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Khitomer Awards and a New Admiral

Posted on July 31, 2026 | by Charles Star | 1 Comment

What an anniversary month we have had! While it’s been a great time of celebration and reflection for our fleet, you might also have heard about our very own USS Firebird cleaning up at the recent Khitomer Peace Awards (2026 Q1). Well, here’s the total haul:

Outstanding Host: Captain Malcom Llwyedd
Outstanding Player: Commander Rhiana t’Aegis
Outstanding Post: “Invasion: Intelligence Part 2” (previously won Best Post in February 2026)

Congratulations to Malcom, Rhiana, and the rest of the Firebird crew for an outstanding performance and for being recognized by a premier external organization with these well deserved honors!

We are also pleased to announce that Michael Intermeezo will be promoted to Vice Admiral, assuming the newly created position of Chief of Operations effective August 1st. In this role, his primary responsibility will be leading our simulations to help them maximize their potential. Intermeezo previously served as Commanding Officer of the USS Chuck Norris, where he did an amazing job guiding the crew through highly imaginative missions.

We are thrilled to welcome Vice Admiral Intermeezo to the staff as he helps our fleet continue to become everything it can be for our members. And congratulations again to the USS Firebird!

Monthly Awards: June 2026

Posted on July 31, 2026 | by Aurther Winters | Leave a Comment

After an great 25th Anniversary, it’s back to the monthly grind…

Best Post (Single Author)

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For “Little ‘Red’ Bird – I”

A beautifully written post that delivers unmatched character development, emotional depth, and focus on the craft.

Best Post (Joint Post)

Capt. Rhenora Kaylen & Cmdr. Jennifer Baldric & Cmdr. Dean House & Lt. JG T’Lar & Lt. Cmdr. Bonnie “Bon-Bon” Durnell & Remal Kajun
CO / MA / 2O / C / CSS / C
USS Sunfire

For “Reflections in the Dark”

An action-packed, fast-paced post that brilliantly captures a gripping Mirror Universe tactical showdown, expertly balancing combat and dark comedy.

Funniest Post

Lieutenant Kate Kono & Lieutenant JG Benjamin “Ben” Dalton
Intelligence Officer / Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer
USS Washington

For “Spockluck Dinner”

This is outstanding situational comedy through a hyper-deadpan character with well timed punchlines.

Genesis

Captain Dick Sprague
Commanding Officer
USS Albion

For “Do as I say, not as I…”

This post turns a chaotic narrative mess into a structured, highly inclusive sandbox where players have a direct task, but still have complete creative freedom to take their assignments in unexpected directions.

MVP

Commander Elias McEntyre
Mission Advisor
USS Wayfarer

McEntyre used his guest role to completely revitalize the Wayfarer’s community. Through motivation, encouragement, and his own excellent role playing, he made the writers around him better.

Most Posts

Commander Jenna Ramthorne
Chief Flight Control Officer
USS Sunfire

For writing 26 posts.

Most Improved

Lieutenant JG Jacob Rosen
Chief Operations Officer
USS Sunfire

Rosen upped his game this month by pushing a storyline forward while actively increasing collaboration through multiple joint posts.

Rookie of the Month

Ensign Katherine Hobbes
Assistant Chief Engineering Officer
USS Albion

Hobbes immediately jumped into the story with a post upon joining the sim.

Recruitment

Lieutenant JG Dan Murphy
Chief Strategic Operations Officer
USS Liberty

An all-around top contributor during the month in posting and leadership, Murphy also invited someone to take an inside look at the sim.

Rear Admiral Aurther Winters
Director of Personnel
Independence Fleet

Our Silver Anniversary

Posted on July 4, 2026 | by Charles Star | 6 Comments

One-quarter of a century–a generation by some measures. Yes, it was 25 years ago today that Independence Fleet was founded with three sims and, by our best records, 33 total characters. But for our 108 characters today, we first have a very special message straight from the 24th century (don’t ask how we got it):

While we celebrate our 25th anniversary, the United States (where many members of this fleet hail from) commemorates its 250th. Since our club’s founding shares a date with U.S. Independence Day, our early branding often included American flags. As a piece of trivia, we owe our name to co-founder, three-time Commander-in-Chief, and Hall of Famer James D. West. He happened to glance at either a VHS or DVD copy of the movie Independence Day while we were trying to come up with a name for this soon-to-be-launched fleet. The rest is well, history! The Liberty Bell image was added a couple years later in 2003, again by James D. West, and it has stuck ever since.

To our friends up north, we also acknowledge the recent Canada Day. To our friends elsewhere in the Commonwealth realms, we salute you–your King was here less than three months ago. Finally, to our friends at other locations on the globe, we rotate with you!

Back to today! We have now been around for exactly one-tenth as long as the United States. Moving backward in time 25 years before our 2001 founding would put you right on the July 4, 1976 bicentennial. Who remembers the bicentennial quarters? In that spirit, we have created this one-time challenge coin in honor of our 25 years together as a fleet, which will be provided free of charge to all fleet members.

All current fleet members as of today are also hereby awarded the Anniversary Medal.

We’re not done yet! We have another message for the fleet from a very special guest (this one is from the present!):

We had an entire page in our 20th Anniversary Almanac dedicated to Gott’s Doomsday Scenario. Back then, there was an 80% chance that we would still be here today. Well, here we are! If you remember, the concept is that absent additional information, an observer (i.e., you) has a 50% chance of being in the first half of what they are observing (i.e., IDF) and a 50% chance of being in the second half of what they are observing. Based on that, here are our updated numbers for Anniversary #25:

Date	Probability that IDF is still active
October 4, 2026	99%
October 27, 2027	95%
April 13, 2029	90%
November 2, 2034	75%
July 4, 2051	50%
July 4, 2101	25%
July 4, 2251	10%
July 3, 2501	5%
June 28, 4501	1%

Until next year, or June 28th, 4501, let’s keep simming!

A purple horizontal ribbon with fine dark stripes and three white liberty bell symbols evenly spaced across the center. The ribbon design symbolizes achievement or recognition within the Independence Fleet.

2026 Hall of Fame Inductees

Posted on July 4, 2026 | by Charles Star | 2 Comments

With 25 years now in the books (wow, what a ride!), it is again my privilege to formally announce the latest class of the Independence Fleet Hall of Fame. Induction into the Hall of Fame is the highest honor this club offers–reserved for those who have demonstrated exemplary service or extraordinary contributions to the fleet, according to the Hall of Fame Charter (pdf). This is the best of the best!

Without further ado, here is your Hall of Fame Class of 2026…

Inducted by Election:

Captain Devys Argent

of the USS Chirikov

As the long-time Commanding Officer of the Chirikov during the fleet’s renaissance period, Devys Argent provided outstanding leadership that guided the ship to become one of the leading sims of that era. His 34 months in command produced 564 posts, while his crew frequently captured monthly awards. Beyond the numbers, he mentored and collaborated with his players in effective ways to always bring out their best.

Inducted by the Veterans Committee:

Captain Josie O’Neal

of the USS Pioneer

A mainstay during the fleet’s early years, Josie O’Neal was the first Commanding Officer of the USS Pioneer, leading the ship for 16 months and exactly 500 posts. Known for relationship-centered missions, she provided a unique creative outlet for players that was unavailable elsewhere in the fleet. Her superior writing skills and deep connections with her crew created unpredictable, authentic stories for all to enjoy.

Congratulations to both of our 2026 inductees! Their actions continue to provide a timeless example for us still simming today to emulate. The inductees will hereby be remembered forever for their exemplary service to Independence Fleet.

There are now 47 total members of this most exclusive club. Well done!

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25th Anniversary Webcast: Sunday @ 3pm Eastern

Posted on July 2, 2026 | by Charles Star | 2 Comments

Beam up to our Discord Server this Sunday, July 5th at 3:00 pm EDT (-4) / 8:00 pm BST (+1) for our 25th Anniversary Webcast Celebration aboard a virtual starship! The webcast is something we’ve done every year since our 20th anniversary back in 2021. It’s always a lot fun and adds a visual and interactive element beyond the typical simming experience. In addition to spinning the awards big wheel to see who will win real prizes, host Ken Gillis has a few more surprises up his sleeve this round. See you and the rest of the fleet there!

Event Direct Link

For the third year in a row now, we failed to publish a recap following the anniversary webcast with the list of prize drawing winners in 2025. So we are once again announcing them nearly a year later. Congratulations, and we hope you three have been enjoying your prizes! As for everyone else, someone, anyone please remind to announce this year’s winners before 2027!

First place: Elias Ford of the USS Firebird
Declined Award

2nd Place, upgraded to 1st Place:
Deanna Celes of the USS Washington

3rd Place, upgraded to 2nd Place:
Dean House of the USS Sunfire

4th Place, upgraded to 3rd Place:
Emilynn Dove of the USS Firebird

Announcing IDF Co-helmsman!

Posted on June 14, 2026 | by Charles Star | 2 Comments

If you visited our site back on April 1st this year, you found this instead of our normal website. Needless to say, Ken Gillis’s take on combining AI and simming was hilarious! He seems to outdo himself every year! We’ve also compiled the videos here:

Oops, it looks like we forgot one:

YouTube
mp4

Until next year… Navigate your world!

A close-up view of a futuristic starship's bridge seats, featuring a central command chair with an elaborate design. The seat has angular, dark purple and beige components, with additional seats on either side, all positioned in front of a curved control panel. The overall design is modern with sleek, minimalistic features and geometric shapes.

Commandapalooza 2025

Posted on June 13, 2026 | by Charles Star | 2 Comments

We did Awardapalooza. And we did Recordapalooza. So why not Commandapalooza? This post is all about our amazing Commanding Officers and everything they’ve accomplished up through the end of 2025. This is one caveat, however: We only have command records for Jul 2001-Dec 2003, Oct 2010-Aug 2018, Nov 2018, and Jun 2019-present. A few years ago, former Fleet CO Jeremiah Griffith gave us records he had saved that cover January 2004 through September 2010. However, they are incomplete and have not yet been integrated into our official record book. Until that happens, we have had 150 unique Independence Fleet Commanding Officers who have guided 58 different sims. And here they are…

They have led 2,361 ship-months, won 207 posting titles, and commanded through a whopping 64,387 posts!

By Sim:

By Commanding Officer:

*Commanding Officers currently in command are in bold.*

*Only the top 25 and active COs are tagged.*

What a history! What a legacy! What a group put outstanding role players and leaders do we have! There certainly is a lot I can say, but I’m going to let the numbers speak for themselves. But please do feel free to post your own observations, thoughts, and memories in the comments section below!