Yesterday, the pilots of VFA-41 conducted Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) against multiple aggressor aircraft types in the skies north of Nellis AFB
Three flights of squadron Hornets departed Nellis AFB and were assigned ACM ranges in the northern half of the NTTR Complex. Each DEALER flight faced three separate aggressor aircraft groups in a 3v2 format. Aggressor flights consisted of Mirage-2000s, F-5s, or F-16s.
Specifically, the training was all WVR with Guns and CATM-9 training missiles commencing from a neutral merge. All aircraft telemetry and weapons data was monitored by range control "SHOWTIME" and simulated kills were passed on to participating aircraft via SHOWTIME frequency.
A hard deck of 10,000' feet was in effect and any aircraft violating the deck was removed from the fight by range control.
All flights of aggressor aircraft were successfully destroyed by missile shots or maneuver kills below the hard deck with, with minimal simulated losses to enemy fire (18:3).
DEALER 1 had the farthest transit time and distance to their range, so took the opportunity to top off their tanks at the KC-135 prior to commencing their third event.
Upon completion of training all squadron aircraft safely returned to Nellis AFB for debrief.
DEALER 1
Rhino - completed training, tanked, recovered Nellis
Lucky - completed training, tanked, recovered Nellis
Maniac - completed training, tanked, recovered Nellis
DEALER 2
Trim - completed training, recovered Nellis
Sabot - completed training, recovered Nellis
Sven - completed training, recovered Nellis
DEALER 3
Mr Bean - completed training, recovered Nellis
Chaos - completed training, recovered Nellis
Crash - completed training, recovered Nellis
Trim rolling in on an aggressor F-5
DEALER 1 merging with a section of F-16s
DEALER 1 at the tanker
Recovery at Nellis AFB
25 February, 2024 - Nellis Training Detachment, Week 5
Re: 25 February, 2024 - Nellis Training Detachment, Week 5
Pilot records updated.