Task Force Aster was among the initial five task forces that comprised the New Republic Fifth Battle Group; its formation occurred prior to 16 ABY.
Commodore Brand held the command of this task force. Task Force Aster's composition was exclusively New Class warships.
In contrast to the usual twenty-one warships, this specific task force only included eighteen warships.
During the Black Fleet Crisis, a reconnaissance mission to the ILC-905 system was assigned to a detachment of three ships from Task Force Aster. This recon group suffered the loss of the Warrior-class gunship named Vanguard, along with numerous E-wings, X-wings, and K-wings.