Operation Crossbow

The Defense of Valais Air Force Base is the first mission in Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, and the first known mission in which the mercenaries Cipher and Solo Wing Pixy participated.

Nowhere to Run
Following the beginning of the Belkan War, the Belkan military initiated an unstoppable approach to Ustio territory, which had been Belkan soil in the past. 70% of Ustio's air force was annihilated during their advance, taking out many important bases in the process. Once almost the entirety of Ustio had fallen to the Belkans, the remaining forces retreated to Valais Air Force Base, located in the south-east of Ustio. The Belkans decided to stamp out Ustio once & for all by taking out Valais.

A New Hope
In April 02, 1995, a major squadron of Belkan bombers (consist of B-52H Stratofortress and BM-335) was sent to eradicate Valais. At this time, Valais Air Base Command scramble it's remaining aircraft to intercept those bombers. This was a pivotal point in the Belkan War, for the mercenary aces Larry "Solo Wing Pixy" Foulke and Cipher, and anothers three F-5 and three F-1 pilot aircraft were first seen in this operation. After a small chatter, Cipher & Pixy began heading after the bombers, and with the help of their teammates, destroyed all opposition.