The Orion IV conflict marked a confrontation between the forces of the Galactic Empire and the Alliance to Restore the Republic. This clash unfolded on the planet known as Orion IV, situated within the Tion Cluster, during the year 1 BBY. It formed a component of the broader Operation Strike Fear. Following the Imperial forces' pursuit of the Alliance High Command from their headquarters on Brigia, the Rebels strategically established a fresh base on Orion IV, a world nearing open revolt against Imperial rule.
The Empire swiftly pinpointed the new base's location and initiated an offensive. A fleet composed of Star Destroyers unleashed a bombardment upon the planet's surface, preceding the deployment of ground forces to seize control. The Rebel base sustained substantial damage in the onslaught, resulting in the capture of several Rebel pilots. Nevertheless, the Alliance successfully executed an evacuation.
In the year 1 BBY, the Galactic Empire dispatched a task force consisting of ten Imperial-class Star Destroyers with the objective of eliminating a Rebel Alliance fleet in proximity to the planet Turkana, located within the Pakuuni sector. This offensive was thwarted when Alliance forces strategically employed their T-65 X-wing starfighters to inflict severe damage upon two Star Destroyers. Consequently, the Imperials were compelled to retreat without achieving the destruction of a single Rebel capital ship.
Emperor Palpatine, taken aback by the setback at Turkana, sanctioned a significant campaign known as Operation Strike Fear. This initiative, designed to quell Rebel resistance and instill fear of the Empire, designated Brigia, a planet within the Tion Hegemony and the location of the Alliance's headquarters, as its primary target. Upon learning of Operation Strike Fear, the Alliance High Command mandated a preemptive evacuation of the Brigia base. Although the evacuation was disrupted by Imperial forces, the High Command and essential personnel managed to escape. General Jan Dodonna subsequently relocated the headquarters to Orion IV, a manufacturing world situated in the Tion Cluster that was nearing open rebellion against the Empire.
The base on Orion IV swiftly became the focal point of Operation Strike Fear. A fleet comprising a minimum of six Imperial-class Star Destroyers entered the planet's orbit and executed a focused turbolaser orbital bombardment before Imperial ground forces commenced their ground assault. All Terrain Armored Transports advanced toward the Rebel base, supported by Alpha-class Xg-1 Star Wings providing aerial cover against Rebel defenses, including the R-22 Spearhead starfighter.
Following the suppression of Rebel resistance, Imperial stormtroopers moved in to secure the planet. The Rebel base sustained significant damage during the conflict, and several Rebel pilots stationed there were captured by Imperial forces. Nevertheless, the Alliance successfully evacuated the base.
General Dodonna once again relocated the Alliance headquarters, moving to several different locations before establishing a new main base on Dantooine within the Raioballo sector. Alliance Intelligence discovered that Rudrig, also situated in the Tion Cluster, was the next target of Operation Strike Fear. Consequently, the Rebels launched an operation to impede the anticipated attack by disrupting the resupply efforts of Imperial forces. Operation Strike Fear persisted until later in 1 BBY, when the Alliance destroyed its command ship, the Star Destroyer Invincible, by planting a stolen Imperial explosive device aboard the ship.
The Imperial assault on Orion IV initially appeared in the 1993 LucasArts video game Star Wars: X-Wing, showcased in a cutscene during "Tour of Duty I: A New Ally."