftfire-A took part in the Liberation of Nthony C, which was originally just a system raid by the task force ships. ("For the Federation")
The task force performed a diversionary mission to keep the Dominion from noticing the USS Swiftfire-A's entry into the Badlands. ("The True", "A Dreadful Operation")
Initially the lead vessel of the second cruiser wing was the USS Hawk but was changed to the USS Swiftfire-A just prior to the First Battle of Chin'toka when the Hawk's captain was transferred to a new command. ("Section 214C")
Task Force 59 joined the combined Federation Alliance fleet for the attack on Chin'toka. Several ships were reassigned to other attack wings for the battle and the carrier wing remained with the invasion force outside the system while the assault fleet secured Chin'toka. ("Into the Fire")
Following the battle the task force was down five starships: the USS Brisbane, USS Cunningham, USS Midway, USS Stingray, USS Young. The Brisbane and Stingray were to return to the task force after receiving repairs. ("Waiting for the Sun")
The task force did not spend much time in Chin'toka and was soon released to patrol along the front. During this patrol the task force engaged a Jem'Hadar raiding force, destroying most of the enemy starships. While hunting for the survivors the task force discovered the damaged starliner, Fairstar. The civilians on the ship were transferred to the carrier wing and under the escort of destroyer wing 1 were taken to a safer location. The rest of the task force remained with the Fairstar to protect it while it was repaired. Before the ship could be repaired the group was attacked by the Jem'Hadar, which resulted in the destruction of the Fairstar. ("Waiting for the Sun")
Admiral Douglas committed the task force to Operation Chestnut (providing around half of Starfleet's commitment for the attack) during a presentation of the operation to several flag officers on the USS Venture. ("Always on My Mind")
During a simulated future created by the Dominion and experienced by Terri Letac the task force had mysteriously disappeared during the Dominion War. It was hoped that Letac would be able shed light on this mystery. ("Always on My Mind")
The USS Swiftfire-A was released from the task force to undertake a first contact mission to the planet Echla. ("The Only Thing Necessary")
[edit] Post Dominion war
The task force was still in operation following the end of the Dominion War and remained under Admiral Douglas' command. It responded to the distress call from the Sol system during the Vendoth attack in 2376. The task force was too far from Earth and did not arrive at Sol until after the battle had been decided. ("United We Stand")
[edit] Organisation
Task Force 59 was under the command of Rear Admiral Jennifer Douglas who commanded from her flagship, USS Venture during the Dominion war and immediately after the end of the conflict. The Venture also served as the led ship in the task force.
At its highest strength during the war the task force was organised into six smaller attack wings. They were two cruiser wings, two destroyer wings, an Excelsior wing and a carrier wing.
[edit] Cruiser Wing one
Cruiser wing one was the centrepiece of the task force. It included the most powerful ships and the flagship.
- USS Venture (Galaxy-class)
- USS Horatio-A (Ambassador-class)
- USS James Cook (Galaxy-class)
- USS Swiftsure (Swiftsure-class)
- USS Zeus (Nebula-class)
[edit] Cruiser Wing two
Made up of the rest of the heavy starships in the task force this wing had a heavy torpedo complement as well as supported the second largest group of Starfleet attack fighters.
- USS Swiftfire-A (Akira-class)
- USS Fury (Akira-class)
- USS Hawk (Akira-class)
- USS Quivira (El Dorado-class)
- USS Torres Strait (Nebula-class)
[edit] Destroyer Wing one
A mixed wing of large frigates and light cruisers.
- USS Sherman (Steamrunner-class)
- USS Covington (Norway-class)
- USS Gallant (Intrepid-class)
- USS Hylonome (Centaur-class)
- USS Stingray (Steamrunner-class)
- USS Winston (Norway-class)
[edit] Destroyer Wing two
Comprised of the task force's smallest ships this wing's primary duty is to support the larger cruisers and provide escort and force reconnaissance.
- USS Renown (Defiant-class)
- USS Kenilorea (Saber-class)
- USS Lissom (Saber-class)
- USS Sparrow (Saber-class)
- USS Tirpitz (Defiant-class}
- USS Young (Saber-class)
[edit] Excelsior Wing
Made up of the task force's Excelsior-class vessels.
- USS Pacific (Excelsior-class (refit))
- USS Brisbane (Excelsior-class)
- USS Cunningham (Excelsior-class)
- USS Mabo (Excelsior-class)
- USS Midway (Excelsior-class (refit))
- USS Resolution (Excelsior-class)
[edit] Carrier Wing
The wing provides the task force with the bulk of its attack fighter support. These ships also gave the task force a large transport ability as these vessels were designed with very high evacuation limits and cargo carrying abilities.
- USS Curtin (Canberra-class)
- USS Adams (Curry-class)
- USS Cartwright (Curry-class)
- USS Rudd (Canberra-class)
[edit] Background information
- The organisation of the task force is based on the Starfleet order of battle from the The Dominion War Sourcebook: The Fires of Armageddon by Last Unicorn Games and is the same as a tactical wing.
