The ISAF Navy is the seafaring branch of the Independent State Allied Forces' military, formed from the contributions of ISAF-member states' naval forces. Vessels, crews, and carrier-based aircraft from various nations participated in several important seaborne operations undertaken by the ISAF throughout the final months of the Continental War.[1]
History[]
Formation[]
The ISAF Navy has its origins in the pre-Ulysses tensions between the Federation of Central Usea and Erusea. FCU naval vessels participated in military operations overseas until the FCU president, Robert Sinclair, recalled all of the Federation's forces following his announcement of Ulysses' collision course with Earth. On April 20, 1996, the FCU 6th Squadron battle group's flagship carrier, CV-04 Fort Grace, accompanied by the Aegis cruiser Tea Time, headed back to its home port of Waosun as ordered.[2]
Following the outbreak of the Continental War in 2003, the ISAF nations combined their naval forces to counterbalance the Eruseans' "Invicible" Aegir Fleet, which dominated the waters surrounding Usea. The FCU contributed a large number of its navy's vessels to the ISAF military, including the Fort Grace and Tea Time.
It is unknown whether or not the ISAF Navy ever engaged the Aegir Fleet in combat; however, ISAF command would express reluctance to use the navy to confront the Aegir Fleet head-on when it was later deployed to Comberth Harbor.[1]
Continental War[]
However, as the Eruseans gained the upper-hand on the Usean mainland, the navy was forced to retreat in lockstep with the ISAF ground forces. When the ISAF was forced to evacuate the mainland, ISAF naval transports carried the retreating personnel and equipment across the Gulf of St. Ark to North Point.[1]
With the ISAF's retreat from mainland Usea and the loss of operational airfields from which to launch fighters, the ISAF Navy's aircraft carriers began playing an important role in ISAF's operations along the east coast. The ISAF would use its carriers as mobile airfields for launching fighter raids on strategic Erusean targets. The carriers also served as resupply and refueling bases for ISAF aircraft performing long-duration missions over enemy territory.[1]
On January 24, 2005, the ISAF Navy was deployed in full force for Operation Bunker Shot: ISAF naval vessels bombarded the Eruseans' coastal defenses with long-range artillery fire, while carrier-borne aircraft provided close air support for the amphibious landing teams.[3]
In June 2005, the ISAF Navy executed a second landing operation in the icy northern waters of Usea. As the vessels plowed their way through the packed ice, long-range radar detected a large number of Erusean cruise missiles inbound to the landing sites. Mobius 1, the ISAF ace whose first mission was launched from the flight deck of the Fort Grace,[4] intercepted the missiles and averted the threat to the fleet and its landing forces.[5]
After the ISAF forces overran Erusea's final line of defense, the ISAF Navy coordinated with the ground forces and besieged the Erusean capital, Farbanti, on September 19, 2005. Once again, ISAF naval guns bombarded the Erusean defenses around the capital, and carrier-launched fighters performed out air strikes and provided top-cover for the ISAF ground forces. Amphibious landing teams were also launched from landing ships to secure the coastal areas of the city. The operation was a resounding success and ended the war with Erusea's unconditional surrender.[6]
Postwar Period[]
After the dissolution of ISAF after the war,[7] its naval units returned to their home countries. However, as with the Air Force, some later joined the IUN.[8]
[]
- Kitty Hawk-class aircraft carrier
- San Giorgio-class amphibious transport dock
- Ticonderoga-class cruiser
- Hatakaze-class destroyer
- Cassard-class frigate
Aircraft[]
- F-4E Phantom II
- F-14A Tomcat
- F/A-18C Hornet
- Rafale M
- X-02 Wyvern (carrier-based variant)
References[]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
- ↑ Usea Today: Asteroid on Collision Course With Earth!
- ↑ Operation Bunker Shot, Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
- ↑ Sitting Duck, Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
- ↑ Breaking Arrows, Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
- ↑ Siege of Farbanti, Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies.
- ↑ "Made in Usea", Usea Reconstruction: Space Elevator Nearing Completion. Our Science. Retrieved January 19, 2019.
- ↑ VR Mode, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown