Mission 01: Shorebirds

Mission 01: Shorebirds
AC5 - Campaign Walkthrough

<insert map here>

Mission Outline:
Intercept an unidentified SR-71 recon plane and force it to land. Do not fire on the SR-71.

Enemies:
Air: 1
Ground: 0
Naval: 0
Targets: 1

Recommended Aircraft and Special Weapon
F-5E Tiger II with UGB

Mission Walkthrough
Welcome to the Electrosphere.info walkthrough for Ace Combat 5. Things are a little different in this game, such as the controls and the new Wingman Orders System (see the AC5 tutorial for information, or consult the handbook). Anyway, let's get started.

We don't have any choice in aircraft selection, but we can work on that later. For now, get acquainted with your squadron. When you enter the mission, you'll see that you're behind your squad captain, Bartlett (HRTBRK 1), and between your two wingmen Edge and Chopper. Stay with them, and make some minor course corrections to stay in formation. These formation skills will come in handy later! Your captain's going to ask you some questions, which you answer by pressing the left and right D-pad buttons for Yes and No respectively.

Stay in formation, until you see the SR-71. Turn and get behind the Blackbird. When your squadron gets back into position behind it, swing in with them like before. In a moment, after communications fail, AWACS will tell you that there a four targets inbound, coming in from the west. Turn, but don't fire. Let them pass you by, them immediately turn. get behind them, and wait for the go-ahead. As soon as it says "Mission Update", you'll be able to lock-on and fire. Do so. You should be able to get the one you're going after pretty quickly. Mop up all that are left, and don't be surprised if Chopper gets one. If he doesn't, you can get the last one and another group will come in.

Another group will come in from the west. Turn, and hit your afterburners. Go head-on and you should be able to get two if you fire your missiles at one, switch to another, then hit the guns and blow him away. Turn, just like before, and finish off the group. One more wave of four MiG-21s is coming in from the same vector. Do the same as you did for the 3rd wave, and you should be fine.

When all the enemy planes are down, you've won.

Enemy Ace Location
GIGANTOR (HAWK) - Appears with the 3rd wave of MiG-21s. Climb above the approaching Fishbeds and cycle targets until you find him, then be prepared for a dogfight (especially if you are using the F-5E).

Unlocked Aircraft and Weaponry
N/A

Post-Mission
Since you can't buy, sell, or change aircraft for the next few missions, just head on to the next one.

Navigation
Proceed to Next Mission

Sources:
Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War