Indigo Team
- "This Round Table is the pride of Belka. Keep it secure."
- ― Squadron leader Dimitri Heinreich[1]
Indigo Team, officially the 51st Tactical Fighter Squadron,[2] was a Belkan Air Force ace squadron that saw action in the Belkan War. Indigo's pilots were known for their elegant flight style and their pride in combat, which earned them the nickname "The Indigo Knights". The squadron's signature livery is inspired by the indigo cross borne by medieval Belkan knights.[3]
History
Though only Dimitri Heinreich, the squadron's flight lead, had seen battle during Belka's period of expansionism,[3] the entire squadron was soon assigned to the eastern front during the beginning of the Belkan War.[4] It was here that Indigo saw major success.
On March 30, 1995, Indigo engaged an enemy fighter squadron, likely the FATO Air Force's 122nd Tactical Fighter Squadron, over the FATO-Gebet border. This engagement occurred during an operation aimed at capturing the city of Model in Gebet and saw many of the FATO aircraft destroyed. Heinreich alone shot down nine F-14D Super Tomcats within five minutes of the battle's start.[3]
Within a day, Gebet and FATO were brought under Belkan control due to the intense speed of the Belkan attacks. During these attacks the Indigo Team racked up kills en masse while facing little to no opposition.[3]
On April 20 of that same year, the Indigo Squadron was reassigned to Area B7R. The team's objective was to shoot down two aircraft of the Ustio Air Force conducting recon on the Round Table. Indigo was not unfamiliar with the area;[3] however, the two aircraft overwhelmed the Belkan formation, and shot them all down. All squadron members survived the encounter, albeit Heinrich was left comatose for three months.[3][5]
Gallery
A JAS-39C Gripen in Indigo colours.
Another picture of a JAS-39C of the Indigo Squadron.
Indigo Squadron JAS-39C
The Gripen E -Indigo- skin in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Trivia
- Notably enough, Indigo Squadron is the only ace squadron in Ace Combat Zero whose members all survived the Belkan War. Indigo 4 was killed after the war, however.
- The Indigo emblem is similar to the emblem of the Razgriz Squadron from Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
References
- ↑ Mission 03K: "The Round Table" (Knight), Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ Mission 03K: "The Round Table" (Knight), Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 Belkan Air Power - First Edition, under First Lieutenant Dimitri Heinreich.
- ↑ Scene 05K: "A Man Who Upholds Honor / 1", Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War.
- ↑ Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War - Assault Records, #021 - Dimitri Heinreich.