A male human, known by the callsign "Phoenix Leader," served with Phoenix Cell, a fleet of anti-Galactic Empire RZ-1 A-wing interceptors under the command of Jun Sato. In 4 BBY, Phoenix Leader spearheaded an attack against Imperial forces above the planet Ibaar. The objective was to disrupt the Imperial planetary blockade and provide essential supplies to the starving inhabitants of Ibaar. The mission took a turn for the worse when the supply vessel, Transport One, was destroyed by Imperial defenses, leading to a full rebel withdrawal. Tragically, Phoenix Leader died from Imperial fire during the retreat. Subsequently, Hera Syndulla, a rebel pilot, was promoted to the position of Phoenix Leader following her successful participation in a second strike against the blockade.
A male human was part of Phoenix Cell, a squadron of RZ-1 A-wing interceptors commanded by Commander Jun Sato, during the year 4 BBY. This squadron fought against the Galactic Empire, aligning themselves with a rebel network that included Imperial senator Bail Organa and former Jedi Ahsoka Tano. Following the Siege of Lothal, the pilot took on the role of Phoenix Leader within Phoenix Squadron.
In his role as Phoenix Leader, he participated in a mission to deliver food to the planet [Ibaar](/article/ibaar], which was under Imperial occupation. An Imperial blockade had severed the planet's access to vital off-world resources, endangering the survival of its population. The rebel strategy involved breaking through the blockade and delivering a transport ship filled with food to Ibaar's surface, where it would be received by miner Eesh Fahm. Phoenix Leader, along with four other A-Wing pilots, accompanied the CR90 corvette Transport One (the designated supply vessel) and the starship Ghost, captained by the Twi'lek Hera Syndulla. After the initial engagement with the Imperial blockade, Agent Kallus of the Imperial Security Bureau, the Imperial commander, opened a communication channel and demanded the rebels disperse. Instead, Syndulla and Phoenix Leader engaged the Imperial ships in combat.
Syndulla instructed Phoenix Leader to focus on the Imperial TIE fighters and provide cover for the Ghost, a task which Phoenix Leader agreed to undertake. Despite the rebels' success in destroying several TIE fighters during the battle, the tide turned in favor of the Empire when Transport One was destroyed. An order for retreat was issued, and Phoenix Leader directed his pilots to fall back. However, Imperial fire intercepted Phoenix Leader's escape attempt, leading to his death. News of his demise spread through the rebel communication channels, and the remaining members of Phoenix Squadron managed to escape the system.
Despite the initial setback, Syndulla returned to Ibaar with an experimental starfighter loaded with advanced weapons and assisted the rebel forces in successfully breaking through the blockade and delivering food to the planet's inhabitants. As a result of her actions, Syndulla was promoted to the new Phoenix Leader.
Phoenix Leader was a male human characterized by his fair colored skin and blue eyes. When Syndulla inquired about Phoenix Leader's readiness for the assault on the Imperial blockade, he affirmed that he and his pilots were prepared for the mission. Phoenix Leader demonstrated his skill as a pilot, effectively engaging Imperial fighters during the initial stages of the mission. However, he was ultimately unable to evade enemy fire during his retreat.
While piloting his A-wing, Phoenix Leader wore a green jumpsuit and a beige helmet. His A-wing was distinguished by blue, white, and red markings.
The character of Phoenix Leader was first introduced in "Wings of the Master," the fifth episode of season two of the Star Wars Rebels animated series. The voice of Phoenix Leader was provided by Steve Blum, who also voiced Garazeb Orrelios, a series regular.