A history of the Fort Worth chapter of STARFLEET, the International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc.
USS Comanche, NCC-71809. Galaxy-class starship
"Greetings crew of the Regulator. I saw in his report in the Regulators Charge (Volume 11 Issue 9) that your captain, Brigadier Tank Clark, referenced the former name of the chapter, the USS Comanche NCC-71809, and the possibility that the chapter might, once again, evolve into a different class of starship with a new name and registry number. I thought I might volunteer some information about the early days of the chapter that you might find of interest. I was not there on “day one” at the launch of the chapter, but joined the Shuttle Comanche NCC-3700/6 in 1992 soon after it launched on 18 January 1992. The mothership of the USS Comanche was the Irving, TX based USS Joshua NCC-3700. Many of the founding members of the Comanche had been members of the USS Joshua.
The Comanche’s first Commanding Officer was Sarah Peugh. Her First Officer was Lance Oliver. Even before the ship commissioned, plans were in place for the Comanche to host a very large convention. It was to be called TexTrek ’93. Held at the Arlington Convention Center July 2nd – 4th 1993, the convention was to be a major event and the 1993 STARFLEET International Conference with several well know Star Trek celebrities scheduled to attend. But, I get ahead of the story.
Commission on 1 October 1992, the Galaxy Class USS Comanche NCC-71809 was stationed in Fort Worth Texas and had a fine crew. Named after the North American planes Indians who were famous for their riding skills, it was a very active chapter that held many events and parties, participated in Region 3 activities, and interfaced with other Region 3 chapters. The motto of the chapter was, “The Spirit of STARFLEET”. The Regional Coordinator at that time was Commodore Bill “Mac” Schwab.
At the commissioning, the senior officers consisted of Second Officer Robert Peugh, the ship’s Chief Engineer was Byron Flynt, the Comanche’s Chief Medical Officer was Mary Oliver, our first Communications Officer was Elaine Fisher, the Senior officer in charge of Security was Roger Kass, the Bridge Specialist officer was Thomas Revor, our Science Officer was Joe Hillary, and the Ship’s Counselor was Joy Spurger.
The ship’s newsletter was called “Smoke Signals”. The USS Comanche’s long time Communications Officer was Sean Caughman, former Commanding Officer of the USS Joshua. Sean is no longer with us. An outstanding man and friend to many people in the science fiction and fantasy community, he was well known for his resemblance to Geordi LaForge. He lost his life while serving in the US Navy in Kuwait. Sean will be sorely missed.
TexTrek ’93 was attend by nearly 5,000 people. The celebrity guests included George Takei (Sulu), Grace Lee Whtney (Yeoman Rand), and Colm Meaney (Chief O’Brian). There were also a long list of special guests including John and Bjo Tremble, both legends in Star Trek fandom, authors P. N. Elrod, Larry Nemecek, and John Vornholt, Artist Luch Synk, and illustrator Shane Johnson. The Master of Ceremonies for TexTrek ’93 was Jamie Murray, who brought along his alter ego, Myhr. It was an amazing experience. One day, a more detailed description of the event will have to be written for posterity.
The crew of the USS Comanche put their all into this event. In 1994, STARFLEET award the USS Comanche the honor of Rookie “Chapter of the Year”. This was just the first of many honors the ship and its crew would receive over the coming years.
The crew of the USS Comanche was shocked when Sarah Peugh announced she would be stepping down as Commanding Officer of the Comanche in the middle of her 2 year term. She had been a model Commanding officer and a great friend to the entire crew complement. I was elected to serve as the second Commanding Officer of the USS Comanche. Robert Peugh was the Executive Officer. I served as CO for 5 years, 1 year was the remainder of Sarah’s term, then for 2 more 2-year terms.
During this time period, the Comanche functioned as mothership to 2 shuttles. They were the Shuttles Bexar NCC-71809/1 and Shuttle Quanah Parker NCC-71809/2 which became the Galaxy Class USS Bexar NCC-71718 in San Antonio, TX and the Cheyenne Class USS Quanah Parker NCC-73628 in Lubbock, TX.
Over the next 5 years, the USS Comanche was very active. Events became traditions such as the “Klingon Dinner Thing”, “Quark’s Casino and Auction”, and we participated in the Region 3 Olympics. James “Scotty” Doohan was on a book tour and we became his hosts in Fort Worth where we participated in a huge book signing event at Border’s Books and Music. Mark West and Kyle Schugart were his security escort. I am sure they will never forget the adventures we had with Jimmy as we escorted him and his publicist, Steve Stevens, around Fort Worth.
The USS Comanche was successful at charity fund raising, recruiting, hosting events, and participating at all levels. In 1998, STARFLEET honored the USS Comanche as “1997 STARFLEET Chapter of the Year”. We were featured in local newspapers and became well known in the area. We had many people join and become senior officers during my tenure as CO. I had a coworker at Lockheed who found out I was involved in the local Star Trek club. She and her family joined almost immediately and have been an integral part of the chapter to this day. Liz and Alan Goulet were essential parts of the success of the chapter from nearly the first crew meeting they attended. Other prominent members of the crew were my second Executive Officer, Bob Cason, Mark West was Chief Security Officer, and Joyce Fink became the third Executive Officer while I was CO and eventually replaced me as Commanding Officer when I stepped down.
There are too many people to name who contributed greatly to the success of the chapter over those years. I wish I could remember all of the good times we had as there were so many. I know that the chapter always lived up to the Ship’s Motto, “The Spirit of STARFLEET”.
RADM Dan Hislop (Ret)
Former Commanding Officer of the USS Commanche
The Comanche’s first Commanding Officer was Sarah Peugh. Her First Officer was Lance Oliver. Even before the ship commissioned, plans were in place for the Comanche to host a very large convention. It was to be called TexTrek ’93. Held at the Arlington Convention Center July 2nd – 4th 1993, the convention was to be a major event and the 1993 STARFLEET International Conference with several well know Star Trek celebrities scheduled to attend. But, I get ahead of the story.
Commission on 1 October 1992, the Galaxy Class USS Comanche NCC-71809 was stationed in Fort Worth Texas and had a fine crew. Named after the North American planes Indians who were famous for their riding skills, it was a very active chapter that held many events and parties, participated in Region 3 activities, and interfaced with other Region 3 chapters. The motto of the chapter was, “The Spirit of STARFLEET”. The Regional Coordinator at that time was Commodore Bill “Mac” Schwab.
At the commissioning, the senior officers consisted of Second Officer Robert Peugh, the ship’s Chief Engineer was Byron Flynt, the Comanche’s Chief Medical Officer was Mary Oliver, our first Communications Officer was Elaine Fisher, the Senior officer in charge of Security was Roger Kass, the Bridge Specialist officer was Thomas Revor, our Science Officer was Joe Hillary, and the Ship’s Counselor was Joy Spurger.
The ship’s newsletter was called “Smoke Signals”. The USS Comanche’s long time Communications Officer was Sean Caughman, former Commanding Officer of the USS Joshua. Sean is no longer with us. An outstanding man and friend to many people in the science fiction and fantasy community, he was well known for his resemblance to Geordi LaForge. He lost his life while serving in the US Navy in Kuwait. Sean will be sorely missed.
TexTrek ’93 was attend by nearly 5,000 people. The celebrity guests included George Takei (Sulu), Grace Lee Whtney (Yeoman Rand), and Colm Meaney (Chief O’Brian). There were also a long list of special guests including John and Bjo Tremble, both legends in Star Trek fandom, authors P. N. Elrod, Larry Nemecek, and John Vornholt, Artist Luch Synk, and illustrator Shane Johnson. The Master of Ceremonies for TexTrek ’93 was Jamie Murray, who brought along his alter ego, Myhr. It was an amazing experience. One day, a more detailed description of the event will have to be written for posterity.
The crew of the USS Comanche put their all into this event. In 1994, STARFLEET award the USS Comanche the honor of Rookie “Chapter of the Year”. This was just the first of many honors the ship and its crew would receive over the coming years.
The crew of the USS Comanche was shocked when Sarah Peugh announced she would be stepping down as Commanding Officer of the Comanche in the middle of her 2 year term. She had been a model Commanding officer and a great friend to the entire crew complement. I was elected to serve as the second Commanding Officer of the USS Comanche. Robert Peugh was the Executive Officer. I served as CO for 5 years, 1 year was the remainder of Sarah’s term, then for 2 more 2-year terms.
During this time period, the Comanche functioned as mothership to 2 shuttles. They were the Shuttles Bexar NCC-71809/1 and Shuttle Quanah Parker NCC-71809/2 which became the Galaxy Class USS Bexar NCC-71718 in San Antonio, TX and the Cheyenne Class USS Quanah Parker NCC-73628 in Lubbock, TX.
Over the next 5 years, the USS Comanche was very active. Events became traditions such as the “Klingon Dinner Thing”, “Quark’s Casino and Auction”, and we participated in the Region 3 Olympics. James “Scotty” Doohan was on a book tour and we became his hosts in Fort Worth where we participated in a huge book signing event at Border’s Books and Music. Mark West and Kyle Schugart were his security escort. I am sure they will never forget the adventures we had with Jimmy as we escorted him and his publicist, Steve Stevens, around Fort Worth.
The USS Comanche was successful at charity fund raising, recruiting, hosting events, and participating at all levels. In 1998, STARFLEET honored the USS Comanche as “1997 STARFLEET Chapter of the Year”. We were featured in local newspapers and became well known in the area. We had many people join and become senior officers during my tenure as CO. I had a coworker at Lockheed who found out I was involved in the local Star Trek club. She and her family joined almost immediately and have been an integral part of the chapter to this day. Liz and Alan Goulet were essential parts of the success of the chapter from nearly the first crew meeting they attended. Other prominent members of the crew were my second Executive Officer, Bob Cason, Mark West was Chief Security Officer, and Joyce Fink became the third Executive Officer while I was CO and eventually replaced me as Commanding Officer when I stepped down.
There are too many people to name who contributed greatly to the success of the chapter over those years. I wish I could remember all of the good times we had as there were so many. I know that the chapter always lived up to the Ship’s Motto, “The Spirit of STARFLEET”.
RADM Dan Hislop (Ret)
Former Commanding Officer of the USS Commanche
USS Regulator, NCC-73337, Achiles-class starship
Due to the generosity of StarFleet, the Comanche lives on as the USS Regulator.
The USS Regulator came into existence when the USS Comanche needed to be upgraded to a more modern ship. The Comanche crew and her spirit live on in the USS Regulator. The USS Regulator is a Achilles Class Ship. She is designed for speed, stealth and power. Instead of regular exploration like the Comanche, the Regulator is more of a border patrol ship, protecting the planets of the Federation from those outside our boundaries.
The USS Regulator came into existence when the USS Comanche needed to be upgraded to a more modern ship. The Comanche crew and her spirit live on in the USS Regulator. The USS Regulator is a Achilles Class Ship. She is designed for speed, stealth and power. Instead of regular exploration like the Comanche, the Regulator is more of a border patrol ship, protecting the planets of the Federation from those outside our boundaries.
About the Achilles class starship
The Achilles class was fielded 6 months before the end of the Dominion war after a realization that what would be required to shut down the Dominion war machine was the destruction of the Ketracel-white creation facilties in the Alpha Quadrant. It was realized, however, that the Federation and its allies lacked many ships heavy enough for such a mission, limited to Galaxy - class ships and Klingon Negh'Var- class warships. A new ship class would be required to exploit this "Achilles heel" from which the class ship's name was derived.
Features of the Achilles class
Slightly smaller than a Galaxy - class, the Achilles was a far cry from the size of the Dominion heavy ships, but was of a sleeker design, and armed with the advanced weapons used for the Defiant - class starships for fighting the Borg. It held a total of eight pulse-phaser cannons, two torpedo tubes for quantum torpedoes and eight new mini quantum torpedo tubes arranged in a special "phalanx" position to cause massive destruction.
By adapting current anti-Borg designs to the new threat a ship with revolutionary features that would enable the Achilles to fulfill the role as long-range cruiser with firepower equal to a Sovereign Class cruiser. This was accomplished with the new micro-torpedoes arranged in a 'phalanx' array allows an astoundingly high rate of fire that will cripple any Dominion ship. With the 'broadside' arrangement of the 'phalanx' the Achilles can defend itself against Strike fighters defending the Ketracel-White facilities while it maintains its focus on destroying the target. Redundant warp and impulse nacelles were designed so the Achilles can sustain heavy damage, and still maneuver. Quad rapid-fire Quantum torpedoes and enhanced Pulse Phasers enables the Achilles sufficient firepower to destroy most large fixed targets in one pass. The new retro-thrusters enable the Achilles to maneuver as ships of lesser size. And finally, the Achilles has an unsupported, self- serviceable range equal to the Galaxy Class exploration vessels that is required to operate effectively behind the Dominion defensive perimeter.
By adapting current anti-Borg designs to the new threat a ship with revolutionary features that would enable the Achilles to fulfill the role as long-range cruiser with firepower equal to a Sovereign Class cruiser. This was accomplished with the new micro-torpedoes arranged in a 'phalanx' array allows an astoundingly high rate of fire that will cripple any Dominion ship. With the 'broadside' arrangement of the 'phalanx' the Achilles can defend itself against Strike fighters defending the Ketracel-White facilities while it maintains its focus on destroying the target. Redundant warp and impulse nacelles were designed so the Achilles can sustain heavy damage, and still maneuver. Quad rapid-fire Quantum torpedoes and enhanced Pulse Phasers enables the Achilles sufficient firepower to destroy most large fixed targets in one pass. The new retro-thrusters enable the Achilles to maneuver as ships of lesser size. And finally, the Achilles has an unsupported, self- serviceable range equal to the Galaxy Class exploration vessels that is required to operate effectively behind the Dominion defensive perimeter.
USS Regulator, NCC-2009, Excelsior-class starship
In early 2015, the chapter decided to honor an earlier period in Star Trek's time line. The Excelsior-class USS Regulator, NCC-2009, resides in the period of Star Trek's future history not very long after the events of the first part of Star Trek: Generations. The Excelsior class ship spans across the movies staring the Original Series crew throughout the Next Generation series, and our members likewise include fans of The Original Series, the Animated Series, the movies, ST:TNG, ST:Voyager, ST:DS9, ST: Enterprise, and even of the new “JJ-verse” Star Trek movies.
- Production Base: ASDB Integration Facility, Utopia Planitia Fleet Yards, Mars
- Accommodation: 750 officers and crew; 130 visiting personnel; 9,800 personal evacuation limit
- Power Plant: One 1500 plus Cochrane warp core feeding two nacelles; one impulse system
- Dimensions: Length, 511.25 meters; beam, 195.64 meters; height, 86.76 meters
- Mass: 2,350,000 metric tonnes