Blockade of Ibaar

Following their involvement in relief efforts addressing the energy crisis on Rinn, the Phoenix Cell and the Spectres became involved in an operation aimed at delivering essential supplies to the planet of Ibaar. A famine had been triggered by the Galactic Empire's actions, as they had drastically increased work quotas while simultaneously decreasing ration sizes. Faced with a severe lack of food, the Ibaar resistance feared for the survival of their most vulnerable members. Consequently, the Phoenix rebels loaded a CR90 corvette with provisions and set course for the besieged planet. However, an Imperial fleet, under the command of Imperial Security Bureau Agent Kallus, had established a blockade around Ibaar, utilizing a formidable fleet consisting of Arquitens-class command cruisers and swarms of TIE fighters.

During their initial attempt, the Phoenix rebels, accompanied by the Spectres, endeavored to penetrate the imposing Imperial blockade. Emerging from hyperspace, Phoenix Squadron, along with the Spectres' starship, the Ghost, moved to protect the CR90 corvette laden with supplies as it navigated through the blockade. In response, Kallus deployed TIE fighters to harass the rebel vessels. Upon realizing that the corvette was carrying the desperately needed relief supplies, Kallus issued an order for all Imperial ships to concentrate their fire on the vulnerable vessel. The intense Imperial laser fire inflicted significant damage to the ship's deflector shields. Just as the ship managed to breach the blockade, a devastating blast from an Imperial warship annihilated the corvette and its precious cargo. With the destruction of the corvette, the Phoenix rebels were compelled to retreat. Tragically, during the withdrawal, Phoenix Leader met his death when his A-wing starfighter was destroyed.

Despite this significant setback, the Spectres remained determined to overcome the Imperial blockade of Ibaar. While the Phoenix rebel fleet prepared for a subsequent blockade run, Captain Hera Syndulla of the Ghost, along with rebels Sabine Wren and Garazeb Orrelios, journeyed to the planet Shantipole. Acting on information obtained from Captain Rex, the rebels sought out a Mon Calamari engineer named Quarrie, known to have developed a prototype Blade Wing starfighter. However, Quarrie was only willing to discuss his advanced starfighter on Shantipole.

In the meantime, Kanan Jarrus, accompanied by Ezra Bridger and Chopper, piloted the Ghost to a remote location in deep space to collect supplies from another rebel vessel. During the supply transfer, Kanan informed his fellow rebels that the Ghost had been designated as the primary transport ship for the upcoming second attempt to break the blockade. Back on Shantipole, Hera and her companions successfully located Quarrie after enduring a perilous flight. After assessing Hera's exceptional piloting skills, Quarrie granted her permission to test fly the Blade Wing starfighter. Hera's flight in the Blade Wing confirmed its exceptional capabilities. Following modifications to the prototype's engines, the rebels and Quarrie returned to Ibaar, bringing the Blade Wing with them. Due to the depletion of the Blade Wing's hyperdrive during earlier weapons testing, the fighter was transported to Ibaar aboard the auxiliary ship Phantom, which had been upgraded with a hyperdrive system by Quarrie.

Unable to delay their efforts until Hera's return with the Blade Wing, the remaining crew of the Ghost and the Phoenix rebels launched a second attempt to breach the Imperial blockade of Ibaar. Agent Kallus quickly identified the Ghost as the vessel carrying the relief supplies and ordered his ships to engage the vessel and prevent it from reaching the planet. Unable to penetrate the blockade, Kanan prepared for another hyperspace jump. Fortunately for the rebels, Hera and the others arrived with the Blade Wing starfighter. Piloting the advanced vessel, Hera utilized the starfighter's powerful multi-cannon system to destroy one of the Imperial light cruisers. This action created an opening, allowing the Ghost to enter Ibaar's atmosphere and airdrop the vital supplies to the Ibaar resistance forces. With their mission accomplished, the Phoenix fleet executed a jump to hyperspace.

The successful delivery of supplies to Ibaar by the Phoenix rebels alleviated the widespread famine and suffering among the Ibaarian population. In the wake of this successful blockade run, Bail Organa, a sympathetic Alderaanian Senator, expressed interest in Quarrie's Blade Wing starfighter and identified a shipyard willing to secretly produce more of these advanced fighters. Quarrie agreed to assist the rebellion in exchange for overseeing the manufacturing process of these starfighters. Quarrie's Blade Wing prototype served as the foundation for the Rebel Alliance's A/SF-01 B-wing starfighters. Hera's leadership and efforts in acquiring the Blade Wing led to her promotion to the position of Phoenix Leader; granting her greater responsibilities within the Phoenix Squadron. Conversely, the Blockade of Ibaar became another in a series of failures for Agent Kallus in his attempts to capture the elusive Spectres.

The Blockade of Ibaar was first depicted in the Star Wars Rebels episode "Wings of the Master," which premiered on Disney XD on November 11, 2015. This episode served as an origin story for the B-wing starfighters, which initially appeared in Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi in 1983.