Wookieepedia

READ MORE

Wookieepedia
Register
Advertisement
Wookieepedia
For other uses, see A-wing.
TPMCGYoda

Master Qui-Gon, more to say, have you?

It is requested that this article, or a section of this article, be expanded.

See the request on the listing or on this article's talkpage. Once the improvements have been completed, you may remove this notice and the page's listing. No reason has been supplied; please provide a reason on the template or talkpage

Han1 edited

Sorry about the mess.

This article or section needs to be cleaned up to conform to a higher standard of article quality.

Please follow the article standards laid out in the Layout Guide and the Manual of Style and complete this article to the highest level of quality before continuing on other articles. Remove this message when finished.

The A-wing starfighter, also referred to as A-wing, was a type of starfighter. During the Early rebellion against the Galactic Empire and the Galactic Civil War, the Alliance to Restore the Republic and the New Republic used the RZ-1 A-wing interceptor. Approximately thirty years later, the type's successor, the RZ-2 A-wing interceptor, was used by the Resistance during the First Order-Resistance War.[17]

History[]

Early rebellion[]

At least a few A-wings were engaged in combat operations as early as 18 BBY. Bail Organa's forces operated at least eight of these fighters, and deployed them to assist an uprising on the planet Raada. The entire population of Raada was evacuated as a result of the uprising, and Ahsoka Tano joined the rebellion as a Fulcrum agent in its aftermath.[11]

Phoenix Squadron[]

Lothal[]

In 4 BBY, Darth Vader launched an attack on Phoenix Squadron, decimating Phoenix Squadron's contingent of A-wings. Out of eight fighters deployed, six fell victim to the Sith Lord's guns. Vader also destroyed the Phoenix Cell's flagship, Phoenix Home, forcing the rebel fleet to retreat into hyperspace.[18]

Ibaar[]

At least five A-wings saw action in a rebel attempt to break the Blockade of Ibaar. The rebels successfully broke the blockade and delivered relief supplies to the Ibaar rebel network. A single A-wing was destroyed during the battle.[19]

Deep space[]

In 3 BBY, Imperial ships engaged in a battle with Phoenix Squadron in deep space. The rebels emerged victorious, but the A-wing piloted by Phoenix Three was destroyed by TIE fighters.[20]

Garel[]

Five of Phoenix Squadron's A-wings saw action in the Battle of Garel, during which the Imperial Military forced the cell to abandon its hideouts on the planet. Only a single Taylander shuttle was destroyed, and no A-wings were lost.[21]

Concord Dawn[]

Five of Phoenix Squadron's A-wings engaged Skull Squadron, a Mandalorian unit of Fang fighters, in a dogfight over Concord Dawn. Two A-wings were destroyed, and the Mandalorian Protectors' victory forced the A-wings to retreat back to the fleet.[22]

Ryloth and return to deep space[]

A-wings chase Heras TIE bomber

A-wings chase a TIE bomber operated by the Spectres

Two of Phoenix Squadron's A-wings were deployed in a mission to Ryloth, in which they were tasked with firing on a TIE/sa bomber. The bomber was actually operated by the rebels, and they planned to use it to board and hijack an Imperial Quasar Fire-class cruiser carrier. The Imperial crew took the bait and allowed the shuttle into the carrier's hangar, and the A-wings jumped into hyperspace when the Imperials returned fire. The mission ended with the hijacking of the carrier and the destruction of an Arquitens-class light cruiser.[23]

Later, two A-wings were scrambled to defend against an attack on Phoenix Squadron. The attack was a tactical victory for the Imperials, but a strategic victory for the rebellion, as the Phoenix Cell successfully relocated to Chopper Base shortly afterwards. No A-wings were confirmed lost in the attack.[24]

Yarma[]

In 2 BBY, four of Phoenix Squadron's A-wings battled Imperial forces after the Spectres successfully completed a mission to Reklam Station. The rebels captured five Y-wing starfighters and destroyed Reklam Station, and no A-wings were lost.[25]

Teralov[]

The six A-wings of Green Squadron were all destroyed in a massacre near Teralov. This particularly brutal and one-sided battle finally convinced Imperial cadets Wedge Antilles and Derek Klivian to join the rebellion.[26]

Mykapo[]

Iron Squadron 26

A-wings participate in the rescue Iron Squadron over Mykapo

Two A-wings of Phoenix Squadron saw action in a skirmish over Mykapo. As a result of this action, Iron Squadron joined the rebellion after successfully evacuating the system.[27]

Tatooine[]

Ezra Bridger and C1-10P "Chopper" used an RZ-1T trainer A-wing to undertake an unsanctioned mission to Tatooine, with the objective of recruiting former Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to the Alliance to Restore the Republic. The mission was unsuccessful, as Kenobi was obligated to stay on Tatooine to protect Luke Skywalker, but it resulted in the death of the former Sith Lord Maul. The A-wing was destroyed by a tribe of Tusken Raiders, and the wayward Rebels returned to Chopper Base in Maul's old Kom'rk-class fighter/transport Nightbrother[28]

Atollon[]

Battle of Atollon

Alliance ships prepare to engage Imperial forces over Atollon

Many of Phoenix Squadron's A-wings saw action at the Battle of Atollon, a decisive Imperial tactical victory. Chopper Base was destroyed, the rebels' planned attack on Lothal had to be postponed, and the remains of Phoenix Cell were forced to relocate to Yavin 4. All but four of the rebels' A-wings were destroyed in the battle.[29]

Galactic Civil War[]

Post-Scarif[]

After the small-scale rebellion proved inconclusive at toppling the Empire, the Alliance to Restore the Republic escalated the conflict into open warfare in the Battle of Scarif. This battle in 0 BBY marked the beginning of the 5-year Galactic Civil War.[30] Most A-wings in Rebel service at this time were stripped of their shields and heavy weapons launchers in favor of increased speed and agility in combat.[10] In 0 ABY,[31] Rebel A-wings assisted Saponza's Gang in the Battle for Tatooine, which liberated the planet from Imperial control.[10]

A-wing fighters, including Shara Bey's A-wing, took part in the battle at Rendezvous Point Delta-Three after the Battle of Hoth.[32] Bey and L'ulo L'ampar, who piloted an A-wing of his own, later joined Starlight Squadron during Operation Starlight.[33] Seven A-wings joined in the Unity Day attack.[34] Three A-wings joined the Millennium Falcon in the aerial assault on Coruscant, but all three fighters were lost. However, the pilot of the last, Nien Nunb, managed to abandon his doomed ship in time and join the crew of the Falcon.[35]

Endor and beyond[]

Endorshaft

An A-wing escorts the Millennium Falcon down the Death Star II's reactor shaft

In 4 ABY, A-wings participated in the Battle of Endor with numerous units in Blade,[36] Riot,[37] Green and Red squadrons. The battle struck a major blow to the Empire, with the death of Galactic Emperor Darth Sidious, the destruction of the DS-2 Death Star II Mobile Battle Station.[12]

17 days after the Battle of Endor, Green Squadron's A-wings participated in the Battle of Cawa City on the planet Sterdic IV. The battle ended in a Rebel victory and resulted in the liberation of the city.[38] A-wings were deployed in the Attack on Fondor, a crushing Rebel defeat that saw the loss of many starfighters. The battle resulted in Imperial forces securing climate disruption arrays necessary for Operation: Cinder.[39] A few months after the Battle of Endor, New Republic A-wings were deployed to assist a local rebellion on Akiva. The rebellion resulted in the capture of high-level Imperial personnel, the rescue of Captain Wedge Antilles, and the liberation of Akiva. Shortly thereafter, Akiva became the first world in the Outer Rim Territories to be admitted to the New Republic.[40]

5 ABY battles[]

Battle of Jakku

A-wings slug it out with Imperial forces at the Battle of Jakku

In 5 ABY, at least 1 A-wing participated in the Battle of Fondor Shipyards, serving in Shepherd Squadron. The battle ended with a New Republic victory.[41] A-wings served with Phoenix and Shepherd Squadrons in the Battle of Jakku, the final battle of the Galactic Civil War.[42][41]

New Republic Era[]

Ovanis[]

In 34 ABY, Black Squadron embarked on a mission to Ovanis with the aim of locating Lor San Tekka and enlisting his assistance to find the missing Jedi Master Luke Skywalker. A single A-wing participated in the mission,[15] which eventually devolved into a dogfight between Black Squadron and First Order forces.[43] The engagement ended in a draw, with a few TIEs being destroyed but no Black Squadron casualties.[44]

Death of L'ulo L'ampar[]

In a battle over a desert planet, A-wing pilot L'ulo L'ampar's fighter was destroyed in a 3-sided battle with the Ranc Gang and the First Order.[45]

Mamkoda and Sheh Soahi[]

Resistance RZ-2 A-wing interceptors saw action at the Battle of Mamkoda. The battle ended in a Resistance victory, with a pirate spaceport destroyed by a group of MG-100 StarFortress SF-17 bombers. Later, a similar battle took place at Sheh Soahi.[46]

D'Qar[]

The Last Jedi Space Battle

Resistance starfighters escort bombers in the Evacuation of D'Qar

RZ-2 A-wings carried out escort duty at the evacuation of D'Qar, providing fighter cover for Resistance bombers tasked with destroying the Mandator IV-class Siege Dreadnought Fulminatrix. The Dreadnought was destroyed, at the expense of the entire bombing fleet[17] and a single A-wing piloted by Zizi Tlo.[47]

Oetchi system[]

All of the Resistance's starfighters were destroyed by the First Order in an Battle of Oetchi, just after the fleet exited hyperspace in the Oetchi system[47]

Behind the scenes[]

The A-wing series of starfighters first appeared in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, during the climatic Battle of Endor.

Appearances[]

Non-canon appearances[]

Sources[]

Notes and references[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Ultimate Star Wars
  2. Star Wars: The Last Jedi: Incredible Cross-Sections
  3. StarWars-DatabankII A-wing trainer (RZ-1T) in the Databank (backup link)
  4. Star Wars: Stealth Mission Book and Model
  5. Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know
  6. Before the Awakening
  7. Star Wars: The Rebel Files
  8. 8.0 8.1 8.2 StarWars-DatabankII A-wing Fighter in the Databank (backup link)
  9. Star Wars Encyclopedia of Starfighters and Other Vehicles
  10. 10.0 10.1 10.2 Star Wars: Commander
  11. 11.0 11.1 11.2 Ahsoka
  12. 12.0 12.1 Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
  13. Star Wars Battlefront
  14. The Rise of Kylo Ren 1
  15. 15.0 15.1 Poe Dameron 1
  16. VisionsCite Star Wars: Visions — "THE TWINS"
  17. 17.0 17.1 Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi
  18. Star Wars Rebels: The Siege of Lothal
  19. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Wings of the Master"
  20. SWRM "A Day's Duty" — Star Wars Rebels Magazine 15
  21. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Legacy"
  22. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "The Protector of Concord Dawn"
  23. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Homecoming"
  24. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "The Forgotten Droid"
  25. Star Wars Rebels: Steps Into Shadow
  26. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "The Antilles Extraction"
  27. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Iron Squadron"
  28. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Twin Suns"
  29. Rebels-mini-logo Star Wars Rebels — "Zero Hour"
  30. Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
  31. Star Wars: Timelines
  32. Star Wars (2020) 1
  33. Star Wars (2020) 10
  34. Star Wars (2020) 26
  35. Star Wars (2020) 36
  36. SWInsider "Blade Squadron" — Star Wars Insider 149150
  37. Alphabet Squadron
  38. Shattered Empire 2
  39. Star Wars Battlefront II
  40. Aftermath
  41. 41.0 41.1 "The Ghost Ship" — Star Wars Adventures: Destroyer Down
  42. Star Wars: On the Front Lines
  43. Poe Dameron 2
  44. Poe Dameron 3
  45. Poe Dameron 13
  46. The Last Jedi: Bomber Command
  47. 47.0 47.1 Star Wars: The Last Jedi: A Junior Novel
Advertisement