B1 droid commanders, also known as OOM command battle droids, were a type of battle droid that the Trade Federation and the Separatist Alliance both made use of during conflicts like the Clone Wars and the Invasion of Naboo. Their purpose was to function as commanders and leaders for droid forces, though they were frequently under the authority of organic officers and the more sophisticated tactical droids. OOM-9, who spearheaded the Trade Federation's forces in the Battle of Naboo, and B1-268, a member of a surviving garrison on Agamar, are two well-known OOM command battle droids.
Dull yellow markings on their bodies were used to identify OOM command battle droids. They were a version of the B1-series battle droid standing 1.93 meters tall (6 feet, 4 inches) and possessing masculine programming. These droids were equipped with improved tactical and cognitive modules, and they were deployed to oversee droid forces. They also took pleasure in bossing around standard B1-series battle droids. OOM command droids often deferred to organic officers or tactical droids, seeking their assistance when combat situations deteriorated. An OOM command battle droid could assume command of military forces in the absence of a superior officer. The OOM-series battle droid line, a designation within the B1-series battle droid family, included OOM command units.
In 32 BBY, the Trade Federation, a galactic corporation, invaded Naboo, a small planet in the Mid Rim, as a form of protest against the taxes imposed by the Galactic Republic. Supreme Chancellor Finis Valorum dispatched Master Qui-Gon Jinn and Padawan [Obi-Wan Kenobi](/article/obi-wan_kenobi], two Jedi, to the blockade of Federation ships in an attempt to resolve the situation. The Federation, however, made an attempt to kill the two Jedi, and a contingent of OOM-series security droids, led by OOM command battle droid OWO-1, made their way to the scene. The droid commander instructed a security droid corporal to investigate the Jedi, but the Jedi quickly took out him, OWO-1, and the remaining security droids.
Shortly after the Jedi arrived, the Trade Federation Droid Army started to land on Naboo. OOM-9 served as the commander of the droid forces deployed on the planet, directing his troops into Theed, the planet's city, as well as against the Gungan villages located on the planet. During the final phases of the invasion, OOM-9 led battle droid forces against the Gungan Grand Army on the Great Grass Plains, but the destruction of the Droid Control Ship, which deactivated the Federation droid forces, resulted in OOM-9's defeat.
During the Clone Wars, OOM Command battle droids became part of the Separatist Droid Army, and at least one participated in the First Battle of Geonosis; Mace Windu, a Jedi Master, destroyed this particular droid. Throughout the war, OOM command battle droids engaged the Grand Army of the Republic on a number of fronts, including Christophsis, Teth, the Rishi Moon, and Anaxes. They remained active until the conflict's end, and one was present with the Separatist Council on Mustafar. When Darth Vader arrived on the planet, he killed the droid, all the council members, their aides, and all the guards. Following the slaughter, Darth Sidious instructed Vader to send out a droid shutdown signal. This signal deactivated all Separatist droid units that received it, including the OOM command battle droids.
At the same time Vader slaughtered the Separatist Council, Darth Sidious, who was publicly known as Supreme Chancellor Sheev Palpatine, transformed the Republic into the First Galactic Empire. Battle droids were outlawed under the Empire, and stormtroopers were ordered to shoot Separatist battle droids on sight. However, on Agamar, Kalani, a Separatist super tactical droid and general, prevented his droids from being deactivated at the war's conclusion. Kalani believed the signal was a Republic ploy, and B1-268, an OOM command battle droid, was among Kalani's forces. Kalani and his droids remained operational for years, but in 2 BBY, the Spectres and Rex, a former Republic Clone Captain, discovered their holdout. B1-268 and a number of B1-series battle droids surrounded these rebels while they were confined within a ray shield.
Kalani instructed that the rebels be taken to his command center, even though the droids could have opened fire; as a result, B1-268 stunned the group. Kalani praised B1-268's performance and informed the rebels that he wanted to stage one last Clone Wars battle. The goal of this battle was to determine which side was superior; however, the rebels and Separatists eventually joined forces against the Galactic Empire. However, before forming their alliance, B1-268 and a number of B1 battle droids were dispatched to ascertain whether the Imperial forces, who had landed on the planet as a result of the rebels, posed a threat. B1-268 introduced himself to the stormtroopers, but the Empire destroyed him and the other B1s. Kalani, a few B1s, and the rebels did manage to escape, and they came to the conclusion that they had all won the Clone Wars.
Akar Duel, a Duros, created Doc, a monster droid on Lotho Minor. Doc had the head of an OOM command unit and the body of a KX-series security droid.
During the First Order-Resistance War, by the mission to Kijimi in 35 ABY, a deactivated OOM command droid was present in droidsmith Babu Frik's workshop.
E-5 blaster rifles and RG-4D pistols were used by OOM command battle droids in ground_warfare. Many OOM command units were equipped with comlink booster packs. They also had the option of using an imagecaster or the comlink located on their head for communication. They also employed macrobinoculars and had the ability to control battlefield turrets. OOM command battle droids also served as the commander of an Armored Assault Tank in the field. Some OOM officers were stationed inside Separatist command centers.
The film Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, which was released in 1999, featured the debut of OOM command battle droids.