Starfleet Intelligence Special Operations Branch (Prometheus)


 * For the Marines of Star Trek: Pendragon'', see Starfleet Marine Corps.
 * For the Marines of Star Trek: Remington'', see Federation Marine Corps.

The Starfleet Intelligence Special Operations Branch or Spec Ops is the elite branch of Starfleet Intelligence frequently tasked with assignments deemed unsuitable or to difficult for the regular forces of Starfleet.

Creation
Spec Ops was formed as an elite sub-division of Starfleet Intelligence during the formation of the Federation Starfleet following the founding of the United Federation of Planets in 2161 with the express purpose of carrying out special assignments that were deemed unsuitable for assignment to normal Starfleet personnel. As a sub-division of a divisison of Starfleet Spec Ops uses the same rank structure as the rest of Starfleet.

Initially Spec Ops was comprised of elemets of United Earth's Military Assault Command Operations (M.A.C.O.) and analagous Vulcan, Andorian, and Tellarite orginizations. Like its Earth predecessor Spec Ops officers have similar weapons, training, and tactics to the special forces of a number of member nations of United Earth (the US Navy SEALS, Delta Force, Army Rangers, Marine Force Recon, CSOR, etc).

Although it has not been generally promoted Spec Ops has played significant roles in nearly every conflict the Federation has been involved in including conflicts with the Klingons in the 23rd century and 2375, The Federation-Cardassian War, The Dominon War, and The Federation-Tzenkethi War. In many of these conflicts the outcome would have been alot worse, if not a defeat for the Federation, if Spec Ops personnel hadn't been involved in regular and special assignemnts.

Training
When not performing missions Spec Ops squads undergo near constant intesive training in a variety of subjects at various facilities, such as West Point Military Academy, throughout Federation space. After serving in Spec Ops officers were generally transfered back to normal duties in Starfleet with the express purpose of enhancing the combat capabilites of the general fleet and to illustrate the capabilities of Spec Ops officers.

The Borg
Following first contact with the Borg Spec Ops underwent a dramatic reoganization and enlargement which included the creation of a dedicated sub-branch/task force, the Anti-Borg Task Force, and greater co-operation with Starfleet R&D in an effort to develop even more advanced technologies.

Section 31
Spec Ops is not affiliated, officially or unofficially, with the rogue Starfleet Intelligence division known as Section 31. Spec Ops does not condone the autonomous nature of Section 31 or the questionable actions of said orginization.

Technology
The members of Spec Ops generally are the first Starfleet officers to test new equipment to detemine its suitibility for deployment to the rest of the fleet. The technology tested by Spec Ops includes: and the
 * Anti-Borg Armor
 * Type III-A, III-B, and III-C Phaser rifles
 * Isomagnetic disintegrators
 * Tetryon pulse launchers
 * TR-116a Tactical Sniper Rifle
 * Mark XI Tricorder