Gial Ackbar/Legends

"Without Admiral Ackbar and his people, we would all be the Emperor's slaves."

- Mon Mothma

Ackbar was a Mon Calamari leader and military commander. Aptly given a name that means "selfless servant," Ackbar devoted himself to the cause of galactic freedom and became the foremost military commander of the Alliance to Restore the Republic, having previously been an Imperial slave, and the later New Republic. He held the distinction of having been the Supreme Commander of the New Republic Defense Force for nearly two decades and defeating two Imperial Grand Admirals, Osvald Teshik and Peccati Syn, along with numerous other threats. He wrote the manual for the New Republic Fleet Academy, titled Fleet Tactics and Combat Methodology.

After the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty, Ackbar eventually retired to a quiet life of writing his memoirs and advising. However, although old and infirm, he would plan the decisive Battle of Ebaq 9 that brought about the end of Tsavong Lah and much of the Yuuzhan Vong fleet. He would die of old age in 29 ABY.

Antebellum (44 BBY – 19 BBY)
Born on the water world of Mon Calamari, Ackbar was interested in science and the sea from a young age. Ackbar was selected as Coral City's representative on the Calamarian Council after finishing school, and became a proponent of Mon Calamari space exploration during the Clone Wars.

Resistance leader and slave (19 BBY – 1 BBY)
In 19 BBY, Ackbar was chosen as the Calamarian Council's leader. When Imperial warships arrived to exert Emperor Palpatine's will over Mon Calamari, Ackbar tried in vain to negotiate; the Mon Calamari and Quarren were forced into slavery and the orbital shipyards were nationalized. Ackbar quickly became a leader of the resistance movement and succeeded in temporarily freeing his homeworld. In the end, the resistance could not withstand the Empire's counterattack, the planet fell and Ackbar was captured. The Imperial officer commanding the operation was so impressed by the Mon Calamari resistance that he decided to take Ackbar as a slave and presented him as a gift to Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin. Ackbar spent his enslavement learning from Tarkin and his staff, acquiring a deep knowledge of Imperial doctrine, as well as knowledge of secret projects like the first Death Star.

When word that Tarkin would be traveling with Bevel Lemelisk to the first Death Star reached the Rebel Alliance, they launched an operation to capture the pair. The Alliance struck Tarkin's shuttle en route to the Nebulon-B Frigate Vehemence in the Eriadu system, but their Y-wings were only able to disable a shuttle carrying Ackbar before an Imperial-class Star Destroyer arrived to rescue the Grand Moff.

The rescue of Ackbar and his knowledge of the Death Star overshadowed the Alliance's failure at Eriadu, and he was returned to his people as Admiral of the Mon Calamari fleet. Like many planetary resistance groups, the Mon Calamari initially held the Alliance to Restore the Republic at fin's length, but Ackbar provided unofficial support and gave tacit approval of the decision by some Mon Calamari to pledge their starships to Mon Mothma's cause.

After the Calamarian Council was rescued on Daluuj by the the crew of the Millennium Falcon, they backed Ackbar's proposal to formally join the Alliance in 0 ABY. Under Ackbar's leadership, Mon Calamari and Quarren united against the Empire and freed their planet.

Rebel leader (1 ABY – 4 ABY)
"May the Force be with us."

- Admiral Ackbar

Following the revolution, Ackbar led the Rebel Alliance to their first minor victory against the Imperial Navy during the Battle of Turkana. Given the rank of commander in the Alliance Navy (though retaining his rank as admiral in the Mon Calamari Navy during the Battle of Turkana), he swiftly rose through the ranks, finally achieving the rank of Admiral of the Fleet after his role in the Shantipole Project, the secret development of the Verpine-designed B-wing starfighter.

Six months after the Battle of Yavin, Ackbar and the crew aboard his modified bulk freighter suffered an Imperial attack and crash-landed on a muddy planet called Daluuj. Ackbar and his crew were soon rescued by Han Solo, Leia Organa, and Luke Skywalker; Rebellion collaborators he would go on to form lasting working relationships with. Thanks to this rescue Ackbar was able lead his people in a feint in the Vallusk Cluster creating the distraction needed by the Rebels at Massassi Station to run the Imperial blockade of the Yavin system.

"I am with you!"

- Commander Ackbar

Mon Mothma, noticing the skills of Ackbar, named him Supreme Commander of the Rebel Fleet and head of all Rebellion military operations. Ackbar became known as the "Father of the Alliance Navy," as he organized and trained the ragtag group of ships and crews into a fighting force capable of facing the Empire. He performed field missions alongside Risiev Credal. In terms of tactics, he was best known for his audacious, close-range assaults first seen at the Battle of Endor.

Victory at Endor


Ackbar commanded the Rebel Alliance Fleet personally at the Battle of Endor in 4 ABY. When it was discovered that his fleet had been led into a trap, Ackbar planned to retreat, lacking a contingency plan. His caution was due to the belief that the loss of the Rebel fleet would sound the death knell of the Alliance. Already hit hard after the loss of their main base on Hoth, the fleet was the last major Rebel asset. However, Ackbar instead opted to take the advice of Lando Calrissian and engage the Imperial fleet at close range. As the gambler turned general helped coordinate the fighters, Ackbar's large capital warships began a deadly point blank range fight with the Imperial fleet.

"We've got to give those fighters more time! Concentrate all fire on that Super Star Destroyer!"

- Admiral Ackbar



When the shields on the second Death Star finally fell, Ackbar's forces moved into close range, bombarding the station's surface while still fighting Admiral Firmus Piett's fleet. Several Star Destroyers fell to Rebel attack, though it was the loss of the flagship Executor that turned the tide of battle into the Alliance's favor. Ackbar ordered a concentrated hail of fire on the Executor, crashing its shields and making it vulnerable to a kamikaze run by an A-wing. In the aftermath of the battle, following the destruction of the Death Star II, Ackbar continued to direct his forces against the remains of the Imperial fleet, capturing several Star Destroyers. Ackbar made use of his refined version of the Kenobi Offensive, which further aided the Alliance to victory.

When the Imperial fleet finally retreated, the Rebel Alliance had scored a major victory. Ackbar's forces had done what was previously thought impossible&mdash;defeat an Imperial fleet. It was Ackbar's shining moment, as well as one of the greatest victories of his long career.

The trek to Coruscant


Following the Rebel victory at Endor, Ackbar was a signatory of the Declaration of a New Republic. He fought numerous campaigns against the Galactic Empire and numerous splinter warlord groups, as well as the Nagai and Tof, and developed cunning military tactics such as the "Ackbar Slash" and "Thrawn Pincer." Given a seat on the Inner Council, Ackbar was named Supreme Commander of the New Republic Defense Force, making him the highest officer in the Republic's military.

Ackbar shaped the military strategy of the fledgling New Republic, beginning within days of the victory at Endor. Some early operations, like the liberation of Clak'dor VII, were conducted in the Outer Rim Territories. For the first few months following the battle, Ackbar rebuilt and expanded his fleet, preparing it for the eventual liberation of the Galaxy from the Empire. Consolidating its holdings, the New Republic expanded through diplomacy, buying time as new warships like the MC80B Star Cruiser came off the lines at Mon Calamari and found their way into the fleet. These new Star Cruisers, coupled with several captured and repaired Star Destroyers, gave his fleet some added muscle. Once the fleet was ready, Ackbar began the long trek Coreward.

Early gains were made in the Core before the main invasion began, including the liberation of Ralltiir, the capture of Brentaal, and Recopia joining the New Republic. Still, the majority of the Core would be in Imperial hands until the main fleets of the New Republic had a secure line of supply. This would be rectified by launching a massive campaign to liberate the Mid and Inner Rims.

Ackbar invaded the Mid and Inner Rims in force, securing numerous worlds for use as bases for the eventual liberation of the Core. His major victory over Grand Admiral Peccati Syn at Kashyyyk, where Ackbar's fleet vaporized Syn's flagship and defeated his fleet, opened up a major line of travel and communication, paving the way for numerous other successes in the Mid Rim. After securing the Mid Rim, a brutal campaign began in the Inner Rim. Ackbar's fleets were involved, supporting ground campaigns on worlds like Mindor, led by General Luke Skywalker. Despite the growing stresses placed on Ackbar as the Supreme Commander of the New Republic military, he continued to lead major engagements personally. Such was his devotion to the service and the beings who served with him.



In 6.5 ABY, Admiral Ackbar approved Wedge Antilles's request to reform Rogue Squadron. Antilles and the squadron performed remarkably, destroying several Imperial starships and a base on Vladet. When Laryn Kre'fey proposed the taking of Borleias as a stepping stone to liberating Coruscant, Ackbar tried to ensure proper intelligence was gathered about the world before taking it. Thanks largely to the efforts of the Rogues, Borleias was eventually taken. As the New Republic fleet began to gain a foothold in the Colonies region, the main objective of the New Republic finally seemed within reach.

After a probe of Borleias by Warlord Zsinj, pressure was placed on Ackbar to find a way to quickly take Coruscant in order to cement the New Republic's gains. Ackbar informed the Council that a direct assault on the planet would seriously deplete the strength of the fleet and the only other viable option, a blockade, would take a long time and cause much suffering on the surface of the planet. Although Ackbar and Borsk Fey'lya had clashed before over strategy and Fey'lya's perceived rivalry for political power, they jointly developed a plan to insert Rogue Squadron into Coruscant to gather intelligence. However, Fey'lya tacked on the addition of freeing Black Sun members such as Zekka Thyne from Kessel and planting them into Coruscant to sow chaos, over Ackbar's strident objections. After a raid on Noquivzor by Zsinj accelerated the timetable for taking Coruscant, Ackbar sent a message to the Rogues on Coruscant instructing them to attempt to bring down the planetary shields protecting the planet. As the shields were brought down, Ackbar led the fleet to liberate Coruscant from the Galactic Empire and easily defeated the defenses left there by Ysanne Isard.

Expanding the New Republic
Besides commanding the New Republic fleet and serving on the governing Council, Ackbar, Crix Madine, and Horton Salm presided over the Tycho Celchu trial, in which Celchu was charged with treason and the murder of Corran Horn. However, the deadly Krytos Virus was also killing numerous nonhumans on Coruscant, placing additional pressure on the court to convict Celchu in order to prove that the New Republic was not biased towards Humans. At the same time, Ackbar also helped the New Republic counter the threat posed by Imperial insurgents left on Coruscant by Isard and acquire a shipment of bacta stolen by Zsinj. With the escape of Horn from Isard's Lusankya prison, along with the subsequent escape of Isard and the death of the insurgent leader, Kirtan Loor, Ackbar and the other judges declared Celchu acquitted.



Ackbar continued to lead the New Republic fleet and later approved a new squadron proposal by Antilles, which became Wraith Squadron, under the condition that if the squadron did not perform satisfactorily that Wedge would accept promotion to General. Of particular interest to Ackbar was that his niece, Jesmin Ackbar, served in Wraith Squadron, despite it having a reputation as a unit of misfits. Tragically, Jesmin was killed during a mission. Ackbar was deeply grieved by her death, but did not blame Wedge or his pilots. Surviving an assassination attempt at the hands of a brainwashed aide, Ackbar observed the Wraith's considerable success against Zsinj and declared that Wedge had won the bet.

The major symbolic and military victory of Coruscant did not bring Ackbar's offensive to an end. During much of the third and fourth year after Endor, Ackbar's forces liberated other key Core worlds, including Chandrila and Esseles. Some notable Colonies worlds, such as Commenor and Balmorra, declared their neutrality, but eventually joined the new government. Following the defeat of Zsinj at Dathomir, Ackbar led a campaign into the regions held by the former warlord. After securing those planets for the New Republic, Ackbar's forces succeeded in capturing the shipbuilding world of Kuat. Despite the fierce fighting and damage sustained to Kuat Drive Yards, the battle was a major victory. Now entering the fifth year after the victory at Endor, three quarters of the Galaxy, including the Core Worlds, were in the hands of the New Republic.

Despite these great successes, further strife and conflict was brewing both internally and from the Empire. Due to a shortage of cargo ships, Ackbar converted about sixty military vessels to cargo ships and was unprepared for what was to come. Additionally, increasing suspicion and criticism was heaped on him by Borsk Fey'lya as the Bothan tried to discredit him.

Just as the conflict with the Empire seemed to be winding down, the Chiss Grand Admiral Thrawn took over a significant portion of the remaining Imperial forces and masterminded a whirlwind campaign of strategy and manipulation. The battle against Thrawn was a costly one for the New Republic, weakening their forces and nearly bringing them to the brink of defeat. Ackbar's reputation also ensured that few smugglers were willing to join the New Republic. Ackbar weathered the political manipulations of Borsk Fey'lya, who was long jealous of Ackbar's prestige and power, and an attempt at framing him for treason masterminded by Thrawn that kept from him from commanding the fleet effectively due to him being under arrest during the initial stages of the campaign. Despite these hardships, Ackbar led his fleet in the Battle of Bilbringi to retrieve a crystal gravfield trap to combat the cloaked asteroids Thrawn had placed over Coruscant. While the battle was a trap planned by Thrawn, help from fringe groups and the sudden death of Thrawn at the hands of his Noghri bodyguard allowed the New Republic to defeat the Imperial navy soundly.

Following the end of Thrawn's campaign, Ackbar led the campaign against Prince-Admiral Delak Krennel. During this time, Ackbar also was finally able to convince Wedge Antilles to accept promotion to General. In the Battle of Ciutric, Ackbar's fleet was initially outgunned by Krennel's forces, but the use of the Thrawn Pincer tactic brought in additional New Republic forces that helped defeat Krennel once and for all. At the same time, Rogue Squadron successfully rescued the Lusankya prisoners, including an aged Jan Dodonna. However, by this time, New Republic forces were spread around the Rim. This left the vital Core worlds, and Coruscant in particular, open to an attack by reunified Imperial forces. Coruscant and the Core were retaken by the Empire in lightning speed.

As Supreme Commander, Ackbar was an appealing target for opponents of the New Republic. At one point a group of terrorists managed to capture him. It was only the timely intervention of Jedi Knight Fahjay that saved the Admiral's life. Bursting into the room where he was held captive Fahjay used the Force to kill both terrorists. Though the act saved Ackbar, the aggressive use of the Force haunted Fahjay for a period afterwards.

Tragedy and triumph
At the time of the reborn Emperor's attacks in 10 ABY, Ackbar was at his home on Coruscant, known as Victory Lake. He was soon called back into service fending off the seemingly endless resources of the Emperor reborn. The campaign of the reborn Palpatine was the most costly struggle in the history of the New Republic up until the Yuuzhan Vong invasion. Countless regions were lost as the government went into hiding. One of the greatest tragedies for Ackbar was when the Emperor's World Devastators attacked his home planet of Mon Calamari, devastating the surface and proving impervious to New Republic attacks. While he kept the majority of the New Republic fleets intact by moving them across the Galaxy much in the same way he had during the Rebellion and successfully reclaimed numerous lost worlds after the Emperor was defeated again, Ackbar blamed himself for the great damage done to his planet and people.

Ackbar faced another personal crisis shortly after his fleets reclaimed Coruscant from the forces of the reborn Emperor. During a mission with Leia Organa Solo in 11 ABY, Ackbar's personal B-wing shuttle crashed on the planet Vortex, destroying the Cathedral of Winds and killing numerous Vors. Believing that his piloting was the cause of the accident, Ackbar went into self imposed exile on Mon Calamari, ridden with guilt and devoting himself to repairing the damage done to his homeworld. When Mon Mothma suddenly became ill from a poisoning orchestrated by Caridan ambassador Furgan, Leia traveled to Mon Calamari to persuade Ackbar to come back to the New Republic. While Leia was working to persuade Ackbar to reclaim his post as Supreme Commander, rogue Imperial Admiral Daala attacked Mon Calamari with her Imperial Star Destroyers. Coming momentarily out of his depression, Ackbar rallied local Calamarian forces against Daala, holding off the worst of her attacks until a New Republic fleet arrived. During the fighting, Ackbar recognized a Tarkin strategy and commanded a Mon Cal cruiser under construction in the shipyard to ram and destroy her third star destroyer lying in wait behind the moon. At the same time, Leia realized that Ackbar's niece Cilghal was Force-sensitive and a natural healer. Cilghal went on to become a Jedi Knight and healed Mon Mothma.



In spite of this, Ackbar still refused to return to the New Republic. When his friend Leia once again requested his help, this time to rescue her son Anakin Solo from capture, Ackbar got into action. While on a mission to Anoth, Ackbar learned the truth behind his accident&mdash;his shuttle had been sabotaged by his personal starship mechanic, Terpfen. The victim of Imperial brainwashing, Terpfen had finally overcome the chips planted in his brain by Imperial scientists. The mechanic aided Ackbar, Leia, and Winter Retrac Celchu in saving young Anakin from Ambassador Furgan. Ackbar pursued the Dreadnaught that Furgan had used to reach Anoth, but it was destroyed by the unstable moon. After defeating Furgan's MT-AT walker, Terpfen tried to send his own walker off the cliff in a suicidal plunge. Quick thinking by Ackbar prevented this: he told Terpfen that he had a great many things to still offer the New Republic and the Galaxy. Realizing that those words applied to him as well, Ackbar returned with Leia to Coruscant, resuming his duties as Supreme Commander. No longer guilt-ridden, Ackbar vowed to remain at his post until the Empire was defeated.

Daala, however, was not through. After killing most of the Imperial warlords and reunifying their forces, she planned a massive assault on the New Republic. At the time, Ackbar and Wedge Antilles were conducting war games near Nal Hutta as a show of force while Leia Organa Solo and Han Solo investigated rumors of the development of a Hutt superweapon. Upon receiving near-simultaneous reports of Daala's attack and the existence of the Darksaber in the Hoth Asteroid Field, Ackbar and Wedge split up, with Ackbar taking the Galactic Voyager and a small escort to Yavin Four to defend the Jedi Praxeum. Arriving in the Yavin system, the Galactic Voyager was outmatched against Daala's Knight Hammer, which was compounded by the arrival of numerous Victory-class Star Destroyers. Holding off the Imperials despite heavy damage, the Galactic Voyager was nearly destroyed when Callista Ming sabotaged the Knight Hammer and New Republic reinforcements arrived, dramatically turning the tide of the battle. At the same time, Antilles had been successful in destroying the Darksaber, though Crix Madine was killed by Durga in the process.

During the period of peace that followed the threat of Admiral Daala, Ackbar oversaw development of the New Class standardization project and its manifestation in the Fifth Fleet. Also during this period, he helped provide a fleet to escort Leia Organa Solo in her mission to Almania to rescue her brother Luke from Kueller. Leading the Joint Defense Operations Staff, Ackbar was charged by the Senate with the creation of a fleet capable of providing common defense for member worlds and against wealthy, Imperial-controlled Core worlds. As the New Republic's diplomatic talks with the Duskhan League unraveled into a major conflict in the Koornacht Cluster, Ackbar remained on Coruscant, leaving field command in the hands of Defense Force commanders.



During the Black Fleet crisis in 16 ABY, he took young Plat Mallar, sole survivor of the Yevethan strike on Polneye, under his fin, acting as his primary flight instructor. Ackbar's efforts afforded the Grannan the opportunity to serve in the Defense Force and fight against the Yevetha, although the personal nature of their relationship brought Mallar under scrutiny following the capture of Han Solo.

The crisis also afforded Ackbar the opportunity to meet Ayddar Nylykerka, who risked his life entering Ackbar's residence at Victory Lake to inform him of his discovery of the Black Fleet. Nylykerka was promoted by Ackbar for his work, setting him on a course to eventually serve in the post of Director of Fleet Intelligence.

Following the defeat of the Yevetha and the incident at Almania, the Imperial Remnant decided to launch a major offensive against the New Republic, hoping that the problems of the past few years had weakened it. They were mistaken, as the New Republic always rallied in the face of threats from the Empire. Taking personal command in the field once again, Ackbar commanded the Third and Fifth fleets in a series of major battles with Gilad Pellaeon.

When Ackbar was alerted to intentions of the Sacorrian Triad and the full extent of the First Corellian Insurrection in 18 ABY, he immediately began assembling a fleet of warships to challenge the Triad, stop the Starbuster Plot, and restore order to the Corellian system. However, this task was hindered as many of the New Republic's ships were still recovering from the Black Fleet Crisis or were otherwise unavailable. Nevertheless, while Ackbar assembled his forces he kept in communication with the commander of the Bakuran fleet, Admiral Hortel Ossilege, who was aiding the New Republic and providing vital support in the Corellian system. As the Bakuran fleet came under heavy attack from the Triad fleet, Ackbar and his fleet arrived in system and immediately put down the Triad vessels that survived the heavy Bakuran defense.

In further campaigns against the Empire, Ackbar's forces finally managed to trounce the Imperial forces. The victory was secured during the climactic Battle of Anx Minor. Ackbar ordered a barrage of concentrated fire on the experimental Imperial warship EX-F. Igniting its volatile antimatter reservoir, the subsequent explosion vaporized six nearby Star Destroyers. This massive, sudden loss sapped the morale of the Imperial forces. Pellaeon, hoping to save what he had left, retreated. By the time the campaign was over, the Imperial Remnant had been reduced to a mere eight sectors of the Outer Rim and a fleet of 200 Star Destroyers and a few thousand lesser vessels. Ackbar's victory was a major factor in Pellaeon deciding to make peace with the New Republic and signing the Pellaeon-Gavrisom Treaty.

Retirement (23 ABY – 28 ABY)
Ackbar retired four years after peace was signed with the Imperial Remnant, when his old rival Fey'lya was elected Chief of State, and moved to Heurkea Floating City. However, senior members of the Defense Force&mdash;including Dif Scaur, Etahn A'baht, Traest Kre'fey, and Sien Sovv, Ackbar's replacement&mdash;managed to ensure that Ackbar received a number of important analyses. This would prove useful in the future.

When the Yuuzhan Vong War came, Ackbar was in very poor health. He explained that there was nothing specifically wrong with him, just age and the strain he had put on himself during the Galactic Civil War. But he was still a clever commander.

"ACKBAR IS BACK" (28 ABY – 29 ABY)
When the New Republic capital was relocated to Mon Calamari, he pulled himself out of retirement to plan a trap against Yuuzhan Vong forces in the Deep Core. The plan, which culminated in the Battle of Ebaq 9, was highly successful. In addition to being a legitimate strategic and tactical victory, it was crucial in restoring morale after the losses suffered in the invasion. When news of Ackbar's return was broadcast to the entire Defense Force with the simple message "ACKBAR IS BACK", the elation that many members of the military felt was so great that actual celebrations broke out on various New Republic fleet units. However his age and condition were still factors he had to deal with. Despite being offered by then current Supreme Commander Sien Sovv to retake control of the military, Ackbar declined, choosing to take on a consultative role. He was given the title of Fleet Director of Strategy.

Death and legacy (29 ABY–)
"It is, as some admiral once said, a trap."

- Mara Jade Skywalker

Near the very end of the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, shortly before the final climactic Liberation of Coruscant, Ackbar passed away at 74 years old. His death caused great grief to the Mon Calamari, the Galactic Federation of Free Alliances, and the galaxy at large. A grand memorial service was held on both the newly reclaimed Coruscant and his watery homeworld, attended by countless Mon Calamari and numerous dignitaries from across the Galactic Alliance.

Ackbar was immortalized with the christening of Admiral Ackbar, one of a new generation of Victory-class Star Destroyers crucial in the Swarm War.

Flagships


As the Supreme Commander of both the Rebel and New Republic militaries, Ackbar regularly took to the field commanding forces in combat. As a result, the warship chosen as the flagship of the admiral tended to see much action. His first flagship was perhaps his most famous&mdash;Home One. The Mon Calamari cruiser was his command cruiser for nearly a decade, participating in some of the most significant engagements of the Galactic Civil War, including the Battle of Endor and the Battle of Bilbringi.



Following the retirement of Home One, Ackbar selected the first of the new MC90 Star Cruiser line, the Defiance. The Defiance first saw action during the campaigns of the "reborn" Palpatine, as Ackbar personally lead reconnaissance missions to the Deep Core. After the Imperial forces were driven back, Ackbar selected another MC90, the Galactic Voyager, to serve as his command cruiser. The warship participated in numerous battles, including the First Battle of Jedi Praxeum.



Personal life
Ackbar's commitment to serving the Galaxy meant that he found little time for marriage or children. This was not uncommon amongst many of the early leaders of the Rebel Alliance, as devotion to duty left little time for romance or affection. Still, Ackbar did have family, including two nieces, future Jedi Master Cilghal and Jesmin Ackbar, a fighter pilot. Years of working closely with Leia Organa Solo forged a close friendship as well. During the stressful times surrounding the Black Fleet Crisis, Ackbar served as a close friend and father figure to Leia; the relationship was so close that Ackbar was one of a handful of people who had a private key to the Solo residence in the Imperial Palace. Ackbar also bonded with Anakin Solo at an early age, affectionately calling him "my little fish," due to the boy's love of water. In fact, the two would often swim together in the specially designed pools onboard Ackbar's cruisers. These pools were places of meditation and reflection for the weathered leader, and it is a testament to Ackbar's friendship with the young Solo that he allowed these light-hearted interruptions.

Close interaction with the Solo clan brought Ackbar into regular contact with Winter Celchu, personal aide to Leia. The two developed a close friendship, both enjoying each other's company when time permitted. Years later, during the Yuuzhan Vong invasion, Winter would care for the ailing admiral as he slowly succumbed to old age.

Ackbar's close working relationship with Wedge Antilles also turned into a friendship, with Ackbar serving as a sort of mentor to Wedge, especially during the early years of the New Republic.

Politics


One of the realities of being the Supreme Commander of the New Republic military was regular interaction with politicians. However, unlike many career officers, Ackbar did not enjoy games of the political arena, relying on his trusted friend Mon Mothma to cover him. His skills were better suited for commanding the Defense Force, not the halls of government. Fortunately for Ackbar, when Mon Mothma retired from political service, Leia Organa Solo was chosen to be her successor. The bond that he formed with Leia similarly helped him in dealing with politicians. When Leia finally retired from politics shortly before the invasion of the Yuuzhan Vong, Ackbar retired as well. This was due in part to feeling the Republic was stable, but also due to the fact that he had no desire to play politics with the incoming Chief of State, Borsk Fey'lya.

Behind the scenes
Admiral Ackbar was played by Timothy M. Rose in Return of the Jedi. He was voiced by Erik Boauersfield in the CD-ROM release of Star Wars: X-wing, Terence McGovern in Star Wars: X-wing Alliance, and Chris Cox in Star Wars: Rogue Squadron III: Rebel Strike.

During the production of Episode III, George Lucas considered replacing Ackbar's footage with a new Mon Calamari mask developed for Meena Tills. Lucas hadn't been satisfied with what could be achieved for Ackbar in 1983 and the new mask was very expressive in comparison, capable of a great range of radio-controlled lip and eye movement.

For SomethingAwful.com,YTMND.com LUELinks.net, Fark.com, and 4chan.org users, Ackbar has risen to level of Photoshop cliché and Internet meme, often used with the phrase "it's a trap!" or a variation thereof. The basis for this cliché is "Next time you watch Return of the Jedi, note that all Ackbar wants to do, from the minute the assault on the Death Star begins, is leave." "It's a trap!" became so overused that any use of either the phrase or Ackbar's image was banned from Something Awful.



Ackbar, however, ordered a retreat just once, when it was revealed that the Death Star II was operational. Also, the risk of the entire Alliance fleet being eliminated by the superior numbers and firepower of the Imperial fleet was probably more than enough reason to withdraw. Nonetheless, later in the battle, he ordered Rebel cruisers to attack the Imperial fleet head-on, after a suggestion by Lando Calrissian.

In early drafts of Return of the Jedi, Admiral Ackbar was described as a blue skinned Near-Human, very similar to the appearance of Grand Admiral Thrawn.

It is interesting to note that the Expanded Universe has never specified whether Ackbar is his first name or surname. Based on his niece Jesmin Ackbar's name, Ackbar would be a surname. Therefore, it is curious that such a prominent character was never given a first name. Also, if Ackbar is a surname, we can assume that his other niece Cilghal's last name may also be Ackbar.

The word akbar means great in Arabic, as in the commonly-heard saying, "Allāhu Akbar", which means "God is great." Akbar was also a powerful Mughal Empire Shah.

The transmission "ACKBAR IS BACK" is derived from the first Royal Navy signal of the Second World War&mdash;'Winston is back'.

Ackbar's death just before the defeat of the Yuuzhan Vong may be intended as a parallel to the way Franklin Delano Roosevelt passed away mere months before the end of World War II.

Non-canon appearances

 * Star Wars: Rebellion
 * A Death Star Is Born
 * Tag & Bink Are Dead
 * LEGO Star Wars II: The Original Trilogy
 * Robot Chicken: Star Wars
 * Star Wars Infinities: Return of the Jedi