Heatseeker/Smuggler's Run

Smuggler's Run is the first mission in the Vertana chapter. This is also the first time the player can choose a plane in Campaign mode.

Introduction
Estiban Granuja, the dictator of Vertana, is suspected of supplying the rebels attacking Lord Roberts Island, and the Nemesis is tasked with uncovering evidence, starting with a recon mission to try and turn up suspicious vehicles.

Recommended Loadouts
As one of the earliest missions, resistance is relatively light. The F-16 is recommended over the F-15 as the GAM is useful against certain targets, and most opposition is ground-based.

Scan the Unidentified Targets
Six unidentified targets will appear at various parts of the mission area. To scan a target, select it, approach into close range, and the scanning will start automatically while you are facing it. The closer you are, the faster the scan, and zooming in on the target also speeds up the process.

Once all six targets have been scanned, the objective completes.


 * Bonus Objective: Find and destroy the hidden cargo planes - The cargo planes are C-130 Hercules camouflaged in the trees around the islands. They will show up on your map as green dots, and can be locked on by missiles. One is to the northeast of your starting position near an airfield with an unidentified target, a second to the north near the center of the mission area next to a second airfield with several vehicles, including URAL-375D trucks and UAZ-469 jeeps, surrounding it, and a third on the other side of the airfield also surrounded by vehicles.

A cutscene will then play with a plane taking off and calling in a group of MiG-27 Floggers.

Shoot Down the Smuggler and Fighters
The smuggler will be in a light aircraft that will immediately change from neutral to hostile, and can be destroyed. After that, engage the Floggers as they come in. Once the initial group are dealt with, two more waves will spawn.

Scan the Unidentified Speedboat
Once all fighters are down, you will be ordered to identify a speedboat docking at the northern island. Once scanned, the speedboat will be identified as one of the boats that attacked Lord Roberts, and turns hostile. It can then be sunk.

Enemy fighters will then spawn from hangars built into the side of the mountains on the island.

Eliminate the Fighter Jets and Their Hangars
The hangars will periodically spawn more fighters as long as they remain active. Because the mountain's angle makes it awkward to attack the hangars with bombs and SRAMs do low damage, GAMs are your best bet for inflicting noticeable damage. The spawn rate is fairly low, so you can take your time taking out the fighters before attacking the hangars. Each of the hangars is also defended by an MDB Heavy SAM. Once the hangars are dealt with, clean up any planes that haven't been shot down already.


 * Bonus Objective: Shoot down at least 20 enemy aircraft - This objective activates in the previous section with fighters and remains active throughout the mission, but will only be completable here due to insufficient aircraft in the previous section. Let the hangars spawn a few planes for you to shoot down before destroying them.

Render the Enemy Base Inoperable
The airbase next to the mountains will become targetable at this point. Destroy all marked targets with ground-attack weaponry. Anti-aircraft guns around the island will become active once the airbase has taken enough damage, and must be destroyed as well.

Secure the Freighter Transport
A freighter escorted by two Nanuchkas will take off from the islands and attempt to escape. The Nanuchkas must be sunk, but the freighter must not be attacked. GAMs offer the advantage of range and precision against these enemies, though they are slow enough for bombs to also be effective if the player chooses.


 * Bonus Objective: Sink the missile boats within the time limit - The player will be given a 1:45 time limit to sink both Nanuchkas. GAMs from the F-16's Ground Attack loadout excel here; missiles are great against larger ships thanks to their reliability and precision, letting you sink both Nanuchkas well before the time limit is up.

Once the Nanuchkas are sunk, the freighter will be captured and the mission is a success.