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- "Rogue Squadron, form up."
- ―Luke Skywalker
Rogue Squadron, also referred to as Rogue Group, was a Rebel Alliance starfighter squadron founded by Luke Skywalker during the Galactic Civil War. They were named for Rogue One, the team of Rebels led by Jyn Erso who sacrificed themselves to steal the Death Star plans during the Battle of Scarif. The squadron was officially formed during the Galactic Empire's attack on the Mako-Ta Space Docks and fought in a number of engagements, including the Battle of Hoth.
The squadron flew craft such as the T-47 airspeeders, T-65B X-wing starfighters, and occasionally BTL-A4 Y-wing assault starfighter/bombers when heavy ordnance was required.
Contents
History[edit | edit source]
Early formation[edit | edit source]
When the Galactic Empire brought its Death Star superweapon to bear on the Rebel Alliance's base on the moon Yavin 4,[8] the Rebel pilots of Red Squadron[9] attacked the space station. Only two of the squadron's pilots—Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles—survived the Battle of Yavin, with Skywalker's proton torpedoes destroying the Death Star and winning the day.[8]
Mako-Ta Space Docks[edit | edit source]
- "Good to have company, Wedge."
"No time for sentiment, Luke. We need to get fighting. So, Flight Leader, what's our call sign?"
"You know, Wedge, if we're acting like Jyn Erso, I have to disagree. Rogue Squadron, form up." - ―Luke Skywalker and Wedge Antilles, as Rogue Squadron is officially formed
In 1 ABY,[6] the Empire launched an attack on the Mako-Ta Space Docks. During the battle, Skywalker and Antilles impromptuly formed Rogue Squadron. In naming the squadron, Skywalker drew inspiration from Jyn Erso and her Rogue One team, who sacrificed themselves to steal the Death Star plans during the Battle of Scarif shortly before the Battle of Yavin. It was the sacrifice of Rogue One that allowed Skywalker and Antilles to fight in and ultimately survive the attack on the Death Star.[5]
To honor the actions of Erso and her squad, Skywalker decided the specific phrase "Rogue One" should be forever retired. While he served as Rogue Leader, the next pilot would be known by the callsign of Rogue Two instead of one.[3]
After Mako-Ta Space Docks[edit | edit source]
To honor his actions in the battle and replenish the Alliance leadership with commanding officers, Mon Mothma promoted Skywalker to commander.[10] Over time, Antilles became a respected veteran of the Alliance's Rogue Squadron.[11] Another distinguished pilot in the squadron was Derek "Hobbie" Klivian.[12]
Hoth[edit | edit source]
- "Rogue Group, use your harpoons and tow cables. Go for the legs. It might be our only chance of stopping them."
- ―Commander Luke Skywalker, during the Battle of Hoth
The Rebels later established Echo Base on the icy world of Hoth, and a number of Rebel pilots flew snowspeeders[1] in Rogue Squadron,[13] also known as Rogue Group.[1] In 3 ABY,[14] a month after Echo Base was established,[15] Skywalker and Captain Han Solo went missing in the planet's vast snowbanks,[1] however the T-47s weren't ready for Hoth's freezing conditions and temperature was dropping fast as light faded into night. It wasn't until first light that Rebel technicians had finally a figured out the coolant problem and gotten the speeders running. Within an hour, a dozen speeders were in the air, with Rogue Squadron splitting into groups of four to cover the search grid with maximum efficiency.[3] Zev Senesca (Rogue Two) found them both alive. Echo Base was soon after discovered by an Imperial probe droid, and the Rogues were tasked with delaying an Imperial ground assault while Alliance transport ships fled the system.[1]
Rogue Group during the Battle of Hoth
Skywalker flew as Rogue Leader in the Battle of Hoth against Imperial AT-AT walkers, with Dak Ralter serving as his rear gunner[1] and Klivian flying as their wingman.[12] Other Rogues in the battle included Senesca, as well as Antilles and Wes Janson as a pilot-gunner pair. When the AT-ATs' armor proved too strong for blasters, Skywalker suggested tripping the walkers' legs using harpoons and tow cables. A direct hit on his speeder killed Ralter, however, leaving the task of tripping the first AT-AT to Antilles and Janson. They succeeded, but Skywalker's vehicle was shot down and crushed by a walker's massive foot.[1]
Having escaped the wreckage, Skywalker continued the fight by using a grappling hook to ascend to one of the walkers' underbellies. Cutting it open with his lightsaber, he tossed a grenade inside, which exploded and took the AT-AT down.[1] Klivian, meanwhile, rammed his craft into the lead walker,[12] but only after that walker fulfilled its objective of destroying the base's shield generator. Imperial snowtroopers were thus able to enter the base. The delaying tactic proved a success, as a number of Alliance transports were able to escape the system.[1]
Post-Hoth[edit | edit source]
Following the evacuation of Hoth, with Skywalker absent, as he had not reached the predetermined rendezvous point[1], Antilles was promoted to the rank of commander by The Contessa and given command of what was left of the squadron. Rather than continue with the Rogue Group name, Antilles decided to reform Red Squadron, with Janson as his newly appointed executive officer, and whoever they could recruit from the pilots at the rendezvous point.[16]
Later, Antilles continued to lead Rogue Squadron after Skywalker decided to take a leave of absence to focus on personal matters.[2]
Post-Endor[edit | edit source]
- "Wedge Antilles, Rogue Squadron."
- ―Wedge Antilles introducing himself to a New Republic pilot
Rogue Squadron served the New Republic after the Battle of Endor, with Antilles still as a member under the rank of captain. General Hera Syndulla kept Rogue Squadron busy, handling classified missions.[7]
Battle above Yavin Prime[edit | edit source]
After the communications were re-established in the Bormea sector, Syndulla gave Antilles a temporary assignment to Project Starhawk, to steal an Imperial II-class Star Destroyer, a mission Antilles would normally have Rogue Squadron for. Instead, Antilles flew alongside Vanguard Squadron to steal the Imperial Star Destroyer Victorum that was in orbit over Yavin causing trouble for Talus Group.[7]
Behind the scenes[edit | edit source]
Rogue Group first appeared in the 1980 film Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back as a snowspeeder squadron flying in the Battle of Hoth.[1] They became a fabled unit known as Rogue Squadron within Star Wars Legends continuity.[17][18][19]
Appearances[edit | edit source]
- Star Wars: Battle Pod
- Star Wars: Galactic Defense
- Lost Stars
- Lost Stars audiobook
- Star Wars Battlefront
- Star Wars 52
- Star Wars 53
- Star Wars 54
- Star Wars 55
- Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back (First appearance)
Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures – "Battle of Hoth"- Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures – "Luke vs. Imperial Walkers - Commander on Hoth"
- The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi?
- The Empire Strikes Back: So You Want to Be a Jedi? audiobook
- Star Wars: The Empire Strikes Back junior novelization
- AT-AT Attack!
- "Ion Control"—From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
- "A Good Kiss"—From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (Mentioned only)
- "Rogue Two"—From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
- "Rendezvous Point"—From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back (Mentioned only)
- "Tales of Villainy: Invasion of Echo Base"—Star Wars Adventures 1
- Star Wars 11 (Mentioned only)
- Star Wars: Squadrons
- Star Wars: Rogue Squadron
Non-canon appearances[edit | edit source]
LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales – "Flight of the Falcon"
Sources[edit | edit source]
Notes and references[edit | edit source]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 1.17 Star Wars: Episode V The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Star Wars: The Rebel Files
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "Rogue Two"—From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Star Wars Battlefront
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 5.2 Star Wars 52
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 According to Ultimate Star Wars, New Edition, the Assault on the Mako-Ta Space Docks occurred around a year after the Battle of Yavin. As Star Wars: Galactic Atlas establishes that the battle marks the beginning of 0 ABY, the Assault must take place around 1 ABY.
- ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 Star Wars: Squadrons
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope
- ↑
Rebel Pilots Biography Gallery in the Databank (backup link); image #1 (of 15)
- ↑ Star Wars 55
- ↑ Wedge Antilles in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 Ultimate Star Wars
- ↑ Zev Senesca in the Databank (backup link)
- ↑ Star Wars: Galactic Atlas
- ↑ Lost Stars
- ↑ "Rendezvous Point"—From a Certain Point of View: The Empire Strikes Back
- ↑ "Who's Who in Rogue Squadron"—Star Wars Insider 59
- ↑ The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Vol. III, p. 106-107 ("Rogue Squadron")
- ↑ The New Jedi Order Sourcebook
