Rya Kirsch participated as a pilot in the assault on the Trade Federation Droid Control Ship during the Battle of Naboo, which took place in 32 BBY.
Before becoming a member of Bravo Flight under Ric Olié's command, Rya's initial role was flying reconnaissance missions for the Royal Naboo Security Forces. Later in his career, he developed expertise in defensive starfighter aviation strategies.
Kirsch, who had risen to the rank of lieutenant, served as Bravo Four in the Battle of Naboo. During an ambush on the Droid Control Ship, the Vuutun Palaa, he engaged a squadron of attacking Vulture droids. Kirsch joined Ric Olié in an attack run, but his starfighter was destroyed by turbolaser fire from the Vuntunn Palaa, resulting in his death.
This character, portrayed by ILM Visual Effects Supervisor John Knoll, is part of a recurring theme of in-cockpit deaths in Star Wars space and air combat sequences. Rya Kirsch is sometimes referred to as "Jet Porkins," alluding to Jek Porkins, the pilot who experienced the first on-screen cockpit death in A New Hope.
Furthermore, Knoll appears as a Naboo flag bearer during the parade featured in The Phantom Menace, and he also played the roles of a firespeeder pilot and Tannon Praji, an opera house attendee, in Revenge of the Sith.