The Battle of Curacao was a ground and aerial engagement between the United Nations Space Command and the Covenant empire. The battle was a component conflict the Battle of Earth and one of a handful to take place in the Central American Campaign. The second part of the conflict was referred to by UNSC forces as Operation ARDENT GALE. The battle ultimately ended in a Pyrrhic UNSC victory. Covenant forces were successfully driven off the island, but at a grave cost; millions of civilians were killed and the UNSC Defense Force lost a sizable portion of its forces committed to the region.