Skull Squadron, officially designated as the 1st Imperial Center Core Defense Squadron, was a distinguished squadron of the Imperial Navy, utilizing the Predator-class fighter. Originally, this squadron demonstrated allegiance to the Empire of Darth Krayt, but during the events of the Attack on the Hidden Temple, they switched their allegiance to the Empire-in-exile led by Emperor Roan Fel.
Prior to Roan Fel's removal from the Imperial throne, Rulf Yage held the position of commander of Skull Squadron. He would eventually rise to the rank of Grand Admiral and become the head of the Imperial Navy.
During the concluding stages of the Sith–Imperial War, Skull Squadron was tasked with the protection of the convoy transporting Roan Fel and his imposter to claim Coruscant, which had recently been captured.
Throughout the Second Imperial Civil War, Skull Squadron maintained its loyalty to the usurper Emperor Darth Krayt. They were permanently stationed at Skull Squadron Hangar on Coruscant, reporting directly to Moff Rulf Yage. At this time, the squadron was under the leadership of Captain Gunn Yage, the daughter of Rulf Yage and Moff Nyna Calixte. Other notable pilots within the unit included Jae Akura, Brodie Coburn, and Tev Rimon.
Skull Squadron engaged in a pursuit of the Mynock, ultimately losing it within the lower sectors of Coruscant. They later confronted it at the Temple of the Sith, but were compelled to withdraw under the orders of High Moff Morlish Veed.
Subsequently, the Skulls were assigned to provide support to the Sith pilots of the First Sith Imperial Strikeforce, dispatched by Regent Morlish Veed to capture Roan Fel as part of Operation: Thunderstroke. The Skulls harbored resentment towards their reduced role, finding themselves subordinate to the Sith and forced by Sith Lady Darth Rauder to pilot prototype Sith-designed starfighters instead of their preferred Predators. Despite their misgivings, the operation resulted in the successful capture of Princess Marasiah Fel.
Subsequently, the Squadron participated in the Devastation of Da Soocha.
The Skulls were then ordered to participate in Darth Krayt's attack on the Jedi Hidden Temple located on the planet Taivas. However, during this conflict, they grew disillusioned with Darth Krayt's strategies when Krayt's Sith Troopers caused the deaths of numerous Sith-Imperials, as well as the killing of children. Consequently, they followed Captain Yage in defecting after she killed Darth Rauder. The Skulls retreated to Bastion alongside other defecting Sith-Imperials and their newfound allies.
Later, the Skulls took part in the Battle of Coruscant, flying alongside Twin Suns and Rogue Squadron. While Twin Suns remained to engage Annihilators, Rogue and Skull Squadrons were tasked with destroying planetary targets on Coruscant. They achieved success, but at the cost of a Rogue. As the battle continued, Annihilators inflicted further losses on the Squadrons. However, with Skywalker's defeat of Darth Krayt, the Sith Troopers succumbed to madness and initiated suicide runs. This brought the battle to an end as the remaining Sith forces retreated.