Operation Hammerblow was the New Republic Fifth Fleet's live-fire operational readiness exercise. The construction of the Fifth Fleet had been authorized by the New Republic Senate on Supreme Commander Admiral Gial Ackbar's assurances that it was needed to continue the war against the remnants of the Galactic Empire. The Dornean, General Etahn A'baht, was placed in command of the Fifth, and he oversaw the training of the fleet. The final test was a live fire exercise against a simulated target. Although the Fifth would only face drones and computers simulations, the danger to the participating personnel was very real. The planet Bessimir, located fifteen parsecs from Coruscant was chosen as the target, and General A'baht devised an assault plan.