The Alliance Forces were the branch of the Alliance to Restore the Republic's military that was under the direct command of Alliance High Command. The main bulk of the Alliance Forces was the Alliance Fleet and attendant starfighter squadrons, support services, and a small but effective cadre of ground forces. Units in the Alliance Forces were intended to respond to strategic opportunities and counter dangerous Imperial threats. The counterpart to the Alliance Forces were the Sector Forces, semi-autonomous military units responsible for operations throughout an assigned sector.