CDU Third Fleet

A combined force unit of the Caspian Defence Force, comprising vessels of the Caspian, Krittish, and Yari navies. The Third Fleet was founded in the fourth year of The Crest, and its sponsor was Her Honorable Senator Aly Soussamon. The fleet's nickname was the Iron Torch Fleet, and was often dispatched to patrol the region of Caspia's frontier that were closest to the Perlemian Trade Route. Because of this, the forces of the fleet found themselves tackling pirates and raiders on a frequent basis, and those pilots that distinguished themselves became aces and masters of their trade.

At the close of the Imperial War of Aggression, the Third Fleet was disbanded and reamalgamated into The Home Guard Fleet.

Battle of Caspar
At the outbreak of the Imperial War of Aggression, the Third Fleet was dispersed along the far frontier of the CDU, nearly abreast the Perlemian Trade Route. For this reason, the forces were not affected by the Imperial route of incursion from Selene, nor were they readily alerted and involved into the initial engagements. Admiral Salonika Batrad, the commanding officer at the time, was on the verge of spurring his ships to jump back to Caspia when an urgent message was relayed to him from Marines beginning to dig in and fortify themselves on Kichnar Orbital Station, by way of the SONG network. The Marines appraised the Admiral of the situation, and gave an optimistic outlook, as only Marines could. Based on this assessment, Admiral Batrad held up the dash back to Caspia, and instead dispatched several Z-105 Prowlers to survey the routes and approaches to Caspia to determine which route the Imperial forces used for their assault. Batrad and the captain of his flagship, the CMS Typhoon under the command of Ernest Pallando, began readying their forces for the inevitable reprisal.

At this time, the Third Fleet was comprised of no less than forty warships, including:  CMS Typhoon CMS Audace 