14 January 2024 - Nellis Detachment Week 1

[MrBean]

Since the end of Operation Enduring Resolve, the Black Aces have relocated to Nellis AFB in order to conduct some unit and airing level training.

This being the first mission out of Nellis (and on the NTTR map) for the squadron, an area familiarization was conducted to get pilots and crews familiar with operating procedures in and out of Nellis AFB as well as an introduction to the Nevada range complex.

Three flights departed Nellis and worked their way around the range, being introduced to various landmarks and range facilities along the way.

Unfortunately, despite being a benign training mission things did not all go according to plan.

Two out of three squadron Tomcats seemingly exploded mid-air for no apparent reason each at a different point in time while transiting the range. No apparent server lag or rubber-banding was observed at the time, so the likelihood of a collision has been ruled out based on review of range telemetry data. The only logical conclusion being that they were a result of an errant test of unknown alien technology underway in Area 51.

All of DEALER 2 was lost when a mid-air collision between -1 and -2 also engulfed -3 in the ensuing fireball.

Goes to show that there are no easy days in the dangerous and unforgiving environment of virtual Naval Aviation.

Training will continue out of Nellis for the next 9-12 weeks.

DEALER 1
Trim - Completed familiarization, RTB Nellis
Sabot - Completed familiarization, RTB Nellis
Chaos - Completed familiarization, RTB Nellis

DEALER 2
Rhino - destroyed in mid-air collision
Crash - destroyed in mid-air collision
Lucky - destroyed in mid-air collision

DEALER 3
Hedgehog - Completed familiarization, RTB Nellis
Mr. Bean - victim of spontaneous Tomcat combustion
Lion - victim of spontaneous Tomcat combustion
Maniac - Completed familiarization, RTB Nellis

[MrBean]

For those pilots that did not get to complete the entire flight and wish to do so. The familiarization mission can be obtained here if you care to try to re-fly and complete it. Should work fine in SP with the exception of a couple of non-essential radio calls that will not go out without being hosted on the squadron server.

[Hedgehog]

Pilot records updated.