USS Swiftfire (NCC-76125-A)

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STARSHIP
Ship Name:	USS Swiftfire
Registry:	NCC-76125-A
Affiliation:	Federation Starfleet
Type:	heavy cruiser
Class:	Akira
Status:	active (2376)
CAREER
Yard:	Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards
Laid down:	2372/2373
Launched:	Stardate 50762.2 (2373)
Commissioned:	Stardate 50762.2
Decommissioned:	Unknown, still active in 2376
GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS
Length:	464.43
Beam:	316.67
Draft:	87.43
Decks:	19 (plus 4 in the weapons' pod)
Propulsion:	Impulse and warp drives
Speed:	Warp 9.8
Complement:	500 + 200 extra personnel
Armament:	6 Type-X phaser arrays, 15 quantum/photon torpedo launchers
Shuttlecraft:	see Auxiliary craft
Motto:	"Those who lose dreaming are lost"

The USS Swiftfire (NCC-76125-A) was a Federation Akira-class heavy cruiser built in 2373. The second Federation ship to bear the name it was launched on stardate 50762.2. Commanded by Captain Jonathan Masters the Swiftfire saw extensive action during the Dominion War. Surviving the war the ship continued to serve with distinction throughout the Federation. (Star Trek: Swiftfire)

Contents 1 Previous vessels 2 History 2.1 2373 2.2 2374 2.3 2375 2.4 2376 3 Design features 3.1 Armoury 3.2 Bridge 3.3 Captain's ready room 3.4 Cargo bays 3.5 Conference rooms 3.6 Crew quarters 3.7 Emergency systems 3.7.1 Auto-destruct system 3.7.2 Escape pods 3.7.3 Saucer separation 3.7.4 Warp core ejection systems 3.8 Main engineering 3.9 Marine barracks 3.10 Multi-faith centre 3.11 Observation lounge 3.12 Recreational facilities 3.12.1 Gym 3.12.2 Holodecks 3.12.3 Lounges 3.13 Science labs 3.14 Stellar cartography 3.15 Tactical systems 3.15.1 Rear weapons pod 3.16 Sickbay 3.17 Through-deck shuttlebay 3.17.1 Auxiliary craft 3.17.2 Pilot dispersal 4 Crew 4.1 Extra personnel 5 Other Akira-class starships 5.1 Akira-class starships

[edit] Previous vessels

The USS Swiftfire-A is named after the USS Swiftfire (NCC-76125), which was the first Federation vessel to bear the name. The previous vessel was destroyed by Klingon forces in early-2372. ("The Darkness Within")

The Swiftfire-A is however the third vessel to bear the name. The first vessel, which is where the name originates from, was an Earth Starfleet vessel. The Swiftfire served prior to the formation of the Federation and was destroyed during the Earth-Romulan War in 2160.

[edit] History

[edit] 2373

The Swiftfire-A was rushed into commission on stardate 50762.2 and placed under the command of Captain Jonathan Masters so that it could participate in the hunt for the renegade USS Fury. The ship was not yet fully ready with sections without power, on beds in the quarters and the dedication plaque yet to be affixed to its spot on the bridge. During the mission the ship's untested engines were pushed too hard and caused power fluctuations, which would lead to the port nacelle exploded. The ship was seriously damaged and was towed back to Federation space for repairs. ("Vengeance")

Following its repairs the ship completed a proper shakedown cruise just as the Dominion War began. The ship was immediately sent to the frontlines to reinforce the Fifth Fleet in Sector 432 on the Cardassian border. The ship was assigned to the 268th Tactical Wing in the fleet. ("Deployment")

[edit] 2374

The Swiftfire first saw action with the Fifth fleet in defence of Sector 432 just over a week into the war. During that time the ship destroyed several Jem'Hadar vessels before retreating with the fleet to the Guyra system. ("The Front")

The Swiftfire engages the Galor-class battle cruiser, Wervaral while on patrol.

The Swiftfire goes to the aid of the USS Sparrow, extending its deflector shields around the smaller vessel after the Sparrow is disabled in battle. ("Regression")

The Swiftfire receives damage to its nacelles during a battle with Jem'Hadar forces while on patrol and returns to the Guyra system for repairs, shortening its patrol schedule by a day. The Swiftfire was soon back out on patrol to replace the USS Hawkins, which receives more serious damage then that sustained by the Swiftfire. The ship's patrol is soon changed to search for the Klingon Third Battlegroup that has disappeared near their patrol zone. Attack fighters from the Swiftfire discover the battlegroup's location trapped in a static time bubble. The Swiftfire is the first capital ship to penetrate the bubble with enhanced shielding, leading the other ships of the 268th to the Klingon's location. The ship then deploys a science team to attempt to collapse the bubble and seeds the area with torpedoes and phaser fire in preparation for the area returning to normal space-time. These preparations prove to be vital in turning the tide of the battle and allowing for a Klingon victory against the Jem'Hadar. ("Regression")

During the Battle of Guyra the ship is assigned as the lead vessel of cruiser wing 6 of the 268th Tactical Wing. The wing's assignment is to protect Guyra III during the battle. After the battle turns against the Starfleet and Klingon forces the wing covers the evacuation of the colony on Guyra III but is unable to prevent enemy ships from preying on some of the civilian craft or stopping the Hutet from bombarding the surface of the planet, killing thousands of Federation citizens still waiting for evacuation despite the valiant efforts of the USS Ambassador. After the Ambassador is critically damaged and trapped in a rapidly decaying orbit the Swiftfire attempts to lock a tractor beam on the ship to pull it out of its decline but is thwarted by Admiral Dalton Masters on the Ambassador who orders the beam disrupted to prevent the Swiftfire from getting trapped in the upper atmosphere of Guyra III where it would be an easy target. The still prowling Hutet engages the damaged and weary Swiftfire but is driven off by Starfleet reinforcements allowing the Swiftfire to retreat from the system. ("Over the Horizon")

The Swiftfire is chosen to join the USS Enterprise-E on a special mission to destroy a Cardassian biogenic weapons convoy inside Dominion held space. The Swiftfire launches its Venture-class scout, SC-193, in the Larkin system to create a distraction over Larkin III to draw Dominion forces away from the task force as it makes its way to attack the convoy. The Swiftfire is forced to leave its scoutship behind due to incoming enemy forces. During the engagement against the convoy and its heavier then expected escorts the Swiftfire is damaged but plays a critical role in distracting a Keldon-class battleship and allowing the Enterprise to fulfil the task force's mission. On the way back to Federation space the ship stops by Larkin III and retrieves its scoutship. ("Moral Actions")

After the heavy losses suffered to the 268th Tactical Wing at Guyra and in the month following the battle the Swiftfire, which is finally fully repaired from its mission with the Enterprise, and the surviving members of the tactical wing were incorporated into the 3rd Tactical Wing. The 3rd joins the Klingon Ninth Battlegroup for the Raid on Sector 432. Assigned to destroy the now Dominion held Sector 432 repair yards the Swiftfire deploys a strike force of Starfleet Marines to bring down the shields of the repair yards. The Marines succeed and the Swiftfire is able to destroy the yards with several tricobalt devices. ("Pressure Points")

The Swiftfire and the Fifth Fleet are rotated off the front lines to the Vulcan border. The Dominion's advance soon brings it to the Vulcan border and the Fifth Fleet reengages in the fighting. The Swiftfire undertakes several patrols during this period that mostly end up as running skirmishes. The Swiftfire is then pulled out of the fighting along the border as part of the Fifth Fleet's elements assigned to Operation Return, moving to Starbase 375. ("Pressure Points", "Rode the 600")

The Swiftfire launches with the fleet when Starfleet learns of the imminent removal of the minefield at the mouth of the Bajoran wormhole. The Swiftfire and its tactical wing are placed at the rear of the fleet's formation and it is one of the last ships to engage the Dominion blockade. With the disruption to communications the Swiftfire teamed up with the USS Aspen until the Aspen was destroyed. The surprise arrival of Klingon reinforcements and the return of communications between the Starfleet vessels allows the Starfleet forces to regroup and the Swiftfire joins up with the USS Perry from its tactical wing. With the USS Malinche and Perry the Swiftfire is one of the first ships of the around two hundred vessels that break through and head for Deep Space 9. The force is not required to fight on as the USS Defiant takes care of the incoming Dominion reinforcements and forces the Dominion to abandon Deep Space 9. ("Rode the 600")

The Swiftfire is assigned to defend Deep Space 9 following its recapture by the Federation. ("Unfinished Business")

While on patrol near the Cardassian border the Swiftfire stumbled on an operation by Starfleet Task Force 59 to hunt down a Jem'Hadar super carrier. The Swiftfire joined the task force for the operation and played a pivotal role in destroyed the super carrier by using one of its warp cores as a projectile. The ship was heavily damaged in the encounter and was ordered to return to Earth for repairs. ("Task Force 59", "The Founder Ploy")

Around stardate 51480.8, the Swiftfire arrived in the Sol system, docking at Earth Spacedock for repairs. The crew were given three weeks of leave while the ship was repaired. The ship's repairs included the installation of a new warp core. After just two weeks on stardate 51531.16 the Swiftfire was ordered to launched, redeployed from the Fifth Fleet to Task Force 59. ("No Rest for the Wicked")

On the journey from Earth to join the task force near the Breen border the ship was caught in a temporal causality loop. The ship repeated the time period at least six times, all ending with the destruction of the ship. The loop was finally broken when the cause of ship's destruction was found and stopped. ("Q, Time and Again")

After the repairs at Sol the ship's shield generators were incorrectly aligned leaving a weak spot in the shield coverage. This was exploited by Captain Masters while he was undercover with a pirate group allowing him to quickly disable the Swiftfire without causing major damage to the vessel. ("A Rough Time")

The Swiftfire again need major repairs after receiving a pounding in a battle with the Dominion. The ship was stuck hiding in Cardassian space after its warp drive failed. The ship was forced to make a run about to friendly territory at Warp 4 and was only saved by the intervention of the USS Sparrow and USS Sherman. The ship received repairs at Starbase 129 before rejoining the task force. ("Change in Command")

During the Liberation of Nthony C the Swiftfire was one of the three Starfleet vessels involved. During the battle the Swiftfire and the USS Fury were tasked with drawing out some of the ships defending the planet to allow the USS Renown and the IRW Imperial Fist to attack the forces in orbit of Nthony C. ("For the Federation")

The Swiftfire was modified to operate deep within the Badlands. The ship was equipped with metaphasic shields and improved manoeuvring thrusters. This made the ship far more manoeuvrable and able to deal with the adverse environment of the Badlands. ("The True")

In the Badlands the ship was engaged by three Vendoth warships, the Av'ran, Tava' and Pri'tak. During the battle with the ships it was heavily damaged and required extensive repairs at Deep Space 9. When the major repairs were completed the ship was moved to Bajor where the crew continued with repairs for the next two weeks but freed up a spot at the space station for more critically damaged vessels. ("The True", "A Dreadful Operation", "Into the Fire")

The ship joined the allied assault fleet that attacked the Chin'toka system in the First Battle of Chin'toka. Prior to the battle all the fighters and most of the Marines were transferred to another vessel that was part of the planetary invasion force, which would not enter the system until after it was secured by the assault fleet. The Swiftfire as assigned to the USS Galaxy's wing during the battle where it destroyed several Cardassian orbital weapon platforms. After the conclusion of the space battle the ship remained in the system for a short period before it and Task Force 59 were released to other duties. Before it left Captain Masters left the ship to travel to Deep Space 9 leaving Commander Core in command. ("Into the Fire")

Around stardate 51973.67 the Swiftfire still under the command of Commander Core discovered the badly damaged starliner, Fairstar, hiding in a system close to the front lines. Task Force 59 took up defensive positions around the ship while an engineering team from the Swiftfire attempted to get the ship's warp drive back online. When the group were attacked by the Jem'Hadar the Swiftfire took position above and close to the massive vessel but was unable to prevent a Jem'Hadar attack ship from ramming the Fairstar damaging it beyond salvage. ("Waiting for the Sun")

[edit] 2375

The surviving Marines and fighter craft from the operation to secure the planets in the Chin'toka system returned to the Swiftfire. ("Section 214C")

Captain Masters again leaves the Swiftfire and Commander Core takes command.

On stardate 52042.37 after the reported death of Captain Masters in a shuttle accident, Admiral Douglas released the Swiftfire's command codes to Commander Core, giving her official command of the ship. After meeting with the USS Annan and receiving the remains of the destroyed shuttle the Swiftfire then travelled to the Naos system where he was reported incident occurred. After discovering evidence that they had been misled and that the truth might be in the in the nearby Caprius system the ship departed for Caprius. Once there they again encountered the Annan, which actively blocked them from gaining orbit around the third planet. The crew of the Swiftfire were able to outmanoeuvre the Annan and sneak a dropship onto the planet, where the ship's Marines were able to rescue their still alive captain. ("Crossfire")

While on patrol the science department on the Swiftfire was able to conduct scans on two systems, three comets, three rogue asteroids and five wreckage sites, one previously uncatalogued. ("Always on My Mind")

The Swiftfire was dispatched from Task Force 59 to undertake a mission to make first contact with the Echlans in the Helaspont Nebula. To help facilitate that Amdassador Dylan Whitechapel joined the crew to oversee the diplomatic efforts. The ship was on station for six days before the Echlans launched their first warp vessel. After the vessel suffered a power failure near the edge of the system the Swiftfire rescued the stranded pilot exposing its presence and initiating first contact. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

[edit] 2376

The Swiftfire returned to Earth for upgrades and was in system when the Vendoth attack on Earth began. During the battle the ship engaged numerous Vendoth warships and was present during the loss of Jupiter Station. The ship was boarded once and successfully repelled the attacking Ven. Marines from the ship were deployed to Spacedock to assist in its defence. The ship survived the battle. ("United We Stand")

[edit] Design features

[edit] Armoury

The Swiftfire had several armouries around the ship. The largest was given to the 83rd Marine Company to use to store their weapons and munitions. ("Deployment")

[edit] Bridge

The bridge design has many similarities with other vessels from the era. The bridge is designed to offer the maximum view of the main viewscreen, which dominates the front of the bridge, from any position on the bridge. It does this by having the centre and forward stations located slightly lower then the side and rear sections such that there are four levels. The highest is the rear and sides of the bridge. The captain's chair is located at the centre of the bridge on the edge of this top level. The next level is located in the middle of the bridge and has the XO's and second officer's chairs, which are located slightly forward of the captain's chair in flanking positions. The third level is where the two most forward crew positions are, the flight control and ops stations. These stations are directly in front of the captain's chair so they are two steps lower then the captain so not to obstruct the captain's view. The lowest level is the front of the bridge. ("Deployment")

The bridge could be accessed from twin turbolifts located at the back of the bridge. There are also several other doors on the bridge that can access the Captain's ready room, the observation lounge and other areas.

Given the design of the Akira class the bridge was not located on deck 1. Deck 1 referred to the upper most decks on the twin spars of the engineering hull, which rose above the ship's saucer section with the bridge more inline with deck 2. This could prove to be confusing for people not familiar with the ship's design as an order to a turbolift to take them to deck 1 would not result in arriving at the ship's bridge. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

[edit] Captain's ready room

The Captain's ready room was located in front of the bridge and could be accessed from a door at the left side of the bridge via a short hallway. The ready room ran along side the bridge towards the bow. The ready room is basically the captain's personal office and as such it has a personal desk and workstation. The ready room contained a private bathroom as well as a bed. The room had at least two windows at the far end of the room from the entrance that looked towards the port bow of the ship. Captain Masters positioned his desk by the windows. ("Over the Horizon", "Q, Time and Again")

The captain hung a portrait of the Swiftfire-A in the ready room that was painted by the artist own as DarkStar. It was part of a collection of three paintings done by the artist of the ship's named Swiftfire. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

[edit] Cargo bays

The Swiftfire has a number of cargo bays for storage. One cargo bay was converted for into facilities for the Marines. ("Deployment")

After capturing the crew of the USS Fury they were held in several cargo bays until they were transferred to other ships for transport back to Federation space. ("Vengeance")

After locating a log buoy in the Badlands, Masters had it transported into cargo bay 4 for inspection. ("The True")

Cargo bay 2 was used to store debris from the shuttle Dreamtime that the crew was led to believe was destroyed. The debris included a nacelle but did not even take up a quarter of the floor space available. ("Crossfire")

[edit] Conference rooms

The ship had numerous conference and briefing rooms scattered around the ship.

Conference room 3 was unofficially named the "Room of the Dead" during the Dominion War. The room was used to display the latest casualty reports from the war. On the main screen in the room the latest report was always displayed and additional small interactive screens were added to allow crew members to search the casualty lists. At one point an unknown member of the crew left a picture of a killed comrade on one of the walls. This lone picture was soon joined by other pictures, notes and keepsakes for those killed or missing, turning the wall into a vast mural and this mural led to the unofficial name. ("Always on My Mind")

[edit] Crew quarters

The ship had extensive crew quarters. As with most Starfleet vessels officers ranked above lieutenant were given their own quarters. This also included high ranking marines, pilots and NCOs. Lower ranked crew members, such as ensigns, were required to share quarters. ("Always on My Mind")

The ship had a number of VIP quarters. These were large and luxurious quarters. Ambassador Dylan Whitechapel was given a VIP quarters on the starboard side of the ship. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

The captain's quarters were located on deck 7, section 27. ("Unfinished Business")

Susan Core's quarters were located on the starboard side of the ship. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

[edit] Emergency systems

[edit] Auto-destruct system

To stop the ship, its technology or any sensitive material falling into hostile hands the ship can be destroyed by the crew using the auto-destruct system. Part of the system includes explosive charges strategically placed around the ship.

[edit] Escape pods

The ship is equipped with numerous escape pods. These pods are located on the saucer section with thirty-nine that launch from the top and thirty-two from the bottom of the hull.

During several iterations of the time casualty loop the ship was stuck in during 2374 the ship was abandoned via the escape pods. Though by the time this happened it was too late and the pods were unable to reach a minimum safe distance before the ship exploded. ("Q, Time and Again")

[edit] Saucer separation

The Swiftfire-A is capable of saucer separation. The forward saucer can disengage from the catamaran engineering hull and both are capable of operating independently. The both sections were capable of impulse travel as each had a pair of impulse engines. The saucer however is not capable of warp travel since it lacks warp nacelles and a warp core.

The Swiftfire used this method during second last iteration of a time casualty loop it was stuck in during 2374. After the failure to eject the ship's overloading warp cores Captain Masters ordered for the ship to be perform the separation. Due to power fluctuations and computer problems the entire crew was not notified of the separation and a sizable percentage were not evacuated to the saucer section. The saucer escaped destruction from the explosion of the warp cores but was soon destroyed by a Dominion Strike cruiser, which caused time to reset to the start of the causality loop. ("Q, Time and Again")

[edit] Warp core ejection systems

The ship is equipped with systems to eject the warp cores from the vessel. A warp core has more then enough energy to destroy a ship if it were to explode as such many ships have systems installed for the quick dumping of the warp core in case of emergencies.

The Swiftfire has performed two such operations. The first event was in battle when the warp core was ejected and fired at a Dominion Super carrier using the ship's tractor beam. This basically made the warp core a much larger and more powerful torpedo. The tactic worked and destroyed the Dominion vessel, but also caused substantial damage to the Swiftfire. ("Task Force 59")

The second time the system was used was how it was originally designed. The crew attempted to eject the failing warp cores from the ship but due to systems failure the operation was not successful. ("Q, Time and Again")

[edit] Main engineering

The Swiftfire-A uses a dual warp core system with a warp core located in each arm of the engineering hull. Individually the warp cores are smaller then what would be typically installed on a ship the size of an Akira. The ship is capable of operating with only one warp core operational but at a reduced performance. ("Vengeance", "Rode the 600", "No Rest for the Wicked")

This means there are two main engineering rooms. This meant twice as many engineering staff had to be operating at any one time as compared to traditional single warp core starships. To facilitate easy access to either warp core the engineering rooms had their own transporter system to move personnel quickly from one room to the other.

[edit] Marine barracks

The "barracks" refers to a section of the ship that is primarily concerned with facilities for the Starfleet Marines assigned to the Swiftfire. A large cargo bay near the shuttlebay was converted into a briefing room and equipment area for the Marines as well as an office for the company's commanding officer. The cargo bay was also adjacent to one of the larger armoury on the ship. ("Deployment")

The junior officer and emergency accommodation quarters around the cargo bay were assigned to the Marines as quarters. Like with the normal crew the Marine's junior personnel share quarters with one or two others. The higher ranking officers however have personal quarters. ("Deployment", "Crossfire")

[edit] Multi-faith centre

The multi-faith centre was an area at the fore of deck 5 of the starboard engineering spar that was designed to allow individuals or groups to practise their religion.

It was made up of a main foyer, a main room and a dozen smaller rooms. The main room was a large room designed to hold large groups for religious services or for seminars. The smaller rooms were designed for individuals or small groups to gather. These room made extensive use of holography so that they could be easily converted into suitable areas. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

[edit] Observation lounge

The observation lounge is located in the bridge module and could be accessed through a door on the right side of the bridge. The room ran along the side of the bridge towards the bow. The lounge is basically a briefing room for the senior officers. It allows the officers to converse in a less public arena then the bridge. The room is dominated by a large table with numerous chairs arrayed around it. ("Regression", et al)

[edit] Recreational facilities

[edit] Gym

There was at least one gym on the ship. It was equipped with numerous machines and devices to increase muscle mass and fitness. The Marines tended to frequent the gym more then any other group on the ship. ("Always on My Mind")

[edit] Holodecks

The ship has at least four holodecks installed for use by the crew. The Marines stationed on the Swiftfire often use the holodecks for combat training. The Marines would not engage full safety protocols during their training so to make the experience more realistic. ("Moral Actions", "For the Federation")

In late-2374, Commander Core used a holodeck for a holo-conference between the various ship commanders of Task Force 59 to discuss what to do about the damaged Fairstar. ("Waiting for the Sun")

[edit] Lounges

The ship had numerous lounges arrayed around the vessel. The primary function of the lounges was to to give the crew a place to meet outside of their time on duty. These lounges were equipped with tables and chairs as well as food replicators and also functioned as a mess halls for the crew. ("Deployment", et al.)

Connected to the bridge was the bridge lounge. It was accessed through a door at the right side of the bridge, which was next to the door for the observation lounge but while the observation lounge ran towards the bow the bridge lounge stretched towards the aft of the module. Unlike the observation lounge, which was a conference and briefing room the bridge lounge was an informal area where the crew could grab a quick meal or drink. ("Pressure Points")

The captain had a private dining room, which was for the exclusive use of the commanding officer. It had a dining area as well as a kitchen, which was stocked with non-replicated foods and supplies to allow for traditionally prepared meals. ("Pressure Points")

The ship had two main lounges both located on deck 12 on the port and starboard sides of the ship called Fire and Ice. The Fire lounge, which had views off the port side of the ship, was so called as it contained several holographic fire sculptures. The Ice lounge, which had views to the starboard side of the ship, contained several ice sculptured that were carved by an Andorian member of the crew and maintained by a field that prevented them from melting. ("Section 214C", "The Only Thing Necessary")

Each lounge also contained a portrait of one of the previous vessels named Swiftfire. The Ice lounge contained a portrait of the Earth Starfleet vessel named Swiftfire, while the Fire lounge had a portrait of the Excelsior class Swiftfire. They were companion pieces to the portrait of the USS Swiftfire-A in the Captain's ready room. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

On deck 11, just off the shuttlebay was a small lounge that could seat around a dozen people. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

[edit] Science labs

The ship had numerous science labs around the ship.

Science Lab 12 was a bio-containment lab that the Dominion cloaking device was kept in for study. The lab was considered one of the most secure on the ship. It had a high level forcefield that could secure the room from the rest of the ship. The forcefield was also designed so that it would stay up despite power fluctuations. ("Q, Time and Again")

[edit] Stellar cartography

The Swiftfire's stellar cartography department made use of at least two rooms. A holotank was used to display an almost 360° view of space, which could be adjusted by a user to display anything from a signle planet in orbit of a star to an entire galaxy. However the real work was done in a lab next door to the holotank. The lab was fitted with specialised equipment and several consoles allowing multiple people fulfil their duties. ("Always on My Mind")

[edit] Tactical systems

The ship is armed with six Type-X phaser arrays.

The ship has fifteen torpedo launchers giving it a torpedo armament that is not easily matched. The torpedoes are split between the saucer section and the rear weapons pod. The weapons' pod has eight torpedo launchers. The other seven launchers are located on the saucer section. One is located below the deflector dish, two are located forward of the deflector dish and finally there are two launchers located facing port and two facing starboard along the edge of the saucer section. ("Vengeance")

The ship was equipped with both photon torpedoes and the more powerful quantum torpedoes. ("Vengeance", et al) The ship also carried tricobalt devices, though they would only be loaded in the launchers if specifically ordered. ("Pressure Points", "United We Stand")

[edit] Rear weapons pod

The rear weapons pod was located at the rear of the vessel, between the twin engineering hull. It contained over half of the ship's torpedo launchers. The Swiftfire's pod was one of the newest models at the time of its launch. The pod had been redesigned from earlier models that saw the lower three forward launchers removed and four launchers (in banks of two) placed at the rear of the pod facing aft. It retained the upper bank of four launchers. These launchers were also designed to handle the newer quantum torpedoes. ("Vengeance")

The pod had four decks but was not counted as part of the ship's nineteen decks. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

The pod also had a control room that could be used to fire the torpedo launchers from, which other then the bridge or main engineering this was the only area on the ship where someone could operate the launchers from. This room was often manned in case of emergencies. ("Q, Time and Again")

[edit] Sickbay

The sickbay was the medical centre of the ship. Other then the main sickbay there were a number of separate recovery rooms for patients who needed less attention. This kept the sickbed biobeds as free as possible for more seriously injured patients. The sickbay was equipped with a Emergency Medical Holographic program, a Mark I model, which the staff tried to avoid using because of its grating personality. ("The Front", "Change in Command")

The CMO's office was also located within sickbay. ("Change in Command")

[edit] Through-deck shuttlebay

The signature feature of the Akira-class is its through-deck shuttlebay. There are five entrance/exit doors to the shuttlebay. Three at the bow on the leading edge of the saucer and two at the rear of the saucer section located between the dual engineering hull. Since the bay stretched through the ship craft would enter or exit from either the front of rear of the saucer. The deck of the shuttlebay was accessed through deck 11 and the bay was at least two decks tall. ("[{Deployment]]", "The True", "The Only Thing Necessary")

This gives the ship a large shuttlebay. The bay is capable of holding dozens of shuttlecraft. It can even store runabouts and small scout vessels such as the Danube-class and the Venture-class. The large bay can also accommodate several squadrons of fighter craft.

[edit] Auxiliary craft

In 2373, thirty-six Peregrine-class attack fighters and six Normandy-class dropships were assigned to the Swiftfire. ("Deployment")

In mid-2374, the Swiftfire also carried four shuttlepods, fourteen shuttlecraft, six work bee utility craft, a Danube-class runabout and a Venture-class scoutship. ("Change in Command")

One of the privileges of command was that the captain was allowed to name the shuttles assigned to the ship and Captain Masters choose to name several of the shuttle after Australian rugby union players. ("The Only Thing Necessary")

These vessels were stationed onboard the USS Swiftfire-A:

• Brumby, Type 11 shuttlecraft
• Campese, Type 6 shuttlecraft
• USS Darling, Danube-class runabout
• Dreamtime, Type 11 shuttlecraft
• George Smith, Type 7 shuttlecraft
• Gregan, Type 9 shuttlecraft
• Lucky (SC-193), Venture-class scoutship

[edit] Pilot dispersal

Pilot dispersal or "Pilot Town" is a room that is directly connected to the shuttlebay. The room houses the alert pilots. At all times a number of pilots and their crafts are ready to be launch at a moments notice and are referred to as been on "alert". While on alert the pilots have to be either in the shuttlebay or in Pilot town. ("Deployment")

[edit] Crew

The Swiftfire had a standard crew of 500 personnel. Due to its construction close to the beginning of the Dominion War and its assignments along the front it did not have any permanently stationed civilians onboard the vessel in the way of non-serving family members or civilians specialists.

In the first few months of the Dominion war the Swiftfire had 463 male personnel stationed on board. This meant that the ratio of male to female was two to one. This high ratio was due to all but twelve members of the 150 strong Marine company been males. ("Moral Actions", "Pressure Points")

• List of USS Swiftfire-A personnel

[edit] Extra personnel

The Swiftfire has around an extra 200 personnel stationed on board.

A Starfleet Marine Corps company, the 83rd under the commander of Colonel David Tiki was stationed on the Swiftfire for extra ship security and offensive and defensive actions at the start of the Dominion War. Made up of four roughly 36 member platoons along with six Marine pilots to fly the six Normandy-class dropships used to transport the Marines, making up 150 extra personnel. ("Deployment")

• List of personnel from the 83rd Marine Company

Starfleet Starfighter Corps assigned a three squadron wing, the 260th Fighter Wing, under the command of Wing Commander Maxine Benton to the Swiftfire after the start of the Dominion War. Joining the pilots are around a dozen maintenance personnel specialising in fighter craft. ("Deployment")

• List of personnel from the 260th Fighter Wing

[edit] Other Akira-class starships

[edit] Akira-class starships
Canon: Spector - Thunderchild
Other notable ships: Adventure - Agamemnon - Akira - Alexios Komnenos - Artemis - Arthur C. Clarke - Atlantis - Avenger - Bondar - Cedar - Charybdis - Dawnstar - Endeavor - Fleetwood - Fleming - Fury (I) - Fury (II) - Garneau - Geronimo - Hainan - Hastings - Hawk - Independence - Inspiration - Ixion - Kitty Hawk - Landal - Madrid - Martel - Masamune - Mateo - Mathias - McCaffrey - Osiris - Panther City - Patrick - Persephone - Prospero - Rabin - Resnik - Sentinel - Southern Cross - Striker - Susquehanna - Swiftfire-A - Ticonderoga (I) - Ticonderoga (II - Valkyrie - Winchester - Yerevan
UFOP: StarBase 118: Challenger - Discovery - Discovery-A - Ronin - Walton

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