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. Most pilots in the squadron flew BTL-A4 Y-wing light bombers.

This unit participated in the battle over Scarif, a fierce engagement that signaled the start of the Galactic Civil War. Shortly thereafter, the squadron, including its leader, Captain Jon "Dutch" Vander, was nearly completely wiped out by Darth Vader and elite TIE pilots in the action over Yavin. This battle, a direct result of information gained from Rebel agents on Scarif, resulted in the destruction of the Death Star. Later in the war, a reformed Gold Squadron participated in the climatic Battle of Endor under the command of Lando Calrissian, where it participated in the desperate run against the second Death Star's reactor. Following the victory of the Rebellion and the reformation of the Republic, Gold Squadron was assimilated into the New Republic Starfleet.

The rebellion
Gold Squadron began as 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 an Onderonian, Captain Jon 'Dutch' Vander, flying as Gold Leader. Members of this unit 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.

Skirmish in the Archeon Nebula
Shortly after the delivery of the Y-wing starfighters, Senator Mon Mothma was forced to flee her homeworld of Chandrila as a branded traitor after publicly denouncing the Empire. 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 Taylander shuttle Chandrila Mistress, the squadron was attacked by TIE fighters and forced to jump to hyperspace. At the advice of Phoenix Leader Hera Syndulla, the rebels took the old smuggler's route through the Archeon Nebula to escape the Lothal sector undetected. However, 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 (KIA)
 * Gold Four: Unidentified Y-wing pilot (KIA)
 * Gold Five: Unidentified Y-wing pilot (KIA)

Battle of Scarif
"Red and Gold Squadrons, attack formation. Defend the fleet."

- Admrial Raddus giving Red and Gold Squadrons their orders

Following the official formation of the Rebellion as a unified entity, Gold Squadron participated in the Battle of Scarif, again behind Jon Vander as Gold Leader, shortly before the Battle of Yavin. During the battle, elements of Gold Squadron conducted bombing runs on the Shield Gate that was preventing reinforcements from reaching beleaguered forces on the planet below. Gold Squadron also attacked the Imperial Star Destroyer Intimidator, disabling it with ion torpedoes. The destroyer was forced into the space station, disabling the planetary shield and allowing reinforcements to land.


 * Gold Leader: Captain Jon "Dutch" Vander
 * Gold Two: Unidentified Y-Wing Pilot
 * Gold Three: Evaan Verlaine
 * Gold Four: Unidentified Y-Wing Pilot
 * Gold Five: Unidentified Y-Wing Pilot
 * 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 spaceworthy 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 (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 novelization
 * Star Wars: Rogue One: A Junior Novel
 * Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
 * Lost Stars
 * Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
 * Shattered Empire, Part I
 * Aftermath
 * Aftermath