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Air Raid (G1)

2011-10-02T22:31:11Z

74.56.81.97: /* Earthforce */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Air Raid}}
{{picsneeded|various anime}}

:''Air Raid is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] and later [[Cyberjet]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1AirRaid TFU.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Danger? HA! I laugh at danger! LAUGH, I TELL YOU!!!]]
Some might call '''Air Raid''' reckless, the way he dives out of nowhere, charging enemy units head on. Air Raid would laugh at that. A rash and fearless young warrior who loves surprises (especially those that leave his foes too stunned to fight back), he has only one real goal in life: to have fun. Needless to say his attitude puts him in a lot of danger, but you can be sure he's enjoying himself the whole time.

Air Raid combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Rob Paulsen]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Héctor Vieyra]] (Latin American)

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life and intellect, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthen jets, and bringing them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his tech-savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus' plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Like most of the Aerialbots, Air Raid was slow to learn the Autobots' ways. Overly impressed with the flying skills of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and his wingmen, the Aerialbots were easily lured onto a [[Kronosphere]] platform, and cast more than nine million years into the past. They had the opportunity to view Megatron's evil firsthand, as the early Decepticons deactivated their new friends [[Elita One|Ariel]], [[Dion]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]]. Air Raid and the others soon returned to the future with a newfound resolve to oppose the Decepticons' tyranny. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Air Raid led the Aerialbots in a flight around the Statue of Liberty, which the Autobots were gracefully coating with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new invention, [[Corrostop]], to prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were just as interested in Perceptor's work, and the Stunticons arrived to kidnap him. Air Raid and the others chased the Stunticons aboard [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] all the way back to the Decepticons' undersea base, but were driven off by the [[Lightning Bug]]. This impressive heat ray zapped Air Raid's missile in mid-flight, then tagged his tail for good measure. He was forced to sit there and smolder while giving his report to Optimus Prime before being allowed to pick up some replacement parts. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[Image:Airraidairassault.jpg|thumb|225px|left|Happybot!]]Air Raid was with the Aerialbots when they answered a distress call about a canyon cave-in, but the team soon discovered the call was a trap laid by the Combaticons. After taking out Slingshot the Combaticons claimed the upper hand, until the arrival of Autobot reinforcements changed their minds and the tide of battle. As the Combaticons retreated, Silverbolt held Air Raid back from pursuing the Combaticons in order to get his help in digging out Slingshot. After his recovery, Slingshot volunteered to be a decoy as part of Skydive’s plan to investigate a plane smuggling ring. Air Raid sarcastically told his fellow jets to enjoy their 'vacation' as he departed.

Returning later to assist Slingshot and Skydive, Air Raid and Silverbolt took on Vortex, Ramjet, Blast Off and a fleet of drone jets while under fire from the Combaticons and Megatron’s [[Giant Purple Griffin|purple griffin fortress]]. After the Combaticons formed Bruticus, Air Raid tried to distract the giant Decepticon from smacking Silverbolt, and got smacked himself instead. With the arrival of Fireflight, the Aerialbots combined into Superion and wrestled with Bruticus, then separated again. With a well-placed shot, they set an oil field ablaze and the resulting blast sent the defeated Decepticons and Bruticus flying into the sky.

[[Image:AirraidandaliassaultG1.jpg|thumb|225px|right|What!!! A fly in my energon soup?!]]

After regrouping in [[Jumal|Prince Jumal]]’s palace, Air Raid threatened some good old fashioned Autobot justice against captured Decepticon minion [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]], but Silverbolt said the Aerialbots should let Prince Jumal deal with his fellow human. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

After the death of Megatron and the retaking of Cybertron, Air Raid and the Aerialbots became part of the Autobot Fleet. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Spike were kidnapped to [[Quintessa]], the rescue party alerted the Aerialbots to swoop by for covering fire and pick-up. Air Raid and Skydive made the strafing run that took out the Quintessons' defensive proton cannon. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} When the Quintessons destroyed their own planet to get at the Autobots, the resulting blast wave destroyed the Aerialbots' ship, sending Air Raid and the rest hurtling through space. They eventually impacted on [[Goo 8739B]], and were rescued by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

{{Note|In the episode [[Dark Awakening]], several jets in the Autobot Fleet resembling the Aerialbots' alt modes were destroyed by the Quintessons. Repeatedly. Since the Aerialbots unquestionably survived the attack, it would seem their character models were merely used to build up the size of the fleet, and the casualty figures.}}

When Perceptor's science team were attacked in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots accompanied [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] in rescuing them. As Superion, they confronted a horde of Quintessons and drove them off. After Silverbolt disengaged their super mode, Air Raid still wanted to chase after the Quintessons, but Silverbolt reined him in. Air Raid chastised him for having no sense of adventure, to which Silverbolt retorted that was exactly why he was in charge. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

One lovely afternoon in space, Air Raid was playing cat-and-mouse with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Once he had finished his fun, Air Raid led the Decepticon duo into an asteroid field where his fellow Aerialbots were waiting to spring an ambush. The Aerialbots messed the Decepticons up pretty badly, especially after they transformed into Superion. Eventually, they chased the Decepticons through a strange warp in space. This proceeded to have no consequences for [[Sandstorm (G1)|anyone]] [[Paradron|whatsoever]]. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

[[Image:Airraidfightorflee.jpg|thumb|200px|left|I'll kill you, asteroid!]]Air Raid and the Aerialbots were spending a relaxing day watching home movies on [[Teletraan II]] when things suddenly got serious, as the Autobots' computer off-handedly informed them [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] was never destroyed in his last battle with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When they tracked Trypticon to his new staging grounds, Air Raid and the Aerialbots launched from [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], but the Decepticon presence in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] was more than they had anticipated. Still, Air Raid paid tribute to his leader Silverbolt by reciting his famous battle-cry, "Good-bye, cruel world!" He dipped his singed tailfins in the ocean and managed to make a hasty retreat with Broadside and his fellow Aerialbots. The Aerialbots soon returned with reinforcements and drove the Decepticons from Carbombya. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

During a battle in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots may or may not have been present. Superion, at least, was surely there on the planet [[Eurythma]]...sometimes. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

After [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] took some hostile fire over the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]], Rodimus Prime dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to investigate. They were caught in a crossfire between the brain-addled Junkions and the Quintessons, who were responsible for messing with the Junkions' air waves, and their minds. Even after becoming Superion, the Aerialbots took heavy fire and had to be brought back to [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] on Cybertron for repairs. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

On one occasion, Air Raid was buzzing too close to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during a battle on Earth, and the dinosaur city unleashed his full plasma breath. Air Raid's tail-fins were scorched and he had to set down in a small lake, but his sacrifice gave Silverbolt a chance to fly down Trypticon's throat now that his flame was temporarily used up. The Aerialbot leader was then able to cause serious internal damage to the giant Decepticon before flying back out again. And Air Raid ''totally'' planned it that way. No, really. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

During the Decepticon invasion of Japan, the Aerialbots fought against [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] when he tried to derail a bullet train full of passengers. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}} Sometime thereafter, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were recruited by Rodimus Prime to rescue the body of Optimus Prime from [[Gregory Swofford|Swofford]] and [[Mark Morgan|Morgan]]. Unfortunately, this only meant they were among the first Autobots exposed to the [[Hate Plague]]. Despite the madness induced by the red dust, the Aerialbots were apparently still willing to form Superion. Superion ran amok, causing serious property damage, infecting [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], and taking several other Autobots out of action. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

When the Decepticons invaded Cybertron searching for the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], the Aerialbots tried to stop them. Unfortunately, they didn't reckon with [[Sixshot]]. Flying heedlessly into battle, Air Raid was shot down first by the [[Six Changer]]'s siege tank mode. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] then took his [[power pack]] to use as fuel for the giant rocket engine they were constructing for [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
When the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] confronted Menasor at a baseball stadium, Air Raid and the Aerialbots arrived as back-up. They formed Superion to engage Menasor and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. After [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] was injured, Superion targeted the Decepticon combiners' legs, shaking them loose and giving the smaller Protectobots a chance to link up with the Decepticon gestalts and override control of their bodies. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}} After the Autobots discovered a utopia island paradise, it was besieged by Megatron and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who wanted to build an impregnable fortress. [[Kenji]] radioed for help, and Optimus Prime sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to the rescue. As Superion they fought off [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], using their smarts to outthink the evil warriors. As [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] cast a massive hologram of Metroplex, Air Raid detached from Superion to buzz around Trypticon's head, tricking him into charging at the not-quite-there Autobot. Instead of grappling with his foe, Tryppy tripped over a cliff into the waters below. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

====''Scramble City'' cartoon====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched from the [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to aid Optimus Prime in battle with the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their aerial firepower frankly overwhelmed the marauding Decepticons, and sent them home with their transistors between their struts. On his second attempt, Megatron sent the Stunticons, who were considerably more successful in engaging the Autobots. Damaged in jet modes, Air Raid the Aerialbots chose instead to merge and form Superion. As Superion, they possessed scramble combining abilities, but so did the Stunticons when they formed Menasor. The Aerialbots were in the midst of reconfiguring their limb formation when Fireflight, being... well, a daydreaming idiot, mixed up whether he was supposed to be the right leg or the left. His indecision gave Menasor time to shoot him down, and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] assumed the place of Superion's right leg instead, corrupting his programming. Air Raid and the others were trapped as Superion, literally fighting themselves, until Fireflight retook his place as Superion's limb. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

====''The Great Transformer War''====
In 2010, Galvatron kidnapped [[Dalton (G1)|Dalton]] of [[Eran]] to utilize his skills and improve the Decepticons' combiner technology. Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the Protectobots in assaulting Trypticon, in hopes of rescuing the hostage scientist. Air Raid and his team formed Superion for a first strike, but the Decepticon combiners countered with their deployment modes, launching the Stunticon and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] troops with enough force to tear Superion apart. The Protectobots stood guard over [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] as he performed battlefield triage on the Aerialbots in his repair bay mode, bringing them back on-line. Silverbolt then transformed into launcher mode and unleashed Air Raid and the other Aerialbots in their own scramble attack, blinding Menasor and Bruticus long enough for the Autobots to escape safely with Dalton. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were stationed at Autobot City on Earth in 2011. When Galvatron attacked Cybertron via the old [[space bridge]] network, the Aerialbots were summoned to Cybertron as reinforcements. They soon arrived with the [[Trainbot]]s and quickly joined the battle. Air Raid and his team formed Superion and battled [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and Devastator. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Later, the combined Aerialbots fought alongside [[Raiden]] and Defensor against the Decepticon combiners, and were nearly crushed when Bruticus collapsed a building on their position. They were bailed out by the arrival of the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] began his search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on Earth, Air Raid and the Aerialbots returned to the humans' planet to assist him. They confronted the Stunticons in the desert, pitting Superion against Menasor yet again. The battle was so fierce it eventually carried them to the Arctic where Hot Rod was searching. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Air Raid and his flying comrades joined the [[Triple Changer]]s in distracting the Decepticons long enough for [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] to sneak inside Trypticon and gather data on the [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}Sometime later, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were on a research vessel that passed near a [[Metamorphose|strange meteorite]]. The meteorite had been altered by Galvatron to produce magnetic warping waves whenever it detected metal, and so it sent the Aerialbots and their ship twisting through space. Although the Decepticons tried to intervene, the Autobots eventually recovered Air Raid and his injured colleagues. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Following a lengthy repair cycle, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were ready for action when Galvatron and the Decepticons laid siege to Cybertron one last time. Transporting to Cybertron from Earth, they raced into battle (on foot, for some reason). Air Raid and the team got the drop on the Stunticons when they merged into Superion, smashing and scattering the 'Cons before they could form Menasor. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} As the fighting continued, the Aerialbots battled Abominus as Superion and later separated to trade blaster fire with the Stunticons. The warring only came to an end once [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s bombs blew up [[Vector Sigma]] and annihilated the planet.{{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

When [[buridanka|a giant carnivorous plant]] attacked San Francisco, Ultra Magnus dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to combat it. Although they made frequent bombing runs on the organism, the Aerialbots were unable to stop it. Only the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] and his powerful giant [[Transtector]] brought an end to the creature's rampage. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots were part of a strike team that flew to the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to disrupt Scorponok's gathering of Decepticons. They immediately formed Superion upon entering the battle. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

When one of Scorponok's Death Towers emerged in Washington D.C., Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched to investigate it. As part of Superion, Air Raid participated in the Autobots final battle with Scorponok's Decepticons at the North Pole. He lent his energies to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]] to revitalize Fortress Maximus at the critical moment. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race—amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form. It was these visions which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[Image:Air raid aerialbots over america.jpg|left|200px|thumb]]
Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicons' electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Air Raid and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Air Raid proved to be the most effective of the new Aerialbots in battle. After his fellow jets took a few hits in battle with the Cybertronian [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], Air Raid singlehandedly shook their formation and tore up [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]'s nosecone with his torque rifle, giving the other Aerialbots time to regroup.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputted fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh...didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. It was only a lucky break that they were eventually freed. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

As [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again.

[[Image:Aerialbots buster marvel 50.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Sometime later, it was Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been prisoner to the Decepticons for nearly a year. This led the combined Autobot and Decepticon forces into battle with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had acquired the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]] for himself. The Aerialbots were his first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over New York City. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}

[[Image:Air raid mystery.jpg|thumb|left|200px|Problem?]]
''One dark and stormy night, Air Raid heard a commotion in the halls of Earthforce's makeshift shuttle base, and turned on the lights to fight [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] struggling with each other in the dark. The story was, Skydive had come by to relieve Wheeljack from guard duty, only to find the post abandoned and signs of a serious struggle in place of his comrade. There was a smoldering patch of ground, a hastily discarded blaster, and animal tracks all over. Thinking quickly, Skydive concluded that [[Fantasy Predacon|one]] of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] had entered the base and ambushed Wheeljack where he sat. He rushed back to the shuttle and found the door had been forced. Seeing a shadowy figure carrying a heavy burden in the dark, Skydive figured it for the Predacon carrying Wheeljack's remains and LEAPT into action!''

''As it turned out, Wheeljack had just overheated the makeshift heating unit he had brought out to keep warm. Getting tangled in the smoking heater, Wheeljack knocked over his own table and broke the lamp. The noise brought an angry polar bear over, and a frantic Wheeljack tore out of there carrying the still smoldering heater, forcing the door to the shuttle when he reached it. Then some NUT jumped him from out of nowhere!''

''Air Raid suggested everyone go to bed and forget the incident ever happened. The motion carried.'' {{storylink|Mystery!}}

''Air Raid was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Air Raid and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bat]]s at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through.'' {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}

{{note|Unlike the rest of Earthforce, the return of the Aerialbots (besides Silverbolt) was never explained on panel. Presumably, Wheeljack rebuilt them in the Bodyshop much like he did for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]].}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Air Raid and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] rushed to defend [[Autobot City]] from [[Quintesson]] invaders. Their crew was quickly overwhelmed, however, and so were the duo when they ran to get some more help.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Air Raid joined Silverbolt and Skydive in an assault on Hydrus Four, blasting open a medical center occupied by the Decepticons in order to rescue the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and prevent the resurrection of Megatron. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Air raid escalation.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
After the defeat of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe. Once Optimus Prime and Grimlock learned of the threat posed by the second generation [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian army]], though, the Autobot forces reconsolidated under their command. Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were first seen after the Autobots had retreated to an asteroid sanctuary for retraining. They were, um, outsmarted by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, he was rescued by the Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] in the skies over [[Ethos]] while battling [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Still, he managed to do a little better against the Cybertronians the second time around, popping jets out of the sky so that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] could, ah... greet them on the ground below. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
At some point in Cybertronian history, roughly around the time of the [[Dark Ages]], Air Raid and his Aerialbot comrades became a combiner subgroup, able to merge to form Superion. Because Superion and his fellow super-robots began causing too much sheer devastation during the war, however, the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]s were signed by the various factions, prohibiting the use of super-robots. Combiner sub-group members could either join different factions separately (like [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]) or remain together as a neutral, unaligned group (like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]). What Air Raid and the Aerialbots chose to do is unknown. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages}}

[[Image:PrimeDirective6_AirRaid_punches_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Who's the best F-15?? ME!]]

At some point in the late 20th century, Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' in defeating the Decepticons on Earth, only to be deactivated when the ''[[Ark II]]'' exploded in mid-air on its journey back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} In reality the ship was sabotaged by the rogue engineer-turned arms dealer Adam Rook, known as [[Lazarus]], and General [[Robert Hallo]], who planned on reprogramming the Transformers into the service of the United States military. The Aerialbots were some of the few Transformers who were not recovered by Lazarus for his reprogramming venture, now aimed at hiring out the Transformers to the highest bidder. Instead, they lay immobile in the Arctic waters until reactivated as Superion in 2002 by Optimus Prime, using the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

Air Raid and the Aerialbots in their Superion form, battled the Decepticons in the Northwest Territories of [[Canada]] {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} and again in [[San Francisco]]. However, during the initial skirmish, Superion was broken down into his individual components by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], and the Autobots watched in horror as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] hoisted Air Raid in his hand in triumph. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} When Megatron failed to convince Optimus Prime to join his cause, the Autobots were freed and proceeded to clobber the Decepticons, with Air Raid punched [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. However, the insane General Hallo betrayed the Autobots by launching a nuclear missile at San Francisco in the hopes of wiping out all the Transformers. Before Optimus Prime could stop them, the Aerialbots formed Superion and intercepted the missile, ramming it head-on. Superion, and by extension the Aerialbots, were destroyed in stopping the missile. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

The remains of Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were gathered up and studied by [[Earth Defense Command]]. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0|Generation One issue #0}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Airraid toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1986/1991)
**''Team ID number'': '''A5'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-54'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Torque rifle]]"

: Air Raid transforms from a black [[wikipedia:F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]. He can combine with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion, and as a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style limb toy, he can also combine with any Scramble City team leader, though his nominal position is as Superion's left leg.

: In Japan, the Aerialbots were all made available again as mail-away items during ''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. The smaller toys cost 1000 yen (120 more than their original retail price!) and 2 [[Robot Point|robot points]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Superion}}
*'''Superion''' (Gift set, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

: All five Aerialbots were also available in many markets as a gift set. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1994)
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Accessories'': "Torque Rifle"

: The first ''Generation 2'' Air Raid was a [[redeco]] of the original. His plane mode was primarily blue and featured stickers with a pattern reminiscent of the costume of a [[human]] [[Spider-Man|superhero]]. His robot mode was mostly white and silver .

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Generation 2 Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Cyberjet}}
[[Image:AirRaidCybJet-AeroRaid-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Cyberjet, 1995)
**''Accessories'': 2 air-to-air heat-seeking missiles

: Air Raid's second ''Generation 2'' appearance was a redeco of the [[Cyberjet]] [[Skyjack]], transforming into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk]]. He features a pressure-launch missile launcher that becomes his right arm in robot mode. His non-loaded missiles can be stored in clips on the undersides of his wings.

: This toy was sold in Japan without changes (though it did come with an extra decal sheet) as [[Aero Raid]]. This mold was also used to make the 2004 ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[#Universe (2003)|version of Air Raid]], and ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)#Toys|Robot Masters]]'' [[Delta Seeker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Cyberjet Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[Image:TFU03-toy AirRaidCyberjet.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
* '''Air Raid & Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Missile

: For the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the Cyberjet Air Raid was redecoed again and released in a two-pack with the [[Decepticon]] [[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] at the Deluxe price point. The lack of [[Bio|bios]] for ''Universe'' characters leaves open the possibility that this is not the original Air Raid. Then again, there's nothing that says it ''isn't'', either.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Universe 2003 Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, 2008)

: A redeco of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]'s ''Legends of Cybertron'' figure, Air Raid's colorscheme is based upon his ''Generation 2'' Cyberjet incarnation and was only available in a set with [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

: The packaging back mistakenly swaps Air Raid and Skydive's names.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUSkydive/skydive.htm More information on Legends Air Raid (mislabeled) at TFU.info]''

====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008 AirRaid.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I inexplicably resemble [[:Image:Energon_Starscream_toy.jpg|''Energon'' Starscream!]]]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 dual-barrel cannons, connector piece, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of Superion, this version of Air Raid is a dark grey and black [[redeco]] of [[Energon (toyline)|''Energon'']] [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]/[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], transforming into a small, futuristic fighter resembling an F-22 Raptor. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the left leg to Superion. He comes with two double-barreled guns and a connector piece, which can form hand-held weapons as well as become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:Air Raid was released, along with the others in this box set, in ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' (2008) packaging in Australia and Singapore, but was only released as Target-[[exclusive]] set in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging in North America. Thus, this toy doubles as [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] [[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]-[[exclusive]] [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], ''Universe'' [[Airazor (Universe)|Airazor]] and ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Airazor (ROTF)|Airazor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*The ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Air Raid/[[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] two-pack was initially listed under the name "Skyjack" in [[Walmart]] computers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Air Rider''' (エアライダー ''Ea Raidā'')
*''French:'' '''Bombardo''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Tornado'''
*''Russian:'' '''Naletchik''' (Налетчик, "Raider")

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Air_Raid Air Raid's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Cyberjets]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Air Raid (G1)

2011-10-02T22:31:00Z

74.56.81.97: /* Earthforce */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Air Raid}}
{{picsneeded|various anime}}

:''Air Raid is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] and later [[Cyberjet]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1AirRaid TFU.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Danger? HA! I laugh at danger! LAUGH, I TELL YOU!!!]]
Some might call '''Air Raid''' reckless, the way he dives out of nowhere, charging enemy units head on. Air Raid would laugh at that. A rash and fearless young warrior who loves surprises (especially those that leave his foes too stunned to fight back), he has only one real goal in life: to have fun. Needless to say his attitude puts him in a lot of danger, but you can be sure he's enjoying himself the whole time.

Air Raid combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Rob Paulsen]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Héctor Vieyra]] (Latin American)

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life and intellect, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthen jets, and bringing them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his tech-savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus' plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Like most of the Aerialbots, Air Raid was slow to learn the Autobots' ways. Overly impressed with the flying skills of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and his wingmen, the Aerialbots were easily lured onto a [[Kronosphere]] platform, and cast more than nine million years into the past. They had the opportunity to view Megatron's evil firsthand, as the early Decepticons deactivated their new friends [[Elita One|Ariel]], [[Dion]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]]. Air Raid and the others soon returned to the future with a newfound resolve to oppose the Decepticons' tyranny. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Air Raid led the Aerialbots in a flight around the Statue of Liberty, which the Autobots were gracefully coating with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new invention, [[Corrostop]], to prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were just as interested in Perceptor's work, and the Stunticons arrived to kidnap him. Air Raid and the others chased the Stunticons aboard [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] all the way back to the Decepticons' undersea base, but were driven off by the [[Lightning Bug]]. This impressive heat ray zapped Air Raid's missile in mid-flight, then tagged his tail for good measure. He was forced to sit there and smolder while giving his report to Optimus Prime before being allowed to pick up some replacement parts. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[Image:Airraidairassault.jpg|thumb|225px|left|Happybot!]]Air Raid was with the Aerialbots when they answered a distress call about a canyon cave-in, but the team soon discovered the call was a trap laid by the Combaticons. After taking out Slingshot the Combaticons claimed the upper hand, until the arrival of Autobot reinforcements changed their minds and the tide of battle. As the Combaticons retreated, Silverbolt held Air Raid back from pursuing the Combaticons in order to get his help in digging out Slingshot. After his recovery, Slingshot volunteered to be a decoy as part of Skydive’s plan to investigate a plane smuggling ring. Air Raid sarcastically told his fellow jets to enjoy their 'vacation' as he departed.

Returning later to assist Slingshot and Skydive, Air Raid and Silverbolt took on Vortex, Ramjet, Blast Off and a fleet of drone jets while under fire from the Combaticons and Megatron’s [[Giant Purple Griffin|purple griffin fortress]]. After the Combaticons formed Bruticus, Air Raid tried to distract the giant Decepticon from smacking Silverbolt, and got smacked himself instead. With the arrival of Fireflight, the Aerialbots combined into Superion and wrestled with Bruticus, then separated again. With a well-placed shot, they set an oil field ablaze and the resulting blast sent the defeated Decepticons and Bruticus flying into the sky.

[[Image:AirraidandaliassaultG1.jpg|thumb|225px|right|What!!! A fly in my energon soup?!]]

After regrouping in [[Jumal|Prince Jumal]]’s palace, Air Raid threatened some good old fashioned Autobot justice against captured Decepticon minion [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]], but Silverbolt said the Aerialbots should let Prince Jumal deal with his fellow human. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

After the death of Megatron and the retaking of Cybertron, Air Raid and the Aerialbots became part of the Autobot Fleet. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Spike were kidnapped to [[Quintessa]], the rescue party alerted the Aerialbots to swoop by for covering fire and pick-up. Air Raid and Skydive made the strafing run that took out the Quintessons' defensive proton cannon. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} When the Quintessons destroyed their own planet to get at the Autobots, the resulting blast wave destroyed the Aerialbots' ship, sending Air Raid and the rest hurtling through space. They eventually impacted on [[Goo 8739B]], and were rescued by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

{{Note|In the episode [[Dark Awakening]], several jets in the Autobot Fleet resembling the Aerialbots' alt modes were destroyed by the Quintessons. Repeatedly. Since the Aerialbots unquestionably survived the attack, it would seem their character models were merely used to build up the size of the fleet, and the casualty figures.}}

When Perceptor's science team were attacked in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots accompanied [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] in rescuing them. As Superion, they confronted a horde of Quintessons and drove them off. After Silverbolt disengaged their super mode, Air Raid still wanted to chase after the Quintessons, but Silverbolt reined him in. Air Raid chastised him for having no sense of adventure, to which Silverbolt retorted that was exactly why he was in charge. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

One lovely afternoon in space, Air Raid was playing cat-and-mouse with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Once he had finished his fun, Air Raid led the Decepticon duo into an asteroid field where his fellow Aerialbots were waiting to spring an ambush. The Aerialbots messed the Decepticons up pretty badly, especially after they transformed into Superion. Eventually, they chased the Decepticons through a strange warp in space. This proceeded to have no consequences for [[Sandstorm (G1)|anyone]] [[Paradron|whatsoever]]. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

[[Image:Airraidfightorflee.jpg|thumb|200px|left|I'll kill you, asteroid!]]Air Raid and the Aerialbots were spending a relaxing day watching home movies on [[Teletraan II]] when things suddenly got serious, as the Autobots' computer off-handedly informed them [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] was never destroyed in his last battle with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When they tracked Trypticon to his new staging grounds, Air Raid and the Aerialbots launched from [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], but the Decepticon presence in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] was more than they had anticipated. Still, Air Raid paid tribute to his leader Silverbolt by reciting his famous battle-cry, "Good-bye, cruel world!" He dipped his singed tailfins in the ocean and managed to make a hasty retreat with Broadside and his fellow Aerialbots. The Aerialbots soon returned with reinforcements and drove the Decepticons from Carbombya. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

During a battle in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots may or may not have been present. Superion, at least, was surely there on the planet [[Eurythma]]...sometimes. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

After [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] took some hostile fire over the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]], Rodimus Prime dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to investigate. They were caught in a crossfire between the brain-addled Junkions and the Quintessons, who were responsible for messing with the Junkions' air waves, and their minds. Even after becoming Superion, the Aerialbots took heavy fire and had to be brought back to [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] on Cybertron for repairs. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

On one occasion, Air Raid was buzzing too close to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during a battle on Earth, and the dinosaur city unleashed his full plasma breath. Air Raid's tail-fins were scorched and he had to set down in a small lake, but his sacrifice gave Silverbolt a chance to fly down Trypticon's throat now that his flame was temporarily used up. The Aerialbot leader was then able to cause serious internal damage to the giant Decepticon before flying back out again. And Air Raid ''totally'' planned it that way. No, really. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

During the Decepticon invasion of Japan, the Aerialbots fought against [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] when he tried to derail a bullet train full of passengers. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}} Sometime thereafter, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were recruited by Rodimus Prime to rescue the body of Optimus Prime from [[Gregory Swofford|Swofford]] and [[Mark Morgan|Morgan]]. Unfortunately, this only meant they were among the first Autobots exposed to the [[Hate Plague]]. Despite the madness induced by the red dust, the Aerialbots were apparently still willing to form Superion. Superion ran amok, causing serious property damage, infecting [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], and taking several other Autobots out of action. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

When the Decepticons invaded Cybertron searching for the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], the Aerialbots tried to stop them. Unfortunately, they didn't reckon with [[Sixshot]]. Flying heedlessly into battle, Air Raid was shot down first by the [[Six Changer]]'s siege tank mode. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] then took his [[power pack]] to use as fuel for the giant rocket engine they were constructing for [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
When the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] confronted Menasor at a baseball stadium, Air Raid and the Aerialbots arrived as back-up. They formed Superion to engage Menasor and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. After [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] was injured, Superion targeted the Decepticon combiners' legs, shaking them loose and giving the smaller Protectobots a chance to link up with the Decepticon gestalts and override control of their bodies. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}} After the Autobots discovered a utopia island paradise, it was besieged by Megatron and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who wanted to build an impregnable fortress. [[Kenji]] radioed for help, and Optimus Prime sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to the rescue. As Superion they fought off [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], using their smarts to outthink the evil warriors. As [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] cast a massive hologram of Metroplex, Air Raid detached from Superion to buzz around Trypticon's head, tricking him into charging at the not-quite-there Autobot. Instead of grappling with his foe, Tryppy tripped over a cliff into the waters below. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

====''Scramble City'' cartoon====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched from the [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to aid Optimus Prime in battle with the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their aerial firepower frankly overwhelmed the marauding Decepticons, and sent them home with their transistors between their struts. On his second attempt, Megatron sent the Stunticons, who were considerably more successful in engaging the Autobots. Damaged in jet modes, Air Raid the Aerialbots chose instead to merge and form Superion. As Superion, they possessed scramble combining abilities, but so did the Stunticons when they formed Menasor. The Aerialbots were in the midst of reconfiguring their limb formation when Fireflight, being... well, a daydreaming idiot, mixed up whether he was supposed to be the right leg or the left. His indecision gave Menasor time to shoot him down, and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] assumed the place of Superion's right leg instead, corrupting his programming. Air Raid and the others were trapped as Superion, literally fighting themselves, until Fireflight retook his place as Superion's limb. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

====''The Great Transformer War''====
In 2010, Galvatron kidnapped [[Dalton (G1)|Dalton]] of [[Eran]] to utilize his skills and improve the Decepticons' combiner technology. Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the Protectobots in assaulting Trypticon, in hopes of rescuing the hostage scientist. Air Raid and his team formed Superion for a first strike, but the Decepticon combiners countered with their deployment modes, launching the Stunticon and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] troops with enough force to tear Superion apart. The Protectobots stood guard over [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] as he performed battlefield triage on the Aerialbots in his repair bay mode, bringing them back on-line. Silverbolt then transformed into launcher mode and unleashed Air Raid and the other Aerialbots in their own scramble attack, blinding Menasor and Bruticus long enough for the Autobots to escape safely with Dalton. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were stationed at Autobot City on Earth in 2011. When Galvatron attacked Cybertron via the old [[space bridge]] network, the Aerialbots were summoned to Cybertron as reinforcements. They soon arrived with the [[Trainbot]]s and quickly joined the battle. Air Raid and his team formed Superion and battled [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and Devastator. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Later, the combined Aerialbots fought alongside [[Raiden]] and Defensor against the Decepticon combiners, and were nearly crushed when Bruticus collapsed a building on their position. They were bailed out by the arrival of the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] began his search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on Earth, Air Raid and the Aerialbots returned to the humans' planet to assist him. They confronted the Stunticons in the desert, pitting Superion against Menasor yet again. The battle was so fierce it eventually carried them to the Arctic where Hot Rod was searching. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Air Raid and his flying comrades joined the [[Triple Changer]]s in distracting the Decepticons long enough for [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] to sneak inside Trypticon and gather data on the [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}Sometime later, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were on a research vessel that passed near a [[Metamorphose|strange meteorite]]. The meteorite had been altered by Galvatron to produce magnetic warping waves whenever it detected metal, and so it sent the Aerialbots and their ship twisting through space. Although the Decepticons tried to intervene, the Autobots eventually recovered Air Raid and his injured colleagues. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Following a lengthy repair cycle, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were ready for action when Galvatron and the Decepticons laid siege to Cybertron one last time. Transporting to Cybertron from Earth, they raced into battle (on foot, for some reason). Air Raid and the team got the drop on the Stunticons when they merged into Superion, smashing and scattering the 'Cons before they could form Menasor. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} As the fighting continued, the Aerialbots battled Abominus as Superion and later separated to trade blaster fire with the Stunticons. The warring only came to an end once [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s bombs blew up [[Vector Sigma]] and annihilated the planet.{{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

When [[buridanka|a giant carnivorous plant]] attacked San Francisco, Ultra Magnus dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to combat it. Although they made frequent bombing runs on the organism, the Aerialbots were unable to stop it. Only the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] and his powerful giant [[Transtector]] brought an end to the creature's rampage. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots were part of a strike team that flew to the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to disrupt Scorponok's gathering of Decepticons. They immediately formed Superion upon entering the battle. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

When one of Scorponok's Death Towers emerged in Washington D.C., Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched to investigate it. As part of Superion, Air Raid participated in the Autobots final battle with Scorponok's Decepticons at the North Pole. He lent his energies to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]] to revitalize Fortress Maximus at the critical moment. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race—amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form. It was these visions which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[Image:Air raid aerialbots over america.jpg|left|200px|thumb]]
Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicons' electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Air Raid and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Air Raid proved to be the most effective of the new Aerialbots in battle. After his fellow jets took a few hits in battle with the Cybertronian [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], Air Raid singlehandedly shook their formation and tore up [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]'s nosecone with his torque rifle, giving the other Aerialbots time to regroup.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputted fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh...didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. It was only a lucky break that they were eventually freed. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

As [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again.

[[Image:Aerialbots buster marvel 50.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Sometime later, it was Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been prisoner to the Decepticons for nearly a year. This led the combined Autobot and Decepticon forces into battle with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had acquired the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]] for himself. The Aerialbots were his first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over New York City. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}

[[Image:Air raid mystery.jpg|thumb|left|200px]]
''One dark and stormy night, Air Raid heard a commotion in the halls of Earthforce's makeshift shuttle base, and turned on the lights to fight [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] struggling with each other in the dark. The story was, Skydive had come by to relieve Wheeljack from guard duty, only to find the post abandoned and signs of a serious struggle in place of his comrade. There was a smoldering patch of ground, a hastily discarded blaster, and animal tracks all over. Thinking quickly, Skydive concluded that [[Fantasy Predacon|one]] of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] had entered the base and ambushed Wheeljack where he sat. He rushed back to the shuttle and found the door had been forced. Seeing a shadowy figure carrying a heavy burden in the dark, Skydive figured it for the Predacon carrying Wheeljack's remains and LEAPT into action!''

''As it turned out, Wheeljack had just overheated the makeshift heating unit he had brought out to keep warm. Getting tangled in the smoking heater, Wheeljack knocked over his own table and broke the lamp. The noise brought an angry polar bear over, and a frantic Wheeljack tore out of there carrying the still smoldering heater, forcing the door to the shuttle when he reached it. Then some NUT jumped him from out of nowhere!''

''Air Raid suggested everyone go to bed and forget the incident ever happened. The motion carried.'' {{storylink|Mystery!}}

''Air Raid was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Air Raid and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bat]]s at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through.'' {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}

{{note|Unlike the rest of Earthforce, the return of the Aerialbots (besides Silverbolt) was never explained on panel. Presumably, Wheeljack rebuilt them in the Bodyshop much like he did for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]].}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Air Raid and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] rushed to defend [[Autobot City]] from [[Quintesson]] invaders. Their crew was quickly overwhelmed, however, and so were the duo when they ran to get some more help.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Air Raid joined Silverbolt and Skydive in an assault on Hydrus Four, blasting open a medical center occupied by the Decepticons in order to rescue the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and prevent the resurrection of Megatron. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Air raid escalation.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
After the defeat of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe. Once Optimus Prime and Grimlock learned of the threat posed by the second generation [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian army]], though, the Autobot forces reconsolidated under their command. Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were first seen after the Autobots had retreated to an asteroid sanctuary for retraining. They were, um, outsmarted by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, he was rescued by the Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] in the skies over [[Ethos]] while battling [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Still, he managed to do a little better against the Cybertronians the second time around, popping jets out of the sky so that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] could, ah... greet them on the ground below. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
At some point in Cybertronian history, roughly around the time of the [[Dark Ages]], Air Raid and his Aerialbot comrades became a combiner subgroup, able to merge to form Superion. Because Superion and his fellow super-robots began causing too much sheer devastation during the war, however, the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]s were signed by the various factions, prohibiting the use of super-robots. Combiner sub-group members could either join different factions separately (like [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]) or remain together as a neutral, unaligned group (like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]). What Air Raid and the Aerialbots chose to do is unknown. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages}}

[[Image:PrimeDirective6_AirRaid_punches_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Who's the best F-15?? ME!]]

At some point in the late 20th century, Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' in defeating the Decepticons on Earth, only to be deactivated when the ''[[Ark II]]'' exploded in mid-air on its journey back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} In reality the ship was sabotaged by the rogue engineer-turned arms dealer Adam Rook, known as [[Lazarus]], and General [[Robert Hallo]], who planned on reprogramming the Transformers into the service of the United States military. The Aerialbots were some of the few Transformers who were not recovered by Lazarus for his reprogramming venture, now aimed at hiring out the Transformers to the highest bidder. Instead, they lay immobile in the Arctic waters until reactivated as Superion in 2002 by Optimus Prime, using the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

Air Raid and the Aerialbots in their Superion form, battled the Decepticons in the Northwest Territories of [[Canada]] {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} and again in [[San Francisco]]. However, during the initial skirmish, Superion was broken down into his individual components by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], and the Autobots watched in horror as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] hoisted Air Raid in his hand in triumph. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} When Megatron failed to convince Optimus Prime to join his cause, the Autobots were freed and proceeded to clobber the Decepticons, with Air Raid punched [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. However, the insane General Hallo betrayed the Autobots by launching a nuclear missile at San Francisco in the hopes of wiping out all the Transformers. Before Optimus Prime could stop them, the Aerialbots formed Superion and intercepted the missile, ramming it head-on. Superion, and by extension the Aerialbots, were destroyed in stopping the missile. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

The remains of Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were gathered up and studied by [[Earth Defense Command]]. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0|Generation One issue #0}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Airraid toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1986/1991)
**''Team ID number'': '''A5'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-54'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Torque rifle]]"

: Air Raid transforms from a black [[wikipedia:F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]. He can combine with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion, and as a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style limb toy, he can also combine with any Scramble City team leader, though his nominal position is as Superion's left leg.

: In Japan, the Aerialbots were all made available again as mail-away items during ''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. The smaller toys cost 1000 yen (120 more than their original retail price!) and 2 [[Robot Point|robot points]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Superion}}
*'''Superion''' (Gift set, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

: All five Aerialbots were also available in many markets as a gift set. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1994)
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Accessories'': "Torque Rifle"

: The first ''Generation 2'' Air Raid was a [[redeco]] of the original. His plane mode was primarily blue and featured stickers with a pattern reminiscent of the costume of a [[human]] [[Spider-Man|superhero]]. His robot mode was mostly white and silver .

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Generation 2 Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Cyberjet}}
[[Image:AirRaidCybJet-AeroRaid-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Cyberjet, 1995)
**''Accessories'': 2 air-to-air heat-seeking missiles

: Air Raid's second ''Generation 2'' appearance was a redeco of the [[Cyberjet]] [[Skyjack]], transforming into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk]]. He features a pressure-launch missile launcher that becomes his right arm in robot mode. His non-loaded missiles can be stored in clips on the undersides of his wings.

: This toy was sold in Japan without changes (though it did come with an extra decal sheet) as [[Aero Raid]]. This mold was also used to make the 2004 ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[#Universe (2003)|version of Air Raid]], and ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)#Toys|Robot Masters]]'' [[Delta Seeker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Cyberjet Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[Image:TFU03-toy AirRaidCyberjet.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
* '''Air Raid & Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Missile

: For the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the Cyberjet Air Raid was redecoed again and released in a two-pack with the [[Decepticon]] [[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] at the Deluxe price point. The lack of [[Bio|bios]] for ''Universe'' characters leaves open the possibility that this is not the original Air Raid. Then again, there's nothing that says it ''isn't'', either.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Universe 2003 Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, 2008)

: A redeco of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]'s ''Legends of Cybertron'' figure, Air Raid's colorscheme is based upon his ''Generation 2'' Cyberjet incarnation and was only available in a set with [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

: The packaging back mistakenly swaps Air Raid and Skydive's names.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUSkydive/skydive.htm More information on Legends Air Raid (mislabeled) at TFU.info]''

====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008 AirRaid.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I inexplicably resemble [[:Image:Energon_Starscream_toy.jpg|''Energon'' Starscream!]]]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 dual-barrel cannons, connector piece, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of Superion, this version of Air Raid is a dark grey and black [[redeco]] of [[Energon (toyline)|''Energon'']] [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]/[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], transforming into a small, futuristic fighter resembling an F-22 Raptor. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the left leg to Superion. He comes with two double-barreled guns and a connector piece, which can form hand-held weapons as well as become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:Air Raid was released, along with the others in this box set, in ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' (2008) packaging in Australia and Singapore, but was only released as Target-[[exclusive]] set in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging in North America. Thus, this toy doubles as [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] [[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]-[[exclusive]] [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], ''Universe'' [[Airazor (Universe)|Airazor]] and ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Airazor (ROTF)|Airazor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*The ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Air Raid/[[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] two-pack was initially listed under the name "Skyjack" in [[Walmart]] computers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Air Rider''' (エアライダー ''Ea Raidā'')
*''French:'' '''Bombardo''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Tornado'''
*''Russian:'' '''Naletchik''' (Налетчик, "Raider")

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Air_Raid Air Raid's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Cyberjets]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]

Air Raid (G1)

2011-10-02T22:29:53Z

74.56.81.97: /* Earthforce */

{{factions|autobot|autobotg2}}
{{disambig3|Air Raid}}
{{picsneeded|various anime}}

:''Air Raid is an [[Autobot]] [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbot]] and later [[Cyberjet]] from the [[Generation 1 (franchise)|Generation 1]] [[continuity family]].''

[[Image:G1AirRaid TFU.jpg|right|250px|thumb|Danger? HA! I laugh at danger! LAUGH, I TELL YOU!!!]]
Some might call '''Air Raid''' reckless, the way he dives out of nowhere, charging enemy units head on. Air Raid would laugh at that. A rash and fearless young warrior who loves surprises (especially those that leave his foes too stunned to fight back), he has only one real goal in life: to have fun. Needless to say his attitude puts him in a lot of danger, but you can be sure he's enjoying himself the whole time.

Air Raid combines with his fellow [[Aerialbot (G1)|Aerialbots]] to form [[Superion (G1)|Superion]].

==Fiction==
===Cartoon continuity===
====''The Transformers'' cartoon====
:''Voice actor:'' [[Rob Paulsen]] (English), [[Kenyū Horiuchi]] (Japanese), [[Héctor Vieyra]] (Latin American)

At one point during the eternal war with the Autobots on Earth, [[Megatron (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Megatron]] grew fed up with how his opponents ruled the roads and created a group of Decepticon cars known as the [[Stunticon (G1)|Stunticons]]. In order to give his new warriors life and intellect, he brought them to Cybertron and tracked down the ancient supercomputer, [[Vector Sigma]], to input cybernetic personalities into the Stunticons. Thanks to a series of traps and drones in their way, the Autobots failed to prevent Megatron from succeeding and returning to Earth. Seeking to even the playing field, [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Optimus Prime]] conceived of the idea of retrofitting several broken-down Cybertronian ships into Earthen jets, and bringing them to life as a team of Autobot flyers. With the help of his tech-savvy soldiers, [[Hoist (G1)|Hoist]], Wheeljack, [[Ratchet (G1)|Ratchet]], and Prime's own creator, [[Alpha Trion (G1)|Alpha Trion]], Optimus' plan was enacted and the Aerialbots were born. {{storylink|The Key to Vector Sigma, Part 2}}

Like most of the Aerialbots, Air Raid was slow to learn the Autobots' ways. Overly impressed with the flying skills of [[Starscream (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Starscream]] and his wingmen, the Aerialbots were easily lured onto a [[Kronosphere]] platform, and cast more than nine million years into the past. They had the opportunity to view Megatron's evil firsthand, as the early Decepticons deactivated their new friends [[Elita One|Ariel]], [[Dion]] and [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Orion Pax]]. Air Raid and the others soon returned to the future with a newfound resolve to oppose the Decepticons' tyranny. {{storylink|War Dawn}}

Air Raid led the Aerialbots in a flight around the Statue of Liberty, which the Autobots were gracefully coating with [[Perceptor (G1)|Perceptor]]'s new invention, [[Corrostop]], to prevent corrosion. Unfortunately, the Decepticons were just as interested in Perceptor's work, and the Stunticons arrived to kidnap him. Air Raid and the others chased the Stunticons aboard [[Blitzwing (G1)|Blitzwing]] all the way back to the Decepticons' undersea base, but were driven off by the [[Lightning Bug]]. This impressive heat ray zapped Air Raid's missile in mid-flight, then tagged his tail for good measure. He was forced to sit there and smolder while giving his report to Optimus Prime before being allowed to pick up some replacement parts. {{storylink|Cosmic Rust (episode)|Cosmic Rust}}

[[Image:Airraidairassault.jpg|thumb|225px|left|Happybot!]]Air Raid was with the Aerialbots when they answered a distress call about a canyon cave-in, but the team soon discovered the call was a trap laid by the Combaticons. After taking out Slingshot the Combaticons claimed the upper hand, until the arrival of Autobot reinforcements changed their minds and the tide of battle. As the Combaticons retreated, Silverbolt held Air Raid back from pursuing the Combaticons in order to get his help in digging out Slingshot. After his recovery, Slingshot volunteered to be a decoy as part of Skydive’s plan to investigate a plane smuggling ring. Air Raid sarcastically told his fellow jets to enjoy their 'vacation' as he departed.

Returning later to assist Slingshot and Skydive, Air Raid and Silverbolt took on Vortex, Ramjet, Blast Off and a fleet of drone jets while under fire from the Combaticons and Megatron’s [[Giant Purple Griffin|purple griffin fortress]]. After the Combaticons formed Bruticus, Air Raid tried to distract the giant Decepticon from smacking Silverbolt, and got smacked himself instead. With the arrival of Fireflight, the Aerialbots combined into Superion and wrestled with Bruticus, then separated again. With a well-placed shot, they set an oil field ablaze and the resulting blast sent the defeated Decepticons and Bruticus flying into the sky.

[[Image:AirraidandaliassaultG1.jpg|thumb|225px|right|What!!! A fly in my energon soup?!]]

After regrouping in [[Jumal|Prince Jumal]]’s palace, Air Raid threatened some good old fashioned Autobot justice against captured Decepticon minion [[Ali (Sunbow)|Ali]], but Silverbolt said the Aerialbots should let Prince Jumal deal with his fellow human. {{storylink|Aerial Assault}}

After the death of Megatron and the retaking of Cybertron, Air Raid and the Aerialbots became part of the Autobot Fleet. When [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]], [[Kup (G1)|Kup]] and Spike were kidnapped to [[Quintessa]], the rescue party alerted the Aerialbots to swoop by for covering fire and pick-up. Air Raid and Skydive made the strafing run that took out the Quintessons' defensive proton cannon. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 2}} When the Quintessons destroyed their own planet to get at the Autobots, the resulting blast wave destroyed the Aerialbots' ship, sending Air Raid and the rest hurtling through space. They eventually impacted on [[Goo 8739B]], and were rescued by [[Wreck-Gar (G1)|Wreck-Gar]] and the [[Junkion (species)|Junkions]]. {{storylink|Five Faces of Darkness, Part 3}}

{{Note|In the episode [[Dark Awakening]], several jets in the Autobot Fleet resembling the Aerialbots' alt modes were destroyed by the Quintessons. Repeatedly. Since the Aerialbots unquestionably survived the attack, it would seem their character models were merely used to build up the size of the fleet, and the casualty figures.}}

When Perceptor's science team were attacked in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots accompanied [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Rodimus Prime]] in rescuing them. As Superion, they confronted a horde of Quintessons and drove them off. After Silverbolt disengaged their super mode, Air Raid still wanted to chase after the Quintessons, but Silverbolt reined him in. Air Raid chastised him for having no sense of adventure, to which Silverbolt retorted that was exactly why he was in charge. {{storylink|Forever Is a Long Time Coming}}

One lovely afternoon in space, Air Raid was playing cat-and-mouse with [[Scourge (G1)|Scourge]] and [[Cyclonus (G1)|Cyclonus]]. Once he had finished his fun, Air Raid led the Decepticon duo into an asteroid field where his fellow Aerialbots were waiting to spring an ambush. The Aerialbots messed the Decepticons up pretty badly, especially after they transformed into Superion. Eventually, they chased the Decepticons through a strange warp in space. This proceeded to have no consequences for [[Sandstorm (G1)|anyone]] [[Paradron|whatsoever]]. {{storylink|Fight or Flee}}

[[Image:Airraidfightorflee.jpg|thumb|200px|left|I'll kill you, asteroid!]]Air Raid and the Aerialbots were spending a relaxing day watching home movies on [[Teletraan II]] when things suddenly got serious, as the Autobots' computer off-handedly informed them [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] was never destroyed in his last battle with [[Metroplex (G1)|Metroplex]]. When they tracked Trypticon to his new staging grounds, Air Raid and the Aerialbots launched from [[Broadside (G1)|Broadside]], but the Decepticon presence in [[Socialist Democratic Federated Republic of Carbombya|Carbombya]] was more than they had anticipated. Still, Air Raid paid tribute to his leader Silverbolt by reciting his famous battle-cry, "Good-bye, cruel world!" He dipped his singed tailfins in the ocean and managed to make a hasty retreat with Broadside and his fellow Aerialbots. The Aerialbots soon returned with reinforcements and drove the Decepticons from Carbombya. {{storylink|Thief in the Night}}

During a battle in space, Air Raid and the Aerialbots may or may not have been present. Superion, at least, was surely there on the planet [[Eurythma]]...sometimes. {{storylink|Carnage in C-Minor}}

After [[Sky Lynx (G1)|Sky Lynx]] took some hostile fire over the [[Junkion (planet)|planet of Junk]], Rodimus Prime dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to investigate. They were caught in a crossfire between the brain-addled Junkions and the Quintessons, who were responsible for messing with the Junkions' air waves, and their minds. Even after becoming Superion, the Aerialbots took heavy fire and had to be brought back to [[First Aid (G1)|First Aid]] on Cybertron for repairs. {{storylink|The Big Broadcast of 2006 (episode)|The Big Broadcast of 2006}}

On one occasion, Air Raid was buzzing too close to [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]] during a battle on Earth, and the dinosaur city unleashed his full plasma breath. Air Raid's tail-fins were scorched and he had to set down in a small lake, but his sacrifice gave Silverbolt a chance to fly down Trypticon's throat now that his flame was temporarily used up. The Aerialbot leader was then able to cause serious internal damage to the giant Decepticon before flying back out again. And Air Raid ''totally'' planned it that way. No, really. {{storylink|The Ultimate Weapon}}

During the Decepticon invasion of Japan, the Aerialbots fought against [[Astrotrain (G1)|Astrotrain]] when he tried to derail a bullet train full of passengers. {{storylink|The Burden Hardest to Bear}} Sometime thereafter, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were recruited by Rodimus Prime to rescue the body of Optimus Prime from [[Gregory Swofford|Swofford]] and [[Mark Morgan|Morgan]]. Unfortunately, this only meant they were among the first Autobots exposed to the [[Hate Plague]]. Despite the madness induced by the red dust, the Aerialbots were apparently still willing to form Superion. Superion ran amok, causing serious property damage, infecting [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]], and taking several other Autobots out of action. {{storylink|The Return of Optimus Prime, Part 1}}

When the Decepticons invaded Cybertron searching for the [[Plasma energy|Plasma Energy Chamber]], the Aerialbots tried to stop them. Unfortunately, they didn't reckon with [[Sixshot]]. Flying heedlessly into battle, Air Raid was shot down first by the [[Six Changer]]'s siege tank mode. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 1}} The [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticons]] then took his [[power pack]] to use as fuel for the giant rocket engine they were constructing for [[Galvatron (G1)|Galvatron]]. {{storylink|The Rebirth, Part 3}}

====''Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers'' comic====
When the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]] confronted Menasor at a baseball stadium, Air Raid and the Aerialbots arrived as back-up. They formed Superion to engage Menasor and [[Bruticus (G1)|Bruticus]]. After [[Defensor (G1)|Defensor]] was injured, Superion targeted the Decepticon combiners' legs, shaking them loose and giving the smaller Protectobots a chance to link up with the Decepticon gestalts and override control of their bodies. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 5|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #5}} After the Autobots discovered a utopia island paradise, it was besieged by Megatron and the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]], who wanted to build an impregnable fortress. [[Kenji]] radioed for help, and Optimus Prime sent Air Raid and the Aerialbots to the rescue. As Superion they fought off [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] and [[Trypticon (G1)|Trypticon]], using their smarts to outthink the evil warriors. As [[Hound (G1)|Hound]] cast a massive hologram of Metroplex, Air Raid detached from Superion to buzz around Trypticon's head, tricking him into charging at the not-quite-there Autobot. Instead of grappling with his foe, Tryppy tripped over a cliff into the waters below. {{storylink|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers issue 6|Fight! Super Robot Lifeform Transformers #6}}

====''Scramble City'' cartoon====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched from the [[Metroplex (G1)|Scramble City]] project by [[Ultra Magnus (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Ultra Magnus]] to aid Optimus Prime in battle with the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]] and [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]]. Their aerial firepower frankly overwhelmed the marauding Decepticons, and sent them home with their transistors between their struts. On his second attempt, Megatron sent the Stunticons, who were considerably more successful in engaging the Autobots. Damaged in jet modes, Air Raid the Aerialbots chose instead to merge and form Superion. As Superion, they possessed scramble combining abilities, but so did the Stunticons when they formed Menasor. The Aerialbots were in the midst of reconfiguring their limb formation when Fireflight, being... well, a daydreaming idiot, mixed up whether he was supposed to be the right leg or the left. His indecision gave Menasor time to shoot him down, and [[Wildrider (G1)|Wildrider]] assumed the place of Superion's right leg instead, corrupting his programming. Air Raid and the others were trapped as Superion, literally fighting themselves, until Fireflight retook his place as Superion's limb. {{storylink|Scramble City: Mobilization}}

====''The Great Transformer War''====
In 2010, Galvatron kidnapped [[Dalton (G1)|Dalton]] of [[Eran]] to utilize his skills and improve the Decepticons' combiner technology. Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the Protectobots in assaulting Trypticon, in hopes of rescuing the hostage scientist. Air Raid and his team formed Superion for a first strike, but the Decepticon combiners countered with their deployment modes, launching the Stunticon and [[Combaticon (G1)|Combaticon]] troops with enough force to tear Superion apart. The Protectobots stood guard over [[Hot Spot (G1)|Hot Spot]] as he performed battlefield triage on the Aerialbots in his repair bay mode, bringing them back on-line. Silverbolt then transformed into launcher mode and unleashed Air Raid and the other Aerialbots in their own scramble attack, blinding Menasor and Bruticus long enough for the Autobots to escape safely with Dalton. {{storylink|The Great Transformer War issue 1|The Great Transformer War #1}}

====''The Headmasters'' cartoon====
Air Raid and the Aerialbots were stationed at Autobot City on Earth in 2011. When Galvatron attacked Cybertron via the old [[space bridge]] network, the Aerialbots were summoned to Cybertron as reinforcements. They soon arrived with the [[Trainbot]]s and quickly joined the battle. Air Raid and his team formed Superion and battled [[Abominus (G1)|Abominus]] and Devastator. {{storylink|Four Warriors Come out of the Sky}} Later, the combined Aerialbots fought alongside [[Raiden]] and Defensor against the Decepticon combiners, and were nearly crushed when Bruticus collapsed a building on their position. They were bailed out by the arrival of the [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Battleship Maximus]]. When [[Hot Rod (G1)/Generation 1 cartoon continuity|Hot Rod]] began his search for the [[Matrix of Leadership]] on Earth, Air Raid and the Aerialbots returned to the humans' planet to assist him. They confronted the Stunticons in the desert, pitting Superion against Menasor yet again. The battle was so fierce it eventually carried them to the Arctic where Hot Rod was searching. {{storylink|The Mystery of Planet Master}}

Air Raid and his flying comrades joined the [[Triple Changer]]s in distracting the Decepticons long enough for [[Blaster (G1)|Twincast]] to sneak inside Trypticon and gather data on the [[Madmachine]]. {{storylink|The Great Cassette Operation}}Sometime later, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were on a research vessel that passed near a [[Metamorphose|strange meteorite]]. The meteorite had been altered by Galvatron to produce magnetic warping waves whenever it detected metal, and so it sent the Aerialbots and their ship twisting through space. Although the Decepticons tried to intervene, the Autobots eventually recovered Air Raid and his injured colleagues. {{storylink|Approach of the Demon Meteorite}}

Following a lengthy repair cycle, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were ready for action when Galvatron and the Decepticons laid siege to Cybertron one last time. Transporting to Cybertron from Earth, they raced into battle (on foot, for some reason). Air Raid and the team got the drop on the Stunticons when they merged into Superion, smashing and scattering the 'Cons before they could form Menasor. {{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 1}} As the fighting continued, the Aerialbots battled Abominus as Superion and later separated to trade blaster fire with the Stunticons. The warring only came to an end once [[Scorponok (G1)|Scorponok]]'s bombs blew up [[Vector Sigma]] and annihilated the planet.{{storylink|Cybertron Is in Grave Danger, Part 2}}

When [[buridanka|a giant carnivorous plant]] attacked San Francisco, Ultra Magnus dispatched Air Raid and the Aerialbots to combat it. Although they made frequent bombing runs on the organism, the Aerialbots were unable to stop it. Only the arrival of [[Fortress Maximus (G1)|Fortress]] and his powerful giant [[Transtector]] brought an end to the creature's rampage. {{storylink|Head On!! Fortress Maximus}} Air Raid and the Aerialbots were part of a strike team that flew to the [[Moon (moon)|moon]] to disrupt Scorponok's gathering of Decepticons. They immediately formed Superion upon entering the battle. {{storylink|Return of the Immortal Emperor}}

When one of Scorponok's Death Towers emerged in Washington D.C., Air Raid and the Aerialbots were dispatched to investigate it. As part of Superion, Air Raid participated in the Autobots final battle with Scorponok's Decepticons at the North Pole. He lent his energies to the Headmasters' [[Head Formation]] to revitalize Fortress Maximus at the critical moment. {{storylink|The Final Showdown on Earth (Part 2)}}

===Marvel Comics continuity===
====Generation 1====
{{noteukonly}}
''Thanks to his previous connection to the [[Matrix of Leadership|Creation Matrix]], [[Buster Witwicky (G1)|Buster Witwicky]] began experiencing dreams and visions of new Transformers, beginning with an etching of Superion he made without even being consciously aware of it.'' {{storylink|Devastation Derby!}} ''By sharing his visions with [[Optimus Prime (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Optimus Prime]], Buster was able to clarify the images and understand the future of the evolution of the Cybertronian race—amalgam model robots like the [[Constructicon (G1)|Constructicons]]' [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]], capable of a more-streamlined merging into a more powerful form. It was these visions which allowed Optimus Prime and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] to conceive of and construct the Aerialbots.'' {{storylink|Second Generation!}}

[[Image:Air raid aerialbots over america.jpg|left|200px|thumb]]
Working on a plan to reverse engineer the gestalt technology the Decepticons used to create Devastator, Optimus Prime and the Autobots staged a daring raid on the Decepticon base of operations, giving [[Bumblebee (G1)|Bumblebee]] enough time to digitally record the Constructicons' electrical transformation pattern for study. {{storylink|Command Performances!}} Working off that blueprint, Wheeljack successfully created Air Raid and the Aerialbots. During the new warriors' testing phase, however, the Autobots were alerted to a Decepticon operation at Hoover Dam. Only the Aerialbots were fast enough to reach the location in time, and so Prime was forced to send them into battle before their programming was completed.

Air Raid proved to be the most effective of the new Aerialbots in battle. After his fellow jets took a few hits in battle with the Cybertronian [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], Air Raid singlehandedly shook their formation and tore up [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]]'s nosecone with his torque rifle, giving the other Aerialbots time to regroup.

The Aerialbots eventually turned the tide on the Decepticons and drove them off, giving them time to focus on the energy siphon which was the core of the problem. At Silverbolt's command, they merged into Superion and began dismantling the drill device. A problem arose, however, when [[Bombshell (G1)|Bombshell]]'s [[cerebro-shell]] controlled pawn [[Ricky Vasquez]] pointed [[Megatron (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Megatron]] (in his gun mode) at the giant Autobot. Because the majority of the Aerialbots were not programmed specifically to protect human life, Superion only saw a potential threat that needed to be eliminated. As the human fought against the Decepticons' control, Silverbolt too fought inside Superion's gestalt mind to protect the human. In the end, Silverbolt was forced to disengage Superion to keep him from destroying the human. Luckily, Ricky was more successful and managed to break the cerebro-shell's hold long enough to point Megatron at the drill and destroy it, ending the threat. {{storylink|Aerialbots over America!}}

After the near disaster at Hoover Dam, Optimus Prime had the Aerialbots shut down and their programming completely erased. Returned to a blank slate, he then inputted fully-programmed personalities for them with the Matrix before their next mission. It, uh...didn't help. In battle with [[Menasor (G1)|Menasor]] as Superion, the Aerialbots were attacked by [[Circuit Breaker]], deactivated, and captured by [[Rapid Anti-robot Assault Team|RAAT]]. It was only a lucky break that they were eventually freed. {{storylink|Heavy Traffic!}}

As [[Grimlock (G1)/Marvel Comics continuity|Grimlock]] took over the Autobots, Air Raid and the other Aerialbots took an extended leave of absence from the war, since the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobot]] commander focused Autobot resources on repairing their fallen comrades and prepping the Ark to become spaceworthy again.

[[Image:Aerialbots buster marvel 50.jpg|right|200px|thumb|]]
Sometime later, it was Air Raid, [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], and [[Fireflight (G1)|Fireflight]] who were the first to respond to a distress call from Buster Witwicky, the Autobots' old human ally who had been prisoner to the Decepticons for nearly a year. This led the combined Autobot and Decepticon forces into battle with [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]], who had acquired the nigh-infinite power of the [[Underbase]] for himself. The Aerialbots were his first victims, wiped out in a single blast of cosmic power in the skies over New York City. {{storylink|Dark Star (issue)|Dark Star}}

Along with the other deactivated Autobots aboard the Ark, Air Raid and the Aerialbots were eventually revived by the [[Nucleon]] super-energy Grimlock and the Dinobots recovered from [[Hydrus Four]].

=====Earthforce=====
{{earthforcefiction}}

[[Image:Air raid mystery.jpg|thumb|left|200px]Problem?]
''One dark and stormy night, Air Raid heard a commotion in the halls of Earthforce's makeshift shuttle base, and turned on the lights to fight [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]] and [[Wheeljack (G1)|Wheeljack]] struggling with each other in the dark. The story was, Skydive had come by to relieve Wheeljack from guard duty, only to find the post abandoned and signs of a serious struggle in place of his comrade. There was a smoldering patch of ground, a hastily discarded blaster, and animal tracks all over. Thinking quickly, Skydive concluded that [[Fantasy Predacon|one]] of the [[Predacon (G1)|Predacons]] had entered the base and ambushed Wheeljack where he sat. He rushed back to the shuttle and found the door had been forced. Seeing a shadowy figure carrying a heavy burden in the dark, Skydive figured it for the Predacon carrying Wheeljack's remains and LEAPT into action!''

''As it turned out, Wheeljack had just overheated the makeshift heating unit he had brought out to keep warm. Getting tangled in the smoking heater, Wheeljack knocked over his own table and broke the lamp. The noise brought an angry polar bear over, and a frantic Wheeljack tore out of there carrying the still smoldering heater, forcing the door to the shuttle when he reached it. Then some NUT jumped him from out of nowhere!''

''Air Raid suggested everyone go to bed and forget the incident ever happened. The motion carried.'' {{storylink|Mystery!}}

''Air Raid was present with the entire Earthforce team outside Autobot Earthbase when Wheeljack unveiled his brand-new unbreachable defensive system. This was unfortunate, as Wheeljack had forgotten that, once activated, the system could only be turned off from the inside. [[Prowl (G1)|Prowl]] elected to run the gauntlet and reach the shutdown console inside, and the Aerialbots provided air support for him. Air Raid and his buddies gunned down the [[Acid Bat]]s at the entryway, giving Prowl his chance to get through.'' {{storylink|The House that Wheeljack Built!}}

{{note|Unlike the rest of Earthforce, the return of the Aerialbots (besides Silverbolt) was never explained on panel. Presumably, Wheeljack rebuilt them in the Bodyshop much like he did for [[Tracks (G1)|Tracks]].}}

=====Marvel UK future timelines=====
''In 2008, Air Raid and [[Beachcomber (G1)|Beachcomber]] rushed to defend [[Autobot City]] from [[Quintesson]] invaders. Their crew was quickly overwhelmed, however, and so were the duo when they ran to get some more help.'' {{storylink|Space Pirates!}}

=====''Another Time and Place''=====
Air Raid joined Silverbolt and Skydive in an assault on Hydrus Four, blasting open a medical center occupied by the Decepticons in order to rescue the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] and prevent the resurrection of Megatron. {{storylink|Another Time and Place}}

====Generation 2====
[[Image:Air raid escalation.jpg|thumb|right|200px]]
After the defeat of [[Bludgeon (G1)|Bludgeon]] and his Decepticons on [[Klo]], the Autobots split into smaller combat units throughout the universe. Once Optimus Prime and Grimlock learned of the threat posed by the second generation [[Cybertronian (faction)|Cybertronian army]], though, the Autobot forces reconsolidated under their command. Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were first seen after the Autobots had retreated to an asteroid sanctuary for retraining. They were, um, outsmarted by [[Hot Rod (G1)|Hot Rod]]. {{storylink|The Power and the Glory}} Later, he was rescued by the Decepticon [[Skywarp (G1)|Skywarp]] in the skies over [[Ethos]] while battling [[Ethos raiding party|Cybertronians]]. {{storylink|Escalation!}} Still, he managed to do a little better against the Cybertronians the second time around, popping jets out of the sky so that the [[Dinobot (G1)|Dinobots]] could, ah... greet them on the ground below. {{storylink|Total War!}}

===Dreamwave comics continuity===
At some point in Cybertronian history, roughly around the time of the [[Dark Ages]], Air Raid and his Aerialbot comrades became a combiner subgroup, able to merge to form Superion. Because Superion and his fellow super-robots began causing too much sheer devastation during the war, however, the [[Crisis Intervention Accord]]s were signed by the various factions, prohibiting the use of super-robots. Combiner sub-group members could either join different factions separately (like [[Motormaster (G1)|Motormaster]]) or remain together as a neutral, unaligned group (like the [[Protectobot (G1)|Protectobots]]). What Air Raid and the Aerialbots chose to do is unknown. {{storylink|War Within: The Dark Ages}}

[[Image:PrimeDirective6_AirRaid_punches_Starscream.jpg|thumb|left|250px|Who's the best F-15?? ME!]]

At some point in the late 20th century, Air Raid and the Aerialbots joined the crew of the ''[[Ark (G1)|Ark]]'' in defeating the Decepticons on Earth, only to be deactivated when the ''[[Ark II]]'' exploded in mid-air on its journey back to Cybertron. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 1|Prime Directive #1}} In reality the ship was sabotaged by the rogue engineer-turned arms dealer Adam Rook, known as [[Lazarus]], and General [[Robert Hallo]], who planned on reprogramming the Transformers into the service of the United States military. The Aerialbots were some of the few Transformers who were not recovered by Lazarus for his reprogramming venture, now aimed at hiring out the Transformers to the highest bidder. Instead, they lay immobile in the Arctic waters until reactivated as Superion in 2002 by Optimus Prime, using the power of the [[Matrix of Leadership]]. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 2|Prime Directive #2}}

Air Raid and the Aerialbots in their Superion form, battled the Decepticons in the Northwest Territories of [[Canada]] {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 3|Prime Directive #3}} and again in [[San Francisco]]. However, during the initial skirmish, Superion was broken down into his individual components by the [[Seeker (body-type)|Seekers]], and the Autobots watched in horror as [[Devastator (G1)|Devastator]] hoisted Air Raid in his hand in triumph. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 4|Prime Directive #4}} When Megatron failed to convince Optimus Prime to join his cause, the Autobots were freed and proceeded to clobber the Decepticons, with Air Raid punched [[Starscream (G1)|Starscream]]. However, the insane General Hallo betrayed the Autobots by launching a nuclear missile at San Francisco in the hopes of wiping out all the Transformers. Before Optimus Prime could stop them, the Aerialbots formed Superion and intercepted the missile, ramming it head-on. Superion, and by extension the Aerialbots, were destroyed in stopping the missile. {{storylink|Prime Directive issue 6|Prime Directive #6}}

The remains of Air Raid and the other Aerialbots were gathered up and studied by [[Earth Defense Command]]. {{storylink|Generation One issue 0|Generation One issue #0}}

{{-}}
==Toys==
===Generation 1===
[[Image:Airraid toy.jpg|thumb|right|300px|]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1986/1991)
**''Team ID number'': '''A5'''
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-54'''
**''Accessories'': "[[Torque rifle]]"

: Air Raid transforms from a black [[wikipedia:F-15 Eagle|F-15 Eagle]]. He can combine with his fellow Aerialbots to form Superion, and as a [[Scramble City (toyline)|Scramble City]]-style limb toy, he can also combine with any Scramble City team leader, though his nominal position is as Superion's left leg.

: In Japan, the Aerialbots were all made available again as mail-away items during ''[[Return of Convoy (toyline)|Return of Convoy]]''. The smaller toys cost 1000 yen (120 more than their original retail price!) and 2 [[Robot Point|robot points]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1986/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Superion}}
*'''Superion''' (Gift set, 1986)
**''Japanese ID number'': '''C-55'''

: All five Aerialbots were also available in many markets as a gift set. The toys were unchanged from their individual releases.

{{-}}

===Generation 2===
* '''Air Raid''' (Aerialbot, 1994)
**''Team ID number'': '''A2'''
**''Accessories'': "Torque Rifle"

: The first ''Generation 2'' Air Raid was a [[redeco]] of the original. His plane mode was primarily blue and featured stickers with a pattern reminiscent of the costume of a [[human]] [[Spider-Man|superhero]]. His robot mode was mostly white and silver .

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1994/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Generation 2 Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}{{anchor|Cyberjet}}
[[Image:AirRaidCybJet-AeroRaid-toy.jpg|right|300px|thumb|]]
* '''Air Raid''' (Cyberjet, 1995)
**''Accessories'': 2 air-to-air heat-seeking missiles

: Air Raid's second ''Generation 2'' appearance was a redeco of the [[Cyberjet]] [[Skyjack]], transforming into an [[Popular Earth vehicle alternate modes|F-117A Nighthawk]]. He features a pressure-launch missile launcher that becomes his right arm in robot mode. His non-loaded missiles can be stored in clips on the undersides of his wings.

: This toy was sold in Japan without changes (though it did come with an extra decal sheet) as [[Aero Raid]]. This mold was also used to make the 2004 ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' [[#Universe (2003)|version of Air Raid]], and ''[[Robot Masters (franchise)#Toys|Robot Masters]]'' [[Delta Seeker]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/1995/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Cyberjet Air Raid at TFU.info]''

{{-}}

===Universe (2003)===
[[Image:TFU03-toy AirRaidCyberjet.jpg|right|thumb|300px|]]
* '''Air Raid & Wind Sheer''' (Deluxe, 2004)
**''Accessories'': Missile

: For the ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' line, the Cyberjet Air Raid was redecoed again and released in a two-pack with the [[Decepticon]] [[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] at the Deluxe price point. The lack of [[Bio|bios]] for ''Universe'' characters leaves open the possibility that this is not the original Air Raid. Then again, there's nothing that says it ''isn't'', either.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2004/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Universe 2003 Air Raid at TFU.info]''
{{-}}
===Universe (2008)===
====Classic Series====
*'''Aerial Rivals''' (multi-pack, 2008)

: A redeco of the ''[[Cybertron (toyline)|Cybertron]]'' [[Soundwave (Cybertron)|Soundwave]]'s ''Legends of Cybertron'' figure, Air Raid's colorscheme is based upon his ''Generation 2'' Cyberjet incarnation and was only available in a set with [[Blades (G1)|Blades]], [[Skydive (G1 Aerialbot)|Skydive]], [[Ramjet (G1)|Ramjet]], and [[Thrust (G1)|Thrust]].

: The packaging back mistakenly swaps Air Raid and Skydive's names.

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2008/Autobot/TFUSkydive/skydive.htm More information on Legends Air Raid (mislabeled) at TFU.info]''

====G1 Series====
[[Image:Universe2008 AirRaid.jpg|right|300px|thumb|I inexplicably resemble [[:Image:Energon_Starscream_toy.jpg|''Energon'' Starscream!]]]]
*'''Superion''' (Multi-pack, 2008)
**''Accessories:'' 2 dual-barrel cannons, connector piece, Autobot-type [[energon star]]

:Available only as a component of Superion, this version of Air Raid is a dark grey and black [[redeco]] of [[Energon (toyline)|''Energon'']] [[Windrazor (Energon)|Windrazor]]/[[Treadshot (Energon)|Treadshot]], transforming into a small, futuristic fighter resembling an F-22 Raptor. He can also form a leg or arm to any ''Energon''-series "[[Powerlinx]] [[Combiner]]" super robot, though his nominal placement is as the left leg to Superion. He comes with two double-barreled guns and a connector piece, which can form hand-held weapons as well as become a footplate or "hand" for his combined mode, plus a blue "super energon" Autobot-style energon star that fits over his [[spark crystal]].

:Air Raid was released, along with the others in this box set, in ''[[Universe (2008 franchise)|Universe]]'' (2008) packaging in Australia and Singapore, but was only released as Target-[[exclusive]] set in ''[[Revenge of the Fallen (franchise)|Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen]]'' [[Superion (ROTF)|Superion]] packaging in North America. Thus, this toy doubles as [[Movie (toyline)|Movie]] [[Air Raid (Movie)|Air Raid]].

:This mold was also used to make [[Fun Publications]] [[Transformers Collectors' Club]]-[[exclusive]] [[Breakaway (Classics)|Breakaway]], ''Universe'' [[Airazor (Universe)|Airazor]] and ''Revenge of the Fallen'' [[Airazor (ROTF)|Airazor]].

::*''[http://www.tfu.info/2009/Autobot/AirRaid/airraid.htm More information on Air Raid at TFU.info]''

==Notes==
*The ''[[Universe (2003 toyline)|Universe]]'' Air Raid/[[Wind Sheer (Universe)|Wind Sheer]] two-pack was initially listed under the name "Skyjack" in [[Walmart]] computers.

===Foreign names===
*''Japanese:'' '''Air Rider''' (エアライダー ''Ea Raidā'')
*''French:'' '''Bombardo''' (Canada)
*''Italian:'' '''Tornado'''
*''Russian:'' '''Naletchik''' (Налетчик, "Raider")

==External links==
*[http://www.ntfa.net/universe/english/index.php?act=view&char=Air_Raid Air Raid's Universe profile at NTFA.net]

[[Category:Aerialbots]]
[[Category:Combiners]]
[[Category:Cyberjets]]
[[Category:Generation 1 Autobots]]
[[Category:Target exclusives]]
[[Category:Generation 2 Autobots]]
[[Category:Mail order items]]
[[Category:The Headmasters Autobots]]
[[Category:Universe (2008)]]
[[Category:Universe Autobots]]