Vertical Bird

Vertical Bird is a mission in Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas given by Mike Toreno where CJ is required to steal a Hydra from the Easter Basin Naval Station and destroy some boats. If not on this mission, entering the naval base will give you an instant 5 star wanted level, but on this mission you don't get it. The only security in the base is only 10 - 30 guards with M4 Carbines, and a number of unarmed workers accompanying them (they usually trigger the alarm when CJ has been spotted). After you steal the jet and take off, there are 4 other Hydra's which follow you (NOTE: you can blow up the other hydras to prevent them from following you, though at least 1 Hydra will follow even if you blow them all up) and threaten to shoot at you, but they don't, they just follow you and you've got to destroy them. Then there are the 4 unarmed spyboats which you have to destroy. Then you have to land the plane at the Verdant Meadows Aircraft Graveyard and put it in a hangar.

Reward I : $50,000

Reward II : Respect

Reward III : The hydra in one of the hangars at Verdant Meadows .

Trivia

It may be noted that this is the only mission that takes place across each of the three major islands in the State of San Andreas. It starts at Madd Dogg's Mansion (Los Santos), CJ steals the Hydra from the Easter Basin Naval Station (San Fierro), and destroys spy ships in Tierra Robada (Las Venturas).