The Continental War

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The Continental War

Erusean troops occupying Stonehenge

Belligerents:	Erusea ISAF
Casus Belli:	Erusean invasion of San Salvacion and Stonehenge
Date:	September 2003 to September 2005
Location:	Usea
Casualties (overall):	20 Million
Result:	ISAF victory, Erusean military weakened and occupation ended, Stonehenge and Megalith destroyed, 2006 Free Erusean Uprising

The Continental War is a conflict between Erusea and ISAF that is the setting for Ace Combat 04.

Background

A fragment of Ulysses impacting near Mount Schezna in northern Usea.

Knowledge of the Ulysses asteroid's impending impact led to increased tensions across Usea, but eventually its governments began working together to prepare for the catastrophe. This resulted in much tighter government restrictions, culminating in a military rebellion that was put down in 1998. Despite the coup's failure, dissent remained widespread amongst the population.

The July 1999 planetfall of the Ulysses asteroid plunged the Usean continent into further economic and social unrest, causing over 500,000 casualties worldwide, many of which were in Usea. One millions refugees were displaced by the disaster, and the nations of Usea agreed on quotas of how many each would take in. Erusea found itself incapable of accommodating its quota and closed its borders to refugees in April of 2000. This caused an uproar from the other nations on the continent, all of which were still recovering from the impact. About 600,000 refugees established camps on the Erusean border, which were found to be of substandard condition by the UN. Many boycotted Erusea in response, dealing a powerful blow to its economy.

The Stonehenge Turret Network.

As tensions mounted, the Federation of Central Usea reached an agreement with its 11 trading partners on the continent to form a military alliance, the Independent State Allied Forces. Five more nations joined this defensive alliance by fall of that year. With the entire Usean continent united against it, Erusea invaded and occupied the neutral nation of San Salvacion and the anti-asteroid railgun network Stonehenge inside of its territory in September of 2003.

Overview

ISAF Withdrawal

The Aegir Fleet's flagship Tanager burning after ISAF's attack.

When the Erusean military commandeered Stonehenge, it found itself in possession of a powerful anti-aircraft weapon. With a range encompassing the majority of Usea, Erusea established air superiority throughout the continent. Given this advantage, Erusea's ground forces moved out, occupying the whole continent with the exception of territory surrounding the city of St. Ark. ISAF withdrew to the continent's eastern islands, moving its general headquarters from Los Canas to North Point. For the following year, the war became a stalemate, with Erusea deploying strategic bombers from Rigley Air Base in the eastern Waiaipolo Mountains until its destruction by fighters from North Point.

Counterattack

ISAF troops march through the dried-up Iruzari River on their final push to Farbanti.

In September 2004, ISAF prepared to reoccupy the Usean mainland and drive Erusea back to the west. They begin by attacking the Aegir Fleet, having discovered that Erusea planned to invade North Point with it. ISAF crippled its supply lines and other logistical assets before annihilating the fleet itself while docked in Comberth Harbor. Next, ISAF targeted Erusean power grids, and the largest air battle in history took place over the Comona Islands as ISAF fighters protected a military satellite launch from Erusean bombers.

With the Eruseans' main littoral defensive force eradicated, ISAF lands forces in the northern Ice Creek region, as well as beaches on the southeastern tip of the continent. Following these successful landings, ISAF moved forward to the extent of Stonehenge's attack radius. It had become impossible to advance any further without air support, so ISAF began gathering intelligence on the turret network. Finally, in April of 2005, it was ready to destroy the superweapon, and sent a small unit of less than 10 aircraft deep into the mainland. These aircraft managed to destroy Stonehenge, allowing ISAF air units the ability to operate anywhere in the continent.

Final Days

Losing Stonehenge, the Eruseans were at a severe disadvantage. Their ground forces, no longer guaranteed allied air superiority, were unable to hold the territory they had previously captured. By September 2005, ISAF had reached the borders of Erusea and on the 25th of September the capital city Farbanti fell.

Outcome

The 2008 G8 summit aboard the Arkbird.

The Erusean government surrendered to ISAF following the capture of Farbanti; however, resistance to the occupiers remained strong in the nation. Several days later, a group of military officers seized Megalith, an incomplete anti-asteroid installation capable of launching ICBMs. Despite the fortress' destruction by ISAF's Mobius Squadron, resistance continued until much of it was quelled in Operation Katina. Erusea continued to recover at a moderate pace. Much of its support came from Osea, which invited an Erusean representative to the 2008 G8 meeting.

See Also

• Ace Combat 04: Shattered Skies

Geography

• Erusea
• Usea

Notable Units

• ISAF
  • 118th Tactical Fighter Wing "Mobius"
• Free Erusea Air Force
  • 156th Tactical Fighter Wing "Aquila"

Superweapons

• Megalith
• Stonehenge