ACE COMBAT 8 Mission 4: The Fall of the Numbered Fleets Walkthrough

Ace Combat 8 Mission 4 takes Joker Flight to Newfield Island to sink the Sotoan Third and Fifth fleets. Start with the western airbase, remove its surface defences, then attack the eastern fleet. Destroying every marked TGT wins the operation. The other enemies are for safety, extra score or optional challenges.

The fleet looks like the obvious target, but flying past the airbase’s SAMs and AA guns means fighting those defences again on the way back. Clear the western side first. The tunnel and hidden Ace can wait until you’ve learnt the main route.

Ace Combat 8 Mission 4: The Fall of the Numbered Fleets walkthrough

Operation Elder Hand is a surprise strike on the enemy forces around Newfield Island. You approach low over the water before meeting hostile MiG-29As. Use the TGT indicators to separate compulsory targets from optional fighters and installations. Clearing a marked target advances your objective; destroying a random aircraft does not necessarily do so.

1. Knock out the western airbase

Go for the parked aircraft before they take off, then work along the runway and remove the SAMs and AA guns. There are ships docked on this side too. If the first hostile fighter flight keeps interrupting you, clear it, but don’t chase aircraft halfway across the map while surface weapons are still locking onto you.

A short, controlled attack run works better than lingering overhead. Pick a target, fire, turn away from the heavy defences and approach again. If you’re losing health long before seeing the eastern ships, chances are you’ve left too many anti-air installations active.

2. Move east to the fleet

The ships on the eastern side are underway by the time you reach them. Reposition between attacks and pay attention to moving naval targets. Anti-ship special weapons can shorten the job, although standard missiles are enough if you line up properly. If the objective doesn’t update, expand your radar. There’s usually a marked ship you haven’t finished off yet.

Working towards S rank? Hold off on the final TGT until you’ve cleared enough optional ships, ground installations and aircraft for the score. The Sharks, Newfield’s former FCU pilots, are also worth shooting down when you’re chasing points. Bandai Namco’s mission briefing confirms they’re an optional fight. If you only want the story clear, skip the unnecessary cleanup and destroy the TGTs.

3. Complete the landing

Once the last compulsory target falls, you’ll get a landing sequence. Players pursuing the By the Book achievement should complete the landing rather than skip it. This is the conclusion of Operation Elder Hand, not another combat phase.

Ace Combat 8 Mission 4: Auster and the Tunnel Specter medal

Auster flies a Gripen E and won’t appear during your first campaign run. Finish the story, then replay this mission in Free Mission on Veteran or above. Clear the western area, including the Sharks, and find the mountain road leading into the tunnel that links the two sides of the island. Fly through that tunnel, then look for Auster around Anderson Crater to the east. Shoot the Ace down and finish the sortie to register the Assault Record.

That tunnel is narrow, with ventilation fixtures, a bend and changing height towards the exit. Line yourself up well before entering and make small steering corrections. The successful passage also grants the Tunnel Specter medal. You do not need to risk the tunnel for an ordinary Ace Combat 8 Mission 4 completion.

Ace Combat 8 Mission 4: S rank or tunnel medal?

For the S rank, the published score target is 21,000 points. You have 45 minutes for the operation, so there’s room to collect optional targets without rushing every turn. Optional targets can help, but clipping a tunnel wall is a frustrating way to throw away a strong run. I’d earn Auster’s Assault Record and the Tunnel Specter medal separately from a serious S-rank attempt unless you’re already comfortable threading the tunnel.

Common problems in Ace Combat 8 Mission 4

Why am I taking so much missile damage?

Return to the western airbase and eliminate surviving SAMs and AA positions. Use your wingmen to keep other enemies busy while you clear those installations. Once the western defences are gone, the fleet is much less punishing to approach.

Why isn’t Auster appearing?

Make sure you’ve already cleared the campaign, you’re replaying in Free Mission on Veteran or higher and you’ve actually flown through the tunnel after clearing the west side. Flying over the mountain isn’t the same thing.

Ace Combat 8 Mission 4: Do I need to shoot down the Sharks?

No, not for the normal clear. They’re useful for points and part of the optional Auster setup. The marked naval and ground targets are what decide when Ace Combat 8 Mission 4 is complete.

Bandai Namco’s official Mission 4 overview