The Ministry of Terrestrial Defense was a branch of the United Earth Government that oversaw the deployment of the Army of the Southern Cross during the time of the Second Robotech War. After learning a potential weakness in the Tirolian Mothership, Lieutenant Dana Sterling, Corporal Louie Nichols and Private Bowie Grant met with General Rolf Emerson in order to implement a plan to destroy the Robotech Masters flagship. Emerson agreed to send the 15th Alpha Tactical Armored Corps squadron on a mission to accomplish a plan marketing these weaknesses. (Masters Saga: "Danger Zone")