Unit Lore
42nd Squadron History
The in-universe history of the 42nd Squadron, as revealed in official Cloud Imperium Games communications. All content sourced exclusively from CIG.
The Unit
The 42nd Squadron is a United Empire of Earth Navy fighter unit whose history serves as the backdrop for the Squadron 42 campaign. The player character enlists and is assigned to serve alongside the 42nd, engaging in combat operations against the Vanduul in the Odin system. The unit lends its name to the game itself — Squadron 42.
Source: RSI Comm-Link — 42nd Squadron Newsletter, May 2025 →
The May 2025 Newsletter
The May 2025 Squadron 42 subscriber newsletter — timed to an in-game naval holiday event — focused entirely on the fictional history of the 42nd Squadron. It detailed the unit's role in a historical battle, described fighter craft associated with the unit, and introduced a fictional crew character connected to the squadron's past. Downloadable wallpapers of in-game ships were included with the newsletter.
Formation Flying in Combat
The CitizenCon 2953 "I Held the Line" gameplay showcase featured the 42nd Squadron flying in formation during space combat sequences — one of the most prominent depictions of the unit in action. The showcase demonstrated coordinated multi-ship combat operations as a core part of the Squadron 42 gameplay experience.
The Player's Role
In Squadron 42, the player begins as a new recruit in the UEE Navy and is assigned to the unit. The campaign follows the player through the conflict against the Vanduul in the Odin system, with story interactions involving the full celebrity cast — including veterans like Steve "Old Man" Colton (Mark Hamill) — who serve alongside or command the player throughout the campaign.