When asked what their favorite military unit is in the Star Wars galaxy, a fan of the franchise will most likely reply confidently by naming the clone troopers. One of the main focuses of the animated television show Star Wars: The Clone Wars, the clone troopers participated in some of the most fascinating and historic battles in Star Wars lore. There are many variations of the standard clone trooper, with specific training, armor sets, and weaponry given to each for certain battle situations. No matter what the job is, there will be a clone trooper unit ready to face the challenge head-on.
Among these special units are the clone commandos, who could be described as the Navy SEALs of the Grand Army of the Republic. They have appeared in quite a few pieces of Star Wars content, from television shows to video games, and have even starred in their own series of novels. Given their prominence in Star Wars media and their importance to key events in both the clone army and imperial military, the story of the Republic commandos is one that everyone ought to catch at least a glimpse of.
What Are Republic Commandos?
Republic commandos received some of the most intense battle training of all the units that served the Republic. Often compared to the similarly elite ARC troopers, the clone commandos varied from their brothers in the ARC program in that they were purposed to work in groups of four and take on missions as a unit that most other clones could not handle. When ARC troopers were leading and commanding other clone troopers into battle, the clone commandos were already behind enemy lines, completing covert objectives that required stealth and precision.
Particularly in Star Wars Legends lore, clone commandos were not picked out of a batch of pre-trained clones such as commanders were. Instead, they were hand-selected at birth and given unique training from the start. This was intended to expose them to their more intense operating conditions from the get-go. Commandos were trained by skilled Mandalorian warriors, who would hold them to higher standards in order to complete their training.
The Delta Squad
Perhaps the most iconic and beloved clone commando squad in the Star Wars mythos, the Delta Squad was the focus of the video game Star Wars: Republic Commando. Comprised of Commandos Boss, Scorch, Fixer, and Sev, the Delta Squad would see combat in the very earliest part of the war, tasked with assassinating an important Separatist target. In the pursuit of this goal, the Delta Squad ended up destroying a droid factory and weakening major Separatist forces. Completing their mission with the efficiency they were bred to possess, the Delta Squad kicked off the war with a major victory.
Later in the war, Delta Squad found themselves on Kashyyyk, where after an important rescue mission to save Wookiee chieftain Tarfful from captivity and aid the local villages against enemy forces. At the end of this battle, when being extracted by Republic forces, the clone commandos came under serious fire, forcing them to extract. Due to Sev's inability extract with them, the Delta Squad was forced to leave their brother behind. In the years that followed, the Delta Squad would go on to serve the Empire after Order 66.
The Omega Squad
Occasionally working with the Delta Squad, the Omega Squad was another clone commando unit that served the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. Beginning service together not long after the beginning of the Clone Wars, the Omega Squad consisted of Commandos Niner, Fi, Atin, Dorman, and eventually Corr. They came together as surviving units of squads that had otherwise been wiped out. The squad worked closely with the Jedi Eitan Tur-Mukan on multiple occasions.
When Order 66 was activated, the commandos' increased ability to think for themselves was put on display when the members of the Omega Squad were hesitant to carry out the order, eventually choosing to escape with their Jedi. Of the members at the end of the war, Atin and Corr managed to escape the Empire to Mandalore, whereas Niner and Dorman could not escape and had to continue their service under the new Galactic Empire.
Commando Gregor
A fan favorite from the new Star Wars canon, Clone Commando Gregor was discovered by a unit of droids, including R2-D2, on the planet of Abafar. Due to injuries suffered in a battle that served to be a disastrous loss for the Republic, Gregor could not remember his identity initially. When the droids and Republic Colonel Gascon discovered his past, they reminded him of who he was. When Separatist forces attacked, Gregor put his old armor back on to fight. To allow his friends to escape the battle, the clone commando seemingly sacrificed his own life.
However, Gregor did not end up defeated on Abafar. Years later, after the execution of Order 66 and the rise of the Empire, Gregor was captured and taken to help train the new batch of TK troopers, the units chosen to take the place of the clones. The Bad Batch rescued Gregor, and years later, when Ezra Bridger needed help reclaiming his home world of Lothal from Imperial forces, Gregor was there to help alongside Rex and Wolffe, each clones themselves. Gregor was killed in battle, as many commandos had been before him when fighting for the Galactic Republic.