Special Forces Trackers Unit
The Special Forces Tracker Unit, known by other names such as the SpecForce Pathfinders, Alliance Pathfinders, Rebel Pathfinders, and with its members often called simply the Pathfinders, functioned as a special forces unit. This unit served first the Alliance to Restore the Republic, and subsequently became a Special Forces unit under the command of the New Republic. These Pathfinders were essentially commandos specializing in the art of infiltration. Their operational approach involved employing guerrilla warfare tactics to penetrate and either seize or liberate targeted locations.
History
An Alderaanian named Euwood Gor operated as a Pathfinder. Over time, he assimilated into the local culture on Onderon, a planet, abandoning his prior life to join anti-Imperial efforts. This led him to align with the extremist Partisans led by Saw Gerrera. Gor's association with the Partisans continued until the Jedha insurgency, where he perished due to the destruction of Jedha City caused by the DS-1 Death Star Mobile Battle Station's firepower. Shortly after this, the Pathfinders, led by Sergeant Ruescott Melshi, joined forces with other volunteers in Rogue One, a unit created by Captain Cassian Andor and Sergeant Jyn Erso. Their mission involved a steal of the Death Star's plans from the data vault within the Citadel Tower on Scarif.
Following the Rebel defeat after the Battle of Hoth, several Pathfinders, including Needle and Kes Dameron, were positioned as part of the Fourth Division. Dameron, Needle, and another Pathfinder named Frell subsequently executed a heist at the Imperial Museum as part of Operation Starlight. During this operation, the Pathfinders, along with Rebel allies Landonis Balthazar Calrissian and Lobot, sought to acquire the museum's Autonomous Translator Module, Mark II. Their aim was to utilize its knowledge of the obsolete Trawak language to develop new Rebel codes. During this mission, Needle made the ultimate sacrifice, getting captured. The museum curator responded by ordering the execution of the Rebel. General Han Solo utilized the Pathfinders as his strike team during both the Battle of Endor and a raid at the Wretch of Tayron.
Recruitment and training
The Pathfinders consisted of members from numerous planets, with a significant portion originating from Outer Rim worlds under the oppressive rule of the Galactic Empire. Unlike their Imperial counterparts, the Rebel commandos didn't have the advantage of formal Academy training. However, they received training from former Imperials, notably their leader, General Crix Madine.