Lorenz Riedel

Lorenz Riedel is a mysterious Belkan air pilot and an ace of the Gault Team, and one of the most important characters to play in Ace Combat chronology.

Belkan War
Lorenz Riedl, callsign, Feniks, was born in Belka joined the Air Force before the outbreak of the Belkan War in 1995. Lorenz was assigned to the Belkan Air Force 18th Air Division, 5th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Gault", at the age of 28. His postition was officially Gault Seven. The squadron was sent to the front-lines in January of 1995. Being lead by Anton Kupchenko, the Gault Squadron was active until March of that same year, when all members suddenly disappeared. The Belkan Air Force announced them all as killed in action, with no information or reason for their disappearance.

During this time, it is believed that Anton Kupchenko founded "A World With No Boundaries", a multi-national group of military personnel which aligned itself with no nation(s). On December 31st, 1995, A World With No Boundaries planned to use the Belkan-made V2 MIRV system to strike multiple capital cities around the world. As the 66th AFU Galm of the Ustian Air Force flew towards Avalon Dam, the V2 launch facility, the Gault squadron intercepted the Galm Team in B7R. During the battle, the entire Gault team was shot down. The remains of Lorenz's Su-47 Berkut were found, but his body was nowhere to be seen.

1996 Onward
After the war, in 1996, reports of Riedel being sighted began to arise. He was believed to have been seen in Oured, the capital city of the Osean Federation. Osean Special Operations began to investigate, however, his whereabouts were never confirmed.

Lorenz managed to evade Osean Special Operations and escape from the Osean Continent. Lorenz Riedel managed to make his way to the Anean Continent. He arrived in the Federal Republic of Estovakia, during the nation's long lasting civil war, and made a living there with one of the factions.

During this time, Lorenz became a key part of the Estovakian Military. Riedel, like other defectors, brought technology from their homeland. This technology became the deciding factor in the outcome of the Estovakian Civil War. He gave major data from his orginal think tank in Belka, and one of the warring Estovakian factions added him to their much obliged payroll. Details on this technology remain undetermined as of 2015.

Lorenz Riedel provided Belkan information and other support which lead to the construction of the P-1112 Aigaion 'Aerial Aircraft Carrier and Heavy Command Cruiser' and later, the P-1114 Gyges 'Fire Support System' and P-1113 Kottos Electronic Warfare Platform. These P-111X models would create the big, bad Estovakian Aerial Fleet.

After The Generals took power in Estovakia and with the outbreak of the Anean Continental War, the P-111X models were deployed into combat. During the war Lorenz was lead the Estovakian Central Forces Precinct Air Force, 6th Aviation Regiment 5th Tactical Fighter Squadron. In February 20, 2016, the Estovakian Aerial Fleet was ambushed by multiple Emmerian aircraft. During the battle, the P-1112 Aigaion lost many of its engines, at which time Riedl launched from the Aigaion in an Su-33 Flanker-D in order to protect the Heavy Command Cruiser. However, shortly thereafter, he was shot down by the Emmerian Air Force 28th Tactical Fighter Squadron Garuda.

His current status after the Anean Continental War remains unknown, thus leaving open the possibility that he cheated death again, and it is likely that the man continues to fuel conspiracy and make major, behind-the-scenes history of the world's many nations or many colors.

Trivia

 * Given it's nature, it is possible that the P-1112 Aigaion is actually derivated from the Belkan superbomber XB-0 Hresvelgr.
 * Lorenz's callsign during the Anean Continental War is "Feniks", which is an alternative spelling for "Phoenix", which is a mythical bird engulfed in flames which burns for around 500 years before burning to ash, from whence phoenix eggs come from; this is used in popular culture as a symbol of resurrection. Feniks is a fitting callsign, for it indicates Riedel's resurgence in the battlefield.
 * Lorenz's personal (Estovakia SP) paint scheme is white with blue wings. This paintwork bears a striking resemblance to the Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War main paint scheme of the F-15C Eagle, which is the signature aircraft of the Supreme Mercenary, Cipher. It is possible that Lorenz took an honorable inspiration from Galm 1 for his paintwork.
 * Lorenz's Estovakia SP paint scheme is similar to Su-35 Super Flanker's SP paint in Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies