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.

History
Five of Gold Squadron's BTL Y-wing starfighters were former Republic Navy bombers, stolen from the Imperial Reklam Station by the Phoenix rebel cell and delivered to Jan Dodonna's unit in the second year before the Battle of Yavin.

Battle of Scarif
Gold Squadron participated in the Battle of Scarif behind Jon 'Dutch' 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 bombs. The Star Destroyer was forced into the space station, disabling the planetary shield.


 * Gold Leader: 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: Jon "Dutch" Vander (KIA)
 * Gold Two: Dex Tiree (KIA)
 * Gold Three: Evaan Verlaine
 * Gold Five: Davish "Pops" Krail (KIA)

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