USS Longbow is one of a kind
By Vice Adm. Denise Rush, Commanding Officer of the USS Longbow
The USS Longbow, NCC-87556, is a community-service-based “Star Trek” chapter of STARFLEET International.
Our primary function is to better humankind through the ideals created by Gene Roddenberry, the man behind the history of “Star Trek.”
The Longbow, which is based in Mesa, Arizona, is STARFLEET’s first and only Thunder Class Multi-Environmental Interceptor and is registered as the only Special Operations Vessel in the fleet. Our NCC number is also unique in itself and is a compilation of the birth years of the original crew.
We started our first year of the voyage on Oct. 10, 2014, with a crew of 10 and have grown to a steady 30 members over the past 12 years. We commissioned on July 4, 2015, and haven’t stopped working together to make our ship the best that she can be. Our crew is very diversified, with members from Australia to England and across the U.S. and the American territory of Puerto Rico.
On Jan 16, 2016, we became certified in all 16 categories of STARFLEET’s VRP (Vessel Readiness Program). At that time, we were one of only nine ships in STARFLEET International that had accomplished this task.
Our Marine Unit, the 626th, under the command of BGN Cynthia Cook, obtained its MURP (Marine Strike Group Readiness) certification on Aug. 13, 2026, which makes the Longbow certified in all things STARFLEET.
We aspire to live up to the ideals that are a part of “Star Trek”: the elimination of poverty, the hope of a better future and a society where everyone lives in peace.
Region 4 welcomes stories from its ships. Please email them and photos (which are at least 1,200 pixels wide, please) to Chief of Communications Dave Mason, davemason1701@gmail.com.
The USS Longbow, NCC 87555, is STARFLEET’s first and only Thunder Class Multi-Environmental Interceptor. (Photos courtesy Denise Rush / Region 4 / USS Longbow)
Vice Admiral Denise Rush is the commanding officer of the USS Longbow and vice regional coordinator of STARFLEET’s Region 4.