Wilderness Fighters

As a specialized component of the Alliance to Restore the Republic's Special Forces, the Wilderness Fighters were organized so that the 4th Regiment of each SpecForce division was exclusively composed of them. These fighters underwent extensive training in both combat and survival skills across a range of terrains, becoming proficient in exploiting the environment to gain an edge. While all Wilderness Fighters possessed fundamental combat and survival knowledge applicable to various terrains, individual brigades honed their skills in specific environments such as arctic, aquatic, forest, and mountainous regions. Due to the widespread presence of wilderness areas on numerous planets throughout the galaxy, the demand for Wilderness Fighter units was consistently high, leading to their deployment across a wider area compared to other SpecForce units. When not actively engaged in missions, Wilderness Fighters typically assisted in safeguarding bases located within their respective areas of expertise.

During the Galactic Civil War, the Nishr Taskforce was designated as a Wilderness Fighter company, led by Major Fisk Csino. This taskforce, consisting of three Wilderness Fighter platoons alongside a Pathfinder platoon, was deployed to the planet Nishr, with the mission of confronting Imperial forces and aiding the local Nish, a near-Human species. The Nishr Taskforce was structured as a light armor company, utilizing repulsorcraft like Freerunners, Ultra-Light Assault Vehicles, and speeder bikes.

Typically, Wilderness Fighters originated from remote planets where advanced technology was scarce, and the wilderness teemed with dangerous wildlife. Consequently, they acquired essential survival skills from an early age. Upon enlisting in the Alliance, their expertise was harnessed by SpecForce. While their training encompassed survival in various wilderness environments, they specialized in the specific environments they grew up in. In units with diverse skill sets, Wilderness Fighters often assumed leadership roles when operating in their area of expertise. Known for their self-reliance, composure, and discipline, they showed little patience for those who boasted technological superiority. Many aspired to retire to their homeworlds after the war. Following drop camp, Wilderness Fighters underwent combat training across various terrains before specializing in a particular environment. Squads were then organized based on terrain type.

Due to the wide range of specializations within the Wilderness Fighters, unique nicknames for soldiers specializing in different terrain types were common. "Nature lovers" was a general term for the Wilderness Fighters, while aquatic Wilderness Fighters were often referred to as "amphibians," "amphibs," or "fish." Desert Wilderness Fighters were called "sand banthas," arctic Wilderness Fighters had the handle of "tauntauns," and forest Wilderness Fighters were known as "wookiees." Mon Calamari, Quarren, and other aquatic species made up the bulk of the aquatic Wilderness Fighters, and many of the Jiivahar that joined the Alliance were effective woodland Wilderness Fighters.

Major Fisk Csino, a Human male, served as the commanding officer of the Nishr Taskforce. He was a seasoned Wilderness Fighter officer with experience in several brief campaigns in the Outer Rim Territories.

Wilderness Fighters received instruction in the use of blasters and grenades, in addition to melee weapons and unarmed combat techniques. To reduce their reliance on Heavy Weapons Specialists, they were also trained in artillery and heavy weaponry, including blaster artillery and vehicle-mounted blasters. Survival training was heavily emphasized, enabling each Wilderness Fighter to endure in almost any terrain, with specialized training in environments like arctic, aquatic, desert, forest, jungle, plains, or mountains. They underwent stealth training and learned to operate various repulsorcraft, possessing expertise in first aid and demolitions as well.

The standard equipment for a Wilderness Fighter included blaster weapons, such as a blaster pistol, a survival pack, and vibroknife. They also favored blaster carbines, such as the N'Gant-Zarvel 9118 heavy carbine, while the troops of Echo Base used the A295 blaster rifle as a standard weapon. Wilderness Fighters extensively utilized repulsorcraft, including speeder bikes, skiffs, and tanks, and they were the sole branch to maintain repulsortank units crewed by a single troop type. Aquatic units employed Urukaab Submarine Transports. Karflo Corporation thinsuits were popular among Wilderness Fighters for their insulation, and they utilized climbing equipment and Graph 18 surface locators. While repulsorcraft were common, they also utilized creatures suited to the terrain. Cracian thumpers were common throughout the galaxy and were often used by Wilderness Fighters. Desert Wilderness Fighters favored riding dewbacks, aquatic units used methnaps as mounts, and arctic Wilderness Fighters utilized both tauntauns and tuggles.