This is the multi-page printable view of this section. Click here to print.
About us
1 - Our Principles
The DCS community is huge, with countless groups and organisations catering for all kinds of virtual pilots. Whether you fit into one of these groups depends on many factors. Here we’d like to give you an idea of our principles, how we enjoy flight simulation and what we focus on.
We aim for realism in procedures and tactics.
We are fascinated by the world of military aviation, especially naval aviation. Many naval aviation procedures are well documented and publicly available. We strive to learn and follow these procedures whenever possible. For tactics that we use in a simulated combat environment, it is rare to find real-life documents. These are usually classified for very good reasons. This is where we try to come up with sensible tactics on our own. However, we do not consider ourselves a milsim group, and we do not have ranks other than CO and XO for squadron leadership.
We are eager to learn and to teach what we’ve learned.
With our hobby of Flight Simulation, we partially mimic the full time job of professional military pilots. There is so much to learn and so much to do in the limited time we have to devote to our hobby. What we have in common is a willingness to learn and refine our skills. The step from student to teacher is a small one. We encourage all members to share their knowledge and experience. Helping people to delve deeper into the world of military flight simulation is an obligation we gladly accept.
We know that real life comes first.
Most of us have jobs, families, or other real-life responsibilities that we want and need to attend to. There is no happy virtual piloting if your real life is in disarray. So we know that real life comes first, and there are times when real life needs your attention more than the virtual world. All we ask is that you tell us, and we will be understanding.
We encourage but we don’t enforce, it’s a hobby after all.
Our group changes regularly as new people join and others leave for various reasons. We are always striving to get better at what we do, and we encourage everyone in our group to join us in this endeavor. How fast you progress depends mostly on how much time you can devote to this hobby, whether it be flying, studying flight-related documents or watching YouTube tutorials. But we realize that we all have our own personal preferences about how much realism we want to emulate. When working together, we need to find common ground and agree on standards. However, what you do in your virtual cockpit (for example, whether you use checklists or not) is up to you.
That sounds right to you? Then check out how to join us.
2 - History of the real VFA-136
This is a slightly abbreviated form of this Wikipedia article
VFA-136 - The Real Deal
The real life Strike Fighter Squadron 136 (VFA-136) also known as the “Knighthawks” is a United States Navy strike fighter squadron based at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The “Knighthawks” are an operational fleet squadron flying the F/A-18E Super Hornet. They are homeported at NAS Lemoore and are currently assigned to Carrier Air Wing Seven, tail code AG. Their radio callsign is Gunstar.
1980s
Strike Fighter Squadron One Three Six was established in July 1985 at Naval Air Station Lemoore, California. The squadron received their first F/A-18A Hornet in January 1986, and a month later they moved to their new homeport of Naval Air Station Cecil Field, Florida.
VFA-136 first deployed in September 1987 with Carrier Air Wing Thirteen on board USS Coral Sea. One year later, they joined Carrier Air Wing Seven on USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.
1990s
During USS Dwight D. Eisenhower’s “Centennial Cruise” in 1990, the squadron participated in exercises with French, British, Italian and Tunisian forces. The cruise took a serious turn after Iraq invaded Kuwait in August 1990. In support of Operation Desert Shield, USS Dwight D. Eisenhower was on station in the Red Sea within 36 hours, becoming the first carrier to conduct sustained operations in the area. After returning from deployment in November 1990, the squadron upgraded to the new F/A-18C.
In October 1991, the squadron and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower were back in the Persian Gulf enforcing the peace accords set after Operation Desert Storm. Upon completion of those operations, the team transitioned to the North Atlantic to participate in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Exercise “TEAMWORK ‘92”. This would be the largest NATO exercise in over three years.
The squadron next deployed aboard the Navy’s newest aircraft carrier, USS George Washington for her maiden cruise in May 1994. USS George Washington was the flagship for the celebration of the 50th Anniversary of D-Day, hosting President Bill Clinton. During the cruise, the squadron participated in NATO Operations Deny Flight (over Bosnia-Herzegovina), Southern Watch and Vigilant Warrior (both in the Persian Gulf). The squadron returned from deployment in November 1994.
The squadron deployed again aboard USS George Washington in January 1996 in support of Operation Decisive Endeavor over Bosnia-Herzegovina and Operation Southern Watch.
In February 1998, VFA-136 embarked on the maiden deployment of USS John C. Stennis. This “world cruise” included a tour of duty in the Persian Gulf in support of Operation Southern Watch and culminated in the arrival of USS John C. Stennis in their new homeport of San Diego, California.
Immediately following this deployment, the squadron relocated to Naval Air Station Oceana in December 1998.
2000s
In February 2000, the squadron embarked aboard USS Dwight D. Eisenhower to the Mediterranean. In March 2000, the squadron flew in support of the Dayton Accords governing the peace between the former warring factions in Bosnia and other parts of the Balkans. USS Dwight D. Eisenhower then proceeded to the Persian Gulf, in support of Operation Southern Watch, returning to Norfolk in August 2000.
In August 2010 the squadron won the Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic (SFWSL) Bombing Derby trophy for the first time in the squadron’s history. The squadron also won the 2010 CVW-1 Top Hook Award.
In January 2011, the squadron embarked on a deployment to the Mediterranean Sea, the North Arabian Sea, and Persian Gulf aboard USS Enterprise. While deployed, the squadron flew combat sorties in the skies over Afghanistan in support Operation Enduring Freedom and over Iraq in support of Operation New Dawn while also supporting anti-piracy operations and special forces in multiple theaters. The squadron won their tenth straight CVW-1 Top Hook Award posting a 3.706 with a 96% boarding rate for the duration of cruise.
Following deployment the squadron were awarded their second straight Strike Fighter Weapons School Atlantic (SFWSL) Bombing Derby trophy. In 2011 the squadron won the Battle Effectiveness Award for the first time in the squadron’s twenty-six year history.
In the summer of 2016, the squadron was moved from NAS Oceana to NAS Lemoore.
The squadron was expected to deploy aboard the USS Harry S. Truman in September 2019 but, due to extensive electrical problems, the Truman was unable to get underway until November 2019 with an expected return in March 2020. The Truman and associated Strike Group were mere hours from beginning their transit through the Red Sea and, ultimately, the Suez Canal to begin their voyage home when they were ordered to remain on station due to hostilities with Iran. The Strike Group was again extended due to COVID-19, finally returning to homeport in Norfolk, VA in June 2020 after spending nearly four months straight without a port visit, two months of which were off the eastern coast of the United States.
In 2021, the Knighthawks were reassigned to Carrier Air Wing 7 on the USS George H. W. Bush.
3 - History of VNAO VFA-136
January 2025
- TSTA workups begin to prepare the air wing for the next deployment.
November 2024
- Floats (307) leaves the squadron. Thank you for your service to the Knighthawks!
September 2024
- The air wing is on its way back to Nevada for workups
- Junior (305) completes his FRS syllabus and joins the Knighthawks, welcome!
August 2024
- The South Atlantic deployment ends with no losses for the Knighthawks! Great achievement!
- Mumbles (302) resigns as XO and joins the reserve squadron. Thank you for your service to the Knighthawks!
- Solid takes over as XO.
- Crow (313) and Wingnut (314) leave the squadron. Thank you for your service to the Knighthawks!
March 2024
- Crow transitions from VFA-86 to the Knighthawks. Modex 314. Welcome!
February 2024
- CVW-7 transitions to the South Atlantic for combat deployment
- Whip completes his FRS training and joins the Knighthawks (304).
January 2024
- CVW-7 holds carrier (re-)qualifications for all members. 6 Traps required with average not less than 3.0.
November 2023
- VFA-136 arrives at Nellis for the workup exercises prior to the next deployment
The skipper with Solid and Bambi - cleared for the overhead runway 3L.
- T-Cup (314) transitions to the FRS squadron VFA-106 Gladiators. Thank you for your service to the Knighthawks!
- Clutch (306) leaves the squadron due to real life priorities. Thank you for your service to the Knighthawks!
October 2023
VFA-136 takes part in CVW-7’s Cope West Readiness Exercise. Thanks to those who made this exercise happen!
Results of VFA-136 for the Cope West Readiness Exercise
September 2023
The Knighthawks squadron within VNAO is founded. After the deestablishment of VNAO’s Carrier Air Wing 14 (CVW-14) in August 2023, several pilots from CVW-14 transfer to the newly created squadron under the command of CVW-7.
For VFA-136 leadership, Blade is appointed Commanding Officer (CO) with Mumbles as Executive Officer (XO).