Neutralize the attacking mercenaries | Mission 9 - Airstrip Splinter Cell: Blacklist Guide
Last update: 11 May 2016
Note - this time around, you won't be allowed to chose equipment before you tart the mission and also, you will not be able to use goggles. Fortunately, this doesn't mean that neutralizing all the enemies without killing them is impossible.
Right after you regain control over Fisher, as soon as possible go ahead, get around the parked jeep on the right side and hide behind the crates in front of the destroyed hangar. Around, there will appear the high-value target shown in the screenshot. Get him from behind, grab him and drag him away into a secluded spot. Knock the target down and tie him up. You can now focus on the issue of eliminating the enemies. You will find the first group somewhat in front of the plane. I recommend that you try and eliminate consecutive enemies with Crossbow, or with melee attacks. This is because you are going to need the more advanced gadgets later throughout the mission.
The irritating characteristic of this mission is that, every time you eliminate a number of enemies from one group, another group arrives. You need to remember about that and always keep a good hiding place up your sleeve. Thanks to this, you won't be surprised by the enemies from behind or from the side.
Another group of enemies should arrive in the battlefield on cars and they will set out for the abovementioned hangar, most probably. This means that you should take cover somewhere at the other side of the battlefield, e.g. behind the big cover shown in the screenshot.
From now on, it is a good idea to use the sleeping gas grenades that Fisher has on him. If you also have the crossbow, it is worthwhile to use it also, especially if it has been improved to maximum. You also need to pay more attention to sneaking up to your enemies from behind because, some of them will probably fire flares and you could be detected as a result.
The last mercenary group will also use a vehicle to approach the vicinities of the airport. Enemies from this group will appear at the other side of the battlefield so, in this case, while awaiting the enemies to arrive, it is best to hide somewhere near the hangar. Continue eliminating the enemies by using, first of all, melee attacks, sleeping gas and the other gadgets of this sort, and do this whenever it is required by the situation. After you neutralize all of the mercenaries, return to the plane.
Additional tips for the Panther/Attack playing style: Note that you can make use of both types of firearms so, take every opportunity to kill an opponent. What may prove very useful here is the a good machine gun or a sniper rifle because, thanks to these, you will be able to lay fire at a longer distance. Also, don't forget about the possibility of surprising the enemies (most effective against larger groups) with frag grenades and tear gas grenades.