- "Anchorhead is still gorgeous, even in the middle of battle."
- ― Ulrich Olsen during Operation Anchorhead Freedom
Anchorhead is a harbor and port city located on the western coast of Usea, southwest of the Amber Mountains. As a harbor, Anchorhead was a major economic and trading hub on the west coast, as well as an important port of call for various Usean naval forces.
History
Usean coup d'état
Anchorhead was a key supply port for the Usean Allied Forces before being captured and converted into a supply base for the Usean Rebel Forces' fleet, which included a Kinnear-class aircraft carrier. The rebels set up an extensive network of anti-aircraft defenses around the city to protect their fleet and the harbor facilities.[1]
Operation Anchorhead Freedom
On April 5, 1998, Phoenix was ordered to eliminate the rebel presence in Anchorhead and reclaim the city for the Allies. Despite heavy resistance, the rebel forces stationed in the city were destroyed, and the fleet was sunk. This opening allowed the Allies' ground forces to invade and liberate the city.[3][1]
Rebels' retreat
On May 22, Scarface Squadron was tasked with defending the city from a rebel bombing raid. The bombers and escort fighters were intercepted, and the raid on Anchorhead was successfully prevented.[4]
Continental War
In 2005, during the final days of the Continental War, Anchorhead was captured and occupied by the Independent State Allied Forces shortly before they captured Farbanti, the Erusean capital.[5]
Lighthouse War
During the events of the Lighthouse War, Anchorhead once again became embroiled in conflict, this time between Erusean Radicals, Erusean Conservatives, and Osean forces. Due to the breakdown of communications following Operation Giant's Step, automatic IFF systems were rendered inoperable and military forces were highly disorganized, causing multiple friendly fire incidents. Strider Squadron arrived at the city to escort the defecting Erusean Army general Édouard Labarthe, who had data that could help end the war. With the loss of the automatic IFF system, Strider Squadron was forced to manually identify targets using the aircraft's infrared cameras. Strider successfully escorted Labarthe and his driver to an Osean helicopter.[2]
A transport carrying EASA personnel along with escorting drones later entered the airspace. Strider Squadron was ordered to defend the transport from incoming conservative forces. After shooting down all fighters, the drones began to attack Strider Squadron, as well as request multiple MQ-99s for assistance. Strider Squadron shot down all drones in the area, allowing the transport to safely leave the airspace.[2]
As the battle progressed, AWACS Argus received false intel from Erusean Radicals claiming that the officer escorting General Labarthe, Captain Karl, was an impostor.[6] In response, Argus ordered all Osean forces in the area to eliminate the general. As Labarthe's transport proceeded to leave the airspace, an Osean F-16C shot down the transport, killing everyone on board.[2]
Gallery
Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy
Ace Combat 2
A view of Anchorhead, with two skyscrapers resembling the pre-2001 World Trade Center visible in the foreground
The URF's Kinnear-class aircraft carrier docked at Anchorhead
Anchorhead's skyline
A view of the bridge spanning the mouth of Anchorhead's harbor
Trivia
- The original skyline of Anchorhead in Ace Combat 2 featured two skyscrapers that resemble the World Trade Center; these towers would be removed from the Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy and Assault Horizon Legacy + re-releases following the events of September 11, 2001 but were later restored in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- During City On Fire, the rebels incorrectly refer to the location as "Axel Bay".
- Anchorhead’s coastline bears a striking similarity to the city of Yokohama, Japan.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 "City On Fire", Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 2.2 2.3 "Last Hope", Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown.
- ↑ "City On Fire", Ace Combat 2.
- ↑ "Acid Rain", Ace Combat: Assault Horizon Legacy.
- ↑ "Siege of Farbanti", Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
- ↑ Aces At War: A History 2019, page 145.