Ghosts of the Past

Ghosts of the Past is the ninth mission of the orignal Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere and is the second mission in the UPEO (II) Arc. This mission is the game's only Canyon flight mission. During the mission, Rena Hirose quietly speaks about how she recognises the area, and that she remembers being there with someone long ago, before finally realising that person is Abyssal Dision.

Briefing
''A General Resource recon plane is in a no-fly zone. Once again, it seems that General Resource is making threatening actions. We need to make sure of their intentions. Pursue this trespassing recon plane! The skies are being covered by a radar network. Be careful with your altitude.''

Objectives
The mission's objective is to follow a General Resource recon plane through a canyon, while remaining below the rim of the canyon to avoid radar detection. Several AH-66B Comanche II attack helicopters in the canyon will fire at the player, and are not primary targets.

Once the player follows the recon plane far enough, they will find a secret General Resource research facility, and are ordered to destroy it. The mission ends once the player destroys the main base facility, awarding Mission Accomplished.

While the player is told not to go above the rim of the canyon or shoot down the recon plane, doing either does not fail the mission. Instead, these actions end the mission, earning the player Mission Over and leading them to Fragile Cargo.

A Rank
An A Rank is obtained on this mission by destroying at least 8 enemies.

Debriefing
An investigation team will be sent soon.