Confederation Task Force Unit 77.4.3
From BetaWiki
Contents |
Overview
Confederation Task Force 77.4.3 (also known as "Taffy 3" by its personnel) was first created in 240602 under an emergency directive of the United Confederation Fleet. At the time, it was an emergency reaction force that was aimed at assisting the United Federation of Planets in defending the territory of the Second Fleet against repeated incursions by Vanguard forces.
After an extensive deployment in the region, the task force was recently reshaped into a rapid-response force that patrols the territory of the United Federation of Planet's Second Fleet, attempting to assist in the maintenance of regional peace and security. In recent months, it has been a frequent caller at Starbase 99: Versailles, and recently made a 12-hour stop at the New Stellarton Penal Colony.
History
First Deployment
Originally consisting of the cruisers Chesapeake, Galena, Concordia, the frigates Centurion, and Charleston, the hospital vessel Hartford, marine transport Cossack, and the fleet repair vessel Canopus, the Task Force was later joined by the Hydran military vessel Whis before arriving at the wreckage of Starbase 400: Versailles in 240603.
Having missed that vital engagement, the Task Force was deployed to the Klingon border in an attempt to prevent the escape of the missing vessels U.S.S. Dirae and U.S.S. Crazy Horse into Klingon space. The task force's participation in the response to the loss of Starbase 400: Versailles was suspended on 240603.26 by United Confederation Fleet Directive #A515-2274.
Second Deployment
Confederation Task Force 77.4.3 reappeared in the territory patrolled by the United Federation of Planet's Second Fleet in 240605, newly reorganized and reformed as a rapid-response force that is intended to provide logistical and military support until heavier units can arrive in a contested zone.
Arriving in the area in time to conduct, by request of the Second Fleet Command, an inspection of the facilities at the new Starbase 99: Versailles, it also proved instrumental in suppressing a Vanguard attack against the base. After minor damage repairs to the Chesapeake, Bataan, and Black Prince, the formation departed from the facility in 240606.
Current Mission
Confederation Task Force 77.4.3 is engaged in providing security coverage for civilian shipping crossing the Federation-Klingon border, in the wake of a series of pirate attacks in the area.
Ships
Confederation Task Force 77.4.3 is currently comprised of the following ships:
Flagship
C.S.S. Chesapeake Luna class deep-space exploration vessel Cmdr. Samuel Baxter
The flagship of the formation, and the home to Commander Samuel Baxter, the commanding officer of Task Force 77.4.3, the Chesapeake is one of the newer Luna class science vessels that has been pressed into the command role because of her tactical capabilities. No other ship in the entirety of Task Force 77.4.3 has her degree of computing power (three PhotoNanotech cores, providing 13,000 kiloquads/second in computing speed), making her an invaluable asset in coordinating fleet maneuvers, as well as conducting the other necessary tasks that go along with a command role.
Carrier
C.S.S. Bataan Sub-Cmdr. Van Heemskerck
A Curry class carrier that was extensively overhauled before deployment with TF 77.4.3, the Bataan is currently the home to seven squadrons of fighters and five of bombers. Somewhat lighter on tactical armament, the ship is often forced to rely upon its smaller cousin, the support tender Black Prince, and its fighters, for point defense against incoming threats.
Cruisers
C.S.S. Norfolk Pathfinder class Cmdr. Caoimhim Daigh
C.S.S. Cossack Pathfinder class Sub-Cmdr. John Franklin
Ships of the Pathfinder class have been in Starfleet use for the last two decades, and it is thanks to their multi-vector attack capabilities, regenerative shields, and ablative armor, that they have earned a reputation as fierce combatants on the battlefield. Both of these vessels are the so-called "big guns" of TF 77.4.3, having stood countless times in the line of battle even before their transfer to the United Confederation Fleet.
Marine Transport
C.S.S. Tortuga TSM(X) class Cmdr. Terenk Smolensk
The Transport Ship Marine (Experimental) project is a relatively new experiment being conducted by the United Federation of Planets. With a basic premise of being able to field a full battalion of infantry, plus a company of armor, into a combat zone anywhere in the U.F.P. with 48 hours warning, the project is believed to be showing a high degree of promise, even at this early stage of testing.
Tortuga is currently on loan from the United Federation of Planets, with her marines coming from nearly every member nation of the United Confederation Fleet. It is perhaps because of the inherent security threat that her crew is all Federation personnel, and the marines rarely - if ever - are allowed off the decks where they normally reside.
Repair Vessel
C.S.S. Canopus Shelly-class Cmdr. Kaigun
The Canopus is a Shelly class vessel, and is the other major experiment of TF 77.4.3. Refitted prior to deployment with state-of-the-art repair facilities (taking up 8 entire decks, of a total of 21), it is not too infrequently that her crew is heard boasting of their ability to repair ships and systems with great speed and efficiency than most starbases. Because of her slower speed and lesser tactical abilities, this ship either travels with a strong escort (usually one of the two Pathfinder class cruisers of the formation in close attendance), or is left behind in more secure ports during hazardous deployments.
Patrol Tender
C.S.S. Black Prince Saber Patrol Tender Sub-Cmdr. Claire Hanks
Despite being referred to in a derisive manner by the crews of the other ships in TF 77.4.3, the Black Prince provides invaluable services to the formation, including forward reconnaissance, search-and-rescue, courier missions, and even point defense for larger units. Retired from Starfleet service nearly twenty years before being brought into the United Confederation Fleet, this ship is also rumored to have a special place in the heart of Commander Baxter.
