Phoenix Leader (Ibaar)

"Phoenix Leader&mdash;your pilots ready?" "Ready as we'll ever be, Captain Syndulla."

- Hera Syndulla and Phoenix Leader

A human male flew under the callsign Phoenix Leader four years before the Battle of Yavin. A member of Phoenix Squadron, a fleet composed of A-Wing starfighters, and operating under the command of Jun Sato, Phoenix Leader led the rest of the squadron during a skirmish between a network of rebel cells and the Galactic Empire over the planet Ibaar. Working with the rebels, the squadron's and the network's goal was to break the Imperial blockade and deliver food supplies to the starving populace of Ibaar. After the destruction of the supply ship, the rebels attempted to retreat. However, the life of Phoenix Leader was claimed by Imperial fire as he attempted to escape with his men. Rebel pilot Hera Syndulla was later promoted as the human's successor as Phoenix Leader.

Biography
"Just handle those TIEs, Phoenix Leader." "We'll cover you, Ghost."

- Hera Syndulla and Phoenix Leader

A human male was a member of Phoenix Squadron four years before the Battle of Yavin. Phoenix Squadron was a small fleet made up of RZ-1 A-wing interceptors under the leadership of Commander Jun Sato. The squadron opposed the rule of the Galactic Empire, and joined a rebel network led by Imperial senator Bail Organa and ex-Jedi Ahsoka Tano. Sometime after the Siege of Lothal, the human male pilot served Phoenix Squadron as Phoenix Leader.

As Phoenix Leader, he became involved in a mission to deliver food to the Imperial occupied planet Ibaar, as an Imperial blockade cut off the planet's ability to receive off world resources needed for the world's populace to survive. The rebels' plan was to storm the blockade and send a transport loaded with food down to Ibaar's surface, where it was to be delivered to local miner Eesh Fahm. Phoenix Leader and four other A-Wing starfighters joined the CR90 corvette Transport 1, the chosen supply vessel, and the starship Ghost, captained by the Twi'lek Hera Syndulla, in the mission. Meeting the blockade, the lead Imperial vessel's commander, Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau, opened a communications line and ordered the approaching rebels to disperse. In response, Syndulla checked to see if Phoenix Leader's pilots were ready for a fight. Phoenix Leader gave the okay and the A-Wings engaged the Imperial vessels.

Syndulla ordered Phoenix Leader to concentrate on the Imperial TIE fighters, and Phoenix Leader promised to cover the Ghost. Despite the rebels destroying several TIE fighters in the ensuing fight, the skirmish turned towards the Empire's favor as the supply transport took heavy fire, which ultimately destroyed it. With Transport 1 gone, the order to retreat was given. Phoenix Leader had his men fall back, but while trying to escape his craft was destroyed, killing him. News of his death spread through the rebel comm channels, and the remaining rebel forces escaped the system.

Despite the initial failure, Syndulla returned to Ibaar with an experimental starfighter loaded with advanced weapons and helped the rebel forces break through the blockade and deliver food to the planet's populace. For her actions, Syndulla became the human's successor as the new Phoenix Leader.

Personality and traits
"We have to get out of here!"

- Phoenix Leader, shortly before his death

Phoenix Leader was a human male with light-colored skin. When Syndulla asked whether or not Phoenix Leader was ready for an upcoming fight, Phoenix Leader claimed that he and his men were ready for the mission at hand. Phoenix Leader was a capable pilot, and fought Imperial fighters off during the early stages of the mission. However, he was unable to out-maneuver enemy fire as he made his retreat.

While piloting his A-Wing, Phoenix Leader wore a green jumpsuit and a helmet. His A-Wing had blue markings across it.

Behind the scenes
"Start your run."

- Phoenix Leader orders his men to attack

Phoenix Leader first appeared in Wings of the Master, the fifth episode of season two of the Star Wars Rebels television series. Phoenix Leader's voice was provided by Steve Blum, who also provided the voice for series regular Garazeb Orrelios.