About Us

What we do

Attack, Rescue, Prevail!

23vEW is a group of DCS World pilots focusing on flying and fighting in the DCS A-10C II, F-16CM, F-15E, and F-18C as primary airframes. Many of our pilots cross train in multiple other secondary airframes once they’ve achieved BMC/CMR status in the Hog or Viper.

Some of our pilots also choose to cross train on the rotary wing side using the DCS UH-1H, UH-60L OH-58D and AH-64D primarily in support of CSAR training & operations but also in support of armed recon & CAS missions (the Apache & Kiowa have synergy in target sorting, lasing and handoff with the fast movers).

We periodically spend fun time flying time in the AV8BNA, F-14, F86, F5, P51, P47 and Spitfire when we have Retro nights flying both fictional and historical recreation missions. Other nights, we fly carrier patterns or strike targets in the OH-58D & AH-64D. Retro night flying with BMC/CMR wingmen & flight leads who understand military flying basics (formation, comms, surface attack & BFM) is incredibly fun!

We divide time between training & missions continually enhancing our technical and tactical prowess on a variety of missions (Escort, Rescort, CAS, CSAR, SEAD/DEAD, DCA/OCA, Intercepts, Armed Recon/SCAR working Kill Boxes and Interdiction missions. Flying DCS World jets in a high threat environment takes ongoing practice to remain current (it’s a perishable skillset).

Our Culture

Our mojo...

We keep our group casual but fangs out when we push to the jets (this is not Ace Combat arcade game – it’s a study level simulation). Our culture could likely best be described as a casual group of friends that are hardcore DCS Pilots continually learning & improving together in training and on missions. We keep life/family first and have had many members take extended breaks for work, family, military deployments etc. Common courtesy is the baseline – treat people right and everyone gets along…

Our Training Pipeline

Your path to virtual fighter pilot

We understand that not everyone has even come close to mastering a single DCS World airframe, so we try to accommodate a variety of skillsets (from new to experienced). The most common category of DCS pilot we get is able to fly and fight in their airframe but needs to learn formation flying. Learning formation is intimidating for many new DCS pilots, but it is an absolutely critical component of modern air combat tactics.

We teach formation flying and maneuvering by briefing and doing (crawl walk run) and have taught many DCS pilots to fly formation comfortably.

The second most common category of DCS Pilot we get are those who know formation but need to learn tactics (maybe they've flown solo and are ready to up their tactical game). We can accommodate pilots wanting to learn tactics - though disclaimer, we DO NOT use any classified training materials as we want to support the guys doing this for a living and their op security, so we limit to open source or learning on the fly (we've learned a lot over the past years).

Read on below for more details about our training pipeline...

Our training pipeline is divided into 5 categories:

1- UPT

2- IFF

3- B Course

4- BMC/CMR (IQT/MQT Pipeline)

5- Pilot Upgrades (e.g. Flight/Mission Lead, FAC(A), LASDT, TLASDT, NVG, CSAR 1-4, SEAD)

Undergraduate Pilot Training (UPT)

Brand new DCS pilots who cannot yet safely takeoff and land belong in UPT (NOTE: We do NOT run UPT classes year-round). Our UPT Pipeline is a highly condensed version of USAF UPT 2.5 (our DCS World version takes around 3-4 months) using a combination of the DCS C101CC and F-5E. New pilots will start in the C-101 then progress to the F-5E for IFF training.

UPT NOTE – We do NOT run UPT classes year-round. If you’re interested and hear about a class, sign up right away as the slots are limited to maintain a good IP to student pilot ratio.

Alternate UPT – we DO offer an alternate UPT for pilots that are extremely motivated for self-study and group study (we provide the syllabus / currency standards plus periodic evals with tips/tricks and intermittent tandem training hops). Unfortunately, Alternate UPT is ONLY allowed on case-by-case basis (many people quit/give up when they discover how much time/effort is required to learn DCS World aircraft). At the end of the day, flying DCS World aircraft is not for everyone – for those that have the motivation, self-discipline and an unending love of flying, this path tends to work.

Introduction to Fighter Fundamentals (IFF)

DCS Pilots who can already takeoff, land, navigate, communicate but need to learn tactical formation & tactical skills necessary to succeed as a wingman in a flight belong in IFF. IFF introduces Basic Surface Attack and Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM). At a high level, after IFF you'll know how to setup surface attacks + how to merge with a Bandit and have a reasonable chance of survival (understanding energy management, maneuvering + 1 vs 2 circle fights + associated game plans). We also teach high aspect gunnery in IFF so those transitioning to Viper or Hog have the skill necessary for a pre-merge guns kill.

IFF new pilots have the option of doing IFF in their primary airframe.

B Course

DCS Pilots that already know how to fly formation & need to learn their primary airframe + corresponding SOP & mission tactics start in the B Course. The B Course is the comprehensive IP assisted learn to fly and fight in your primary airframe course. We believe we've right sized our B Course so that motivated pilots will get enough stick time with an IP to be able to execute as a wingman on any of the missions we run. We start with a list of learning objectives + a currency guide and the B Course pilot goes down the list with an IP.

BMC/CMR Pilots

DCS Pilots that already know formation skills + how to fly & fight in their primary airframe are started at either BMC or CMR. We have an expedited in-processing for BMC/CMR pilots which simply covers our tech, SOP, Contracts & area FAM. Most BMC/CMR pilots that join us are flying in missions and working on any desired pilot upgrades immediately after the FAM flight.

Difference Between BMC and CMR:

Within 23vEW we loosely follow the USAF standard as follows:

(Basic Mission Capable or BMC = you can fly and fight in the airframe in MOST of the airframe missions for 23vEW)

(Combat Mission Ready or CMR = you can fly and fight in the airframe for ALL of the airframe missions for 23vEW)

23vEW Currently has B Course (IQT/MQT) training syllabus and capability for Qualified DCS Pilots or 23vEW UPT Graduates in following DCS World Aircraft:

DCS A-10C II

DCS F-16CM

DCS F-15E

DCS F-5E (Aggressor & UPT for IFF)

**DCS UH-60L (In support of our CSAR / CAS Operations + more)

**DCS AH-64D (in support of our CSAR / CAS Operations + more)

**DCS OH-58D (in support of our CSAR / CAS Operations + more)

**ROTARY WING NOTE - For pilots wanting to focus the PRIMARY efforts on rotary wing, we highly recommend you reach out to our friends at The Black Shark Den. They focus only on rotary wing and do it well. We periodically do joint ops with Black Shark Den so we can attest to their tactical prowess on the rotary wing side.

For all our new pilots, we do a Familiarization (FAM) Flight that doubles as an evaluation flight to ensure new pilots are placed in the appropriate training category (UPT, IFF, B Course or BMC/CMR Squadron Transition).

We train 23vEW pilots on all aspects of flying based on USAF open-source documentation. There’s enough open-source USAF documentation on the Hog, Viper and Strike Eagle that we are able to efficiently employ these aircraft on very challenging missions working together with wingmen in flights. At the end of the learning road on each airframe is learning advanced tactics (once you can operate, fly and fight in the jet it’s time to run via 2 and 4 ship tactics!).

23vEW New Pilot Skill Levels

To clarify experience levels for pilots that will be able to join in a B Course for a primary airframe, you should be able to perform the following (at minimum):

startup

takeoff

land

employ aircraft weapons (if not all, some)

If you have a basic understanding of your desired primary aircraft’s instruments / systems, we can take this skillset and build upon it teaching the necessary formation, formation maneuvering, SOP, Contract, Tactical & Technical skills needed to fight as a team on multiple mission types. We’ve learned over time that pilots unable to accomplish these tasks will struggle and constantly remain frustrated as they’re overwhelmed (bad situation for all involved).

Pilots who can accomplish everything above minus formation flying are encouraged to join us – we can get you there on formation skills. Keep in mind that formation skills are 100% essential for real world fighter pilots, and they are for us in DCS World as well. Formation is the basis of modern air combat tactics and provides extra Mk 1 Eyeballs to look for SAMs, Bandits, Targets, BDA, Aerial Refueling etc. (aka Situational Awareness or SA + getting gas) and equally important formation skill are a force multiplier (more canon rounds, A/A & A/S weapons + ability to keep pressure on a target). The USAF considers formation flying the perfect blend of aggressiveness tempered with precision flying needed to be a good fighter pilot.

Want to join us?

New Pilot interview a Discord channel away

If you’re interested in joining a group of DCS World pilots who can fly and fight well together in the DCS A-10C II + F-16CM + F-15E (When released) + cross train on other aircraft and fly fun flights on Retro Nights, feel free to join the 23vEW Discord Channel

**Be sure to check in on the “new-pilot-check-in” channel with the following:
1- announce your intention to join 23vEW and what airframe you’re interested in focusing on first
2- announce your timezone
3- announce your desired callsign (if different than discord username)

someone in 23vEW leadership will coordinate your interview, FAM Flight & Orientation. Beyond your FAM Flight & Orientation – how far you go is up to you.