Heavy Weapons Specialists Heavy Weapons Specialists were a branch of the Alliance to Restore the Republic ' s Special Forces . A combat heavy role , Heavy Weapons Specialists were trained to operate and maintain a wide variety of heavy weapons , including repeating blasters , missile weapons , and artillery . Brash , loud , and direct , Heavy Weapons Specialists never abandoned their position or abandoned their weapon . Organization . Heavy Weapons Specialists were a military speciality within the Alliance to Restore the Republic ' s Special Forces . The 6th Regiment of every SpecForce division was comprised of Heavy Weapons Specialists . Simply put , Heavy Weapons Specialists operated SpecForce ' s arsenal of heavy weapon s , provided other troops with cover from enemy forces including air and ground vehicles , and gave Alliance forces extra offensive punch during assault on enemy positions and facilities . Heavy Weapons Specialists suffered from a higher casualty rate than any other branch of SpecForce ; their training emphasised the need to hold their positions at all costs . Once a Heavy Weapons Specialists position was identified , they became the target of enemy fire . Heavy Weapons Specialists would rather die at their posts than abandon their weapon . This mindset led to two types of Heavy Weapons Specialists ; veterans and targets . There were no average Heavy Weapons Specialists . In addition to their groundside combat duties , Heavy Weapons Specialists stationed with the Alliance Fleet were expected to replace gunners incapacitated in battle . History . Heavy Weapons Specialists fire team s were close knit , a result of the reliance each gunner placed on the other members of their unit . They could be employed in a wide variety of terrains , and a wide range of mission profiles , effortlessly reinforcing Marines , Wilderness Fighters , and Urban Guerrillas as needed . A Heavy Weapons Specialists unit were never deployed as a single combat unit . The high casualty rate among Heavy Weapons Specialists keep the regiments numbers lower than other regiments . Veteran Heavy Weapons Specialists were held in high regard by their peers . Team 19 , a Marine platoon based on the Mon Calamari Star Cruiser " Mantan Wanderer " , had a Heavy Weapons Specialists squad attached to it , under the command of the Wookiee , Sergeant Whumparrin . Personnel . Heavy Weapons Specialists were generally athletic youths , competing in sports and developing their physique and fitness . They were not stupid , however , and saw the Galactic Empire for what it was , joining the Alliance as soon as they were able to . Their years of athletic training and upper body strength led them to a posting in SpecForces Heavy Weapons Specialists ; the weapons needed strength to lift . Trained on all types of heavy weapons , from infantry support weapons , to repeating blasters , to capital ship guns . Following drop camp , Heavy Weapons Specialists trained on safe world s with missile weapons , heavy blasters , and artillery . Maintenance and repair of weapons were taught , and they were rotated to a line ship for further space weapon training , usually in concert with Marines . Heavy Weapons Specialists were bold , brash , and lacked subtlety in all forms . Their overriding belief was that superior firepower was the solution to all military problems , and they strove to kill the enemy before they were killed themselves . Other Specs referred to them as " gunners , " or , simply , " HWSs . " Sergeant Whumparrin was a Wookiee Heavy Weapons Specialist , who led a squad assigned to Team 19 . A rescued slave , Whumparrin was assigned as a Heavy Weapons Specialists as an act of pragmatism ; he could easily carry the weapon . He acquired a fearsome reputation , both among his Alliance brethren and the Empire . A howling Wookiee armed with a medium repeating blaster was a sight that many did not forget . Skills . Training for Heavy Weapons Specialists focused almost exclusively on combat and related skills . They were trained to handle blasters , and operate a wide variety of heavy weapons , including repeating blasters , blaster artillery , vehicle - mounted weapons , and missile weapons . Maintenance and repair of these weapons was also taught . Operation of ship - mounted weapons was a secondary speciality , as Heavy Weapons Specialists were expect to act as reserve Fleet gunners if the need arose . They were also skill in the operation of repulsorcraft . They were physically fit and strong , and were capable brawlers in a fight . Heavy Weapons Specialists were also skilled in basic survival , demolitions training , and first aid techniques . Equipment . Each Heavy Weapons Specialist was armed with a heavy weapon , and these weapons usually varied according to the mission profile . A blaster pistol and vibroknife were carried for closer - in defense , and a comlink for communication . Repeating blasters , infantry support weapons , missile weapons , and other similar weapons could be used by Heavy Weapons Specialists . Flame rifle s were also part of the Heavy Weapons Specialists ' arsenal , and vehicle flamer s were reserved exclusively for their use . All SpecForce artillery units were also operated by Heavy Weapons Specialists .