Strigon Team

"Engage the enemy at will following nimbus impact.... finish them off."

- Strigon 1

The Estovakian Central Military District Air Force 370th Air Wing, 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron, better known as Strigon, is featured in Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation. The Strigon Squadron operates multiple Su-33D Sea Flankers. They operate off of the P-1112 Aigaion and act as air cover for the Aigaion and its escorts.

History
The Strigon Squadron first appears on August 30th, 2015, during the Estovakian invasion of Gracemeria, the capital of Emmeria, on the opening day of the Emmeria-Estovakia War. Their flight leader was Lieutenant Colonel Victor Voychek. The Strigon Squadron is accredited with the successful capture of Gracemeria. Lt. Col. Voychek was wounded in battle and, due to his injuries, was unable to pilot his aircraft. Strigon Two took command of the squadron after that point. The Strigon Squadron continued operations against the Emmerian Military until the Emmerian Military was cornered at Khesed Island.

During the Emmerian counterattack at Khesed Island, Estovakian Forces at Bartolomeo Fortress were being overrun by a combined force of Emmerian Air and Ground Forces. As the last of the Estovakian Forces attempted to fight off the Emmerians, Strigon Three and his wingman were sent into the area to cease the Emmerian advance. Upon entering the combat area, the two Strigon Team members were shot down by the 28th TFS Garuda of the Emmerian Air Force's 8th Air Wing. The reason for this, at the time, was said to be because of a failure to complete routine aircraft maintenance between patrols and the emergency order to sortie.

The Strigon Squadron once again sortied against the Emmerian Military during a major battle in Silvat. As the Emmerian Military continued it's counterattack on the Anean Mainland they attempted to link up with Emmerian Forces which were encircled and being besieged by the Estovakian Military in Silvat. A four plane formation of the Strigon Team, was already supporting the Estovakian Siege operation as Emmerian reinforcements arrived. During the battle, the four Strigon aircraft were engaged by the "Garuda Team" and shot down before Estovakian Forces could successfully abandon the siege and pull out of the area.

The Emmerian advance on the mainland began to pressure the Estovakian Forces east, towards their own country. However, this advance was severely hindered by the Nimbus Missiles which were fired from the P-1112 Aigaion, the Strigon Squadron's home base. After retaking Cavallia Air Force Base in San Loma, the Emmerian Air Force and Navy launched an aerial attack on the P-1112 Aigaion and the rest of the Estovakian Aerial Fleet. The Strigon Squadron quickly launched from the Aigaion and engaged the Emmerian aircraft. The battle ended in Emmeria's favor and saw the Estovakian Aerial Fleet destroyed. The Strigon Squadron had lost Strigon Two and Strigon Three, along with their wingmen, before the battle's end, once again to the Garuda Team.

Replacement pilots came into the Strigon ranks. Of these being the new Strigon Four, Five and Strigon Leader. The entire squadron, with the loss of the P-1112 Aigaion, was sent back to Gracemeria in order to bolster defenses in the city. As the Emmerian Military drew closer and closer towards Gracemeria, a battle in the Moloch Desert was inevitable. The battle would be the most decisve battle of the war, since many of the remaining Estovakian Forces were to be put into the defense of Gracemeria. However, when defeat was evident to the Estovakian Military, "The Generals" had put fourth a plan to wipe out Gracemeria with weapons of mass destruction (WMDs). The Emmerian 28th TFS Garuda disobeyed orders to retreat when this WMD threat had arisen. The entire Strigon Squadron was depolyed into Moloch Desert in order to destroy the Garuda Team. Despite being outnumbered, the Garuda Team managed to shoot down all Strigon aircraft.

During a small lull in combat, because of the WMD Threat, the Strigon Team continued to patrol Gracemeria. Once the final operation to re-take Gracemeria was launched by the Emmerian Military, the Strigon Squadron was returning from patrol and unable to participate during the battle. The Strigon Squadron prepared to engage the now victorious Emmerian Military, but, were ordered to fly back to Estovakia by their new flight leader, Ilya Pasternak. Ensuring his squadron's safety, Stirgon Leader engaged the Emmerian Military, mainly the Garuda Team in Gracemeria in a CFA-44 Nosferatu, backed by unmanned combat air vehicles. Ilya Pasternak's actions would make him a hero in Estovakian History, though he died during the battle, after being shot down by Garuda One.

With the end of the war was all but ushered in, the Estovakian Military finished partial-construction on their Chandelier Railgun and used the weapon to attack Gracemeria, in an attempt to destroy the entire city. The final surviving members of the Strigon Squadron gathered at the Chandelier and prepared for a final battle against the Emmerian Military. The new Strigon 2 lead the final Strigon formation in an attempt to protect the Chandelier until Gracemeria was completely destroyed. The Strigon squadron was shot down during the defensive operation and all members were either killed in action or labeled as missing in action, except for Strigon 12 (Toscha Majisik), who surrendered to Emmeria with the death of Ilya Pasternak at Gracemeria. He succeeded in marrying his fiance, Ludmila.

Pilot Roster

 * 1) Victor Voychek
 * 2) Ilya Pasternak
 * 3) Toscha Mijasik