Wookieepedia:Featured article queue/February 19, 2011

Axe was the nickname of a veteran clone trooper pilot who served in the Galactic Republic Navy. During the Clone Wars, the clone pilot served in Blue Squadron, a Republic starfighter unit attached to the Venator-class Star Destroyer Resolute, and was given the call sign "Blue Leader." However, Axe gave the title to Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano around 22 BBY when the two participated in the Battle of Ryloth, and then took the call sign of "Blue Two." In the engagement, Blue Squadron was tasked with destroying the Confederate Captain Mar Tuuk's blockade over the Twi'lek planet Ryloth.

During the battle, Axe was accompanied by fellow clone pilots Slammer, Kickback, Tucker, and Swoop, while the squadron made its way toward Tuuk's command ship. However, Confederate Vulture droids attacked Blue Squadron, causing heavy damage to several of their fighters. As the droids also attacked the Republic force's three Venator-class Star Destroyers&mdash;the Resolute, Defender, and Redeemer&mdash;Admiral Wullf Yularen and Skywalker ordered Tano and her men to retreat. However, as Blue Squadron made its way toward the Resolute hangar, Axe was killed when his fighter was shot down by a Vulture droid.