Spartan (Branch)

The SPARTAN Branch, also known as the Spartan Corps and Spartan OperationsHalo Legendary Crate - Bonus Item: Data Drop 1 - Welcome to Fireteam Apollo Page 1 & Page 2 was a branch of the United Nations Space Command Defense Force (UNSCDF), founded by SPARTAN-II Program washout Rear Admiral (RADM) Musa Ghanem (SPARTAN-096). It encompasses the members of the SPARTAN-IV Program, members of the SPARTAN-III Program who transferred from the Office of Naval Intelligence (ONI), Section Three, Beta-5 Division, and support personnel.
==History==
=== The SPARTAN-IV Program ===
The SPARTAN-IV Program was originally created by the ONI Section Three in an attempt to create a new generation of the SPARTAN Program that does not require the use of MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor and adolescents. Out of the ten candidates that undergone the original SPARTAN-IV Program augmentations only candidate Ilsa Zane's body accepted the augmentations at the cost of her becoming mentally unstable while the rest of the candidates were either crippled or dead. After the failure of original SPARTAN-IV Program, SPARTAN-II Program washout Rear Admiral Musa Ghanem (SPARTAN-096) and SPARTAN-III Headhunter Warrant Officer (WO) Jun-A266 created the current iteration of the SPARTAN-IV Program. By January of 2553 Head Recruiter of the SPARTAN-IV Program, WO Jun-A266, made a failed attempt to recruit Orbital Drop Shock Trooper (ODST) Gunnery Sergeant (GySgt) Edward Malcolm Buck on Sundown, and successfully recruited the first 5 candidates of the current SPARTAN-IV Program; ODST Corporal (Cpl) Sarah Palmer, Edward Davis, Yeong-Hao Holst, Vladimir Scruggs, and Sergeant (SGT) Joel Thomas.
=== Raid on UNSC Infinity ===
In January of 2553 Commander Thomas J. Lasky and Warrant Officer Jun-A266 were giving SPARTAN Sarah Palmer, SPARTAN Edward Davis, SPARTAN Yeong-Hao Holst, SPARTAN Vladimir Scruggs, and SPARTAN Joel Thomas a tour of the S-Deck on the Infinity-class supercarrier, UNSC Infinity (INF-101), located at the Project: OUROBOROS facility in the Oort cloud of the Sol System. During their tour Insurrectionist of the New Colonial Alliance (NCA) led by ONI-era SPARTAN-IV Ilsa Zane boarded the UNSC Infinity, took Captain Andrew Del Rio and the bridge crew hostage, disabled the warship's artificial intelligence, Aine, and threatened to vent all of the oxygen out of the warship if any of crew attempted to regain control. SPARTAN Palmer, SPARTAN Davis, SPARTAN Holst, SPARTAN Scruggs, and SPARTAN Thomas equipped MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor for the first time in the Armor Bay and created a plan to retake the warship. WO Jun-A266, SPARTAN Holst, SPARTAN Scruggs, and SPARTAN Joel protected CDR Lasky from Insurrectionist while SPARTAN Palmer and SPARTAN Davis conducted a space walk across the UNSC Infinity's hull to secure the bridge. SPARTAN Palmer distracted Ilsa Zane long enough for SPARTAN Davis to rescue the hostages, CAPT Del Rio to reactive Aine, and Aine to vent the air out of the bridge and launch Ilsa Zane into space.
===Creation===
In January of 2553 after the failure of ONI Section Three's attempt at the SPARTAN-IV Program, the success of the SPARTAN-IV Program under Rear Admiral Musa Ghanem and Warrant Officer Jun-A266, and the SPARTAN-IVs performance during the Raid on UNSC Infinity against the New Colonial Alliance and renegade ONI-era SPARTAN-IV Ilsa Zane, RADM Ghanem declared the SPARTAN-IV Program and all SPARTAN-IVs to be independent from the UNSC Navy and ONI at HIGHCOM Facility Bravo-6 in Sydney, Commonwealth of Australia, Earth "Erde-Tyrene", Sol System. During the creation of the SPARTAN Branch, all remaining SPARTAN-IIIs were offer to transfer from ONI Section Three, Beta-5 Division to the SPARTAN Branch. SPARTAN-IIIs who rejected the offer to join the SPARTAN Branch and all SPARTAN-IIs are still under the authority of the UNSC Navy's Naval Special Warfare Command (NAVSPECWAR) and any active UNSCDF personnel from the Project: ORION/SPARTAN-I Program remain assigned to their current units. With the SPARTAN Branch's creation and success the SPARTAN Branch began handing out contracts to various corporations to produce the expensive MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor. In May of 2553, ONI Section Three's Materials Group created the Damascus Ordnance Commission to organize these companies in the production of MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.
=== Draco III ===
In 2554 SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer offered the aid of a SPARTAN fireteam to Alpha-Nine of the 65th Shock Troops Division in dealing with a hostage situation in Draco III's Legislative Chamber. Gunnery Sergeant Edward Malcolm Buck denied the assistance of the SPARTAN fireteam in the Legislative Chamber, so SPARTAN CDR Palmer ordered the SPARTAN fireteam to take defensive positions around the Legislative Chamber. When the hostage situation went south, SPARTAN CDR Palmer's fireteam held off United Rebel Front (URF) reinforcements while Alpha-Nine eliminated URF leader, Captain Ingridson, and captured one of her Insurrectionist bodyguards, at the cost of ODST Lance Corporal (LCpl) "Rookie" being executed by Captain Ingridson. In the aftermath of Draco III SPARTAN Chief of Staff, SPARTAN-III Warrant Officer Jun-A266 recruited ODSTs GySGT Buck, LCpl Kojo "Romeo" Agu, and Private First Class (PFC) Michael "Mickey" Crespo into the SPARTAN-IV Program.
=== Investigation into a URF sympathizer ===
ONI Section One intelligence officer, Captain Veronica Ann Dare enlisted SPARTAN-IV Program trainee ODST Gunnery Sergeant Edward Malcolm Buck's aid in undercovering a United Rebel Front sympathizer among his class of SPARTAN-IVs. During the classes' training SPARTAN-IV trainee Hideo Wakahisa was murdered during a combat exercise, and SPARTAN Chief of Staff, SPARTAN-III Warrant Officer Jun-A266 recovered his nearly decapitated body. WO Jun-A266 also recovered SPARTAN-IV trainee ODST Private First Class Michael "Mickey' Crespo's medallion of Luna covered in blood near the murder scene. SPARTAN-IV trainees Mickey, Buck and Kojo "Romeo" Agu were put under investigation due to SPARTAN-IV trainee Mickey's medallion being at the murder scene and his parent's ties to the Insurrection. In a recreation room on the space station Director of SPARTAN Operations, SPARTAN-II Program washout Rear Admiral Musa Ghanem (SPARTAN-096), WO Jun-A266 and SPARTAN-IV Program training instructor Captain O'Day went to confront SPARTAN-IV trainee Rudolf Schein after viewing security footage of him entering SPARTAN-IV trainees Mickey, Romeo, and Buck's quarters. 
When RADM Ghanem, WO Jun-A266, and CAPT O'Day arrived they found SPARTAN-IV trainee Schein wearing a bandoleer of grenades, and holding a live grenade in one of his hands. SPARTAN-IV trainee Schein had rigged the station with explosives, but before he could activate them, RADM Ghanem deactivated the space station's gravity, while WO Jun-A266 knocked the grenade out SPARTAN-IV trainee Schein's hand. After the grenade exploded, WO Jun-A266 and SPARTAN-IV trainee Schein broke the window in the recreation room and into space, where WO Jun-A266 used SPARTAN-IV trainee Schein's body to launch himself back onto the station while RADM Ghanem managed to not get sent into space. After failing to raise WO Jun-A266 on the communication network and hearing gunshots, SPARTAN-IV trainees Buck, Mickey, Romeo and several others left the barracks to go investigate the source of the gunshots. While heading to the source of the gunshots, the SPARTAN-IV trainees alongside CAPT O'Day were caught in the explosion from the grenade WO Jun-A266 knocked out of SPARTAN-IV trainee Schein, and the decompression of the recreation room. CAPT O'Day was killed by the decompression while none of the SPARTAN-IV trainees in the hallway were killed. SPARTAN-IV trainee Mickey went to SPARTAN-IV trainee Schein's funreral where he met the deceased's father, Doctor Schein.
=== Talitsa III ===
In August of 2555 ONI Section One intelligence officer, Captain Veronica Ann Dare, deployed SPARTAN Fireteam Alpha-Nine to Talitsa, to recover the Huragok Quick to Adjust/New Mombasa's Superintendent AI "Vergil" and Vergil's handler, Sadie Endesha, from the United Rebel Front. During the mission SPARTAN Michael "Mickey" Crespo revealed himself to be a traitor to the UNSC and helped the URF led by Doctor Schein, take Fireteam Leader Edward Malcolm Buck and SPARTAN Kojo "Romeo" Agu as prisoners of war. Fireteam Leader Buck and SPARTAN Romeo managed to escape capture, eliminate a URF base, capture SPARTAN Mickey and Dr. Schein, and resuce Vergil and Sadie Endesha. Fireteam Leader Buck and SPARTAN Romeo prevented ONI agents from taking SPARTAN Mickey into their custody and proceeded to transfer SPARTAN Mickey into SPARTAN Chief of Staff, SPARTAN-III Warrant Officer Jun-A266. After the events on Talitsa III, Alpha-Nine was disbanded, Fireteam Leader Buck requested to be removed from a leadership position and was assigned as a SPARTAN to SPARTAN Fireteam Osiris.
===First Battle of Requiem===
In July of 2557 the UNSC Infinity received the Smart AI Cortana's distress call from the remains of the Charon-class light frigate UNSC Forward Unto Dawn (FFG-201) being relayed through the Cryptum of Ur-Didact Shadow-of-Sundered-Star located inside of Shield 0001 "Requiem", a Forerunner Shield World in the Epoloch System. When the UNSC Infinity arrived in orbit of Requiem, it was caught by the Shield World's gravity well and pulled inside the Requiem's outer shell where it crashed landed. After the UNSC Infinity crash landed on Requiem, Captain Andrew Del Rio deployed UNSC Marine Corps forces and SPARTAN Branch fireteams to secure a perimeter around the crash site. The UNSC forces sent to secure the perimeter began to take heavy casualties form Promethean Knights, Promethean Watchers, and Promethean Crawlers supported by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant. SPARTAN-II Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) John-117 rescued the UNSC Infinity's Executive Officer (XO), Commander Thomas J. Lasky, a SPARTAN fireteam lead by SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer, and UNSC Marine Corps forces pinned down by Promethean forces and secured a landing zone to for the UNSC forces to evacuate their wounded. MCPON John-117 then led a small force of SPARTANs to secure one of the UNSC Infinity's deployment elevators and reactivated the warships weaponry allowing the UNSC Infinity to drive off Jul 'Mdama's Covenant and the Ur-Didact's Promethean forces attacking the warship.
A SPARTAN Fireteam was deployed alongside MCPON John-117 to assist CDR Lasky and the UNSC Marines of Gypsy Company in taking down the Gravity Well Generator trapping the UNSC Infinity on Requiem and the Z-8060 High-Impact Particle Weapon network guarding the Gravity Well Generator. The SPARTAN Fireteam assisting Gypsy Company assisted MCPON John-117 in retrieving the H-295 Forward Observation Module and rescuing survivors form Dropship 79 Heavy-Troop Carrier "Pelican" Papa Foxtrot 766 crash site. After Gypsy Company's M510 Siegework/Ultra-Heavy Mobile Anti-Aircraft Weapons Platform "Mammoth" destroyed two Z-8060 High-Impact Particle Weapons, the vehicle's Mark 2457/35cm HRG Magnetic Accelerator Cannon (MAC) was disabled by a Type-56 Ground Support/Ultra Heavy Deployment Platform "Lich" and the SPARTAN Fireteam secures the Lich's gravity lift while MCPON John-117 destroyed the Lich. The SPARTAN Fireteam remained behind to protect Gypsy Company while MCPON John-117 deactivated the Z-8060 High-Impact Particle Weapon network and marked the Gravity Well Generator to guide a missile strike launched by the UNSC Infinity. After Cortana should signs of rampancy and MCPON John-117 refused to turn over the smart AI for decommissioning, SPARTAN CDR Palmer disobeyed a direct order from CAPT Del Rio to arrest MCPON John-117 and allowed the SPARTAN-II and Cortana to leave the UNSC Infinity.
=== New Phoenix Incident ===
SPARTANs where stationed on board the UNSC Infinity during the Ur-Didact Shadow-of-Sundered-Star's attack on New Phoenix, United Republic of North America (URNA), and greeted SPARTAN-II Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy John-117 alongside UNSC Marines when the SPARTAN-II was brought aboard the UNSC Infinity, after the SPARTAN-II destroying the Mantle's Approach and a Composer with a HAVOK Tactical Nuclear Weapon.Halo 4 - Level: Epilogue With Captain Andrew Del Rio being relieved of command by UNSC Fleet Command (FLEETCOM) for leaving MCPON John-117 on Requiem, and UNSC Infinity's Executive Officer, Commander Thomas J. Lasky being promoted to Captain and assigned as the Commanding Officer of the UNSC Infinity, SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer was made the new XO of the warship.
=== Second Battle of Requiem ===
Six months after the the New Phoenix Incident the UNSC Infinity received SPARTAN Fireteam Majestic and headed back to Shield 0001 "Requiem". SPARTAN fireteams Castle, Majestic, Domino, Ivy, and Crimson under Mission Handler Jared Miller, with SPARTAN Robert Dalton coordinating air support, were deployed to assist UNSC Army, UNSC Navy, and UNSC Marine Corps forces on Requiem. Fireteam Crimson assisted UNSC Marine Corps forces in destroying power cores set up by Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, and eliminating Jul 'Mdama's Covenant reinforcements sent to stop them. UNSC Marine Corps forces were struggling to take a Forerunner structure from Jul 'Mdama's Covenant, so SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer, deployed Fireteam Crimson with Mission Handler Miller providing intelligence and SPARTAN Dalton coordinating air support. Fireteam Crimson defeated Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces in the area, deactivated energy shields and marked a generator for SPARTAN Dalton to call in an airstrike. Fireteam Majestic and Fireteam Crimson were deployed to two identical structures to clear the areas of Promethean forces. Fireteam Crimson and Majestic took eliminated the Promethean forces, deactivated Forerunner communications jammers and Forerunner devices in their areas. SPARTAN CDR Palmer sent Fireteam Crimson with Mission Handler Miller providing intelligence and SPARTAN Dalton coordinating air support to investigate a Forerunner structure for science team Gagarin. Fireteam Crimson collected a Forerunner star map and cleared the area, survived an ambush by Promethean forces, reopen the structures door to the outside and cleared the area of Promethean forces.
=== Battle of Ealen IV ===
On March 5th, 2558 the UNSC Infinity sent SPARTAN Branch sent SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer, Fireteam Bailey, and Fireteam Jackknife provided security alongside Sangheili Minors equipped with Assault Harnesses, Sangheili Ascetics and Jiralhanae Bodyguards for the peace talks on Ealen IV in the Ealen System, between the Swords of Sanghelios and Jiralhanae Chieftain Lydus' clan. During the peace talks SPARTAN CDR Palmer ordered Fireteam Jackknife's Fireteam Leader Vladimir Scruggs, to have a SPARTAN move closer to a Jiralhanae Captain Major who seemed ready to attack the Sangheili Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, before attempting to contact the UNSC Infinity and Fireteam Leader Paul Demarco of Fireteam Bailey. While attempting to reestablish contact SPARTAN CDR Palmer came across a dead Swords of Sanghelios and alerted Fireteam Leader Scruggs before Sangheili Rangers and Ruutian Kig-Yar Snipers of Vata 'Gajat's Mercenary Group ambushed the peace talks. Captain Thomas J. Lasky ordered SPARTAN CDR Palmer and Fireteam Jackknife to protect the Jiralhanae and Sangheili delegates, while SPARTAN CDR Palmer ordered Fireteam Bailey to clear a path for the delegates to reach a shuttle from the UNSC Infinity. SPARTAN CDR Palmer protected the Arbiter Thel 'Vadam from an airstrike conducted by 3 Type-26 Ground Support Aircraft "Banshees" that destroyed the shuttle. After the destruction of the shuttle SPARTAN CDR Palmer had the the delegates to take refuge in a Plasma Refinement Facilities Parts Depot, with Fireteam Leader DeMarco sealing the entrance.HALO: Escalation volume 1 - Page 19 to 28SPARTAN CDR Palmer ordered SPARTAN Naiya Ray to go resort communications with CAPT Lasky while SPARTAN CDR Palmer, Fireteam Jackknife, and Fireteam Bailey protected the delegates and Fleet Admiral Lord Terrence Hood.HALO: Escalation volume 1 - Page 31 While moving the delegates across a bridge a Type-56 Ground Support/Ultra Heavy Deployment Platform "Lich" spotted the group and deployed landing party. SPARTAN CDR Palmer gathered all the grenades from the delegates and SPARTANs into her MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/S helmet before using it to destroy the Lich.HALO: Escalation volume 1 - Pages 35 to 39 After destroying the Lich SPARTAN CDR Palmer orders Fireteam Jackknife alongside the delegates security details to secure a structure up ahead while she and Fireteam Bailey protect FADM Lord Hood, Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, and Chieftain Lydus.HALO: Escalation volume 1 - Page 46
SPARTAN Ray and CAPT Lasky killed a Sangheili Warrior and secured the Plasma Refinement Facility's Administrative Wing to discover that the Plasma Refinement Facility's communication network is jamming the communicationsHALO: Escalation volume 1 - Pages 40 to 43. SPARTAN Ray eliminates two Sangheili Rangers to secure a Banshee and a Type-27 Exoatmopsheric Multi-role Fighter "Space Banshee" for her and CAPT Lasky for travel to the Plasma Refinement Facility's reactor.HALO: Escalation volume 1 - Pages 48 to 49 SPARTAN Ray eliminates a Sangheili Ranger to secure a landing pad before her and CAPT Lasky battle through Storm Sangheili, Sangheili Rangers, and Ibie'shan Kig-Yar before destroying the reactor with a plasma battery.HALO: Escalation volume 1 - Pages 51 to 52 SPARTAN Ray manages to get CAPT Lasky in contact with the UNSC Infinity, Swords of Sanghelios fleet, and Jiralhanae fleet to request reinforcements to protect the delegates from Vata 'Gajat's Mercenary Group.HALO: Escalation volume 1 - Pages 55 to 56
After receiving the all clear from Fireteam Leader Scruggs, SPARTAN CDR Palmer, Fireteam Bailey, and the delegates move to the structure. SPARTAN CDR Palmer orders Fireteam Bailey to search the courtyard while her and the delegates link up with Fireteam Jackknife and the delegates' security forces. When SPARTAN CDR Palmer and the delegates arrive at Fireteam Jackknife's position, they find the bodies of Fireteam Jackknife's SPARTANs, Swords of Sanghelios Sangheili, Jiralhanae Bodyguards, and the Jiralhanae Captain Major right before Fireteam Leader Scruggs takes FADM Lord Hood hostage. SPARTAN CDR Palmer shoots FADM Lord Hood in the thigh with one of her M6H Personal Defense Weapon Systems to make Fireteam Leader Scruggs drop him, before tackling Fireteam Leader Scruggs out of a window and killing him with a Combat Knife.
SPARTAN CDR Palmer, FADM Lord Hood, the Arbiter Thel 'Vadam, and Chieftain Lydus escape on a Type-29 Troop/Vehicle Transport "Shadow", while Fireteam Bailey stayed behind to man the Type-38 Anti-Aircraft Cannons "Tyrants". SPARTAN CDR Palmer, and Fireteam Jackknife member SPARTAN Ray were the only SPARTAN Branch survivors of the Battle of Ealen IV.
=== Covert Mission to Escala III and Karava ===
On March 8th, 2558 Captain Thomas J. Lasky and SPARTAN Naiya Ray departed the UNSC Infinity on a covert operation to find out who leaked the Ealen IV peace talk location to Vata 'Gajat's Mercenary Group. On March 10th 2558 CAPT Lasky and SPARTAN Ray arrive in Castiglione, Escala III to meet freelance war journalist Petra Janecek to gain her aid in discovering the mole. CAPT Lasky, SPARTAN Ray, and Petra Janecek travelled to Kor Delban on the Sangheili controlled planet, Karava, to gain information from a Sangheili mercenary, Zef 'Trahl. SPARTAN Ray enraged a Sangheili with the family name of 'Lordan by looking at him, and was saved from a Type-1 Energy Weapon/Sword "Energy Sword" by Petra Janecek who shot 'Lordan through the head with a revolver. CAPT Lasky, SPARTAN Ray, and Petra Jancek learned from Zef 'Trahl, that the Covenant Remnant forces that attacked the Ealen IV peace talk were mercenaries under the employee of the Sangheili Shipmaster Vata 'Gajat who was formerly under the employee of the Didact's Hand, Sangheili Shipmaster Jul' Mdama, and that Captain Daniel Clayton was the mole in the UNSC.
=== Ambush at Artesia-702 ===
On March 11th, 2558 the UNSC Infinity responded to a distress call from the Pilgrim's Pride in the Artesia-702 star system. As the Pilgrim's Pride was being tugged into one of the UNSC Infinity's subvessel deployment bays, SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer ordered Fireteam Majestic and Fireteam Colossus to board the vessel, with Mission Handler Jared Miller managing the SPARTAN fireteams. After the Pilgrim's Pride was tugged into the subvessel deployment New Colonial Alliance AV-22 Sparrowhawks and at least one AC-220 Gunship "Vulture" emerged from the vessel and engaged UNSC F-41 Exoatmospheric Multirole Strike Fighters "Broadswords", while Fireteam Colossus and Fireteam Majestic boarded the vessel. Both Fireteam Colossus and Fireteam Majestic encountered automated defenses on board the Pilgrim's Pride. When the NCA forces began to withdraw from the UNSC Infinity, Fleet Admiral Lord Terrance Hood ordered the Pilgrim's Pride to be ejected from the subvessel deployment bay due to the possibility of the vessel being rigged to explode. By the time Mission Handler Miller ordered Fireteam Majestic to evacuate the Pilgrim's Pride, they had reached the vessels core that was rigged to explode. SPARTAN Tedra Grant of Fireteam Majestic ejected the Pilgrim's Pride's core before it detonated saving both Fireteam Colossus and Fireteam Majestic from the explosion.
=== Oth Lodon Skirmish ===
The UNSC Infinity's Smart AI, Roland, found from the Pilgrim's Pride logs that the vessel was launched from the gas giant Oth Lodon in Jiralhanae controlled space and SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer and Fireteam Majestic were deployed from the UNSC Infinity on Open Frame 92/Extra-Vehicular Activity "Booster Frames" to investigate with Mission Handler Jared Miller managing the operation. While traversing an asteroid field, the SPARTANs were detected by a Sangheili mercenary in Vata 'Gajat's Mercenary Group and lost the element of surprise. The SPARTANs discovered the New Colonial Alliance / Vata 'Gajat's Mercenary Group's space station and Sangheili Shipmaster Vata 'Gajat's SDV-class Heavy Corvette. After the UNSC Infinity arrived next to the space station and is damaged by the space station's glassing cannon, SPARTAN CDR Palmer and Fireteam Majestic boarded the space station captured Captain Daniel Clayton and the NCA Insurrectionist crew. Fireteam Leader Gabriel Thorne used the space station's glassing cannon to destroy Vata 'Gajat's SDV-class Heavy Corvette and kill the Sangheili Shipmaster Vata 'Gajat.
=== Battle of Ven III ===
On May 9th, 2558 Captain Thomas J. Lasky deployed Fireteam Leader Gabriel Thorne and SPARTAN Naiya Ray to Ven III to recover a canister of an unknown infection from the Storm Sangheili Ayit 'Sevi. On May 10th, 2558 Fireteam Leader Thorne and SPARTAN Ray are ambushed by the Storm Sangheili leading a lance of Ibie'shan Kig-Yar Storms, with Fireteam Leader Thorne being captured by Ayit 'Sevi. SPARTAN Ray followed Ayit 'Sevi to a Ibie'shan Kig-Yar pirate hideout full of Ibie'shan Kig-Yar pirates, Human, Unggoy, and Covenant Fringe captives. SPARTAN Ray used a Type-46 Infantry Support Vehicle "Spectre" to infiltrate the pirate hideout, rescued Fireteam Leader Thorne and ambushed Ayit 'Sevi, while SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer and Fireteam Majestic stormed the hideout. While SPARTAN CDR Palmer and Fireteam Majestic retrieved Fireteam Leader Thorne, SPARTAN Ray chased Ayit 'Sevi on a Type-32 Rapid Assault Vehicle "Ghost" and used it's Class-2 Energy Guns to disable his Ghost. Before SPARTAN Ray could secure the canister from Ayit 'Sevi, 2 Sahara-class Heavy Prowlers from the UNSC Prowler Corps landed around her. An ONI Operative from one of the prowlers handed orders from SPARTAN-II Program washout, Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Admiral Serin Çelik/Osman (SPARTAN-019), to hand over Ayit 'Sevi and the canister into ONI custody.
=== Battle of Aktis IV ===
On July 18th, 2558 the UNSC Infinity deployed SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer, SPARTAN Naiya Ray, and Fireteam Majestic to an archipelago to locate the source of interference originating on the planet of Aktis IV. The SPARTAN force eliminated Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces guarding a Forerunner structure, and provided protection for Dropship 79 Heavy-Troop Carriers "Pelicans" unloading equipment and for UNSC Infinity's Chief Engineer, Doctor Henry Glassman. On July 19th, 2558 after a Pelican carrying a half of the Janus Key and it's F-41 Exoatmospheric Multirole Strike Fighter "Broadsword" escort were shot down by Sali 'Nyon's Covenant, the SPARTAN forces on the planet were attacked by a small fleet of Jul 'Mdama's Covenant lead by the Shipmaster of the Breath of Annihilation CAS-class Assault Carrier. On July 20th, 2558 the SPARTAN forces beside SPARTAN Carlo Hoya on the planet barricaded themselves inside a Forerunner structure to defend against Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces. SPARTAN Hoya was saved from a Sangheili Zealot of Sali 'Nyon's Covenant by a Promethean Knight and discovered that war criminal Doctor Catherine Halsey was on the planet.
After Dr. Glassman activated 2 portals inside the Forerunner structure, SPARTAN CDR Palmer, Fireteam Leader Gabriel Thorne, and SPARTAN Ray go through one portal while Fireteam Majestic and Dr. Glassman go through the other. After exiting the portal Fireteam Majestic and Dr. Glassman were nearly shot by a SPARTAN piloting HRUNTING/YGGDRASIL Mark IX Armor Defense System "Mantis", while SPARTAN CDR Palmer, Fireteam Leader Thorne, and SPARTAN Ray came across and followed a Sangheili Minor of Sali 'Nylon's Covenant who is defecting to Jul 'Mdama's Covenant. After noticing that Dr. Halsey is located on the planet and that the Sali 'Nylon's Covenant defector just handed her the half of the Janus Key from the Pelican crashsite, SPARTAN CDR Palmer, Fireteam Leader Throne, and SPARTAN Ray attempted to capture her. While Fireteam Leader Thorne, and SPARTAN Ray engaged Jul 'Mdama's Covenant forces, SPARTAN CDR Palmer chased Dr. Halsey into the jungle until SPARTAN CDR Palmer was knocked off a cliff by a Type-58 Ultra-Heavy Site Excavator/Embedded "Harvester". On July 23rd, 2558 two ONI agents conducted a closed door debrief with SPARTAN CDR Palmer about the lose of the Janus Key and her failure to capture Dr. Halsey.
=== Operation: ATHENA ===
SPARTAN-II Program washout and Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence, Admiral Serin Çelik/Osman assembled a team consisting of SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer, Fireteam Leader Gabriel Thorne, SPARTAN Holly Tanaka, and Doctor Henry Glassman to be smuggled aboard the Breath of Ann
===Other Operations===
*On July 16th, 2558 SPARTAN Commander Sarah Palmer, Fireteam Leader Gabriel Thorne, and SPARTAN Joel Thomas participated in a joint UNSC SPARTAN - UNSC Marine Corps operation in Northeastern Saviron, Oban against Jul 'Mdama's Covenant and Prometheans.
*A SPARTAN recon team equipped with MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/VECTOR were deployed onto the surface of one of the gas giant Threshold's moons, Basis in the Soell System to assess the debris of Installation 04 "Alpha Halo".Halo 5: Guardians - Description: Vector (Armor)
* During the exploration of Installation 03 "Gamma Halo" in the Khaphrae System, SPARTANs equipped with MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/PIONEER were deployed as security escorts.
* The SPARTAN Branch had SPARTAN-IVs equipped with MJONLIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/DEFENDER conducting operations on Shield 0006 "Trevelyan" and Gamma Halo.Halo 4 - Description: Defender (Helmet)
* The SPARTAN Branch had SPARTANs equipped with MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/WETWORK conducted classified raids against United Rebel Front Insurrectionist on the gas giant Viralyevna's third moon, Talitsa, in the Sverdlovsk System.Halo 4 - Description: Wetwork (Helmet)
* SPARTANs equipped with MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/OCENAIC and INNER-PLATED forearms participated extensively in the Terceira Campaign against URF Insurrectionist on Terceira.Halo 4 - Description: OCEANIC (Helmet) and INNER-PLATED (Forearms)
* The SPARTAN Branch sends SPARTANs equipped with MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/NOMAD on remote expeditions outside of charted UEG and Covenant Empire space.Halo 5: Guardians - Description: Nomad (Armor)
* SPARTANs equipped with MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/ORBITAL patrol Earth's orbital tethers and UNSCDF space stations.
*SPARTAN forces apart of the Thales Expedition favored the use of CONTOURED forearms.Halo 4 - Description: Contoured (Forearms)
*SPARTAN forces heavily used the OUTER-PLATED greaves during the Concord Incident on Concord.Halo 4 - Description: OUTER-PLATED (Legs)
==Duties==
Similar to other military branches, the SPARTAN Branch has a multitude of roles. These roles include reconnaissance, security and patrol,Halo 5: Guardians - Description: Orbital (Armor) counter insurgency,Halo 5: Guardians - Description: Defender (Armor) military police duties,Halo 5: Guardians - Description: Raider (Armor) high value asset retrieval, and frontline combat.
==Branches==
*SPARTAN Command
*SPARTAN Training and Education
==Organization==
SPARTAN Branch forces are organized into SPARTAN Companies of up to 300 SPARTANs led by a SPARTAN Commander. Within these SPARTAN Companies, Mission Handlers manage 5-10 Fireteams, 20-50 SPARTANs, and provide them with intelligence support. SPARTAN Fireteams consist of 4-5 SPARTANs are led by a Fireteam Leader.
===Specializations===
Once a SPARTAN rates 50 in War Games simulations, they can apply to become a specialist. Specialists receive different sets of weapons and different sets of power armor.Halo 4 Limited Edition - Bonus Item: UNSC Infinity Briefing Packet
=== Headhunters ===
With the creation of the SPARTAN-IVs and the transfer of SPARTAN-IIIs to the SPARTAN Branch, the HEADHUNTER Program is now jointly operated by ONI and the SPARTAN Branch. The SPARTAN branch has a list of SPARTAN-IIIs and SPARTAN-IVs that are suited to operator as Headhunters and preform sabotage, counterinsurgency operations, strategic reconnaissance and assassinate of enemy leaders deep behind enemy lines. The MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/LOCUS helmet,Halo 4 - Description: LOCUS (Helmet) and the MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/WAR MASTER platformHalo 5: Guardians - Description: WAR MASTER (Armor) are popular with Headhunters. The SPARTAN Branch has started the WRATH Project to upgrade all existing Mark V MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/V platforms into MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/WRATH to be used by Headhunters teams in the future.Halo 5: Guardians - Description: WRATH (Armor)
==Assets==
===Uniform===
====Power Armor====
The SPARTAN-IIIs and SPARTAN-IVs of the SPARTAN Branch primarily utilize the MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor series of power armor, but also have access to the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IVHalo 5: Guardians Customization, the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VHalo: Combat Evolved Anniversary Multiplayer, the MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VIHalo 2: Anniversary and Halo 3 Multiplayer, HAYABUSA Powered Assault ArmorHalo 3 Multiplayer, MIRAGE Exoskeleton, and the ORION Super-Soldier Weapon SystemHalo 2: Anniversary Multiplayer platforms. As per Regulation 3A-950, newly augmented personnel of the SPARTAN branch only have access to MJOLNIR GEN 2 Powered Assault Armor/RECRUIT.Halo 4 Limited Edition - Bonus Item: Armor Schematics
The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV helmets are compatible with Hardened Uplink (HUL) modules, Command Network Modules (CNM), Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) air filters, and Command Network and External Hardened Uplink (FC) modules. MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV is compatible with the Type-3 Refraction Dissonance Modifier/Camouflage, Type-27 Responsive Holographic Form Emulator, Series 12 Single Operator Lift Apparatus, Armor Lock, Drop Shield, Evade, Sprint Armor Abilities and Kig-Yar Point Defense Gauntlets. By August 2552 Energy Shielding was integrated into all ORION Super-Soldier Weapon Systems, MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV variants, and HAYABUSA Powered Assault Armor.
The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V helmets are compatible with Hardened Uplink (HUL) modules, Hardened 3rd Generation Uplink (HUL[3]) modules, Hardened Uplink / Remote Sensor (HU/RS) packages, Command Network Modules (CNM), Command Network Modules-Improved (CNM-I), Chemical Biological Radiological and Nuclear (CBRN) air filters, CBRN/Command Network Modules-Improved (FC-I), Command Network and Hardened 3rd Generation Uplink (FC-I[2]) modules, P237-THEIATEK Optical Suite, and can be equipped with Night Vision. MJOLNIR Mark V is also compatible with the Type-3 Refraction Dissonance Modifier/Camouflage, Type-27 Responsive Holographic Form Emulator, Series 12 Single Operator Lift Apparatus, Armor Lock, Drop Shield, Evade, and Sprint Armor Abilities.
The MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI helmets are compatible with Hardened 2nd Generation Uplink [HUL-I] modules, and Command Network and Hardened 3rd Generation Uplink (FC-I[2]) modules. MJOLNIR Mark VI is compatible with Z-5080 Short-Range Spectrum Augmenter/Vision, Z-2500 Automated Protection Drone, Z-90 Photonic Coalescence Emitter/Aegis, Type-3 Refraction Dissonance Modifier/Camouflage, Type-27 Responsive Holographic Form Emulator, Series 12 Single Operator Lift Apparatus, M2705 Regenerative Kinetic Dispersal Field, and M805X Forward Acceleration System/Fulcrum Mitigating Armor Abilities. MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI is capable of accepting Shielding, Firepower, Mobility, Fast-Track, Grenadier, Resupply, Requisition, Wheelman, AA Efficiency, and Resistor Tactical Packages. The ORION Super-Soldier Weapon System and the MIRAGE Exoskeleton are compatible with MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI. 
The MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor is compatible with Z-5080 Short-Range Spectrum Augmenter/Vision, Z-2500 Automated Protection Drone, Z-90 Photonic Coalescence Emitter/Aegis, Type-3 Refraction Dissonance Modifier/Camouflage, Type-27 Responsive Holographic Form Emulator, Series 12 Single Operator Lift Apparatus, M2705 Regenerative Kinetic Dispersal Field, M805X Forward Acceleration System/Fulcrum Mitigating, Sprint, Stun Blast, Seeker Drone, Repel, Overshield, and Teleport Armor Abilities. MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor is capable of accepting Shielding, Firepower, Mobility, Fast-Track, Grenadier, Resupply, Requisition, Wheelman, AA Efficiency, and Resistor Tactical Packages.
MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI variants, HAYABUSA Powered Assault Armor, MIRAGE Exoskeletons and the MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor variants used by SPARTAN-IVs stationed on Anvil Station are compatible with the use of the Invincibility equipment employed by Jiralhanae Chieftains. All MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor, HAYABUSA Powered Assault Armor, MIRAGE Exoskeletons, and ORION Super-Soldier Weapon Systems equipped with Energy Shielding are compatible with Overshield technology. By October 2558 thrusters were integrated into all MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark IV variants, MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark V variants, MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor/Mark VI variants, and MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor variants after Lethbridge Industrial's successful demonstration of the MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/ANUBIS.
The SPARTAN Branch has contracts with Imbrium Machine Complex, Hannibal Weapon Systems, Naphtali Contractor Corporation, Beweglichkeitsrüstungsysteme, Acheron Security, Lethbridge Industrial, Misriah Armory, 343 Industries, Kolaar Manufactorum, Cascade Stronghold Technology, Chalybs Defense Solutions, Vestol Corporation, and Emerson Tactical Systems for the production and development of MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor platforms and contracts with RKD Group for the production of MJOLNIR GEN2 Powered Assault Armor/LEGIONNAIRE and HAYABUSA Powered Assault Armor. ONI's Watershed Division and Materials Group also develops and produces MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor platforms for the SPARTAN Branch and the Materials Group formed the Damascus Ordnance Commission that is held at the Damascus Materials Testing Facility on Chi Ceti IV that regulates the Unified Earth Government (UEG) power armor industry.
In 2560, MJOLNIR GEN3 Powered Assault Armor was issued to all SPARTAN Branch SPARTANs and lacks Lethbridge Industrial's thruster package.
=== Cybernetics ===
All UNSCDF personnel assigned to the SPARTAN Branch are equipped with Neural Interfaces, all ship captains are equipped with Command Neural Interfaces, and all SPARTAN-IIs, SPARTAN-IIIs, and SPARTAN-IVs are equipped with SPARTAN Neural Interfaces.
In 2560 the SPARTAN Branch has the capability to provide hand, transradial, transhumeral, and transtibial prostheses to its SPARTAN personnel. All SPARTAN Neural interfaces were upgraded to the version given to SPARTAN-II Master Chief Petty Officer John-117 for Operation: RED FLAG, allowing all SPARTANs to directly link to an A.I.
===Air Vehicles===
A new dropship under the name Project: SLEIPNIR was developed specifically for use with SPARTANs.Halo 5: Guardians - Description: Foehammer (Armor)
=== Facilities ===
The Munera Platforms are specialized platforms housing War Games facilities located at most UNSC naval depots and training facilities. Munera Platforms broadcast competitive SPARTAN exercises and tournaments across Unified Earth Government territory to build morale.
ANVIL Station is a top-secret UNSC space station where the UNSC cross trains SPARTANs with the Swords of Sanghelios and test new MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor platforms.
The Avery J. Johnson Acedemy of Military Science is the primary training facility of the SPARTAN Branch in 2560. The facility is named after UNSC Marine Corps. Sergeant Major Avery Junior Johnson, a SPARTAN-I and war hero of the Human-Covenant War, who fought in both the first and last battles of the war. The logo of the facility appears to be a MJOLNIR Power Assault Armor/Mark V [B] helmet, most famously used by Lieutenant SPARTAN-B312 "Noble Six" of NOBLE Team during the Fall of Reach. Who was a SPARTAN-III of Beta Company, was only one of two SPARTANs to ever be rated hyper-lethal and was invalueable in leading the UNSC Pillar of Autumn to Installation 04 and saving humanity.
==== UNSC Infinity ====
The UNSC Infinity (INF-101) has a section of the Infinity-Class Supercarrier, referred to as "SPARTAN Town" by the crew, that only SPARTANs and SPARTAN Branch support personnel have access to. SPARTAN Town includes the quarters for the SPARTAN contingent on the warship, War Games simulators, and an Armor Bay for the SPARTANs to equip and remove their MJOLNIR Powered Assault Armor.
===Subordinates===
====Personnel====
====Units====
==Ranks==
The ranking system of the SPARTAN branch only applies to SPARTAN-IVs, while SPARTAN-IIIs still retain their ranks. All SPARTAN-IVs share the same rank of SPARTAN and do not possess any formal ranks. All SPARTAN-IVs receive a commission as an officer of the UNSCDF.
UNSC SPARTAN ranks.HALO: Official Spartan Field Manual, Page 32 to Page 33
Role 	Responsibilities 	UNSCDF Equivalents
Director of SPARTAN Operations 	Commander-in-Chief of the SPARTANS (CINCSPAR)	UNSC Air Force: General of the Air Force (GOAF)
UNSC Army: General of the Army (GA)
UNSC Marine Corps: General (Gen)
UNSC Navy: Fleet Admiral (FADM)
ONI: Commander-in-Chief of the Office of Naval Intelligence (CINCONI)
Chief of StaffHALO: Official Spartan Field Manual, Page 114	SPARTAN liaison for the UNSC Security Council.
SPARTAN-IV Program Head Recruiter.
SPARTAN-IV Program Operational Manager.	
SPARTAN Commander 	Command-and-Control of a SPARTAN Company.
Manages a SPARTAN contingent on a UNSC warships.	UNSC Air Force: Colonel (Col)
UNSC Army: Colonel (COL)
UNSC Marine Corps: Colonel (Col)
UNSC Navy: Captain (CAPT)
ONI: Captain (CAPT)
Mission Handler 	SPARTAN Command liaison.
Intelligence Support.
Manages 5-10 SPARTAN Fireteams.	UNSC Air Force: Major (Maj)
UNSC Army: Major (MAJ)
UNSC Marine Corps: Major (Maj)
UNSC Navy: Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)
ONI: Lieutenant Commander (LCDR)
Fireteam Leader 	Leader of a SPARTAN Fireteam. 	UNSC Air Force: Captain (Capt)
UNSC Army: Captain (CPT)
UNSC Marine Corps: Captain (Capt)
UNSC Navy: Lieutenant (LT)
ONI: Lieutenant (LT)
SPARTAN 	Augmented UNSC Special Forces operative. 	UNSC Air Force: 1st Lieutenant (1st Lt)
UNSC Army: 1st Lieutenant (1LT)
UNSC Marine Corps: 1st Lieutenant (1stLT)
UNSC Navy: Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG)
ONI: Lieutenant, Junior Grade (LTJG)
== Appearances ==
Video Games:
* Halo: Combat Evolve (Multiplayer only)
* Halo 2 (Multiplayer only)
* Halo 3 (Multiplayer only)
* Halo: Reach (Multiplayer and Firefight only)
* Halo: Combat Evolved Anniversary (Multiplayer only)
* Halo 4
* Halo: Spartan Assault
* Halo: The Master Chief Collection (Multiplayer, Halo: Reach Firefight, Halo 4, and Halo 5: Guardians Multiplayer Beta only)
* Halo: Spartan Strike
* Halo 5: Guardians
* Halo: Infinite
Books:
* Halo: New Blood
* Halo: Bad Blood 
Comics:
* Halo: Initiation
* Halo: Escalation
==Sources==
Category:United Nations Space Command Defense Force