38th Expeditionary Fleet

The 38th Expeditionary Fleet was the personal battlegroup of the Primarch Lukas Keath, of the Obsidian Guard. It predated Lukas's discovery and reunion with the Emperor but its exemplary service record made it a prime candidate when the Flamebearer took to the stars to make his father's dream reality. Almost any significant battle that Lukas fought in the 38th was present in some capacity be it as mundane as transporting his troops to the warzone or as vital as destroying enemy fleets in pitched void battles.

History
No sooner had Lukas completed his education on Terra that he was informed that his fleet was waiting for him. A thorough study of all available expeditionary fleets had been conducted so the integration of the 38th with its new commanding officer was as smooth as a cherub-servitor's backside. The first time the 38th went into action under Lukas's command was the opening battle of the Feuerreich Crusade and they did not disappoint. Nor did they ever, not through the Great Crusade, Halcyon Age, or Five Ruins.

Composition
Nearly every ship of noteworthy size or value in the 38th was either directly owned by the Obsidian Guard or otherwise oathbound to the legion. Only a handful of minor vessels such as couriers, small transports, or other similar craft were truly outside the command of the legion. Its fighting heart was comprised of a dozen capital ships including the gargantuan Herald of Judgement, several other Obsidian Guard Battle Barges, and a handful of Imperialis Armada Battle Cruisers. The Battleline included four score cruisers of varying tonnages and specialties. Rounding out the warship complement was a hundred and fifty, or more depending on the time period, escorts.

Several dozen further ships were part of the 38th but were non combat ships such as fuel tankers and bulk transports.

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