The "GALE"

**Spoiler Warning:** *There are spoilers for the details of the plot and/or ending in the text that follows.*

**The "GALE"** is the third mission in *Airforce Delta Strike*. The player plays as Ken Thomas for this mission.

## Overview

The E.D.A.F. patrols have found enemy aircraft formations in Terranos Island, designated Area NA-44, over their coast and they believe it's likely that they're preparing for an overseas attack. Lilia also suggests, in the briefing, that they're looking to secure the airspace above their fleets and Robert suggests they want to use Terranos Island as a beachhead, saying it would be ideal. Delta Squadron is then dispatched to Terranos Island to intercept enemy fighters and force them out of their airspace.

The mission itself is a dogfight with F-14D Tomcats (Maverick) and F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcons (Kite) as allies, and Leon Kleiser and different models of the Sukhoi Fitter as enemies. Albert Ungar appears later in the mission in a cutscene where he shoots down an AWACS called 'Skyfish' and three Maverick units. After a certain number of enemy planes are shot down, the remaining ones will begin to withdraw, completing the mission.

## Walkthrough

A major dogfight, though a simple one regardless. The enemies are the same Fitter class Sukhois you've been shooting down since the first level. They infinitely respawn, and you must destroy a certain number of them to progress the mission. Again, they're weak Fitters, so it's not much of an issue.

The first ace for this level is Leon. He's barely any more of a threat than Giuseppe, though he's slightly better in flying and dodging your attacks than his "boss". Still, he's piloting a trash rocket plane, so taking him out is simple.

And then there's Albert, who's an entirely different kettle of fish. He's fast, he's aggressive, he hits like a truck. He's incredibly dangerous compared to what you've dealt with up to now! Be careful in dealing with him. Make sure you've got tabs on where he is at all times; losing a lock on him and getting distracted with another Fitter can lead to him suddenly getting behind you and blasting you out of the sky. He's a nasty one.

By shooting down the aces, you'll advance the script for the level much quicker than by just shooting down the normal mooks. Eventually, you'll succeed the mission when the enemies withdraw. Taking down Albert will end the mission very quickly.

## Enemy List

 Su-17M "Fitter D" | 3 | D
 Su-20 "Fitter C" | 3 | D
 Leon\* | 1
 Albert\* | 1

## Reward

The reward for the mission is 30,000 credits plus a variable amount depending on how many planes were shot down as well as the type of weapon used to shoot them down. Phase 2 is also unlocked.

## Gallery

F-16C Block 50 Fighting Falcon™
(Kite)Grumman F-14D Tomcat
(Maverick)E-3C SentryAlbert Ungar
(MiG-25PDS "FOXBAT E")Leon Kleiser
(MiG-19PFM "FARMER")Su-20 "Fitter C"Su-17M "Fitter D"Su-7BM bis "Fitter A"

## Trivia

* In this mission's debriefing, there is a minor grammatical error in John's dialogue, "If touch my prey, you're dead." The correct way to say it would have a 'you' between 'if' and 'touch.'
	+ Also, when Leon claims to be older than Albert, it is incorrect since in the character profiles, Leon is revealed to be 27 while Albert is revealed to be 28. Whether this is Leon lying to Albert to feel superior or simply an oversight by Konami is unknown.
		- Alternatively, it's possible he meant "older" as in "having been a part of the Merv Flying Corps longer"; at this point, Albert is still considered a rookie in the O.C.C., so this may have been the intention, somewhat filtered through awkward wording.
* This mission is named after Albert's TAC name in the Japanese version, which is "Gale". They did not change the mission title for the NTSC-U/PAL release, in which his TAC name is "Storm".
* The flying unit "Maverick Squadron" may be an allusion/tribute to Lieutenant Peter "Maverick" Mitchell, the character of American actor Tom Cruise in the 1986 US Navy air combat movie *Top Gun*. To add to this, the squadron is flying F-14s, the aircraft of choice for Peter Mitchell.