South Burning
Commander of the Albion's mobile suit team during Operation Stardust.
South Burning (サウス・バニング, Sausu Banningu) was an experienced Earth Federation Forces officer who commanded the assault carrier Albion’s mobile suit team during Operation Stardust. His leadership of the Immortal 4th Team balanced battlefield discipline with mentorship for younger pilots such as Kou Uraki.
Biography
South Burning carried the lessons of the One Year War into UC 0083, shaping the Albion detachment and giving his life to shield it.
Veteran of the One Year War
Burning fought through the late stages of the One Year War as a frontline mobile suit pilot. His steady record in space and ground sorties earned him promotion to captain and the respect of Federation crews who relied on his calm judgment during chaotic evacuations after A Baoa Qu.
Commander of the Immortal 4th Team
When the Gundam Development Project rolled out, Burning was assigned to the assault carrier Albion to supervise the RX-78GP units. He forged Kou Uraki, Chuck Keith, and Bernard Monsha into the Immortal 4th Team, drilling them in combined-arms tactics and enforcing maintenance standards that kept the prototypes combat ready.
Operation Stardust and final sortie
During Operation Stardust, Burning coordinated pursuit of Anavel Gato across Australia and into orbit, frequently sortieing in a GM Custom to cover his subordinates. While returning to the Albion after securing critical data on the Delaz Fleet’s plans, damage to his mobile suit’s cooling system triggered an internal explosion that mortally wounded him. He died after relaying the intelligence that confirmed the impending colony drop.
Physical appearance
South Burning was a lean, middle-aged officer with close-cropped brown hair, a trimmed moustache, and the posture of a career soldier. He typically wore the Federation’s orange pilot suit or the blue duty uniform adorned with captain’s insignia.
Personality & traits
South Burning combined strict professionalism with a paternal streak toward his pilots. He insisted on discipline, yet he understood the stress inexperienced officers faced and offered clear, direct guidance. His wry humour often diffused tension before engagements.
Skills & abilities
South Burning excelled at tactical analysis and mid-range mobile suit combat. He could read battlefield telemetry quickly, adjust formations on the fly, and shoot with sharpshooter precision, making him the natural anchor for the Immortal 4th Team.
Relationships
South Burning defined his postwar life through the pilots he trained and the comrades who trusted his judgment.
Kou Uraki
Kou Uraki viewed Burning as both commanding officer and mentor. Burning recognised Kou’s raw talent but pushed him to temper impulsiveness with procedure, a lesson that shaped Kou’s later duels with Gato.
Chuck Keith
Chuck Keith relied on Burning’s steady hand to navigate the jump from transport pilot to combat role. Burning assigned Keith reconnaissance and support duties that matched his strengths, reinforcing the team’s cohesion.
Bernard Monsha
Bernard Monsha respected Burning enough to moderate his reckless streak. Burning’s firm expectations kept Monsha focused on teamwork rather than showmanship.
Equipment
South Burning piloted the RGM-79N GM Custom assigned to the Albion, outfitted with a beam rifle, shield, and enhanced thrusters tuned for his intercept tactics. He also oversaw the RX-78GP01 and RX-78GP02A readiness, often reviewing simulator data personally.
Legacy
South Burning’s death galvanised the Immortal 4th Team, with Kou Uraki citing his mentor’s sacrifice as the reason he pressed on against the Delaz Fleet. Federation personnel later referred to Burning’s final warning as the key intelligence that mitigated the colony drop’s impact.
Behind the scenes
South Burning was created for Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory to embody the veteran officer archetype who guides the youthful protagonists. His death scene was scripted to echo classic mentor sacrifices within the Gundam franchise.
Appearances
See also
External links
- South Burning on the Gundam Wiki
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