Starfleet

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The **Federation Starfleet** (commonly referred to as **Starfleet**) is the deep-space exploratory, scientific, diplomatic, and military force of the United Federation of Planets.

## History

Formed as an integral part of the United Federation of Planets Charter in 2161, the Federation Starfleet incorporated elements of its founding members space-faring agencies, including Earth's own **Earth Starfleet** and its secret organization, Section 31. (Template:DS9; Template:ENT)

*The Earth Starfleet may also have been known as the* United Earth Stellar Navy *(UESN) in other continuities, such as that for* Orion Press *or* The Starfleet Museum*. Also, in FASA's RPG materials, many pre-Federation Earth starships had the designation* UNSS *presumably because the United Nations had its own space exploration agency.*
Missions undertaken by the Federation Starfleet fell at least partly under the jurisdiction of the United Earth Space Probe Agency (or UESPA) as late as the 2290s. By the mid-24th century Starfleet missions were regulated solely by Starfleet Command, answering to the Federation Council and bound by its General Orders and Regulations. (Template:TOS; *Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home*; *et al*)

When a planet became a member of the Federation, its military would be incorporated within Starfleet. (Template:DS9)

## Organization

### Fleet Organization

During the Four Years War, Starfleet adopted the following convention for parsing out assignments to their vessels (*Star Trek: The Four Years War*), the most notable of which was the First Fleet:

* **Fleets**: At this time **Starfleet** was divided into seven fleets, each consisting of nearly 1,440 vessels. Each fleet was commanded by a full Admiral. The Admiral of these fleets reported to directly to Fleet Admiral John Murdock, Commander in Chief of Starfleet.
* **Strategic Force**: Each of the individual fleets were then subdivided into two Strategic Forces of approximately 720 vessels each. Each of these Strategic Forces was commanded by a Vice Admiral.
* **Strategic Squadron**: Each of the Strategic Forces were further broken down into three Strategic Squadrons each. Each of these contained roughly 220-245 vessels. These are commanded by Rear Admirals.
* **Strategic Group**: A Strategic Group is composed of 80-95 vessels. These units are commanded by Commodores.
* **Battle Force:** Battle Forces, three of which are formed into Startegic Groups, consisted of approximately 25-35 starships each. These units are commanded by a Fleet Captain.
* **Battle Squadron**: A Battle Squadron is composed of 6-10 starships. Three Battle Squadrons equal one Battle Force. These squadrons are commanded by a senior officer in the rank of Commander or Captain.
* **Strike Squadron**: A Strike Squadron is three vessels, with at least two of those vessels being designated as combatants. The remaining vessels may be a scout, tender, transport, or any other such vessel up to, and including, a combat vessel.
* **Individual Vessel:** The lowest number in relation to the fleet. This is a single vessel, which may be commanded by anyone in the rank of Lieutenant Commander or above. A single vessel may operate independently from a fleet, but once assigned to a specific fleet it will fall into a Strike Squadron by default.

By the time of the Dominion War Starfleet organised its fleet into the following groupings from smallest to largest: squadron, wing, tactical wing, fleet. (Template:DWS)

## Branches and agencies

### Branches

* Judge Advocate General
* Starfleet Command
* Starfleet Corps of Engineers
* Starfleet Intelligence
* Starfleet Medical
* Starfleet Operations
* Starfleet Research and Development
* Starfleet Science
* Starfleet Security
* Starfleet Tactical

### Agencies

* Gethsemane Group
* Section 31 (Rogue agency not officially acknowledged by Starfleet Command.)
* United Earth Space Probe Agency (UESPA) (Existed from the 21st to the 23rd century)

## Facilities

* Federation starbases
* Federation shipyards
* Starfleet Academy
* Starfleet Medical Academy

## Background information

* Ronald D. Moore commented: "I've always felt that Starfleet is the military/exploratory/scientific arm of the UFP." [1]
* Remarking on a Starfleet JAG getting involved with a civilian case with Richard Bashir, Moore said: "Starfleet is more than just a military entity and seems to have police and/or judicial functions." [2]

## Related topics

* Starfleet ranks
	+ Officers
	+ Enlisted
	+ Miscellaneous
* Starfleet personnel
* Federation starships
* Federation shuttlecraft
* Federation Naval Patrol
* Merchant Marines

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