Overview

The Digital Coalition Air Force (DCAF) is pleased to announce that it is opening recruitment once again. Sharpen your skills and get the best out of what DCS has to offer. We are currently doing selection for controllers (whether ATC, GCI/ABM, JTAC/FAC), F-15E Strike Eagle, F-16C Viper, and F/A-18C Hornet. DCAF is a organised and academic milsim group with most of its community based in the EU. We pride ourselves on our structured online training curriculum, instructors, and the ops that we offer. Presently, we alternate between a training and operations season, the former is used to train new cadets to the required squadron standard, and for current members to stay current. We undertake this rigorous training program to ensure that all our members meet the standards required for operations, getting the best experience from the immersive scenarios our mission makers create. Our times: During training seasons we fly as a group every Thursday 1830GMT/BST with individual squadron training happening on Tuesdays or over the weekends. It is a minimum requirement to regularly attend every Thursday, and dependent on some roles, attend twice a week due to instructor workload and meaningful progression. During operations seasons we alternate weeks between planning/practice and executing the missions where the minimum attendance requirement is at least twice a month. Our squadrons: (v)RAAF No.75 Squadron 'Magpies' - F/A-18C Hornet No.75 Squadron is DCAF's newest addition to the line-up with the ambition to provide unparalleled versatility and multirole capability to operations. Commitment, tenacity, and self-improvement are core values to our squadron's culture. After completing our comprehensive training program, you'll be adept at roles ranging from CAP against 4th generation threats in BVR or WVR, to low-level strike and aerial interdiction against the toughest of targets - regardless of the environment or conditions. Join the Magpies and learn to seek and strike. (v)USAF 119th ‘Jersey Devils’ - F-16C Viper 119th 'Jersey Devil's is DCAF's dedicated "Wild Weasels", specializing in hunting and killing enemy SAMs and SHORAD systems, clearing a path for the other squadrons. We are looking for pilots that accept high risk, that are flexible and able to solve problems fast and creatively as they pop up. We are usually first in and last to leave, and we rely on our own ability to defend against air and ground threats alike! If you like fast and dynamic problem solving, and love flying the "racing model" of all airframes, then you might have what it takes to be a Devil! (v)USAF 335th ‘Chiefs’ - F-15E Strike Eagle The 335th ‘Chiefs’ is DCAF’s premier air-to-air squadron, traditionally focused on advanced fighter tactics and air superiority. With the introduction of the F-15E Strike Eagle, the Chiefs have embraced its multirole capabilities, expanding their legacy of precision air combat into the strike domain. Thanks to the F100-PW-229 engines, APG-70 radar, and heavy load capacity, the Strike Eagle allows our pilots to stay on station longer, fly higher, and strike harder than any other platform in DCAF’s roster. If you are interested in rigorous training, mastering both air-to-air and air-to-ground operations, and getting the best out of what DCS has to offer, this is the squadron for you. By the end of your training, you will be able to operate effectively in a flight, execute four-ship tactical formations (TACFORM), and conduct Beyond Visuals Range (BVR) engagements in any weather or time of day – all without datalink. You will be trained in both Defensive and Offensive Counter Air (DCA/OCA) fundamentals to tailor the squadron’s air-to-air tasking to any mission scenario, including Air Combat Maneuvering (ACM) execution and air to air refueling (AAR) - day or night. Beyond air combat, you will also learn to employ the Strike Eagle’s unique precision strike capability – from JDAM and LGB missions to low-level ingress and pop-up attacks at night in hostile airspace. The 335th blends traditional air superiority doctrine with modern strike tactics, making our pilots adaptable, effective, and ready for any tasking. If you’re looking for structure, challenge, and camaraderie – the Chiefs are waiting for you. Wampum! Combined Controller and Support Wings: DCAF started as a place to practice radio telephony with real-life procedures and continues to do so. Air Traffic Controllers and Aerospace Battle Managers are a mainstay in our operations, providing a great setting for both experienced and aspiring controllers to hone their skills. We are accessible for those looking to see what it takes to run our air operations (whether you're freelancing in the DCS community or a military/commercial professional). Our Support Wing helps deliver an immersive experience for DCAF's operations (role playing, logistics, and other supernumery roles). We provide FREE licences for LotAtc on our servers for both members and guests. Simple Radio Standalone is used for radio communications, with Combined Arms being required for ground roles. How to apply: APPLICATION FORM If you are interested in joining, please apply using the above link, then join our Discord (feel free to use the @Recruitment Officer tag in the new-members-chat to ask any questions). Successful applicants will be invited for an introductory talk. Due to some roles being competitive, checkrides are given to select the appropriate candidates, these steps will be laid out by your Recruitment Officer. It is a good idea to be familiar with the module that you are applying for (i.e. ability to air to air refuel and understand basic combat systems), as these will be assessed. Due to the nature of our training and operations seasons, you should be confident that at least the first 6 months will generally be free for you to attend (holidays, annual leave etc. of course are absolutely fine). Ideally, candidates who will have a predictable schedule for the next year are preferred. We look forward to hearing from you and seeing you on the training season, DCAF Recruitment Team https://discord.com/invite/F94F4FUsXG https://dcafoc.wixsite.com/home

Hello all, I would just like to make prospective members aware that recruitment for DCAF has closed. It will reopen in mid Q2 of this year, in anticipation of our subsequent training season. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to message me. Kind regards, Peter

The DCAF training course was potentially the most in-depth approach to DCS I’ve ever seen, making me feel truly proficient in the F-15E in every imaginable mission and scenario. They also gave me my own jet with custom nose art and a cool nickname which definitely didn’t reference my inability to manage time. 10/10 would recommend

Finally, a few Youtube Clips from past DCAF training and operations experiences.. 2022 DCAF 80's Syria Campaign Mission 5 LotATC Scope, Part 3: 2023 Casual Semi-Active Dissimilar Timeline Drills: 2023 DCAF Persian Rugs Mission Comms and Battle Overview:

An overview of some of the combat curriculum provided to new members: A custom launch-and-decide BVR timeline from BATC course: Dynamic Launch Zone content taken from BVR-T Intro course: Training Season Week 3 Day Formations Clip 1: Coom_Eagle_1.mp4 Training Season Week 3 Day Formations Clip 2: Slot.mp4 Training Season Week 4 Night Formations Clip: BasedCoom.mp4

I spent the July-October training season as the XO for DCAF's 335th and co-designed the curriculum and training schedule with the leadership team. I have to say I am incredibly proud of the squadron this year, having pushed up the standards they were already exceeding previously. I have spent the last 3 years in DCS looking for the most performative and immersive experiences that virtual milsim groups in the DCS World community can offer, having specifically gone out of my way to develop relationships with other large groups in the search for an elite experience. I can confidently say that DCAF's 335th FS holds the most detailed, comprehensive, and immersive set of curriculum and standards that I have seen from any DCS group in the world. My opinion is that DCAF's greatest strength is in its comprehensive online training library and dedicated instructor cadre. We have made it our business to take the best available information from aircrew manuals and infuse it with context and input taken from an extensively developed subject matter expert (SME) network, rendering material that is both dense in content as well as engaging with bespoke visual supplementation and an involved examination process to reinforce learning development. Our IP crew is not only experienced and well-trained in instruction and teaching techniques, but is also a personable, humble, and approachable crew as well. The virtual 335th Chiefs admin team has specialized in beyond visual range air-to-air combat tactics, having come from an F-14A-135-GR and virtual aggressor background prior to Strike Eagle release. We house ED/HB beta testers, SATAL/SATAC competitors, real world pilots/controllers, former international military service members, and some of the most dedicated military aviation enthusiasts the community has to offer, culminating into a melting pot of knowledge and dedication to the best immersive experience DCS World by Eagle Dynamics has to offer. I am immensely proud of being involved in this project and humbled to observe DCAF in its evolution to up the ante as a premiere experience in the international military simulation community. To provide some visual foundation to the opinions stated above, here are a few examples of the DCAF learning and operations experience taken from bits and pieces of curriculum and past gameplay: (Next Post).

The 335th ‘Chiefs’ is DCAF’s largest and premier air to air squadron, operating the F-15E Strike Eagle. Thanks to the incredible power of the F-15E’s -229 engines, APG-70 and load carrying capacity, the Chiefs has the perseverance to stay on station longer, fly higher, and fly faster than any other type in DCAF’s roster. If you are interested in rigorous training, getting a comprehensive air to air understanding, being part of complex operations, immersive experiences, and getting the best out of what DCS has to offer, this is the squadron for you. By the end of the training season, you will be able to operate as a wingman in a flight, execute fourship tacform and BVR in any weather, at any time of day; all without datalink. You will be trained in both DCA and OCA fundamentals in order to tailor the squadron’s air to air tasking according to the mission at hand; including an appreciation of ACM execution. Air to air refuelling, day or night, will be the norm. The squadron boasts a fully trained roster of 12 pilots and is looking to expand its squadron further in anticipation of Operations Season 3, which will take place from next April to the end of June. We anticipate to take on a small handful of new cadets for our training season. The 335th is a very tight knit community that is passionate about what it does and its role in DCAF. We strive to constantly develop ourselves, not only from the baseline of training season, but to progress further with flight leading, instructor qualifications, and mission planning for the overarching DCAF organisation. If you are interested in being part of a highly motivated, well organised and ambitious squadron and do your part, the 335th is a prime choice. If you work hard in training, be assured that you will find your time in DCAF greatly rewarding. Applicants will join for an introductory talk as to what we do, and what is expected from one another. Subject to your introductory talk, you will be invited for some checkrides to assess your initial skill level to decide whether we want to take you on for our training season. After the introductory talk, we will give you all the necessary resources to succeed and invite you to undertake checkrides to ensure you have a good core skillbase. This will include a flying ability assessment with an assessor from startup to shutdown, basic manoeuvres, aircraft handling and air to air refuelling. In addition you will be asked to play a custom mission and submit a tacview and trackfile of your basic combat performance(we aren’t looking for procedures but more to ensure that you are comfortable with using the airframe in basic combat). Upon final review among 335th recruitment officers, if you are accepted we will provide you access to our comprehensive training syllabus, and you will begin formal training from the beginning of January 2025. Training sessions will be hosted 3 times a week at Tuesday, Thursday and Sunday at 1830Z. Thursday is the essential time and you are expected to attend this training session*, but ideally you should attempt to join twice a week in the above slots. 335th training season consists of: Visual circuits – touch and goes around the airfield with controller, Departures & Arrivals – flying in and out of the aerodrome traffic zone, Day and Night Formation flying & TACFORM Day and Night Air to Air Refuelling Unguided Air to Surface Precision Guided Air to Surface Basic Fighter Manoeuvres Air Combat Manoeuvring All Weather Intercept theory Beyond Visual Range timelines Defensive Counter Air BVR modifications Offensive Counter Air BVR modifications Having completed training season you will be given your own jet with custom nose art on it, and become a fully-fledged member of the DCAF 335th. If you would like to get in contact to find out more about the 335th specifically and what we do before applying, please get in contact with any of our recruitment officers on Discord: https://discord.gg/dcaf Buergels, Panny, Rhino182, seb4tron If you would like to apply, please follow the links below: https://forum.dcs.world/clubs/page/92-apply-socials/ We look forward to meeting you soon, 335th Exec Team Wampum!

Wampum!

Photo credit: Tech. Sgt. Matthew Plew Keen to fly the Strike Eagle when it releases? DCAF(Digital Coalition Air Force) is proud to announce that it is taking on Strike Eagle recruits to join us on release! Following years of excellent service, VF-31 will be retiring the venerable F-14A Tomcat to convert onto the F-15E Strike Eagle. As a fully staffed squadron, we want to hit the ground running, bring in new energy to our community and have you join us in this exciting new chapter. While some aspects will be contingent on the state of the EA release of the Strike Eagle, we have prepared a fully fledged airframe familiarisation course, SOPs and the appropriate integration to our existing training structure, such that by the end of the training season, newly qualified officers will be able to operate within large operations and execute tasks efficiently. How will the timetable work? DCAF will be commencing its 3 month training season from the 1st July, in which ab initio cadets will progress through familiarisation flight, circuits, formation flying, air to air refuelling, tacform, unguided & precision air to surface employment, basic fighter manoeuvres, air combat manoeuvring, beyond visual range timelines, as well as DCA & OCA gameplans. Prior to the commencement and during the training season, cadets will have access to BATS, our online training resource where users can read content, be assessed and track their progress. A snippet of airframe familiarisation: Once the training season completes all DCAF squadrons will enter the ops season, where you can expect complex missions and campaigns featuring 40+ players flush with WeCOs and JTACs. What is DCAF? DCAF(Digital Coalition Air Force) is one of the largest EU based virtual groups that plays DCS. Consisting of five squadrons, DCAF hosts complex operations and a comprehensive training environment. DCAF takes pride in its training culture and the support it provides its new members via its excellent instructors. No matter your skill level, if you’re looking to be part of a great community, this is the place to go. Onboarding: Once you get in contact, either myself or a recruitment officer will get in touch to organise an introduction. We’ll provide a full breakdown and presentation of what you can expect and how you can get involved. Want to find out more? Check out our DCS squadron page: https://forum.dcs.world/clubs/322-digital-coalition-air-force/ Message me either here, or on Discord - Panny#0001 Email: dcafrecruitment@gmail.com Check out our website(and apply): https://dcafoc.wixsite.com/home Apply: https://forms.gle/fhxwzxAJVBjYfU779 Check out our Discord and meet some of us: https://discord.gg/dcaf Looking forward to hearing from you! Photo credit: Airman 1st Class Jessi Monte

Hi CaptPhoenix, Going through our records I'm a little unsure whether you are a member of DCAF or not? Rest assured DCAF is fully active; this page is more a brochure for prospective members to see our activities. I trust this isn't some strange effort to pull members away from DCAF? Regards, Peter

Hey pilots I was curious it seems the squad has died down a bit, was wandering if anyone would like to group up and do some formation training maybe we can get something going DCS has been dead.

"Tower, Gunslinger 2-1, I think I'm gonna make the runway this time, please hold all the Hornets for 06R." 2 minutes/80% of a circuit later.... "Tower, never mind, you can let 'em go now."

Settling down after a very busy week in DCAF, from training about 10-15 new students to a full operation with over 30 participants there is a lot happening in DCAF. Some recruitment still ongoing so feel free to check us out! Enjoy some of these sick pictures made from these sessions Have a fantastic weekend!