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¶ Administrative
¶ Pre-takeoff
¶ Flight Composition
A typical flight will be composed of 4 aircrews, and 4 aircraft.
- (-1) Division Lead (DL)
- (-2) Division Wingman (W1)
- (-3) Section Lead (SL)
- (-4) Section Wingman (W2)
The DL is the most experienced and senior member in the flight and is primarily responsible for the formation’s navigation, tactical decision-making, and communications to other formations or agencies. The minimum qualifications for a DL are aircrew with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG/O2) with a Section Lead Qualification.
W1 should be reserved for the aircrew least current or experienced in the aircraft systems, retirees, or guests from outside squadrons.
The SL is the second most experienced aircrew in the formation. The SL is responsible for W2’s station-keeping in the desired division formation, and assuming the DL’s responsibilites if the DL becomes incapacitated. The minimum qualifications for this position will aircrew with the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade (LTJG/O2)
W2 is the third-most experienced aircrew, and should be proficient in visual formation flight.
¶ Succession Plan
| Incapacitated | New Lead |
| DL (-1) | SL (-3) |
| SL (-3) | W2 (-4) |
| W2 (-4) | W1 (-2) |
The standard succession plan will have the SL (-3) take the lead of the formation in the event of the DL (-1) becoming incapacitated.
If the SL (-3) is incapacitated W2 (-4) will assume the lead of the formation.
¶ Briefing
¶ Mass Briefing
Operation start times signify the beginning of the mass briefing, typically held in 
Ready Room on the CSG-8 Discord server. Please attend and pay attention to the briefing officer. Direct any questions you may have to your flight lead, so they may ask them when questions are allowed.
After the mass briefing, please move to your flight’s briefing channel to attend your flight’s briefing and wait for further instruction from your flight lead.
¶ Squadron or Task Group Briefing
Squadron or task group-level briefs shall occur when there are circumstances that dictate a meeting between multiple divisions (flights), and shall be organized by the appropriate task commander (e.g. CAP Commander, Strike Commander, SEAD Commander). These will occur following the mass brief.
¶ Division Briefing
Division (flight) briefings will occur following the mass brief and any squadron/task group briefings. The division leader will cover variety of topics that work to implement the navigation, communication, and mission details covered in prior briefings, and in the Air Tasking Order. The three main categories of a division briefing include administrative, tactical administrative (TACADMIN), and mission.
¶ Administrative
The admin phase covers normal procedures. Some or all of these topics should be covered by the division lead.
- Callsigns
- Communications flow (radios, MIDS voice)
- Loadout
- Launch considerations (taxi, launch order, depature type)
- Rendezvous
- Route (altitude, speed, formation)
- Post-mission rejoin
- Return or recovery (recovery type, fuel, altitudes)
¶ TACADMIN
The TACADMIN phase covers transitioning from administrative to mission phases. Some or all of these topics should be covered by the division lead.
- Radar mate
- Sort
- Gameplan
- Countermeasures
¶ Mission
The mission phase covers how the objective will be accomplished. Some or all of these topics should be covered by the division lead.
- Target
- Weapons and delivery
- Ingress and egress routing
- Threats
¶ Naming Conventions & Livery
Prior to entering the server for an official operation, aircrew will ensure that their display name for the server will adhere to the following format:
SIDE NUMBER/MODEX | TACTICAL CALLSIGN | AIRCREW NAME/CALLSIGN (OPTIONAL)
| 1 | SIDE NUMBER/MODEX |
This will be the modex assigned in the Roster |
| 2 | TACTICAL CALLSIGN |
This will be the formation’s callsign as assigned by the CVW-1 Flight Composition |
| 3 | AIRCREW NAME/CALLSIGN |
Aircrew will input their name as reflected on the Roster page, or their given callsign after a callsign review board or poll. This field is optional and may be omitted |
404 | LINER 31
340 | SPARTAN 21 | J. DOE
300 | ARES 71 | "CRUSHER"
400 | INFERNO 61 | J. "MAVERICK" DOE
The above examples are all acceptable formats for use in official vCSG-8 operations/missions.
The LOW livery for your squadron should be used unless you have your own squadron livery (LTJG+) or you are told otherwise by your division lead or briefing officer.
¶ Spawning In
Wait until given the signal to spawn in by your flight lead. Typically, flights are allowed to spawn in when the flight before them in the launch order has all members spawned in and stable. If the flight before your flight has F-14s, please wait until all F-14s have spawned in and are airborne.
¶ Ground Operations and Departure Procedures
¶ Carrier Operations
CSG-8 uses the standard NATOPS CASE I, CASE II, and CASE III procedures. For ground operations and taxi procedures aboard the carrier, reference Section I, Paragraphs 1.1 through 1.2 of the following;
¶ CASE III
Members attending operations where the planned carrier recovery state is CASE III must have completed their CASE III qualification to attend.
CSG-8 uses the CV-1 approach by default.
ACLS Mode 2 is allowed and encouraged in harsh conditions.
¶ Airfield Operations
Standard ICAO procedures and radio communications are encouraged. Traffic advisories on CTAF are required if the airfield tower is unmanned.
¶ Navigation and Maneuvering
¶ Standard Climb Profile
The standard climb profile should be used when executing visual departures from the Carrier Air Traffic Control Zone or airfields without specific visual departure procedures.
¶ Visual Rejoins
The DL or SL will brief the desired visual rejoin based on the following options:
| TYPE | FIX | ALTITUDE | AIRSPEED | ORBIT | RATE OF TURN/BANK ANGLE |
| OVERHEAD RV | CVN TACAN | 12,000’ MSL or above WX | 250 KIAS | CIRCULAR, LEFT-HAND | HALF-STANDARD/30° |
| PRE-BRIEFED RV | WAYPOINT or GEOREF | AS BRIEFED | 250 KIAS | CIRCULAR, LEFT-HAND | HALF-STANDARD/30° |
For all visual rejoins the following will remain consistent:
- The first aircraft airborne in the formation will establish at the assigned altitude and fix
- The hold fix will be at the 3 o’clock position of the orbit.
- Aircraft will approach 1,000 ft below the established aircraft, acquire visual contact and request to rejoin on the briefed intraflight frequency in use.
[C/S], I AM VISUAL, YOUR [RELATIVE POSITION FROM ESTABLISHED AIRCRAFT] REQUEST REJOIN - Once cleared to rejoin
[C/S], CLEARED TO REJOIN, [ESTABLISHED ALTITUDE]aircraft will establish in Echelon Right with a minimum of 1 wingspan spacing, but no more than 3 wingspans.
¶ Running Rendezvous
¶ Cruise
| MINIMUM AIRSPEED | 250 KIAS |
| MAXIMUM AIRSPEED | 350 KIAS (below 10,000’ MSL) |
| M 0.8 (above 10,000’ MSL) | |
| STANDARD BANK ANGLE | 30° |
| MAXIMUM BANK ANGLE | 45° |
| MAXIMUM MANEUVERING G | 3G |
These limits exist to ensure ease of rejoin and organized flight in visual formations, but these limits SHOULD NOT be adhered to during emergencies or combat operations. Self-preservation takes precedence over administrative procedures in any situation endangering aircrew or aircraft.
¶ Tactical
| MINIMUM AIRSPEED | 300 KIAS (below 10,000’ MSL) |
| M 0.7 (above 10,000’ MSL) | |
| DESIRED AIRSPEED | 350 KIAS |
| MINIMUM MANEUVERING G | 2G |
| POWER SETTING | MIL |
¶ FENCE Checks
¶ FENCE-In
FENCE checks are crucial to preparing your aircraft, ordnance, and equipment for combat operations. FENCE stands for FUEL, EMITTERS, NAVIGATION, COUNTERMEASURES, and EMPLOYMENT. “Fencing in” signifies getting ready for combat operations, while “fencing out” lets your flight know you have ceased combat operations.
Upon your flight leader calling “fence in,” you will perform the following checks.
| F | FUEL | Total fuel checked. BINGO state set. |
| E | EMITTERS | TACAN configured. Radar on and sanitizing. Radar mate as required. Radios set to correct frquencies. Encryption as required. RWR on. IFF on. Transponder configured. Datalink configured. Lights off per SOP. |
| N | NAVIGATION | INS checked. BULLSEYE set. Waypoint and waypoint sequence loaded & selected. Target verified. |
| C | COUNTERMEAUSRES | Dispenser armed. ECM set. Chaff quantity and program checked. Flare quantity and program checked. |
| E | EMPLOYMENT | Master arm as desired. A/A or A/G mode set. Weapon settings set. GPS alignment good. Gear is up. FLIR set. Laser code set. Laser is armed. Laser trigger set as desired. |
No radio communications are required until your flight leader orders an “items check.”
¶ Items Check
Items checks exist to ensure countermeasure dispensers are configured and working properly. Your flight leader will signal individual elements to perform an items check, and then call out what they see.
Spartan 32, items check…visual, flare.
Your flight leader will advise that items checks are complete, and state “fenced in” followed by their fuel state.
Items checks complete. Spartan 31 fenced in, state 10.5.
You will then follow the same pattern by stating you are “fenced in,” followed by your fuel state.
¶ FENCE-Out
The checks for a FENCE-Out follow largely the same procedure as a FENCE-In, minus the items checks. It is up to the discretion of the Flight Lead if they would like to perform a Battle Damage Assement of the aircraft in their flight.
¶ Exterior Lights
Exterior lights should default to the cruise setting unless otherwise specified.
The first row describes which exterior lights the setting corresponds to (position lights, formation lights, strobe lights, and landing/taxi lights. The first column describes specific circumstances where the light settings will differ from cruise.
¶ Daytime Carrier Operations
During daytime carrier operations, exterior lights will be off in all situations.
| Position | Formation | Strobe | Landing/Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All Situations |
¶ Nighttime Carrier Operations
During nighttime carrier operations, exterior position, formation, and strobe lights will be on unless specified below. While on the deck, all lights should be off until saluting. The landing/taxi light should not be used unless the Supercarrier is not illuminated.
| Position | Formation | Strobe | Landing/Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise | ||||
| Deck (Startup & Taxi) | ||||
| Aerial Refueling | ||||
| Combat |
¶ Daytime Field Operations
During daytime field operations, exterior strobe lights will be on unless specified below. The landing/taxi light must be turned on while below 10,000 ft MSL.
| Position | Formation | Strobe | Landing/Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise | ||||
| Aerial Refueling | ||||
| Combat |
¶ Nighttime Field Operations
During nighttime field operations, exterior position, formation, and strobe lights will be on unless specified below. The landing/taxi light must be turned on while below 10,000 ft MSL.
| Position | Formation | Strobe | Landing/Taxi | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cruise | ||||
| Aerial Refueling | ||||
| Combat |
¶ Landing
¶ Carrier Operations
Use the following mnemonic to prepare the aircraft for recovery prior to contacting the marshal agency:
| H | Arresting Hook |
| A | Altimeter set to local pressure |
| I | Instruments: ICLS/ TACAN |
| L | Lights - external lights set as required. |
| R | Radios & Radar altimeter set as required |
¶ Descent Profile
Estimate 480 KGS for all descent calculations, this will translate to approximately 8 NM/minute
Distance to CVN / 8 = T
Current Altitude (MSL) - Marshal Altitude = Altitude Delta
Required Descent Rate (FPM) = Altitude Delta / T
Lead should set throttles to 80-85% RPM and avoid use of idle power and speed brakes during descent. If leads will breach the 10 NM Carrier Control Zone above their briefed marshal altitude, lateral maneuvers should be executed while maintaining the briefed descent rate in order to correct for errors.
¶ Airfield Operations
¶ Visual Approaches
¶ Instrument Approaches
¶ Debrief
¶ Objectives
Flight leads will aim to identify and highlight key points during mission execution that impacted mission success. These may include but are not limited to:
- Communications
- Adherence to established standard operational procedures (CVW-1 SOPs,Standard Contract, or Mission Contracts)
- Air-to-Air Timeline execution
- Air-to-Air Tactics
- Air-to-Surface weapons employment
- Ground Attack Tactics
- Surface-to-Air Counter-Tactics
- Inter-flight coordination
- Intra-flight coordination
- Hardware or technical issues
¶ Written Reports
Written after action reports may be required for some operations within campaigns. The following format shall be used for all written reports:
### `CALLSIGN`
### `MSN######` / `TASKING (OCA, DCA, SEAD, etc.)`
### TARGET:
`JSTL,DTL, or JDPI # if available, and narrative description of target, or target array`
### EXPENDITURES:
`Munitions expended across the flight, or individually`
### BDA:
`# of positive weapon impacts and observed effects, # of commits/groups targeted if unable to confirm hits/kills`
### LOSSES:
`List all airframe losses and source of casualties. Include last known positions of aircrew to best accuracy available`
### ALIBIS:
`List any client or server technical difficulties, ROLEX, exceptions, flexes, re-taskings, etc., and additional commentary directed to mission makers`
MSN#####(Mission Number) may be omitted if no mission number was provided by the mission maker/briefing/air tasking order.JSTL(Joint Strike Targeting List),DTL(Dynamic Targeting List), orJDPI(Joint Desired Point of Impact), may be omitted if none are provided by the mission maker, briefing, air tasking order, or targeting folder.
The above code block can be copied directly into the #operations-room forum thread for the mission within the CSG-8 Discord, and applicable information filled in as required.
¶ Air to Air Warfare
¶ Beyond Visual Range
¶ Radar Mechanics
¶ Sanitization
The radar santization plan is a critical tactical administrative task to brief. This sanitization plan ensures a formation maintains adequate radar coverage of expected threat vectors and maintains a high degree of situational awareness. In order to reduce the administrative burden on all members, a standard radar sanitization plan will be given below, with flight leads able to adjust settings in order to counter adversary tactics or capabilities as required.
For all air to air fire control radar configurations the following will remain common throughout:
- NCTR - ON
- 1LOOK RAID - ON
- LTWS - ON
- MSI - ON
- DECLUTTER 2
- AUTO IFF/140° (AZ/EL)
¶ Long Range Search (LRS)
| WEAPON | RANGE | BAR | AZIMUTH | AGING | PRF | MODE |
| AIM-120 | 80 NM | 6B | 140° | 16 | INTERLEAVED | RWS/LTWS |
¶ (b) Short Range Search (SRS)
| WEAPON | RANGE | BAR | AZIMUTH | AGING | PRF | MODE |
| AIM-9 | 20 NM | 4B | 80° | 8 | MEDIUM | RWS/LTWS |
¶ Radar Mate
The standard Radar Mating Plan, RMP1, will be the assumed plan unless otherwise briefed. RMP1 will assume all flight members are in the LRS pattern with the target designation cursor (TDC) on the fire control radar at 25 NM, this is known as the Cursor Correlation Range, or CCR. Strict adherance to the outlined mating plans is not required, and deviations from these plans is encouraged in order to counter adversary tactics or threat capabilites.
| CALLSIGN | ALTITUDE |
| -1 | 0 AGL - 25K |
| -2 | 15K - 40K |
| -3 | 15K - 40K |
| -4 | 0 AGL - 25K |
| CCR | 25 NM |
| CALLSIGN | ALTITUDE |
| -1 | 15K - 40K |
| -2 | 0 AGL - 25K |
| -3 | 15K - 40K |
| -4 | 0 AGL - 25K |
| CCR | 25 NM |
| CALLSIGN | ALTITUDE |
| -1 | 15K - 40K |
| -2 | 0 AGL - 25K |
| -3 | 0 AGL - 25K |
| -4 | 15K - 40K |
| CCR | 25 NM |
¶ Melding
| WEAPON | RANGE | BAR | AZIMUTH | AGING | PRF |
| AIM-120 | 40 NM | 2B | 80° | 8 | INTERLEAVED |
¶ Short Range Radar Mechanics
Short Range Radar (SRR) Mechanics are a technique used to quickly target threats if under low situational awareness, or attempting to clear past a merge without a tally. This technique aims to build radar situational awareness from immediately in front of the aircraft back out to the LRS pattern.
Once a fighter is established on the desired flow, they will cycle through the following radar modes of operation in sequence for the prescribed amount of time per mode of operation.
- GUN ACQUISITION MODE - 1 FRAME
- WIDE ACQUISITION MODE - 1 FRAME
- SHORT RANGE SEARCH - 1 FRAME
- LONG RANGE SEARCH - 1 FRAME
A radar FRAME is the amount of time required for the radar to complete a full cycle of azimuth sweeps for the programed elevation, or Bar, setting.