Since it’s been over a year since we posted an update concerning the 476th vFG roadmap I thought it time with the Viper appearing on our hard drives “soon” here’s an update for the rest of 2019 and 2020.
Maps
As we’ve stated before the NTTR is still our primary map for Initial (IQT) and Mission (MQT) Qualification training. With the 510th starting qualifications for carrier operations both the Caucuses and Persian Gulf maps have been used as “deployed” training locations for carrier qualifications. As to combat operations, we are currently running Operation Georgia Storm (a persistent mission) in the Caucuses and Operation Vanguard Anvil (set of multiple missions building of the results of previous ones) in the Persian Gulf. We are very excited for the upcoming Syria map and Snoopy has big plans for that one, specifically populating Insirlik AB in Turkey to mirror the set up there from his 2015/2016 real world deployment. Other members within the 476th have created various combat missions in both the Caucuses and Persian Gulf.
Aircraft- A-10C Warthog. The A-10C remains steady and mature within the group we expect the introduction and addition of the F-16C within the 476th vFG the A-10C flight hours may take a slight hit but we have many pilots who plan to continue to fly the A-10C exclusively or maintain duel qualifications. We already have some pilots that are dual qualified in the A-10C and F/A-18C. Although the A-10C program within the 476th is very mature and doesn’t require a lot of background work to develop training and documents we’re always looking at how we can improve our training program, what follow-on training we can provide, and just improve our pilotage skills.
- F/A-18C Hornet.The Initial Qualification Training for the Hornet has been “complete” for some time now, Air to Air Mission Qualification Training is fleshed out nicely but always evolving. MQT will be comprised of two blocks. An Air-to-Air block and Air-to-Ground block. Currently the 510th pilots are hard at work validating and refining the A2A Block and will move on to the A2G block once that’s completed. Although it adds a lot of requirements to the training we felt it was best to create two distinct phases of MQT to allow pilots to focus on one prior to moving to the other. We’ve also had limited discussions on making the squadrons for duel role aircraft specialized in Air to Air or Air to Ground but we’re still in the infancy on that discussion. We were happy to hear ED’s change of heart on the Super Carrier module and its impact on MP servers. Although no decision has been finalized the Super Carrier module will likely be a required module within the 476th vFG but only for Hornet pilots.
- F-16C Viper. A handful of members have been working hard on being able to “quickly” stand up a Viper Squadron within the 476th vFG. We know that this aircraft being introduced into DCS World has the community excited, even if there is some frustration on how it could impact development of the Hornet. So far we have developed the following items; F-16C Initial Qualification Training, 476TTP 3-3.F16 (specifically the chapters that outlined procedures for IQT topics), and 1F-16C-476-CL-1, F-16C Flight Crew Checklist. Like in the past outside of our internal training requirements we will release our documentation to the community. We’ve selected what real world USAF Fighter Squadron we’ll be adopting for our F-16C Virtual Fighter Squadron but we’re not ready to make that public yet. We’ll announce that similar to how we announced activation of the F/A-18C Hornet squadron the 510 vFS ‘Buzzards.’ Once internal members validate F-16C IQT course we’ll open recruitment.
Both the F/A-18C and F-16C will also be added to the aircraft that are used within our Virtual Aggressor squadron within the 476th. Last thing on aircraft, we are still open to adopting current and future modules into the 476th but it’s all depended on current members being interested and wanting to actively work on developing required documents and the potential to recruit enough pilots to actively fly within the group.
Pilot Quals
Really no change from what Tex originally posted. We’ve got a handful of pilots who are dual qualified now in the A-10C and F/A-18C. The biggest thing that needs to be clear on this topic is that when a member is recruited for a particular airframe we don’t allow them to be qualified on another airframe until they have completed all required training for what they were recruited for (IQT/MQT). Additionally, the more airframes someone is qualified on the higher the minimum requirement participation is. So far we haven’t ran into any issues with pilots meeting this requirement, and don’t anticipate it in the future but it’s something we want to make our members, current and future, remember.
Joint Operations
Although the 476th has always had a vision of operating with other likeminded virtual organizations outside of occasionally participating in operations hosted by the 132d we haven’t hosted or participated much. One reason was the various tools to simulate real world radio operations within DCS. With ED stating they’re working on an internal VOIP system and with more virtual organizations adopting SRS we’re hoping this will change going into 2020.
We’re quickly approaching our 8 year anniversary in 2020 and our goal is to continue building what we started in 2012 and be a contributing organization within the DCS World Community.