Shigeru Sakamoto flies as a warrant officer and rookie aviator in the fighter wing aboard the space battleship Yamato during its third journey. He undergoes rigorous training under Wing Commander Akira Yamamoto, who emphasizes Sakamoto's spiritual growth as a pilot. Sakamoto shares a personal history with Caroline Raiden, a member of the 65th Special Task Force aboard the support ship Asuka; they first met during her childhood after she relocated to an underground city near the capital following her parents' divorce. He is stationed aboard the combat carrier Hyuga, which operates under Shiro Sanada's command in support of the Yamato fleet.