Biker Advanced Recon Commando

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Biker Advanced Recon Commandos, also referred to as BARC troopers, were special forces clone troopers of the Grand Army of the Republic that were trained to ride BARC speeders across difficult terrain or dangerous battlegrounds. BARC troopers were equipped with modified clone trooper armor that directed their attention forward to avoid distractions, which could be dangerous to them at high speeds. During the final days of the Clone Wars, BARC troopers under the command of Jedi General Stass Allie and Clone Commander Neyo were present on the planet Saleucami. Whilst out on a speeder bike patrol, Neyo was issued Order 66 by the Supreme Chancellor of the Galactic Republic, Sheev Palpatine, which forced him to open fire on his superior. As a result Allie, like most of the other Jedi across the galaxy, was killed by the troops.

Description[]

BARC troopers were specialized ARC troopers who were trained to pilot high speed BARC speeders in combat.^[2] They were often assigned reconnaissance missions, but could also act as cavalry for their allies or as a vanguard for ARF troopers or AT-RTs. BARC troopers excelled at high speeds and boasted they had the speediest reaction times in the clone army. BARC troopers were also skilled in armed and unarmed combat as well as military tactics.^[6] BARC troopers tended to get impatient while riding slower, conventional clone trooper craft, as they were trained to think and move quickly.^[2]

History[]

BARCspeeder DB — BARC troopers control BARC speeders on the planet Saleucami.

Like most clone troopers,^[7] BARC troopers were 1.83 meters or 6 feet tall.^[6] During the Clone Wars, BARC troopers were used prominently on Christophsis, Orto Plutonia and Kashyyyk.^[2] By the year 19 BBY,^[8] BARC troopers in the 91st Mobile Reconnaissance Corps were stationed on Saleucami during the Outer Rim Sieges of the Clone Wars. Whilst riding across the planet's terrain on a BARC speeder, Clone Commander Neyo was issued Order 66 by Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine of the Galactic Republic.^[3] Forced to comply as a result of their behavioral modification biochips,^[9] he and a wingman opened fire on Jedi General Stass Allie's speeder, destroying the vehicle and killing the Jedi.^[3] After carrying out Order 66, Commander Neyo and his troops would go on to serve the newly formed Galactic Empire^[4] which succeeded the Republic following Order 66 and the outbreak of the Great Jedi Purge, with the BARC troopers of the 91st Recon Corps proceeding to serve in the new Imperial Army.^[5]

Equipment[]

BARC troopers wore a modified variant of standard clone trooper armor,^[10] with a helmet that was fitted with blinders to direct attention forward and minimize distractions,^[2] that could be dangerous at high speeds.^[10] Clone troopers on BARC speeders in armor similar to, but not exactly the same^[11] as that of Phase II era BARC troopers,^[3] were active within a battle on Saleucami^[11] between 21 BBY and 20 BBY.^[12]

Behind the scenes[]

The image for BARC troopers in the reference book Star Wars: The Clone Wars: Character Encyclopedia - Join the Battle! shows Jesse on Saleucami while transporting a wounded Rex. However, while Jesse was later promoted to ARC trooper,^[6] he was never seen wearing BARC trooper armor. Rex, Jesse, Kix and Hardcase all piloted BARC speeders during the Battle of Saleucami, but they were not BARC troopers themselves.^[13]