Aires

        When comparing combat positions, a hotshot fighter pilot feels more content with himself than the crew of a tank. The fact that soldiers feel more powerful in something that can fly and is fast This carried over into Mobile Suit combat. The Oz Aires Mobile Suit has at least twice the combat power of it's ground conterpart, Leo. However, this is not because an Aires is better armed or armored than a Leo. The Aires is superior to the Leo because it is faster and more manuverable, just as it is when comparing tanks to jet fighters.
         Aires was the third Zodiac Mobile Suit designed. It's ability to fly very fast and to dodge missiles and AAA (Anti-Aircraft-Artillery) fire give it a much longer lifespan than the slow but better armored Leo, especially when facing a Gundam. About the same amount of Aires were built as Leos, making them just as numerous as the Leo. Aires were heavily used by both the United Earth Sphere Alliance as well as Oz. There were three different types of Aires, one of the Alliance and two for Oz. The green Aires that was used by Oz pilot Lucrezia Noin was nothing less the the first of two operational prototypes. The Aires reflected Noin's personality in comabt, being able to dodge enemy bullets and rockets and deliver punishing return fire.The light blue Aires were the earliest versions, used exclusively by the Alliance. Armed and amrored identical to other Aires, the only difference was less advanced targeting and radar system. Finally, the infamous black and grey Aires were used almost as much as the Leo by Oz. Even the great Zechs Marquise piloted an Aires in the takeover of the Alliance base in Nairobi as part of the grand Operation Daybreak.
        An Aires usually is armed with a 95mm chain rifle and a pair of missile pods fitted onto the wing plyons on ethier side. Although the missile pods can be removed, this significantly decreased an Aires' attack power. However, this allows the Aires to manuver quicker, a lesson many Oz pilots learned too late. Also, some Aires pilots prefer to arm their suits with a third missile pod instead of the chair rifle. Combined with the optional other two missile pods mounted on it's wings, this version of Aires can pump out alot of firepower.
        When the Romefeller Foundation seized control of Earth with the nearly invincible Virgo I mobile dolls, Aires were paled in comparison. However, they were still used as the almost only suit in the Treize Faction's arsenal. The limitations of the Aires were painfully brought to light when pitted against a Virgo I. However, without a suitable air dominance suit, Aires were still used by the Romefeller Foundation itself. Although the Aires was never as glamorous as when it provided air cover for Leo and Tragos, it still held its' use right up until the last Aires were scrapped into Space Leo's for Treize Khushrenada's space force.