The Balmorra Run represented a time-honored path used by smugglers, which traversed the perilous expanse of the Kaliida Nebula. This nebula presented significant risks to those who dared to travel through it, mainly because it was the nesting grounds of enormous space-based neebray mantas. During the era of the Clone Wars, Anakin Skywalker and his Shadow Squadron opted to use this route as a quicker way to head off the Separatist cruiser Malevolence, commanded by General Grievous, thereby preventing its intended assault on the Kaliida Shoals Medical Center.
During their journey along this route, the squadron was surprised to find themselves amidst the very Neebray mantas they knew nested there. Matchstick's bomber suffered a small piece breaking off after colliding with one of these mantas; this seemingly minor damage would ultimately lead to the bomber's catastrophic explosion as he attempted to dodge the Malevolence's ion cannon fire.