Mission #1: Glacial Skies

MISSION 1 - GLACIAL SKIES
- Operation Crossbow

- Mission 1 Grid map -

Target information:
Primary Targets: Indicated in RED.
Air Targets:
6 x B-52H
4 x BM-335

Ground Targets:
None

Secondary Targets: Indicated in GREEN.
Air Targets:
4 x F-5E;
3 x F-4E;
1 x F-117A (Ace)
1 x J-35J (Ace)
1 x F-5E (Ace)
1 x XB-70 (Ace)

Ground Targets:
None

Neutral Targets: Indicated in YELLOW.
Air Targets:
2 x F-5E
3 x F-4E
1 x B-52H

Ground Targets:
None

*Note - If you chose not to engage neutral aircraft, they will only exit the combat area and not attack you, but you can destroy yellow targets for additional points.*

Recommended Aircraft:
Any Aircraft armed with XMAA or XLAA Missiles.

Mission Overview:
This is the the first mission in the game and where Cipher is placed in command of Galm Team and is introduced to his wingman, Larry "Pixy" Foulke. The objective of this mission is for Galm flight to defend Valais Air Base against an attack by Belkan Bombers. You and Pixy start the mission the south central region of the map. The Belkan attack force starts in the north west quadrant of the map and heading in a southeasterly direction.

When the missions starts, continue flying north until you meet up with the lead elements of the force which is a lone F-5E Tiger II. Once this plane is destroyed, you will engage two B-52H Bombers. and depending on your path, may be escorted by an Ace Plane. If you are following the Mercenary path on Normal level or above you will engage the Ace "TIGER", Flying an F-5E. In the Soldier Path and on Normal level and above, you will engage the Ace "BLITZ" flying a J-35J Draken.

After you destroy the advanced force, you will engage a second group of B-52H bombers that are escorted by a lone F-4E, unless you are on Expert Level or above. In Expert Level or above , you will also engage the Ace "REGEN" Flying a F-117A Nighthawk. When engaged, the F-4E will turn yellow and exit the combat area (See above Note).

Once the second group is eliminated, you will encounter the main force that consists of four BM-335 Bombers, one B-52H Bomber, two F-5E and two F-4E Fighters. If you are Normal or above and the Knight path, you will also encounter the Ace "DRYADE" flying an F-4E. The first thing you will notice is the B-52H will turn Yellow in your HUD and turn North out of the Combat Area. You can engage or let it go, depending on the path you are following. You can engage the fighters, which will turn neutral when engaged, then attack the Bombers. While you are engaging this group, you will have a final group of B-52's appear, but do not engage them.

Once the Fighters are neutralized, or eliminated, attack the BM-335 bombers. When the last one is destroyed, a group of 2 F-5E fighters will appear behind the remaining B-52's. If you are in Ace Level, the Ace "WAL" will appear above the Fighters in an XB-70. Destroy these targets, then finish off the remaining bombers to complete the mission.

** Writer's Notes - Some walkthroughs indicate the last group of fighters and the XB-70 Appear after the last group of bombers reach the center of the battle map, but this is incorrect. This group will appear at anytime AFTER the last BM-335 Bomber is destroyed. This requires that you leave at least one of the last group of B-52H's then destroy the remaining BM-335's**

Ace Pilots and Planes:
Normal Level:
Mercenary: Tiger - F-5E
Soldier: Blitz - J35J
Knight: Dryade - F-4E

Hard Level:
None

Expert Level:
All Paths: Regen - F-117A

Ace Level:
All Paths: Wal - XB-70

Maximum Scores:
*This is the Known Maximum Score for this mission in Ace Level*

Mercenary: 15660
Soldier: 15660
Knight: 15680

SOURCE:
Ace Combat Zero (The Game itself)

ACCREDITATION: