Search the Community

Since our group's inception, we've always cared about an environment where Aerodrome Controllers, Aerospace Battle Managers, and JTACs are commonplace. We provide dynamic operations for you to really hone your skills and manage multiple pilots alongside experienced controllers! So if you have a keen interest in Controlling, whether you're new or experienced, please get in touch! Combined Arms is required and we provide free licenses for LotAtc for use on our Servers. EU Timezone - Operations on Thursday Evenings at 1830GMT/BST Training - Boasting a powerful training platform, we offer training in layered steps, at a time that suits you, with a challenge suited to each level. Community - As part of the DCAF, you’ll find opportunities to branch out. We have a diverse community for you to hang out with, and learn from. Ready to apply? https://forms.gle/fhxwzxAJVBjYfU779 Want to learn more? https://dcafoc.wixsite.com/home Come and say hi: https://discord.gg/dcaf

Following rapid expansion of DCAF’s F-14 component, we are looking to onboard more F-14 crewmembers seeking executive and organisational capabilities. If you’re interested in flight leading, planning, training, and leading a squadron, this could be an exceptional opportunity for you. About DCAF: DCAF (Digital Coalition Air Force), is an EU based DCS mil-sim organisation, with numerous squadrons. We take considerable pride in our comprehensive training structure, regular custom missions, human controllers/ABMs/JTACs/FACs, and community. About VF-154: As one of the largest squadrons, VF-154 specialises in the air-to-air realm, with side roles of SEAD and air-to-ground flying the F-14A. Currently, VF-154 has 16 crewmembers on roster with more aircrew cadets in the training pipeline. VF-154 consists of an even share of European and American based crewmembers that come together to support DCAF. Why do we want COs and XOs? The role of a CO and XO can be time consuming but remains critical in the health and running of a squadron. While internally recruiting for the role, we believe bringing in external expertise and skills will bolster the capabilities of VF-154. This also coincides with the intention of standing up a second squadron, necessitating more leaders. What is the fast stream? The CO/XO fast stream is a course led by former COs/XOs and wing staff officers within the F-14 community. Fast stream trainees will be given an intensified course in which trainees will have greater personalised training, taken from line pilot/RIO to flight lead, to flight commander, and eventually XO/CO. This will be over a duration of a few months to ensure prospective XO/COs have appropriately assimilated into DCAF, have good rapport with the squadron, and demonstrate effective leadership and administrative capabilities. What we want from you: - To be at least 18 years of age, - Able to attend weekly ops (Thursday 1830GMT) and additional operations (Saturdays 1830GMT) very regularly, - Have considerable time to put into training within the week, - Be competent with the F-14A, whether pilot or RIO, o Pilots: this consists of being able to capably use SRS and is familiar with radio telephony, can confidently perform CASE I recoveries, conduct formation flying, air to air refuelling day and night, has some experience flight leading, and is readily familiar with the F-14’s capabilities. o RIOs: this consists of being able to capably use SRS and is familiar with radio telephony, has some experience flight leading, is familiar with the vast majority of TID modes including NAVGRID, an awareness of piloting the F-14, and CNATRA P-825. - A willingness and interest in training F-14 cadets, - Be a capable English speaker, - Be willing to use Discord, - Possess a stable internet connection, - Possess good quality flight simulator hardware, including a HOTAS, rudder, and at least a headtracking/VR solution, - A great teamworking attitude. This consists of a willingness to learn and assimilate into DCAF’s modus operandi, a drive to practise in personal time for self-improvement, be willing to take constructive criticism, and a strong desire for personal improvement to contribute back to the squadron. These attitudes precede leadership, - Bring great energy and enthusiasm towards the group and towards individual training, - Some leadership experience in dynamic situations, with an ability to take responsibility, identify faults and rectify them. While some of these traits are definitive requirements, no applicant is the same, and individual circumstances will be considered. What will the fast stream look like? Note: Subject to Change Trainees will enter DCAF’s training syllabus, primarily consisting of V1, V2, and V3. - V1: is our course that all aircrew cadets go through in order to meet DCAF’s minimum standard in partaking as a line pilot. This consists of a familiarisation flight (start up, taxi, departure, straight and level flight, turns, climbs & descents, 60° AOB turns, slow speed flight in landing configuration, high AOA manoeuvring, stall and spin recovery, descent, and landing), visual circuits, departures and arrivals (from the military aerodrome traffic zone), formation flying, day and night AAR(Air-Air-Refuelling), night familiarisation flight, weaponeering and combat readiness assessment. RIOs are different in that they have bespoke components in lieu of formation and AAR. - V2: is our flight lead course. Once V2 qualified, trainees will be able to plan, and flight lead a division of their airframe. This consists of a domestic flying assessment, a decision-making exercise, and a combat flying readiness assessment. V2 will also give you the preliminary capability to instruct most components of V1. - V3: is designed to give crewmembers the necessary skills to become a squadron executive (CO/XO) and ability to teach V2. This goes into greater depth concerning air power theory, sortie management, flight commanding, and instructional technique. Additional syllabus, such as All-Weather Intercepts/Beyond Visual Range and for pilots CQ (Carrier Qualifications) will most likely be necessary. The fast stream will most likely be over three months with the following timeline in weeks: 0 – 2: Pass and qualify as a V1 crewmember before end of second week, 2 – 4: Continue personal training and attend weekly operations, 2 – 5: Undergo V2 training, with deadline before end of fifth week, 6 – 9: Consolidation of V2 training, conduct flight lead and training, attain AWI/BVR and CQ qualifications, 9 – 12: Begin and complete V3 training before end of 12th week. Throughout this time, you will be mentored by experienced F-14 crewmembers who will provide guidance and assess your performance. This is a great and rare opportunity to take your hobby to the next level and have the responsibility of a full-sized squadron. If you are interested, and believe you meet the specifications, join our Discord, and message me, either on ED or on Discord. We’ll have an informal chat to ensure expectations are met on both sides. Website: https://dcafoc.wixsite.com/home Discord: https://discord.gg/dcaf Message me on Discord: Panny#2973 I look forward to hearing from you, ‘Parker’

Unique to DCAF, we offer our Briefing And Training System(BATS). DCAF members will have a registered account, in which they can access our courses, independently study, be assessed, and track their progress. Additionally, users can view the overall roster of DCAF and view briefing documents for the upcoming weekly operations. As an insight, you can see what training for the pilot looks like(an additional post showing the training scope for controllers will be completed shortly): Having been enrolled to their airframe and registered on BATS, the user will have to complete V1. V1 is the training and assessment course needed to attend our weekly operations as a wingman. Although pilots joining will commit to their aircraft of choice for the duration of their training, DCAF’s training syllabus and SOPs are universalised as much as possible, being based on the principle of airmanship. V1 students will go through the V1 Learning Plan, as shown below: Each section contains lessons, which students are expected to read prior to assessment. Lessons include custom documentation, information and literature about the relevant subject. Once read, the student can contact an instructor of their airframe at any time for clarification, practice, or guidance. Once ready, students can sign up to be assessed in the activity. Instructors are more than happy to help energetic students who want to do more, and students should never feel guilty about chasing up someone to get an instructor slot! Below is a breakdown of each training objective within V1: Flight Familiarisation Flight familiarisation is often what other groups would define as a check-ride in demonstrating basic understanding. For us, we verify familiarity with the cockpit layout, startup, taxi, takeoff, straight and level flight, turns, climbs and descents, climbing and descending turns, steep turns, maintaining AOA in the landing configuration, low speed flight, stall recovery, spin recovery, descent and landing. This also tends to involve basic navigational competency. Visual Circuits Touch and go, touch and go, touch and go. Students will practise the military visual circuit, and the comms necessary to communicate intentions from startup to shutdown. Departures & Arrivals Building on the former, this reinforces understanding, and includes the procedure to leave the Military Aerodrome Traffic Zone, and how to appropriately rejoin it. Formation & AAR Arguably the most difficult part in core piloting skill. Cadets will be instructed and assisted in formation flying with appropriate references to their aircraft, and orderly departures and arrivals. Next, day and night air to air refuelling are on the agenda(!). Preview of one of the AAR graphics. Combat Operations This part starts to become more specific to the airframe. Instructors will teach you the individual weapon systems involved and how to effectively employ them. On completion, you will conduct your combat readiness assessment, to ensure that you meet the requirements as a wingman to take part in ops. Once complete, you have passed V1 and can take part in Thursday operations! After V1: From there, you have additional courses you can take, such as: - V2 – flight lead qualification - V3 – Instructor Pilot Qualification - V3* - Squadron Lead Assimilation - CLO – Counter Land Operations - AWI/BVR – All Weather Intercepts/Beyond Visual Range - BFM – Basic Fighter Manoeuvres - ACM – Air Combat Manoeuvring - CQ – Carrier Qualification - VSTOL Airframe Specific Training: Though the bulk of our training is universalised, there are numerous chapters available for your airframe of choice. These include ground school, SOPs, emergencies, and weapons employment. These are go to guides and instructional points to better adapt DCAF flows with the aircraft of your choice. A preview of some of the lessons one would find in airframe specific(F-14 Pilot Familiarisation) Expectations At the end of the day, the people we’re looking for are those who are keen to learn, and progress. It doesn’t matter where you are starting from, or how new you are to the sim. We have all the time in the world for members who want to actively improve themselves, and take advantage of everything we have to offer. If you’re someone who wants to learn, develop and build on skills to employ the aircraft at the most it has to offer, then our training syllabus and instructors are well positioned to get you there. For us we do this not only because we want more pilots in our ops, but because we take great enjoyment in teaching people. Training commitments are flexible, but you would be best served trying to keep a regular pace of training so you don’t fall back on the training you’ve already achieved. Regular Ops are conducted every Thursday 1830 GMT/BST Training: Sunday 1530GMT/BST and Wednesday 1830GMT/BST, and by appointment We employ the F-14, F-16, F/A-18, AV-8B, and are open to more controllers. If you’re interested and want to find out more, don’t hesitate to visit our website, and message us on our Discord: https://dcafoc.wixsite.com/home https://discord.gg/dcaf Want to apply?: https://forms.gle/fhxwzxAJVBjYfU779 After application, if we have capacity to take you on, we will provide you with an introductory presentation where you can learn more about what we do, and ensure that this is the right place for you. We want to make sure that everyone gets the best out of their hobby, and the introduction is part of establishing that. I look forward to hearing from you, Peter ‘Parker’ Anson

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