Arrow Squadron

Arrow Squadron was a unique Rebel Alliance starfighter squadron founded by Dak Oolron in early 0 ABY. Formed to test and evaluate cutting-edge starfighter prototypes, the squadron also served to draw the Empire’s attention and military force away from the Alliance High Command as it was situated on the opposite side of the Galaxy. The group was able to assist in Northern Mid Rim Alliance operations throughout the Galactic Civil War, often utilizing hit-and-fade tactics to disable Interdictor cruisers. Arrow Squadron participated most notably at the First Battle of Mon Calamari, but suffered heavy losses leading to a reorganization in 10 ABY. The squadron continued to serve the New Republic until it was dissolved in 20 ABY.

Miss Fortuna
During the Battle of Kuat the prototype pocket carrier Miss Fortuna was stolen from the Kuat shipyards by Rebel forces. After being pursued by a Kuat Drive Yards Law-class patrol craft, the new crew of Miss Fortuna finally found safe haven on Ord Mantell. Due to its status as a smuggler's den, the Ugly Fortuna was hidden from further investigation at Ord Mantell and adopted some temporary hull plating to help hide its true function.

Formation of Arrow Squadron
Following the destruction of the first Death Star, the Rebellion saw a surge in recruitment. Seeing the potential, then-Lieutenant Dak Oolron, part of the Rebel team that hijacked Miss Fortuna, petitioned Alliance High Command for permission to form a new squadron which would be based out of Miss Fortuna. Based on his background as a test pilot, one of the primary missions of the new squadron would be to assess prototype designs for new Alliance starfighters. High Command concluded that this would be an excellent arrangement; smugglers and pirates were known for having heavily modified ships, so no one would notice if an out-of-the-ordinary ship was seen flying around Ord Mantell. The squadron was then approved for formation, and Oolron was promoted to the rank of Commander.

Dak then began recruiting members to join his new squadron. While Ord Mantell boasted many great pilots, he was determined not to take any old smuggler that could fly a ship; it was important that each of his pilots would be of good character and get along with the others.

Once his squadron was formed, it needed a name. Arrow Squadron was chosen due to their hope of striking fear into the hearts of Imperials besieged by them, as well as being a symbol of the precision attacks carried out by the group. The squadron was split into three flights of four fighters each: Whiskey Flight was composed of space superiority starfighters, Tango Flight was composed of starfighter-bombers, and Foxtrot Flight was composed of speedy interceptors.

Galactic Civil War
Arrow Squadron was involved in several Northern Mid Rim missions throughout the course of the Galactic Civil War. One of the squadron’s roles was to neutralize Interdictor cruisers to allow Alliance craft to freely jump to lightspeed, usually using hit-and-fade tactics. Arrow Squadron also completed testing of the R-22 Spearhead prototype during this era, and approved production plans for the RZ-1 A-wing interceptor.

Mindor
The squadron was called for as reinforcement during the Battle of Mindor, but was unable to arrive before Shadowspawn’s gravity mines were activated, effectively preventing them from participating in the battle. They were able to help in clearing a lane for the task force’s escape to hyperspace, though.

Thrawn
Arrow Squadron was still stationed at Ord Mantell when starwars:Thrawn attacked the world. While the battle was considered an Imperial victory, the squadron was able to retreat with minimal losses once it was realized the New Republic force was outmatched. After the battle it was decided that Arrow Squadron should be relocated to Dac to fortify the defenses of the Mon Calamari homeworld. Fortunately, Thrawn’s campaign ended at the Battle of Bilbringi, but Arrow Squadron remained on Dac.

Dac
The group’s most famous battle came in 10 ABY at the First Battle of Mon Calamari. Due to their experience with the prototype models, Lieutenants Sam Usaran and Adatin Perfor were chosen to lead a squadron of E-wing escort starfighters and V-wing airspeeders, respectively. Their bravery during the battle led to each being promoted to the rank of Captain. Unfortunately, the squadron suffered heavy losses during the intense battle, namely all four fighters of Foxtrot Flight. Oolron decided to reorganize the squadron, with Sam and Thale moving to lead Foxtrot Flight, while he and Adatin would remain in charge of Whiskey and Tango flights, respectively.

Arrow Squadron also participated in the defense of Dac in the Second Battle of Mon Calamari in 11 ABY. Thale’s achievement of shooting down five TIE bombers was one of the factors leading to her promotion to Captain following the battle.

Dissolution
Arrow Squadron continued to serve the New Republic until open conflict between the New Republic and Imperial Remnant were brought to an end by the signing of the Pellaeon–Gavrisom Treaty (19 ABY). After the treaty was signed, Thale decided to retire from the squadron and join Luke Skywalker's Jedi Praxeum to train and further her knowledge of the Force. Thale’s resignation precipitated the dissolution of the squadron in 20 ABY. Due to their experience and rank, many of Arrow Squadron’s former members went on to lead other New Republic squadrons during the Yuuzhan Vong War and beyond.

Crest
As the unit was a semi-covert group, gaudy, matching paint jobs were never applied to their starfighters. In fact, the squadron lacked any sort of unifying symbol until Thale joined at the start of 2 ABY. Shortly after joining the squadron, she decided that the all-black paint scheme of her Chiss Clawcraft was boring, and repainted it cerulean blue. On top of the blue she painted an orange arrow on each “claw.”

When Oolron saw her work he was inspired to draw up a crest for the squadron. It was a simple design: a single orange arrow with X-wing S-foils replacing the fletching on the archaic weapon. The squadron embraced the design and incorporated it in different ways on their various craft, not wanting to look “too official.” On some craft it was merely an orange stripe along the fuselage, while others, like the A-wings, painted an orange arrow on the dorsal and ventral sides of their fighters.

Uniform
Arrow Squadron pilots often supplied their own flightsuits, so there was no set uniform. Due to the abundance of flightsuits made in orange, however, this tended to be what most squadron members wore while in the cockpit. On the ground, Arrows wore comfortable, practical clothing of the fashion typically worn by smugglers and pirates.

Recreation
The Arrows had a variety of options for recreation on Ord Mantell. There were several cantinas to choose from near their home base in Worlport, and not far to the south was a sandy coastline. Some, like Commander Oolron, like to sharpen their skills with a blaster, while others, such as Lieutentant Thale, preferred to quietly read or meditate. The squadron as a whole enjoyed watching the annual Blockade Runners' Derby, which Miss Fortuna entered almost every year while on Ord Mantell. After their relocation to Dac, Arrow Squadron found less time for leisure, but still was able to unwind from time to time when not performing a mission (or defense of the planet).

Dak Oolron
Dak Oolron was the founder and leader of Arrow Squadron. A human male from Fresia, he flew his personal Z-95 Headhunter early in his career, changing to a prototype Z-35 Coromon in 7 ABY. Dak was a cheerful man who could befriend anyone. He was known as a confident, fair leader and was fiercely loyal to his squadron, family, and friends.

Ash’alcyon
Ash’alcyon was a female Twi’lek from Ryloth. Though “Haly” was a common name for Twi’lek males, she took this on as a nickname as she was secure in her femininity and was sort of a tomboy, anyway. She joined the Alliance prior to the formation of Arrow Squadron and piloted a T-65 X-wing starfighter during a second heist of the ships prior to the Battle of Yavin. She would continue flying the craft, evaluating its flaws and suggesting upgrades for future models.

Thale
Mith'ale'nuruodo, or Thale, as she was known by her squadron-mates, was a Chiss female from Csilla. After crash-landing on Yashuvhu, she left Chiss space for Ord Mantell with Thantaroz, where they met Oolron. Thale had a quiet personality, and disliked conflict within the squadron. Following the Second Battle of Mon Calamari, Thale was promoted from Lieutenant to Captain and became the new X.O. for Arrow Squadron. After the signing of the Pellaeon–Gavrisom Treaty she decided to retire from the squadron and join Luke Skywalker's Jedi Praxeum to train and further her knowledge of the Force.

Sam Usaran
Sam Usaran was a male Nagai from Rhommamool. For years he flew an early-model X-wing like Haly’s, but was asked to test pilot a prototype for the new E-wing escort starfighter starting in 8 ABY. Usaran is noted for leading a squadron of E-wings during First Battle of Mon Calamari in 10 ABY. After the battle, Sam returned to the squadron, but continued assisting Incom perfect the E-wing, including helping solve the laser cannon problem with the help of his R7 astromech droids, Mara and Link. Sam liked to joke around with his wingmate, Thale, and nicknamed her droid, Pi, “Key Lime.”

Renegade
Not much was recorded about Renegade, a human male. He flew a R-22 Spearhead, later replacing it with the RZ-1 A-wing when it became available.

Dralshka’rta Fett
Dralshka’rta, or Karta, as she was called by friends, was a Human female from Mandalore. Her given name, translated from Mando’a, means “Strong Heart.” A distant relative of Boba Fett, Karta was also a descendent of Cassus Fett. Yearning to see the galaxy, she left Mandalore by stowing away on a freighter, which eventually took her to Ord Mantell. Karta was able to take the place of an original squadron member who was mistakenly shot in a cantina, piloting the other A-wing in the group.

Adatin Perfor
Adatin Perfor was a Zeltron male from Zeltros. Perfor became a proficient airspeeder pilot pulling repulsorlift cargo modules with a T-47 for his family’s heating coil repair business. Adatin joined Arrow Squadron after witnessing its pure fiery passion firsthand when they came to resupply in the nearby spaceport. Perfor is noted for leading a squadron of V-wing airspeeders during First Battle of Mon Calamari in 10 ABY. In normal operations with the squadron, Adatin flew a heavily-modified Nimbus-class V-wing starfighter-bomber and was the leader of Tango Flight.

Salkazza
Salkazza was a Wookiee from Kashyyyk who escaped his Imperial captors. Due to his unusual height, even for a Wookie, he modified a Y-wing by removing the two standard seats and replacing them with a single large, reclined seat. Salkazza was the oldest member of the squadron and served as X.O. until his death at the Second Battle of Mon Calamari in 11 ABY.

Thantaroz
Though not a flying member of the squadron, Thantaroz used his Jedi insight to act as a counselor for the members of Arrow Squadron and the crew of Miss Fortuna. He was the reason for Thale joining the squadron, and served as the squadron’s quartermaster. After Thale’s departure from the squadron in 19 ABY, he decided to return to Yashuvhu.

Behind the scenes
Arrow Squadron was developed from the Facebook app “Jedi vs Sith.” A group was formed to allow friends made on the app to talk directly to each other without the interruptions of petty Sith-wannabes.

The inspiration for the host ship of Arrow Squadron, Miss Fortuna, was based upon Night Caller, though the creator had, at that point, only read the Wookiepedia article and not the Wraith Squadron series of books. In that sense, Arrow Squadron was loosely based on Wraith Squadron, but only accidentally.