Umbaran airbase

The Umbaran airbase was an airbase located on the planet Umbara that was used by the native Umbarans as a supply line to the planet's capital. During the Battle of Umbara in 20 BBY, the Galactic Republic's 501st Legion would take over the airbase. The legion's clone troopers were able to use some of the Umbaran technology left at the airbase to destroy a Separatist supply ship. As the Battle of Umbara neared its conclusion, Umbaran forces that had been forced out of the Umbaran capital city threatened the airbase, although the battle soon ended in Republic victory.
==Description==
The Umbaran airbase was located on Umbara during the Clone Wars. It was used by the Umbaran Militia primarily for resupply as well as sending weapons and other resources to the capital city during the Battle of Umbara in 20 BBY.Star Wars: Timelines It had an outer wall surrounding an airfield as well as barracks, interior hangars, and a main command center situated in the central tower.
==History==
===A grueling advance===
The Umbaran airbase was located on the planet Umbara and was of key strategic importance to both the Umbaran Militia and the opposing Galactic Republic during the Battle of Umbara in 20 BBY.Star Wars: Timelines As the Republic's 501st Legion fought their way across the harsh jungle landscape, they were directed by Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi to advance on the airbase, which lay to the west, in an attempt to cut off the Umbaran capital city's supply lines and ultimately assist in capturing the capital alongside the 212th Attack Battalion. Following the conversation with Kenobi, the 501st's interim commander and Jedi General Pong Krell ordered the clone troopers to advance directly down the gorge towards the airbase. Clone Captain Rex expressed concern with the plan, noting that the narrow gorge would mean that only single squads could advance down it at a time. Although Rex suggested recon, Krell aggressively shut down his idea and ordered the a division of troops to begin their attack immediately.
Many of the troopers, who were already growing discontent with Krell's rash tactics and seeming indifference to high casualties, were upset when Rex relayed the plan to them. However, Rex, despite his own internal doubts, stood by the plan and told the clones to follow orders. As the first division advanced, they encountered heavy resistance in the form of the Umbaran Militia's Impeding Assault Tanks and Umbaran mobile heavy cannons. The clones suffered heavy casualties against the superior weaponry, and despite Rex's pleas, Krell refused to send the second division to assist them. It was then that two troopers, ARC trooper Fives and Hardcase, were sent ahead with the approval of Rex to steal two Umbaran starfighters from the airbase and use them to destroy the mobile heavy cannons, which had proved resilient against Republic rocket launchers.
The two troopers departed the battle and approached the airbase's electrified perimeter fence. Planting a thermal detonator on a large Zabrak Spine plant, Fives and Hardcase ran across the airbase's airfield and took cover against the main structure. Detonating the explosives, they waited as Umbaran soldiers hurried towards the commotion before approaching two starfighters. Although the clones were unfamiliar with the Umbaran technology, they managed to fly the fighters despite being under fire from Umbarans that had discovered them. They then returned to the battle and were able to destroy the mobile cannons. Although Krell was angered by the tactic, it ultimately proved successful, and the rest of the legion were then able to finish the advance and take the airbase.
===Under Republic control===
The clones occupied the airbase, setting up their own command center. As Krell's leadership continued to cause dissent amongst the clones, Fives and Hardcase were joined by fellow clone trooper Jesse in attempting to fly the Umbaran starfighters in preparation for a mission to destroy a Separatist supply ship that was hampering other Republic forces, a mission that went against Krell's plan to march on the capital. Entering Hangar 9-4, Hardcase attempted to pilot a starfighter but was unable to control it well, causing damage inside the hangar. Krell requested to know what was going on, and although the clones attempted to cover it up, Hardcase accidentally fired a missile and destroyed a portion of the airbase, causing Krell to discipline them and expressly reject their plan to attack the supply ship.
However, despite the General's orders, Fives, Hardcase, and Jesse nonetheless decided to carry out their plan. Hardcase ultimately sacrificed himself to accomplish the mission, and Fives and Jesse were subsequently court-martialed upon their return and imprisoned in the airbase behind a ray shield. When they were sentenced to execution by firing squad, the two clones were brought outside the airbase's central tower to be shot, but the firing squad purposely missed and set their comrades loose after some convincing by Fives. Krell confronted Rex about the incident but was interrupted by new intelligence on enemy movement.
After Krell sent members of the 501st and the 212th Attack Battalion into battle against each other, tricking both groups by lying that the other force was disguised Umbaran soldiers, the two groups discovered the ruse and realized that Krell was a traitor. Together, they returned to the airbase and advanced on Krell, with Rex leading a group into the tower to surround him whlie others positioned themselves outside on the airfield. The Jedi Master fought and killed several clones before leaping from the tower and onto the ground. He tore through the force of clones waiting for him outside and escaped the airbase, fleeing into the jungle. When the clones eventually captured him, Krell was imprisoned in the airbase. Soon after the incident, Kenobi and the 212th captured the capital city, causing surviving Umbaran forces to travel towards the airbase. The clones found themselves in a dilemma regarding having Krell as a prisoner, as they knew they could not allow him to communicate intel to the enemy. Krell was then executed by clone trooper Dogma after Rex found himself unable to do so. The Battle of Umbara would end in Republic victory.
==Behind the scenes==
The Umbaran airbase first appeared in "The General," the the eighth episode of the fourth season of the animated television series Star Wars: The Clone Wars. It premiered on November 4, 2011.
==Appearances==
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==Sources==
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*Star Wars: Battles that Changed the Galaxy
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==Notes and references==
Category:Confederacy of Independent Systems military bases
Category:Galactic Republic military bases
Category:Umbara locations