Solo Islands
The Solo Islands are an island chain located in the Ceres Ocean off the west coast of the Osean continent, north of Sand Island.
Description
The Solo Islands' topography is varied and features steep mountain peaks, expansive steppes, and narrow beaches; the islands are sparsely populated and covered in tropical vegetation. One of the larger landmasses is home to a scrapyard, which houses derelict aircraft. A series of tunnels bored through one of the northernmost islands is evidence of mining operations that once took place on the islands. The Solo Islands also emit a radar-jamming electromagnetic field, which is generated by a large concentration of magnetite ore within the islands' strata.[2]
History
In the early morning hours of December 7, 2010, Wardog Squadron, whom had been wrongfully accused of being spies, escaped Sand Island Air Force Base and fled north over the Ceres Ocean. At approximately 0702hrs, the 8492nd Squadron located Wardog in the vicinity of the Solo Islands and received orders from Major Allen C. Hamilton to shoot them down.[1]
Peter N. Beagle, who was leading the deserters' formation, directed his comrades to fly closer to the islands, allowing the natural EM field to disrupt the 8492nd's radar and missile-guidance systems. The fugitives eventually eluded the 8492nd by flying through the islands' terrain and tunnels. Shortly thereafter, the Wardog pilots were intercepted by Captain Marcus Snow of the OFS Kestrel and were shot down.[2] According to official records, the pilots were killed, thus ending the history of Wardog Squadron.[3] In actuality, however, the pilots survived by ejecting from their planes and were subsequently recovered by the Sea Goblin helicopter team.[4]
Gallery
An aircraft scrapyard ("boneyard") on the Solo Islands
Footnotes
- ↑ The cutscene prior to "Final Option" gives the erroneous coordinates of 154°31'15" N, 35°22'27" E. Latitude does not go above 90° north or south, making such a location impossible. Furthermore, the official Strangereal map places Solo Islands at a latitude between 30° N and 45° N, with a longitude between 150° E and 165° E. Therefore, the coordinates from the cutscene were switched around, and the Solo Islands are intended to be located at 35°22'27" N and 154°31'15" E.
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cutscene prior to Final Option, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Final Option, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.
- ↑ Excerpts from "Aces, Demons, and Ghosts: Mysterious Heroes of the Belkan Conflict", OBN Journal Special Edition. Published July 2014.
- ↑ Cutscene 19, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War.