USS Cairo (NCC-42136)

The USS Cairo (NCC-42136) was an Excelsior-class Federation starship in service during the 24th century.

In 2354, the Cairo was performing a survey of an uncharted planet along the Cardassian border, when the first officer was ambushed and killed by Cardassians. As a result, Captain Ashford made Lieutenant Commander Edward Jellico, who had served aboard the Cairo for several years, first officer. When Ashford was killed during a Cardassian attack in 2360, Jellico was made captain of the Cairo. (ST game: Star Trek: Starship Creator).

In 2369, the Cairo rendezvoused with the Enterprise-D for Jellico to assume command while Jean-Luc Picard performed a secret mission behind Cardassian lines. Jellico was tasked with trying to negotiate with the Cardassians to stop their invasion of Minos Korva, and negotiate the release of Captain Picard from Gul Madred. When the crisis was over, Jellico transferred back to the Cairo. (TNG episodes: "Chain of Command, Parts I & II").

Following Jellico's promotion to admiral in 2372, Leslie Wong assumed command of the Cairo. In 2374, the Cairo was assigned to patrol the Romulan Neutral Zone, when it was ambushed by Dominion forces that had entered Romulan space. (DS9 episode: "In the Pale Moonlight").