Constellation class U.S.S. Halifax, N.C.C. 6330, was launched on Stardate 10911.5 (Earth year 2299) from Utopia Planitia Orbital Fleet Yards. Halifax has been assisting in the patrolling of the Federation borders with the Klingon Empire and the Romulan Neutral Zone. The current Commanding Officer of the Halifax is Captain Leon Jones. Jones is actually a native Canadian, coming from the small town of McBride in British Columbia . Captain Jones is a bear of a man who is a gentle, yet direct Commanding Officer and never shies away from a challenge.
Jones always enjoyed the peace and solitude of the forests and mountains around his home town. During his Academy years, Leon displayed an aptitude on survival, living off the berries and other foods found in nature. His build made him a star player both in the Academy football and hockey teams. This all-round athleticism also found expression in track and field. Early assignments on the Hood and Monitor were followed by Operations Officer on the Ch’kumbi, then Executive Officer positions on the L’Kerr and the Republic. The Halifax is Leon’s second command after a successful 4 year tour of duty on the Lyran border aboard the Apollo class Assertive.
The Halifax has been supporting the Montrose and Argyll in the exploration of the Beta Quadrant. With the Romulan situation apparently resolved by the Tomed incident, Starfleet has placed a new emphasis on exploration and diplomacy. The Halifax is currently exploring the periphery of the Lyran Star Empire, with the WYN cluster and the Holy Order of the Kinshaya listed amongst those races of interest.
The Executive Officer of the Halifax is a female Caitian by the name of M’naymi. She grew up on one of the Rigel colonies and has developed a curiosity for the cultures of other species. M’naymi’s previous assignments include the J’taaxi and the Sol. She sees the deep space assignment of the Halifax as a route to her first command. M’naymi has been expanding upon a group of studies she has written up since the Academy on the connections between cultures, music and musical expression. The mission of the Halifax should provide ample opportunity for Commander M’naymi to complete her thesis.
The Chief Engineer is Mandeep Singh from the mega-city of New Delhi . Mandeep is a technical genius, from a young age finding that he had a natural aptitude in fixing things. Singh soon found himself a man in demand, working in the Mumbai office of Tagruato Corporation. After an unspecified incident, Mandeep found himself out of a job and having to rethink his life.
Singh decided to restart his career with Starfleet, putting the previous problems behind him. His natural aptitude helped him to enter with exceptional scores. His specialisation was Engineering.
Singh’s first assignment was the Mughi class support ship Halcon. His engineering prowess was self-evident and he was very popular amongst both his shipmates and other crews he worked with. Singh’s older age meant he made for a more mature officer and with that behaviour he rose quickly through the ranks.
Transferring to another Mughi class, the Briareos, Lieutenant Singh helped to support the Constellation class starship missions deep into unexplored space. With ships like the Niihama, Stargazer, Valkyrie, Montrose and Argyll all heading out on extended missions seven years or more, the Briareos and other Mughi class were kept busy.
Lieutenant Commander Singh was transferred to the Halifax in 2305 and Captain Jones has fought hard to keep him as Chief Engineer.
The Chief Medical Officer of the Halifax is Doctor Oksana Krasinska. Lieutenant Commander Krasinska is from the New Kiev colony in the Alpha Quadrant. The daughter of a surgeon, Oksana was guided from a young age to follow in the footsteps of her father.
Krasinska gained the reputation as an ice queen in the Academy, her eight years in medical school (four in pre-med and four in medical school), despite the reputation of medical cadets as working hard and playing hard. Doctor Krasinska has served previously on the medical ships Hope and Comfort; this was followed by a period at the medical research facility on Cait, before a five year mission on the Yorktown. Oksana has gained a reputation as a skilled practitioner, although her bedside manner has had her compared to a Vulcan or an android.
Crew: 535 [Maximum: 600]
Officers: 45
N.C.O.'s: 490
Cruising Warp: 6.
Maximum warp: 8.
Height: 86m.
Width: 175m.
Length: 310m.
Phasers: 12 Turrets.
Torpedo Launchers: 3 [2 Foward, 1 Aft].
Torpedo Compliment: 100.
Warp Engines: MARA
Impulse Engines: Standard
Computer System: DCLD - Duotronic Computer Library Database [Author's Note: Later upgraded to LCARS]
Expected Duration: 100 Years
Time Between Resupply: 3 Years
Time Between Refits: 5 Years
Shuttlecraft: 5 [Various types]
Starship primary mission: Planetary and Deep-Space Exploration.
Designation: Heavy Cruiser
Primary Hull
This consists of 15 decks that can be summarised thus:
1 Main Bridge, Ready Room, Observation Lounge
2 Senior Officers Quarters, Junior Officers Quarters
3 Executive Mess, Junior Officers Quarters, Crew Quarters
4 Crew Quarters, Stellar Cartography, Main Computer
5 Transporter room, Dorsal Phaser Batteries, Aft Crew Lounge, Impulse Reaction System, Torpedo Bay, Main Deflector
6 Cargo, Laboratories
7 Main Engineering, Engineering Computer, Shuttle Control
8 Arboretum
9 Sickbay, Cargo
10 Shuttlebay, Shuttle Storage, Cargo
11 Environmental Systems
12 Ventral Phaser Batteries
13 Turbolift Storage
14 Antimatter Storage, Antimatter Generator
15 Sensor Pallets
The above artwork is © Star Trek Fact Files. All rights reserved.
Author's Notes:
U.S.S. Halifax is named after HMCS Halifax, FFH 330, which I visited during the International Festival of the Sea, Portsmouth 2001. I had the chance to sit in the captain's chair (don't tell him!) whilst I was aboard. Here are images of HMCS Halifax taken at Portsmouth. These pictures are copyright © Russ Price 2001. All Rights Reserved. Please click on the images to see more photos from the incredible line-up at Portsmouth 2001.
