Fictional Ace Combat X Aurelian Air Force's 207th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Gryphus" Blue Camouflage for the F-16C Viper.
By the mid 1980s, the Aurelian Air Force's tactical combat aircraft fleet, mostly consisting of Mirage IIIs, F-4Es, F-5Es, and some Viggens, was quickly becoming obsolete, as neighboring Leasath completely renovated its air forces with 4th generation BVR cappable fighters recently put into service. At first, a few second-hand M-2000C's were bought from Emmeria in '87, but these served as a provisional solution and were still inferior when faced against their Leasathian counterparts. As the economic situation turned in Aurelia's favor, the AAF launched a massive program to update its airpower. Financed by the booming Aurelian oil and mineral exports, alongside economic policies that heavily benefited the armed force's budgets, the AAF purchased large numbers of brand new jets. New Emmerian-made M-2000-5 and Nordennavic's spanking new JAS-39C/D models were bought to start filling the ranks of the AAF, and these would arrive throughout the 90s. Most of the old M-2000-C fleet was modernized as well. However, by far the most widely adopted jet in the program was the Osean F-16C.
Equipped with special low-visibility RAM paint and state-of-the-art avionics and equipment, these were acquired through the "Peace Puma" program, in which a deal was struck with the Osean government in '96 to manufacture large numbers of F-16C/D Block 50s, along with large stocks of advanced weaponry and several avionics upgrades not commonly found on standard Osean Vipers. The first batch of Aurelian Vipers would arrive at Griswall by 1998, and by 2008, almost every Aurelian fighter squadron had transitioned to program jets. Once tensions brutally escalated with the Leasathian military junta following the bloody Leasathian civil war, Aurelia began an upgrade program on its fighter fleets as preparation for innevitable war. Many Vipers were grounded on Griswall and Monte Breeze getting upgrades when the first wave of surprise Leasthian airstrikes crossed the border. By the first week, less than half of Aurelian Vipers were flyable.
Aubrey AFB's 207th Tactical Fighter Squadron "Gryphus" was one of the last squadrons to transition to the F-16. Originally tasked with primarily maritime patrol roles during peacetime, it operated the F-16 during the early stages of the 2020 Leasathian invasion of Aurelia. These jets spearheaded the liberation of the southern half of Aurelia, facing off against heavier and more capable Leasathian Flankers and Fulcrums, and even managed to take on the massive Glepnir aerial fortress during the battle for Santa Elva and win. After Santa Elva's liberation, Gryphus Squadron would transition to the Su-35S, along with many other Aurelian squadrons. Just days after the liberation of Griswall, the squadron transitioned to the F-22 and would finally put an end to the war after destroying the few Leasathian Fenrirs and their manufacturing facilities on Sentry Island.
By the end of the war, the few Viper aiframes left were phased out in the following months after the war in favor of Flanker, Typhoon, and, in limited numbers, F-22 Raptor squadrons that arrived by last days of the war.
This livery was made with Texac's absolutely incredible Viper template, pylons, fuel tanks, and engines that came with said template. This one is based on the in-game's Special Color 1, which is based on the real life camouflage used by Chilean Air Force F-16C/D Block 50s.
27/04/2024: Completely new camouflage and custom roughmets! Also modified decal and bort number positions.
Any questions or suggestions? DM me on Discord: sgmoncayo
