- "Garuda Team, you are authorized to engage any hostile aircraft above Gracemeria."
- ― AWACS Ghost Eye
The Republic of Emmeria Air Force's 8th Air Wing, 28th Fighter Squadron "Garuda" is featured in Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation.
History
28th Tactical Fighter Squadron, "Garuda", is from Gracemeria Air Force Base and are a part of the capital defense forces. The squadron was made famous for its incredible skill during the Anean Continental War, and is known to consist of two pilots. Despite the squadron's small size, it is the major rival for the EAF's 9th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Strigon Team" and also is the spearhead for every major Emmerian military campaign. The squadron is currently still on active duty in the Republic of Emmeria Air Force. The squadron consists of Garuda One (Callsign: Talisman), name is unknown, and Garuda Two (Callsign: Shamrock), Marcus Lampert. This is the only record of pilots in this squadron. The player takes control of Garuda One. He is given a wingman, Garuda Two, before the first battle for protecting Gracemeria from Estovakian forces. When Emmeria was forced to evacuate, it put regret and guilt in Shamrock's mind. The thought of leaving his family to suffer without him was painful. Leaving him to do everything he can to get back to Gracemeria as quickly as possible so he can return to his wife and daughter. Once Emmerian forces successfully take control of Gracemeria after a long and tiring year, Shamrock recieves terrible news. His wife and daughter died while they were in Gracemeria. After hearing this news, Shamrock was devastated. He went so far as to resign from the REAF. This is delayed due to the cruise missiles attacking Gracemeria the night of the liberation. The Joint Chiefs of Staff composed a plan and ordered all REAF pilots to head for Estovakia. Garuda Team destroyed most of the cooling units on the Chandelier. After discovering the final cooling unit, Shamrock volunteered to give in the data needed to destroy the cooling unit. Anti-Air Artillery severely damage Shamrock's aircraft, plunging his plane into the arctic ice water. After the sacrifice, Talisman destroyed the back up cooling unit and the core of the Chandelier, ending the war. It is soon shown that Shamrock survived the crash and is in rehab for the injuries he sustained, leaving him wheelchair-bound for the foreseeable future. No information is shown about Talisman after the war.
Trivia
- The Garuda in Hindu and Buddist mythology is the mount of the God Vishnu.
- Both callsigns of Garuda teams members are symbols of luck (Talisman, Shamrock).