Usean Continental War

USEAN CONTINENTAL WAR
- The Days of Shattered Skies -

The Great Push:
After the 1994XF04 Ulysses fragments fell on the USEA continent the super weapon created to destroy it, called "Stonehenge", became the catalyst of a war. Erusea, a country on the western tip of the Usean continent, launched a war on the Independent States Allied Forces (ISAF). The ISAF was pushed back to the United States of Euro-Asia's (USEA) east coast and were nearly defeated.

The ISAF General Head Quarters in Los Canas was forced to move as the bulk of Erusean forces moved in. The HQ was moved to the nearby coastal nation of North Point. With their GHQ at North Point the ISAF did their best to defend themselves, until a counter-attack was possible. However, with their bulk of ground troops trapped on the north-eastern tip of the Usean continent, this was impossible.

On September 19th, 2004, after a large period of sporadic fighting, Erusean secret agents destroyed the ISAF early warning system. A large force of Erusean Tu-95 Bear long-range heavy bombers flew towards North Point, from Rigley Air Base. Rigley Air Base was a former ISAF facility, taken over by Erusean forces to operate their long-range bombers. The ISAF scrambled a nearby carrier-based squadron, made up of new pilots. This squadron successfully made contact with the Erusean bombers and bomber escorts over Newfield Island. The bombers and the escorts were shot down, but Newfield City had suffered heavy damage from an Erusean bomber, which dropped its bombs trying to escape.

ISAF GHQ then scrambled the same squadron to attack Rigley Air Base a month after that turn-around victory. Erusean Command had sent a large force of Tu-95 bombers to Rigley in preparation of attacking North Point again. The bombers were caught on the ground and the parking ramp at Rigley Air Base is turned into a junk yard. This attack knocked out Erusea’s only chance to attack North Point and ISAF's GHQ. Erusean High Command then dispatched their "Invincible" fleet to the east coast to prepare for an all out invasion of North Point and ISAF GHQ.

The ISAF attacked "The Northern Eye", a large radar facility a top Mount Shenza in the northern area of USEA. This radar facility has been monitoring all ISAF ground movements and giving guidance to ground and air forces, to further delay an ISAF withdrawal from the continent. The Northern Eye was successfully disabled and ISAF forces successfully withdrew their trapped ground forces from northern USEA to North Point, in order to prepare for an ISAF counterattack.

Erusea’s "Invincible" Aegir Fleet reached Comberth Harbour to re-supply and prepare for their push north to invade North Point. ISAF command knew that the 7th fleet guarding North Point could not stop this fleet, so re-supply routes were targeted. The first routes to be attacked were Erusean air supply route corridors. Though this slowed them it was not enough to stop the invasion.

The ISAF then executed a bold move and destroyed the main petrol plant supplying the "Invincible" fleet and immobilized them inside Comberth Harbour. However, the ISAF attacking force was forced to retreat when the feared 156th TFW 'Aquila' better known as the Yellow Squadron, came into the area. Their surprise attacked destroyed many ISAF aircraft, but the entire force was not lost.

Counter-Attack:
An invasion of North Point was now delayed, but still possible. Seeing a prime opportunity ISAF ordered a large-scale air attack against the Aegir fleet. Operation Rough Seas was launched and the Aegir Fleet was caught in Comberth Harbour. The extended battle lasted for twenty minutes and resulted in the Aegir fleet being all but wiped out. This included their main fleet, along with their aircraft carrier, supporting ships and the main landing force. The destruction of the Aegir fleet was an amazing blow to the Erusean war machine.

Seeing the Erusean military staggering, ISAF GHQ committed yet another bold move by attacking a large solar power plant which supplied much of Erusean forces’ facilities. The attack was successful, but many aircraft were lost in this battle when Stonehenge attacked unexpectedly. This reminded ISAF leaders that Erusea still had air superiority over the mainland.

ISAF forces gathered at North Point and prepared for an invasion of the mainland to begin to push back Erusean forces. Before this invasion could occur a vital military satellite had to be launched from the space launch facility in the Comona Islands, located in the south eastern sea of USEA. Also seeing the vitality of this launch, Erusean High Command ordered all land and sea-based aircraft to completely wipe out the entire facility. The largest air battle in history occurred on this day. It is said that over 100 aircraft from both sides had participated in this aerial battle. Erusean High Command also deployed the Yellow Squadron, an ace squadron said to be the best of any military on the planet. Midway through the battle, Erusean B-2As appeared, but they were dispatched immediately. The Yellow Squadron was also forced to withdraw due to fuel usage problems, and their leader Yellow 13's aircraft was damaged badly.

The air battle ended in ISAF's favour and their satellite was launched successfully. Now ISAF's invasion plans began and Erusean forces went on high alert. A large invasion fleet moved from North Point, behind the Comona Islands and at the south-eastern area of the mainland. The amphibious invasion was codenamed Operation Bunkershot. It was a D-Day-styled invasion which held the hopes of the ISAF on its success. The ISAF invasion force hit the three beaches named Caranda, Halle and Crowne. Crowne Beach was the main objective of the landing, since it was capable of supporting armoured vehicles. ISAF aircraft were scrambled to support the ISAF landing troops and the support fleet by firing upon emplacements, artillery batteries, advancing ground troops from inland and FEAF aircraft. Though ISAF troops took considerable casualties, the operation hit a turning point when Halle and Caranda beaches were somewhat secured. However, the FEAF dispatched a squadron of A-10 Thunderbolts to Crowne Beach in an attempt to destroy the ISAF ground forces on the beachhead. The ISAF aircraft in the area rushed to Crowne Beach and destroyed the A-10s before too much damage was dealt and Operation Bunkershot was success.

After organizing their landed forces, ISAF command sent ground forces to retake Los Canas, a vital city outside of Stonehenge's range. At the same time air strikes against Istas Fortress began. Istas Fortress was system of bases and positions dug into a mountainous terrain system; this fortress stood in the way of an ISAF advance. The ISAF air strike successfully knocked out the fortress, though Stonehenge fired at them multiple times, through out the engagement. The ISAF successfully captured Los Canas and a forward HQ was established to further support an ISAF thrust inland.

Liberation:
The ISAF was then contacted by the creators of Stonehenge and their families asking for amnesty, as they were preparing to defect from Erusean control. The ISAF granted them amnesty and they defected via Air Ixiom flights 702 and 701 on two civilian airliners. En route, however, they were attacked by FEAF fighters. Luckily, ISAF had one fighter in the area, which dispatched the pursuing fighters and the airliners landed safely at an ISAF air base. The creators of Stonehenge then helped ISAF High Command in making plans to destroy Stonehenge before Erusean High Command could deploy any more reinforcements.

The ISAF sent a small air strike force to attack Stonehenge. The aircraft penetrated the Erusean air defense unseen and made their way into attacking range of Stonehenge.

The barrage from Stonehenge was fierce and the anti-air defenses were also very heavy. Air forces deployed at Stonehenge were also putting up an amazing fight. However, Stonehenge fell to a single ISAF fighter, piloted by Mobius One. An ISAF pilot which had been participating in many pivotal battles before this attack, he was one of ISAF's highest-scoring aces. As ISAF aircraft began to withdraw from Stonehenge the Yellow Squadron appeared and engaged them. During the battle a Yellow Squadron fighter was shot down and the squadron retreated. This fighter was also shot down by the pilot known as Mobius One. This pilot was present at every major ISAF operation and was credited with the success of these operations.

With Stonehenge out of the way, ISAF forces began to advance on Erusean positions and push them back slowly. Meanwhile, an ISAF spyplane had been returning with photos of a new super weapon being built off the coast of Erusea. This alarmed ISAF HQ; they needed to end the war faster than ever before this super weapon, known as Megalith, was completed. A northern landing force was dispatched from North Point to secure northern USEA, but they were almost wiped out by cruise missiles from Erusean forces. The cruise missiles were shot down, along with a single nuclear-tipped cruise missile; this showed ISAF how desperate Erusean High Command was becoming. Now ISAF forces prepared to liberate San Salvacion.

The battle takes place at 0000 hours, USEA Central Mean Time. The fighting was fierce as ISAF forces, along with local resistance members, battled in the city streets. The Yellow Squadron, along with other Erusean forces in San Salvacion, fought tooth-and-nail for the sovereign country. However, their forces were badly beaten and they were forced to withdraw from the city. As Erusean forces withdrew, Erusean High Command ordered supersonic strategic bombers in the form of Tupolev Tu-160 ‘Blackjack’ bombers to flatten the entire city. The aircraft were shot down and ISAF ground forces successfully captured the city. San Salvacion was free once again. With that, all land outside of Erusean territory was free once more.

The Final Days:
Erusean High Command began to amass their troops at the Whiskey Corridor, a desert that lay between the Lambert and Amber mountain ranges. This is the only route within ISAF range to send in their ground forces to attack the Erusean homeland. After re-grouping at San Salvacion, ISAF GHQ ordered all ground forces to break through the Whiskey Corridor. This battle became one of the largest ground battles in world history. Though they fought valiantly, the Erusean forces were almost completely wiped out. This was thanks to immense air support from ISAF air force pilots, including Mobius One, now an ISAF national hero. A road to the Erusean capital city of Farbanti was opened.

Erusean High Command, in a complete panic, ordered all available forces back to Farbanti. The ISAF now gather their remaining troops and nearby naval and air forces and commence a siege of Farbanti. The ISAF air force faced the brunt of the load by being assigned to aid ground forces, destroy all vital bridges, secure a ground route and claim air superiority all at once. The leader of this aerial unit was Mobius One. The battle lasted for an extended period of time and the losses were mounting on each side. However the ISAF got an upper hand when bridges were destroyed, cutting off any reinforcements the Erusean military had coming. ISAF ground forces penetrated their defense lines and encircled the Erusean GHQ. ISAF naval forces still shelling any and all Erusean military positions also choked any escape routes by the sea. Two large Erusean submarines, in the submerged residential areas were sunk and V-22 transports carrying high-ranking Erusean officers were also shot down. However, it is believed that a third submarine had escaped during the first moments of the battle.

The Yellow Squadron had arrived over Farbanti and the members were ready to fight until the end. Only one fighter, Mobius One, engaged them. An epic aerial battle ensued and Mobius One shot down all five of the Yellow Squadron aircraft, along with their leader Yellow 13. The Erusean Supreme Commander was also killed in the battle. The remaining Erusean forces surrendered and the war had begun to end. However, it was not over yet.

Many young Erusean officers and fanatical Erusean soldiers had taken over Megalith. Megalith was a rocket launch facility that was able to shoot down asteroid fragments in orbit. While a final air strike was being prepared, an ISAF special operations team was sent to infiltrate Megalith and take over the control room to open heat vents in Megalith to allow for its destruction.

It was only possible to destroy it from the inside, and Mobius One was chosen for this unearthly task. The squadron for this mission was newly-named and they went down in history as the Mobius Squadron.

The Mobius Squadron attacked Megalith in a full frontal assault. They were met by the remnant pilots of the Yellow Squadron whom put up stiff resistance. The aerial battle was extremely intense and the special forces were suffering casualties. Through out the air battle pilots from each side tore one another's aircraft apart with amazing expertise.

However, the Mobius Squadron dispatched the tenacious Yellow Squadron and began their attack on Megalith. Mobius One flew into Megalith three times and destroyed power generators, which aided the special forces team within Megalith to get into the control room. The team then opened the main heat vent to the main missile silo. Mobius One then flew into the silo and destroyed the large missile. This finally ended the Erusean threat; the three-year continental war finally ended.

Spoils of War:
Near the end of the Usean Continental War the ISAF had stumbled across Erusean facilities and captured an experimental aircraft made by the EASA. It was officially known as the X-02, but named the "Switchblade" by ISAF pilots. It is said to have seen action near the end of the war when it was piloted by ISAF ace Mobius One. The X-02's design and technology were far beyond that of any other aircraft during this time and even then was said to be the best aircraft on the planet.

Reform and Recovery:
After the battle of Megalith the ISAF forces occupied Erusea as steps were taken to make a new Erusean government. However, the provisional Erusean government had begun to take much criticism from Erusean citizens and old Erusean officers. In 2006 a large Erusean force made up of ex-Erusean military personnel took a large arms factory, and under the name, "Free Erusea," attacked the ISAF. The ISAF responded by launching Operation Katina.

See "Operation Katina" for more details.

SOURCE:
Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies
Official Ace Combat 04 Website

ACCREDITATION:
Originally posted by 'Ribbon-Blue'