Admiral Dao operated a Venator-class Star Destroyer as his flagship, active as part of the Galactic Republic's naval forces. Using it to command a relief supply fleet, the flagship was stationed above the planet Ryloth during the Clone Wars in 22 BBY. The Star Destroyer fought to hold off the Separatist Alliance's blockade of warship that had launched an invasion of Ryloth.
In the battle, Dao's flagship had suffered critical damages to its essential systems and was dangerously low on fuel and ammunition. Left without protective shielding and a functioning reactor, the Venator was destroyed alongside its accompanying one and giving the Separatists control over Ryloth's orbit. After the fleet was lost, the Republic ran a secret supply operation to Ryloth, launched from the planet Toydaria.
The vessel was part of the Venator-class of Star Destroyer, active in the Galactic Republic Navy as a battleship and carrier for starfighters. Measuring to 1,137 meters in length, 548 meters in width and 268 meters in height, the Star Destroyer had two bridges, the port for starfighter flight control and the starboard for overall command, one of which contained a holographic table and pits for crewmembers. The Star Destroyer was equipped with a main reactor and deflector shield generator, and communications equipment. Like all Venators, the vessel was armed with eight DBY-827 heavy turbolaser turrets, fifty-two point-defense laser cannons, four proton torpedo launchers, and six tractor beam projectors.
Dao's fleet provided support for the Outer Rim garrison during the Battle of Ryloth.
In 22 BBY, during the Clone Wars between the Galactic Republic and Confederacy of Independent Systems, the planet Ryloth was invaded by the Confederacy's droid armies in an attempt to claim the world and its hyperspace location. In an effort to hinder the invasion force, a Republic relief supply fleet commanded by Admiral Dao aboard a Venator-class Star Destroyer, and supplemented by a second Venator, defended Ryloth against the Confederacy's blockade of warships led by Neimoidian Captain Mar Tuuk. While the fleets battled in orbit, a small garrison of Republic clone troopers led by Jedi General Ima-Gun Di fought against the invading Separatist Droid Army on the surface.
Amid the orbital engagements, Dao's flagship was contacted by General Di on the surface, who requested additional supplies from the fleet for his forces and the resistance force of native Twi'leks led by General Cham Syndulla, which had been depleted of its resources from the battle. However, despite the Jedi Master's pleas, the Republic admiral explained—as one of Dao's Star Destroyers was destroyed—that his fleet was in no position to provide assistance as a result of his starships being critically low on fuel and ammunition. In response, Di ordered the admiral to once more contact the Jedi Temple on the planet Coruscant.
Contacting the Jedi High Council on Coruscant, Admiral Dao requested that assistance be dispatched to Ryloth as soon as possible. During his meeting with Jedi Masters Mace Windu and Yoda, however, the admiral was informed by a clone navigation officer that his warship had been rendered inoperable as their main reactor was destroyed, resulting in the Star Destroyer's subsequent destruction following the deactivation of their shields. Despite the destruction of Dao's fleet, the Republic was able to deliver relief supplies to Ryloth and its starving population following a humanitarian dispute on the planet Toydaria.
The Venator-class Star Destroyer served as the command ship of Admiral Dao and his relief supply fleet during the Battle of Ryloth. Its bridge was crewed by several clone troopers and clone navigation officers.
Dao's Venator-class Star Destroyer was introduced in "Supply Lines," the third episode of the third season of the Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series, which aired on September 24, 2010.