Red Guard

"You see? You must allow yourself your own private guards, Supreme Chancellor!"

- Senator Viento to Supreme Chancellor Palpatine

The Red Guard, nicknamed Redrobes, was a group of specially trained members of the Senate Guard. They were charged with the protection of Supreme Chancellor Palpatine prior to and during the Clone Wars.

History
As they were formed at Palpatine's discretion without a formal act, several senators (including Bail Organa) considered them to be illegal, and even the Jedi High Council were unsure of their true number and strength. Palpatine justified their creation due to rumors of corruption amongst the Senate Guard, especially after the infamous Ronhar Kim incident. During the hunt for Darth Sidious, Mace Windu and Yoda suspected that the Dark Lord of the Sith might be among their number.

During the Second Battle of Coruscant, the Red Guard were led by High Jedi General Windu in his defense of the Galactic Senate building. The Red Guards protecting Palpatine during the battle also expressed some anxiety at Palpatine's stubborn refusal to leave his office. Following Order 66, the Red Guard became the new Emperor's Royal Guard; however, their appearance and equipment changed little. Some apparently became the Shadow Guard.

Unlike the Royal Guard, there is no indication that the Red Guard evolved out of the elite clone troopers and stormtroopers. Given how the Red Guard appeared independently and before the appearance of the Grand Army of the Republic, it seems that the Red Guard only gradually became the elite unit of the conventional military. However, like the Royal Guard, the Red Guard was not subject to senatorial oversight, and reported only to Chancellor Palpatine.

Equipment
The armor of the Royal Guard reflected the armor of the Mandalorian Death Watch, and the Thyrsus Sun Guards. It consisted of plated crimson armor of an unknown composition, overlaid with voluminous robes, presumably to conceal weaponry. The Red Guard primarily used a meter long force pike.

It's also possible that Palpatine was inspired from the armor of the red-armored Dark Lord, possibly using it as a tribute.

Appearances

 * Jedi Quest comic
 * Jedi Quest: The False Peace
 * Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones
 * Star Wars Republic 61: Dead Ends
 * Star Wars Republic 63: Striking from the Shadows
 * Star Wars Republic 64: Bloodlines
 * Boba Fett: Pursuit
 * Star Wars: Obsession
 * Labyrinth of Evil
 * Sithisis
 * Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
 * Tag & Bink: Revenge of the Clone Menace