Sandman Simulations

Yeah I hope that when ED some day gets their dynamic campaign out there will be all modules playable. At the moment this dynamic campaign is only for two modules. But if everything goes well there might be a possibility to add some modules later.

Hi, Thank you for your message. Operation Iron Tide is a single player campaign. It is possible that you may play it in multiplayer and at least most of the triggers should work. But it is not tested for multiplayer so nothing is guaranteed. I also would like to have this kind of campaign made for multiplayer. Unfortunately the amount testing needed in development phase and after any change made to the code would be overwhelming. You are free to try it. I think that both players need to have the module. If you try please report what happens.

Hi, Thank you for your message. As in many scripted campaigns also in this one there are custom AWACs calls on dedicated frequency. As default AWACS calls are not wanted to fill the frequenqy the custom AWACS is not on same frequency. You still may use build-in picture and bougie dope requests but you need to manually change the frequency as you said.

I have already said never again as I said after Flaming Sunrise too So maybe after couple of years I have changed my mind. But I hope there will be a full scale Falcon style dynamic campaign made by ED before that.

Hi, At the moment that's not going to happen at least not very soon. Still not totally impossible. First I should make it clear for myself what kind of changes that would need.

Hope you'll fly many exciting missions

It is the year 2000. The terrorist organization Hezbollah has claimed responsibility for a coordinated attack resulting in heavy damage to the U.S. Navy aircraft carrier USS John C. Stennis while docked at the port of Haifa, Israel. The assault has led to the deaths of dozens of U.S. military personnel and civilians. In response to this act of aggression and a broader wave of terrorist activity across the region, the United Nations Security Council has authorized a multinational military operation to dismantle Hezbollah's operational capabilities. Rules of engagement are strict: collateral damage must be avoided at all costs — no further civilian casualties are permissible. Operation Iron Tide is a dynamically evolving campaign in which the player is tasked with planning and commanding missions of the entire air component of the operation. The air assets under the player’s command include four squadrons of F-14B Tomcats and F/A-18C Hornets from two carrier strike groups, as well as two Marine Corps Hornet squadrons operating from a land-based airfield. At their discretion, the player may participate in missions as the flight lead of any squadron, flying either the Tomcat or the Hornet. As the player, you will plan missions for your assigned squadrons with the strategic objectives of the operation in mind. You will choose from dozens of mission types, including air superiority, escort, fleet defense, SEAD, CAS, and strike missions. Your tactical and strategic decisions will ultimately determine the success of the entire operation. Key features: • Dynamic campaign structure: The missions you plan for four Tomcat and six Hornet squadrons — and success in executing them — will directly shape the progression of the campaign. • Fly missions in either the F-14B Tomcat or the F/A-18C Hornet. You may select the aircraft type on a per-mission basis. • A detailed situation briefing is provided both before and after each mission. • 150 pages of tutorials, briefing materials and charts. • 10 to 40 missions depending on your success. • Voice overs by talented actors Requirements • DCS: F/A-18C or F-14B • DCS: Syrian Map • DCS: Supercarrier Check the following video about planning and execution of simple strike mission with SEAD and fighter sweep elements. Official trailer

The campaign is finally out. Ed should get the designated forum topic open soon.

I'll add this instruction into the missions

It might be just as you said. Left one is used first and if the lead has already finished it is possible you need to use left one.

Great to hear. I just tested it too and seems to work with B selected.

17/9/2025 update All missions: statics rearranged for better deck crew compatibility

17/9/2025 update All missions: AI AAR adjusted for better reliability All missions: AI CAS flight behavior adjusted for better results. Primary target is enemy armor not helos All missions: Minor changes for ground war balance, enemy helos and attack aircraft starting later

It should work with ground power. I'm couple of days away from my rig so can't test right now. If there someone can help before that would be great. If not I'll get back in couple of days.

You are pro

Great job I don't know if I have ever done it in ten missions.

Yes just as above. As far as I understand there is no direct method to measure the distance between two points. The yardstick helps to determine the scale and thus makes it easier to estimate the distance when moving the targeting pod. Also distance given by JTAC is often just estimate.

Something in todays newsletter. I can't wait to see how they will set it in the E-shop as there are two playable aircraft types. https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/news/newsletters/7c83202a710359cb8d82ea01a656e864/

The feature has been there long time but at the time of making the campaign it was too unreliable to be used. I'll definately try if it would be possible to implement it now but it I decide to do it will need months of work and testing.

Good point. That was my plan at the first place. Unfortunately at the time of making the campaign the feature wasn't working fluently so I had to leave it. It might be worth of trying but will need quite a lot of work and testing as there are lots of timing based triggers.

It is true that planning a mission even just for one’s own flight, let alone for several, and thinking about the bigger picture is not to everyone’s taste, and it limits the number of players interested in the campaign. On the other hand, it has been nice to see that there is interest in this as well.

Hi, Nice to hear. To make a dynamic campaign you only need couple of years of spare time and no other life

Don't worry. At that stage of the campaign it's very hard to push them back. You should have almost full air superiority to be able to attack strategic targets too. You can delay the attack before USAF and army will come to help you.

I did some more testing. It’s true that at the moment the flights assigned to the CAS mission seem a bit too eager to attack enemy attack helicopters. Important work as well, but destroying ground forces should be prioritized. I’ll make some adjustments in this regard, but that doesn’t change the fact that a war cannot be won by destroying ground forces alone. Taking out logistics is essential. That in turn requires sufficient air superiority and suppression of air defenses. By these means, the enemy’s advance can be slowed down or even stopped until reinforcements arrive.

Thank you for reporting. If you have tacview file please send it too. How many dynamic missions you have played?