181st Imperial Fighter Wing The 181st Imperial Fighter Wing was an elite TIE unit serving the Galactic Empire and its descendants . At its height under the Empire , it was a three - squadron unit known as the 181st Imperial Fighter Group and distinguished by the red bloodstripes that marked the wings of its TIE interceptors . Initially the 181st Imperial Fighter Wing of the Galactic Empire , it suffered from an abysmal reputation . Commanded by Colonel Evir Derricote , the 181st had lax discipline and low morale . It enjoyed a tremendous improvement with the arrival of Captain Soontir Fel in 0 BBY . Fel took command of the second squadron of the wing and quickly whipped it into shape with intense discipline and drilling . When called to fight in the Second Battle of Ord Biniir , Fel ' s squadron significantly outperformed its Rebel opposition . It so happened that the battle occurred on the same day as the Imperial loss at the Battle of Yavin , and the success at Ord Biniir was propagandized heavily . Fel was promoted , and the unit was downsized to a group of three squadrons and completely reformed with an elite roster . While Derricote remained in command , Fel was the true force behind the unit ' s success as it became one of the Empire ' s premier fighter groups . Fel took formal command in 3 ABY , when he was promoted to colonel and given the title of Baron of the Empire . Fel led the 181st for another two years before he was captured by the New Republic during the 181st ' s defeat at the Battle of Brentaal IV . Turr Phennir became the unit ' s commander , continuing to lead it through the turbulent times of the Empire ' s fall , becoming a general in the Imperial Remnant and finding the 181st a place there . The organization survived the changeover from the Remnant to the revived Galactic Empire , serving Fel ' s descendant Emperors , and eventually was reorganized as a wing once more . History . " One - Eighty - Worst " . During the early years of the Galactic Civil War , the 181st Imperial Fighter Wing was an extremely disreputable fighter wing serving the Galactic Empire , nicknamed the One - Eighty - Worst . Commanded by Commander Evir Derricote , who spent most of his time garden ing , it was regarded as a unit where careers went to die . Discipline was sloppy and morale was low , with the men simply whiling away time until they expected to be sent to their deaths by the political enemies who had gotten them transferred into the wing . Shirtsleeves were the normal dress , drunkenness was common , personnel left their barracks in a state of disarray , and military regulations were ignored . Pilots did not even salute or rise for Derricote . Derricote provided extremely little in the way of leadership and was resigned to the squadron ' s condition , preferring to attract as little notice as possible from his superiors and keep from drawing any missions . In 1 BBY , the unit was stationed on Heurkea Floating City on Dac as part of the Imperial occupation of that world . The 181st pilots flew constant patrols ; there were at least two 181st TIEs in the air at all times except for full - wing debriefings once every five days . At one point , members of the Alliance to Restore the Republic , a recently formed group rebelling against the Empire , arrived on Dac to recruit Gial Ackbar , a prominent member of the native Mon Calamari , into the Rebellion . Viceroy Bail Prestor Organa of Alderaan , leading the expedition , and Ackbar captured Derricote during their mission , while the advanced droid PROXY used his holographic abilities to impersonate Derricote at one of the full - unit briefings and issue orders that kept the pilots occupied while the Dac resistance attempted to assassinate Grand Moff Wilhuff Tarkin , who commanded the occupation . They failed , and released Derricote to spread word of the resistance ' s determination . In 0 BBY , Captain Soontir Fel arrived in the unit to take command of the second squadron of the wing . He had formerly been an accomplished TIE pilot before becoming an instructor at Prefsbelt Fleet Camp . Two of his top students defected to the Rebel Alliance after graduating , and Fel was disgraced . As a result , he received a punitive transfer to the 181st , where Derricote had received a promotion to colonel . A strict disciplinarian , Fel began reshaping the 2 / 181st into a regimented , drilled , high - performance squadron with Derricote ' s permission . Eventually , the 2 / 181st was given the assignment to retake Ord Biniir , which had fallen to the Rebel Alliance with an entire wing of starfighters defending it . Fel led the squadron through the Second Battle of Ord Biniir , in which the squadron performed extremely well , driving the Rebels off the world . As it so happened , that victory occurred on the same day as the Battle of Yavin , which saw the Empire handed its greatest loss yet with the destruction of the Death Star . Elite unit . Fel was promoted to major and decorated in a ceremony on Coruscant that propagandized the victory at Ord Biniir , attempting to play down the other events of the day . The unit was transferred to Coruscant , where it was downsized to a group of three squadrons and rebuilt as an elite unit . The 181st Imperial Fighter Wing became the 181st Imperial Fighter Group , and while Derricote retained command , it was Fel who was the real force behind the rebuilding process . Fel oversaw the recruiting of new , elite pilots . He accepted only those with skills that met his expectations and attitudes that would be conducive to building an elite squadron . He wanted dedicated , hard - working pilots , not glory - seekers . One of his recruits was Captain Turr Phennir , who quickly became one of the unit ' s top pilots . Fel spent the next several years drilling the squadron , and their performance on the battlefield drew praise . They became renowned as an elite unit , feared by Rebel pilots and celebrated in the Imperial Navy , and Fel served as a powerful recruiting symbol for the fighter corps . In time , the 181st came to be considered the very best TIE unit in the Empire . In 3 ABY , the 181st was assigned to ambush an arms convoy near Derra IV and briefed by Darth Vader himself . In the battle , the second squadron was assigned to prey on the transports while Fel led the first squadron in picking off the fighter cover . The third squadron took on targets of opportunity in the dogfight . The Rebel convoy was routed in a major victory for the Empire , and a ceremony was held on Coruscant to honor the 181st ' s achievements , over which Galactic Emperor Palpatine himself presided . Derricote was promoted to general and transferred out of the unit . Fel was promoted to colonel and given a barony and command of the 181st . Phennir was promoted to commander and made a squadron commander and Fel ' s executive officer . Fel in command . The 181st continued to serve under Vader , becoming attached to his Death Squadron . They fought at Hoth , where they targeted escaping transports . After that battle , they upgraded to the TIE / IN interceptor and participated in the crushing of Prince Xizor , the head of Black Sun and Vader ' s rival , in a battle against his private navy over Coruscant . The unit began a practice of marking red stripes on the wings of the interceptors of any pilot with over ten kills , a feature that soon became a trademark of the unit . The 181st fought at the Battle of Endor , protecting the communications ship s of Death Squadron - the battlecruiser " Pride of Tarlandia " and the " Imperial " - class Star Destroyers " Chimaera " and " Avenger " . In particular , Saber Squadron , one of the unit ' s components , was assigned to protect the " Avenger " . Red Leader Wedge Antilles later reflected on the trepidation he felt when he saw the red stripes on the wings of the squadron ' s TIE Interceptors . The 181st inflicted heavy casualties on the Rebel Green and Blue Squadrons , but the fighter group was outnumbered and was receiving contradictory orders . The Alliance was able to concentrate its starfighters on the " Tarlandia " , allowing Gemmer Sojan to destroy the ship with his A - wing . The loss of the " Pride of Tarlandia " seriously disrupted the Empire ' s communications and contributed to the lack of coordination that allowed the Rebels to destroy the Death Star . The Battle of Endor was a massive loss , with both Palpatine and Vader killed and the second Death Star destroyed . The fleet and the 181st retreated in confusion to Annaj . Several commanders began splitting away , taking their resources and going rogue as warlords . In the midst of the chaos and political infighting for control , the 181st remained loyal to the " de jure " successor government of the Empire on Coruscant led by Sate Pestage . At this time , Fel recruited Tan Maarek Stele , a famed TIE pilot , into the 181st . The Battle of Brentaal IV . Nine months after Palpatine ' s death , one of the 181st ' s squadrons was assigned to the moonbase garrison protecting Brentaal IV , a Core World in the New Republic ' s invasion corridor . It had been scouted by Rogue Squadron , and Ysanne Isard , the Director of Imperial Intelligence and a major figure in the government under Sate Pestage , dispatched the fighters to guard it from a possible invasion attempt . In short order , it was attacked by the New Republic . The 181st pilots there flew against the elite Rogue Squadron , and while they provided solid opposition , they were eliminated by the Rogues and the moonbase was taken . In response to the loss , Isard dispatched Fel and the rest of the 181st to defend Brentaal IV . The planet was under the command of the incompetent Admiral Lon Isoto , and Fel came to strongly suspect that Isard was deliberately setting up the world to fall , sacrificing the 181st to make Pestage look like a fool and usurp power from him . Fel ' s suppositions were correct . Isoto was convinced the attack would come on Vuultin , his capital , but Fel thought it more likely the New Republic would attack Oradin , which had the spaceport facilities to land troops . At Isoto ' s insistence , Fel kept the 3 / 181st in Vuultin , but concentrated his forces at Oradin . Dissatisfied with Isoto ' s orders , Phennir suggested to Fel that he take command of the world and strike out on his own as a warlord , but Fel , ever a man of duty , refused . When the New Republic struck , the 181st answered . The Rogues attacked Vuultin , thinking the 181st was headquartered there , and Aggressor Wing , a Y - wing unit , was sent to support the occupation of Oradin . The Vuultin fighters shot down a handful of Rogues , including Wes Janson , while Fel and his Alpha Squadron savaged the Y - wings in the Oradin theater . Phennir led attacks on the landing craft . While the main attack was clearly aimed at Oradin , Isoto recalled all Fel ' s forces to Vuultin , where his headquarters were under attack . Phennir again urged that Isoto be left to his own devices , but Fel complied with his orders . The 181st withdrew , and Phennir provided a rearguard , charged with destroying as many Oradin assets as possible as they withdrew . The Rogues , however , departed Vuultin before Fel ' s fighters ever got there , while Oradin fell . Isoto , mistaking the losses inflicted on the New Republic for victory , held a celebration in which the members of the squadron were awarded a medal concocted by Isoto for the occasion , the Oradin Diamond . Fel refused any reward , understanding that Isard was sacrificing Brentaal IV and the men of his fighter group . That night , a convoy arrived from Coruscant , looking to evacuate the wealthy Imperials of Brentaal IV . The 181st scrambled to defend the evacuation . The battle moved from Vuultin to space as the evacuation got underway , and Tycho Celchu of Rogue Squadron nearly killed Phennir , who shepherded the evacuation when Fel battled Antilles and was captured via a surprise ion cannon attack by Colonel Horton Salm of Aggressor Wing . Brentaal IV fell , but many of its wealthy were evacuated safely . The unit under Phennir . The 181st continued to be the Empire ' s most elite unit , with Phennir becoming its commander as Fel defected to the New Republic . Fel was vilified as a traitor for his defection , and the loss at Brentaal IV was blamed on him ; the 181st , however , retained a strong reputation . During Phennir ' s leadership , in 7 ABY , Warlord Zsinj had actor Tetran Cowall impersonate Fel , commanding an impostor 181st consisting of an even mix of pilots and droid - piloted TIEs packed with explosives that flew as their wingmen . It was designed as a trap for Wedge Antilles of Rogue Squadron , who was known to have searched for Fel after he had disappeared in 5 ABY . While the ploy fooled New Republic analysts for a time , the Empire maintained the true 181st , and Antilles eventually exposed the plot , to no gain for Zsinj . The 181st remained in Imperial service , and may have been present at the Battle of Bilbringi ; at least one interceptor in 181st colors was present at the battle , but as it was common for veterans of the unit to retain the trademark red stripes even after transferring out of it , it is not clear that the unit was participating in Thrawn ' s attack . After the Empire crumbled in 10 ABY , some 181st pilots or former pilots went rogue , serving with warlords like Leonia Tavira . The 181st Imperial Fighter Group as a unit , however , became part of the Imperial Remnant , formed in 12 ABY by Admirals Natasi Daala and Gilad Pellaeon . Phennir retained command and was promoted to the rank of general , with the three squadrons of the 181st maintaining their elite reputation . Following the reunification of the Outer Rim Moffs and warlords into the Imperial Remnant , the 181st participated in the Orinda campaign , Gilad Pellaeon ' s first offensive against the New Republic . Deployed from Borosk aboard the Star Dreadnought " Reaper " , Phennir ' s squadrons assisted in the capture of Orinda and six other systems along the Entralla Route . When the New Republic counterattacked with the Dreadnought " Lusankya " , Phennir and the 181st skirmished across the Mid Rim with their old adversaries , Rogue Squadron . The 181st won at Hewett and Tartaglia , and fought alongside the Pellaeon ' s " Reaper " at Darkon , and again at Traval - Pacor . The 181st fought Rogue Squadron to a draw at Orocco , and successfully halted Wedge Antilles ' drive up the Entralla Route at Tyan . When New Republic reinforcements led by the " Endurance " moved in , the 181st fought a holding action at Obredaan before retreating to Orinda itself , where they participated in the decisive battle of the campaign which saw the destruction of the " Endurance " and the retreat of the " Lusankya " . Diplomacy on Adumar . In 13 ABY , Adumar , a world colonized by exiled insurrectionists ages ago , rediscovered the wider galaxy . The Adumari , who idolized combat pilots , decided to accept envoys from both the New Republic and Imperial Remnant before choosing with which state to ally . The Remnant sent Phennir and three other 181st pilots aboard Admiral Teren Rogriss ' s " Agonizer " as their diplomatic point men , receiving a heroic reception in the nation of Cartann . They did not learn that the New Republic was also in talks with the Adumari until Phennir bumped into Antilles at a diplomatic reception at the palace of Cartann ' s perator , Pekaelic ke Teldan , the night of their arrival . The pilots spent much of their time familiarizing themselves with the local fighter , the Blade - 32 . On their first day , they were introduced to the Adumari practice of challenging opponents to aerial duels . They accepted a challenge from four Adumari pilots , and shot each down in a dogfight . They continued in this pattern for some days , achieving great honor among the Adumari with their aerial victories , and spending their evenings at dinners with Adumari nobles . They exceeded the popularity of the New Republic pilots , who insisted on using simulated weapons in their duels , which was held by the Cartannese to be less honorable . Eventually , the perator of Cartann came to the decision to institute a world government unilaterally , promising to conquer any nations that resisted . The next day , the perator requested of both sides that they aid him in the war that would have to be waged against the recalcitrant countries ; Antilles refused , and his party was exiled from the court . Phennir agreed to lead the Cartann air forces . When Antilles accepted command of the forces of the nations arrayed against Cartann and led them in a surprise morning attack on Cartann , the pilots of the 181st flew for Cartann in their TIE interceptors , using their superior speed to cut repeatedly through the enemy forces , which had nothing to match their starfighters . Mass - fire tactics from Antilles and his Red Flight killed one of the pilots , but the TIEs shot down Celchu , one of the Red Flight combatants . After that exchange , Phennir avoided any units flying in formation . When Red Flight recaptured its X - wings , they killed another 181st pilot in their first pass , though the TIEs damaged Derek Klivian ' s fighter . The third of the pilots died in a dogfight with Antilles , and Phennir departed the field , retreating to the " Agonizer " . Shortly thereafter , Cartann surrendered to Antilles . Rogriss , unwilling to execute orders that would have him bomb the world and break his word to the Adumari that he would depart peacefully , sent the " Agonizer " and Phennir away before defecting to the Adumari . The 181st returned to Adumar with the Imperial assault force that was organized once " Agonizer " made contact with the Remnant . Elements of the wing escorted bombers sent to strike at the planet while Phennir flew an advanced TIE Defender in the space battle . Antilles , however , was able to damage Phennir ' s craft and force him to withdraw , quickly followed by an Imperial retreat . Serving the emperors . The 181st survived the Yuuzhan Vong and Second Galactic Civil War s . When Jagged Fel , son of the unit ' s former commander , became Emperor , the 181st served in the revived Fel Empire . It was reorganized as a wing once more , and served in mobile galaxy - wide naval operations . When the Sith Lord Darth Krayt usurped the throne in a coup at the conclusion of the Sith – Imperial War , the 181st Imperial Fighter Wing continued serving the Empire under Krayt , rather than defecting as a unit to Emperor - in - exile Roan Fel ' s service . Organization . The 181st was originally the 181st Imperial Fighter Wing , composed of six squadrons of TIEs . When it became an elite unit in 0 ABY , it was downsized to a group of three squadrons and renamed appropriately . These three squadrons were often referred to simply as the first squadron , second squadron , and third squadron , or 1 / 181st , 2 / 181st , and 3 / 181st ; however , they also used alternate designations . The first squadron could be referred to as Alpha Squadron , with Beta Squadron and Gamma Squadron designations presumably in use for the other two squadrons . During the Battle of Endor , a Saber Squadron designation was used that encompassed both Fel and Phennir , who generally commanded two separate squadrons . This may have been a designation unique to that battle . While the unit was based on Coruscant after its transformation into an elite unit , elements of it could be dispatched separately to various theaters of battle ; the group did not always operate as a single unit . It was typical for the unit ' s commander to lead the 1 / 181st , with the executive officer commanding the 2 / 181st . As of late 4 ABY , the third squadron was the group ' s least experienced , and given the general command hierarchy , the 3 / 181st may have usually been the least distinguished of the three . At some point , the 181st ' s transformation from a wing to a group was reversed . As of 137 ABY , the unit was once more a fighter wing , and still considered a highly elite unit . Equipment . The 181st Imperial Fighter Wing was initially equipped with the TIE / LN starfighter , the Empire ' s most common space superiority fighter . It was not until after the Battle of Hoth that the unit upgraded to the faster , more maneuverable , and better - armed TIE / IN interceptor , a more elite fighter for what was already known as an elite unit . It was with the interceptor that the 181st pioneered their signature marking , the red horizontal stripes along the interceptor ' s horizontally aligned wings , and it was with the interceptor that the 181st stayed for another decade , becoming among the most expert pilots of the interceptor alive . By 13 ABY , though some TIE / D Defenders were available , the 181st was not equipped with them , not even the elite diplomatic party sent to Adumar . On Phennir ' s punitive return to the world , however , he flew a Defender , as did some non - 181st pilots , but the fighter remained in highly limited deployment . In 137 ABY , when the 181st remained active , the primary Imperial fighter was the TIE Predator . Uniforms and insignia . After upgrading to the TIE interceptor , the pilots of the 181st began a custom of marking their wings horizontally with a pair of red stripes . Called the bloodstripes , these bars signified that the pilot had achieved ten combat kills . Due to the elite nature of the 181st , nearly every pilot ' s craft bore the bloodstripe , and it soon became a distinguishing feature of the 181st . The bloodstripes became a matter of great prestige , and pilots continued to apply them to their craft even after leaving the 181st in order to mark their past service in the unit . The red stripes were added to the 181st ' s uniforms as well , which bore red piping along the arm and leg of their otherwise ordinary flight suits and uniforms . Not to be confused with the Corellian Bloodstripe , these markings retained significant prestige as well , and were also retained by proud former pilots . Not all uniforms , however , were so modified , with the 181st ' s pilots retaining standard uniforms as well . Commanders . Evir Derricote . Colonel Evir Derricote was the commander of the 181st in its last days as the " One - Eighty - Worst . " Unmotivated and uninterested in the unit , he was content to let discipline and morale plummet while he tended to his true passion , his gardens , and avoided attention by superior officers and political enemies . In fact , he seemingly embraced the wing ' s lackluster reputation , jovially commenting on their dismal status . When the unit was reformed as an elite fighter group , it remained under Derricote ' s command , but he largely let Fel run things . Fel loved to garden as well , and the two spent time together tending to their flowers and plants . Derricote did not resent Fel ' s success , and was affably content to hitch his career to the rising star of the 181st while avoiding the serious burdens of command . At the Battle of Derra IV , Derricote took pleasure in shooting down transports , and the performance of the unit gained him a promotion to general and transfer out of the unit to command of Borleias ' s defenses . Soontir Fel . Captain Soontir Fel transferred into the 181st in 0 BBY , already a successful pilot and naval officer but undermined by the defection of two of his star students in his previous posting as an instructor . He took command of the 2 / 181st and quickly built it into an excellent squadron . A disciplinarian with a relentless work ethic , he believed in drilling his units to perfection . He demanded complete loyalty to the Imperial mission of bringing peace , tolerating no glory - seekers in his unit . Despite his hard command style , Fel was deeply invested in the well - being of his men , taking great pains to protect them . His performance allowed the 2 / 181st to excel at the Second Battle of Ord Biniir , which gained Fel a promotion to major and the 181st a reformation into an elite group . Derricote largely left command of the unit up to Fel , and Fel quickly built the 181st into one of the Empire ' s most elite units . The 181st became feared , and Fel became an Imperial hero , marrying star actress Wynssa Starflare . His legendary reputation was celebrated in Imperial academies and feared among the Rebel starfighter corps . After the Battle of Derra IV , Fel was elevated to the rank of colonel and given formal command of the 181st . He also received a barony from Palpatine himself . However , the Empire ' s seemingly ungrateful use of Grand Admiral Thrawn in the battle plan undermined Fel ' s faith in both the Empire and the Imperial doctrine of Human High Culture , as did the manipulations of Ysanne Isard . While Fel continued to serve with distinction and his commitment to taking orders and protecting Imperial citizens did not waver , Isard ' s intended sacrifice of the 181st at Brentaal IV shattered his faith in the Empire . His capture during the battle gave him the chance to rethink his loyalties , and he secretly defected to the New Republic , joining Rogue Squadron . Turr Phennir . Turr Phennir first joined the 181st as a captain , recruited by Fel into the unit during its initial restructuring in 0 ABY . Phennir served well , distinguishing himself as a talented pilot . For his performance at the Battle of Derra IV , he was awarded by Palpatine , promoted to the rank of commander , and given command of the 2 / 181st , Fel ' s former squadron . He served as Fel ' s executive officer , and was again promoted to the rank of major within a year . Ambitious and with little patience for political maneuvering , Phennir urged Fel to reject orders from Isoto and go rogue during the Battle of Brentaal IV . Fel resisted the idea , but ended up defecting after he was captured . Command of the 181st then fell to Phennir , who remained a distinguished pilot . Phennir oversaw the unit for the next nine years , shepherding the 181st into the Imperial Remnant and gaining a promotion to general . By that point , he was the most distinguished Imperial pilot in service , and as such was chosen to represent the Empire to the Adumari . Members . The 181st Imperial Fighter Wing had seventy - two members at any time , most of whom were considered washouts or failures or who had made important enemies or blunders . Soontir Fel , however , was able to train the 2 / 181st into a thoroughly competent unit . The 181st ' s makeup was completely renovated during the transformation into an elite 36 - pilot fighter group , with Fel recruiting only the best pilots , regardless of political connections , who had the talent , work ethic , lack of egotism , and motivation to perform up to his demanding standards . Maarek Stele . A Force - sensitive and a talented pilot , Tan Maarek Stele had an illustrious career in the Imperial Navy before joining the 181st . He served under Grand Admirals Thrawn and Demetrius Zaarin , helping bring down the traitorous Admiral Harkov , and saved Palpatine from Zaarin ' s kidnap attempt , putting an end to the Grand Admiral ' s attempted coup . Stele served as an Emperor ' s Hand , an elite enforcer for the Emperor , and flew in Palpatine ' s personal bodyguard wing , the Emperor ' s Sword . Holding the title - rank Tan and the rank of colonel , Stele was nevertheless increasingly disillusioned with the Empire . It was only after the Battle of Endor , when he met Fel , that Stele ' s enthusiasm for the Empire was rekindled by Fel ' s absolute devotion to loyalty and honor , and he accepted a transfer into the 181st . Stele continued flying with the Empire even after Fel ' s defection and the formation of the Imperial Remnant , though it is unclear if he remained with the 181st . DS - 181 - 3 . The pilot designated DS - 181 - 3 was a former student of Soontir Fel from his days as an instructor at Prefsbelt Fleet Camp . Talented enough to make the 181st roster by the time of the Battle of Endor , DS - 181 - 3 flew as the wingman of his former instructor , though he was frequently instructed to hang back to provide Fel with maneuvering room while watching the group commander ' s back . His devotion to Fel earned him the nickname " Fel ' s Wrath " among his fellow pilots . DS - 181 - 4 . The pilot designated DS - 181 - 4 joined the 181st Imperial Fighter Group after gaining twelve kills at the subjugation of Mon Calamari , an impressive feat that guaranteed his entrance to the unit . DS - 181 - 4 was offered further promotions that would have taken him out of the unit , but he refused them , wishing to remain in the elite group . DS - 181 - 4 flew as Phennir ' s wingman , though he was often held in a reserve position . Lorrir . Lorrir was a lieutenant in the 181st around the time of the Battle of Brentaal IV , in which he fought and survived . He was transferred out shortly thereafter , but remained tremendously proud of having served within the elite unit , sometimes exaggerating its accomplishments . Wedge Antilles , upon later encountering him , regarded him as a relatively mediocre pilot , and Ysanne Isard ' s clone was under the impression that Lorrir was in the unit only during the Battle of Brentaal IV , suggesting he was a transfer to make up for the unit ' s casualties who was let go after the pressure of the battle was over . Gunn Yage . Gunn Yage , daughter of Grand Admiral and Moff Rulf Yage , served among the elite pilots of the 181st Imperial Fighter Wing under the rule of Darth Krayt . A rising star at the time , she left the unit for the opportunity to command a squadron of her own , becoming the leader of the highly - regarded Skull Squadron . Behind the scenes . The 181st Imperial Fighter Group first appeared in 1997 in " " , written by Michael A . Stackpole , as an elite unit commanded by Baron Soontir Fel . Much of its history was covered in " " . The 181st was also mentioned in Aaron Allston ' s " X - Wing " novels , in which an impostor 181st appeared ; it was not until the second novel , " " , that the unit was revealed not to be genuine and not until the next novel , " " , that the depth of the deception was shown . The genuine 181st appeared in Allston ' s next novel , " " . In 2009 , the " Legacy Era Campaign Guide " made a passing reference to the 181st , in which it was named a wing and revealed to be active in 137 ABY . A year later , the novelization of " " , written by Sean Williams , included the 181st , becoming the earliest chronological depiction of the unit . It is possible that the 181st was based on the historical squadron , commanded by the , who was the basis for Soontir Fel ' s character . Like the 181st , this squadron started out as relatively undistinguished but became the best German fighting squadron of the First World War . The red color scheme of the 181st may also have been based on the red colors of the aircraft flown by Jasta 11 .