Difference between revisions of "Challenger Squadron"

Revision as of 22:49, 19 March 2023

Challenger Squadron is a formation centered around the starship Challenger, a Galaxy-class explorer. Formed in 2401 under the command of Fleet Captain Thomas Forrester, Challenger Squadron was assigned to explore regions of the Gamma Quadrant that were previously occupied by the Dominion. Instead of being assigned to one of the Fourth Fleet's task forces, Challenger Squadron was assigned directly to Fourth Fleet Operations.

History

Formation (2401)

In 2397, the Dominion withdrew from the Riada Sector. Eager to explore this previously inaccessible region of the Gamma Quadrant, Starfleet Science requested ships be assigned to this task only to be repeatedly rebuffed by Starfleet Command.

Challenger Squadron was formed in January 2401 at the direction of Fourth Fleet Operations with the intention of exploring the Riada Sector. Previously only able to study the region by long range sensors and telescopes, Challenger Squadron's mission would finally allow Starfleet to conduct an in-depth study of the sector while also building relations with the civilisations there who, for the first time in centuries, are no longer living under Dominion occupation and providing whatever support they can. The squadron originally consisted of three starships, the Challenger, Inverness and Higgs.

However, on the eve of the Squadron's departure from Starbase Bravo, Starfleet Command postponed their mission to the Gamma Quadrant for two weeks, instead assigning them to mundane tasks in Federation space. The mission was postponed again, this time indefinitely in late January. No reason was given for this and Fleet Captain Forrester was unable to find out through his contacts at Starfleet Command. In February 2401, the USS Inverness was removed from Challenger Squadron and reassigned to the Federation/Romulan Republic border with no ship immediately assigned to replace her.

Leadership

2401 - Present

Fleet Captain Thomas Forrester - Commander
Captain Everett Ashford - Deputy Commander

2401 - Present

Fleet Captain Thomas Forrester - Commander
Captain Anastasia Matheson - Deputy Commander

Current Composition

Challenger Squadron is currently composed of two starships.

USS Challenger - Galaxy-class explorer - Challenger is the flagship, tasked with the bulk of the diplomatic work the squadron will take on. For this reason it's diplomatic detachment has recently been beefed up under the command of Commander Matthias Bentley. With deck 12 given over entirely to medical facilities, the Challenger provides medical and counselling support to the entire squadron. In addition to commanding Challenger Squadron, Fleet Captain Forrester has also commanded the Challenger herself since late 2399.
USS Higgs - Nova-class surveyor - The primary role of the Higgs is to undertake long term, in-depth surveys of the star systems in the Riada Sector. It's envisaged that the Higgs will spend several months studying the systems that, until now, Starfleet has only been able to study on long-range sensors or through telescopes. Captain Anastasia Matheson has commanded the Higgs since December 2400 and was promoted to Deputy Squadron Commander in February 2401

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-{{Squadron|name=Challenger Squadron|unit=Fourth Fleet Operations|flagship=[[USS Challenger | USS ''Challenger'']]|co=[[bfms_char:30476| FCAPT Thomas Forrester]]|xo=[[bfms_char:69212 | CAPT Everett Ashford]]|quadrant=Gamma Quadrant|mission=Deep Space Exploration}}
+{{Squadron|name=Challenger Squadron|unit=Fourth Fleet Operations|flagship=[[USS Challenger | USS ''Challenger'']]|co=[[bfms_char:30476| FCAPT Thomas Forrester]]|xo=[[bfms_char:68762 | CAPT Anastasia Matheson]]|quadrant=Alpha Quadrant|mission=Deep Space Exploration}}
 '''Challenger Squadron''' is a formation centered around the starship Challenger, a ''Galaxy-class'' explorer. Formed in 2401 under the command of [[bfms_char:30476/|Fleet Captain Thomas Forrester]], Challenger Squadron was assigned to explore regions of the [[Gamma Quadrant]] that were previously occupied by the [[Dominion]]. Instead of being assigned to one of the [[Fourth Fleet|Fourth Fleet's]] task forces, Challenger Squadron was assigned directly to [[Fourth Fleet Operations]].
@@ Line 8: / Line 8: @@
 In 2397, the [[Dominion]] withdrew from the Riada Sector. Eager to explore this previously inaccessible region of the [[Gamma Quadrant]], Starfleet Science requested ships be assigned to this task only to be repeatedly rebuffed by Starfleet Command.
-Challenger Squadron was formed in January 2401 at the direction of [[Fourth Fleet Operations]] with the intention of exploring the Riada Sector. Previously only able to study the region by long range sensors and telescopes, Challenger Squadron's mission would finally allow Starfleet to conduct an in-depth study of the sector while also building relations with the civilisations there who, for the first time in centuries, are no longer living under [[Dominion]] occupation and providing whatever support they can.
+Challenger Squadron was formed in January 2401 at the direction of [[Fourth Fleet Operations]] with the intention of exploring the Riada Sector. Previously only able to study the region by long range sensors and telescopes, Challenger Squadron's mission would finally allow Starfleet to conduct an in-depth study of the sector while also building relations with the civilisations there who, for the first time in centuries, are no longer living under [[Dominion]] occupation and providing whatever support they can. The squadron originally consisted of three starships, the ''Challenger'', ''Inverness'' and ''Higgs.''
+However, on the eve of the Squadron's departure from Starbase Bravo, Starfleet Command postponed their mission to the Gamma Quadrant for two weeks, instead assigning them to mundane tasks in Federation space. The mission was postponed again, this time indefinitely in late January. No reason was given for this and Fleet Captain Forrester was unable to find out through his contacts at Starfleet Command. In February 2401, the USS ''Inverness'' was removed from Challenger Squadron and reassigned to the Federation/Romulan Republic border with no ship immediately assigned to replace her.
 == Leadership ==
@@ Line 16: / Line 18: @@
 * [[bfms_char:30476/|Fleet Captain Thomas Forrester]] - Commander
 * [[bfms_char:69212/|Captain Everett Ashford]] - Deputy Commander
+=== 2401 - Present ===
+* [[bfms_char:30476/|Fleet Captain Thomas Forrester]] - Commander
+* [[bfms_char:68762/|Captain Anastasia Matheson]] - Deputy Commander
 == Current Composition ==
-Challenger Squadron is currently composed of three starships.
+Challenger Squadron is currently composed of two starships.
 * [[USS Challenger|USS ''Challenger'']] ''- [[Galaxy Class|Galaxy-]]''[[Galaxy Class|class explorer]] - ''Challenger'' is the flagship, tasked with the bulk of the diplomatic work the squadron will take on. For this reason it's diplomatic detachment has recently been beefed up under the command of [[bfms_char:38696/|Commander Matthias Bentley]]. With deck 12 given over entirely to medical facilities, the ''Challenger'' provides medical and counselling support to the entire squadron. In addition to commanding Challenger Squadron, [[bfms_char:30476/|Fleet Captain Forrester]] has also commanded the ''Challenger'' herself since late 2399.
-* [[USS Higgs|USS ''Higgs'']] - [[Nova Class|''Nova-''class surveyor]] - The primary role of the ''Higgs'' is to undertake long term, in-depth surveys of the star systems in the Riada Sector. It's envisaged that the ''Higgs'' will spend several months studying the systems that, until now, Starfleet has only been able to study on long-range sensors or through telescopes. [[bfms_char:68762/|Commander Anastasia Matheson]] has commanded the ''Higgs'' since December 2400.
+* [[USS Higgs|USS ''Higgs'']] - [[Nova Class|''Nova-''class surveyor]] - The primary role of the ''Higgs'' is to undertake long term, in-depth surveys of the star systems in the Riada Sector. It's envisaged that the ''Higgs'' will spend several months studying the systems that, until now, Starfleet has only been able to study on long-range sensors or through telescopes. [[bfms_char:68762/|Captain Anastasia Matheson]] has commanded the ''Higgs'' since December 2400 and was promoted to Deputy Squadron Commander in February 2401
-* [[USS Inverness|USS ''Inverness'']] - [[Excelsior II Class|''Excelsior II''-class heavy cruiser]] - The ''Inverness'' has been a workhorse of Starfleet for decades and, following her retrofit, that is set to continue. The ''Inverness''' task within Challenger Squadron is officially listed as logistical support. With a detachment from the Starfleet Corps of Engineers on board, the ''Inverness'' primary role is to provide engineering support to the squadron as well as assisting those worlds of the Riada Sector who require support. The ''Inverness'' will also return to the Alpha Quadrant several times a year for supplies and personnel transfers. Since 2400, the ''Inverness'' has been commanded by [[bfms_char:69212/|Captain Everett Ashford]], who also acts as the Squadron's deputy commander.