Changes: Gryphus Squadron

Revision as of 16:06, 8 December 2015

The Gryphus Squadron is a squadron part of the Aurelian Air Force assigned with maritime defense roles.^[1]

History

The squadron became one of the last active squadrons in Aurelia during the Aurelian War, and was assigned with the air defense of Aubrey Air Force Base, the last standing AFB on the country.

In October, a Leasath Air Force bomber squadron was sent to Aubrey AFB in an attempt to destroy the base, but were intercepted by Gryphus Squadron while approaching their target. Not all ended well, however, as Aubrey was hit by a Shock Wave Ballistic Missile launched from the airborne fortress, Gleipnir, at Puna Plains in the south. As a result, the base suffered massive damage and most of Gryphus Squadron was annihilated in the missile attack, except for flight leader Gryphus 1, 5 and 6, who followed their leader throughout the game. Afterwards, the squadron went on the offensive, first taking over Puna Plains' forward operating base, then providing air cover for the remains of the Aurelian Army in the recapture of Port Patterson. After the capture of Port Patterson, the Army, Navy, and Air Force began to rush across the southern part of Aurelia, soon capturing Santa Elva, destroying Gleipnir at the same location and pushing into Griswall. However, before Aurelian forces were able to recapture Griswall, the Meson Cannon had to be taken offline or destroyed.

After the Meson Cannon was destroyed, the capital was recaptured, and the war was technically over. However, Leasath's commanding officer Diego Gaspar Navarro has disappeared, and was followed by Otus Squadron of the Aurelian Air Force. However, two Otus pilots were shot down by the experimental fighter Fenrir which had launched from Leasath's last stronghold, Archelon Fortress. This marked the beginning to the war's end, and Aurelia began planning a final assault on Archelon.

In late December 2020, Aurelia launched an assault on Archelon Fortress, which concluded with the complete destruction of the installation, as well as the destruction of all existing Fenrir prototypes, complete or not. With the war having come to a close, Gryphus Squadron returned to Aurelia, now hailed as war heroes.

Members

Gryphus One

The unnamed Captain is the 207th Tactical Fighter Squadron commander stationed at Aubrey Air Force Base. Often called the Southern Cross by both allies and enemies in reference to the squadron's insignia, he is responsible for most of the counterattack and reclaiming Aurelia from Leasath. Very little is known about him, other than the fact that he hates hot weather.

Eugene Solano

2nd Lieutenant Eugene Solano is the Gryphus Squadron's air controller. His AWACS callsign is Crux. From his seat at Aubrey Air Force Base, he can monitor the movements of the squadron and provide the same support as an E-767's air battle officer.

Rick/Gryphus Two

2nd Lieutenant Rick was very proud of his country, Aurelia, along with liking the Gryphus logo of the squadron. He was killed by the Gleipnir over Cape Aubrey.

Roy/Gryphus Three

2nd Lieutenant Roy was in the 207th Tactical Fighter Squadron. Like Second Lieutenant Rick, Roy was killed by the Gleipnir over Cape Aubrey.

Gryphus Four

Gryphus Four (real name unknown) was one of the pilots assigned to the Gryphus Squadron. Like most of his team, he was killed in the defense of Aubrey AFB.

Gryphus Five

The fifth member of the Gryphus Squadron, and the 2nd of 3 survivors of the Aubrey Air Base missile attacks, followed Gryphus One until the Alect Squadron ambush at the Danern Straits later in the war, where he was shot down. However, he survived as he was able to bail out of his plane before he was downed. He will not get shot down if Gryphus One manages to defeat the Alect Squadron quickly enough.

Gryphus Six

The last member of the Gryphus Team. There is no exact information on him, apart from the fact that he was shot down over Cape Aubrey. However, unlike most of his wingmen, survived. He would later return to the skies once more alongside Gryphus 1 and Gryphus 5 later in the war.

Trivia

Gryphus Squadron's official designation has been disputed due to an inconsistency in the squadron's aircraft tailcodes. In Eugene Solano's Memoirs, the aircraft are labeled "AB 247", but in Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation and Ace Combat Infinity, the aircraft are labeled "AB 207". In addition, the full name (i.e. "Tactical Fighter Squadron") has never been revealed.
The name "Gryphus" is derived from the Andean Condor (scientific name Vultur Gryphus), a species of vulture living in South America. Notably, the bird is one of the national symbols of Chile, which is one of the countries Aurelia is modeled after.

Gallery

Gryphus emblem in Ace Combat Infinity
Gryphus bird insignia in Ace Combat Infinity
Rick posing with his aircraft
Gryphus One evading two missiles
Mypictr 160x120.jpg

Two F-4E Phantom IIs in the colours of Gryphus Squadron
Two F-22A Raptors in the colors of the Gryphus Squadron

References

↑ Eugene Solano's Memoirs

[1] Eugene Solano's Memoirs

[1]

@@ Line 38: / Line 38: @@
 The fifth member of the Gryphus Squadron, and the 2nd of 3 survivors of the Aubrey Air Base missile attacks, followed Gryphus One until the Alect Squadron ambush at the [[Danern Straits]] later in the war, where he was shot down. However, he survived as he was able to bail out of his plane before he was downed. He will not get shot down if Gryphus One manages to defeat the Alect Squadron quickly enough.
-===nick/Gryphus Six===
+===Gryphus Six===
-The last member of the Gryphus Team. There is no exact information on him, apart from his name and the fact that he was shot down over [[Cape Aubrey]]. However, unlike most of his wingmen, survived. He would later return to the skies once more alongside Gryphus 1 and Gryphus 5 later in the war.
+The last member of the Gryphus Team. There is no exact information on him, apart from the fact that he was shot down over [[Cape Aubrey]]. However, unlike most of his wingmen, survived. He would later return to the skies once more alongside Gryphus 1 and Gryphus 5 later in the war.
 ==Trivia==