Assault on Grenbelt Academy

The Assault on Grenbelt Academy was the first mission for Ace Squadron, early in the Galactic Civil War.

Background
Several weeks after the Battle of Yavin, General Morgan was tasked by Mon Mothma with an assignment: to create a fighter squadron that could be sent on glamorous missions, destroying critical Imperial targets, so that morale for Rebel fighter recruits would be boosted. Morgan proceeded to put together a small task force, personally selecting trainees to join his squadron.

The result was Ace Squadron, an inexperienced, but promising X-wing group that would be used in glamorous missions that could be turned into propaganda. The first of these missions was selected when a Rebel spy delivered news that a unit of TIE fighters intended to jump ship and join the Rebellion at their first opportunity. After surveying the defenses of the Grenbelt Academy, General Morgan agreed to use his force to assist in the TIE pilots' defection.

The battle
Upon arrival in the Grenbelt system, Ace Squadron headed straight for the Imperial hangar, quickly disabling the turrets on either end of the hangar. Soon, a TIE fighter squadron was launched to destroy Morgan's transport, but Ace Squadron was able to fight them off. Another TIE squadron was launched, this one targeting Ace Squadron itself, but it, too, was successfully defeated.

To divert the enemy fighters while the defectors made their way to the transport, Ace Squadron attacked the academy superstructure, first aiming for their shield generators. This tactic only lasted awhile, as the Imperials soon realized that some of their pilots were defecting, and started to send fighters after them. Ace Squadron was forced to withdraw from the academy and defend the defectors.

Once the defecting TIE pilots each boarded the transport, Ace Squadron fought off two more squadrons of TIE fighters and also managed to take out the academy's main reactor, which effectively razed the base. Declaring the mission a success, Morgan ordered his forces to withdraw before Imperial reinforcements arrived.

Appearances

 * Star Wars: Ace and Commander