Advanced Recon Commandosalso known as Advanced Recon Clone troopers or simply ARC trooperswere an elite variant of clone trooper

in the Grand Army of the Republic during the Clone Wars. Although less numerous than the other clones, they were also among the most skilled soldiers in the galaxy. During the early stages of the clone army's development, Jango Fett and hisMandalorian military advisors advocated the creation of clones capable of handling covert missions too delicate for the standard units. To achieve the desired results, the Kaminoans did not apply the standard behavior correction and enhanced the prime clone's genetic sample to increase physical prowess. ARC troopers had special training that allowed them to act without thinking. They claimed it was similar to the Jedi's use of the Force.[1] The first attempt at genetic alterations failed, resulting in the Null-class ARC troopers. Having learned their lesson, the Kaminoans succeeded in their second attempt, generating the first 100 ARC troopers, designated the Alpha-class. After completing standard flash training and accelerated growth, these clones were placed under the direct tutelage of Jango Fett. Under Fett's strict discipline they learned to use their fierce independence, innate creativity, and physical superiority in combination with their training in advanced weapons and vehicles to become virtual one-man armies. After completing their training, the ARC troopers were locked in stasis on Kamino until they were required. Two months after the Battle of Geonosis, a Confederacy assault on Kaminoprompted their early activation. As droid detachments closed in on Tipoca City,Prime Minister Lama Su activated the Advanced Recon Commandos and authorized their deployment to hot-spots across Kamino in a lastditch effort to save the planet's precious cloning facilities. The ARCs worked with a force ofJedi to repel the droid forces. Following the First Battle of Kamino, the ARCs were integrated into the Grand Army of the Republic. As the ARCs took their place in the larger world, they developed distinct personalities due to their unaltered nature; some gave themselves names, others formed relationships outside the GAR. Once integrated, Advanced Recon Commandos worked as solo operatives or in small squads led by ARC captains, either performing self-contained missions or supplementing larger Grand Army of the Republic operations. It is possible that they trained ordinary clone troopers in ARC techniques and commanded them in squads; due to the limited number of ARCs, it is unlikely that the teams would be comprised only of them. One notable exception was the aftermath of the Battle of Hypori, where a twenty-man ARC trooper team under the leadership of Captain Fordo engaged GeneralGrievous in combat. As the Clone Wars progressed, some battles were won by the Republic largely thanks to the ARC troopers, most notably the Battle of Muunilinst, where the Muunilinst 10 disabled Separatist defenses that were causing damage to Republic forces. Soon, as their reputation spread among the GAR and throughout the galaxy, the Advanced Recon Commandos proved time and time again as to why they were they regarded as the best of the best in the Grand Army. As perfect soldiers, the ARCs and Jango

were almost exactly alike; in fact, the leader of the Muunilinst 10,Fordo, had adapted the same blasterspinning routine as Jango Fett. However, because of their training as independent soldiers, they were more prone to questioning orders. In one unforgettable incident on Ord Cestus, ARC trooper Alpha 98 (known as Nate and later as Jangotat) disobeyed an order from his Jedi commander and sacrificed his life to destroy a local group of despots. The Advanced Recon Commando tradition did not end with the death of Jango Fett in 22 BBY. Following his escape from Rattatak in early 20 BBY, Alpha, one of the earliest ARCs, returned to Kamino to train the second generation clone trooper commanders as Fett had trained him. These commanders, like Bacaraand Cody, adopted the individualized practices of the ARCs and brought a new sense of creativity to the Grand Army of the Republic. Later in the war, distinguished infantry clone troopers could be promoted into ARC troopers. ARC troopers Fives and Echo obtained ARC status in this way. After the Clone Wars, all surviving ARCs were offered either retirement or the option to train their successors, thestormtroopers, passing on their combat experience. These new ARC troopers were also rumored to have undergone intensive deep core programming. Some even defected to the Alliance to Restore the Republic while others went rogue, following in Jango Fett's footsteps by becoming bounty hunters and assassins.[2][3] A number of ARC troopers were assigned to become part of the Imperial Commando Special Unit, a special forces unit that was attached to the elite 501st Legion.[4] Some ARC troopers, possibly a new batch, took part in the Kamino uprising by leading the secretly grown clone anti-Imperial troopers against the Imperial stormtroopers of the 501st Legion in a fight to liberate Kamino from the Empire. The anti-Imperial clones failed, however. During the Empire's reign, specialized stormtroopers known as shock troopers bore armor similar to that used by ARC troopers. They were also armed with DC-17 hand blasters. Equipment:

DC-17 hand blaster miniature flamethrower WESTAR-M5 blaster rifle DC-15A blaster rifle DC-15S blaster Fragmentation grenade Reverse-polarity pulse grenade EMP grenades

Ammunition Bandoleers HX2 antipersonnel mines

Special equipment:

Z-6 rotary blaster cannon PLX-1 portable missile launcher Reciprocating quad blaster

Created early in the war, ARC troopers wore a more advanced and versatile version of the Phase I armor, along with command pauldrons and kamas. They commonly had a periscope rangefinder attachment on the right side of their helmets, similar to Mandalorian helmets. While each mission profile required a different loadout, ARC troopers were commonly armed with the WESTAR-M5 blaster rifle, DC-15A blaster rifles, DC-17 hand blasters, and frag and reverse-polarity pulse grenades. When heavier firepower was required, ARCs donned specialized armor to bear the weight of reciprocating quad blasters, PLX-1 portable missile launchers, or Z-6 rotary blaster cannons. Many individual ARC Troopers also had bandoliers and pouches for extra equipment, such as EMP grenades and extra ammunition. Jaster Mereel wore traditional Mandalorian armor of a metallic-gray color, with red shoulder plates and red trim around the visor of his rangefinder-equiped helmet. On the left shoulder, Mereel bore the custom Mythosaur skull-inspired insignia of the True Mandalorians, and his chest plates were adorned with a yellow-painted, four-sided diamond. Mereel also wore a redcape, heavy combat boots, and a brown multi-pouched utility belt with his armor, but did not opt to wear or use a jetpack in the field. During his life as a Mandalorian soldier, Mereel utilized a short-barreled blaster rifle that supported the attachment of a combat knife beneath the muzzle, in addition to two blaster pistols which he kept holstered around his thigh plates.[1] Jace Malcom was outfitted with the standard white-and-orange armor of a Republic trooper during the Great Galactic War. While fighting above Korriban, he made use of a blaster cannon, as well as a laser chaingun and a missile launcher. During the battle, the corporal lost his helmet,[10] and on Alderaan he elected not to utilize one. He kept acombat knife in a sheath on his chest and in battle on the Core World he again wielded a portable blaster cannon. Malcom also made use of grenades and signal flares during the conflict on Alderaan.[2] During the Cold War, Malcom eschewed the common garb of fabric uniforms that were favored by military leaders and instead continued to wear a suit of trooper armor, largely identical to that which he had worn throughout the Great War.

The WESTAR-M5 blaster rifle was a blaster rifle used during theClone Wars by the Grand Army of the Republic. They were mainly used by Advanced Recon Commandos and Galactic Marines during the later years of the conflict. They were very efficient and deadly weapons. The blaster rifle could be calibrated to fire in semi-automatic, automatic, and burst-fire modes, and could be equipped with a variety of attachments, including an under-barrel grenade launcher that could be used against armored enemies. This weapon was seen as being very effective on such missions as the Battle of Muunilinst, where not only did it prove useful in providing rapid cover fire, but also of being able to break through the armor on the top of an Armored Assault Tank and disable it with several shots from the inside. The WESTARM5 also proved effective on Hypori when acrack team of ARC troopers were sent to the planet Hypori rescue the survivingJedi that were commissioned there. The ARCs made great use of the attachable oneshot pump-action missile launcher and the rapid and powerful bursts of the gun to buy time for their teammates to save the surviving Jedi Generals. This blaster improved on the DC-15 design, making it easier to aim. It featured an extendable stock and a larger ammunition magazine. The WESTAR-M5 used the same plasma/EMP hybrid as all clone trooper weapons, making it as powerful as the DC-15, combining power and accuracy into a small weapon. This gun proved its effectiveness in a variety of situations and was indeed a powerful and useful weapon that was employed with deadly efficiency by the ARC troopers. The DC-17 hand blaster was a heavy blaster pistol wielded by theclone troopers of the Galactic Republic during the Clone Wars. The DC-17 hand blaster was most notably used by ARC trooper captains,clone trooper commanders, and clone jet troopers. It was a smaller version of the DC-15S blaster, and shared many similarities with theDC-15s side arm blaster used by clone commandos. They were carried in quick-release holsters, and elite clone troopers sometimes wielded dual pistols in battlea trait reminiscent of Jango Fett himself. During the Clone Wars, the DC-17 blasters saw widespread use among high-ranking and specialized clone troopers, usually being used by clone captains. Commander Bly carried twokrayt dragon pearl-handled DC-17 pistols alongside his favoredDC-15A blaster rifle. BothCaptain Rex, Commander Ponds and Commander Fox carried twin DC-17 blaster pistols in battle, but also utilized the more standard DC-15A blaster rifles. Another famous user of the DC-17 hand blaster was the Null ARC captain Ordo. One incident in which he used his blasters to great effect was when he, along with Omega Squad, Delta Squad, Sergeant Kal Skirata, former Sergeant Walon Vau, and Jedi Generals Bardan Jusik and Etain Tur-Mukan, raided a landing strip in order to expose a terrorist operation. The clone jet troopers as well as the anti-troopers during the Kamino Uprising all utilized modified DC-17 commando pistols as a personal side-arm weapon. During the raid on Grievous's castle, Clone commander Fil utilized DC-17 pistols. When inside the castle, a trap door opened beneath them. Though

the other clone fell to his doom, Fil fired a cable from his DC-17 pistol and with the help of Nahdar Vebb and Kit Fisto, he was hoisted to safety. During theBattle of Muunilinst, ARC trooper Captain Fordo used twin customized DC-17 pistols while leading his forces against San Hill's forces. The DC-17 blaster pistol should not to be confused with the DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon System, though it did share its designation with the larger weapon for a reasonthey shared many of their interior components, a fact which helped explain the DC-17 hand blaster's unusually high stopping power and firing rate. This fact was widely appreciated by the users of the weapon, who tended to know them inside and out as part of their training, and so ARCs in particular tended to look down on uninformed people who puzzled over the similarity of the naming for two such apparently different weapons. High ranking ARC officers sometimes customized their DC-17s by writing on them or adding attachments such as revolving system or even a scope. A clone commando, also known as a Republic commando and later an Imperial commando, was an elite soldier of the Grand Army of the Republic and later the Stormtrooper Corps. Often working in groups of four, clone commandos were assigned to carry out covert operations too delicate for regular clone troopers. Covert infiltration, sabotage, demolition and assassination were standard tasks for the clone commandos. When Order 66 was issued by Chancellor Palpatine near the conclusion of the Clone Wars, the Jedi Order became targeted forextermination while Palpatine brought a swift end to the Old Republic by declaring himself emperor of the first Galactic Empire. The remaining Republic commandos were rechristened as Imperial commandos and incorporated into a special forces unit attached to the 501st Legion, under the command of theSith Lord Darth Vader. However, a minority of commandos refused to comply with Order 66, either out of sympathy for the Jedi or due to other personal reasons. For instance, Ion Team did not carry out the command to kill their Jedi officers, viewing it as an invalid order and not believing that the Jedi would betray the Republic, and instead opted to ensure the survival ofGeneral Roan Shryne. Other commandos fled to Mandalore, choosing to go into hiding rather than serve as the enforcers of the Emperor's New Order. Soon after the Kaminoans began developing the Galactic Republic'ssecret clone army on their homeworld of Kamino, a special forces unit was conceived as a necessary addition to the overall operational effectiveness of the new military force. Jango Fett, aMandalorian bounty hunter and the genetic template for the entire clone army, was confident that progeny would be engineered into the best soldiers in the galaxy, but also knew that there were situations that regular infantry was not suited for. As a result, he requested for a special batch of clones that he would personally train as Advanced Recon Commandos. The Kaminoans reluctantly agreed, but due to their disappointment in the failed prototypes, they felt little confidence that the second generation of ARC troopers would meet their expectations. Thus, they compromised with Fett; the bounty hunter would be allowed to train his ARC troopers while the Kaminoans proceeded with their plan to create the clone commandos, otherwise known as Republic commandos.[1]

Unlike the ARC troopers, the Republic commandos would be more loyal and susceptible to following orders without question, yet they would still retain greater ability for independent thought than the standard clone troopers. Thus, they were to be the perfect balance between two extremes. With a greater capacity for independent thinking, the commandos would be better suited to handling delicate missions with complicated objectives. If necessary, they would also be capable of devising their own way for completing missions. By being indoctrinated with absolute loyalty to the Republic, the commandos would not be difficult to control as the notorious Null-class ARC troopers were.[2] The first batches of clone commandos were separated into squads, also known as "pods", of four clones each, in reflection of the native aiwha hunting pods from Kamino.[2][3] In addition to being subjected to the computerized flash-training program, the commando squads were divided amongst the Cuy'val Dar, a group of professional mercenaries covertly brought to Kamino and hired to train the commandos in a variety of ways, such as teamwork, infiltration methods, demolition techniques, assassination and much more. The majority of the trainers were Mandalorians, such as Kal Skirata and Walon Vau; the rest were mercenaries of different backgrounds.[1][4]Although Fett's Cuy'val Dar were primarily responsible for the commandos' training, Kaminoan scientists personally oversaw the development of their creations as well. Taun We took a vested interest in the training of Delta Squad's leader, RC-1138, and helped to guide him throughout the first ten years of his life. Clone commandos were trained by a group of one hundred elite training sergeantschosen by Jango Fett, of which seventy-five were Mandalorian mercenaries. These men and women, known as the Cuy'val Dar trained the commandos in a variety of tactics ad fighting techniques, but the impressionable commandos also developed a few behavioral traits similar to their instructors.[1] The first generation of clone commandos were selected from the regular clone batches and then segregated into "pods" of four, effectively forcing them to depend on each other and work together in order to survive. During their training, commando squads were often pitted against each other during combat sessions.[3] Clone commandos were trained in live-fire exercises, giving them a sense of the reality of combat long before the regular clones. Anti-terrorist training was conducted in a building nicknamed the Killing House. Though many commandos failed to survive their exercises, the rest learned rapidly, allowing them to become better soldiers. However, the the loss of fellow squadmates was felt by any commando who lost avoda brother. The commandos also experienced near-death torture to train them in resisting interrogation, and many clones were left mentally scarred from the experience.[1] By the end of the commandos' training, the Kaminoans were very pleased with the results. Although unfit to fight on the battlefield as infantry soldiers, nor capable of performing complete solo operations like the ARC troopers, the clone commandos nevertheless demonstrated themselves as a new breed of warriors that few could challenge. Neither the regular clone troopers or even the elite ARC troopers could match the clone commandos in organization and team-work. Despite the fact that many commandos were indoctrinated in Mandalorian culture and regarded each other as brothers, the Kaminoans were impressed enough to dub their experiment a complete success.[3] Specialized training

"Try to keep them from blowing the place up until Vau gets here, ok?" Niner, to Darman[src] Each clone commando was trained to handle a specialized task, varying from commando to commando. Some, likeSev, specialized in sniping and assassination. Others, like Fi, specialized as medics and received more advanced training than their other brethren in that field. Others, like Boss or Niner, showed more leadership potential and acted as squad leaders. Some, like Scorch and Darman, showed a natural skill with demolitions ordinance and acted as demo specs. Others, like Fixer or Atin, were trained to be able to handle a variety of technology-based tasks, such as slicing computers.[2] Integration into trooper training regime "Not quite ARCs, sir. Not like clone troopers, either. We don't work alone and we don't work in formations. We just look the same." RC-8015[src] It appears that the clone commando program was so successful that some clone troopers were trained in commando skills and tactics. Some commando-trained troopers were CT-19/39, a recon trooper killed onPraesitlyn;[12] RC-5108/8843, a former bomb disposal expert taken under Kal Skirata's wing; the clone trooper squad that accompanied Mace Windu and Valiant during the hunt for Darth Sidious;[13] and the non-ARC members of The Muunilinst 10.[14]

DC-17m Interchangeable Weapon Systems Katarn-class commando armor E-Web heavy repeating blasters Accelerated Charged Particle Repeater Guns Accelerated Charged Particle Array Guns Improvised explosive devices Bore bangs Flash-bang grenades EMP grenades Shotguns Geonosian force pikes LJ-50 concussion rifles

Knuckle plate vibro blades Night Ops Armor TIVs DC-17 hand blasters (Seen used by RC-1138) WESTAR-20 blaster pistols Kamino saberdarts Garrotes Commando recon droids Remotes Ribbon charges Hydraulic shearing machine DC-15s side arm blasters Bowcasters Wookiee Guided Rocket Launchers EMP disruptors Detonation packs Thermal detonators EWHB-12 heavy repeating blasters Wookiee rocket turrets Geonosian Elite Beam Weapons Kamas Miniature bacta tanks Thermal detonator tape Bacta sprays Heads-up displays

Dampener aerosols

Phase II clone trooper armor was an enhanced version of the Phase I clone trooper armor. Phase II incorporated all of its predecessor's systems in addition to polarized lenses, padding, and stronger, lighter armor plates. It could also support more modular attachments, making it superior to its predecessor. It was far more comfortable for Humans to wear than its predecessor, since the Kaminoans had become more familiar with Human anatomy.[source?] Unlike early iterations of the Phase I armor, color was used to denote unit affiliation, not rank. Phase II armor was introduced around 21 BBY, and slowly replaced Phase I armor in the months following. Phase II armor was the basis of the stormtrooper armor later worn by the soldiers of EmperorPalpatine's Empire. Another variant of the Phase II armor was theKatarn armor. ARC trooper armor was also modified to be Phase II. The new armor incorporated a more advanced air filtration and oxygen supply system, polarized lenses, and an annunciator to make speech more comprehensible. In addition, the boots were magnetized and incorporated a grav-field alternator to ensure stability. Another useful feature was that the armor and the bodysuit could be pressurized, allowing the clones to fight longer in a vacuum environment than its predecessor.(though medical recovery was still needed for longer exposures). The Phase II armor, unlike the Phase I armor in many ways, had many different variations. Some armor, was modified to suit the individual clone, while some armor, like the previous Phase I, was specialized to suit a certain 'breed' of troopers (such as clone paratroopers). It is known that some clones, like Faie and CC-1004, had more than one set of armor. Many Clone Commanders and ARC troopers had special attachments on their armor, and allowed some lower ranked officers to wear special attachments as well. Some special attachments included kamas and pauldrons, they could also attach electrobinoculars and sun visors to their helmets. Clone captains would occasionally have a pair of DC-17 hand blasters attached to each side of their kama. Camouflaged armor was mainly used by ARC and ARF troopers, but occasionally camouflaged armor was issued. Clone scout troopers served as special scouts in the Grand Army of the Republic and were often deployed into situations that required fast movement or combat. Clone scout troopers were equipped with highly advanced plastoid armor, though they wore mainly a body glove on the neck, upper leg, and lower arms. They also had wider visor plates that allowed a larger visual area. They usually were armed with either DC-15A blaster rifles or DC-15S blasters, though

on occasion they would also use the DC-15x sniper rifle. The armor would be camouflaged to blend into the surroundings on forest and swamp worlds. They would be assigned two vehicles: BARC speeders for mounted reconnaissance duty and AT-APs for attacking and defending. Using BARC speeders could make them look very similar to BARC troopers, some of which also wore a form of clone scout armor. Clone trooper commanders were clone troopers bred on Kamino for leadership roles in the Grand Army of the Republic. They led regiments of 2,304 clone troopers into battle. Each legion of clone troopers only had one senior clone commander. Sometimes, however, smaller regiments and battalions were led by clone commanders, likeCommander Cody, who led the 212th Attack Battalion. When Jedi needed a group of clone troopers, no matter what size, a clone commander would usually join the group to assist the Jedi Generals. Commander training Clone commanders received flash-training to fulfill their advanced roles and were also bred with extra capacity for autonomy, tactical thinking and coordination. In combat, they were often assigned to field command centers, but participated with their fellow clone troopers in combat if the situation required it. ARC training After success with Advanced Recon Commandos, some ARCs, like Alpha-17, returned to Kamino to retrain clone commanders with ARC skills, making the commanders more independent than they once were. After the commanders were trained, they earned the title "ARC commander", then returned to their legion to train their best clones and assistants in their new skills. Their new, independent training led to distinct personalities among the commanders. Personalization In the beginning of the Clone Wars, the clone officers were distinguished by yellow markings on their armor and helmets. The retrained ARC commanders often added more items to their armor, like ARC trooper kamas andpauldrons. Commanders would also don other peripherals like macrobinoculars or Commander Bacara's cheek plating. Some commanders allowed their best troops to also wear ARC armor.

"While the Senate sleeps, a great evil threatens the peace and freedom of the peoples of our galaxy. Our politicians, who neither work nor sacrifice, have forgotten, if they ever knew it, that freedom is not free, that the price of freedom is constant vigilance. We the crew of the Scarlet Thranta, are the children of

your beloved Republic! We are your sons and daughters. We are the Sons and Daughters of Freedom! Follow us!" Zozridor Slayke[src] The Sons and Daughters of Freedom, also known as Freedom's Sons, were founded by Zozridor Slayke shortly before the outbreak of the Clone Wars. They were a kind of paramilitary auxiliary to the Jedi. Zozridor Slayke was a distinguished member of the Galactic RepublicJudicial Forces who saw the Separatist movement for what it was and decided if the Republic was not going to take action that he must. He and the crew of ship he commanded, Scarlet Thranta, left the Republic they vowed to serve and protect. The Thranta soon joined with many other ships, soldiers, mercenaries, and even civilians who saw the same threat. Slayke, a charismatic leader, persuaded thousands to follow him. He called his army the Sons and Daughters of Freedom, for they were the sons and daughters of the Republic and vowed to protect their freedom. Unfortunately for Slayke, the Republic saw them as a threat and dispatched the Jedi Master Nejaa Halcyon to arrest Slayke. Soon Slayke and his troops were being hunted by the very Republic they wished to protect. Halcyon was a silent supporter of the splinter group and, finding that his conscience made it very hard to arrest them, allowed the group to escape by prolonging a fight between him and one of Slayke's champions.

The Clone Wars

Edit

Later during the Clone Wars, the Sons and Daughters of Freedom responded to an emergency distress call fromPraesitlyn. The group fought valiantly there but lost thousands of troops in the process. Nejaa Halcyon and Anakin Skywalker led a Republic assault force to assist Slayke. Slayke and Halcyon became friends and together repelled the Separatists. The Sons and Daughters of Freedom were then granted amnesty and fought valiantly in the rest of the Clone Wars, aiding the Jedi Order when they could.

Composition

Edit

In addition to the officers and ship crews, the Sons and Daughters of Freedom had 50,000 ground troops. They came from all across the galaxy and Slayke tried to keep them in units of their own species. Such units included a squad of Gungan engineers and a company of Bothan observers. At the end of the battle, the Sons and Daughters of Freedom numbered less than two thousand. The fleet of the Sons and Daughters of Freedom had around 94 ships. The majority were lost in the battle.

CloakShape fighters

Gun Tugs S40K Phoenix Hawk-class light pinnaces Carrack-class light cruisers

Plooriod Bodkin

Dreadnaught-class heavy cruisers CR90 corvettes

Scarlet Thranta

Gunships Storm IV Twin-Pod cloud cars Armored ground vehicles Two batteries of SPHA mortars