Wes Janson/Legends

Lieutenant Wes Janson was Wedge Antilles's gunner at the Battle of Hoth. He later went on to become part of Rogue Squadron, the Rebel Alliance's most elite fighter squadron.

Rebel Alliance
Wes was part of the Tierfon Yellow Aces, a Y-wing squadron in training during the early years of the Alliance. Due to the desprate times the Alliance was facing, squadrons undergoing training were usually yanked into active duty. The Yellow Aces were tasked to ambush an Imperial convoy carrying supplies the Alliance needed badly.

When the convoy arrived at the system, its armed escort was larger than anticipated. One Yellow Ace pilot, Kissek Dorran, was suddenly struck with panic and tried to leave the group. With the prospect of compromising the entire ambush party if he was detected by the Imperials, Wes and Jek Porkins were ordered to bring him back. Since using his ion cannon would give away their position, Wes was forced to use his lasers, vaping the fleeing pilot. It was his first kill as a pilot.

During Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa's numerous attempt to rescue Han Solo from the bounty hunter Boba Fett, he and Rogue Squadron based themselves on the moon of Gall. Skywalker's daring plan had them fighting enemy starfighters with the odds of 5:1. But in reality, they were only there to make a distraction, therefore allowing the Milennium Falcon and the Outrider to rescue Han.

When the Imperials launched more TIE fighers, Luke was forced to issue a retreat. It was this moment when Wes' astromech droid suddenly took control of his X-wing. Programmed by a bribed technician, his astromech was trying to shoot down Luke's X-wing. Only with his skills on flying and talents in the Force allowed Luke to disable Wes' rogue droid without harming him.

New Republic
After the fall of Palpatine, Wes and his good friend Hobbie left active duty and trained rookie squadrons such as Talon Squadron. When Wedge Antilles and the rest of the reformed Rogue Squadron left the New Republic to hunt down Ysanne Isard, the New Republic needed a Rogue Squadron to keep morale up. The New Republic in turn created an temporary Rogue Squadron led by Hobbie and Wes and filled by former Rogues. After Wedge's return from Thyferra this squadron was disbanded.

Shortly after, Wedge put Rogue Squadron under the command of Tycho Celchu and Hobbie while he and Wes formed a new squadron for misfits on their way to be kicked out of the military. This Squadron became known as Wraith Squadron. Wraith Squadron served as both a commando team and a starfighter squadron. Wes served as Wedge's second in command of Wraith Squadron and helped select the squadron members. He and Wedge later returned to Rogue Squadron.

In 13 ABY, Wedge was selected by the New Republic to be sent as an ambassador from the New Republic to Adumar. Wedge was instructed to bring along three of the New Republic's best starfighter pilots. Tycho, Hobbie and Wes were chosen to accompany Wedge. The four soon became enemies of Adumar's largest country, and helped lead a revolution by the countries to overthrow the superpower and create a democratic world government.

The Yuuzhan Vong War
Wes later went on to found the volunteer squadron called the Taanab Yellow Aces. This Squadron arrived to help Wedge Antilles and his New Republic forces in the occupation of Borleias 27 ABY. After the occupation ended, Wes and the Aces continued to serve the New New Republic military as an elite starfighter squadron along with Twin Suns Squadron, Vanguard Squadron, Blackmoon Squadron and Rogue Squadron. The Yellow Aces fought at Selvaris to help the New Republic liberate captured troops.

Personality
Wes was regarded as the joker, despite being a crack shot with a blaster, and a lethal opponent. He enjoyed playing pranks on his fellow squad mates. He had an unusual obsession for Ewoks. During his time in Wraith Squadron, he developed the character Lieutenant Kettch who is supposed to be an Ewok starfighter pilot. Kettch became a recurring theme in Janson's pranks.

Behind the scenes
Wes Janson was portrayed by Ian Liston in The Empire Strikes Back.

Appearances

 * Star Wars Episode V: The Empire Strikes Back
 * X-wing: Rogue Squadron (comics)
 * X-wing: Wraith Squadron
 * X-wing: Iron Fist
 * X-wing: Solo Command
 * X-wing: Isard's Revenge
 * X-wing: Starfighters of Adumar
 * Enemy Lines II: Rebel Stand
 * The Unifying Force