Safe Return

Safe Return is the thirteenth mission of Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.

Overview
An ISAF U2 spy plane is passing through Gnome Ravine due to engine problems. However, the entire ravine is filled with dense fog-- moreover, dozens of jammer airships have been deployed in the area, thus the probabilities of a crash are extremely high.

The player's task is to clear a safe route for Leopard by destroying as much jammer ships as possible, as well as protect the U2 once it enters the local airspace.

Briefing
''A returning U2 recon plane with engine trouble is currently passing through Gnome Ravine, due to its inability to climb to higher altitudes... However, airship mounted noise jammers in the area are preventing the use of radar. At this rate, a crash is very likely. Destroy as many jammers in the valley as possible, and get that recon plane safely home. Radar won't work, so you'll need to find the airships visually and destroy them with your machine guns.''

Part I - Safe Return
[MISSION START] [''Mobius One proceeds to engage the jammer ships spread through the area. However, the jamming noise they produce ends up creating hundreds of blinking enemy markings in radar. Soon thereafter, the incoming U2 communicates with SkyEye.''] [Meanwhile, Mobius One is busy with the jammer airships, which are destroyed en masse'' as time passes. Several minutes later, Leopard talks over the radio.''] [Mobius One continues to clear Gnome Ravine of jammer blimps.] [Mobius One continues with the mission.] [Mobius One proceeds with the operation.] [''With little time left, Mobius One continues to hunt down the jammer airships. Some time later, Leopard arrives to the airspace, and establishes visual contact with Mobius One.''] [Mobius One destroys more jammers as Leopard approaches.]
 * Sky Eye: Here's an airship-jamming device. There are others as well. Destroy them all.
 * Leopard: This is Leopard, flying north of Gnome Ravine. Are the jammers disabled yet SkyEye?
 * Sky Eye: ISAF will handle the jammers. Mantain your course and we'll get you home safe.
 * Leopard: Roger, we're in your hands.
 * Leopard: Currently 18 miles and closing.
 * Leopard: 12 miles and closing.
 * Leopard: 6 miles.
 * Leopard: 3 miles. We're almost there.
 * Leopard: Visual flying in this fog is not possible. We need radar to get through.

Part II - Enemy Attack
[MISSION UPDATE] [As Leopard speaks, a formation of enemy fighters appears on radar, in hot pursuit of the spy plane.] [All incoming bandits are soon destroyed by Mobius One, despite the 5-to-1 disadvantage.] [MISSION END]
 * Leopard: Leopard here. Thank heavens, noise is clear and radar's back online!
 * Sky Eye: Mobius 1, intercept all enemy fighters. Shoot down all bandits and protect the reconaissance aircraft.
 * Erusean Aircraft: There's our target, 12 o'clock low. Commence firing.
 * Erusean Aircraft: There's one escort.
 * Erusean Aircraft: A ribbon... He's the one who shot down Yellow 4.
 * Erusean Aircraft: Keep your guard up and stay together. Don't fight single-ship.
 * Sky Eye: All bandits confirmed shot down.
 * Sky Eye: Mobius 1, recon aircraft is secure. Mission is complete.
 * Leopard: Leopard here, thanks for the escort fighter. You made this reconaissance mission a success.

Debriefing
''The recon plane brought back data on Megalith. This is the superweapon designed by the Erusians to replace Stonehenge''.

Analysis by the Intelligence Unit leads to the conclusion that victory hinges on ending this war before Megalith is deployed.

Trivia

 * Theoretically, it is impossible to destroy all jammer airships in Gnome Ravine.
 * There is a single La Fayette-class frigate hidden in the eastern sector of the battlezone. However, it does not appear on radar.