Virtual Carrier Air Wing EIGHT - We Aren't For Everyone - DCS Forums

But…if you take the time to read this post, you may discover that we might be for you.

 

Let’s get that out in the open, right up front. The beauty of the DCS community is that there are myriad groups out there, all of which have their own unique brand of how they like to fly this outstanding simulation. If you are a pilot who has decided that the multi-player side of DCS is something you would like to get involved in, you are faced with many choices! It is helpful to know what YOU are looking for in an online DCS group, and it is just as important to know what brand of flying an online DCS group offers. It is readily apparent that in DCS, as in many things in life, one size does not fit all.

 

Virtual CVW-8 is led by current and former active-duty Navy personnel who have spent the better part of twenty years training, operating, deploying, flying, and living within U.S. Naval Aviation squadrons and commands. Virtual CVW-8’s CAG is an active-duty E-2C/D Hawkeye Naval Flight Officer who has deployed with three different squadrons, four different air wings, aboard five different aircraft carriers, including a tour as the Assistant Air Officer (Mini Boss) aboard CVN 74 during her around the world combat deployment.  Our CAG Staff includes current and retired F-14A/B and F/A-18A/C/E/F pilots who are invaluable in helping the air wing develop and maintain its brand of simulation for Virtual CVW-8 aircrew.

 

Because of the lived experiences of its leadership, Virtual CVW-8’s brand of simulation can best be described as Naval Aviation Military Simulation (Mil-Sim). What does this mean, exactly? It means that Virtual CVW-8’s leadership loved what they did in the Fleet, and DCS provides an opportunity to continue to enjoy that type of operational environment. It means that we strive to enjoy this simulation in a manner that represents real-world operations, to the best of our ability and within the limitations of the DCS world. Virtual CVW-8 has developed a structure to our training and operational deployments that attempts to closely resemble that of a real-world CVW. Training phases such as Strike Fighter Advanced Readiness Program, Air Wing Nellis, Tailored Ship’s Training Availability (TSTA) and Composite Unit Training Exercise (COMPTUEX) form the core of our Fleet Readiness Training Program or FRTP. Many hours are spent by wing members developing detailed briefs and training materials for the building blocks of combat to provide a foundation of tactical learning and execution that will carry the air wing through the integrated phases of workups and our eventual combat deployment to the Syrian Theater in support of EUCOM and SIXTH Fleet objectives.

 

Virtual CVW-8’s membership is diverse and its experience wide-ranging. Many of our members are current or former military members, but many of them are not. However, all members share a love and passion for Navy aviation and a desire to enjoy a simulated structure that helps create an experience of immersion and realism. The members of Virtual CVW-8 are looking for a particular brand of DCS simulation. That said, what does Navy Mil-Sim NOT mean? It does not mean that anyone is calling anyone “sir”. It does not mean that we are playing soldier or airman, or Sailor, or whatever. Rank structure exists to identify those members who have volunteered to shoulder the administrative burden of maintaining an active group of disparate personalities, as well as creating the simulated environment we all enjoy. It also does not mean that we are high strung, full of ourselves, or think we are better than any other brand of simulation that is out there. We simply know what our brand is, and we work hard to maintain that brand, because we owe it to our members. We recognize that tastes change, interests wax and wane, and there may come a time that Virtual CVW-8’s brand is no longer what someone is looking for. That is the natural progression of things, and a natural part of this hobby. Should aircrew decide that our brand of simulation is no longer for them, we will always wish them well because the motto of “Fly Where you Have the Most Fun” should always apply to a recreational activity such as DCS.

 

So, is Virtual CVW-8 a good fit for you? Start by asking yourself these questions:

 

-          Do I have a passion for Naval Aviation? We are a boat-based squadron and we fly these modules because we love operating around the ship.

-          Do I enjoy flying the F/A-18C or F-14B from a cold start to shut down condition? You will not find air-start aircraft available in Virtual CVW-8 servers (though there are training opportunities where off-server air-start aircraft may be utilized.)

-          Do I enjoy realistic radio communications that makes use of the full spectrum of available radios and do I enjoy working to adhere to a standard communications format?

-          Do I enjoy Standard Operating Procedures that outline the expected operation of my aircraft in almost all regimes of flight, and do I enjoy working to get better at understanding, learning, and executing according to that standard?

-          Do I enjoy realistic procedures around land-based airfields and adherence to CV NATOPS for all Case launches and recoveries?

-          Do I enjoy working as part of a team and learning how to fly and fight my chosen aircraft in a manner that is modeled after realistic execution?

-          Can I receive constructive criticism in the debrief concerning areas of the flight where I either failed to adhere to SOP or failed to apply tactical learning and execution, and do I appreciate that criticism of ourselves in the debrief makes the entire air wing more lethal and increases the level of realism we all enjoy?

-          Do I desire to become a member of a group that seeks to model realistic behaviors of a U.S. Navy fighter squadron because it is the type of simulation the members of that group enjoy?

-          Can you support flight operations that are based in the U.S. Eastern time zone and which typically start at 2100. Can you support a minimum participation level of at least one multi-player flight every ten days?

 

If you answered yes to all these questions, Virtual CVW-8 may be a good option for you. We currently have unrestricted recruiting on the F-14 Tomcat side of the flight line and are looking for both experienced and new pilots and RIOs. On the VFA side of the house, our recruiting is limited to experienced pilots who are familiar with the Hornet and its systems and are able to safely fly the aircraft in the field and carrier environments. Combat skills are not a prerequisite for membership. This is because our FRS training season has progressed past the basic stage and our opportunity to train Cat I pilots is coming to an end as we shift our Instructor Pilot focus to SFARP.

 

If you made it to the end of this narrative, congratulations! If your interest has been peaked and you would like to learn more about Virtual CVW-8 and our brand of DCS simulation, please visit our website at https://virtualcvw8.com/. Finally, if you would like to speak with a member of Virtual CVW-8 about recruiting or any other subject, please visit the website and submit an application. We look forward to hearing from you! FLY NAVY!

Edited February 17, 2022 by Spool New website