Nomad Squadron was a starfighter unit formed by the Alliance to Restore the Republic following the Battle of Yavin in 0 ABY. Originally consisting of Alliance Underground Engineering RZ-1 A-wing interceptors, Nomad Squadron was commissioned as a reconnaissance and hit-and-fade squadron. The unit served both the Rebel Alliance and its successor state, the New Republic, throughout the Galactic Civil War. By the start of the Yuuzhan Vong War in 25 ABY, the Nomads were based off the MC80B Star Cruiser Allegiant in the Meridian sector and were under the command of Captain Tarrik. There, the squadron patrolled the sector on alert for assaults from the extra-galactic invaders.
Nomad Squadron's pilots were known for being cross-trained on virtually all starfighter classes employed by both the Rebel Alliance and New Republic. This was reflected in the unit's flight line in later years when it was not uncommon to see A-wings alongside Incom Corporation T-65 X-wing starfighters and Slayn & Korpil B-wing starfighters.
History[]
Formed following the Battle of Yavin in 0 ABY, Nomad Squadron was one of the first full starfighter squadrons commissioned by the Rebel Alliance. Initially equipped with nimble Alliance Underground Engineering RZ-1 A-wing interceptors, Nomad Squadron's mission profile included reconnaissance and hit-and-fade assaults. However, as the Galactic Civil War progressed, Nomad Squadron's pilots were cross-trained on nearly every other starfighter class that the Rebel Alliance employed.[1]
When the Rebel Alliance was reformed into the New Republic, Nomad Squadron continued its service with the new galactic government. By the outbreak of the Yuuzhan Vong War[1] in 25 ABY,[2] Nomad Squadron was under the command of Captain Tarrik and was stationed aboard the Mon Calamari MC80B Star Cruiser Allegiant in the Meridian sector. At this time, due to the squadron's reputation of being able to fly almost any starfighter, Nomad Squadron's flight line comprised not only A-wings, but Incom Corporation T-65 X-wing starfighters and Slayn & Korpil B-wing starfighters as well.[1]
During the Yuuzhan Vong War, the New Republic military was initially slow to act to counter the extra-galactic invaders. However, once the threat became clear, hundreds of warships were mobilized to defend the New Republic's borders. Nomad Squadron, along with the Allegiant, patrolled the spacelanes of the Meridian sector, vigilant for any signs of Yuuzhan Vong incursions.[1]
Despite Nomad Squadron's status as one of the oldest squadrons to serve in either the Rebel Alliance or New Republic, it was not as well-known as units such as Rogue Squadron and Wraith Squadron.[1]
Organization[]
Nomad Squadron were originally outfitted with A-wing starfighters, although extensive cross-training of the unit's pilots allowed them to fly virtually any starfighter deployed by the Rebel Alliance. In fact, the squadron's pilots considered it a point of pride and honor that they could fly almost any craft, at any time, for any mission. This cross-training served them well, and by 25 ABY, the unit was equipped with not only A-wings, but X-wings and B-wings, giving them versatility in combat. Under Captain Tarrik, the Nomads were considered to be an excellent combat unit and were capable of performing ground operations as well as space-borne missions.[1]
Behind the scenes[]
Nomad Squadron first appeared in On Wings of Rogues, an article in Wizards of the Coast's Star Wars Gamer 9 that was written by Jim Swallow. The article dealt with the creation of starfighter squadrons within a player's campaign, and Nomad Squadron was one of several example units detailed at the end of the article.[1]
Sources[]
"On Wings of Rogues" — Star Wars Gamer 9 (First mentioned)- The Complete Star Wars Encyclopedia, Vol. I ("Allegiant")
