Qo'noS -- The Imperial Navy's first Expeditionary Strike Group (ESG) recently completed its Joint Task Force Exercise (JTFEX) on the 2nd M-Class planet in the Girthrin System.

The ESG concept was postponed in Imperial Reckoning 05.002, and since its release, 1st Fleet Command, in union with First Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF), have been heavily engaged in the establishment, manning and training of the largest joint expeditionary strike-capable battle group.

Having completed their final training exercise, ESG-1 named the Honor Brigade is now ready for deployment. The road to success required months of planning, the participation of more than 6,000 Flight Officers and Marines, and the blending of Navy and Marine Corps assets, such as Ja'vak Class Disruptor Tanks and K'Vort Class Destroyers.

Working together in various scenarios, the Navy and Marine Corps team overcame many threats and injected troops into a range of locations that wouldn't have been possible with only one military force in the picture.

"We have a strong fleet, which can be complimented by the strong landing influence from the Marine Corps - our united abilities are complementary," said Lt.General Pavelow, chief of staff for Readiness and Training. "When our forces go forward, they will almost always operate, act and fight in a joint environment, so it's critical that we train them accordingly."


"The Marines bring to us a potent striking force. They bring the ability to put boots on the ground when necessary."

Despite thorough planning and an expert Navy Marine Corps team, many of the scenarios are designed to change at the last minute due to actual events. During one part of the exercise in the Girthrin System , landing craft had to push back their landing time due to a severe ion storm.

Although changes in scheduling like that could create a domino effect, the planners inserted variable back-up plans for each inject on the chance an event shifted backward, forward or didn't happen at all.

"Constant feedback between [the participants] allows for scenario adjustments that will accurately assess the Brigade's concept potential while maximizing the opportunity for success," said Major General Thane, Garrison Govenor.

Having multiple operations running simultaneously can be a daunting task, but the planners for this JTFEX designed plenty of contingencies for themselves and for the participants.

"We have a Joint Operations Center on the Unity Battlestation that brings all the warfare commanders together on one station along with the Marines. All those things are now working together to form a synergy that expands the capabilities of the composite warfare system," said Thane.

The Brigade composition adds to the combat tested B'rel and Marine Expeditionary Force (MEF) capabilities with increased defenses, strike, power projection, and Special Forces capabilities.

"Unlike a CSG (Carrier Strike Group), the Brigade can place significant Marine Corps forces in orbit for missions such as Planetary Incursion Operations (PIO) and Planetary Evacuation Operations (PEO)," said General Dax.

"The Brigade was designed around the changing requirements of the Empire's resource acquisition. Their focus is to provide the Navy and Marine Corps team with additional offensive capabilities and increased agility," Dax added.

With the JTFEX stamp of approval, The Honor Brigade is now ready for deployment and will bring a new combination of combat assets to meet today's military requirements. The thirteen ships of the Brigade - KHB Lightbearer (KHAC 91), KHB Swift Knife (KDNC 42), KHB Fire Blade (KBCC 5), KHB Widowmaker (KBBC 73), KHB veS'oj (KBCC 12), KHB Pang (KBBC 33), KHB Avatar (KDNC 19), KHB Wargasm (KDCC 61), KHB Angel Fire (KECC 72), KHB Torch (KECC 27), KHB Dark Heart (KECC 59), KHB Bri' jes' ca (KECC 31) and the KHB Blood Wine (KECC 49) deployed in September 2003.

-Brigadier News