Cavern Angels

For other uses, see Angel.

"I bring pilots, a squadron of them."

―Saw Gerrera, to Baze Malbus and Chirrut Îmwe^[5]

The Cavern Angels were a squadron of X-wing starfighters and U-wings that were used by Saw Gerrera's Partisans during the Galactic Civil War. The group was initially formed by several T-65 X-wings that were stolen by Gerrera and his partisans from an Incom Corporation warehouse on Fresia^[2] before 5 BBY^[6] The group was later enlarged with the addition of several U-wing support craft that Gerrera had modified with bomb racks and heavy weaponry, and affectionately named the "Cavern Angels" due to the Partisans' usually hiding in caves and mines.^[2]

History

Two X-wings of Cavern Angels on Segra Milo

Because of a shortage of spare parts, usually only one or two of the starfighters were operational at any given time. Despite the difficulties, including a limited supply of astromech droids,^[1] the group followed the Partisans in their frequent relocations around the galaxy.^[3] By 5 BBY, they were stationed in an abandoned mine on the planet Segra Milo that served as a Partisan starfighter launch base and a command center for Gerrera.^[1] There, they were visited^[3] by Axis network^[2] leader Luthen Rael who asked for their air support in an upcoming attack on an Imperial power station in Spellhaus, although Gerrera declined the request.^[3] The group was eventually noticed by nearby trader starships, who notified the Galactic Empire to dispatch Department of Imperial Justice patrols,^[2] including Cantwell-class Arrestor Cruisers above the planet.^[8]

The unwanted attention proved to be too much for the Partisans, who carried out a costly relocation.^[2] By 3 BBY, the Partisans were based out of a base on D'Qar^[9] but evacuated after the discovery of a traitor in their ranks.^[10] During the Jedha insurgency, the Cavern Angels were based in the Catacombs of Cadera outside Jedha City. During the insurrection on Jedha by the Partisans, at least one of the X-wings was shot down, where it crashed in the streets of Jedha City.^[1] Once the Imperials launched their major combat deployment during the Jedha insurgency, four of the X-wings were launched to strike back. Three of them were shot down, and the fourth was chased into the wilderness by six TIE fighters.^[5]