181st Imperial Fighter Wing

The 181st Imperial Fighter Wing was an elite TIE unit serving the Galactic Empire and its descendants. At its height under the Empire, it was a three-squadron unit known as the 181st Imperial Fighter Group and distinguished by the red bloodstripes that marked the wings of its TIE interceptors. Initially the 181st Imperial Fighter Wing of the Galactic Empire, it suffered from an abysmal reputation. Commanded by Colonel Evir Derricote, the 181st had lax discipline and low morale. It enjoyed a tremendous improvement with the arrival of Captain Soontir Fel in 0 BBY. Fel took command of the second squadron of the wing and quickly whipped it into shape with intense discipline and drilling.

When called to fight in the Second Battle of Ord Biniir, Fel's squadron significantly outperformed its Rebel opposition. It so happened that the battle occurred on the same day as the Imperial loss at the Battle of Yavin, and the success at Ord Biniir was propagandized heavily. Fel was promoted, and the unit was downsized to a group of three squadrons and completely reformed with an elite roster. While Derricote remained in command, Fel was the true force behind the unit's success as it became one of the Empire's premier fighter groups.

Fel took formal command in 3 ABY, when he was promoted to colonel and given the title of Baron of the Empire. Fel led the 181st for another two years before he was captured by the New Republic during the 181st's defeat at the Battle of Brentaal IV. Turr Phennir became the unit's commander, continuing to lead it through the turbulent times of the Empire's fall, becoming a general in the Imperial Remnant and finding the 181st a place there. The organization survived the changeover from the Remnant to the revived Galactic Empire, serving Fel's descendant Emperors, and eventually was reorganized as a wing once more.

Text and facts from the “181st Imperial Fighter Wing/Legends” article on Wookieepedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0. Modified for this site.