The 85th, formally known as the 85th Fighter Wing, was a celebrated fighter wing serving the Galactic Empire's Armed Forces, with documented activity around 3 ABY. This wing gained considerable attention through its participation in the annual Sarapin Flight Show, captivating millions and inspiring a surge in applications to the Imperial Academy. Subsequently, in 4 ABY, following losses experienced by the 204th Imperial Fighter Wing, pilots Ganem Kahi and [Jeela Brebtin](/article/jeela_brebtin] speculated, albeit incorrectly, that their new recruits might be transfers from the 85th.
The Imperial Starfighter Corps included the 85th Fighter Wing as one of its units. Consequently, the fighter wing was comprised of both starfighters and pilots.
During the Imperial Era, the 85th Fighter Wing was operational and took part in the yearly Sarapin Flight Show in 3 ABY. The wing's pilots executed a display of highly precise aerobatics at ultrasonic speeds, which not only impressed millions of onlookers but also led to a significant increase in applications to the Imperial Academies under the Galactic Empire's jurisdiction. Dorna Parros, a reporter, covered the 85th's appearance at the show on the HoloNet News later that week.
Later, in 4 ABY, after Squadron Five of the 204th Imperial Fighter Wing suffered losses of two pilots, the Empire assigned Imperial cadets Bansu Ro and Rac Syrmo to fill the vacant positions within the squadron. Upon the cadets' arrival aboard a Quasar Fire-class cruiser-carrier utilized by the 204th, Flight Officer Ganem Kahi inquired of Senior Lieutenant Jeela Brebtin, both members of Squadron Five, about the potential origin of the new recruits. Brebtin mistakenly suggested the 85th as a possibility. Teso Broosh, the commanding officer of Squadron Five, expressed his displeasure upon discovering that they were, in fact, cadets.
The comic miniseries Star Wars: TIE Fighter mentioned the 85th in its fourth issue in 2019. Jody Houser wrote the issue, and Marvel Comics published it on July 17, 2019. The 2024 video game Star Wars Outlaws, developed by Massive Entertainment, revealed the full name of the 85th Fighter Wing. Navid Khavari, the narrative director for Outlaws, and John Björling, the associate narrative director, both confirmed that the 85th referenced in TIE Fighter 4 and the 85th Fighter Wing in Outlaws are one and the same.