Homeward

This article is about an in-game mission. For the in-universe event, see Operation Reflux.

Homeward
Campaign Mission 17 Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown
Other Names	An Island Left Behind (残された島)
Mission Order
Previous	Last Hope
Next	Lost Kingdom
Mission Details
Focus	Air-to-Air Air-to-Ground
Objectives	Identify all UNKNOWNs and destroy all TGTs.
Time Limit	20 minutes
Character	Trigger
Focus	Air-to-Ground
Objectives	Destroy all TGTs before the civilians are overrun.
Time Limit	6 minutes 30 seconds
Character	Trigger
Focus	Air-to-Air
Objectives	Destroy both supply ships (TGT) before they escape the area.
Time Limit	10 minutes
Character	Trigger

"Homeward" is the 17th campaign mission in Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown. The player must protect friendly Osean forces and civilian refugees on Tyler Island from hostile Erusean forces.

Briefing

Jaeger: Okay, enough talk. Your opinions have all been taken into consideration. Beyond the seizure of Farbanti, which is important, and supporting the Erusean officer... ...at this point, I just don't know what our strategy is or what our mission will be. Radio communication is still patchy for both the military and civilians, so we're getting zip from mission command about our orders. Still, with countless Erusean forces in the area, it's too dangerous for us to stay around here waiting for a miracle. Now, regarding Count's suggestion to think about self-defense... Uh... I think we should make a break for Tyler Island. It was a large Osean base before the start of the war. Count says his previous squadron took part in an operation to seize control of the island. It has the only base that will get us to the space elevator without refueling. It's also a transport facility for supply ships that provide drones and ammo for Arsenal Birds. For the Osean forces that are looking to reclaim the space elevator, those are two great reasons in its favor. If everything went according to plan, the base may already be in allied hands when we get there. Though based on what Count told me about the island operation, it won't be easy to seize control.

Fencer: If the ground troops have managed to open the bridgehead, the transport route to Osea for supply ships should be available.

Tailor: With so much at stake, I can't imagine Erusea just giving it up without a fight. Things could have really gone bad.

Count: Even if there are enemies left, they should be pretty easy to suppress.

Fencer: I just wanna go home, man.

Lanza: Me too.

Jaeger: With that look on your face, Trigger, I know exactly what you want to do.

Huxian: If Trigger's ready to kick ass, then so am I.

Skald: Damn straight. We're with you, Trigger.

Jaeger: It's decided, then. Let's get all the aircraft and haul ass to Tyler Island. Although we can avoid the Arsenal Bird's anti-air network, there's still remnants from the Erusean Forces. I want to get to the island without getting into any unnecessary combat. Pick a fast craft and fix it how you want. Pack for a long trip, but remember: if you drag your ass, you'll get left behind.

Objectives

We've still got some work for you, too, so don't slack off now.

This article or section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

Initial

The player must protect their allies by destroying the TGTs scattered around the island and identify all units. As with the previous mission, every unit is marked as UNKNOWN, so they will have to be identified before firing.

After every TGT is destroyed with every UNKNOWN identified, or if five minutes have elapsed, an armada of UNKNOWN planes will be detected approaching the island from the East. Identifying them will reveal them as Erusean Tu-160s inbound to destroy all forces on the island, as well as their escorts. The bombers are TGTs as well, so they must be shot down before they reach the island.

Mission Update 1

Enemy vehicles are identified attacking Avril and Rosa, along with several refugees. All TGTs must be destroyed before Avril and Rosa are overrun.

All targets initially appear as UNKNOWN, but will immediately be identified from Long Caster's data link.

Mission Update 2

Two supply ships will be launched from the Mass driver, and the player has to shoot them both down before they leave the combat zone or the mission will fail. Also, the player must pay attention on enemy aircrafts and thunderclouds. Once both supply ships are down, the mission is complete.

Enemy Lists

We've still got some work for you, too, so don't slack off now.

This article or section is a stub. You can help by expanding it.

Standard Units

All units will be marked as UNKNOWN on the HUD until identified by the player or an ally.

Section		Unit	Points	Count	Notes
Initial		SU-35S "ERU RADICAL"	700	2
		MQ-99 "ERU RADICAL"	350	7+
		AH-64D "ERU RADICAL"	300	4
		TU-160 "ERU CONSERVATISM"	1,200	5
		SU-35S "ERU CONSERVATISM"	700	6
		F-35C "ERU CONSERVATISM"	850	3
		GROUND TARGETS "ERU CONSERVATISM"
		GROUND TARGETS "ERU RADICAL"
Mission Update 1		AH-64D "ERU RADICAL"	300	3
		XSAM "ERU RADICAL"	200	4
		SAM "ERU RADICAL"	200	1
		TANK "ERU RADICAL"	150	2
		APC "ERU RADICAL"	120	4
Mission Update 2		SUPPLY SHIP	750	2
		SU-35S "ERU RADICAL"	700	4
		MIG-29 "ERU RADICAL"	340	2

Special Unit

Main article: Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown/Aces

	Unit	Points	Notes
	F-35C "MANTIS"	1,900

Debriefing

Good, take a seat. Everyone's here. All right. Good work in sinking the supply ships. Not to mention saving the refugees. However, we're in no position to start celebrating. Even the commander here is starting to fray from the stress. Can't say I blame him. Now Tyler Island is in a state of complete anarchy. This base isn't safe either. The faces you see around you are the only friends we've got. Take a good look.

S Rank

Earning an S Rank on this mission requires earning a combined score and time bonus of 44,030 points or more.

The maximum time bonus available is 18,930 for completing the mission in a total of 15 minutes and 30 seconds or less. This includes time spent retrying from the checkpoint. If the player can complete the mission in that amount of time, they only need 25,100 points from destroying targets in the mission itself to earn the S Rank.

If the player goes past the 15 minutes and 30 second threshold, the time bonus decreases by 30 points every second, so the player must compensate by destroying more targets to hit the 44,030 point threshold.

Enemy units marked as TGT usually must be destroyed to advance the mission. The TGT text is always in red, except if the player changes this in Ace Combat 7.