Sarek Squadron
| Sarek Squadron | |
| Task Force | [[Task Force 17]] |
| Task Group | [[Task Force 17#Task Group 38|Task Group 38]] |
| Flagship | |
| Leadership | |
| Commander | |
| Deputy Commander | |
| Assignment | |
| Quadrant |
Beta Quadrant |
| Headquarters |
[[Deep Space 17]] |
| Mission |
Deep Space Exploration |
| Template:Squadron | |
[[Category:Task Force 17]]
Sarek Squadron is a formation centred around the starship Sarek, a Sutherland-class research cruiser. It is currently under the command of Captain Taes of the USS Sarek. This squadron is currently assigned to explore the area of space known as the Typhon Frontier, beyond the coreward borders of Federation space in the Beta Quadrant. Sarek Squadron is assigned to Task Force 17's deep space operations.
Current Composition
As of 2400, Sarek Squadron is composed of two starships.
- USS Sarek, Sutherland-class research cruiser
- USS Blythe, California-class utility cruiser (scientific support variant)
History
Sarek Squadron was first constituted by Task Force 17 command, in partnership with the Romulan Free State, upon the commissioning of the USS Sarek in 2400. Operating out of Deep Space 17, the squadron was primarily assigned to broaden the Federation's understanding of the anomalous mysteries of the Typhon Expanse and the frontier beyond. As a mobile research platform with near-starbase capabilities in every scientific specialty, the USS Sarek was charged with reaching for the stars by solving imminent scientific mysteries, often amid humanitarian or diplomatic crises. The USS Blythe, by comparison, served as the roots of Sarek Squadron. Its social sciences crew settled onto planets to reach deeper understandings and relationships with the civilizations briefly touched by the USS Sarek.
From the initial conception of its commissioning, Sarek Squadron was designed as one of Starfleet's great experiments to improve diplomatic relations with the Romulan Free State. Inspired by the Federation and Bajor's partnership at Deep Space 9, the USS Sarek was launched with a team of seventy-five civilian scientists from the Romulan Free State permanently embedded in the Sarek's science department. The very first Chief Science Officer assigned to the USS Sarek was held by a Romulan Free State science minister, Flavia ir-Llantriant. Aboard the USS Blythe, half of the science department was staffed by Romulan Free State scientists. Although the Sarek Squadron was assigned scientific mysteries of great import, the real mission was for both crews to work as one.
Given the notable archaeology and anthropology prowess of Captain Taes and Flavia ir-Llantrisant, they were granted joint oversight of Sarek Squadron's mission planning to make full use of their combined expertise without limiting the USS Sarek's expansive mission capacity. The USS Sarek's first mission was to mediate treaty negotiations between colonists on the planet Tenope in the Typhon Expanse and the sentient clay they discovered to be native to the planet. When the USS Sarek moved on after negotiations were successful, the USS Blythe returned to Tenope to further the dialogue and study with the sentient clay. The USS Sarek, meanwhile, was dispatched to the Delta Quadrant in support of the Blood Dilithium campaign.