The pilots of the Rebel Alliance were the individuals who flew the craft used by the Rebellion against the Galactic Empire. They were part of the struggle since the beginning, when the Corellian Treaty was signed in 2 BBY, giving the dignitary Mon Mothma the role of Chief of State. After Operation Domino failed, pilots and theirstarfighters became the primary fighting force of the nascent Rebellion. The Alliance Starfighter Corps fell under the command of then-commander Jan Dodonna, who led his forces to victory in several battles, although the Corps retained control of pilots on special assignment with the Alliance Fleet. Most pilots were part of the Rebel Alliance's individual Sector Forces. The Alliance Fleet under the command of AdmiralGial Ackbar was originally given priority until the Fleet took heavy losses at the Battle of Tingel Deepspace Besh, leaving the starfighter pilots as the primary fighting force.

Rebel pilots also joined with ground assaults to support other military forces and provide fire support using CR-1 blaster cannons. During space battles, pilots boarded enemy starships to conduct sabotage operations alongside marines.[8]

Rebel pilots had a reputation for bravery, since they were almost always outnumbered when they went into battle. They also had a reputation for skill and success, after such Rebel victories as the Battle of Yavin and the Battle of Endor.

With the victory at the Battle of Endor, the Rebel Alliance became the Alliance of Free Planets, and pilots continued to serve in battles against the Empire and during the Nagaiā€“Tof War. With the establishment of the New Republic in 4 ABY, the pilots were folded into the Combined Defense Forces of the New Republic.