 |  |
Imperial Navy Troopers, also known as Naval Troopers, Imperial fleet troopers, were the naval soldiers of the Imperial Navy, the space branch of the Galactic Empire's military. Those infantry, who were separate from the elite, white-armored stormtroopers or the regular troopers of the Imperial Army, were trained in advanced warfare and independent command, which included shipboard combat, repulsing boarders, and pacifying escaped detainees. Additionally, most were cross-trained in some operational duty. Like gunners and ground crewmen, Navy Troopers played a vital role in day-to-day operations.
Description[]
Role[]
The Death Star Trooper wore black uniforms and flared, reflective helmets.
While not as feared by rebel troopers as their stormtrooper brethren, they still maintained an aura of importance[7] as they participated in Imperial Military assaults on installations[8] and other on-the-ground operations.[9] However, they were most commonly found guarding and maintaining far-away outposts, mining stations, and jails, and generally were not as well trained or competent.[8] Although stormtroopers could serve in a similar capacity,[10] they were also found aboard Imperial starships, such as the Executor-class Star Dreadnought, as a secruity force.[11] Aboard the Cantwell-class Arrestor Cruiser, Imperial Navy Troopers served in an operator role on the bridge.[12]
Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin himself selected a number of Navy troopers, later known as Death Star Troopers, to set up a commanding force aboard the Death Star battle station. Aboard the Death Star, those elite troopers were charged with a variety of duties for which their combat skills were not necessarily required, such as guarding detention blocks and operating the battle station's planet-killing superlaser alongside Imperial weapons technicians.[3] Gate officers were Navy Troopers who controlled which ships could pass through the Shield Gate over Scarif to reach the facilities below.[4]
Uniform[]
Imperial Navy Troopers could use rank insignia plaques to display their military ranks.
There were three different uniforms worn by the troopers, although all featured the distinctive large, black protective helmet with a chinstrap. The first uniform was a black Imperial officer's uniform, sometimes complete with code cylinders and a rank insignia plaque.[4] The other uniforms consisted of boiler suits similar to the ones worn by Imperial technicians. Just as with technicians, they could be black[13] or light grey.[14]
History[]
Navy troopers investigated Mitth'raw'nuruodo's planet early in the era of the Galactic Empire, only to fall victim to Thrawn's traps before he boarded their Star Destroyer, the Strikefast. After Thrawn had risen through the ranks of the Imperial Navy and became an Admiral, Navy Troopers served under him in the Battle of Batonn.[9]
In 13 BBY, three navy troopers guarded the room in which Imperial Navy Cadet Han Solo's tribunal was held. As Solo pled his case, he began approaching Commodore Almudin, prompting one of the troopers to aggressively step forward. Solo stopped speaking and stepped back.[15]
During the Lothal campaign, several navy troopers worked in Lothal's Imperial Complex's command center. During the final battle to liberate Lothal, former ISB agent turned Rebel Alliance Captain Alexsandr Kallus disguised himself as a trooper. The troopers then allowed Governor Pryce and the Rebels to land. When the rebels attacked, the troopers attempted to lock down the complex to no avail. The remaining navy troopers perished after Protocol 13 was initiated and the complex was destroyed.[16]
In 3 ABY, several navy troopers dragged away the lifeless body of Lorth Needa aboard the Executor, after he was strangled to death with the Force by Darth Vader.[11]
Navy troopers also took part in the on-the-ground engagements of the Siege of Inyusu Tor[8] and the Battle of Endor.[13]
Appearances[]
Non-canon appearances[]
Sources[]
Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: Death Star Trooper - Galactic Empire - Base Series 1)- Star Wars Helmet Collection 6 (Weapons & Uniforms: The Imperial Fleet)
- Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- Star Wars: Build Your Own R2-D2 7 (Building the Galaxy: The Star Wars Stunt Team) (Picture only)
- Star Wars: Build Your Own R2-D2 7 (Droid Directory: LOM-series Protocol Droids) (Picture only)
- Solo: A Star Wars Story The Official Guide
- Star Wars Helmet Collection 68 (Helmets: First Order Fleet Engineer)
- Allies and Adversaries
- Star Wars: How Not to Get Eaten by Ewoks and Other Galactic Survival Skills (Picture only)
- Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition
- Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian — "Score"
- Disney Gallery: The Mandalorian — "Connections"
- "Imperial Troops" — Star Wars Encyclopedia (First identified as Naval Trooper)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ Tarkin
- ↑
"Imperial Troops" — Star Wars Encyclopedia
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3
Star Wars: Card Trader (Card: Death Star Trooper - Galactic Empire - Base Series 1)
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 Rogue One: A Star Wars Story
- ↑ Darth Vader (2017) 9
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens
- ↑ Star Wars: Rogue One: The Ultimate Visual Guide
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 Battlefront: Twilight Company
- ↑ 9.0 9.1 Thrawn
- ↑ Darth Vader (2020) 37
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ Andor — "Daughter of Ferrix"
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi
- ↑ "The Trouble at Tibrin, Part II" — Star Wars Adventures (2017) 5
- ↑ Solo: A Star Wars Story: Expanded Edition
- ↑ Star Wars Rebels — "Family Reunion – and Farewell"