Continental War

''The Usean Continental War is featured in Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies and Ace Combat 04: Distant Thunder. This installment of the series was the first on the PlayStation 2.''

Eastern Coast Operations
After the 1994XFO4 Ulysses fragments fell on the USEA continent the super weapon created to destroy it, called "Stonehenge", becomes the catalyst of a war. Erusia, a country on the Western tip of the Usean Continent, launches a war on the Independent States Allied Forces (ISAF). The ISAF is pushed back to the United States of Euro-Asia's (USEA) east coast and are nearly defeated.

The ISAF General Head Quarters in Los Canas was forced to move, as the brunt of Erusian Forces moved in. The HQ was moved to the nearby, coastal nation of North Point. With their GHQ at North Point the ISAF did their best to defend themselves, until a counter-attack was possible. However, with their bulk of ground troops trapped on the North-Eastern tip of the Usean Continent, this was impossible.

On September 19th, 2004, after a large period of sporadic fighting, Erusian Secret Agents destroy the ISAF early warning system. A large force of Erusian Tu-95 Bear long-ranged Heavy Bombers flies towards North Point, from Rigley Air Base. Rigley Air Base was a former ISAF facility, taken over by Erusian forces to operate their long range bombers. The ISAF scramble a nearby Carrier-based Squadron, made up of new pilots. This Squadron successfully made contact with the Erusian Bombers and Bomber Escorts over Newfield Island. The Bombers and the escorts where shot down, but Newfield City had suffered heavy damage from an Erusian Bomber, which dropped it's bombs trying to escape.

ISAF GHQ then scrambles the same Squadron to attack Rigley Air Base a month after that turn around victory. The Erusian Command had sent a large force of Tu-95 Bombers to Rigley, in preparation of attacking North Point again. The bombers are caught on the ground and the parking ramp at Rigley Air Base is turned into a junk yard. This attack knocked out Erusia's only chance to attack North Point and ISAF's GHQ. Erusian high command then dispatched their "Invincible" fleet to the East coast to prepare for an all out invasion of North Point and ISAF GHQ.

The ISAF attack "The Northern Eye", a large radar facility a top Mount Shezna in the Northern area of USEA. This radar facility has been monitoring all ISAF Ground movements and giving guidance to ground and air forces, to further delay an ISAF withdrawal from the continent. The Northern Eye is successfully disabled and ISAF forces successfully withdrew their trapped ground forces, from northern USEA to North Point, in order to prepare for an ISAF counterattack.

Erusia’s "Invincible" Aegir Fleet reaches Comberth Harbor and to resupply and prepare for their push north to invade North Point. ISAF command knows that the 7th fleet guarding North Point cannot stop this fleet, when they are under way, so resupply routes are targeted. The first routes to be attacked are Erusian air supply route corridors. Thought this slowed them it was not enough to stop the invasion.

The ISAF then executes a bold move and destroys the main petrol plant supplying the "Invincible" fleet and immobilizes them inside Comberth Harbor. However, the ISAF attacking force was forced to retreat when the feared 156th TFW 'Aquila' better known as the Yellow Squadron, came into the area. Their surprise attacked destroyed many ISAF Aircraft, but the entire force was not lost.

Return to the Mainland
An invasion of North Point was now delayed, but still possible. Seeing a prime opportunity ISAF orders a large scale air attack against the Aegir fleet. Operation Rough Seas is launched and the Aegir Fleet is caught in Comberth Harbor. The extended battle lasted for twenty-minutes and resulted in the Aegir Fleet being all but wiped out. This included their main fleet, along with their Aircraft Carrier, supporting ships and the main landing force. The destruction of the Aegir fleet was an amazing blow to the Erusian war machine.

Seeing the Erusian military staggering, ISAF GHQ commits yet another bold move by attacking a large Solar Power Plant which is supplying much of Erusian force's facilities. The attack is successful, but many aircraft are lost in this battle when Stonehenge attacked unexpectedly. This reminded ISAF Leaders that Erusia still had air superiority over the mainland.

ISAF forces gathered at North Point and prepared of an invasion of the mainland to begin to push back Erusian forces. Before this invasion can occur a vital military satellite must be launched from the a Space Launch Facility in the Comona Islands; located in the south eastern sea of USEA. Also seeing the vitality of this launch, Erusian High Command orders all land and sea based aircraft to completely wipe out the entire facility. The largest air battle in history occurs on this day. It is said that over 100 aircraft from both sides had participated in this aerial battle. Erusian High Command also deployed the Yellow Squadron; an ace squadron said to be the best of any military on the planet. Mid-way through the battle Erusian B-2As appeared, but were dispatched immediately. The Yellow Squadron was also forced to withdraw due to fuel consumption and their leader Yellow 13's aircraft was damaged badly.

The air battle ended in ISAF's favor and their satellite was launched Successfully. Now ISAF's invasion plans began and Erusian forces went on high alert. A large invasion fleet moved from North Point, behind the Comona Islands and at the south-eastern area of the mainland. The amphibious invasion was codenamed: Operation Bunkershot. It was a D-Day styled invasion which held the hopes of the ISAF on it's success. The ISAF invasion force hit the three beaches named Caranda, Halle and Crowne. Crowne Beach was the main objective of the landing, since it was capable of supporting armored vehicles. ISAF Aircraft were scrambled to support the ISAF landing troops and the support fleet, by firing upon emplacements, artillery batteries, advancing ground troops from inland and FEAF Aircraft. Though ISAF troops took considerable casualties, the operation hit a turning point when Halle and Caranda beaches were somewhat secure. However, the FEAF dispatched a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolts to Crowne Beach in an attempt to destroy the ISAF on the beachhead. The ISAF aircraft in the area rushed to Crowne beach and destroyed the A-10s before too much damage was dealt and Operation Bunkershot was success.

After organizing their landed forces, ISAF Command sent ground forces to retake Los Canas, a vital city outside of Stonehenge's range. At the same time air strikes against Isalis Fortress began. Isalis Fortress was system of bases and positions dug into a mountainous terrain system; this fortress stood in the way of an ISAF advance. The ISAF air strike successfully knocked out the fortress, though Stonehenge fired at them multiple times, through out the engagement. The ISAF successfully captured Los Canas and a forward HQ was established to further support an ISAF thrust inland.

Liberation
The ISAF was then contacted by the creators of Stonehenge and their families asking for amnesty, as they were preparing to defect from Erusian control. The ISAF granted them amnesty and they defected via Air Ixiom flights 702 and 701; two civilian airliners. En route, however, they were attacked by FEAF (Federal Erusian Air Force) fighters. Luckily ISAF had one fighter in the area, which dispatched the pursuing fighters and the Air Liners landed safely at an ISAF Air Base. The creators of Stonehenge then helped ISAF High Command in making plans to destroy Stonehenge before Erusian High Command could deploy any more reinforcements.

The ISAF sent a small air strike force to attack Stonehenge. The aircraft penetrated the Erusian air defense unseen and made their way into attacking range of Stonehenge.

The barrage from Stonehenge was fierce and the anti-air defenses were also very heavy. Air Forces deployed at Stonehenge were also putting up an amazing fight. However, Stonehenge fell to a single ISAF fighter; piloted by Mobius One. An ISAF pilot which had been participating in many pivotal battles before this attack, he was one of ISAF's highest scoring aces. As ISAF aircraft began to withdraw from Stonehenge the Yellow Squadron appeared and engaged them. During the battle a Yellow Squadron fighter was shot down and the squadron retreated. This fighter was also shot down by the pilot known as Mobius One. This pilot was present at every major ISAF operation and was credited with the success of these operations.

With Stonehenge out of the way, ISAF forces began to advance on Erusian positions and push them back slowly. Meanwhile, ISAF spy planes had been returning with photos of a new super weapon being built off the coast of Erusea. This alarmed ISAF HQ; they needed to end the war faster than ever before this super weapon, known as Megalith; is completed. A northern landing force is dispatched from North Point to secure northern USEA, but they are almost wiped out by cruise missiles from Erusian forces. The cruise missiles are shot down, along with a single Nuclear tipped cruise missile; this shows ISAF how desperate Erusian High Command is becoming. Now ISAF forces prepare to liberate San Salvacion.

The battle takes place at 0000hrs. or Midnight USEA Central Meantime. The fighting is fierce as ISAF forces, along with local resistance members, battle in the city streets. The Yellow Squadron along with other Erusian forces in San Salvacion, fought tooth and nail for the sovereign country. However, their forces were being badly beaten and they were forced to withdraw from the city. As Erusian forces withdrew, Erusian High Command ordered Heavy Bombers to flatten the entire city. The aircraft were shot down and ISAF ground forces successfully captured the city. San Salvacion was free once again. With that, all land outside of Erusean Territory was free once more.

The Final Days
Now Erusian High Command began to amass their troops at the Whiskey Corridor, a desert that lies between the Lambert and Amber mountain ranges. This is the only route within ISAF range to send in their ground forces to attack the Erusian homeland. After regrouping at San Salvacion ISAF GHQ ordered all ground forces to break through the Whiskey Corridor. This battle became one of the largest ground battles in world history. Though they fought valiantly, the Erusian forces were almost completely wiped out. This was thanks to immense air support from ISAF air force pilots, including Mobius One; now an ISAF national hero. A road to the Erusian capital city of Farbanti, now opened.

Erusian High Command, in a complete panic ordered all available forces back to Farbanti. The ISAF now gather their remaining troops and nearby naval and air forces and commence a siege of Farbanti. The ISAF air force faced the brunt of the load by being assigned to aide ground forces, destroy all vital bridges, secure a ground route and claim air superiority all at once. The leader of this aerial unit is Mobius One. The battle lasts for what seems to be forever and the losses are mounting on each side. However the ISAF get an upper hand when bridges are destroyed, cutting off any reinforcement the Erusian military had coming. ISAF ground forces penetrated their defense lines and encircled the Erusian GHQ. ISAF Naval forces still shelling any and all Erusian military positions, also choaked any escape routes by the sea. Two large Erusian submarines, in the submerged metro-are were sunk and helicopters carrying high ranking Erusian officers were also shot down. However, it is believed that a third submarine had escaped during the first moments of the battle.

The Yellow Squadron had arrived over Farbanti and were ready to fight until the end. Only one fighter, Mobius One, engaged them. An epic aerial battle ensues and Mobius One shoots down all five of the Yellow Squadron aircraft, along with their leader Yellow 13. The Erusian Supreme Commander is also killed in the battle. The remaining Erusian forces surrender and the war is beginning to end. However, it was not over yet.

Many young Erusian officers and fanatical Erusian soldiers then take over Megalith. Megalith a rocket launch facility that is able to shoot down asteroid fragments in orbit. While a final air strike was being prepared an ISAF special operations team was sent to infiltrate Megalith and take over the control room to open heat vents in Megalith to allow for it's destruction.

It was only possible to destroy it from the inside, Mobius One was chosen for this unearthly task. The squadron for this mission was newly named and they went down in history as, The Mobius Squadron.

The Mobius Squadron attacked Megalith in a full frontal assault. They were met by a newly formed Yellow Squadron which put up a stiff opposition. The aerial battle was extremely intense and the special forces were suffering casualties. Through out the Air Battle pilots from each side tore one another's aircraft apart with amazing expertise.

However, the Mobius Squadron dispatched the tenacious Yellow Squadron and began their attack on Megalith. Mobius One flew into Megalith three times and destroyed power generators, which aided the special forces team within Megalith to get into the control room. The team then opened the main heat vent to the main missile silo. Mobius One then flew into the silo and destroyed the large missile. This finally ended the Erusian threat, the three year continental war finally ended.

Spoils of War
Near the end of the Continental War the ISAF had stumbled across Erusian Facilities and captured an experimental aircraft made by the EASA. It was officially known as the X-02, but named the "Swtichblade" by ISAF Pilots. It is said to have seen action near the end of the war when it was piloted by ISAF Ace Mobius One. The X-02's design and technology were far beyond that of any other aircraft during this time and even then, was said to be the best aircraft on the planet.

Reform and Recovery
After the battle of Megalith the ISAF Forces occupied Erusia, as steps were taken to make a new Erusian Government. However. the Provisional Erusian Government had began to take much criticism from Erusean Citizens and old Erusian Officers. In 2006 a large Erusian Force made up of ex- Erusian Military personnel took a large arms factory, called themselves "Free Erusia " and attacked the ISAF. The ISAF responded by launching Operation Katina.

See "Operation Katina" for more details.

Sources

Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies (the game)

Official Project Aces AC4 Website - www.acecombat04.com/