v303 FG 2025 Recap and 2026 Goals

2025 Year in Review & 2026 Outlook

---

From Group Leadership

2025 flew by in what felt like the blink of an eye. Like every year, the DCS community faced its share of challenges — platform updates, third-party developer issues, and uncertainty around future module support. Even with those headwinds, the v303rd Fighter Group stayed focused on what matters most....flying with friends, developing skills, and building capable virtual combat aviators. Our foundation remains steady.

In a sad moment on August 1, 2025, the v303 FG lost one of our own when Recon passed away after a battle with cancer. From the moment he joined the v93FS, Recon brought a unique energy to the squadron a quiet strength, steady professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to the Makos despite a demanding real-world schedule in law enforcement. He consistently showed up with humility, integrity, and heart. Whether flying training or combat sorties, Recon was always ready to support his flight, offer thoughtful advice, or share a laugh back in Discord. His calm presence on the radio made him genuinely enjoyable to fly with, even amid the chaos of Operation Hedge of Protection. He will be remembered not only for the pilot he was, but for the teammate and friend he will always remain within the Group and Makos.

The group ended 2025 honoring both Emmy and Recon during our annual End of Year sortie.

​

Despite some setbacks, 2025 was a strong, productive year — and 2026 is shaping up to be even better.

---

2025 Highlights & Operations

In 2025, the Group:

• Completed two combat deployments to Afghanistan ( Operation Prevailing Liberty – Phases 1 & 2 )
• Transitioned primary training from NTTR to the Cold War Germany map
• Shifted operations from Spangdahlem to Ramstein AB
• Continued refining tactics, techniques, and procedures across all aircraft

After years of desert operations and limited map updates, the move to Germany brought fresh training environments, better terrain variety, and renewed mission creativity.

---

A Tough Call: Inactivation of the v2 CAB

One of the hardest moments of the year was the decision to shut down the Virtual 2nd Combat Aviation Brigade (v2 CAB).

Challenges included:

• Limited participation
• Aircraft bugs impacting the Kiowa
• Real-world commitments requiring leadership to step away

Several members remained with the Group and transitioned into A-10C and F-16C operations. Looking ahead, leadership is considering a new rotary-wing effort in late 2026 — focused on an Apache Attack Reconnaissance Battalion if conditions allow.

---

A New Chapter: Standing Up the v757th Airlift Squadron

​

With one door closing, another opened. The release of the C-130J-30 allowed us to begin forming the:

v757th Airlift Squadron — “Blue Tigers”

​

In progress now:

• v303 FG Manual 11-2 DCS C-130J
• C-130J B-Course development & validation
• Future integration of the MC-130J when released

We're lucky to have a two members with real world experience on the C-130J and we hope to open recruitment in mid to late January — marking a major expansion of Group capability.

---

2025 Flight & Training Statistics

Total Group Activity

• 836 sorties
• 1533.2 flight hours

Sortie Breakdown

• v93 FS (F-16C): 333 sorties / 501.5 hours
• v303 FS (A-10C): 439 sorties / 912.1 hours
• v2 CAB: 46 sorties / 83.3 hours
• v757 AS (C-130J-30): 16 sorties / 36.7 hours
• Controllers / JTAC: 27 events / 59.2 hours

Combat Deployment Totals

• 331 sorties
• 638.4 flight hours
• 1,037 munitions used
• 24,923 gun rounds fired
• 19 enemy aircraft destroyed

A year of steady flying, disciplined execution, and meaningful training progress.

---

How We Measured Up: 2025 Goals & Results

• Maintain 4 active pilots per squadron weekly — B (steady roster, mixed consistency)
• Solidify v2 CAB program — Not achieved (unit shut down)
• Complete MQT for assigned pilots — A- (strong completion across platforms)
• Train new recruits through B-Course & MQT — A- (excellent progress)
• Build Weapons School courses — Partial (CAS, FL, IP complete)
• Host Virtual Gunsmoke & vHawgsmoke — Deferred
• Add C-130J to the Group — In progress
• Evaluate MiG-29A red air role — Closed (A model wouldn't provide meaningful challenge)
• Inter-organization operations — Deferred due to scheduling

---

Looking Ahead: 2026 Plans

Projected Training & Deployment Timeline

• Germany (Ramstein AB)/ Guam (Andersen AFB) — B-Course, MQT, Weapons School): 1 Jan 26 – 31 Mar 26
• Germany (Location TBD) — Combat Spin-Up: 1 – 30 Apr 26
• Combat Deployment — Balkans (or Kola fallback): 1 May 26– 15 Aug 26
• Germany (Ramstein AB)/ Nevada (Nellis AFB) — B-Course, MQT, Weapons School): 16 Aug 26– 31 Nov 26
• Combat Deployment — Balkans (or Kola fallback): 1 Dec 26– 15 March 27

---

2026 Competitions

• Internal Virtual Hawgsmoke — March 2026
• 1st Annual Virtual Gunsmoke — Late August 2026

The goal is to have our competitive events strengthen weapons employment discipline, teamwork, and tactical execution.

---

Closing Thoughts

2025 proved that even with challenges, the v303 FG continues to thrive through:

• teamwork
• professionalism
• commitment to learning
• camaraderie and shared passion for aviation

2026 will focus on growing capability, sharpening pilot proficiency, and expanding our mission set — while staying true to why we fly:

Community. Competence. Camaraderie.

For v303rd Fighter Group Command,
Snoopy

 

[Snoopy]

VIRTUAL 303RD FIGHTER GROUP​

www.v303rdfightergroup.com

14 January 2026

MEMORANDUM FOR v303 FG MEMBERS, DCS WORLD MP COMMUNITY

FROM: v303 FG COMMAND STAFF
SUBJECT: v303rd FY26 Recruiting & Retention Plan

1. PURPOSE. This memorandum establishes the FY26 Recruiting and Retention Plan for the Virtual 303rd Fighter Group. This plan aligns recruiting, onboarding, training, and retention efforts with the FY26 Objective Force Model to ensure a sustainable, operationally credible, and leadership-supported force.

2. SITUATION.

1. Operational Environment. The v303 FG operates in a volunteer-based environment with finite leadership bandwidth and fluctuating participation. Historical data demonstrates that sustained readiness is driven by a small number of stable squadrons supported by niche enabling elements.
2. Friendly Forces. The v93 FS (F-16C) and v303 FS (A-10C) form the core combat capability of the group with the v757 AS (C-130J) being added at the end of CY25. Support functions include LotATC, Olympus, and JTAC elements.
3. Assumptions. Annual attrition of 10 to 15 percent is expected. Participation fluctuates based on campaign tempo, module stability, and leadership availability.

3. MISSION. The v303rd Fighter Group recruits, onboards, and retains personnel during CY26 in order to man, train, and sustain the Objective Force while preserving unit culture, training quality, and leadership endurance.

4. EXECUTION.

1. Command’s Intent.
   
   1. Purpose: Build a durable force centered on stable squadrons and institutionalized support functions.
   2. Method: Prioritize deliberate recruiting, standardized onboarding, and predictable operations. CY26 recruiting targets are:
      
      • v93 FS: +6 to 8 new members
      • v303 FS: +4 to 6 new members
      • v757 AS: +2 to 3 new members
   3. End State: A 30 to 45 member operational force with three healthy core squadrons, support functions actively used, and new members graduated from their respective B-Course and progressing through MQT.
2. Concept of Operations. Recruiting efforts will focus on squadron-specific messaging and referrals. New members will be assigned to squadrons within 72 hours and sponsored through an accelerated onboarding pipeline. Retention will be driven by predictable operations, clear progression paths, and protection of key cadre.
3. Tasks to Subordinate Units.
   
   1. v303 FS and v93 FS: Maintain squadron culture, execute onboarding, and develop wingmen into flight leads and instructors.
   2. v757 AS: Integrate airlift into operational planning, maintain a deliberate growth posture, and incorporate into our core combat capability.
   3. LotATC/Olympus/JTAC: Provide command-and-control and CAS integration support for major exercises and combat operations.
   4. Group Staff: Monitor participation metrics and manage recruiting pipelines.

5. ADMINISTRATION AND LOGISTICS. Quarterly participation reviews will categorize members as Active, ELOA, or Retired/Removed. Metrics will be tracked by the Group Staff.

Snoopy
On Behalf of
Virtual 303rd FG Command