MadMaxter

A little more than two weeks ago, a new idea took flight in the form of the Virtual Naval Air Operations. What started with three like-minded individuals with a dream has now become a phenomenon and a gift to everyone who flies in LOMAC and has wanted to be Maverick from TopGun. The VNAO has grown to 23 pilots, 5 squadrons: Jolly Rogers - Command Staff Squadron VF-84 Grim Reapers - Training Squadron VF-101 Black Lions - Our first Tomcat squadron VF-213 Bounty Hunters - Our first Hornet Squadron VFA-2 TopHatters - Home squadron for our European Pilots VF-14 Cosmic Cats - Official VNAO Demonstration team As you can see by the variety of squadrons, we have something for everyone. From classic tomcat pilots to a demonstration team that will apply later this year to participate in VFAT, the Virtual Festival of Aerobatic Teams. In addition, we have assembled a team of modellers and skinners reknowned in the community for their work on LOMAC projects. Racer is working on the F-14D model, Super Hornet model and possibly a new highly detailed aircraft carrier for us. These will of course be released to the community when ready, but what better way to put them to use, then in a virtual navy. But we still need more pilots in order to be called a true success. Our popularity world wide has allowed us to attract many overseas pilots. But many squadron positions stateside remain. So, if you want to fly carrier ops aircraft and be a part of LOMAC history, come join the VNAO. You could be the next CO, choosing from over thirty five tomcat squadrons and many more Hornet squadrons. Why serve on a squadron, when you can lead one of your own. Leadership talented candidates are promoted to command positions of thier own. Come see us at www.virtualnavairops.com and visit our forum for screenshots and pics of the upcoming model projects. Or just meet the pilots. Look forward to seeing you... Admiral Keith "MadMax" Gorman CO Virtual Naval Air Operations

Very nice Troooper, and deadly hopefully:D Admiral Keith "Mad Max" Gorman CO Virtual Naval Air Ops

No objections here... Max

That is awesome news Racer. And a terrific looking boat. Its good to know that the D is in talented hands. MadMax

Our site is going to be dedicated to simulating not just a Navy plane or a Navy flight or two, but a career in the navy. The best way to explain this would simply be to give an example of a career of a new recruit. As a recruit in Virtual Nav Air Ops, your first stop is going to be the training squadron. This squadron will be represented as the VF101 Grimreapers, one of the last tomcat training squadrons in the Navy. The training will be all-encompassing to reflect the shortcomings of the recruit. For instance, if the recruit has never flown in a sim before, basic flight training will ensue. If the recruit has some flight experience but not in lock on, than more advanced flight training will hone his skills. All training will accomplish proficiency in three areas: Carrier Landings, ACM weapons familiarization, and Formation flying. A recruit also begins his career with the rank of Officer Candidate. Completion of training will grant him the rank of ensign and his career has gotten off to a grand start. The team I have assembled will be ready, willing and able to meet the training needs of the recruits in order to train them faster. Some will graduate faster than others due to different skill levels, but all will be pretty familiarized with the game and definately carrier qualled. Upon graduation, the newly minted ensign is then assigned to a squadron. The first two squadrons will be the VF-213 Blacklions and the VF-31 Tomcatters. Upon arrival they will begin a career that will much resemble that of a Virtual Airline. Carrier Landings, Kills, Flight time all being tracked and kept on record for each pilot. Ribbons and commendations will be awarded and ensigns will be brought up for promotion to LTJG then Lt. and so on. Pilots showing exceptional leadership ability will be considered for promotion to command levels in the squadron. There will be three top tier officers in each squadron. These are CO, XO and CAG. Now, what makes this idea truly special is that a pilot with the willingness and dedication may one day be called upon by Command Staff to lead a squadron of his own. In such a case, the pilot will be asked to choose from the remaining list of tomcat squadrons, or hornet squadrons when that comes about. After his squad is picked, a new mod for that squadron paint scheme will begin to be worked on and upon completion given to the CO and his squadron will then be filled with either new graduates from the 101, or others that request transfer. As a CO, he will have complete decision making in the squadron, including who he would like for his XO and CAG and what skins he would like in his mod. As CO he will also be responsible for the continued training of his men. CO's will be able to choose training times for thier squadron, this is to spread training out so that transfers can be made between squadrons for those whose schedules do not mesh with the CO schedule they are in command of. Flexibility is the key here to promote participation. When the need arises, Fleet Captains will be needed to command two or more squadrons, comprising an airwing. When that need arises, CO's may rise to that rank and be considered Command Staff. Since Command Staff have no one squadron as their own, they will fly a tribute version of the VF-84 Jolly Rogers squadron. Rank has its privileges. Squadrons will compete with eachother in regular events. Special mods will be made to accomodate that. Competition against outside air groups will also be a consideration. These internavy events will also lead to twice annual TOPGUN schools. A TopGun mod will be in the works and a F5 used for adversarial purposes. All in order to keep things from getting stagnate. Pending participation and growth, hornets will be added in the near future. Of course that leads to problems with mods etc. But we will be in a constant state of adjustment for those needs. If a tomcat squad and a hornet squad faces eachother in a server, obviously only one will be carrier ready. One of our finer additions is VX-4 Evaluators. This now defunct squadron will be our Blue Angels. Pilots with exceptional formation abilities will be given the chance to train in this demonstration squadron. VFAT participation will be sought and pilots who are chosen will temporarily transfer to VX-4 for training in the weeks leading up to the show. That is it in a nutshell, many details need to be ironed out, but right now I have eight dedicated individuals willing to give it their best. I hope the community sees this for the gift it truly is. If we fail, it wont be for lack of effort. Thanks Admiral Keith "MadMax" Gorman Commanding Officer, Virtual Naval Air Ops

Good News... This project has taken off. Already 9 pilots have been assembled to help get off the ground. Among their talents; web designer, graphic design, mod making, repaints, training, mission design... to name a few. We have a fully functional vent server already up and running and a website is days away. All your questions will be answered soon. And the problems any of you have, will be addressed and remedied to the best of our abilities. We live within the limitations of the game. We can adapt and overcome certain shortcomings of the game. But we promise the experience will be breathtaking. Max

There are a group of pilots willing to kick it off... I have assembled them. I am announcing the birth of a new group. Yes, there will be limitations, such is the case with Lomac. And there are requirements. You have just been teased with the beginnings of this group. It will be a reality, and, one day, when LOMAC rides into the sunset, we will transition to the next game that affords us the environment we need to make this work. PMs will be answered... and more details will be forthcoming. Max

What if, there was a group online that fully simulated the US Navy? I mean as far as Carrier Ops were concerned. Lets say this group had bold initiatives in mind. Like a fully operational training squadron to teach, even the most novice pilot, how to land on a carrier, fly in formation, and use the weapons to the best of his ability. Even better, you could, as a new pilot, graduate and be transferred to one of the combat ready squadrons. Like the VF-213 Black Lions, or the VF-103 Sluggers. What if one day you decided to work hard in that squadron and gain rank and recognition. Your flight carreer tracked and a record kept of your performance. What could the reward be? Maybe you recieve commendations and ribbons for your hard work, or you get promoted to LtJG, or your CO recommends you for a command position of your own. Why, you could be the first CO in that group to lead a squadron of your choosing, like the VF-32 Swordsmen. Imagine that, a Virtual Naval Air Ops site that actually allows you the ability to work hard and become the leader of a squadron of your very own. And with new pilots coming out of the training squadron everyday, in no time your squadron will be filled. You, of course, could choose your own XO and CAG from fleet of well trained pilots. With pilots keeping records of their flights just like a virtual airline, you could review those records and find the men you are looking for to help lead your squad. The Sky is truly the limit. Annual fleet-wide TopGun schools and Hyperlobby tournaments not withstanding, this fleet could also field the best of the best of its pilots to compete, not only against other squadrons in the group, but as a cohesive demonstration team in the annual VFAT show. Oh what a world it would be... Is it a reality? It will be... Coming soon... Mad Max