Cold War Germany NATO Training Server (powered by 1./JG71 "Richthofen")

[Volator]

What is it?

The Cold War Germany NATO Training Server follows the idea of merging the concept of virtual air traffic networks like VATSIM with the world of DCS. It intends to offer DCS milsim squadrons an environment in which real-world flight rules apply and must be adhered to, where human Air Traffic Controllers and Fighter Controllers / TAC/C2 can offer their services and get enough traffic to have a good time, where squadrons meet and train together, and where, hopefully, many like-minded squadrons and ATC/FC folks will find their virtual homebase.

This is a peace-time training server. All combat action is simulated and happens in the constraints of a real-life exercise. All aircraft and many ground units on the NATO training server are therefore set to immortal, and no real combat will take place.

When flying on the server, you must act as if this was a flight in real life. As a few examples, that means:

• no weapons employment of any kind outside of ED-Rs or ED-Ds;
• no jettisoning of ordnance or external tanks if not absolutely necessary, and especially not over populated terrain;
• no violation of airspaces and the ADIZ;
• no supersonic flight below FL360 (FL200 over sea);
• no violation of minimum altitudes (500ft over unpopulated terrain / 1000ft over populated terrain / 2000ft over large cities, low flying areas minimum 250ft will be added to the map in the future) outside of ED-Rs;
• adherence to control zones and traffic patterns;
• collision avoidance;

The Cold War Germany NATO Training Server uses a collection of historic charts for the airbases available in West Germany on the Cold War Germany map by Ugra as basis for a mandatory procedure framework. Where no historic charts are available, we use the modern charts and adapt them accordingly. Due to the small community within a small community that we are and also due to the difficulties of finding authentic documentation from one timeframe, some simplifications had to be made to the ATC and tactical structure. In general, in our virtual world we have two big civil Radar sectors (BREMEN RADAR and FRANKFURT RADAR) controlling the north and the south of Germany respectively, plus two CRCs working similarily. Additionally, the aerodromes feature Tower, Radar (for APP/DEP) and PAR frequencies, and some also come with Ground. Just like at VATSIM, our ATC system is intended to work top-down, e.g. if only a BREMEN RADAR controller is online, he may provide full ATC services to the sector you are flying in if traffic permits. You will find more information on our ATC/CRC system in our documentation at our Discord.

 

Who is the target group?

The Cold War Germany NATO Training Server aims at “full-real“ milsim NATO squadrons (both jets and helicopters) and interested ATC and Fighter Controllers / TAC-C2 that are looking for a high level of realism.

While it has “Cold War” in its name, it does not exclude squadrons flying post-Cold War aircraft variants, but due to the nature of the map and the scenario, we ask these squadrons to try to use Cold War procedures as much as possible and use the 1989 airspace structure that is provided. No PBN approaches, and East Germany is off-limits (sorry EUFI guys, no Laage ETNL for you).

You come from an F-15 / F-16 / F/A-18 / AH-64 squadron and want to have the latest weaponry on your wings? Fine with us, just please don’t bring them when we practice DACT together, that’s all.

In order not to destroy the immersion of NATO aviation in West Germany in the 1980s that we are trying to create on the server, we currently do not allow squadrons flying eastern hardware, sorry.

Since 1./JG71, the squadron behind this project, is based in Germany and affiliated with other squadrons and ATC from Europe, this project mainly aims at (but is not limited to!) European-based squadrons, and we intend to populate the server during European evening times. However, if you Yanks, Aussies or Kiwis can gather enough people to fly at your times, you are more than welcome to join the community of CWGNTS.

 

What can you do on the Cold War Germany NATO Training Server?

You can fly realistic peace-time training missions with your squadron, in the best case under ATC supervision or with TAC/C2 support. The larger ED-R areas are air-to-ground ranges where you can drop ordnance on targets. As a game master, you can also activate various air defenses at a few ranges to train threat evasion and the employment of countermeasures. You can also fly into one of the TRAs and practice A2A engagments. Additionally, the idea is to have more like-minded traffic on one server to provide a living, realistic military aviation environment that enhances your immersion. If you are an ATC or TAC/C2 controller, the chance of having enough competent traffic to work with is another intention of this server.

For your air-to ground training, the CWGNTS currently offers five restricted airspaces (ED-R)

• three around Fassberg (ED-R 26, ED-R 27 and ED-R 39)
• one nearby Guetersloh (ED-R 18)
• one nearby Ramstein (ED-R 1 Baumholder), including “Polygone” EW-Range with SAM threats

For your air-to-air training, the CWG NTS offers four Temporarily Reserved Airspaces (TRA) and two Danger Areas (ED-D)

• ED-R 201 (TRA) over northern Germany and the North Sea
• ED-R 202 (TRA) over northern Germany
• ED-R 203 (TRA) over central Germany
• ED-R 205 (TRA) over southern Germany
• ED-D 44 over the North Sea for (but not limited to) A2A live-firing
• ED-D 48 over the North Sea for (but not limited to) A2A live-firing

It also offers two tankers, one in the north in the JUDY Anchor, and one in the south in the VIRGIN Anchor to practice AAR.

For rotorheads, a few auxiliary airfields linked to the "Heeresfliegerwaffenschule" in Bueckeburg have been recreated to offer sites for basic helicopter flight training. Additionally, a little helicopter firing range and a nearby FARP have been created in ED-R 27 to practice basic weapon employment.

 

How to participate?

The CWGNTS is not a public server, as it aims at virtual squadrons and ATC/FC folks who want to walk the extra mile when it comes to realistic military air traffic operations, which is why access is limited to like-minded people to protect everyone from destructive behaviour that can be seen on public servers from time to time.

Send me a private message here in the forum and write a few words about your squadron and which airbase you would like to have as your homebase, or your experience as an ATC/FC, then you'll get the link to the CWGNTS Discord. There you can find the documentation on how to fly or control on the server in detail.

We are looking forward to flying with you, seeing you in the pattern and hearing you on frequency!

Edited Friday at 05:19 PM by Volator