Gial Ackbar

Gial Ackbar's birth took place on the aquatic planet of Mon Cala towards the close of the Galactic Republic's reign. He initially represented Coral City on the Calamari Council. Subsequently, he enlisted in the Mon Calamari Guard, responsible for safeguarding Mon Cala's leaders and dignitaries. Ackbar steadily advanced through the guard's ranks, eventually becoming its captain and, consequently, the primary military advisor to the oceanic world's ruler.

During the Clone Wars, a conflict between the Confederacy of Independent Systems and the Galactic Republic, King Yos Kolina was the ruler of Mon Cala. The war reached Mon Cala when Separatist Riff Tamson covertly assassinated Kolina, a shocking act that threatened to ignite a civil war. The Quarren Isolation League, under the leadership of Chieftan Nossor Ri, advocated for a Quarren to assume the throne instead of the rightful heir, the young Prince Lee-Char. As captain of the Mon Cal Knights, Ackbar became Lee-Char's protector. A meeting was convened in the Mon Calamari capital, attended by Jedi Knight Anakin Skywalker and senator Padmé Amidala of Naboo as Republic representatives.

However, the Quarren isolationists ensured Tamson—an enforcer of Count Dooku's Separatist forces—was also present. The Quarren dignitaries expressed their opposition to Lee-Char's kingship, citing his youth and inexperience. As the discussions progressed, the Quarren's true desire became evident: a Quarren king, not another Mon Calamari ruler. Lee-Char assured the Quarren of his commitment to serving both races equitably, but Tamson dismissed him, claiming he had not "earned the right" to speak. Ackbar intervened, reminding the Karkarodon that he had no authority, being merely an observer for the Confederacy. Ri declared the Quarren's withdrawal from negotiations due to their unaddressed concerns.

Ackbar, Skywalker, and Amidala reported to the Jedi Council, specifically Jedi Master Yoda, aboard a Republic frigate. Ackbar informed the council that a civil war on Mon Cala was unavoidable. To maintain Mon Cala's allegiance to the Republic, Yoda dispatched a company of clone SCUBA troopers, Jedi Kit Fisto, and Skywalker's Padawan Ahsoka Tano to reinforce the Mon Calamari defenses. Ackbar then met with Mon Cala's senator in the Galactic Senate, Meena Tills, who officially assigned Ackbar to protect Lee-Char during the upcoming conflict. Despite Ackbar's reservations about taking the inexperienced prince to the battlefield, he relented due to the tradition of Mon Cala's monarch leading soldiers into battle.

Later, Lee-Char addressed the assembled troops, expressing his disbelief in an impending Quarren attack. However, the Quarren army, along with Separatist AQ-series battle droids led by Tamson, launched an assault, prompting Ackbar to declare, "It's an attack." Ackbar and Skywalker swiftly organized their forces to defend the city, adhering to Till's directive to bring the prince to the front lines. Ackbar led the charge against the enemy, urging his troops to prevent their homeworld from falling to the Confederacy. As the battle intensified, Republic reinforcements arrived, led by Yoda. Ackbar returned to the prince, handed him a blaster, and emphasized the need to earn the people's respect by leading the fight. Lee-Char, understanding the wisdom in Ackbar's words, began to rally their forces.

The gamble proved successful as the droids and Quarren retreated to their transports. Ackbar informed the Jedi that they had won the initial assault. Tills, prematurely assuming complete victory, instructed Lee-Char to demand the Separatists' surrender. Ackbar cautioned against such hasty assumptions, clarifying that only the first wave had been defeated, not the entire battle. Suddenly, massive cyborg Hydroid Medusas descended upon the city. These seemingly invincible jellyfish swept their tentacles through the clone troopers and Mon Calamari, electrocuting many. As more droids emerged from behind, Ackbar advised the prince to retreat to the caves on the ocean floor for safety. Once there, Lee-Char expressed his fear of disappointing his father with his perceived failures. However, Ackbar reassured the young prince that Kolina would have been proud of him.

While regrouping in the caves, they attempted to contact the Jedi Council to request additional Republic soldiers. However, the Council's signal was jammed, leaving Ackbar and the others uncertain about the arrival of reinforcements. Ackbar and Skywalker believed that troops would likely be sent, but Lee-Char feared they would arrive too late to effectively counter the Confederacy. Lee-Char proposed a plan to escape the planet by seizing the Republic frigate on the surface and traveling to Coruscant, the Republic's capital. The plan was approved, and the group began their ascent to the surface. Facing numerous enemy troops, Fisto created a diversion while dispatching several One Man Submersible Devilfish to expedite the ascent.

However, as they approached the ship, it exploded, showering Ackbar and the others with debris. Skywalker instructed everyone to grab onto the debris so he could pull them back down to the ocean floor. As they descended, Ackbar suggested splitting into two teams to better conceal the prince's location. Lee-Char agreed, and Ackbar cautioned him to be careful, as he was Mon Calamari's last hope. The prince then departed with Tano, Fisto, and the clones, while Ackbar's group, consisting of Amidala, Skywalker, and Tills, planned to disrupt the city's communications to delay Tamson's awareness of incoming Republic reinforcements.

Ackbar, Skywalker, and Tills proceeded to the city's central planetary scanner mast to disable it. Skywalker used the Force to collapse the mast while Ackbar defended him from aqua droids. The group retreated after completing their mission. However, Tamson correctly deduced that the scanner mast was targeted to prevent him from detecting Republic reinforcements. Consequently, he launched another attack. Ackbar and the others engaged the Separatist soldiers to divert their attention from searching for the prince. Soon surrounded by Hydroid Medusas, they were rescued by the arrival of Republic reinforcements: A Venator-class Star Destroyer deployed members of the Gungan Grand Army from Naboo—amphibians like the Mon Calamari and Quarren.

The Gungans employed their traditional weapons—boomas and atlatls—whose plasma-based technologies neutralized the Hydroid Medusas, droids, and Quarren, freeing Ackbar, Tills, and Skywalker, who joined the counterattack. A Separatist Trident-class assault ship arrived and began spinning, creating a vortex that disrupted the battle and scattered soldiers on both sides. Ackbar grabbed Skywalker, swam him to the gunship, and propelled him upwards. Skywalker severed one of the ship's legs with his lightsaber, causing it to crash. However, with their surge in forces nullified, the Republic-aligned troops were taken prisoner by the Separatists.

Ackbar, his troops, and the clones were imprisoned in a camp on the ocean floor, while Tamson interrogated Skywalker, Amidala, and Fisto. Tano and the prince evaded capture once again, and Lee-Char devised a plan to unite the Mon Calamari, Gungan, clone, Jedi, and even Quarren forces to overwhelm Tamson and his droids. He infiltrated the prison camp where Ackbar was held to seek his guidance. Ackbar and Tills were overjoyed to find the prince alive but puzzled by his plan to unify the citizens of Mon Cala against the Separatist invaders. Ackbar was surprised that the prince would ally with those who had killed his father, but Lee-Char revealed that Tamson was responsible. Tano added that she had witnessed similar instances of Dooku manipulating planets to incite civil war, leading the prince to seek out Ri and reveal the truth. Ackbar endorsed the prince's plan and pledged to rally the Mon Calamari troops for battle. Lee-Char provided the signal for the attack: a Quarren attacking a Separatist. Suddenly, a legion of aqua droids appeared and arrested the prince. Lee-Char willingly surrendered to confront Ri and reveal the truth.

Later, Lee-Char was sentenced to death by Tamson, who ordered all prisoners to witness the execution in the capital. Tamson's Karkarodon enforcers surrounded the prince while Tamson announced the prince's crimes against the Separatist state. Meanwhile, Ackbar and the other prisoners watched from the sidelines. One of Ri's aides approached Ackbar, handing him his baton and informing him that Lee-Char's boldness had succeeded: Ri and the Quarren had agreed to expel the Confederates and reclaim Mon Cala. Ackbar nodded to Ri across the plaza. The Quarren soldiers secretly distributed weapons to the clones and troops, while Ri created an ink cloud, grabbed the prince, and swam across the plaza. Ackbar's troops opened fire on the Separatists, and the battle resumed. Ackbar led the charge against the aqua droids, while Lee-Char led the remaining forces and killed Tamson, a formidable warrior, liberating Mon Cala. Ackbar, the Jedi, and Ri congratulated the young prince.

Some time later, Ackbar attended Lee-Char's coronation as the king of Mon Cala, as his father had before him. Ackbar stood to the right of the ceremonial throne, witnessing Ri's pledge of allegiance to King Lee-Char on behalf of the Quarren, and Lee-Char reciprocated by pledging his loyalty to all the people of Mon Cala.

In 18 BBY, Ackbar held the rank of commander and served as the Chief of Security for King Lee-Char. During the first year of the [Imperial Era](/article/imperial_era], Lee-Char had been influenced by a Jedi Padawan named Ferren Barr. Barr assisted Lee-Char in resisting the Empire during trade negotiations, which drew the attention of Emperor Palpatine. Palpatine dispatched Darth Vader to deal with the Jedi, and Moff Wilhuff Tarkin positioned the Sovereign above Mon Cala.

As negotiations in Dac City with Tarkin's ambassador Telvar stalled, Darth Vader, three Inquisitors, and a squad of elite clone troopers arrived at Dac City. Upon their arrival, Ackbar confronted the Inquisitors and demanded to know their purpose. The Ninth Sister presented Ackbar with an Imperial writ prohibiting anyone from harming her and the other two Inquisitors. Commander Ackbar, deeming it outrageous, refused to yield, even when Darth Vader intervened. Vader stated that he was searching for an enemy of the Empire. Ackbar insisted that King Lee-Char was engaged in peaceful negotiations. However, Telvar's shuttle, which was taking off nearby, exploded. Vader used this incident to accuse Ackbar of the attack, blaming the Mon Calamari. Above the planet, Tarkin informed Major Rantu that the deployment of landing craft would commence immediately.

Vader then led his Inquisitors to locate King Lee-Char, expecting him to know the Jedi's whereabouts. A battle erupted in Dac City. Meanwhile, Lee-Char, Ackbar, Raddus, and several other Quarren and Mon Calamari observed the battle's progress. Ackbar reported that the defenders were holding their ground, but the Empire had deployed significant forces on all above-ground land. He also noted that the Mon Calamari were less effective above the waves. Lee-Char hoped to stall the Imperials until the evacuation was complete, although only fifty percent of civilians had been moved underwater by that point.

Lee-Char then communicated with Governor Tarkin, pleading with him to withdraw the attack. Tarkin insisted that the Mon Calamari had provoked the Empire by murdering Telvar and that the violence would only cease if Lee-Char allowed him to "investigate." Lee-Char, recognizing that an investigation was akin to an invasion, threatened Tarkin with a strong defense. Tarkin warned the king to cease fighting and ended the call.

Lee-Char then contacted Ackbar and Raddus, instructing the former to defend the northern hemisphere and the latter the southern. Ackbar inquired about the king's plans, and Lee-Char replied that he intended to address his people. However, just as he signed off with Ackbar and Raddus, Vader and his Inquisitors arrived. As Vader began using the Force on Lee-Char to reveal the Jedi's location, numerous creatures emerged from the sea and destroyed the above-ground cities. The resulting waves even caused Vader to fall into the sea, preventing him from responding to Tarkin's comm requests.

Vader eventually escaped the ocean and was rescued by his Inquisitors, although he maintained that he did not require rescue. Lee-Char was rescued by a group of Quarren in a submarine. Above ground, Colonel Bergon reported to Tarkin that they were making progress, but just as Tarkin warned her not to underestimate Raddus, Commander Ackbar and a number of Mon Calamari arrived on aquatic vehicles, with Ackbar leading the charge and shouting "For the King! For Mon Cala!" Bergon deployed her TIE Fighters. Ackbar waited for the TIEs to approach, then signaled them to emerge from the water.

The vehicles' missiles targeted the TIEs and Bergon's platform, penetrating the shields and destroying the platform. Ackbar was taken to Lee-Char's location. Both of them believed Lee-Char would have died. Ackbar explained that they had managed to destroy one of the sky-bases, but the Empire would send more. Lee-Char told Ackbar that they would fight until the Empire withdrew and that he would save his people. Ackbar, skeptical, inquired whether those were Lee-Char's words or the Jedi's. This reminded him of Barr, who was being hunted by Vader and his Inquisitors. Vader eventually confronted Barr, who was ultimately killed. Raddus launched a group of Star Cruisers to assist in evacuating the Mon Calamari. These cruisers, originally merchant vessels, had been refitted for combat.

Nevertheless, the battle resulted in an Imperial victory. Following the invasion, Commander Ackbar fled Mon Cala to serve the Rebellion against the Empire, which he did faithfully. At some point, Ackbar was enslaved by Grand Moff Tarkin but was later rescued by the rebels. Ackbar sustained injuries during the Battle of Boz Pity.

Following the Battle of Scarif, and the subsequent loss of Admiral Raddus, Ackbar took command of the ever-expanding Alliance Military. This included the Alliance Fleet, and he was given the title of supreme commander. After the destruction of Alderaan, Ackbar's fleet received a distress signal from Alderaanian refugees who were attempting to escape the Empire. Initially, Ackbar dispatched Echo Squadron, but after Lindon Javes convinced him that more support was needed, he sent three CR90 corvettes, a Nebulon-B frigate, and the MC80 Liberty Type Heavy Star Cruiser named Aurora to assist the fleeing civilians.

After the Battle of Yavin, the Empire began its assault on the Rebel base. Ackbar was one of the Rebel leaders tasked with organizing the fleet for the evacuation. Once the evacuation was complete, Ackbar remained with the fleet. Colonel Anj Zavor contacted Ackbar and the remaining fleet after the Battle of Scarif, however, Ackbar later stated in 34 ABY that they were "Shorthanded, behind schedule, under-equipped, and hardly in a position to supplant Raddus and bolster the rebel fleet."

He assisted in organizing the troops and gathering supplies for the planet's evacuation. During the ensuing chaos, Ackbar encountered Princess Leia. He offered his condolences regarding the destruction of Alderaan while simultaneously directing troops on where to deliver supplies. He also informed her of the location of General Jan Dodonna, whom she was searching for.

In 0 ABY, Ackbar dispatched Lieutenant Luke Skywalker and R2-D2 on a mission to Rodia. Although the mission's purpose was to establish new supply routes for the Rebellion, Ackbar felt uneasy about labeling it as smuggling. Princess Leia had initially proposed the mission, suggesting that the Chekkoo clan would be willing to collaborate. While Mon Mothma initially hesitated, Ackbar's support led to the mission's approval. Skywalker observed during the mission that no one seemed inclined to challenge Ackbar's decisions.

Upon Skywalker's return, Admiral Ackbar and Princess Leia boarded the command ship Redemption via shuttle. As Skywalker began to explain the mission's outcome, Ackbar interrupted him, displaying a lack of interest. Instead, he focused on Skywalker's encounter in the Llanic system, specifically the downing of two TIE fighters. Organa then introduced a new mission aimed at extracting the cryptologist Drusil Bephorin and reuniting her with her family on Omereth, a location Ackbar described as being beyond Hutt Space. Ackbar remarked on Omereth's oceanic nature, finding it appealing despite the presence of large, predatory native fish. When Skywalker questioned his assignment to the mission, Organa explained that a skilled pilot was required.

The Kupohan he had rescued possessed valuable information pinpointing the location of a Givin cryptologist named Drusil Bephorin, whom the Rebellion sought to extract. Skywalker, intending to use the Desert Jewel, requested a weapons upgrade. However, Ackbar informed him that the Alliance's limited funds were prioritized for fleet maintenance, not upgrades. Skywalker suggested seeking assistance from Nakari Kelen, whose father was wealthy, and Ackbar confirmed her return from her training mission, not objecting to the plan.

Upon Kelen's return, she engaged in conversation with Skywalker while Admiral Ackbar observed nearby. She informed him of her father's plan to investigate a newly discovered moon. Although Kelen doubted her father's willingness to provide funds without a return, she suggested exchanging funds for a scouting report on the moon, a task she and Skywalker could undertake. Ackbar interjected, inquiring whether the Empire was aware of Fex and its orbiting planet, Sha Qarot, as well as the presence of any sentient species. Kelen was uncertain about the former but confirmed the absence of known sentient species. Ackbar granted them permission to proceed, requesting they assess the moon's suitability as an Alliance base. Skywalker then bid farewell to Ackbar.

Upon Skywalker's return, the fleet remained hidden in the Orto Plutonia system. During a meeting with Ackbar in the Promise, Ackbar expressed disappointment that Fex was unsuitable for a rebel base, but was encouraged to hear that the Desert Jewel had been upgraded. He then began to brief the pair on their new mission, explaining that their contact operated a noodle hut on Denon as a front for her espionage activities. They were instructed to visit the restaurant and order a peculiar dish to signal their intentions.

When Ackbar struggled to recall the dish's name, the protocol droid C-3PO reminded him that it was the Corellian buckwheat noodles with rancor sauce. Ackbar and Kelen both found this dish appalling. Organa assured them that they would not need to eat it, just order it. Sakhet, the shop's owner, would have files ready for them when they arrived. Ackbar told them that their target, Bephorin, wanted to be taken to Omereth, where the Alliance was arranging for her family to be brought. Ackbar warned that she would be heavily guarded and that the guards may need to be "taken care of." The mission ended up being successful, but Kelen, to the great regret of Skywalker, was killed.

Shortly after the Mission on Denon, Rebel forces managed to bomb an Imperial supply base on Imdaar and a shipyard on Kuat. Ackbar informed Leia Organa of this sometime after the events occurred.

Later, aboard an Alliance warship, Rebel commanders received a distress signal from R2-D2. Ackbar, Mon Mothma, and General Dodonna learned that Skywalker had been captured by a Hutt crime lord. Ackbar inquired about rescuing Skywalker, but Mon Mothma expressed reluctance to allocate resources for his rescue. Mothma also began to say that she had no idea who would even volunteer for such a task, but she was interrupted by a growl from Chewbacca, which was translated by C-3PO to mean that the pair would leave at once.

Between 0 ABY and 1 ABY, the planet Tureen VII was besieged by the Empire for secretly aiding the Rebel Alliance. Upon learning of this, Ackbar suggested that the Alliance reciprocate by assisting the starving population. When Princess Leia and Lieutenant Skywalker proposed this action, Mothma explained that three previous attempts had failed to penetrate the planet's blockade or its swarms of TIE fighters. Skywalker suggested using something large to break through, but Mothma dismissed this, citing the Rebel fleet's limited availability.

Skywalker clarified that he meant a Star Destroyer. While Organa considered him crazy and Dodonna deemed the plan absurd, Ackbar believed it could succeed, suggesting the assignment of a crew and an Admiral. Mothma granted permission, and the mission was executed successfully.

Following the battle for Jedha, Leia, Luke, Han Solo, C-3PO, R2-D2, Chewbacca, and Ackbar met with Regent Dors Urtya to discuss the possibility of the Mon Cala Mercantile Fleet revolting against the Empire and joining the Rebel navy. Urtya declined, fearing for the safety of the Mon Cala people.

Ackbar was aboard a Mon Calamari Star Cruiser when he and the fleet received a message from the dying King Lee-Char, urging his people to join the Alliance before his death at the hands of stormtroopers. Ackbar led the fleet, supported by the Rebel Alliance, in a mutiny against the Imperial forces attempting to suppress them. Ackbar contacted Captain Pysk Lila of the Aurora Flare, requesting her voluntary sacrifice of her cruiser filled with coaxium to crash into a Star Destroyer, creating an escape route for the fleet, knowing that she would lose her life in the process. Lila agreed, and Ackbar expressed his regret at not having known her better. The Aurora Flare's impact created a breach in the Imperial blockade, allowing the Mon Calamari cruisers to escape. Ackbar and the remaining Mercantile Fleet fled to Mako-Ta Space Docks, where they were refitted as warships for the Rebel Navy.

Ackbar was present at Mako-Ta Space Docks when the Rebel Alliance attempted to celebrate their newly acquired fleet with a party. However, their celebration was interrupted by the arrival of Darth Vader's Death Squadron, secretly summoned by Queen Trios. Due to Trios' sabotage of the cruisers, Death Squadron began systematically destroying them. Luke Skywalker managed to bypass the Shu-Torun codes used to disable the cruisers and launched the rebel starfighters. Luke used his ship's light trail to signal Ackbar that the bay doors were open. Ackbar ordered all fighters to launch and spread the word. After obtaining the codes needed to bring all the ships online, Ackbar ordered Home One to jump into hyperspace.

Shortly after, Ackbar was present when Valance offered a datacard containing the plans for a shield generator.

Following an attack on an Imperial Impound Yard, Skywalker offered Tula Markona and her clan the opportunity to meet Admiral Ackbar aboard Home One, but Tula declined, still resentful that Skywalker and his team had indirectly caused the deaths of her parents.

The team traveled to the Kaliida Nebula in the Volt Cobra and initially feared a trap when Ackbar and Home One failed to arrive for pickup. Home One eventually arrived, with Ackbar's voice heard over the comlink, expressing relief that they had survived the assault on Mako-Ta Space Docks. Princess Leia went to the bridge to speak with the Admiral, who was delighted to see her. After greeting her, the Princess informed Ackbar that she possessed documents that would enable them to destroy Shu-Torun, Queen Trios' homeworld. Ackbar was hesitant and skeptical about using a large rebel force for Leia's personal vendetta against the Queen of Shu-Torun. The Mon Calamari admiral inquired about her plan, to which Leia responded that she had a plan they would never expect.

Following the attack in the Cilpar system, ambitious rebel pilot Ibti Myrak was assigned to comms duty by Skywalker as punishment for her actions during the attack. While Rogue Squadron participated in an ambush in the Valo system, Myrak remained with Ackbar to work on comms. However, sensing something amiss, she sprinted away as Ackbar called after her, attempting to determine her destination.

Ackbar caught up to Myrak in the hangar bay, reprimanding her for attempting to leave and disobey Commander Skywalker's orders. Myrak attempted to plead her case, but the annoyed admiral refused to listen and ordered her to return to the flight deck. The reckless pilot insulted the admiral and shoved the chief technician Garn Stewer into Ackbar, knocking him down. Myrak apologized but boarded an X-wing and took off regardless.

C-3PO attempted to alert Ackbar, but he ignored the droid and requested a report from Stewer. Stewer reported that they could not track Myrak because she was in hyperspace, and Ackbar ordered him to establish contact with Skywalker. However, Stewer was unable to do so due to Rogue Squadron's involvement in the ongoing battle in the Valo system.

As the battle intensified, R2 attempted to contact Ackbar's fleet, but without success. However, after Myrak rescued Skywalker, the battle turned in the rebels' favor with the arrival of the Rebel Fleet, forcing the Empire to retreat. Skywalker thanked Ackbar for coming to their rescue, but Ackbar insisted that Skywalker should thank Myrak for discovering encoded messages that a spy had been sending to the Empire for months.

Although Admiral Ackbar was not present at the Battle of Hoth, he received a call to assist with the evacuation. However, there was insufficient time to scramble the rebel fleet. The evacuation was completed within hours, but the Alliance suffered significant losses.

Following the battle, Ackbar implemented a new hyperspace jump schedule for the fleet: Jump coordinates were transmitted from Home One to all nearby ships, which then relayed the coordinates to other outposts and vessels. As a precaution, Ackbar ordered every gunner in the fleet to fire on any craft that emerged from hyperspace on an incorrect reversion vector. When X-wing pilots Wedge Antilles and Wes Janson rendezvoused with Home One, Antilles speculated that Luke Skywalker's lateness might be due to Ackbar requiring high-security rebels to make extra hyperspace jumps.

After the Rebel Alliance successfully escaped the Battle of Ab Dalis, Ackbar, Mothma, and the rest of the Eleventh Division joined forces with the Fourth and Seventh Divisions. They were rescued by the Fourth Division's Starlight Squadron and Commander Skywalker, and provided with a new security transmission code based on the lost language of Trawak.

Sometime later, Ackbar and Mothma provided updates since Hoth. Ackbar stated that while the fleet had been diminished, they now had time to address secondary objectives. The primary objective was to reestablish a supply chain, with Captain Amilyn Holdo negotiating a deal with the crime families until the Syndicate War erupted.

Following the Alliance's successful attack on Bar'leth during Empire Day, Admiral Ackbar congratulated Organa on the mission during a meeting. Organa expressed appreciation for Ackbar's willingness to risk rebel personnel and ships on missions deep within Imperial territory. During the meeting, Ackbar concurred with General Hera Syndulla's assessment that the rebel fleet had lost many connections while reforming after Hoth. He reiterated the Rebel Alliance's need to reestablish contact with its intelligence assets to rebuild their supply lines. Ackbar recommended establishing a base for rebel ships to undergo repairs. He also suggested continuing strategic attacks, making them public to demonstrate the Empire's vulnerability to the galaxy.

Sometime after, Ackbar participated in a briefing led by Captain Syndulla, addressing recent potential intelligence gathered by the Rebellion.

Skywalker undertook a mission to Coruscant to rescue Crimson Dawn spies who had defected from the Empire. Upon his return, he held a briefing with rebel command, sharing highly critical intel. When asked about Organa's whereabouts, Ackbar explained that she was in another sector due to recent rebel efforts to avoid concentrating too much of the fleet in one location. Skywalker's revelation that the spies were from Crimson Dawn concerned Ackbar, who believed that Dawn also had spies within the Rebel Alliance. Skywalker continued, revealing that the Empire was constructing a second Death Star, shocking rebel command.

Later on, Ackbar briefed Alliance members on an aerial assault on the Imperial capital, Coruscant.

The Scourge, a malevolent droid, possessed Petyr, a crusader of the Second Revelation droid freedom group. Petyr then secretly boarded the Home One and possessed C-3PO while Ackbar and other rebel leaders discussed how to destroy the second Death Star.

Suddenly, the cybernectic implants in the cyborg Lobot malfunctioned, triggering a battle alert on the Home One. The shield batteries activated, confusing Ackbar, who had not issued such an order. Ackbar alerted all rebel personnel that the cruiser was on red alert and instructed them to report to their battle stations immediately. As chaos ensued on the Home One, a rebel commander reported to Admiral Ackbar that the ship was behaving as if it were in battle, despite the absence of any detected enemy. Ackbar ordered the commander to run diagnostics and override the systems to regain control of the Home One.

Rebel personnel then reported that the main turbolaser batteries were warming up without any activation codes. Ackbar ordered the rebel fleet to execute evasive maneuvers as the Home One began firing. Simultaneously, rebel member Lando Calrissian discovered that Lobot was responsible for the chaos and was forced to destroy his implants. Ackbar then ordered a full investigation into the cause of the incident.

In 3 ABY, Alliance Intelligence introduced Operation Ringbreaker, a series of coordinated assaults aimed at shutting down the naval shipyards at the Kuat Drive Yards. Once the defenses were stretched to their limit, naval and infantry forces would attack. General Madine sent the Phase 1 overview of Ringbreaker, which detailed how the 61st Mobile Infantry would secure multiple targets.

The Operation was planned to culminate with the sabotage of the Kuat Drive Yards. However, the operation came to a halt at the Siege of Inyusu Tor when Imperial resistance was more than the rebel forces could handle. Ackbar said in 34 ABY that Operation Ringbreaker was brilliantly planned but was brought low by undetectable circumstances. Commander Mothma said that another attempt to take Kuat would not be attempted.

During the period between 3 ABY and 4 ABY, Lando Calrissian was subjected to a trial, adhering to the regulations of the Corellian code of military justice, on charges of treason against the Rebellion. Ackbar, in conjunction with Mothma and General Madine, acted as magistrates for this trial. Prior to the trial, Admiral Ackbar and Madine advocated for Calrissian's execution due to his alleged transgressions, a proposition that Mothma and Organa countered, citing potential damage to rebel morale. A significant event occurred during the trial when Mothma, participating through a hologram, was kidnapped by Scarabi mercenaries, an incident that deeply affected Ackbar.

Subsequently, Admiral Ackbar initiated Tactical Plan Eighteen, a protocol designed to disperse the Alliance Fleet to disparate, randomized locations if their position had been compromised. Salli Georgio, Calrissian's legal lawyer, proposed that the case be dismissed due to Mothma's incapacitation; however, Ackbar and the other magistrates rejected this proposal, allowing the trial to proceed. Shortly thereafter, he, together with the rest of the Rebel High Command, was presented with a ransom demand from the Scarabi, requiring 200 million credits within a day before they would consider involving other parties. Ackbar then declared that the Alliance would face bankruptcy if they were to comply with this demand.

Later, Ackbar, alongside other rebel commanders, scrutinized potential Scarabi safehouses identified by Chewbacca, with the aim of rescueing Mothma. Ackbar faced challenges in comprehending the Wookiee's native language, Shyriiwook. Following the deployment of pathfinders, the rebels successfully rescued Mothma, and Calrissian's trial resumed.

Lobot provided testimony in Calrissian's defense, characterizing him as loyal; however, Ackbar countered that the trial was predicated on the opposite assertion. Lobot responded by presenting evidence of Calrissian's loyalty towards him. Following further testimonies and closing arguments, the magistrates deliberated briefly before delivering a verdict of guilty. Ackbar mandated that Calrissian compensate the Rebel Alliance with 250 million credits for treason, a debt that was suspended until the conclusion of the war and subject to reduction based on his contributions to the Rebellion.

Around 4 ABY, numerous rebel leaders convened on the planet Zastiga. During a high-level meeting, a hologram depicting an incomplete Death Star was displayed. Several attendees, including Princess Leia, expressed confusion, initially mistaking it for the Death Star from the Battle of Yavin. Ackbar clarified that the Empire had commenced construction on a second Death Star, featuring a larger diameter and advanced specifications, including an enhanced superlaser. The leaders then engaged in discussions regarding the Alliance's subsequent actions and strategies for its destruction. General Airen Cracken and Ackbar explained that the vulnerability exploited by Skywalker to destroy the first Death Star had been rectified. He and Mon Mothma concurred that the Rebellion needed to launch their attack before the battle stations reached completion.

The following day, the leaders reconvened in the briefing room, many exhibiting signs of exhaustion. Upon Mothma's signal, Ackbar reiterated the presentation of the second Death Star's hologram. He elaborated that the Death Star would remain vulnerable as long as its main reactor remained exposed. When Admiral Massa expressed pessimism, suggesting that the entire rebel fleet would be insufficient to overcome the Imperial Fleet, Ackbar countered by asserting that victory would not be achieved through direct ship-to-ship combat but rather by creating time for their starfighters. Ackbar also revealed that they had acquired intelligence indicating that the station was shielded by an energy field emanating from a nearby moon's surface. Madine's commandos were tasked with stealing an Imperial shuttle, infiltrating the moon, and disabling the generator.

One admiral raised concerns about the difficulty of assembling the fleet without attracting the Empire's attention. Ackbar explained, as he had previously informed Mon Mothma, that Sullust was the only viable fleet staging area if the Alliance intended to exploit the Sanctuary Pipeline, an Imperial secret closely guarded until its discovery by rebel agents. The fleet would gather there, the commando team would proceed to disable the shield, and the fleet would then follow, utilizing the Sanctuary Pipeline for transit. Princess Leia then proposed a strategy to divert the Empire's attention: Leia would lead a feigned recruiting mission with a designated rendezvous point, while the actual fleet assembled at Sullust. Ackbar supported Leia's suggestion of Nien Nunb as her pilot for the mission. Organa inferred that Ackbar's lack of objection to her plan signified his approval. Although the plan was not immediately rejected, it required further consideration from Mothma.

When Madine volunteered for the mission, Ackbar dismissed the offer, stating that Madine's expertise was essential for planning the operation on Endor. Ackbar also noted that the Rebellion had already struck Sullust during Operation Ringbreaker, making a subsequent operation there plausible. He assured Mothma that, following the Battle of Endor, the fleet would return to liberate Sullust. In 34 ABY, Ackbar acknowledged that this objective was achieved, albeit months after Endor rather than the initially planned days.

During Commander Iden Versio's escape from the Invincible Faith, she bypassed a room where Ackbar was briefing rebel personnel to join the rest of the Rebel fleet, which was to assemble at Sullust to launch a surprise assault on the second Death Star.

When Mothma inquired about Ackbar's choice to lead the starfighter attack on the second Death Star, she suggested Luke Skywalker. Ackbar, based on recommendations from the Sullustan Nien Nunb and Ensign Deltura, proposed Lando Calrissian. In his effort to persuade Calrissian, Ackbar initially appealed to his sense of honor, but after this approach proved unsuccessful, he directly addressed the matter of money. Ackbar later expressed disappointment in 34 ABY that Calrissian did not remain in service.

Six days prior to the Battle of Endor, Admiral Ackbar received a communication from Buccel Trune, who had become aware of a plot to assassinate Mon Mothma. Initially skeptical, Ackbar questioned Trune regarding the veracity of the intelligence, but Trune reassured him that the threat was substantial.

Subsequently, Ackbar conferred with Mothma, who displayed indifference towards the plot. She maintained that the Rebel Alliance should proceed with the planned assault on the second Death Star and refrain from diverting resources to investigate a potentially spurious plot. However, the Admiral contended that the Rebellion could simultaneously safeguard her and advance their objectives. He asserted that the safety of all rebel leaders was paramount if the Rebellion aspired to transition into a republic. While Mothma acknowledged his viewpoint, she remained convinced that the plot was fabricated, citing a lack of reliable evidence to substantiate the intelligence. Ackbar likened the intelligence to a double-edged sword, noting that while specific details were scarce, the overarching narrative remained credible. Despite his continued advocacy, Mothma declined to reallocate resources to her protection and expressed unwillingness to entertain further objections from the Admiral.

Shortly thereafter, Admiral Ackbar, without Mothma's knowledge, secretly met with Kes Dameron via hologram to discuss the protection of the rebel leader. Dameron acknowledged Mothma's perspective and inquired as to the reason for Ackbar's summons. Ackbar, burdened by the recent news, explained to Dameron that the Rebel Alliance stood on the precipice of a significant milestone and required optimal conditions to achieve success. He deemed the assassination plot to be ill-timed for the galaxy. Admiral Ackbar then instructed Dameron, alongside his wife, Shara Bey, to locate and prevent the assassination.

Ackbar's apprehensions and the intelligence proved accurate when the Empire attempted to assassinate Mothma, but the Rebel Alliance pathfinders successfully thwarted the plan.

Ackbar served as one of the commanders during the Battle of Endor. During the pre-mission briefing, Gial outlined the plan for the Rebels' assault on the Death Star. He detailed that a ground team, led by General Han Solo, would infiltrate the forest moon of Endor to disable the shield generator, enabling a fighter squadron, commanded by General Lando Calrissian, to penetrate the battle station's superstructure and destroy it from within. Following the briefing, Ackbar privately apologized to engineer Evans Basch for his inability to locate the refugee, Tobie. He then conveyed to Basch that he had instilled hope in the Alliance and that he must capitalize on it.

He directed the fleet from the bridge of his vessel, Home One. However, as the battle commenced, Ackbar discerned that they had been lured into a trap, with the fleet's sensors jammed and an Imperial fleet obstructing their escape, signaling their impending demise. Ackbar initially hesitated to continue the battle upon realizing that the Death Star's superlaser was operational. Nevertheless, Calrissian persuaded him otherwise. Once Han Solo's team neutralized the shield generator, Ackbar's fleet engaged the remaining Imperial forces, providing cover for Calrissian and his fighters, along with Wedge Antilles, to enter the Death Star and destroy it. Ackbar specifically instructed his forces to concentrate their firepower on the Executor, which was ultimately destroyed by an A-wing. Ackbar was deeply saddened by the loss of life incurred during the battle.

In the aftermath of the battle, Ackbar addressed the Alliance, announcing that the time for celebration had arrived and that Skywalker had confirmed the deaths of Palpatine and Vader. However, he cautioned that the time for respite had not yet come, asserting that while the Empire's weapon had been destroyed, the Empire itself persisted, continuing to oppress freedom-loving individuals throughout the galaxy. He concluded by stating that their struggle would continue because, while the rebellion had concluded, the war was only beginning.

Despite the Empire's defeat at Endor, they persisted in their resistance, initiating Operation: Cinder, a contingency plan posthumously issued by the Emperor. Over three months following the Battle of Endor, the Alliance officially reorganized into a New Republic, continuing to defend against Imperial assaults. As Admiral, Ackbar commanded the New Republic Defense Fleet in its campaign against the remnants of the Empire. In his leisure, Ackbar honed his mental acuity by practicing with his kar-shak against simulated stormtroopers. He publicly stated via the HoloNet that he was cognizant that the fighting had not yet concluded.

Admiral Ackbar's military campaign against the Empire received assistance from a mysterious Imperial informant known as the Operator, who leaked intelligence regarding Imperial military movements. While Ackbar was engaged in kar-shak practice, he was visited by Ensign Deltura, who informed the Admiral that Captain Wedge Antilles had ceased communication following his scouting mission to Raydonia. Ackbar instructed Deltura to dispatch scouts to five nearby planets, including Mustafar, Geonosis, Dermos, Akiva, and Tatooine. As a precautionary measure, Ackbar ordered Deltura to send two scouts to Akiva.

Deltura then informed him that they had received new information from the Operator. When Ackbar expressed surprise that an Ensign was privy to classified information, Deltura reassured him that Commander Kyrsta Agate had granted him clearance. Deltura dispatched two A-wing scout ships to Akiva, but the ships were shot down by an Imperial Star Destroyer commanded by Admiral Rae Sloane. The Empire was hosting an emergency summit on the planet, and Antilles had been captured by Imperial forces there.

Following the downing of the scout ships, Admiral Ackbar corresponded with several New Republic leaders and officials via hologram, including Commander Agate, Captain Saff Melor, General Crix Madine, and the newly-appointed Chancellor Mon Mothma. When Agate suggested they could trust the Operator, Ackbar cautioned that the Battle of Endor demonstrated the Empire's capacity for long-term planning. When Melor advocated sending in a fleet to Akiva, Mothma urged caution to avoid creating the impression that the New Republic were invaders.

While Melor and Mothma debated the merits of aiding a strategically marginal planet like Akiva, Ackbar sided with the Chancellor and urged his comrades to be wary of Imperial traps. He then inquired of General Madine whether he could dispatch a small strike team of New Republic Special Forces soldiers to investigate Akiva. Madine confirmed its feasibility, and Ackbar agreed to send a small scouting party to Akiva. This party was attacked by Imperial turbolasers, but one member, Sergeant Jom Barell, survived and played a role in the subsequent rebellion on Akiva. Ackbar was informed about the attack on Barell's scouting party by Ensign Deltura and Science officer Niriian.

During the summit, Antilles managed to briefly escape and transmit an emergency message to Ackbar, detailing the critical situation. In response, Ackbar prepared a small fleet to attack the Imperial presence on Akiva. Ackbar assigned Commander Agate to lead the assault on Akiva. Agate's small fleet destroyed two Star Destroyers, while the New Republic pilot Norra Wexley, her son Temmin, and a small rebel cell orchestrated an uprising that overwhelmed the meagre Imperial garrison and the collaborationist Satrapy of Myrra. Akiva became one of the first Outer Rim worlds to align with the New Republic.

Admiral Ackbar's triumph on Akiva was facilitated by the Operator, who provided intelligence regarding the position of the orbiting Star Destroyers. Despite acknowledging the usefulness of his information, Ackbar did not fully trust the Operator, who was later revealed to be Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax. A month later, Ackbar presented a medal to Norra Wexley for her service in rescuing Antilles and assisting the New Republic in liberating Akiva from the Empire.

One year after the Alliance's victory at Endor, the now-Fleet Admiral Ackbar commanded the New Republic Starfleet's campaign against the remnants of the Empire. While Ackbar's duties took him into space, the Admiral still visited the New Republic capital of Chandrila to consult with Chancellor Mon Mothma and other leaders. On one such trip, Admiral Ackbar met with the New Republic starfighter pilot Norra Wexley at Skygarden above Hanna City. He ordered her to cease her mission to rescue the missing Han Solo and to resume her hunt for Imperial commissions. Norra refused to comply with this order and resigned her commission in the New Republic Navy. She, her son Temmin, the B1-series battle droid Mister Bones, the former Imperial loyalty officer Sinjir Rath Velus, the Zabrak bounty hunter Jas Emari, and the New Republic soldier Jom Barell then embarked on a quest to find Solo.

During a later meeting with Chancellor Mothma and her advisers, Ackbar opined that the New Republic was not doing enough to win former Imperial systems to the New Republic. Mothma concurred and agreed to embark on a campaign to entice prospective members by giving them a place in the reconstituted Galactic Senate. Shortly later, Princess Leia entered the room and argued with Chancellor Mothma about not enough being done to aid the enslaved Wookiees of the planet Kashyyyk. Following a brief argument, a frustrated Leia stormed out of the meeting despite Ackbar's efforts to call out to her.

Later, Admiral Ackbar commanded a successful campaign to capture the planet Kuat and the strategically important Kuat Drive Yards. The sector governor Moff Pollus Maksim and the guild head of Kuat Drive Yards capitulated. During the battle, Ackbar's forces lost fewer ships than their Imperial opponents. The loss of Kuat dealt a serious blow to the Galactic Empire.

Following the battle, Princess Leia contacted Admiral Ackbar by hologram to congratulate him for his role in securing the New Republic's victory. Shortly later, Chancellor Mon Mothma interrupted the conversation to inform her comrades that she had received communication from the Operator, who wanted to meet with the New Republic leadership. Ackbar ordered his comm officer Toktar to open the Old Alliance frequency Zeta Zeta Nine. The guest turned out to be Grand Admiral Sloane, the public face of the Galactic Empire. Despite Sloane's claims that she was the Operator, Ackbar did not believe her.

When Sloane addressed Ackbar as Grand Admiral, the Mon Calamari responded that Grand Admiral was an Imperial ranking and accused her of seizing the title for herself. Ackbar's colleague Commodore Agate soon joined the holo-conversation and accused Sloane of deceiving them. After exchanging some barbs, the New Republic commanders and Grand Admiral Sloane settled down to business. When Sloane revealed that she was interested in initiating peace talks with the New Republic, Ackbar curled his chin tendrils to express skepticism. Nevertheless, he acceded to Chancellor Mothma's decision to raise the matter of the peace talks with the Galactic Senate.

In reality, the peace talks were a ruse for the Empire to stage an attack on Chandrila. Rax had manipulated Grand Admiral Sloane into approaching the New Republic for peace talks as part of his plot to use the liberated prisoners from Ashmead's Lock to assassinate the New Republic leadership. For this plot, Rax had inserted each of the prisoners with an inorganic bio-chip which allowed him to transmit signals into their brains. This turned the former prisoners into unwilling assassins.

Later, Admiral Ackbar and other New Republic officials greeted the liberated prisoners from Ashmead's Lock when they arrived at Hanna City Spaceport. After Han Solo and Chewbacca managed to stage a Wookiee uprising on Kashyyyk, Admiral Ackbar traveled on his ship Home One to support Princess Leia and Captain Wedge Antilles' Phantom Squadron in their attack on the orbiting Imperial Star Destroyers. After Solo and Chewbacca hijacked the Dominion and destroyed the Star Destroyer Vitiator, the third Star Destroyer Neutralizer surrendered to Admiral Ackbar. Despite the liberation of Kashyyyk, the New Republic forces soon received news of the attack on Chandrila.

Following the Chandrila incidents, Rax assumed command of the Imperial fleets and directed them to gather above Jakku for a final confrontation with the New Republic. Some months later, Temmin and Rath Velus discovered the Empire's relocation to Jakku. They shared this information with Chancellor Mothma and Princess Leia, but Senator Tolwar Wartol, a rival of Chancellor Mothma, leaked it to the media. After Wartol's public criticism of Mothma's leadership, Admiral Ackbar assured her that withholding the information was the correct decision, given its recent acquisition (less than a standard day). After Mon Mothma announced her intention to address the press, Admiral Ackbar added that he would dispatch a scout ship and probe droids to Jakku for investigation.

Admiral Ackbar sent Ensign Deltura aboard the scout ship Oculus, along with several probe droids, to conduct the investigation. Once the scouting team verified the relocation of the majority of the Imperial remnants to Jakku, Chancellor Mothma called an emergency session of the Galactic Senate, urging support for her resolution to deploy military forces to the planet. However, the resolution failed by a margin of five votes. Subsequently, Admiral Ackbar visited Chancellor Mothma to inform her of the vote's outcome, noting that it meant the fleet would not be deployed to Jakku, and the Empire would remain there.

After Rath Velus successfully persuaded the five senators to reverse their votes, the New Republic gained the ability to dispatch its military forces to Jakku. Before the battle commenced, Admiral Ackbar successfully convinced Commodore Kyrsta Agate to reassume command aboard the Starhawk-class battleship Concord. Agate, left despondent and disfigured after the Attack on Chandrila, was visited by Ackbar on her flagship, where he praised her as one of his most talented officers. When Agate admitted to a loss of hope, Ackbar commended her for acknowledging the weight of war and resisting the pull of anger.

When Agate voiced doubts about her capacity to captain the Concord, Ackbar reassured her that no one is ever truly prepared. He added that the best course of action was to face it with courage and integrity. Ackbar also acknowledged the Empire's awareness of their presence, stating his readiness for a large-scale fleet engagement. When Agate suggested Jakku might be a deception, Ackbar reassured her of their preparedness. When Agate inquired about their chances of victory, Ackbar replied that fighting alongside them would be an honor, regardless of whether it was their final battle or the beginning of many more. They then parted ways and assumed their respective battle stations.

During the Battle of Jakku, Admiral Ackbar directed the New Republic fleet. Despite having numerical superiority, the New Republic fleet struggled to penetrate the Imperial defensive lines. The Imperial Star Destroyers had established a defensive perimeter around the Super Star Destroyer Ravager, the Imperial command ship. Throughout the battle, the Star Destroyers would periodically expose their flanks, allowing the Ravager to unleash its turbolasers and torpedoes on the New Republic fleet, resulting in the destruction of numerous New Republic warships and starfighters.

While overseeing the space battle, Ackbar also maintained communication with General Tyben, who commanded the ground assault via hologram from Chandrila. When Tyben expressed his desire to be on Jakku with Lieutenant General Brockway, Ackbar countered that it was necessary to maintain reserve forces on Chandrila and the new capital Nakadia in case Jakku proved to be a diversion. Ackbar then witnessed the Star Destroyer Punishment break formation with the Imperial fleet and collide with the Starhawk Amity, destroying both vessels. Recognizing that Agate's ship, the Concord, was positioned in the resulting gap, Ackbar opened a channel to contact Commodore Agate.

Fearing for their safety, Admiral Ackbar instructed the Commodore and her crew to abandon ship. Agate ordered her crew to comply but remained behind. She realized that the Punishment's destruction had created an opening that would allow her ship to target the Ravager. As the Concord exchanged fire with the Ravager, Ackbar again ordered her to abandon her ship. However, Agate persuaded Ackbar to dispatch starfighters and CR90 corvettes to attack the Super Star Destroyer's vulnerable flank engines. Despite some reservations, Ackbar ultimately accepted Agate's sacrifice, praying that the Force would be with them all.

The Concord sustained critical damage from the Ravager and began plummeting towards Jakku's surface. However, Agate activated her ship's powerful tractor beam and proceeded to pull the Super Star Destroyer down with her. As the two ships descended into Jakku's orbit, Ackbar seized the intercom and warned all New Republic soldiers and pilots that the Ravager had been downed, instructing them to take cover and be wary of falling debris. While Ackbar's crew celebrated behind him, the Admiral remained somber, praying for the Force to protect those below and to welcome Agate into its embrace.

The destruction of the Ravager shifted the momentum of the Battle of Jakku in favor of the New Republic. Simultaneously, Grand Admiral Sloane allied with her New Republic adversaries Brentin Lore Wexley and Norra Wexley to prevent Gallius Rax, the Counselor to the Empire, from detonating Jakku and the orbiting Imperial and New Republic fleets. In the aftermath of the battle, the New Republic and Galactic Empire signed the Galactic Concordance, bringing an end to the Galactic Civil War. The Galactic Concordance demilitarized and imposed severe sanctions on the remaining Imperial forces. With the war concluded, the New Republic focused on reorganizing the galactic order. Following the Empire's final defeat, Ackbar retired to his home planet of Mon Cala. In 16 ABY, Ackbar fathered a son, Aftab, though he only saw his son once after his birth.

Ackbar observed that the T-70 X-wing starfighter was in need of technical and mechanical improvements, having served the New Republic Defense Fleet for over two decades. He suggested that the New Republic Navy commission the Incom-FreiTek Corporation to develop a prototype for a new model. This led to the creation of the next generation X-wing, the T-85 X-wing starfighter.

Following the disclosure of Organa's lineage as the biological daughter of Darth Vader, Ackbar, along with other rebel veterans, sent messages of support to the besieged New Republic senator. He and several rebel veterans and New Republic personnel later attended a meeting on Hosnian Prime where Leia formally established the Resistance, a paramilitary organization dedicated to safeguarding the New Republic.

While Ackbar was serving with the Resistance, his son Aftab dedicated himself to studying every battle and victory of his father. Eventually, after Ackbar had been with the Resistance for a short time, Aftab pleaded with him to return to his retirement.

Sometime after joining the Resistance, Ackbar was captured by the First Order and held captive on the Subjugator, a Resurgent-class Star Destroyer. Fearing his execution by the First Order, the Resistance formed a team led by Captain Hoff to locate Ackbar. Hoff's team eventually captured a First Order droid named O-MR1, believed to possess knowledge of Ackbar's location. On their return journey to the Resistance base, the team's ship crashed on Taul, with only a group of droids, including O-MR1, led by C-3PO, surviving. The droids followed a signal emanating from a First Order vessel, but were attacked by spice spiders and later by can-cell, resulting in the destruction of all droids except C-3PO and O-MR1. The two droids located the vessel, but before they could contact the Resistance, acid rain began to fall. They sought shelter under a ship's wing, knowing that the control panel would melt if they didn't get help soon. O-MR1, now considering C-3PO a friend, revealed Ackbar's location to 3PO before sacrificing himself to contact Poe Dameron for assistance. After O-MR1 had melted, Dameron arrived to rescue C-3PO. Following his rescue, Ackbar was with Vice Admiral Amilyn Holdo when Rose Tico and her older sister Paige joined the Resistance.

In 34 ABY, The Rebel Files were recovered on the planet Durkteel. The files were given to General Leia and the Resistance. Many of the Resistance leaders wrote notes in the files. Ackbar wrote that he wondered if Home One could be Meeta Cors' MC80 Star Cruiser the Nautilian in combat. Fellow Resistance Admiral, Ushos O. Statura wrote that Ackbar was correct.

After Ackbar's rescue from the First Order he sent J-Squadron on a scavenging mission to Vodran as punishment for an incident on D'Qar that endangered starfighters returning to the Resistance Base on D'Qar.

Following the Battle of Takodana, Ackbar was tasked with questioning Finn about his knowledge of Starkiller Base. Subsequently, the Resistance began planning their attack on the base, recognizing that they would be the next target. During the planning session, Ackbar questioned how a weapon the size of Starkiller Base could be powered. Finn explained that it drew its power from a nearby star, and Admiral Statura added that it would require a thermal oscillator to contain such power. This was confirmed by Finn, a former employee of the base. Ackbar also pointed out that Starkiller Base would be equipped with shields impenetrable to Resistance ships. Han Solo, with whom Ackbar had collaborated during the Galactic Civil War, offered to disable the shields, using a plan that he knew General Organa would disapprove of.

During the battle he told the rest of the Resistance command that the oscillator was damaged but still functional. He was then interrupted by a worried Resistance officer who said the base will fire in two minutes. Dameron had managed to destroy Starkiller Base before it could fire on the Resistance Base. He was present when R2-D2 and BB-8 revealed the location of Master Skywalker, whom Ackbar also had been acquainted with. Before Rey left to go train with Skywalker, she sat down to talk with Leia, during which Ackbar was behind them deliberating with other Resistance members at a holotable. Following the victory at Starkiller Base, Ackbar attended the funeral of Han Solo, who died at Starkiller at the hands of Kylo Ren, his and Leia's son.

After the Battle of Starkiller Base, Ackbar and the other Resistance members learned the First Order regrouped and were preparing for an attack on their base. Admiral Statura questioned how the First Order could've regrouped so quickly, but Ackbar didn't think it mattered. He then aided the rest of the Resistance in the evacuation of the base. When the First Order caught the Resistance during their evacuation, Admiral Ackbar confirmed to the rest of the Resistance crew onboard the MC85 Star Cruiser, the Raddus that the First Order had a flotilla of ships. He also stated that the First Order dreadnought had more firepower than a dozen destroyers and was designed for large-scale planetary assault. The admiral felt that they had no time left to spare and must jump to hyperspace now, but General Leia Organa insisted they buy as much time for the remaining Resistance forces to evacuate as they could.

After destroying the dreadnought, he commanded the fleet, and ordered it to jump to hyperspace and escape the First Order. However, unknown to the Resistance, the First Order had developed technology that allowed them to track ships through hyperspace. Ackbar ordered the ship to be turned around and to concentrate power on the rear shields. The First Order fleet pursued the Resistance and initiated an attack on the bridge of the Raddus. Kylo Ren and his two other wingmates destroyed the hangar of the Raddus and made their way to the primary bridge of the MC85 Star Cruiser, where the majority of Resistance command was present. Though Ren could not bring himself to fire on the bridge after sensing his mother's presence there, his wingmates, Poldin LeHuse and a second TIE fighter had no such qualms and fired missiles upon the primary bridge.

As one of Ackbar's Mon Calamari aides notified him of the inbound torpedoes, the gruff admiral looked to the crew of the bridge, embracing the fact that his fate had been sealed and there was no chance for escape, and declared his respect for them in the face of death before the missiles struck the adjacent viewport. In a huge explosion, Ackbar, the most esteemed military commander of his generation, was gone. Only Organa survived the ordeal, calling on the Force to pull herself back to the bridge's exposed corridor to use as an airlock. Ackbar's death was later confirmed by Commander Larma D'Acy and Vice Admiral Holdo would take command as leader of the Resistance while Leia recovered from her vacuum exposure.

Following the Battle of Crait, Organa, Chewbacca, C-3PO, Rose Tico, and Rey traveled to Mon Cala in an attempt to gather potential allies for the Resistance. Once they arrived at Dac City, Organa met with Aftab, and she expressed her condolences for Gial's death, assuring Aftab that she was with Gial when he died and she wished she could have brought his corpse with her. Aftab replied that while his father's remains were lost in space, his soul was with them. They paid their respects at the Mourning Shrines, where a statue of Ackbar was located. Gial's death came as a deep loss to Aftab, who greatly admired his father. Aftab had implored his father to return to his retirement, and after his staying with the Resistance movement until the very end, Aftab had to live up to that legacy.

When Temmin and Karé Kun informed the retired Wedge Antilles and Norra Wexley about the Resistance losses since the Battle of Crait, Antilles couldn't accept that Ackbar was gone after surviving the Battles of Endor and Jakku, having come to believe that the Mon Calamari admiral was going to live forever. Likewise, Leia still remembered Ackbar not only as a leader but as a friend while she lamented the fact that he was gone, having known him for most of her life, which led Rey to express her condolences even though she never met him.

Gial Ackbar was a seasoned and accomplished military commander who served with the Mon Calamari Guard, the Rebel Alliance, and its successors the New Republic and Resistance. During the Clone Wars and his service to the Mon Calamari Guard, Ackbar was a mentor to the young Mon Calamari Prince Lee-Char and strove to protect the young prince's life. He believed that Lee-Char was the right claimant to the Mon Cala throne who had the interests of both the Mon Calamari and Quarren in mind. Ackbar taught the young Prince how to lead his people in combat. Despite his valor, Ackbar was also pragmatic enough to order a retreat when the Quarren and their Separatist allies unleashed cyborg Hydroids-Medusa.

After being driven into hiding, Ackbar advised Lee-Char and his Jedi and Republic allies to split up to avoid capture. Despite his distrust of the Quarren for their connivance with the Separatists, Ackbar acceded to Lee-Char's plan to reunite the Mon Calamari and Quarren against the Separatist leader Karkarodon. Ackbar worked with his former Quarren adversary Nossor Ri to distribute weapons to the Mon Calamari and Republic captives and expel the Separatist invaders from Mon Cala.

By the time of the Galactic Civil War, Ackbar had become an Admiral in the Alliance Navy. He led the successful effort to evacuate the rebel base on Yavin IV following the Battle of Yavin. Ackbar was also a skilled tactician who devised the successful attack on the second Death Star using plans that had been stolen by Bothan spies. As a commander, Ackbar also knew how to delegate duties and assigned Han Solo to lead the strike team to deactivate the shield generator on Endor. During the Battle of Endor, Ackbar played an important role in saving many Alliance ships by sending them to attack the Imperial fleet in order to stop the second Death Star from firing on them.

Following the events on Endor, Admiral Ackbar commanded a string of New Republic victories which saw the taking of numerous worlds including Akiva, Kuat, and Kashyyyk. His skills and military victories won him the admiration of several of his Imperial foes including Grand Admiral Rae Sloane. While Ackbar found the Imperial informant Operator's information useful, he did not trust the mysterious leaker. Despite his martial accomplishments, Ackbar still believed in the Force and often included it in his greetings.

Admiral Ackbar was suspicious of Grand Admiral Sloane's peace offer. His suspicions were confirmed when the peace offer was used by Fleet Admiral Gallius Rax to launch a sneak attack on the New Republic. Ackbar encouraged Chancellor Mothma during her difficult times and reassured her that she had been wise not to immediately disclose information regarding Imperial forces on Jakku to the public. Ackbar also mentored Commodore Agate and encouraged her not to give up her command despite being disfigured during the Liberation Day attacks. He also cared for his crew but respected Agate's decision to sacrifice her life during the Battle of Jakku.

In the years after the Galactic Civil War, Ackbar maintained a deep respect for his former comrade Senator Leia Organa. He along with Mon Mothma, Han Solo, Chewbacca, Nien Nunb, and C-3PO remained loyal to Leia despite revelations that she was the daughter of Darth Vader. Ackbar was stirred by Organa's words and also shared her view that the New Republic lacked the strength to safeguard the galaxy and joined the Resistance. Resistance members such as Poe Dameron were honored to serve by him after hearing tales of his legendary military career.

At the time of Ackbar's death aboard the bridge of the Resistance's main cruiser, upon realizing that he would not survive the missile strike that would take his life, he demonstrated his courage, devotion to their rebellion and respect for his comrades as he took the opportunity to acknowledge them in his final words. Ackbar's loss was felt by many, including Leia, who regretted not being able to recover his corpse for a proper burial on his Mon Cala, remembering Ackbar as a hero until the very end.

A Mon Calamari male, Ackbar had salmon skin and yellow-orange eyes. He stood 1.8 meters tall, or 5 feet and eleven inches.

Aftab Ackbar was the son of Admiral Ackbar, who the admiral fathered at some point during his retirement. Aftab only saw his father once after his spawning where he begged him to return to retirement after he joined the Resistance. Although he never saw his father after that he felt that he knew him through his service to the galaxy during the Galactic Civil War. Aftab felt a great personal loss after the death of his father and took it upon himself to carry on his legacy.

Leia Organa worked alongside Ackbar throughout the Galactic Civil War, with the New Republic and until his death with the Resistance. She was a friend of the Mon Calamari. Leia helped convince the Mon Calamari people to mutiny against the Galactic Empire and Ackbar helped Leia during the evacuation of the Yavin 4 base. After his death Leia visited the Mourning Shrines with Aftab to pay her respects to the late admiral, only wishing that she could have brought the body home.

After ascending to the throne on Mon Cala, Prince Lee-Char was put under the protection of Captain Gial Ackbar who was captain of the Mon Cal Knights at the time. Ackbar was willing to break the tradition of the monarch of Mon Cala leading his troops into battle in order to protect the prince. When the Mon Calamari forces were forced to retreat Ackbar led the prince to the caves for protection. Prince Lee-Char also looked up to Ackbar and asked him for guidance. When Ackbar was captured by the Separatists, Lee-Char broke into the prison in order to ask for advice from the captain and to tell him of the plan.

A few years later, Ackbar was promoted to Chief of Security for King Lee-Char.

Though Admiral Ackbar was an accomplished military commander, he also kept his mind sharp and his body flexible by regularly practicing kar-shak against simulated stormtroopers. He was not Force-sensitive, but did possess above-average intelligence, diplomacy, strength, speed, and fighting abilities. Of those skills, his strongest was intelligence, although he had difficulty understanding the Wookiee language, Shyriiwook.

During the Clone Wars, Ackbar brandished a baton during combat when the Mon Calamari were battling the Quarren, who were aligned with the Separatists.

In the Galactic Civil War era, Admiral Ackbar was often seen in a traditional Mon Calamari fleet officer uniform that included a utility belt. This uniform was crafted from a moisture-retaining fabric, a crucial feature for a species more accustomed to aquatic environments than the dry conditions of starships, helping to keep his skin from drying out. He donned this uniform in significant events, notably the Battle of Endor. Leading up to the Battle of Jakku, Ackbar practiced with a kar-shak, preparing for potential close-quarters combat. Furthermore, Ackbar would equip himself with a blaster pistol.

The character of Admiral Ackbar was conceived for the 1983 movie Star Wars: Episode VI Return of the Jedi, the concluding chapter of the Star Wars original trilogy. However, Ackbar's initial appearance predates the film, debuting in Archie Goodwin's comic strip "Revenge of the Jedi," which was distributed by the Los Angeles Times Syndicate from November 1982 to January 1983. In Return of the Jedi, Ackbar's physical presence was brought to life by puppeteer Tim Rose, while his voice was provided by Erik Bauersfeld, who also voiced Bib Fortuna in the same film. In the animated series Star Wars: The Clone Wars, Artt Butler lent his voice to Ackbar. Rose and Bauersfeld both returned to their roles for the 2015 movie Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens, marking Bauersfeld's final contribution to film before his passing in 2016. In the 2017 sequel Star Wars: Episode VIII The Last Jedi, Rose once again embodied the character, with Tom Kane providing the voice. Kane had previously voiced Ackbar in other Star Wars projects, including LEGO Star Wars: Droid Tales. In the Disney+ miniseries Ahsoka, Elden Bennett played Ackbar in the first season episode "Part Seven: Dreams and Madness."

An early draft of the Return of the Jedi script envisioned Ackbar as a non-human character with light blue skin, a detail noted in "The Ultimate Return of the Jedi Insider's Guide," published in Star Wars Insider 67, as a potential link to Grand Admiral Thrawn. During the film's pre-production, George Lucas gave director Richard Marquand the freedom to choose Ackbar's appearance from a selection of 50 alien designs. Marquand selected a drawing by Nilo Rodis-Jamero, which he referred to as "Calamari man." This initial design lacked any established backstory or personality. Initially, the Gran Ree-Yees was considered for the role of Admiral Ackbar, but upon reviewing the creature sculpts, the filmmakers ultimately decided to proceed with the Mon Calamari admiral instead.

For Return of the Jedi, Admiral Ackbar was brought to life using a combination of a slip-on mask and a half-body puppet. Close-up shots with dialogue featured a highly detailed puppet operated by Rose, who also controlled Salacious B. Crumb. Rose was loaned to Lucasfilm by Jim Henson during the production of Episode VI, initially to puppeteer Crumb and Sy Snootles. However, Rose inquired with visual effects supervisor Phil Tippett about the possibility of also performing Ackbar. Rose was familiar with the controls and had significantly contributed to the puppet's design. At that stage he only knew that Ackbar was a background character who was to appear later after the appearance of both Snootles and Crumb at Jabba's Palace, wearing Ackbar's mask during scenes that didn't require a puppet too. Ben Burtt and George Lucas cast Bauersfeld to voice both Ackbar and Bib Fortuna after hearing his voice work during a radio drama production with Randy Thom. Despite this, Bauersfeld never met any of the cast members, although he did receive a kind letter from Rose. Bauersfeld completed the voice recordings for both Ackbar and Fortuna in just one hour with Burtt, finding the task relatively straightforward. Due to concerns about assigning crucial expository dialogue to a fish-faced puppet, some alternative scenes were filmed with Crix Madine taking on Ackbar's role during the Battle of Endor, but ultimately, Ackbar's scenes were retained.

While George Lucas conceived the character's surname during Jedi's production upon seeing the mask in the creature shop, Ackbar's given name wasn't established until the release of the Star Wars Legends reference book The Essential Guide to Warfare, penned by Jason Fry and Paul R. Urquhart and published on April 3, 2012. This book identified Ackbar's first name as "Gial." This name was later integrated into canon with the release of the reference book Star Wars: Absolutely Everything You Need to Know, which came out on September 4, 2015.

During the making of the 2005 film Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, the concluding film of the prequel trilogy, Lucas was so taken with the animatronic capabilities demonstrated by the Mon Calamari Meena Tills that he briefly entertained the idea of replacing Ackbar's footage from Episode VI with Tills's mask. Lucas had always felt that Ackbar's puppetry was a compromise, despite it utilizing the most advanced technology available in 1983. Ultimately, however, the original footage remained unchanged. Ackbar was initially included in the script for the 2016 Star Wars Anthology film Rogue One: A Star Wars Story, where he was to lead the Rebel fleet during the Battle of Scarif in the film's climax. However, after J.J. Abrams featured Ackbar in Episode VII, the character of Admiral Raddus was created to take Ackbar's place, as the filmmakers felt that Ackbar should not appear in two films released in such close proximity.

Admiral Ackbar's declaration "It's a trap!" from Return of the Jedi has become a widespread Internet meme, achieving viral status on platforms such as 4chan, LUELinks.net, SomethingAwful, and You're the Man Now Dog. The line was even incorporated into a skit in the first Robot Chicken: Star Wars special, a part of the satirical stop-motion TV show Robot Chicken. Tim Rose often includes the iconic phrase when signing autographs for fans. After finishing his scenes for The Last Jedi, the production crew playfully asked Rose to say "It's a wrap!"

Ackbar has been featured in various forms of media outside of the official canon:

Admiral Ackbar appeared multiple times in LEGO Star Wars: The Freemaker Adventures, often aboard Home One while the Freemakers were stationed there. In the episode Return of the Kyber Saber, Ackbar is seen in a hologram, requesting the capture of the Empire's 27th "Most Wanted" fugitive, Rowan Freemaker. He then enlists the Freemakers into the Rebel Alliance, offering them a job. In the episode "Home One," Ackbar meets the Freemaker family in person for the first time. He tasks them with finding a Type A vector coil, promising them permanent positions with the Alliance if they succeed. During "Thrown Into Battle," Ackbar raises an alarm over the comms, warning the rebels that the Empire has located the Fleet. He orders the Rebel starfighters to mobilize. Ackbar then awards Roger a medal for his contributions during the battle.

In "Zander Freemaker, Superstar Pilot Guy!," Zander Freemaker attempts to persuade Admiral Ackbar to allow him to fly a fighter. Ackbar directs him to Lieutenant Colvett Valeria. Ackbar then alerts the fleet to an incoming Imperial attack. After the battle concludes, Ackbar and his crew watch in dismay as Zander's starfighter is destroyed. In the episode "Beware, the Gamorrean Flu!," the Freemaker family visits the admiral. Ackbar informs them that two rebel agents are trapped behind an Imperial blockade. The Freemakers volunteer for the mission. Following the mission, Lando Calrissian, one of the rescued rebel agents, expresses his gratitude to Ackbar for recruiting the Freemakers.

At the start of "Trouble on Tibalt," Ackbar orders all rebel personnel on Home One to report to their battle stations, as the Empire has discovered the fleet's location. The rebel starfighters manage to breach the Imperial offensive, and Ackbar orders the Rebel Fleet to jump to hyperspace. During a rebel briefing in "The Tower of Alistan Nor," Kordi Freemaker suggests implementing five-minute showers to conserve water. This suggestion surprises everyone, who then turn to look at Ackbar, a native of a water planet, prompting him to question why they are all looking at him.

In "The Storms of Taul," Ackbar receives a transmission from Major Bren Derlin, stating that he is heading to the junk fields of the planet Taul. Ackbar dispatches the Freemakers to rescue him. Following their successful rescue, Ackbar congratulates them via hologram. Ackbar appears at the end of "Return to the Wheel" via hologram, congratulating them on their mission, but becomes concerned when they reveal that Darth Vader is searching for kyber crystals. Ackbar then instructs his fellow Rebel leaders to summon the Bothans to investigate whether the Empire is constructing a second Death Star. In "Flight of the Arrowhead," Ackbar contacts Quarrie during a battle, inquiring about the readiness of the Arrowhead. However, Quarrie's response does not reassure him, leaving Ackbar in disbelief. The Arrowhead is eventually repaired and saves the Rebel fleet; Ackbar awards the Freemaker family medals and promotions for their bravery in battle.

During the celebration after defeating the Empire on Kashyyyk in "A Perilous Rescue," Ackbar and the other Rebel leaders congratulate the Freemakers on their hard-fought victory. Later, aboard Home One, Admiral Ackbar briefs the rebels about their upcoming attack on Dubrillion. He also approves of Kordi's plan and has her brief Lieutenant Valeria, addressing Kordi as "commander" for the first time. In the episode Escape from Coruscant, Zander and Kordi rush to the rebel leaders to inform them about what happened to Rowen, but Ackbar struggles to hear them before Roger clarifies the situation. He also denies them permission to rescue him. He is interrupted by a rebel officer who informs him that the Empire is building a second Death Star, prompting him to immediately rush off, declaring that they must stop it. Later, Ackbar watches from the command bridge as the Freemakers defy his orders and go to rescue Rowen.

In the episode "Exit from Endor," R2-D2 and C-3PO planned to accompany Admiral Ackbar to liberate the lost battle droids of Mandalore immediately after the Battle of Endor. After the story concludes, a mysterious figure kidnaps R2 and escapes in Ackbar's ship, the Daisy Mae. This prompts 3PO and Ackbar to take another ship to find the kidnapper. In "Crisis on Coruscant," Ackbar and C-3PO travel to Coruscant to locate R2-D2 and the Daisy Mae. Ackbar finds his ship by identifying its scent beneath a pile of paper. After 3PO finishes his story, Ackbar has to deal with a tow truck towing the Daisy Mae away while 3PO continues his search for R2.

In "Gambit on Geonosis," Ackbar appears during C-3PO's retelling of how the Rebel Alliance destroyed the second Death Star. Ackbar provides a briefing to the Rebels on how to destroy the space station. During Lando Calrissian's story, Ackbar celebrates the destruction of the second Death Star by marking off both Death Stars created by the Empire on a chalkboard.

In the LEGO Star Wars: The Resistance Rises episode "Poe to the Rescue," Admiral Ackbar is held captive by the First Order. Poe Dameron and C-3PO infiltrate the Subjugator to rescue him. After their escape, they head to an asteroid field where Ackbar's ship, the Daisy Mae, is hidden.

During the Life Day celebration aboard the Millennium Falcon in The LEGO Star Wars Holiday Special, Ackbar gives Lando Calrissian a Life Day gift. Calrissian, hoping for a cape, opens the present, and Ackbar exclaims, "It's a wrap!"