The Sixteenth Tactical Recon Group was a section of the Fifth Battle Group of the New Republic Defense Fleet during the Black Fleet Crisis. Because at that time the New Republic was losing its reconnaissance craft, useful intelligence on the Koornacht Cluster was in short supply. The 16th was formed to fill the gap. Its mission, under the command of Colonel Mauit'ta, was to scout the cluster — with particular focus on Yevethan movements, deployments and facilities. To accomplish this, it was given a full complement of droid-controlled Ferret-class drones and the larger, crewed Prowler-class reconnaissance craft.