Quick answer
Mission 30 is "Song of Wings" (Operation Showdown), the final mission of the campaign.[1][2] It takes place at Newfield Island.[3] This page covers objectives and tactics only, with no story outcomes.
The core job is an escort: protect the aircraft carrier Endurance from the submersible cruiser Triumphant.[4] The mission medal is for intercepting all threats to the escort target.[1][5]
The conditional enemy ace is Tegimen in an F-22A Raptor. On Veteran or higher, destroy 3 or more of the submarine-launched swarm missile dispensers before they release their missiles.[6]
Mission 30 at a glance
| Item | Mission 30 |
|---|---|
| Mission name | Song of Wings[1][2][3] |
| Operation | Showdown[1][2][3] |
| Location | Newfield Island[3] |
| In-game date | April 1, 2030[3] |
| Who you protect | The carrier Endurance, from the Triumphant[4] |
| Mission medal | Intercept all threats to the escort target[1][5] |
| Story trophies | The Real Wings (Bronze), plus Promised Land (Silver) for finishing the campaign, both on any difficulty[7] |
| Conditional ace | Tegimen, F-22A Raptor (Veteran or higher)[6][8][9] |
| Comes after | Mission 29, Selene[1] |
What the mission asks of you
No bylined guide has published the full objective order for this mission, so we only list what the sources confirm.
- Keep the Endurance alive. The community wiki's article on the operation says the mission is about protecting the carrier from the Triumphant.[4]
- Expect missiles aimed at the carrier. The same article says the Triumphant opens the battle by firing cruise missiles at the Endurance, and you intercept them.[4]
- For the medal, let nothing through. The medal goes to players who intercept all threats against the escort target.[5] KeenGamer's medal column words it as "Intercept all threats to the escort target".[1]
- Watch the carrier's damage ripples. PowerPyx's general escort advice: a damaged escort target sends a blue ping on your radar. One ripple means minor damage, two mean major damage and three mean critical damage.[5] It also warns that enemies often try to lure you away from the target you are protecting, so stay close.[5]
How to get Tegimen: the steps in order
- Play on Veteran or higher. Named aces only spawn on Veteran difficulty or above.[1]
- Hit the swarm missiles early. Destroy at least 3 before they release their payload (the sources word this differently, see below).[6][8][9]
- Shoot down Tegimen (F-22A Raptor).[6]
- Finish the mission. A named ace kill only saves once you complete the mission. Restarting, quitting or failing after the kill erases it.[7]
Downing a conditional ace unlocks a paint scheme for that ace's aircraft type,[6] which for Tegimen is the F-22A. All aces: named aces and skins.
Three wordings of the Tegimen trigger
| Source | What you must destroy | When |
|---|---|---|
| PowerPyx (Assault Records guide) | 3 or more "submarine-launched swarm missile dispensers" | Before the missiles are released[6] |
| The Click (Assault Records guide) | At least three submarine-launched swarm missile dispensers | Before they fire[8] |
| Community wiki (Aces list) | At least three "swarm missiles" | Before they can dispense their payloads[9] |
All three agree on the number (three) and the timing (before release). They differ on the name of the target: PowerPyx and The Click call it the dispenser, the wiki calls it the swarm missile. None of them says whether shooting down what comes out after release also counts, so the safe reading is to destroy them before they release anything.
The trophies for clearing Mission 30
- The Real Wings (Bronze) for completing Mission 30.[7]
- Promised Land (Silver) for finishing the campaign, which clearing Mission 30 also awards.[7]
- By the Book unlocks as you take off for the final mission, but only if you never skipped a takeoff, landing or aerial refueling during that campaign run.[7][5]
Clearing the campaign also unlocks Free Mission, where you can replay Mission 30 for the medal or Tegimen on any difficulty you have unlocked.[1] A clear on Elite unlocks Ace difficulty.[7] See Ace difficulty unlock.
Mission 30 and S rank
- PowerPyx says a confirmed ace kill is worth around 2,000 points, so Tegimen is worth triggering on a score run.[10]
- Taking no damage adds a 5,000-point bonus. A checkpoint restart costs points.[10]
- As of October 3, 2026, PowerPyx's Ace-difficulty S-rank walkthrough has no written route for Mission 30.[10] The S-rank score is not confirmed.
More on scoring: S rank requirements.
Not confirmed yet
We found no written, bylined source for these, so we do not list them:
- The full objective order and the phases after the opening missile attack
- The time limit
- A recommended aircraft or special weapon for this mission
- The S-rank score
The full mission order is on missions list and length.
Sources & References
- KeenGamer: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE – All Missions List (Rafly Wibowo, Sep 29, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
- The Click: ACE COMBAT 8 Mission List (PaulD, Sep 30, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3
- Ace Combat Wiki (wiki.gg, community wiki): Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve/Missions ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
- Ace Combat Wiki (wiki.gg, community wiki): Operation Showdown (edited Oct 2, 2026; full story spoilers) ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4
- PowerPyx: Ace Combat 8 Wings of Theve Trophy Guide & Roadmap (Jack McBastard, Sep 29, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- PowerPyx: Ace Combat 8 All Assault Records & Enemy Aces (Jack McBastard, Sep 29, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- KeenGamer: ACE COMBAT 8: WINGS OF THEVE – All Trophies List and Platinum Roadmap (Rafly Wibowo, Sep 29, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6
- The Click: ACE COMBAT 8 Assault Records: All Enemy Aces and How to Find Them (PaulD, Sep 30, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3
- Ace Combat Wiki (wiki.gg, community wiki): Ace Combat 8: Wings of Theve/Aces (edited Oct 3, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3
- PowerPyx: Ace Combat 8 All Ace S-Ranks Walkthrough (Oct 1, 2026) ↩ 1, 2, 3
