The Citadel of Axes stood on the planet called Kelrodo-Ai. The Kelrodoans who were native to the planet, believed that this facility had existed for thousands of years when the Galactic Empire was formed. After the Clone Wars concluded, the citadel became a base of operations for remaining Separatist holdout groups. During the Western Reaches Operation in 17 BBY, Imperial troops were sent to Kelrodo-Ai with the mission to expel the Separatists from this fortress. In the battle that ensued, Captain Shea Hublin, an ace pilot leading the Empire's Sword Squadron, managed to take down the citadel's energy shields, leading to an Imperial victory.