The sixth installment in the Ace Combat series explores the Belkan War a devastating conflict alluded to in Ace Combat 5. In the game's main story mode the player takes control of a mercenary pilot callsign "Cipher" taking part in the Belkan War by advancing through aerial combat escort assault and defense missions. The story is told through the eyes of a reporter 10 years after the conflict uncovering secrets of the war by interviewing some of the pilots the player shoots down.