Celchu joined the Imperial Navy at a young age, and trained under Soontir Fel alongside future Rebels Derek Klivian and Biggs Darklighter at the Prefsbelt IV Naval Academy. Upon graduation, he was posted aboard Accuser as a TIE pilot. On his 21st birthday, he was speaking to his family on Alderaan when the connection suddenly disappeared. Initially thinking that the dropped connection was a fault of the HoloNet, Celchu later learned that the interruption was a result of the Death Star's destruction of the planet.
Half a year later, Celchu officially defected to the Rebel Alliance, and was present when the Empire attacked their base on Hoth. He rescued Hobbie Klivian when his snowspeeder was damaged during the evacuation.
Celchu joined Rogue Squadron and flew an A-Wing at the Battle of Endor. Celchu followed Lando Calrissian and Wedge Antilles into the Death Star tunnel, and broke off when ordered to do so by Calrissian to draw off some of the Imperial pursuit.
