The Warhawk was a MC40a light cruiser of Mon Calamari design. It was under the command of the Rebel Alliance throughout the duration of the Galactic Civil War.
The Warhawk took part in a specific operation: the extraction of Imperial defectors who were aboard the Victory-class Star Destroyer named Protector. While the Protector was under attack, the Warhawk confronted the Imperial interdictor Harpax, receiving assistance from the Nebulon-B frigate Akaga, a ship formerly under the command of Admiral Harkov. Although the Warhawk and Akaga managed to trap the interdictor, its fighters were unable to directly assault it.
The Imperial I-class Star Destroyer Garrett, commanded by Vader, then arrived. Before the Warhawk could get close enough to engage the interdictor, the [Garrett's] starfighters, led by Maarek Stele, launched a torpedo strike that resulted in its destruction. Soon after, the Imperial defectors onboard the Protector were wiped out by the loyalist forces.