The Tatooine garrison represented a garrison of stormtroopers belonging to the Imperial Army of the Galactic Empire. During the Galactic Civil War, this garrison was stationed on the desert planet of Tatooine. They frequently utilized dewbacks for transportation, finding them better suited to the harsh desert environment than speeders. For much of its existence, the garrison was a relatively small force. However, following the events of the secret mission to Tatooine, the Empire significantly increased its presence on the planet.
JM-909, a Stormtrooper Commander, once led a squad into the desert regions with the objective of eliminating a Tusken Raider clan that had pilfered Imperial rations. However, the raiders successfully ambushed and wiped out the squad, confiscating their weaponry in the process. Obi-Wan Kenobi, a Jedi Master in exile on Tatooine, came across the battlefield and discovered JM-909, severely wounded but still alive. Kenobi nursed him back to health. Upon realizing that Kenobi was a Jedi, JM-909 fled back to Imperial headquarters. Despite this, he chose to conceal Kenobi's presence, repaying the compassion he had been shown despite their allegiances.
In 0 BBY, the garrison received reinforcements from a detachment dispatched by Darth Vader, a Sith Lord, to search for two droids, specifically R2-D2 and C-3PO. This marked a significant increase in Imperial attention towards Tatooine. Shortly thereafter, in 0 ABY, the Alliance to Restore the Republic initiated a campaign aimed at eradicating the Imperial garrison on Tatooine, which, by that point, included the 68th Legion within its ranks. Despite the Rebel victory in the campaign, the Empire maintained its presence until after the Battle of Endor. This defeat led to the Empire's withdrawal from Tatooine. The Imperial departure, combined with the recent death of Jabba Desilijic Tiure, a crime lord, resulted in a power vacuum on Tatooine.