C-130J Preview in Chicago | Iraq Development Progress | Red Flag EU

[Graphics]

 

29 August 2025

Dear Fighter Pilots, Partners and Friends,

We are making steady progress on DCS: Iraq. Work has focused on completing the Iraq North region with clipmap refinements, corrected road and rail alignment, and more lakes. New airfields include H-2, H-3 Main, H-3 Northwest, H-3 Southwest, Al Kut, and Mosul airfields. Existing airfields have also received attention with refined embankments, fixed taxiway collisions, added ground support objects, and a more accurate water tower at Qayyarah Airfield West. We have also cleaned up open hangars of excess detail and unified settings so that all non destructible models are correctly flagged as Indestructible.

From the 5th to the 7th of September, 2025, make sure to check out the Sim Gaming Expo taking place at Renaissance Convention Center in Chicago. Renowned DCS campaign creator Baltic Dragon and the lead developer from the Airplane Simulation Company will be showcasing the imminent arrival of the DCS: C-130J. Don't miss your chance to get your hands on the first “big bird” in DCS aircraft with a 30% pre-purchase discount, and please drop by for the meet and greet.

The Red Flag EU server will be hosting Operation Liberty Dawn on the 30th of November, 2025. We are inviting you to take part in Nevada Test and Training missions; please contact Command via the official Red Flag EU Discord.

Thank you for your passion and support.

Yours sincerely, 

Eagle Dynamics

 

Iraq

Development Progress

We are adding several new airfields to the Iraq North region and making a series of terrain and existing airfield refinements to the DCS: Iraq map. Clipmap adjustments are complete, and ground object settings have been normalized so that all non destructible models are now correctly flagged. This ensures consistent behaviour across the map as we move into the next round of art and performance passes. Please check out the development screenshots and stay tuned for the update coming soon.

A key focus of this Iraq North update will be the addition of the H-2, H-3 Main, H-3 Northwest, and H-3 Southwest airfields in western Iraq. These served as critical Iraqi airbases during both Gulf Wars and as the focus on numerous offensive counter air, suppression of air defenses, SCUD-Hunt, and fighter sweep missions.

To the north at Mosul, the Mosul Airfield has been added, as well as the surrounding area being improved.

The southern portion of this region will see the addition of Al Kut airfield that also saw extensive action during the Gulf Wars and the earlier Iran-Iraq War.

Several unique points of interest are also being added; the Kirkuk and Al-Shaab Stadiums, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the Grand Festival Square, Mar Mattai Monastery, Baghdad and Babylon palaces, and more.This is in addition to improvements to the existing airfields such as better hangars, control towers, and terminals.

Following the release of the Iraq North update (similar to the recent Afghanistan Map update), the full-attention of the Iraq map team will focus on the southern region to include all or portions of southern Iraq, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, and Qatar. Much of this work has already started, along with the addition of several Iranian airfields to allow Iran-Iraq War scenarios.

 

Sim Gaming Expo

Special guests

We are excited to announce that DCS will be represented at the inaugural Sim Gaming Expo, a community-driven celebration of simulation taking place in Chicago, Illinois. This event will bring together enthusiasts from across the globe to experience the latest in simulation hardware, meet content creators, and take part in engaging panel discussions with industry leaders.

One of the highlights of the show will be the opportunity to fly the upcoming DCS: C-130J by Airplane Simulation Company before its official launch. Campaign and mission developer Baltic Dragon will be there to showcase his specially crafted C-130J missions that demonstrate the full capabilities of this outstanding new module. Visitors will also have the chance to experience DCS on the impressive SimCraft full-motion simulator, flying missions designed by Baltic Dragon.

DCS twitch streamer Ultrasaurus, known for sharing her DCS adventures, and Rifle, a real-world Special Forces Operator and JTAC/Instructor who actively uses DCS as a training tool, will be there to connect with fellow DCS pilots and share their experiences. 

 

RED FLAG EU

Operation Liberty Dawn

To mark the 50th Anniversary of Exercise Red Flag, RED FLAG EU will host its final event of the year: Operation Liberty Dawn. This will be a full-scale, multi-squadron, dawn strike against a hostile regime in the Nevada Test Training Range terrain.

This large-force exercise will feature:

• Joint Task Force Blue executing SEAD, DEAD, OCA, SCAR, CAS, and Strike packages
• Player aggressors simulating hostile air opposition
• Heavy, layered IADS with realistic SAM placements
• Live JTAC, AWACS, ATC, and Range Control provided by Digital Controllers
• Aggressor operations provided by Bandit Works

Squadrons from across the community will come together for a high-threat, contested environment, replicating the complexity and pressure of real world Red Flag exercise.

Participation:
This event is primarily for organized squadrons (limited solo pilot slots may be available).
To request access, contact Command via the official Red Flag EU Discord.

Thank you again for your passion and support,

Yours sincerely,

[71st_Mastiff]

1st!  
wish I could go to this!

Edited 5 hours ago by 71st_Mastiff

[Raven (Elysian Angel)]

10 minutes ago, Graphics said:

along with the addition of several Iranian airfields to allow Iran-Iraq War scenarios.

[sirrah]

Iraq screenshots are stunningly beautiful. I hope it will be just as stunning low and slow flying helo's

 

Also, some Iraq content (thing to actually do) would be nice.. yes DC, looking at you

 

[Furiz]

Will this Red Flag EU event be streamed somewhere? would love to watch this

[BIGNEWY]

3 minutes ago, Furiz said:

Will this Red Flag EU event be streamed somewhere? would love to watch this

Best to ask in their discord, but there is already a lot of interest, would be great to have it streamed. 

[ThorBrasil]

 

[T.Power]

Great to get confirmation of some Iranian airfields.

[Gunfreak]

I like that ED seems to have become more receptive to wishes of the user base. First adding ocean to Afghanistan and now Iranian bases on the Iraq map. 

Excellent stuff.

[T.Power]

3 hours ago, Gunfreak said:

I like that ED seems to have become more receptive to wishes of the user base. First adding ocean to Afghanistan and now Iranian bases on the Iraq map. 

Excellent stuff.

Absolutely agree.