The Pre-fabricated Imperial Garrison Base serves multiple functions aside from its military mission. Typically they are deployed to squelch local instability or uprisings, enforce martial law, deter piracy, support local governments and to protect vital military assets. Such military assets protected by a Garrison Base includes industrial centres, ore mines, fuel sources, major ports, important cities, etc. Once the Garrison Base is deployed, the ISD which it came from dispatches the Stormtroopers, the support personnel, the 10 AT-ATs, the 10 AT-STs and the TIE Fighters needed to operate the base. The hexagonal shaped Garrison Base is not only employed for its military purposes, they also serve from scientific to diplomatic functions as well. Nonetheless, they function best as a reminder to Imperial citizens of the Empire's all-encompassing military might. Pre-fabricated Garrison Bases form the backbone of the Empire's occupational forces.

    A General commands the Garrison Base, who is aided by an adjutant, Stormtrooper commanders, lieutenants, gunnery and security officers, a science officer, and Imperial Intelligence. Support personnel include diplomatic and trade groups, science and medical teams, various technicians, engineers, and clerical workers. On undeveloped planets, a Garrison Base may house a scientific research team or planetary development group. On primitive worlds, a Garrison Base may be employed to studies cultures and xenopology, as well as develop trade agreements. By placing trade, diplomatic services and scientific research under the protection of the Imperial Military, the Empire can keep a close watch on those entities.

    Many Garrison Bases in the Outer Rim Territories are employed as hidden prisons where individuals the Empire does not want to execute are maintained for safe keeping. Regardless of its other functions, each Garrison Base remains a military installation charged with the subjugation and protection of planets within the Galactic Empire. As these bases can be quickly deployed on any world or asteroid, the Empire is capable of extending its reach anywhere it desires or needs to do so. The layout and construction of these bases are standardized. There is a phrase said among Rebel commandoes: "If you've seen one garrison, you've seen'em all." On virtually every planet under Imperial control there is an Imperial Garrison Base. The use of these bases is part of Imperial Military doctrine and virtually every Imperial citizen recognizes these imposing, fortress-like structures.

    A large underground section of the Garrison Base, known as the sub-level installations houses the main power and back-up generators, the tractor beam and deflector shield generators, the environmental control station, and the waste disposal and refuse units. Also located in this section are some storage facilities. Levels one through five are identical in their layout and are constructed around an enormous surface vehicle bay, which spans all five levels. The surface vehicle bay is protected by 25 metre high heavy blast doors. Guarding these doors are a pair of guard towers. All of the the base's vehicles are stored and serviced in this area. The base's detention block is certified to be nearly escape proof and is employed to detain local criminals, captured Rebels, and political prisoners. The shuttle landing platform, which is capable of handling two Lambda-class Shuttles and four AT-ATs is connected to level three via connecting ramp. This configuration allows quick prisoner transfer at minimal risk. Level six contains the officers' and pilots' quarters, control rooms, meeting rooms, trade mission, and diplomatic offices.

    The TIE Fighter hanger deck is located on level seven and it houses the garrison's TIEs in its standard-design ceiling racks. Five to fifteen fighters are on constant patrol, depending on the base's readiness posture. The flight control station located in the centre of the deck monitors and issues orders to all craft and crews. Pilots climb across a complicated gridwork of overhead racks to reach their fighters. As soon as they enter their fighters, mechanical claws transfer the fighters into position on one of the three lift platforms. If the lifts are ever damaged, antigrav fields can be projected into the lift shafts to transport the fighters to level eight, the flight deck. The flight deck contains the tractor beam projectors which catapult outgoing craft into the air and reel in landing ships, after they quickly and safely bring them to a dead stop. Pilots relinquish control of their craft during take off and landing due to the limited manoeuvring area within the launch chutes. Once they are cleared of the base, control is returned to the pilots. The powerful tractor beams are employed to limit costly accidents, and are particularly useful when damaged TIE Fighters make their return approach. Topping off the Garrison Base is a sensor suite tower.