Imagi-Nation Fighter Rodeo

[redleg]

The Republic of Dalmatia is pleased to announce that the 2016 Fighter Rodeo will be held March 13th through the 19th, and this year the event will be open to international participants!

For the past decade, the Ministry of Defense has hosted an annual Fighter Rodeo – a week-long event that brings the best combat pilots together from all over the country to hone their skills and to compete in a series of events. This year, however, the ROD is inviting international participation.

This event welcomes one fighter squadron and one attack squadron from each major command in the ROD. This year, the ROD also welcomes one fighter squadron and one attack squadron from other participant nations as well. Each participating squadron will consist of 12 combat aircraft and no more than 150 total personnel. The ROD will provide housing and meals for all participants, dignitaries, and media as well as fuel, live ordnance, training ordnance, and ground transportation.

All nations are welcome to attend and compete in three categories: fighter, attack, and support.

Fighter Category
-Low-level course. All 12 pilots will complete a challenging course at low altitude, negotiating a series of man-made markers and natural terrain features designed to test a pilot’s ability to maneuver at low altitude. Score is based on time and accuracy.

-Drone shoot. 6 pilots will be selected to intercept an unmanned drone and destroy it with cannon fire. Aircraft will be airborne when the drone is launched and will be directed to the target by AWACS aircraft. Time will start when the fighter is 20 miles away from the target. Aircraft without internal cannon will mount an external 20mm gun pod for this event.

-Head-to-head. 6 pilots will be selected to participate in a 1-on-1 dogfight with another fighter. 2 points will be awarded for a victory, 1 point for a draw, and 0 points for a loss. Pilots will participate in 2 dogfights and then the pilots with the most points will enter a semi-final stage leading up to one pilot being named top dogfighter.


Attack Category
-Low-level course. All 12 pilots will complete a challenging course at low altitude, negotiating a series of man-made markers and natural terrain features designed to test a pilot’s ability to maneuver at low altitude. Score is based on time and accuracy.

-Cannon shoot. 6 pilots will be selected to attack a stationary ground target and destroy it with cannon fire. Points will be awarded for accuracy. Aircraft without internal cannon will mount an external 20mm gun pod for this event.

-Bomb drop. 6 pilots will be selected to attack a stationary ground target and destroy it with a 500 lb unguided bomb. Points will be awarded for accuracy.


Support Category
-Aircraft maintenance. A panel of distinguished aircraft maintenance experts will inspect all 12 aircraft and award points based on the overall readiness and condition of the squadron’s aircraft.

-Aircraft pit-stop. All 12 aircraft will begin the competition airborne with full a full complement of blue painted training ammunition and ordnance, but with minimal fuel. The entire squadron will land and be refueled by the ground crew. All ammunition and ordnance will be downloaded and replaced with a full complement of red-painted training ammunition and ordnance. Time will start when the first aircraft touches down and will end when the last aircraft lifts off after refueling and rearming.

The rodeo will culminate in a major air battle with all aircraft participating in a force-on-force exercise that will test combat skills as well as the ability to operate effectively in a multi-national force.

[GM’s Note: all competitions will be resolved by dice roll]


If you would like to participate, please notify the ROD Ministry of Defense and include the squadrons and aircraft types.

[redleg]

2016 Fighter Rodeo Schedule of Events

Sunday March 13th Squadrons arrive
Welcome reception hosted by Commander, ROD Naval Aviation
Roundtable discussion on theory of modern air power

Monday March 14th Fighter low-level course
Head-to-head fighter competition, round 1
Attack squadron pit-stop competition

Tuesday March 15th Attack low-level course
Head-to-head fighter competition, round 1 (continued)
Fighter squadron pit-stop competition

Wednesday March 16th Fighter drone shoot competition
Attack cannon shoot competition
Head-to-head fighter competition, round 2
Aircraft maintenance competition

Thursday March 17th Attack bomb drop competition
Head-to-head fighter competition, finals
Saint Patrick’s Day Party

Friday March 18th Air battle
Awards ceremony
Military ball

Saturday March 19th Barbecue hosted by Commander, ROD Air Combat Command
Vintage aircraft air show and fly-by
Squadrons depart

[redleg]

ROD Squadrons participating in the 2016 Fighter Rodeo

Fighter Squadrons
VF-11 Wolfpack F-4Z ROD Navy – 1st Fleet
VFA-9 Cobras F-18C ROD Navy – 2nd Fleet
VMFA-3 Gladiators F-18C ROD Marine Corps
66th Fighter Squadron F-16C ROD Air Force – Western Air Command
15th Fighter Squadron F-16C ROD Air Force – Eastern Air Command

Attack Squadrons
VA-4 Dragons A-6E ROD Navy – 1st Fleet
VFA-23 Gunslingers F-18C ROD Navy – 2nd Fleet
VMFA-1 Bulldogs AV-8B ROD Marine Corps
19th Fighter Squadron F-15E ROD Air Force – Western Air Command
35th Fighter Squadron F-4Z ROD Air Force – Eastern Air Command


ROD Squadrons Supporting the Fighter Rodeo
5th Tanker Squadron KC-135
7th Combat Search & Rescue Squadron UH-60
10th Aerial Control Squadron E-3A
25th Transport Group C-130J

[7.62]

Wish I could pop down South but work and a home renovation project are keeping me busy.

However if you can roll a dice for me, Balzac would be more than happy to participate in spirit.

Balzac Self Defence Force composite squadron.

4x JAS39 Gripen C. 7 SQDN (Black Flys).
4x JAS39 Gripen C. 21 SQDN (The Hammers).
4x BAe Hawk. 4 Wing/Operational Conversion Unit.
Supported by.
1x C130.
1x Boeing 727.

The OCU teaches both air to air/air to ground skills, Hawks are armed and flown by the unit instructors.
Though lacking a radar the Hawks often operate with the Gripens taking advantage of the JAS39's data links and acting as an extra set of eyes/missiles on a small maneuverable platform.
The BSDF Gripen squadrons are all multi role but 7 SQDN devotes more time to air to air, 21 SQDN more to strike/anti shipping.
Wartime road based operations are a standard operating procedure and are regularly practiced.
Self contained low footprint logistics are the norm.

Will try to post photos but may be tied up.
Will have a beer at the the ball for sure.
Cheers.

[redleg]

Sorry I should have been more clear - the fighter rodeo is all virtual. No actual models are required and no personal participation...just me rolling some dice while I play with my own model planes. I will be more than happy to add the planes of other nations to the line up and roll dice for them as well! The ROD is trying to foster good will and cooperation with her international neighbors!

[7.62]

Great stuff.
My numbers are 1 to 1 of what Balzac would be happy to deploy without leaving the garage empty.

BSDF (air)
Gripen numbers restricted but 3 squadrons and working on 1 planed reserve.
10 x Hawks
3 x C130
3 x 727
2 x Saab 2000 AEW&C
2 x Bombardier CL 850

Common helicopter wing was pushing 30 but some none GHQ and 8 UH-1D about to be retired.
Will try to get a tiger paint job on one of the Hawks maybe.
Cheers.

[chrisswim]

ROD
The Great Commonwealth of Chrisdom is planning to attend this event. We have read many articles about this learning opportunity and to 'show our stuff''. However,, with the lack of being able to have a high readiness of aircraft in the recent unpleasantness in Morrcodom and Tunisdom, we will find a squadron for the event.
.
Will there be any training and educational programs for 1] logistics, 2]maintenance, 3]fuel consumption educations, 4] Tactics solo,5] tactics in a pair ,6] tactics in a small group, 7] how to get a large group of planes in the air, 8] how to get a large group of planes in the air without running into each other; 9[ How to take off and land at night; 10[ how to take off and land at night on a different landing strip; 11] refueling - day and night;
12] ammo loading, 13] How to store ammo and arm it. 14] How to fly at night without running into the ground, any one else, and anything else.
.
The Commonwealth will send 4 F-16, 4 Super Entarde, 4 A-4, 2 A-6, 4 F-35 C, 1 EA-6, 2 F-111, 1 EF-111, 2 Tornados, 3 C-130, 1 UPS 747 Logistics Plane (contract for supply).

[7.62]

Chris. training and educational programs10[ how to take off and land at night on a different landing strip].
Tue 15th Mach 19.00 Informal presentation of Balzac off base operations.
"So many runways, so little time" by OC 21 Squadron.
Balzac has used FOB and road base operations for more than 50 years.
A basic but informative talk of the why and hows of the cold war idea of a 10,000km long runway and how it has carried on to a modern day doctrine.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Y-nMTa ... qQGBmdmq1n

[chrisswim]

We will be there, on one condition, someone needs to send a bunch 3-4 dozen transport planes to pick up our pilots and crew members. We need to learn how to apply different techniques, tactics to fly. Also how to store ammo, systems, parts, etc.
.
Personally, I am excited about the evening program on Tuesday, 'Off-base' operations.
Professionally, delighted and look forward to "So many runways, so little time". That should really help our naval and air forces.

BTW, do you have any carrier landing forums for helos and jump jets/F-35/Yak ?
We have about 200 or so pilots that need the introductory course, 450 or so that need the medium and advance course in this series.
.

[7.62]

Balzac composite squadron on route to Rodeo 16.



Let the games begin

[redleg]

Greetings Fighter Pilots! the first day of competition has wrapped up and participants have also gotten some great training. It all started Sunday with the arrival or the competing squadrons and a very lively reception. We intended to send out an update at the conclusion of the reception, but drunk F-16 jockey spilled his drink on one of the computers, shutting the ROD air defense system down, as well as out internet server.

A few small last minute changes to the lineup: one of the ROD Air Force squadrons was disqualified for doping, and some of the ROD Marines were disqualified for lewd and lascivious conduct at the reception.

Today's competitions:

Day 1 of the fighter head-to-head competition. Round 1 results will be posted tomorrow.

Fighter low-level course was held today:
-1st place: ROD - VFA-9 Aircraft #8 (F-18C)
-2nd place: Balzac SDF - 4th Wing Aircraft #12 (BAE Hawk)
-3rd place: ROD 15th FTR SQN Aircraft #1 (F-16C)


Attack Squadron Pit-Stop competition - winner is Commonwealth of Chrisdom composite attack squadron.


Excellent job to all the competitors!

[chrisswim]

CNN Interview with Major Hans Tanzler, Wing commander for the attack squadron.
"We are delighted to be recognized as the best attack squadron. When we have a pit-stop, we are excellent on the delivery attack. Our mode of operations, the use of tactics is something that we take great pride in. We are please with this high honor. We feel one day, we might be able to get over 50% of our planes out of the pit-stop assembly area and then into the air. Thank you, We are looking forward to some exciting pit-stops for other air groups. We will be having Bar-B-Q in about 12 minutes, we have 4 sauces to choose from. Thank you so much for this high honor."
This is the Wolf reporting.

[redleg]

Thank you to all of the pilots and support crews for a successful second day of competition. And a special thank you to the medical teams and runway crash crews for not losing a single pilot during today’s events!


Today the attack squadrons conducted their low level course and we are happy to announce the winners:

-1st place: Chrisdom ATK SQN A-4 Aircraft #3
-2nd place: ROD VA-4 A-6E Aircraft #10
-3rd place: ROD 19th FTR SQN F-15E Aircraft #12


Today the maintenance exerts conducted the pit stop exercise for all fighter squadrons and the winner is the ROD’s VMFA-3 (F-18C)!


Round 1 of the fighter head-to-head competition wrapped up today. Round 2 begins tomorrow and the aircraft moving on to the next phase are:

Balzac SDF 7 SQDN JAS39 Aircraft #3
Chrisdom Composite SQN F-16 Aircraft #2
ROD VFA-9 F-18C Aircraft #2
ROD VMFA-3 F-18C Aircraft #12
Chrisdom Composite SQN F-35C Aircraft #7
ROD 15th Fighter SQN F-16C Aircraft #2

[7.62]

Balzac State news reporting from the second day of the fighter rodeo in the Republic of Dalmatia, here is Ginger.

"Well it's blue sky's and jet fuel as we come to a close of the second day of competition at Rodeo 16".
"I'm here with Maj Thomas Kruzz, 2IC of 7 Sqdn BSDF, Major how is Balzac fairing in their first showing at this meeting?"
" Well I must say that this is a great opportunity for us to engage with other friendly Nations to share and learn from each other, it has been a very positive meeting".

"Now with you pilot types I know it's all about wining, I believe Balzac had a problem with the pit stop challenge, what happened Tom"?
"It is true we did not score so well (laughing) but the competition is a little different from what we train for everyday and we did learn from that. Our sortie rate would make any NATO front line squadron blush, we just did not practice removing ordnance that much, we normally come back empty, so live and learn".

"I know Balzac did well in the fighter portion, how are we doing in the attack competition?"
"Very well indeed, it's a very tight and professional bunch of aircrew out there. We are all hitting the targets, just some are closer than others."
"We use an awful lot of guided weapons on the Gripen, the older dumb bombs do require a certain skill set, it is amazing what some of the older airframes are doing out there".

"The head to head, you're doing well"
"We had a great day, we have flown against F16 & 18 a lot in the past, we know what they can do. There are a few areas where we have an advantage and we use that. The F35 is a bit of a dark horse but it is straight out of the show room, I think it will be a few years before you see it being use to it full ability but great to see and we are watching it"!

"Thanks Tom Kruzz, all the best in the rest of Rodeo 16. That's it from Ginger at BS News".

[7.62]

With the help of the ROD Air Force ATC and emergency services, the BSDF was able to demonstrate simple road operations this evening on an adjacent airfield road.
There followed the informal talk on FOB and off base operations of the BSDF.





One day this will be done with GHQ Gripens