Dietrich &quot;Boss&quot; Kellerman

DIETRICH KELLERMAN "Boss"
- Silber One

Kellerman's BAF ID Card

Personal Information:
Name: Dietrich Kellerman
Moniker: "Boss"
Callsign: Silber One
Age: 45 [as of 1995]
Gender: Male
Nationality: Belkan
Aircraft: F-4E Phantom II

Quotes:
"They're fast. Follow them. This will be your final lesson."
"I taught you how to fly, the rest is up to you."
"Get out there! The rules will protect you."
"This battle is getting out of hand. Stay alert at all times."
"All planes stay focused and fly as usual."
"If you get confused, just let your hands take over. You have enough training to do this in your sleep."
"Where did you learn to fly like that, mercenary?"

Biography:
Joining the Belkan Air Force in 1973, Kellerman’s skill was such that he could pull maneuvers beyond his plane’s ability. Letting his ability speak on his behalf, Kellerman earned the respect of his comrades and the title of ‘ace’. In 1990, the “Silver Eagle”, as he was called, resigned his post of squadron leader. Becoming a flight instructor for the Academy, Kellerman trained the future aces of the BAF for five years.

War broke out, however, and Kellerman took to the air, once again for battle. Taking flight with the Academy’s 9th Special Education Course, or “Kellerman Seminar”, his purpose in the war was not only once again to turn the tables on the enemy, but to boost troop morale.

All those who have ever learned war history should have been interested in the outstanding accomplishments of the Silber Squadron. Without Kellerman's skills, character, and presence as an ace, the Silber Squadron would not have been able to earn such respect and fame. The history of the legendary Belkan Air Force would not be without them. In 1973, when Kellerman joined the military, Belka - still not a federation - was promoting expansionism as well as regrouping the Air Force. The time soon came for him to stick out from the rest. Back then, Belka was annexing the eastern countries while fighting several disputes for self-determination of peoples near the border. Kellerman was then a member of the 51st Air Division 105th Tactical Fighter Squadron, which was later called The First Season Silber Squadron.

The First Season Silber Squadron made a name for themselves in the Rectan War. The Rectan Air Force, although fewer in number, was very highly skilled. At first, the Belkan Air Force was being pushed back, but eventually it was the Silber Squadron that turned the tables. Once deployed, they quickly reclaimed air superiority over Mt. Mainz. Thanks to this, the Belkan army platoons could advance to Calle City where the Rectan Liberation Front encamped. What was behind the success of the Silber Squadron was Kellerman's precise orders. His orders always helped destroy the target, and kept the squadron from heading into trouble. In the 1985 Ware Incident, the Silber Squadron was scrambled to an offshore engagement with several enemy aircraft, where the Silber team once again destroyed all targets.

Earning the title of "Mainz Hero", Kellerman also earned the fame as a flight instructor. In 1990, he seemed to have grown tired of front-line posts, and decided to retire from active service. The 105th Tactical Fighter Squadron, void of Kellerman from 1990 through 1995, is called the Second Season Silber Squadron. All the pilots followed every piece of advice from Kellerman, and they always got good results in a drill against aggressor squadrons. Major General Heinrich Land, Kellerman's superior, recommended him as a flight instructor at the Air Force academy, where he devoted himself to training young cadets. But, his career as an instructor did not last long. The Belkan War, which started in 1995, needed him once again as a fighter pilot.

Losing a maintained air supremacy which Belka gained in the early stage of the war, the upper echelons of the Air Force decided to send out Kellerman for the purpose of bolstering the morale of the troops. However, the military provided him with young pilots from the 9th Special Education Course called "Kellerman Institution", since most of the pilots of the Second Season Silber Squadron died in battle or were heavily injured. This is where the Third Season Silber Squadron - later called the squadron of tragedy - began.

On May 28th, in the major air engagement with the allied forces near the Ustio-Belka border in airspace B7R (aka the Round Table), the Third Season Silber Squadron was sent to B7R as the centerpiece of the Belkan reinforcements sent into the Round Table. The morale of the remaining Belkan Aircraft boosted when the Silber Squadron appeared on the battlefield, even though the front line was falling back. The Silber Squadron engaged the legendary Galm Team of the Ustian Air Force's 6th Air Division in hopes of breaking the allied force's back bone, but they were all shot down.

Shortly after, the Belkan War came to an end. Kellerman was found guilty in court, but the sentence was light. Osea was behind this, with the intent of recruiting him to the Osean Air Force as an instructor. Kellerman, however, refused, and took to solitude in the countryside.

SOURCE:
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War
Official Ace Combat Zero Website
Namco CH Ace Combat Zero Website

ACCREDITATION:
thanks to yellow26
Silber 6 for the picture

*Original Article by Ribbon-Blue*