Gold Squadron ( Rebel Alliance ) Gold Squadron , also referred to as Gold Group , was a starfighter squadron in the Massassi Group rebel cell , the Alliance to Restore the Republic , and eventually the New Republic . The squadron , headquartered on Yavin 4 , was commanded by Captain Jon " Dutch " Vander and flew BTL - A4 Y - wing light bomber s . The group fought in some of the earliest consequential battles of the Galactic Civil War . In 2 BBY , during the early days of the rebellion against the Empire , Gold Squadron participated in Operation Handoff to ensure the safety of Senator Mon Mothma of Chandrila , who spoke out against and defected from the Empire . The operation resulted in the formation of the Rebel Alliance . Later , in 0 BBY , Gold Squadron flew in the Battle of Scarif that marked the start of the war and allowed the Alliance to capture the plans to the Death Star superweapon . Not long after , as a result of the events of Scarif , Gold Squadron fought in and was completely decimated during the Battle of Yavin , which resulted in the destruction of the Death Star . Later in the war , a reformed Gold Squadron fought in the climactic Battle of Endor under the command of General Lando Calrissian , where they were part of the destruction of the Death Star II . Following the Alliance ' s victory and the reformation of the Republic , Gold Squadron became part of the New Republic Defense Fleet . History . The rebellion . Gold Squadron began as a rebel cell fighting against the Galactic Empire , part of the unit led by General Jan Dodonna , which itself was part of Senator Bail Organa ' s larger rebellion . It was commanded by an Onderon ian , Captain Jon " Dutch " Vander , flying as Gold Leader . Members of this unit flew BTL Y - wing starfighters , five of which were former Republic Navy bomber s , stolen from the Imperial Reklam Station by the Phoenix Cell and delivered to Dodonna ' s unit in 2 BBY . Operation Handoff . Shortly after the delivery of the Y - wing starfighters , Senator Mon Mothma was forced to flee her homeworld of Chandrila as a branded traitor after publicly denouncing the Empire . Gold Squadron took on the duty of protecting the Senator and escorting her to Dantooine , where they would rendezvous with other rebel cells . Meeting up with elements of Phoenix Group for refueling of the Senator ' s Taylander shuttle " Chandrila Mistress " , the squadron was attacked by TIE fighters and forced to jump to hyperspace . At the advice of Phoenix Leader Hera Syndulla , the rebels took the old smuggler ' s route through the Archeon Nebula to escape the Lothal sector undetected . However , an experimental TIE / D Defender starfighter decimated the squadron , until it was stopped by Vander and Ezra Bridger ( flying as Gold Two ) . The remaining squadron members , Vander and the original Gold Two , then arrived safely with the Senator at Dantooine , where the Alliance to Restore the Republic would be formed . Alliance to Restore the Republic . Battle of Scarif . Following the official formation of the Rebellion as a unified entity , Gold Squadron participated in the Battle of Scarif , again behind Jon Vander as Gold Leader , shortly before the Battle of Yavin . During the battle , elements of Gold Squadron conducted bombing runs on the Shield Gate that was preventing reinforcements from reaching beleaguered forces on the planet below . Gold Squadron also attacked the Imperial Star Destroyer " Intimidator " , disabling it with ion torpedo es . The destroyer was forced into the space station , disabling the planetary shield and allowing reinforcements to land . Battle of Yavin . Under the command of Jon " Dutch " Vander , Gold Squadron ' s eight spaceworthy Y - wing bombers participated in the Battle of Yavin . Three Gold Squadron Y - wings , flown by Vander , Dex Tiree , and Davish Krail , were the first to make an attack run down the Death Star ' s meridian trench in an attempt to destroy the station ' s main reactor by exploiting the weakness presented by the thermal exhaust port . All three were shot down by Darth Vader in his TIE Advanced x1 before Jon Vander had the opportunity to launch proton torpedo es . Evaan Verlaine was the only Y - wing pilot of Gold Squadron to survive the assault , and returned to the Rebellion ' s headquarters on Yavin IV with the other survivors . Luke Skywalker , R2 - D2 , Wedge Antilles , Han Solo , Chewbacca , and Verlaine were the only rebel survivors of the starfighter assault . Battle of Endor . Gold Squadron participated in the Battle of Endor under the command of General Lando Calrissian . Composed of a mix of different starfighters and the " Millennium Falcon " , members of Gold Squadron participated in the attack on the Death Star ' s main reactor . New Republic . Several months after the events of Endor , Gold Squadron became part of the New Republic military and took part in the war against the remnants of the Empire . The Gold Squadron pilot Norra returned to her homeworld of Akiva to reunite with her estranged teenage son Temmin Wexley . Mother and son became involved in the rebellion on Akiva , which coincided with a secret Imperial summit on Akiva . Later , Captain Saff Melor recommended sending Gold Squadron and two light cruisers as a show of military force on Akiva . However , he was overruled by Chancellor Mon Mothma and Admiral Gial Ackbar . Norra later won an award for her role in the uprising on Akiva and for trying to pursue Admiral Rae Sloane .