Erich Klinsmann

Erich Klinsmann
Biographical Information
Other Names and Callsigns	Reiher
Birth	1970
Nationality	Belkan
Affiliations	Belkan Air Force
Equipment	Su-37 Terminator
Physical Description
Gender	Male
Appearances
Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War

Erich Klinsmann, callsign Reiher, is a Belkan Air Force pilot.

Etymology

"Reiher" is German for "heron."

Biography

No detailed records of Erich Klinsmann exist other than his birth in Belka in 1970.

During the Belkan War on May 28, 1995, Klinsmann took part in the closing phase of Operation Battle-Axe alongside Silber Team. He and the squadron were shot down during the engagement.

Speculation

Theories exist that Erich Klinsmann is the former identity of Yellow 13, leader of the Erusean Yellow Squadron during the Continental War, depicted in Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies. Supporting arguments are cited as follows:

• Klinsmann flies a Su-37 Terminator, Yellow's signature plane, and sports their paint scheme. If Klinsmann is indeed Yellow 13, his custom paint scheme and future callsign may have been inspired by the legendary Belkan Gelb Team ("Gelb" means "Yellow" in German/Belkan), who also flew the Su-37.
• All known post-Operation Battle-Axe information on Klinsmann is that he survived the battle. Since many former Belkan aces emigrated to other countries after the Belkan War (cf. Lorenz Riedel), it is likely that Klinsmann likewise left, opening the possibility of heading to Erusea and joining its military in the nine years between the Belkan and Continental Wars.
• Klinsmann only appears on Ace difficulty and the Knight Ace Style. The respective aces who appear instead on Ace difficulty in the Mercenary and Soldier paths are Ashley Bernitz and Michael Heimeroth, both of whom appeared earlier in Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War as the respective leaders of the Grabacr and Ofnir Squadrons, which played the same antagonistic roles as Yellow in Ace Combat 04.
• Yellow 13 was famous for having never lost a wingman in combat until Yellow 4's death at Mobius 1's hands. Erich Hartmann, a World War II-era German ace with the highest kill count in aviation history, also claimed this feat, and shares Klinsmann's given name and a similar surname. Additionally, 13's honorable and gentlemanly qualities are closely associated with the Knight Ace Style, Klinsmann's exclusive appearance.
• Both Yellow Squadron's actual name (Aquila) and Klinsmann's callsign are bird-themed.

Gallery

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  Erich Klinsmann Su-37