Gold Squadron (Rebel Alliance)

Gold Squadron, also referred to as Gold Group was a starfighter squadron that served as part of the Rebel Alliance's starfighter corps during the Galactic Civil War. The squadron, which for the most part flew BTL-A4 Y-wing light bombers, participated in the battles of Scarif and Yavin, the latter of which they were almost completely wiped out, as well as at the Battle of Endor. Following the events on Endor, Gold Squadron became part of the New Republic Starfleet.

The rebellion
Gold Squadron was originally a rebel cell fighting against the Galactic Empire, part of the unit led by General Jan Dodonna, which itself was part of Senator Bail Organa's larger rebellion. It was commanded by the Onderonian, Captain Jon 'Dutch' Vander, flying as Gold Leader. They flew BTL Y-wing starfighters, five of which were former Republic Navy bombers, stolen from the Imperial Reklam Station by the Phoenix Squadron and delivered to Dodonna's unit in 2 BBY.

At this time, Senator Mon Mothma was forced to flee her homeworld of Chandrila as a branded traitor after publicly denouncing the Empire, and Gold Squadron took on the duty of protecting the Senator and escorting her to Dantooine, where they would rendezvous with other rebel cells. Meeting up with elements of Phoenix Squadron for refueling of the Senator's transport, the squadron was attacked by TIE fighters and forced to jump to hyperspace, instead taking an old smuggler's route through the Archeon Nebula to escape the Lothal sector undetected. However, the deployment of an experimental TIE/D Defender starfighter decimated the squadron, until it was stopped by Vander and Ezra Bridger (flying as Gold Two). The remaining squadron members, Vander and the original Gold Two, then arrived safely with the Senator at Dantooine, where the Alliance to Restore the Republic would be formed.


 * Gold Leader: Captain Jon "Dutch" Vander
 * Gold Two: Unidentified Y-wing pilot (briefly filled by Ezra Bridger)
 * Gold Three: Tyson&dagger;
 * Gold Four: Unidentified Y-wing pilot&dagger;
 * Gold Five: Unidentified Y-wing pilot&dagger;

Battle of Scarif
Gold Squadron participated in the Battle of Scarif behind Jon Vander as Gold Leader shortly before the Battle of Yavin. During the space battle above Scarif, Y-wing bombers of Gold Squadron conducted bombing runs over the Shield Gate. Gold Squadron also attacked an Imperial Star Destroyer, disabling it with ion torpedoes. The Star Destroyer was forced into the space station, disabling the planetary shield and allowing reinforcements to land.


 * Gold Leader: Captain Jon "Dutch" Vander
 * Gold Three: Evaan Verlaine
 * Gold Six: Brace Marko
 * Gold Seven: Gazdo Woolcob
 * Gold Eight: Datchi Creel
 * Gold Nine: Wona Goban

Battle of Yavin
Under the command of Jon "Dutch" Vander, Gold Squadron's eight Y-wing bombers participated in the Battle of Yavin. Three Gold Squadron Y-wings, flown by Vander, Dex Tiree, and Davish Krail, were the first to make an attack run down the Death Star's meridian trench in an attempt to destroy the station's main reactor by exploiting the weakness presented by the thermal exhaust port. All three were shot down by Darth Vader in his TIE Advanced x1 before Jon Vander had the opportunity to launch proton torpedoes. Evaan Verlaine was the only Y-wing pilot of Gold Squadron to survive the assault, and returned to the Rebellion's headquarters on Yavin IV with the other survivors. Luke Skywalker, R2-D2, Wedge Antilles, Han Solo, Chewbacca, and Verlaine were the only rebel survivors of the starfighter assault.


 * Gold Leader: Captain Jon "Dutch" Vander&dagger;
 * Gold Two: Dex Tiree&dagger;
 * Gold Three: Evaan Verlaine
 * Gold Five: Davish "Pops" Krail&dagger;
 * Gold Six: Brace Marko&dagger;
 * Gold Seven: Gazdo Woolcob&dagger;
 * Gold Eight: Datchi Creel&dagger;
 * Gold Nine: Wona Goban&dagger;

Battle of Endor
Gold Squadron participated in the Battle of Endor under the command of General Lando Calrissian. Composed of a mix of different starfighters and the Millennium Falcon, members of Gold Squadron participated in the attack on the Death Star's main reactor.


 * Gold Leader: Lando Calrissian with Nien Nunb, Blount, and Airen Cracken (Millennium Falcon)
 * Gold Nine: Norra Wexley

Rebellion on Akiva
Several months after the events of Endor, Gold Squadron became part of the New Republic military and took part in the war against the remnants of the Empire. The Gold Squadron pilot Norra returned to her homeworld of Akiva to reunite with her estranged teenage son Temmin Wexley. Mother and son became involved in the rebellion on Akiva, which coincided with a secret Imperial summit on Akiva. Later, Captain Saff Melor recommended sending Gold Squadron and two light cruisers as a show of military force on Akiva. However, he was overruled by Chancellor Mon Mothma and Admiral Gial Ackbar. Norra later won an award for her role in the uprising on Akiva and for trying to pursue Admiral Rae Sloane.

Appearances

 * Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
 * Rogue One: A Star Wars Story novel
 * Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
 * Lost Stars
 * Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
 * Shattered Empire, Part I
 * Aftermath
 * Aftermath