User:TheUseanFireBird

Biography (Bret Folen)
Bret Folen a.k.a The Usean Firebird is a Usean mercenary pilot who was famed for his participation in all of the major conflicts in the world starting from the Kalugan Conflict in 1985 to the Aurelian/Leasath War in 2020. He is best known for flying his signature PAK-FA Su-50 Feinks and later PAK-FAK Su-50K Sea Feinks with his distinct Emblem that resembles the mythical Phoenix bird. Once a quiet, young boy who wanted to become a video game developer, he turned into one of the greatest fighter pilots the world has ever known, on par with famous ISAF Ace Mobius One, whom he flew with during the Usean Continental War. He is the owner and leader of the UMF (United Mercenary Forces), an organization made entirely of mercenaries devoted to preventing catastrophies like the Belkan War and Circum Pacific War from happening again. He resided in the UMF GHQ in Saint Ark with his wife Sasha, and two children Brad and Kiara. In 2025, he retired from flying at the age of 60 so he could be with his wife and run the UMF from their GHQ while his son and daughter lead his organization from the air in his place. He died of natural causes before the Usean Corperate War in 2040, though his legacy and his wife's would live on in their son and daughter, who would both go on to end the Usean Corperate War and literally delete the Electrosphere from existance.

Early Life
Bret was born in 1965 to a famed Usean pilot and his wife during a time of great uncertainty. The Cold War between Osea and Yuktobania was still going on at the time and was in full effect around the world. With his father on combat standby nearly all the time and his mother usually looking after him, Bret became one who doesn't socialize much with other people. He would often seclude himself in his room most of the time either drawing or playing video games, usually ranging from air shooters to RPG's. He was able to make a few friends when he hit his early teens though, which was a relief to his parents. At the age of 16, he enrolled at Saint Ark University, hoping to get a major in graphics design. But just after his 20th birthday, tragedy struck.

Becoming a pilot/Enrolling into Scarface Squadron
On June 8th, 1985, Kalugian rebels who snuck into Usea began bombarding Saint Ark. As chaos spread, the officials ordered an evacuation of the local civilians. As the bombing continued, Bret tried his best to help however he could in the ensuing chaos. He even saved a woman's baby from falling debris before the little one was crushed. As Bret made his way towards his parent's house, his life was forever changed. His father and mother lay dead before his feet, caught completely off guard by the Kalugian raid. As Bret drowned in a sea of sorrow, a lust for revenge came over him. After his parents funeral, Bret traced every single one of his father's squadron mates and learned everything he could about piloting from them. But with the Usean Air Force in a state of watching the ongoing Cold War between Osea and Yuktobania, they could not respond to the Kalugian Rebels. So they enrolled the help of mercenaries from around the world to stop the threat in the form of the soon-to-be legendary 37-18th Tactical Fighter Squadron - Scarface Squadron. Bret enrolled as well, mastering everything he learned from his father's squad mates. Just before he left with the other members of Scarface for Kaluga, he met their leader Scarface One TAC Name Vet, who was an old friend of his father's. Scarface One gave him what would become his signature aircraft for the rest of his carrier: the PAK-FA Su-50 Feinks, a stealth fighter developed originally by Erusea to compete with Usea's F/A-22 Raptors. After adopting the TAC name Phoenix as well as adopting what would become his signature emblem, Bret headed off to Kalugia with his fellow mercenaries.

Rise of the Fire Bird - The Kalugian War
After arriving at an allied airbase in still held by the Kalugian Military. The welcoming of the mercenaries of Scarface was mixed at best, but Bret shrugged it off. Avenging his parents came first. He spent most of his time prior to the first engagement either maintaining his plane or just looking out to the distance from his quarters window. On July 11th, he'd get his first taste of vengance. The Rebels attacked the base, hoping to snuff out the remaining Kalugian Government officials and military members. But they did not expect Scarface Squadron. The battle was brief, but fierce. During the engagement, Bret shot down 10 enemy aircraft in what seemed like a blink of an eye. The rebels were forced to retreat out of losing so many of their people to the mercs. Everyone was in shock of Bret's seemingly unnatural abilities as a pilot. But not everyone took it shock. He drew the attention of three individuals who would affect his life later on. One was Sasha Monique TAC Name Chakora, a F/A-22 mercenary pilot from Osea, whom he would later develop feelings for later on. Coincidentally, she would return his feelings later on as well. Another was Kyo Lampert TAC Name Hasma, a Typhoon mercenary pilot from Emmeria who started out as a rival of Bret's, but would become his best friend before the war ended. The last one was Rionne Genette TAC Name Basan, a Rafale mercenary pilot from Aurelia, who was the "dunce" of the Squadron and later would become Kyo's wife. The four of them would be assigned to fly together by Scarface One due to what he saw as "a great chemistry between the four". As the war raged on, Bret began to open up more and more to his new squadmates, and eventually they shared why they became involved in joining Scarface in the first place. On December 20th, 1985, the Rebels were pushed back to Scorpion Island, where their Sky Fortress was located. The entire Scarface Squadron was deployed to the area to put an end to the rebellion once and for all. While Scarface One and the rest of the Scarface Squadron attacked the rebel fighters, Bret and his team attacked the fortress head-on. After a few passes, Bret charged the Sky Fort's bridge and destroyed it in one fell swoop. The Kalugian War had come to a close after the Sky Fortress fell into the sea below. Bret finally avenged the deaths of his parents. The Scarface Squadron was praised as heros, with Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne being the most notably praised. Bret returned to Saint Ark after spending a week in Kalugia with his friends and comrades. As he landed, he realized that his true calling was to become a pilot like his father. But the Kalugian War was just the beginning of his carrier as a pilot.

The Usean Rebellion - A Name Becomes Known
Five years after the Kalugian War, Bret was just relaxing at the Saint Ark Airbase when he recieved word that a coup had occured all over the Usean Continent. Saint Ark immediatedly fell under siege by the Coup Forces, with Bret barely escaping. After being hailed by Sasha to head to Twinkle Islands, he rendezvoused with his comrades and old friends in the Scarface Squadron. Bret also met Scarface One again. After being brought up to speed on current events about the coup, Bret learned about why the Usean heads of state left during the current events: The Ulysees 1994XF04 Asteroid. Although it was a topic of concern, he had to stay focused on the situation at hand. When Scarface Squadron deployed, the Usean Forces were able to push back the Rebel Forces, largely thanks to Scarface One and Bret's team. As soon as ground was gained, Bret and the rest of Scarface began encountering the mysterious ace pilots known only as Z.O.E Squadron. After destroying the castle fortress known as "The Keep" and the Rebel Fuel Platform known as "Opera House", a battle between Scarface and Z.O.E Squadrons ensued over San Salvacion, which the Rebels were holding hostage. During the engagement, Bret discovered the identity of Z.O.E leader: Allen Malcovitch, who was his father's commanding officer. Bret tried to get Allen to surrender, but Allen said that the Usean Government needed "a change in leadership", leaving Bret to duel his father's former commanding officer. The fight ended in a draw, but Z.O.E was defeated in the final stages of the battle. As the war raged on, Bret's team became well known for their numerous and amazing accomplishments on the battlefield, including sinking the Dragonet-Class submarine Fensalir. Their accomplishments also included defeating famed Rebel Squadrons such as Albireo, Lancer, Beast, and Cocoon Squadrons. After Operations "Alphaville" and "Bellissima", the United High Command gained the upper hand. Eventually, the Rebels are pushed back to their GHQ at Saint Ark, which Bret ironically escaped from when the war began. During the battle, Z.O.E Squadron engages Scarface Squadron again. This time however, Scarface One and Scarface Squadron distracted Z.O.E Squadron long enough for Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne to attack the GHQ. Allen tried to stop them, but Scarface One blocked his way. Bret and his team landed the killing blow to the GHQ, ending the battle and liberating his hometown. But as fate would have it, the Rebels wouldn't give up. The second Dragonet-Class sub, the Folkvangir, was sighted at the coastline approximately 8:54 P.M Usea Central Meantime, and Bret deployed alone to stop it. Even though he destroyed the sub, they were successful in launching an EPCM at Saint Ark. Bret pursued it, knowing that Sasha, his friends and allies were counting on him. Despite not being able to use missiles due to ECM interference, he was able to destroy it with his guns, saving his hometown from destruction. On December 12th, 1990, the United High Command discovered that the Rebels have one last fortress located in eastern North Point called "Intolerance". Scarface Squadron deployed all of their pilots to aid the Usean Forces in defeating the Rebels. Bret and his team went after the Intolerance. As they approached the fortress, Z.O.E Squadron approached them again, with Allen leading them in an XFA-27. While Sasha, Kyo & Rionne dealt with the members of Z.O.E, Bret and Allen dueled one on one. Despite the XFA-27's superiour abilities compared to Bret's PAK-FA, Bret was able to overcome them by relying on skill. The duel ended when Bret damaged both Allens engines and blew the XFA-27's nose off the rest of the aircraft. Little did Bret know, Allen survived. As the Rebels were pushed back, they resorted to using their last, nuclear equipped EPCM. Bret flew into the fortress and destroyed it, ending the war once and for all. After the Usean Rebellion, Scarface was disbanded. But Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne decided to stay together to help the Usean Government get back on it's feet. After reviewing all the intel from the war, Bret learned that the Rebels gave him a nickname: The Fire Bird. This was due to the fact that his emblem literally resembled a Phoenix and due to the fact that everytime he shoots down an enemy, he flies straight through the explosion unscathed. He would take a great liking to his new moniker as it would follow him for the rest of his life.

What War is Really Like - The Belkan War
Five years later, Usea was still struggling to get back on it's feet. Knowing that Osea would help since relations with Usea have increased since the Cold War came to a close, they sent Bret and his team to the Osean Continent to be diplomatic representatives for Usea. However, as they passed over the country of Ustio on April 2nd, they found themselves caught in the middle of a battle between the Ustian Mercenaries and the Belkan Forces. It is there that Bret met Cipher and Pixy, whom he would fly with throughout the rest of the year. Seeing that the Ustian Forces needed help, Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne joined the battle and helped the Ustian Forces destroy the remaining bombers, with Bret and Cipher tieing for the final kill as both shot down the bomber at the same time. After being escorted back to Valais Air Force Base, they explained to the Ustians that they came from Usea in order to ask Osea for help in aiding their country in any way they could. It is then that they learned from Pixy a.k.a Larry Foulke about the recently rising war with the Principallity of Belka. They learned that Belka not only invaded Ustio, but Osea and Sapin as well. Deciding to put their work for Usea aside for the time being, Bret and his team decided to help the Ustio and the Allied Forces in defeating Belka. On April 15th, they joined up with Cipher and Pixy in the battle of Arlon, Sapin. The Belkans ironically didn't expect to see Bret's squadron in the fray, as they identified them as foreners from Usea after the Battle of Valais. The battle ended with an Allied Forces victory with Bret and Cipher yet again tieing for the final kill. This is when a sort of friendly rivalry began between Bret and Cipher. On April 20th, the Allied Forces needed a distraction in order to accomplish two objectives: 1. Begin Offensive Campaign No. 4101 and 2. Rendezvous with the Yuktobanian Forces who joined the war following a request from Osea. The Allied High Command sent both Galm Team and Bret's squadron, now called Myth Team due to their TAC Names being named after mythical birds to Belkan Priority One Strategic Airspace B7R, a.k.a the Round Table. As the two teams advanced on the Round Table, the Belkan Forces attacked. But they were pushed back within at least 20 minutes. Just then, Sasha called to the teams over the radio, alerting the teams to the three Belkan Squadrons approaching B7R. Myth Team and Galm Team engaged Rot, Grun, and Indigo Squadron. After a ferocious battle, Myth and Galm Teams emerged victorious. On April 24th, Myth and Galm teams fought with the Allied Forces at the Futoro Canal. While Galm attacked the Belkan instalations scattered throughout the canal, Myth Team escorted the Ocean Naval Carrier Kestrel through the canal. During the battle, Bret noted that the carrier was "special" in a way. It held it's own even with a full escort. Little did Bret know, this would not be the last time he would see the Kestrel. On May 12th, Myth and Galm Teams participated in The Battle of Solis Ortus. This time, Myth took care of the ground forces, while Galm gave top cover by battling the fighters. The Teams also lent their support to Osean and Yuktobanian landing troops. On May 13th, Myth and Galm Teams participated in the Liberation of Directus, the capitol of Ustio. After the capitol was liberated, they encountered and defeated the Gelb Team. Bret and Cipher ordered their teammates to pull back and hold position while they battled the two Su-37's. Bret and Cipher emerged from the engagement victorious. Bret and Sasha would both remark on their perspectives of the battle later on in an interview years later. On May 17th, Myth and Galm Teams would aid the Allied Forces in the Battle of Mt. Ivera, a strike on the Belkan Fortress known as Glatisant. Although the battle ended in victory, Pixy saw something eerie in the distance. That eerie sighting would strike with a vengance on May 19th. Although the two teams would succeed in defeating the Belkans in the Shayne Plains, Belka's Excalibur Laser Weapon would take the Allied Forces completely by surprise. Most of the pilots didn't make it back, but Myth and Galm Teams were among the few that made it back. Though Kyo's right wing was scathed by the laser, he was able to maintain control long enough to make it back. Eventually, the Allied Forces discovered the Excalibur's location and deployed the Galm and Myth Teams to the location along with Crow Team. On the way to the Excalibur, Bret met Patrick James a.k.a PJ, callsign Crow 3. As the Teams were refueling, the Excalibur shot down the Tanker, forcing Myth, Galm, and Crow Teams to scramble. They were able to quickly reform and strike back against the Excalibur's power generators. Although there was ECM interference, Myth, Galm and Crow Teams were able to coordinate their efforts and destroyed the Generators and the ECM Jammers, clearing a path to the Excalibur. As the Teams struck the weapon multiple times, Bret and Cipher charged the weapon together. As before, they both took the final shot, and both destroyed the barrel. With Excalibur out of the way, the Allied Forces began to advance even further. Five days later, Operation Battle Axe began. Area B7R was lit with planes from both sides with neither side giving up. Although the Belkans took an early advantage, Myth and Galm Teams arrived on the battlefield. The tide turned soon afterward. During the battle, Bret encountered Jack Bartlett a.k.a Heartbreak One, but the two didn't share much time talking. As the battle reached it's peak, three Belkan Squadrons appeared: Sliber, Schnee and Schwarze Squadrons. During the engagement, Bret noticed that Jack was being pursued by a lone Su-47 piloted by Ashley Berniz a.k.a Grabacr One. Although Bret shot him down, Jack and Wolfgang, whom Berniz was also pursuing along with Schwarze, was shot down as well. The battle ended when the Teams shot down all three Squadrons. It was then that Bret's moniker, The Usean Fire Bird, became known world wide by allies and enemies alike. Ironically, Cipher would also earn a moniker, The Demon Lord of the Round Table, after the battle. Even though Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne would enjoy their moments of glory after Battle Axe, the true bloody nature of the war would soon hit them hard. On June 1st, Myth, Galm and Crow Teams were assigned to the bombing of Hoffnung. Although the battle would start out ok, everyone began to notice that the Allied Forces bombers were destroying every single building, not just the Belkan Factories. Although Kyo and Rionne wanted to stop them, Pixy told them that it was war, and things like that happen in war. Bret and PJ would have NONE of that from Pixy. While they were arguing, AWACS Eagle Eye warned them of Belkan stealth fighters approaching the airspace. However, Bret told Myth Team to not help the bombers, feeling like the bombers deserved it due to the massacre they caused on the ground. Eventually though, Cipher was able to convinced the Myth Team that they needed to protect the remaining two bombers from the enemy fighters. Although they did, they wouldn't forgive their allies for their inhuman acts. Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne would have nightmares about that night for the rest of their lives. It was then on June 6th that Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne would see war at it's worst ever. After passing Stier Castle, Eagle Eye warned Myth, Galm and Crow Teams were warned that Belkan bombers carrying nuclear bombs have taken off from nearby bases. Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne, not wanting to see a catastrophe like that happen, hit their afterburners and intercepted the bombers. While en route, Bret heard Pixy say "This war would end if they blew everything up", causing him to begin to doubt Pixy's loyalty. While engaging the bombers, Belkan Forces came from behind and warned the bombers to turn back. Although some of the mercs were eager to take advantage and get more kills, Bret told them to not fire on the Belkans intercepting the bombers. Although that they were successful in stopping the bombers, seven nukes were set off by an unknown group who would later reveal itself. It was then that Pixy betrayed Cipher. Bret caught wift of the transmissions on Pixy's radio and interfered, causing Pixy to leave the battlefield. That day was one of the few battles that scarred Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne deeply to their cores. After the battle, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne literally had to lift Bret out of his cockpit due to the shock he suffered from witnessing the nuclear explosions. On June 13th, knowing that they had to keep going despite what they witnessed seven days earlier, Myth and Galm Teams attacked Belkan positions at Mount Schirm. It was also PJ's first mission as the replacement Galm Two. Seven days later, Myth and Galm Teams, along with the entire Ustio mercenary division, participated in the top secret Battle of Anfang. Their objective was to keep Belkan dissidents from interfering with the peace treaty. After the battle Bret, Sasha, Kyo, Rionne, Cipher and PJ realized that these Belkan forces were no ordinary remnant forces. Six months later, their fears would be confirmed. On December 25th, 1995, the criminal organization A World with No Boundaries bombed the city of Anfang where the peace treaty was signed. Before they could be briefed on their course of action, the organization attacked Valais Air Base. Just before they could scramble, the runway was bombed. Cipher then suggests both teams use the reserve runway. After Myth and Galm Teams sortied, they pursued the organization and it's mothership, the XB-0, to ground zero near Steir Castle. As they approached the XB-0, they were ambushed by Espada Squadron, formerly from the Sapin Air Force. Bret and Sasha tried to get Espada to cease their attack, but to now avail. Left with no other option, they shot down the Espada Squadron. The XB-0 put up a fierce fight, but in the end Bret landed the killing blow. Surprised that Cipher didn't try to compete with him for the final kill, he asked why Cipher didn't act. Cipher then revealed the message he recieved from Pixy just moments before the XB-0 was shot down: "Yo, Buddy. You still alive?". As Valais recovered, Bret recieved a mysterious message from an unknown sender: "Usean Fire Bird, I've returned." Bret would later find out who the messenger was. On December 31st, Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne would sortie together all as a team for the last time with Galm Team. Their objective: Stop A World with No Boundaries. As they passed through Area B7R, they recieved warning from Eagle Eye that three enemy squadrons were approaching them. PJ noted that two of them had different signals from Belkan fighters. Myth and Galm Teams engaged in a ferocious duel with Wizard, Gault and Sorcerer Squadrons over the Round Table. Each of the enemy leaders noted Bret and Cipher's inhuman abilities in combat and how they fly differently from other pilots. When Gault Leader asked Bret and Cipher what they were fighting for, Cipher didn't say anything but Bret said only one sentence: "To make sure wars like this don't happen again!". It was indeed a fierce struggle, but in the end, Wizard, Gault, and Sorcerer Squadrons were shot down. After refueling in flight, the teams charged at low altitude to Avalon Dam, where the organization was preparing a stolen Belkan V2 Rocket for launch. After making it through the canyon, Bret and Cipher decided to put their rivalry aside since the world was at stake here. They both ordered their teams to cover them as they flew into the dam and attacked the V2 Launch Controls. They succeeded, but the battle wasn't over. Two aircraft appeared on radar. The ADFX-01 and ADFX-02 Morgan fighters, piloted by Pixy and Allen. Caught of guard, PJ took a shot ment for Cipher from Pixy's laser and Sasha's Raptor was hit my a mini burst missile from Allen's Morgan, though she was able to maintain control of her craft. Bret ordered Myth Team to full back while he and Cipher delt with Pixy and Allen. As the duel began, Allen and Pixy re-activated the V2 launch control via remotely. Allen then revealed to Bret about how he survived his last encounter, and how he helped the leaders of A World with No Boundaries reach their goals for a chance to settle the score with him. Then Bret asked Allen something that would seal Allen's fate. When he asked Allen about the Kalugian Raid ten years ago, Allen revealed that he was the one who let the rebels through the Usean defenses, thereby revealing that HE killed Bret's parents. Allen hoped that this would get Bret angry and make him lose focus, but that plan backfired. Bret already had enough of wanting revenge when the Kalugian War ended, and he told Allen that he would pay for his crimes. As the duel reached it's climax, Pixy launched the V2, telling Cipher and Bret that the game needed to be reseted. Eagle Eye then came over the radio telling Bret and Cipher that an ECM defense mechanism has activated on the Morgans. Their only weakness was their front air intakes. Bret and Cipher then attacked Allen and Pixy head on, and after a few passes, they dealt the finishing blows. In a last ditch attempt to take Bret with him, Allen charged his spinning Morgan at Bret's PAK-FA. Timing his turn just right, Bret managed to just pass by Allen. As the two made eye contact as they passed by, Bret saw the shock and disbelief in Allen's eyes. The last thing that Bret heard of Allen Malcovitch was his defiant screams, refusing to eject or accept the fact that he was beaten by his former ally's son. His Morgan exploded with him still in it. Allen Malcovitch, the true murderer of Bret's parents, was dead. The V2, having lost contact with the two Morgans, exploded in mid-air. With that final act, the Belkan War had truly, finally come to a close. Although Bret, Sasha, Kyo & Rionne would stay at Valais for a few months, they would discover that Cipher had all but just disappeared without a trace. As a result of this, they decided to part ways as well. Rionne would accompany Kyo back to Emmeria, Sasha would return to Osea, and Bret decided he would just basically travel the world in solitude due to the intensive attention he got from his moniker. He would travel the world, constantly drifting from airfield to airfield, for 9 years.

A Nightmare From Outer Space - Witnessing the Ulysses Impact
After drifting across the skies for some time, Bret began to feel homesick. So he decided to return to Usea to see how everything was going. On July 3rd, 1999, As he flew at 30,000 ft, he noticed the sky became unnaturally dark. After finding that he was over Mt.Shezna, he looked up to what was both a phenominal and horrifying sight. The Ulysees Asteroid had broken through the planet's atmosphere. Just then, a blast of air rocked his aircraft. It was a blast from the Erusian Meteor Interception System, otherwise known as Stonehenge. After regaining control, he looked up again. The asteroid had split into multiple fragements due to Stonehenge's impact. Although he witnessed Stonehenge destroy some of the larger fragments, he also witnessed the few that Stonehenge miss impact the ground below. One hit Mt.Shezna just below him. The sight of the home continent he knew and loved so much burning was too much for him to bear. Horrified, Bret left Usea and didn't look back. He would not return to Usea for five years.

Fighting for the Homeland - The Usean Continental War
On September 15th, 2004, After five years of fighting the nightmares he got from seeing the catasrophe of the Ulysees, Bret finally mustered the courage to return to Usea. But as Bret approached the eastern coast of Usea, he saw a horrifying sight. Saint Ark, the home he knew so well, was devestated by the Ulysees. Although some of the structures and buildings did escape major damage, most were totalled by the impact from the asteroids. As Bret passed over the remains of the shipyards, he was attacked by Erusian fighters. Although he held his own for some time against incredible odds, he was almost shot down. Thankfully, an ISAF squadron led by the soon to be famous Mobius 1 saved him and escorted him to ISAF GHQ at North Point. It was there that Bret learned from Mobius 1 about the events after the Ulysees impact. He also learned about Erusea declaring war on ISAF and using Stonehenge as a catalyst in their war effort. After some thought, Bret decided that he would help ISAF end the war. ISAF welcomed the former Scarface pilot with open arms. Four days later, Bret sortied with Mobius 1 and a few other ISAF squadrons to intercept Erusian bombers that snuck past the ISAF last line of defense. Bret and Mobius 1 chased and shot down the bombers, although there was some damage to Newfield City. A month later on October 5th, Bret joined Mobius 1 for an assault on Rigley Air Base. Their objective: Shoot down the Erusian bombers before they attack North Point. The bombers were caught by surprise and the parking ramp at Rigley was turned into a junk yard. During the battle, an Erusian pilot noticed Bret's emblem before being shot down and relayed it to Erusian GHQ. But Bret let him relay the message before shooting him down. It was his way of letting Erusia know that their time in the spotlight was done. The next target Bret attacked with Mobius 1 was "The Northern Eye", a large radar site on Mt. Shezna five days later. Ironically, not to far from the crater left behind by the Ulysees fragment. The very same fragment that Bret saw impact the ground five years prior. During the battle, Bret had a short flashback to when he saw the impact occur, but was snapped out of it by AWACS Sky Eye. At the end of the battle, "The Northern Eye" is blinded and ISAF begins evacuating it's remaining forces from Usea in preperation for a counterattack. ISAF discovered that Erusea then deployed their so called "invincible" Aegir Fleet to counter ISAF's victories. Bret noted Aegir's nickname and said it was completely stupid, saying that NOTHING and NO ONE is invincible. In order to slow down the Aegir Fleet until ISAF could attack it in full force, they attacked it's supply routes including transports carrying supplies. One such operation was on November 7th, 2004. Though this slowed the Aegir Fleet down, it wasn't enough to stop them. Bret then came up with attacking the main petrol plant that was supplying the "invincible" fleet. ISAF Command liked this idea and decided to go with it. On November 19th, Bret and Mobius 1 each lead 3 ISAF Squadrons in the raid on the plant. Although they succeeded in critically damaging it, the infamous 156th Tactical Fighter Squadron a.k.a Yellow Squadron appeared. Although their initial surprise attack took some of the ISAF pilots off guard, Bret was able to damage one of the Yellow's Su-37's, buying some time for everyone else to escape. Mobius 1 then provided cover fire to help Bret get away. The Aegir Fleet was delayed, but not stopped. Seeing a prime opportunity, ISAF deploys a large assault force to attack the Aegir Fleet while they were docked. On November 23rd, Bret and Mobius 1 took part in the battle, and they were both credited for the most air to air and air to ship kills. At the end of the battle, the Aegir Fleet was completely destroyed. It was just like Bret said: No one and nothing is invincible. This success made the ISAF higher ups want to make another daring attack on the Erusian Solar Power Plant, but Bret thought that they were being too rational and tried to tell them to wait, but they didn't listen and the attack went on as planned anyway. Although Bret did join up with Mobius 1 and the ISAF forces on December 16th for the battle, he still felt that something would go wrong. His hunch was right. Just after the ISAF forces destroyed the Power Plant, Sky Eye detected a surprise attack from Stonehenge. Although Bret and Mobius 1 were able to use the ravines for cover, many ISAF fighters didn't make it back from the battle. When Bret returned to allied front lines, he came to the ISAF higher ups, who were in shock from the information from the battle, and told them: "I told you so. Next time, think before you let glory get the better of you.". Taking Bret's words to heart, ISAF High Command decided to take cautious steps in retaking the mainland. In order to have an advantage in the invasion of the mainland, they decided to launch a satellite from the Comona Islands Space Launch Facility. Erusea caught wind of this though, and sent all available fighters to prevent the launch. ISAF responded immediately, and Bret found himself teamed up once more with Mobius 1 on December 31st. It was the largest air battle in history, with over 100 aircraft taking part in the battle on each side. Yellow Squadron also took part in the battle, but Bret and Mobius 1 inflicted heavy damage to two of their aircraft (rumored to be Yellow 13 and Yellow 4). Due to fuel consumption and heavy damage to two of their aircraft, Yellow Squadron retreated. Erusea then deployed bombers to attack the Space Launch Facility, but were stopped by Bret and Mobius 1. The battle ended in ISAF's favor and their satellite was launched. While everyone waited for the invasion to begin, Bret caught some time to rest and catch his breath. During this time, Bret approached Mobius 1 and asked him if Scarface 1 knew about the war. Mobius 1 then revealed to Bret that Scarface 1 was killed during the opening days of the war. He sacrificed himself in order to buy time for ISAF to escape the mainland. This revelation hardened Bret's resolve to end the war quickly. On January 24th, 2005, Operation Bunker Shot began. Bret and Mobius 1 teamed up again to aid ISAF in the landing operation, which involved landing on three beaches. It was one of the largest landing operations in history. While Bret took on the ground forces and choppers, Mobius 1 provided air cover. In the final stages of the battle, Erusian High Command despatched a squadron of A-10's to prevent the ISAF forces from gaining any ground. Fortunately, Bret and Mobius 1 were able to act swiftly and shot the A-10's down, landing a victory for ISAF. On Feburary 28th, Bret and Mobius 1 took part in the attack on Isalis Fortress in order to both capture it and to distract the Erusians stationed there while the ISAF ground forces take Los Canos. The operation succeeded, though they had to evade countless shots from Stonehenge during the engagement. Now that ISAF had a forward HQ, they focused on taking the rest of the mainland. Later on, Bret would learn that ISAF established contact with the creators of Stonehenge, who were hoping for a safe haven and amnesty from the Erusians. However, Erusea attacked them en route to ISAF territory on March 14th. Bret and Mobius 1 scrambled to defend Air Ixiom Flight 701 and Flight 702 from the Erusians. After successfully fighting off the Erusians, Bret and Mobius 1 escorted them to ISAF territory. The Stonehenge creators then helped ISAF create a plan to destroy Stonehenge once and for all. On April 2nd, the day arrived. Leading the a small squadron of ISAF fighters, Bret and Mobius 1 attacked Stonehenge. Despite the multiple shots from Stonehenge and the heavy AA fire, Bret and Mobius 1 pressed their assault. During the battle, Bret encountered one of his former allies from Scarface Squadron, John Harvard a.k.a Slash. Although they recongized each other, Slash knew that going up against the Usean Fire Bird would be suicide, so he retreated from the battlefield. After several passes, Bret and Mobius 1 destroyed Stonehenge, but before everyone could celebrate, Yellow Squadron appeared. Sky Eye cleared the ISAF forces to engage, with Bret and Mobius 1 leading the charge. During the engagement, Bret noticed one of the Yellow Terminators moving more slowly than the others. Bret pursued this Yellow, chasing it through the wreckage of Stonehenge until Bret finally took the shot. The Yellow he shot down was Yellow 4. ISAF praised the Usean Fire Bird for shooting down one of the Yellow Squadron members, as well as his and Mobius 1's achivements in destroying Stonehenge. But somehow, Bret felt bitter-sweet about the situation. He would later find out why many years later, looking at the detailed reports about the Usean Continental War. His opponent's Su-37 was in bad shape during the fight. He always believed there was no honor in killing a handicapped or helpless opponent. Bret eventually shrugged it off though, and enjoyed the party. On May 7th, Bret and Mobius 1 were deployed to aid ISAF recon aircraft in a return route from a recon mission with vital information. After clearing the way, FEAF fighters appeared. Bret and Mobius 1 quickly engaged and shot them down. After the recon aircraft returned safely, Bret learned that Erusea was developing a new super weapon on the former Scarface GHQ of Twinkle Island. Bret knew right then and there along with the rest of ISAF High Command that they had to end this war quickly before Erusea could complete this new weapon called Megalith. On June 18th, Bret and Mobius 1 were called to aid the ISAF landing forces, who were being hounded by cruise missiles. Bret and Mobius 1 engaged and destroyed the missiles, but one more, a burst missile, was launched. With Erusian fighters deployed as cover, Mobius 1 engaged the fighters while Bret attacked the missile. After a what seemed like an eternity of twists and turns, Bret destroyed the burst missile. Bret noted that using a weapon like that showed how desperate Erusea was becoming. On July 10th, ISAF began the liberation of San Salvacion, which was neutral at the start of the war untill the Erusians occupied it. As the ISAF pressed their assault on the Erusians in the city, Bret recieved a transmission from Mobius 1 alerting him to Erusian TU-160 Blackjacks en route to the city. Bret and Mobius 1 charged the bombers and shot them down before they could do any damage to the city. As Bret flew over the city following it's liberation, he saw a young boy whom he would later recieve letters from concerning future encounters in the final stages of the war. On August 15th, ISAF engaged the Erusian forces at Whiskey Corridor. The battle once involved Bret and Mobius 1 aiding the ISAF forces in the push to the Erusian capital of Farbanti. After the immensive support from the ISAF Air Forces, most notably from Bret and Mobius 1, ISAF pushed the Erusian forces back with ISAF advancing. As he returned to base, Bret knew that the war was almost over. On September 19th, 2005, ISAF pushed into the Erusian captial of Farbanti. With Bret and Mobius 1 leading the charge, they quickly take the city. During the battles final moments, Erusian leaders try to escape in Ospreays, but Bret and Mobius 1 shoot them all down before they can escape. As the battle nears the end, Yellow Squadron enters the battlefield. Bret and Mobius 1 engage them in a 2 on 5 battle. All the Yellows save for Yellow 13 are quickly defeated, but as Bret tries to help Mobius 1 take him down, Slash appears in an X-02 Wyvern challenging Bret. Bret engages Slash in a one on one duel to the death, with neither having a clear advantage or disadvantage. Although Slash almost gained the upper hand a few times, Bret exposed an opening in his defenses and took it. Using his guns, Bret blew the cockpit clear off the Wyvern, killing Slash instantly.Simoultaniously, Mobius 1 finished off Yellow 13 by blowing his Terminator in two with a missile. At long last, the Usean Continental War was over. However, there was still things left to do before it could truly be over. On September 26th, that day would finally arrive. Bret, along with Mobius 1 and his new squadron, attacked the superweapon Megalith before the remaining Erusians could use it. As Bret charged ahead of Mobius Squadron, he encountered a new Yellow Squadron, who was defending Megalith. While Mobius Squadron held them off, Bret attacked Megalith with help from ISAF soldiers from the inside. After destroying the generators situated on key locations around Megalith, he destroyed ballistic missiles that would've been used to attack key ISAF locations. As soon as the ISAF troops got the main gate to the inside of Megalith, Bret was informed by Sky Eye that there was a MIRV missile, similar to the one he destroyed in Intolerance 15 years ago, inside Megalith. Knowing what he must do, Bret charged inside Megalith and destroyed the MIRV missile. As he escaped the resulting explosion, Megalith was destroyed. With that final act, the Usean Continental War was truly over. After the battle, Bret decided that he would stay in Usea for a bit due to being away from home for far too long.

Returning Freedom to Home - Operation Katina
A year after the Usean Continental War came to a close, Bret was called back to ISAF GHQ due to an emergency situation in October. Although most of the Erusian Forces have laid down their arms following the destruction of Megalith, some of them refused to surrender. Now, under the leadership of some high ranking officers, they formed the group known as "Free Erusea". Since this threat could not be ignored, ISAF decided to dispatch only Mobius 1, AWACS Sky Eye, and the Usean Fire Bird to deal with the threat. This was because the ISAF leaders found out that both Bret and Mobius 1's skills rival that of at least 3 ISAF squadrons, a feat that was ironically surprising to Bret. The conflict with Free Erusea took place all over the Usean Continent, with Bret and Mobius 1 wiping out every singe enemy unit that got in their way. Finally, they reached the Free Erusean GHQ in White Valley Bay. The battle was ferocious, with every pilot from Free Erusea trying their best to defeat the Ribbon Fighter and the Usean Fire Bird. Although the Free Erusean Forces were wiped out, they had one last trick up their sleeve: six X-02 Wyvern fighters. Bret and Mobius 1 engaged the fighters in a 2 on 6 duel that Bret would note later that was "like fighting pilots devoid of any emotion or humanity". In the end, Bret and Mobius 1 would shoot down the Wyverns and Free Erusea was defeated. Although Mobius 1 would return to ISAF GHQ at Los Canos, Bret would leave Usea in order to continue traveling in solitude the following month. The reason for this was because Bret felt like he wanted to "spread his wings again". Although Bret would return to Usea five years after what came to be known as "The Katina Conflict", he would find out that ISAF disbanded and Mobius 1 would intergrate himself into the Usean Air Force. Mobius 1 remains to this day the only former comrade in arms that Bret maintains any sort of contact with besides Garuda 1 a.k.a Talisman of Emmeria and Gryphus 1 a.k.a The Southern Cross of Aurelia. Before Bret left, he made a request to the Usean Goverment to rebuild Saint Ark. They acknowledged his request, and 4 years after Katina, Saint Ark was restored. Though the impact craters remained as a reminder of the Ulysees tragedy.

A War of Myth and Legend - The Circum Pacific War
After traveling the world for four years after The Katina Conflict, Bret recieved a message from Sasha, whom he hadn't heard from in 15 years. Sasha tracked him down using some contacts she knew in the Osean Military. She invited him to come to Sand Island, off the coast of Osea to see her as a Mercenary Flight Instructor for the Osean Air Defense Force. On September 24th, 2010, Bret headed for Sand Island when he spotted a small battle in the distance. He then saw a Raptor with a Chakora as it's emblem, he knew then and there it was Sasha. She, along with a squadron of nugget pilots lead by Jack Bartlett were engaged with fighters of unknown origin (would later be found out to be Belkan Grey Men pilots) off the coast of Sand Island. Bret immediately entered the fray and shot down the pilots, but all rookies with the exception of Kei Nagase would be lost as a result. Although Bret and Sasha were happy to see each other again after 15 long years, the whole engagement near Sand Island put the Osean officials on high alert. As a result, Bret would be stationed on Sand Island for almost all the events that were to come. A day later on September 25th, Bret and Sasha sortied together for the first time in 15 years to assist the Wardog Squadron in intercepting a SR-71 Blackbird that penetrated the Osean airspace. However, enemy fighters appeared and attacked the two squadrons. Although AWACS Thunderhead ordered them to not fire back, both Bret and Jack would have none of that order and the two squads engaged the enemy fighters. After a short but fierce battle, the enemy fighters were shot down. It was during this engagement that Bret noticed the skills of one of the members of Wardog Squadron who was known only as Blaze. Two days later, Bret and Sasha joined up with Wardog again in order to intercept an unknown vessel off the coast of Sand Island. Bret and Blaze then both shot down most of the recon aircraft the vessel deployed, with Sasha and Nagase coming as a close second. Like before though, enemy fighters appeared and engaged Bret and Sasha's team along with Wardog Squadron. Although the bandits were shot down, Jack himself was shot down when he took a shot meant for Nagase. There was no time to return to base though, as they would find out that the unknown enemies they encountered were Yuktobanian Forces, and they had declared war on Osea, which shocked Bret and Sasha. Racing to Port St. Hewlett, which was one of the targets that Yuktobania attacked, Bret and Sasha encountered the Kestrel again, which surprised the two vets of the Belkan War. It was during this battle that he and Sasha met Captian Marcus Snow a.k.a Swordsman. Along with Wardog, Bret and Sasha escorted the Kestrel and it's allying ships that escaped the harbor in time out into the sea. Although the Yukes would push their pursuit, Bret, Sasha, and Wardog would wipe out the pursuing Yuktobanian Forces. After returning to Sand Island, Bret and Sasha decided to form a team between them like old times. They called themselves the Wolf Team, due to them being veterans of wars past. A day later, Bret would spend a lot of time with Sasha for most of the day, and the two would catch up on events they missed when they parted ways after the Belkan War ended. Sasha would then tell Bret that she really missed him when they parted ways and she thought of him everyday, hoping that he was doing ok. Bret would then tell her that he felt the same, thinking about her everyday since they parted ways after the end of the Belkan War. Though Bret and Sasha would share a romantic moment with each other, it would be quickly interrupted by an air raid by Yuktobanian Forces. As Wolf Team took off with Wardog, falling planes and debris rained downed on them. Fortunately, they were able to sortie after the first wave of furballs passed. Simultaniously, Lt.Col Ford who was sent from the mainland to be a replacement for Jack was approaching. After Wolf Team helped Wardog shoot down the first wave of bombers, they noticed Hans Grimm heading towards the runway in Jack's back-up F-5E Tiger. As the second wave of bombers approached, Wolf Team knew they had to help Grimm get in the air, with Wardog quick to follow. After wiping out the second wave of bombers, Grimm announced to the control tower that he would be joining Wardog as their new number 4. But there was no time for a welcoming party. As Ford approached Sand Island, he wanted Wardog to cover him while he lands. However, he was shot down and killed before he could even activate his landing gear. As the third wave of bombers approached, Bret and Sasha aided Wardog in helping Grimm keep calm since this was his first real combat scenario. As one of the bombers tried to make a run on the Control Tower, Bret charged at the bomber but overshot. This was a ruse, though. As the Yuktobanian tried to continue on to the tower, Bret pulled a Cobra manuver and shot the bomber down, ending the air raid and repelling the Yuktobanian Forces. Two days later on September 30th, Bret and Sasha went with Wardog to Eaglin Straits to escort the 3rd Osean Naval Fleet, consisting of Osean carriers Vulture, Buzzard, and ironically, the Kestrel. As soon as Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron arrived in the operation area, they were ordered to standby by AWACS Thunderhead for the Tanker aircraft above the Kestrel. However, Yuktobanian aircraft launched from the yet-to-be-detected submarine Scinfaxi attacked the carriers. Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron picked up the Yukes on radar and quickly moved in for the protect the carriers. During the battle, they were joined in by aircraft from the Kestrel, led by Swordsman. Although they successfully shot down all Yuktobanian aircraft, a ballistic missile from the Scinfaxi caught them off guard. The chaos that followed was mind blowing. Although Wolf Team, Wardog Squadron and Swordsman were able to evade the attack due to being above 5,000 feet at the time of the attack, the Vulture and Buzzard were sunk. The Kestrel fortunately survived the onslaught. With no other option left, Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron had to go to Heierlark Airforce Base in North Osea (formerly South Belka) to land and refuel. As soon as they arrived, Bret and Sasha got a sense of deja vu again due to the fact that they operated out of Heierlark during the attack on Mt.Schrim 15 years prior. During their stay at Heierlark, Bret and Sasha shared stories of wars they fought in with Wardog and the nuggets at the base. Bret even shared stories of the Usean Continental War and Operation Katina, bringing Sasha even more up to speed on what she missed following the Belkan War. Eventually, Wolf and Wardog were ordered to bring the nuggets back with them to Sand Island to bolster the defense of the Western Osean Coastline. However, on October 3rd, just before they arrived at Sand Island, they stopped at Mckneely Air Force Base to refuel due to the nuggets not having enough experience in mid-air refueling. The commander of Mckneely then ordered Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron to head towards the Basset Space Center, which was about to launch an SSTO spacecraft to the Arkbird, which was developed by Osea and Yuktobania originally to counter the Ulysses1994XF04 Asteroid, but instead was used as a symbol of peace when Osea was spared from impact thanks to Stonehenge. Now, it was gonna be used as a weapon of war, which disappointed Nagase since her father worked on it. The Yuktobanians picked up the activity and deployed landing forces to stop the launch, but Wolf and Wardog immediately reacted as soon as they arrived. When the landing forces were destroyed, the Yukes deployed cruise missiles in hopes of destroying the mass driver. While Wardog intercepted the missiles, Wolf attacked the B-2 Bombers that deployed the missiles. Thanks to both teams, the SSTO made it into space and the Arkbird. A day later, just after returning to Sand Island, Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron were deployed along with the nuggets of Heierlark to intercept a massive naval invasion headed directly for Sand Island. As soon as Wolf and Wardog began sinking ships, the Scinfaxi launched a Ballistic Missile at them. But just when it seemed like not everyone was going to make it due to the nuggets being slow to act to the warnings to climb to 5,000 feet, the Arkbird fired it's laser at the missile. However, the tide was turned again after Wolf and Wardog began their counter attack when the Scinfaxi launched two missiles. Although the first one was destroyed, the second one hit, sending the nuggets falling to the sea. After Wolf and Wardog finished off the remainder of the invasion fleet, the Arkbird fired into the ocean, damaging the Scinfaxi. When the Scinfaxi surfaced, both teams were in awe of how big it was. Bret even remarked that it was as large as one of the cannons from Stonehenge. As the battle reached a climax, Bret made himself known to the Yukes by dive bombing the Scinfaxi. One of the Yukes took the message clearly when he saw the Phoenix emblem on his PAK-FA's tail. After Bret delt the killing blow to the Scinfaxi, the battle was won for Osea and the Yukes that made it to Sand Island retreated. Thanks to their efforts, the Yukes didn't attack for a few weeks, demoralized by the loss of the Scinfaxi along with the fact that they learned that the Usean Fire Bird is fighting alongside the Oseans. During this brief time of peace, Bret got to know the people of Sand Island well, including the Wardog Squadron. He even learned that Sasha was helping Nagase rewrite the favored book from her childhood, that had several missing pages due to old age: A Blue Dove for the Princess. It was also during that timeframe that he and Sasha shared their first kiss, which would later cause their relationship to blossom intimately. On October 22nd, Wolf Team sortied on a patrol mission with Wardog. Bret went with Blaze and Edge while Sasha went with Chopper and Archer. Bret, Blaze and Edge encountered a lone transport with the callsign Mother Goose 1. The transport was originally flying to North Point on a top secret mission, so the transport's ID code was not reckongized by the Osean AA Defense System. As a result, the took damage from a missile. Bret, Blaze and Edge decided to escort Mother Goose 1 through the AA Defense Net, barely weaving through each turn due to the large transport not being able to turn as hard as Bret's PAK-FA and the Wardog's Tomcats. As soon as they led Mother Goose 1 out of the radar net, both teams rendezvoused with each other just in time to intercept incoming Yuktobanian forces, who somehow knew that Mother Goose 1 would be there. Although Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron would quickly dispatch the Yuke fighters, a spy on Mother Goose 1 killed the pilot and wounded the co-pilot before being subdued. The Osean President, Vincent Harling and his secretary took control of the plane and guided it to a crash landing on the fields. Although Nagase wanted to stay behind to help with the rescue of the crew of Mother Goose 1, both Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron were running dangerously low on fuel. Just then, a squadron by the name of the 8492nd appeared and told them that they will provide support until the crew could be rescued. Taking the offer, Wolf and Wardog returned to base. Although Bret had suspicions about the 8492nd's mysterious appearance, he would shrug these suspicions off until they resurfaced a month later. On October 31st, Wolf and Wardog took part in the invasion of the Bastok Peninsula in Yuktobania, which was called Operation Footprint. Bret noted that this operation had similar strategies to what ISAF used in Operation Bunkershot five years prior. With the close air support from Wolf and Wardog, the Osean forces were able to quickly take the Peninsula. As they returned to Sand Island, Chopper wondered why the President would order an invasion of Yuktobania, calling him a coward. Nagase countered by telling him that the President was no coward and never was. This caused some concern for Bret and Sasha as well, since they fought alongside Osea plenty of times in the past and they knew that Osea doesn't usually do operations like that in war. The concerns would grow on November 2nd when Wolf and Wardog intercepted fleeing Yuktobanian forces at Dresdene. As soon as they wiped out the E-767 Jammer Aircraft, they intercepted a transmission from the very same 8492nd Squadron, who was attacking a Yuktobanian Engineering College near their area of operations. As soon as the operation was over, both teams were called to the Osean Capital Oured for questioning about the attack. Despite their protests, the Osean officials told them that there was no squadron called the 8492nd in the Osean Military. However, the questioning was cut short due to some emergency situations in Osea. On November 4th, Wolf and Wardog were deployed to Apito International Airport to intercept Yuktobanian forces that were attacking the airport in retaliation for the attack on the college two days prior. Although Wolf and Wardog were able to take them down, Bret immediately noticed something out of the ordinary: there were military planes on the runway. Immediately afterwards, the planes deployed tanks and helicopters to attack the Airport Terminal. Wolf and Wardog were fortunately able to react quickly and wiped out all of the Yuktobanian forces. A day later on November 5th, they were deployed to Bana in order to deal with a chemical gas attack on the city. For this mission, Bret's PAK-FA, Sasha's Raptor, and Wardog's F-14A Tomcats were modified with neutralizing agents to combat the gas. So they only had their cannons as a means of defense. As soon as they neutralize the gas, they helped the police pursue the Yuktobanian Special Forces responsable for the attacks by shooting down the helicopters that were hidden throughout the city. As soon as the Special Forces were captured, Bret called out to the police chief in regards to his daughter's birthday with a message to him and his family that the Usean Fire Bird sends his regards. Due to their actions at Apito and Bana, the Osean officials decided to send Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron back to the front lines in order to clear their names. Their first mission back on the front lines was on November 7th, where they attacked an underground munition storage in Duga. During the attack, many of the caves exploded wildly due to the attacks. Grimm even commented that it was like a volcanic eruption, to which Bret and Sasha agreed to. The attack was a success. Their next mission was on the next day, where they attacked another munitions storage in Sonza. Since this area was protected by four defensive lines with four radar arrays, Wolf Team stood by at low altitude while Wardog attached the arrays. As soon as the arrays were wiped out, both attacked the munitions factory as well as the nearby airbase, like the Duga attack, this operation ended successfully as well. After the operations in Sonza and Duga, the charges against Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron were dropped and they were restored to active duty. On November 14th, Wolf and Wardog were deployed to the Razgriz Straits in Anea to attack the second Scinfaxi-class submarine, Hrimfaxi. This time, they had to attack without the Arkbird, which was sabotauged when a supply shipment from an SSTO exploded on the spacecraft. Both teams approached silently from 1,000 feet while maintaining radio silence. As they approached the Hrimfaxi though, a Yuktobanian sub detected them and forced the teams to immediately attack. After damaging the Hrimfaxi with a luck shot, they attacked the Hrimfaxi each time it surfaced, dodging UCAV's and eventually Burst Missiles which they at first deployed against the Osean forces that were pushing into Yuktobania, but were forced to use against Wolf and Wardog due to extensive damage it recieved from both teams. As the Hrimfaxi was on it's death roles, Bret and Blaze both launched one final attack on the sub, with both attacks hitting their mark. As both teams headed back to base, the Hrimfaxi sunk into the bottom of the icy waters of the straits. Ironically, five years later, Bret would learn that neither the Emmerian military nor the Estovakian military had any idea that a battle of that caliber took place in their territory. On November 17th, Wolf and Wardog were deployed to Glubina in order to assist in a POW rescue operation lead by Sea Goblin, which unknown to them at the time, was the helicopter team of the Kestrel. After the POW camp was liberated, Nagase, who was distraught after finding out that Jack wasn't among the rescued POW's, was shot down. One of the helicopters tried to rescue her, but crashed due to severe winds. With the snow storm getting worse, Wolf and Wardog were forced to return to Sand Island without her. After returning, Bret found Albert Gennette, a reporter who originally came to Sand Island to interview Jack, but like Bret was forced to stay on the island due to the events of September 24th, looking at Nagase's book. It was because of Albert that Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron became famous during the events that followed the beginning of the war. The next day, Wolf and Wardog teamed up with Sea Goblin to rescue Nagase. Wolf cleared a path for the helicopter by wiping out the Yuktobanian fighters while Wardog mopped up the ground forces searching for Nagase. Although a Jammer aircraft tried to interfere, Bret and Sasha quickly made short work of the E-767. After they rescued Nagase, she told them something interesting. One of the Yuktobanian soldiers she captured told her that the Yuktobanians began calling the Wardog Squadron "the Demons of Razgriz", due to them destroying the Hrimfaxi. She also told Bret and Sasha that the Yukes also called Bret and Sasha "the Demon Birds" due to them aiding the "Razgriz" during the attack on the Hrimfaxi. This was met with mixed feelings from Bret and Sasha. On November 25th, Wolf Team and Wardog Squadron were deployed to the western part of the Jilachi Desert to take part in Operation Desert Arrow to assist the Osean forces in taking over a Yutobanian frontline HQ. Although there was some fierce resistance, the Yuke forces quickly fell thanks to Wolf and Wardog. Despite the arrival of a Yuktobanian AWACS and refueling aircraft, Wolf and Wardog quickly react and destroy the Yuke reinforcements, winning the day for Osea. A day later, they took part in Operation Desert Lightning, which had a similar objective in the northern part of Jilachi. Their targets this time were an airfield and oil refinery, which they successfully took. Despite the fact that the Yukes then deployed a battleship in the river to assault the Osean forces from afar, Wolf and Wardog were able to sink it, winning another for Osea. Despite the victories, Bret and Sasha's suspicions of the war would continue to grow. Their suspicions would reach boiling heights on November 29th, when they and Wardog were called to November City to do an airshow above the stadium while the Vice President of Osea gives a war speech. During the speech, the Osean people begin singing the Journey Home, a song usually sung for peace. This came as a shock to Wolf and Wardog. Just then, AWACS Thunderhead told them that Yuke aircraft were approaching the stadium. This caused even more suspicion as Osea had one of the best AA defenses in the world, and the Yukes couldn't have snuck through it without sustaining casualties. Although both Wolf and Wardog would hold their own, Nagase couldn't help but say that she felt that they were being sent do die as a sacrifice, which would put the teams even more on edge. Eventually, they saw a flight of Yuke stealth fighters, which were trying to bomb the stadium. Although they succeeded in stoping them, Wardog 3 Chopper, was hit. Then a familiar voice appeared on the com, telling the reinforcements from Mckneely to return to base. Bret immediately reckongized the voice. It was Grabacr 1, who he shot down in Operation Battle Axe 15 years prior after he shot down Wolfgang and Jack. Though Thunderhead was able to call the reinforcements back, Chopper's ejection seat maulfunctioned. Faced with no option, he crashed his Tomcat with him still in it into the center of the stadium. His death emotionally shattered Wolf and Wardog to their cores. Bret would remark later that after Chopper's sacrifice, his mind went blank. "All I could see was the flames of revenge. I wanted to make the Yukes pay for the blood they shed.", he said in an interview. Wolf and Wardog practically annihilated any and every Yuke plane that even tried to get close to the stadium, one Yuke even remarked that "the demons must've taken them over.". As the Osean reinforcements arrived, the Yukes retreated. Though the day would end in victory, it was bittersweet with the death of Chopper. The teams knew that they had to push forward, regardless of no matter how bad the pain hurt. On December 6th, Wolf and Wardog deployed to Cruik Fortress, which was holding the Oseans back from the Yuke capital, Cinigrad, for the past five days. Despite the weakened state of Wardog, they were able to help the Oseans take the fortress in half a day. On the way back, however, they were ambushed by fighters of unknown origin. During the ambush, Bret noticed a Belkan Air Force roundel of one of the Berkuts for a split second, confirming his suspicions: Belka was behind the war. After telling Sasha and Wardog this, they knew they had to let the Oseans know. Although Wardog wanted to run, Wolf wouldn't turn their back on the Belkans due to obvious reasons. Blaze then told Edge and Archer to back up Phoenix and Chakora, and the Belkans were shot down. As they returned to Sand Island however, the situation got worse. Bret and Sasha are told by Wolfgang and Albert that Captian Hamilton, Colonel Perault's second in command, is the Belkan spy. But before they can reveal the truth, Perault lables them as traitors, forcing Bret and Sasha to use deadly force aiding Hans, Wolfgang and Albert's escape. After rendezvousing with Blaze and Nagase, they steal Wolfgang's spare Hawks and escape. Although they're pursued by the Grabacr, they evade them by flying through a series of tunnels. Although Bret, Sasha, Blaze and Edge follow Wolfgang without breaking a sweat, Archer struggles to keep up. As soon as they escape the Grabacr, Swordsman ambushes them. But before he shoots them down, he transmitts a message in morse code to them: TRUST ME. BAIL OUT. Taking a chance, Bret, Sasha, Wolfgang, Albert, Blaze, Edge and Archer all bail out and are rescued by Sea Goblin. After being taken to the Kestrel, Captian Anderson tells them that he figured out about the Belkan's secret involvement in the war since the President disappeared. He told them that the intelligence vessel of the fleet, the Andromeda, deciphered a secret transmission from the Belkans originating from the Stier Castle. Now with the true enemy of the war out of the shadows, Wolf and Wardog decide to rescue President Harling. Before the operation started, Anderson gave Bret and Sasha carrier variants of their original PAK-FA Su-50 Feinks and F/A-22 Raptor, which were unfortunately dismantled by the Oseans after they escaped Sand Island: The PAK-FAK Su-50K Sea Feinks and the F-22K Sea Raptor. After bestowing their new aircraft with their Phoenix and Chakora emblems, Bret and Sasha launched with Wardog and headed for Stier Castle.