In mid-2374, elements of the Ninth Fleet, as well as elements of Second and Fifth Fleets, were proposed to be used in the effort to retake Deep Space 9. The Ninth Fleet was, however, a day behind the other two fleets and not able to arrive at Starbase 375 in time to depart with the task force. (DS9: "Favor the Bold") Later that year, the Ninth Fleet, including the USS Defiant and several runabouts, were off conducting war exercises. (DS9: "Change of Heart")