BTL Y-wing starfighter

The BTL Y-wing starfighter was a series of multi-role starfighter-bombers manufactured by Koensayr Manufacturing. Notable models included the single-pilot BTL-A4 Y-wing assault starfighter/bomber and the two-seat BTL-S3, which had room for a gunner or passenger.

Clone War
Y-wings entered service with the Republic Navy as early as 22 BBY. Early models had a transparent bubble turret for the onboard gunner, and were mainly designed as bombers.

Kaliida Nebula
Shadow Squadron, a unit of clone trooper pilots, flew Y-wing bombers in the Battle of the Kaliida Nebula under the command of Jedi General Anakin Skywalker, Jedi General Plo Koon, and Jedi Commander Ahsoka Tano. The Y-wings successfully destroyed Malevolence ion cannon in the engagement. Out of an initial force of 12 Y-wing bombers, six were lost in the assault.

Ryloth
Y-wings participated in the Battle of Ryloth, in which they broke the planetary blockade imposed by the Confederacy of Independent Systems. They also participated in atmospheric operations, and at least one crashed outside the Syndulla residence. Hera Syndulla rescued "Chopper" from the wrecked Y-wing, and Cham Syndulla decided to preserve the crash site as a memorial. Several of Skywalker's Y-wings destroyed Separatist Hyena-class bombers that were tasked with destroying Lessu after the Separatist withdrawal from the capital.

Geonosis
In 21 BBY, Republic Y-wings bombed Separatist anti-aircraft cannons at the Second Battle of Geonosis, allowing Jedi Generals Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and Ki-Adi-Mundi to land at Point Rain. Y-wings also defended Admiral Wullf Yularen's command ship from attack by Geonosian Nantex-class territorial defense starfighters and assisted the defense of Kenobi's position.

Kamino
Republic Y-wings joined Aggressive ReConnaissance-170 starfighters and V-19 Torrent starfighters in the Battle of Kamino, making bombing runs on Separatist transports. These transports, unknown to the clone pilots, carried Trident-class assault ships, which landed in the ocean below and deployed aqua droids to Tipoca City. Separatist forces were forced to withdraw after the 501st Legion and 212th Attack Battalion mounted a counteroffensive against the overextended droids.

Patitite Pattuna
In 20 BBY, Republic Y-wings mounted a failed defense of Jedi General Adi Gallia's flagship at the Battle of Patitite Pattuna. Astromech droid R2-D2 and protocol droid C-3PO escaped the doomed Star Destroyer aboard a Y-wing, and crashed on Patitite Pattuna's surface. After repairing their ship, the duo made a quick side-trip to Balnab in search of power, but were forced to abandon the ship. Within hours, the Republic mounted a rescue of Adi Gallia and recovered the droids, who had been picked up by Weequay pirates and taken prisoner by the Separatists.

Umbara
Y-wings participated in the Battle of Umbara, destroying Separatist frigates guarding the planet and dropping ordnance on Umbaran Militia personnel who had ambushed the 501st Legion. They also took part in atmospheric combat operations, engaging Vulture-class starfighers and droid tri-fighters in air-to-air combat. The campaign ended with a decisive Republic victory and the execution of the traitorous Jedi General Pong Krell.

The Negotiator
Republic Y-wings mounted a failed defense of Kenobi's flagship, the Negotiator, after it fell under attack by Separatist warships. The Separatist victory prevented the Republic's involvement in the rescue of Tano, who had been taken abducted by Weequay pirates in of the Florrum system. Her rescue fell instead to a group of six younglings.

Anaxes
In 19 BBY, Gold Squadron used Y-wing bombers to attack Separatist anti-aircraft cannons stationed at the Anaxes assembly complex during the Battle for Anaxes. The campaign ended with a Republic victory, the death of Admiral Trench, and the destruction of all Separatist forces deployed to the planet.

Age of the Empire
Soon after the formation of the Galactic Empire in 19 BBY, a small, unorganized rebellion against Imperial rule began to take shape. Secretly supported by influential Senators like Bail Organa and Mon Mothma, the various rebel cells operated whatever kinds of vehicles they could acquire. Y-wings, having been relegated to planetary defense duties, were popular craft for the rebels because of its built-in hyperdrive and durability. Most Y-wings of this era either had the bubble turret replaced with one remotely-controlled from within the cockpit, or removed altogether in favor of a pair of fixed ion cannons in the case of the single-seat BTL-A4 Y-wing assault starfighter/bomber.

Yarma
In 2 BBY, Phoenix Squadron launched a mission to recover decomissioned Republic Y-wings from Reklam Station, an aerial scarpyard floating in the atmosphere of the planet Yarma. The mission ended in a rebel victory, with five Y-wings successfully stolen and Reklam station destroyed. Two of the initial force of seven were lost to Imperial fire, both piloted by Chopper under remote control. Although Commander Jun Sato originally intended for the Y-wings to enter service with Phoenix Squadron, the ships were instead to transferred to Jan Dodonna's unit on Yavin 4.

Backbone of the Rebellion
Imperial cadets were trained to destroy Y-wing starfighters at Skystrike Academy on Montross. Sabine Wren and Wedge Antilles particpated in one such training prior to their first attempt to escape from Skystrike Academy alongside Derek Klivian and Rake Gahree.

Archeon Nebula
The Y-wings of Gold Squadron escorted the Chandrila Mistress, with former Imperial Senator Mon Mothma aboard, to a secret rendezvous at the with the Spectres aboard the Ghost. From there, the Ghost would transport Mothma to Dantooine for a meeting of high-level leaders of the rebellion.

The Chandrila Mistress had been tracked by Imperial forces, and shortly after arrival it was attacked by an Arquitens-class command cruiser, a Gozanti-class cruiser, and several TIE/ln space superiority starfighters. Although Gold Squadron was able to destroy the TIEs and cruisers, Mothma and her crew were forced to evacuate the Chandrila Mistress and transfer to the Ghost. The Rebels escaped into hyperspace and traveled to the Archeon Nebula, which the Spectres had hoped would help conceal their movements from the Empire. Grand Admiral Thrawn predicted that they would do this, and dispatched a force of Imperial-class Star Destroyers and TIEs to destroy them, including a TIE/D Defender prototype piloted by Vult Skerris. The resulting skirmish in the Archeon Nebula resulted in a decisive rebel victory, but cost Gold Squadron three of its Y-wings.