Thought that I would pick the collective brain of the forum: how do imperial pilot designations work? The two co-pilots of Darth Vader were DS-61-2 and DS-61-3. Does the DS signify the Death Squadron stationed on the death star? If so, was Soontir's designation ever SS-**-*, for Saber squadron? Thoughts?

If I recall correctly the syntax is posting-unit-designation. So Death Star was the location hence DS.

this said 181st was a bit weird as it had two squadrons 181-1 and 181-2

DS might designate Death Star, and Death Squadron is the 61st Squadron...

So Soontir might be SD (for being stationed on a Star Destroyer), 181 (squadron number), and 1 (he's the leader). SD-181-1.

"DS" stands for Death Squadron, which is Vaders personal Command Flight

Vaders Black Squadron, pilots personally trained by Vader.

Black 1 - Vaders Custom TIE - Vader

Black 2 - DS-61-2 - Mauler Mithel

Black 3 - DS-61-3 - "Backstabber"

Black 4 - DS-61-4 - "Dark Curse"

Black 11 - DS-61-11 - "Wampa"

Saber Squadron, the 181st, part of Death Squadron in the Movies.

Saber 1 - DS-181-1 - Baron Soontir Fel, Leader of the 181st Squadron aka Saber Squadron

Saber 2 - DS-181-2 - Turr Phenirr

Saber 3 - DS-181-3 - "Fel's Wrath"

Saber 4 - DS-181-4 - Name Unknown - Phenir's Wingman

Scimitar Squadron part of Death Squadron

Scimitar 1 - Major Rhymer, Scimitar Squadron Leader

Scimitar 2 - Captain Jonus

Part of Vaders Death Squadron, Jendon is the Commander of ST-321 and Vaders Technical Team

Onyx 1 - Colonel Jendon

Onyx 2 - Captain Yorr

Death Star 2 Defence Squadron

Scythe 1 - Major Mianda

Scythe 3 - Lieutenant Hebsly

Obsidian Squadron based on the Star Destroyer "Avenger"

Obsidian 1 - OS-71-1 - "Howlrunner"

Obsidian 2 - OS-72-2 - "Night Beast"

Obsidian 7 - OS-72-7 - "Winged Gundark"

Obsidian 8 - OS-72-8 - Unknown

Obsidian 10 - OS-72-10 - Unknown

The Format is [Flight Designation]-[squadron number]-[unit ID]

I can't find that its listed anywhere for Onyx Squadron or Scimitar, but as they are in Vaders flight they would be DS-??-1 etc.

Really great info all. Many thanks!

If I recall correctly the syntax is posting-unit-designation. So Death Star was the location hence DS.

this said 181st was a bit weird as it had two squadrons 181-1 and 181-2

It was initially the 181st Fighter Wing, six squadrons. After Fel was put in command of the 2nd squadron and whipped it into shape, the unit got shrunk down to three squadrons as the 181st Fighter Group, with all 3 being considered elite. I would assume that Saber Squadron was 1/181st (since Fel was its leader and by the time of Endor he commanded the entire 181st), but that was never specified.