Tactical Surface Fighters In Action (TSFIA)

The TSF In Action series are various short stories depicting a number of events, battles and operations all over the world and throughout the human war of resistance: from the 1980s on the European Front, to going as far as The Day After in 2004. The series also includes other entries in the franchise, related to Total Eclipse, Schwarzesmarken and The Euro Front.

Originally published in Hobby Japan, the stories have also been compiled in six Cross Operation books, with additional material.

Published Issues

#1: 12.5 Coup d'état

A retelling of the 12/5 Incident, where Tsukuyomi Mana defends Shirogane Takeru from Sagiri Naoya's attack.

#2: Dissimilar Air Combat Training

A joint military exercise between two elements of Type-82/F-4J Kai Zuikaku and F-15C Eagles takes place, as Japan's decision to continue domestic development hinges on its results.

#3: Generation Change

The F-22A Raptor is unveiled at Langley Base, and welcomed by the Americans with joy and confidence.

#4: Ultra Long-Distance Sniping

Tamase Miki's wonder feat in Unlimited is retold in this issue.

#5: Burning Sand Grave

The opening hours to the defense of Suez Canal are recounted in gory detail.

#6: Sortie At Daybreak

The pride of the US Navy, the F-14D Tomcat, prepares to sortie against the BETA in Kyoto.

#7: XM3: A New Hope

Shirogane Takeru demonstrates the power of manual control, in this retelling of the XM3 Trials.

#8: Question of Honor

The YF-22 and the YF-23's tale of rivalry and elimination is documented in this issue.

#9: Connection of Blood

The XFJ-01a, a sword newly-forged by the combined efforts of Empire of Japan and the United States of America, is unveiled to the world for the first time.

#10: The Killing Fields

Argos-2 and Argos-3 test the F-15 ACTV's close-combat abilities the way it's meant to be: with fresh BETA, on the blood-soaked fields of the Kamchatka Peninsula.

#11: Crimson Jungle

A routine sensor-laying mission turns out to be the last performance of the Unified Front of China's Feihu Squadron.

#12: The Tyrant's Ascension to the Throne

Even the Americans do not know how much potential the Raptor has, and they're going to do everything they can to find out how far can they push their magnum opus.

#13: Battle of Rhodes

Greek and Turkish forces, a young Ibrahim Doğulu amongst their ranks, fight side-by-side to defend the Rhodes from BETA attack.

#14: Wintering places

Captain Fujiwara Kanae and the First Independent Northern Squadron of the Imperial Royal Guard are proof of the changing political landscape of the world, even as they complete another routine patrol in the freezing wastes of Siberia.

#15: Red Star Rising

The 211 Batal'on Zhar defends a forward base, sparing nothing, never giving up.

#16: The Euro Front #01: Zerberusschanze

The arrival of three recently commissioned officers to the JA44 Zerberus Bataillon marks the start of a new campaign against the BETA.

#17: Colors of Duty

In the ruins of Kyoto, Ikaruga Takatsugu, Tsukuyomi Maya, and the 16^th Guard Battalion of the Royal Guard prepare to spill the blood of the BETA, as a final offering to the dying city of their ancestry.

#18: The Euro Front #02: Fluoreszenz

Newly-inducted Zerberus Bataillon members, Ilfriede von Feulner, Lunateresia von Witzleben, and Helgarose von Falkenmayer, test their skills in a live-fire exercise to determine their placing in the battalion's various squadrons.

#19: The World Worth Fighting For

The XFJ-01a and XFJ-01b take on each other in high-speed close-quarters combat as part of a test.

#20: Dive into the Hell

Henri Gischen and the Aquila Squadron march on in the face of overwhelming odds, as the United Nation's 6^th Orbital Diver Corps strike at the Sadogashima Hive.

#21: The Euro Front #03: Vorländerwölfe

Even as the JA44 continue to induct new officers into their roles, their leaders, the Black King Wolf and White Wolf, lay waste to a group of BETA at the former port city of Le Havre, France.

#22: Silent Dawn

Azriel Test Flight of the Middle Eastern Coalition is ordered to record a side of the BETA that mankind has seldom seen before.

#23: The Euro Front #04: Fresh Breeze Strikes!

At the dawn to her first combat operation under the command of the Deutsch-Franzosische Brigade, Ilfriede von Feulner and Bernadette Le Tigre De La Rivière meet for the first time.

#24 Pissing Metals

The A-6Js of the Imperial Japanese Navy's 17^th Tactical Armored Unit, Stingrays Squadron, take on the highest odds in the opening move to retake the Cheorwon Hive.

#25: The Euro Front #05: Friend or Foe

May 25, 2000. The 8 Minutes of Death is every nuggets' greatest fear, and even Ilfriede von Feulner, chosen as part of the vaunted JA44 Zerberus Battalion, is no exception.

#26: Heritage of Valkyries

Suzumiya Akane leads the Fuji Tactical Fighter Training Group's Skuld Squadron in their evaluation of the Test Type-02 Shiranui Second and its new weapon.

#27: Valkyries Hereafter

Munakata Misae encounters a memory of her former leader, even as she leads the Fuji Tactical Fighter Training Group's Urd Squadron deep into the Cheorwon Hive, in their test maneuvers of the F-15SEJ Gekkou.

#28: The Euro Front #06: Fire Discipline

Bernadette Le Tigre De La Rivière displays her skills with the Rafale in this issue. Tigre flies, BETA die!

#29: Proof of Surface Pilot

The MiG-29 Lastochka showcases its capabilities in urban combat, as the Soviets ruthlessly put down an uprising in their corner of western Alaska.

#30: The Butterfly Dream

An incomplete monster of close-combat awakens, as the Soviets run war games in Alaska with their recently-delivered Su-47E.

#31: The Euro Front #07: Haves and Havenots

Helgarose's memory of a West Germany that she barely remembers burns her heart as the Zerberus arrive at the Liverpool naval port, a place that has seen bloody battle, and yet, managed to survive the onslaught.

#32: Blood Red Carpet

Fear comes from all sides as Soviets pilots, armed with the F-14AN3 Mindseeker, lead their espers into the bowels of the Bhophal Hive as part of the latest Alternative Plan.

#33: Morgen und Nebel

An East German tank crew member admires his nation's pride and industrial prowess in achieving domestic manufacture of the MiG-21 Balalaika.

#34: Carbon-Carbon Friction

A side-story of the 12/5 Incident, where Captain Isumi Michiru of Special Task Force A-01 takes on IJMDF Lieutenant Komaki Sayoko, of the 1^st Tactical Armor Regiment, in close-combat.

#35: Incardine

Small does not mean weak, as terrorist mercenary Christopher and his men hunt down Idol Test Flight

using stolen MiG-29OVTs during the Yukon Base Incident, September 21, 2001.

#36: The Euro Front #08: Natural-Born Gunslingers

Ilfriede gets strung along on an exhausting ride of endless showers of 36mm and 120mm during the DANCCT exercises, as her partnership with Bernadette in the Franco-German Special Forces Unit Mulhouse shows her the standards expected of a front-line surface pilot.

#37: First-in, Last-out

A US Marine Corps squadron participates in one of the numerous raiding operations that are carries out on the Euro Front, as the best of the United Kingdom and the USMC fight side-by-side to delay defeat for another day.

#38: Continental Fighters

The strongest of the Fuji Tactical Fighter Training Group return to the battlefield alongside the 211 Batal'on Zhar, as they take the first step to assaulting the Blagoveshchensk Hive. For certain members of the Fuji TFTG, another living memory of their former Captain is now alongside them...

#39: Bake The Enemies

Let it not be said that the US Army has never fought a battle with the odds stacked against it, as the A-10A Thunderbolt IIs of the 54^th Tactical Surface Attacker Squadron Pit Masters shows what it truly means to hold the line, and to die standing.

#40: The Euro Front #09: Soul of the Artilleries

The Sturmvogel has returned stronger than ever; but in the face of even heavier attrition warfare against the BETA, can it stand up to the task as it did years ago when West Germany fell?

#41: Ring of Blizzard Neisse 1983

The Oder-Neisse Defense Line is battered by yet another BETA assault as the 666^th TSF Squadron Schwarzesmarken takes on impossible odds to find and destroy Laser-class BETA.

#42: Cage of Stasi

The German Democratic Republic does not look upon deserters kindly, and the Werewolf Battalion of the Ministerium für Staatssicherheit, led by Major Beatrix Brehmer, are infamous for their ruthless efficiency in dealing with turncoats.

#43: The Noblest Color

The arrival and unveiling of the Shogun's Type-00R at the United Nations' Yokohama Base strikes a majestic sight.

#44: Red Star and Red Hammer

A friendly spar between Soviet MiG-27s and East Germany MiG-23s proves just how fast technology is improving in the modern day.

#45: Into the Sky

The XFJ-01a begins what would be its first test in a gauntlet of objectives in the following months.

#46: In the Cage

Takamura Yui demonstrates the power of the Takemikazuchi in the fight to defend Yukon Base.

#47: Manipulated Victory

When the Werewolf Battalion of the Stasi appear on the battlefield, no one knows if they're there to assist friendly forces or hunt down one of their own.

#48: The Euro Front #10: Black Rim, Lasing Forest

The JA44 Battalion Zerberus sorties in a rescue mission against the BETA, braving heavy laser fire to complete their mission.

#49: The Euro Front #11: Red Strike

A continuation of Issue #48. You better start running 'cause the Ralerstein's a-comin'~

#50: Salty Fields Never End

Lilia Kjellberg leads a new Black Knives squadron in combat as the BETA assault Seattle, the memories of her comrades burned into her mind for evermore.

#51: As Long As We Remember

Narumi Takayuki and Taira Shinji give their all in Operation Lucifer, the Yokohama Hive Battle; the first successful operation to take a BETA Hive.

#52: Red, White, and Blue

Shirogane Takeru and Tsukuyomi Mana display the peak of their skills back-to-back in the defense of Yokohama Base, as they shower the surface of the base in alien blood.

#53: The Longest Day

When all hope is lost in the Sadogashima Hive battle, the Imperial Royal Guard's 16^th Guard Battalion arrives to turn the tides, with a prominent leader at the front...

#54: The Euro Front #12: ADORATION

Many years have passed, and the worst of the nightmare is over. Now a leader of men in his own right, Makabe Seijurou of the Royal Guard, with the memories of his past close to his heart, prepares to lead his unit into battle.

#55: Allbright Turn

Two cadets, Miura Sonoko and Fujisawa Tsukiko, outdo themselves trying to beat the demon instructor, Jinguuji Marimo. There are certain boundaries that can't be crossed with willpower and guts alone, however...

#56: Baltic Strike

The 666^th TSF Squadron Schwarzesmarken take on the task of securing a beachhead in the opening minutes of Operation Neptune, and Theodor Eberbach experiences firsthand the pressure of command.

#57: COURAGE UNDER FIRE

The Valkyries of A-01 and the 19^th Independent Guard Flight face off against the horde of BETA attempting to overrun Yokohama Base's interior, as the heated Defence of Yokohama Base reaches its zenith.

#58: A Smile of a Carnivore

The product of two prideful nations cross swords with each other; Yuuya Bridges in the XFJ-01a takes on Christopher's MiG-29OVT during the defence of Yukon Base, even as the clandestine evaluation of the autonomous programs installed in the unmanned TSFs continue...

#59: DEEP BLUE

Taking place in The Day After, this issue details the underwater tussle between Tatsunami Hibiki and an insurgent A-6J... from the insurgent's point of view.

#60: The Euro Front #13: Roter Kriegshammer

The Zerberus Bataillon and the MiG-29OVTs of the Nationale Volksarmee engage in joint combat action, and Lunateresia von Witzleben gets to fulfill one more wish of hers; to see one of the rare, savage Fulcrums up close and personal...

#61: Summit Level Combat

Once again taking place in The Day After, this issue chronicles Walken and Sagiri's rematch of rematches in an alternate universe.

#62: Battle of Fantasista

As the XFJ-01a and Su-37UB stalk each other in the ruins of Yukon Base's testing grounds, a silent hunt explodes into a brutal close-quarters contest in tight urban conditions, in this what-if battle based on the Total Eclipse anime promotional video.

#63: Seed of Nobles

Based on Episode 2 of the Total Eclipse anime, a young Takamura Yui gets a glimpse of mankind's determination during her retreat through Kyoto, as her former instructor Sanada Kozou teaches her the final lesson of war.

#64: Blooming of Nobles

A loose continuation of #63. The lessons of Yui's youth are the closest to her heart, and she does not forget them even in the heat of battle.

#65: Grey Skies, Blue Dive

Based on the events in the Total Eclipse novels and the first few minutes of Episode 8 of the anime, the 211 Batal'on Zhar rescue beleaguered troops and beat back a BETA incursion on the Kamchatka Peninsula.

#66: Blue Blade Divination

Based on Episode 2 of the Total Eclipse anime, the Type-98XR, under the command of Takatsukasa Kyouko, dances a dance of death throughout the Tank-drenched streets of a besieged Kyoto.

#67: Dead Line

Based on the events of the Total Eclipse novels and Episode 5 of the anime, Takamura Yui and Yuuya Bridges settle their differences the only way it can be done; Type-00 against Type-94-1C, blade to blade!

#68: CHINA STORM

Based on the events of the Total Eclipse novels and Episode 16 of the anime, the J-10X and the XFJ-01a cross swords against each other in a display of close-quarter tactics employed by Asia's two strongest frontline nations.

#69: NO GOING BACK

Based on the events of Episode 24 of the anime, the XFJ-01a and the Su-47 cross blades against each other, as Yuuya Bridges struggles to survive under the withering blows of the "Scarlet Twins".

#70: DUTY -LOST ARCADIA- #14: Sonic Scissors

The EF-2000 Typhoon is no less an anti-TSF combatant than any other 3^rd generation TSF, as the Sonic Baron quickly proves to the other pilots of the JA44 in high-speed melee combat.

#71: DUTY -LOST ARCADIA- #15: London Bridge Is Rising Up

The JA44 enact a flyby display across several landmarks in London, celebrating the successful defense and rebuilding of the city.

#72: First Contact

The events of Argos Test Flight's first combat in the Total Eclipse anime, VN, and novels, pitting Yuuya Bridges and Stella Bremer against Tarisa Manandal and Valerio Giacosa, is covered in this issue.

#73: Doomed Resistance

Based on the same events depicted in the Total Eclipse TV anime; while his team flounders, Yuuya Bridges of Ghost Squadron does the impossible; taking the fight to the F-22A Raptor EMD Phase.

#74: Kukri Knife Attack

Based on the same events depicted in the Total Eclipse franchise, when the F-15 ACTV's and the Su-37UB Terminator face off against each other in the skies.

#75: BLACK KNIGHT

On the 1^st of  January, 2006, over the barrens of Colorado, of the United States of America, the knights of two different nations clash, as a Type-00C Takemikazuchi leaps into battle against French Rafales.

#76: MOUSQUETAIRES GRIS

A parallel story to #75. On the 1^st of  January, 2006, over the barrens of Colorado, of the United States of America, French and IJMDF forces clash in earnest.

#77: Gray Ghost

On the 11^th of July, 1993, two TSFs penetrated the former border between Finland and the Soviet Union on a covert mission. Their advance was shrouded in darkness, but for their TSFs, it was the only chance they had within that era to bring their power to bear on the battlefield, as their makers had intended for them to.

#78: Daemon's Soul

Suzumiya Akane witnesses Shirogane Takeru as he demonstrates his demon-like skill by killing and luring the BETA out of the way, allowing the rest of Special Task Force A-01 to charge in and eliminate the Heavy Laser-class BETA, in this retelling of Operation 21st.

#79: All GUNS BLAZING

Features the Su-47E Berkut.

#80: DUTY -LOST ARCADIA- #16: BLITZEN

The Zerberus Bataillon sorties in Utrecht to eliminate Fort Class herd which turns out to be more than expected, using their new weapon from the British Army, BWS-3 "Fort Slayer".

#81: The future starts today

Features the Shiranui Second Phase 3 Yuuya Bridges custom.

#82: Rival

Features the F-22A EMD Raptor Phase2 and the YF-22 N22YF prototype.

#83: Perfect Crime

Features a Su-47pzX1 Berkut.

#84: Ace in the hole

Features Type-00A Takemikazuchi.

#85: Keep on Rollin'

A day before a comparison test with the Scarlet Twins of the Idol Test Flight, Yuuya Bridges and Tarisa Manandal of the Argus Test Flight have a combat training by using the Shiranui Second Phase 3 and Phase 3 Unit 2.

#86: Memory of aurora

Nellis Air Force Base holds a parade flight featuring the Shiranui Second Phase 3 "Kyokkou" Demonstrator Color and the YF-23 "Black Widow II".

#87: Fetal Movement

The Type-00 Takemikazuchi prototypes, specifically the Type-98A, Type-98F in Fudai and Shinpan colors, and Type-98R in Regent color, are engaging in a mock battle to gather data for the ongoing development of the Shogun's TSF.

#88: Tradition of the Kyoto Guard

Features the Type-00R Takemikazuchi.

#89: Samurai Eagles

The Heat Battalion of the US Army, facing a dire situation against the BETA invasion in northern Shikoku, holds their ground with their F-15E Strike Eagle, until the unexpected reinforcement of the Imperial Japanese Army's F-15J Kagerou arrives.

#90: DUTY -LOST ARCADIA- #17: Promised Run of the House Guards

A long time has passed since the day they made a promise to each other, Makabe Seijurou and Ilfriede von Feulner of the Zerberus Bataillon are finally reunited on the battlefield, in this last issue of The Euro Front DUTY -LOST ARCADIA- and TSFIA.