A Grand Army of the Republic squadron known as Lightning Squadron was a military cavalry unit, made up of Advanced Recon Force clone troopers. During the Clone Wars, Clone Commander Ponds commanded Lightning Squadron, answering to Jedi General Mace Windu. The squadron was sent to Ryloth in 22 BBY as part of a campaign to free the Twi'lek homeworld from Separatist control.
The combined Galactic Republic and Twi'lek Resistance forces advanced on the capital of Lessu City. General Windu was accompanied by Lightning Squadron's ARF troopers, Razor and Stak, as they spearheaded the assault. Their efforts allowed the rest of the army to enter the city, leading to the capture of Emir Wat Tambor and the Separatist military's departure from the planet.
The Grand Army of the Republic included a military unit called Lightning Squadron. It was composed of Advanced Recon Force Scout Troopers. These ARF troopers, who were a variation of the standard clone trooper, were distinguished by their intelligence, survival abilities, and proficiency in piloting All Terrain Reconnaissance Transport walkers. Their [clone armor](/article/clone_trooper_armor] was a modified version of the Phase I clone trooper armor, made to be lighter for increased speed and stealth.
During the Clone Wars' first year, 22 BBY, the Confederacy of Independent Systems seized the Twi'lek homeworld of Ryloth. The Galactic Republic responded by launching a campaign to free the planet and its people. After the Republic Navy won the battle in space, the Grand Army of the Republic landed on the surface, led by Jedi General Mace Windu, to attack the capital of Lessu City. The Separatist forces tried to stop the invasion by ambushing Windu's forces with Armored Assault Tanks. Clone Commander Ponds then called on Lightning Squadron for assistance at the general's direction. The squadron's ARF troopers used their AT-RT walkers to charge the enemy, successfully defending the army, but Windu's forces still suffered losses during the fight.
After the ambush, Windu went ahead with the ARF troopers Razor and Stak from Lightning Squadron. They met Cham Syndulla, the leader of the Twi'lek Resistance, who brought the ARF troopers and their Jedi officer to the resistance headquarters. Windu convinced the rebels to join the Grand Army in a combined effort to liberate Ryloth from Separatist control. Before the main attack on the capital, Windu infiltrated Lessu and distracted the battle droids, while Razor and Stak went to the control room and reactivated the plasma bridge, allowing clone troopers and rebels to enter the city. The battle ended with a decisive Republic victory, causing the Separatists to retreat completely and leading to the capture of Emir Wat Tambor, a member of the Separatist Council.
Afterward, General Windu and Commander Ponds led Lightning Squadron to Ridlay to investigate the planet's communications failure. When they landed, the squadron found the planet completely dark and one of its villages deserted. A villager approached them, claiming the presence of ghosts. Ponds, Razor, and the rest of the squadron were attacked by these ghosts, forcing them to retreat to the villagers' shelter as they couldn't push back. Windu, Ponds, and the squadron realized the "ghosts" were Separatist forces led by Count Dooku.
During the battle between Windu and Dooku, Ponds and the squadron fought the battle droids. One of the ghosts captured Pax. After Dooku's departure, Windu ordered Ponds to evacuate Lightning Squadron.
The Season One episode "Liberty on Ryloth" of the 2009 Star Wars: The Clone Wars television series marked the first appearance of Lightning Squadron.