South Burning

South Burning (サウス・バニング, Sausu Baningu?) was a Federation pilot who served in the Earth Federation Forces as the commander of the "Immortal 04th MS Team" during the One Year War, in the fictional Gundam Universe. As the senior pilot at the Federation's Torrington base, Burning supervises the testing of new equipment and acts a mentor to the inexperienced Kou Uraki and Chuck Keith.

During Operation Stardust (depicted in Mobile Suit Gundam 0083: Stardust Memory), Lieutenant South Burning was the commander of the "Burning Team" assigned to the Albion which included former co-pilots from his "Immortal 4th Team": Bernard Monsha, Alpha A. Bate, and Chap Adel. He was named Albion's mobile suit "combat tactician".

Mobile Suit Gundam: Stardust Memory
=Attack on Torrington Base=

Prior to the arrival of the Albion (MSC-07) and the early events of Operation Stardust, South Burning was the leading commander dedicated to train potential candidates and test developed equipment for the Gundam Development Project. One of these tests consisted of a simulated battle between a Powered GM and two MS-06F2 Zaku IIs, with the objective of gathering more data on the Powered GM's abilities. At the end of the day; Burning and the rest of his team arrived at the Torrington Base to watch the arrival of the Albion and the two Gundams at the Federal Base.

During the theft of RX-78GP02A, Burning's team was the first one to launch, suffering the loss of one MS-06F2 Zaku II at the hands of a MS-09F Dom Tropen, as well as the Powered GM. Despite this initial setback, and with Kou Uraki in command of the RX-78GP01, Burning and the rest of his team attempted to chase and capture Anavel Gato.

Even though Burning's team managed to defuse Gato's attempt to escape by boarding a Komusai II, they were forced to fight the remnants of the Principality's Army. During the subsequent fight, Burning fought and defeated a YMS-16M Xamel with his RGM-79C GM Kai, suffering severe injuries—a broken arm and leg, as well as skull damage. His team also suffered the loss of a Powered GM and one more MS-06F2 Zaku II.

=Hunt for the RX-78GP02A=

After the battle, Burning is hospitalized, receiving the visit of fellow pilots in Torrington. With the Albion in charge of retrieving the RX-78GP02A, Burning was assigned by Captain Eiphar Synapse as the new Combat Tactician of the ship, with full authority regarding the Mobile Suits. As such, Burning assigned Kou Uraki as the official RX-78GP01 pilot.

The Albion departed from Torrington and arrived in Africa on 16 October, U.C 0083. One week later, after Burning discovered a spy inside the Albion, they succeeded in locating the stolen RX-78GP02A. In the subsequent battle against Principality’s remnants, Burning and his team failed once again to capture the stolen Gundam. The fight continued in space, with General Kowen assigning two Salamis-class cruisers to assist them.

This time, the Cima's Fleet flagship Lili Marleen engaged the Albion and Burning's Team. Uraki disobeyed direct orders and used the RX-78GP01 for combat instead of his RGM-79N GM Custom, despite the GP-01's lack of proper space operations programming and equipment. Burning, aware of the dangerous situation, ripped his cast off and went to save Kou in his own RGM-79N GM Custom and fought against Cima Garahau's MS-14F Gelgoog.

During the battle, Burning tells Uraki to just eject and forget about the RX-78GP01. Despite this, Uraki still managed to reach the Albion and crash inside the hangar. The battle ended with the RX-78GP01 severely damaged and the loss of the two Salamis-Class Cruiser.

=Death=

Lt. Burning was killed in action when the Albion became involved in a battle with Zeon mobile suits attached to the Lili Marleen. Burning destroyed two Gelgoog Marines and came across a destroyed Musai. In the midst of the battle, Burning left his GM and discovered a briefcase. Upon returning to his MS, he encountered Cima Garahau and fended her off, taking light damage. As he was returning to the Albion, he discovered that the contents of the briefcase revealed the entire plan for Operation Stardust.

However, before he could inform his squad about the discovery or return to the Albion, an internal explosion occurred due to damage sustained from Cima's attack, and Burning was instantly killed. It was also revealed that he had a wife back at home.