Operation Return was an engagement during the Dominion War, where forces of the Federation Alliance launched an assault against Dominion and Cardassian forces in the Bajor sector in 2374.
The main objective of the assault was to recapture Deep Space 9 and stop Dominion forces from taking down the minefield that blocked the entrance to the Bajoran wormhole. Whilst the Defiant arrived too late to prevent the destruction of the minefield, Deep Space 9 was eventually recaptured by the Alliance, and the battle became one of the major turning points of the war. (DS9 reference: Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Technical Manual, DS9 episodes: "Favor the Bold", "Sacrifice of Angels")
History and specifics[]
Sisko's plan for Operation Return.
Breakdown of events.
Captain Sisko had been forced to leave Deep Space 9 months earlier, after successfully mining the entrance to the Bajoran wormhole to stop further Dominion convoys heading to Cardassia. The station was taken over by the Dominion. (DS9 episode: "Call to Arms")
Captain Sisko formulated the plan to retake Deep Space 9, but due to the Dominion finding a way to bring down the minefield Captain Sisko was forced to launch his fleet without reinforcements and Klingon ships. (DS9 episode: "Favor the Bold")
The Federation and Dominion fleet met in open space. Captain Sisko's plan was to open a gap in the Dominion lines by antagonising the Cardassian ships specifically to make them break formation. Gul Dukat intentionally had his ships do this, with the intention of closing the lines around Sisko's ships, but the arrival of the Klingon fleet turned the day in the Federation's favor. The Defiant reached Deep Space 9 too late to stop the minefield from being brough down, so Captain Sisko took the Defiant into the Bajoran wormhole in a seemingly futile attempt to stop the Dominion reinforcements. Sisko was contacted by the Prophets, who agreed to stop the Dominion reinforcements. At the same time, the Starfleet/Klingon fleet broke through the lines and headed for DS9. The Dominion fleet retreated to Cardassian space, while the defeated Dukat had a breakdown after losing the battle and his daughter Ziyal. (DS9 episode: "Sacrifice of Angels")
Aftermath[]
For his role in retaking Deep Space 9 and stopping the Dominion, Benjamin Sisko was awarded the Christopher Pike Medal of Valor. (DS9 episode: "Tears of the Prophets")
Participating Allied starships[]
Appendices[]
Connections[]
| Battles of the Dominion War |
|---|
| 2373 : Second Battle of Deep Space 9 • Battle of Torros III |
| 2374 : Battle of Tyra • Operation Return • Battle of Sybaron • Battle of Betazed • Liberation of Benzar • Second Battle of Vulcanis • First Battle of Chin'toka |
| 2375 : Battle of Rigel • Battle of Monac IV • Battle of Ricktor Prime • Battle of Goloroth • Invasion of Septimus III • Siege of AR-558 • Raid on San Francisco • Second Battle of Chin'toka • Kalandra Campaign • Battle of Rashanar • Battle of Rondac III • Battle of Avenal • Battle of Cardassia |
| Other battles: Battle of Alaia • Battle of Laktar |
External links[]
- Operation Return article at Memory Alpha, the wiki for canon Star Trek.
- Operation Return article at Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.