Operation Hammerblow

Operation Hammerblow was the New Republic Fifth Fleet's live-fire operational readiness exercise. The construction of the Fifth Fleet had been authorized by the New Republic Senate on Supreme Commander Admiral Gial Ackbar's assurances that it was needed to continue the war against the remnants of the Galactic Empire. The Dornean, General Etahn A'baht, was placed in command of the Fifth, and he oversaw the training of the fleet. The final test was a live fire exercise against a simulated target. Although the Fifth would only face drones and computers simulations, the danger to the participating personnel was very real. The planet Bessimir, located fifteen parsecs from Coruscant was chosen as the target, and General A'baht devised an assault plan.

The proceedings were observed by high ranking members of the New Republic in the New Republic Defense Force headquarters on Coruscant, including Admiral Ackbar, Chief of State Leia Organa Solo, and the Defense Council. The Fifth engaged the defenses of Bessimir; A'baht effectively used the ships and resources under his command to neutralize the enemy targets. The main weapon used in the defense, a massive hypervelocity cannon capable of firing one hundred and twenty slugs per minute, was taken out by a squadron of new Koensayr Manufacturing BTL-S8 K-wing assault starfighters. The operation was successful, but not without casualties. Despite the loss of one ship, the Ahazi, the Fifth was declared operational following the exercise.

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