The Sidewinder low level course is a section of the R-2508 complex found in the south Mojave Desert area of California. The R-2508 is composed of at least 8 sections and it's flights are co-ordinated principally through Edwards AFB and China Lake NAS and is a large Military Operating Area (MOA). The Sidewinder route in the South East section centered on the Panamint Valley is used for high speed low level training by the USAF, USMC, and USN aircraft. Aircraft in this area fly between 200 feet AGL to FL18.

The Sidewinder course is challenging and spectacular....and perhaps one day DCS will increase the resolution in this area and make China Lake Airfield active. What makes this area special is that it contains the aptly named Jedi Transition where aircraft can deviate from the clockwise flight plan and cut across the hills and down into the Panamint valley via a deep cut aptly named Star Wars Canyon. There is a parking area nearby called the Father Crowley lookout just off I190 and plane fans come out to catch a glimpses and photograph aircraft transiting through the canyon.  There are numerous youtube video's of aircraft going through the Star Wars canyon, which is really named Rainbow Canyon.  The first time I visited the area I had no idea that it was used for low level flight and had the bejesus scared out me when an f-16 pass at high speed so close that I felt we could have touched him. We were looking to photograph the beautiful Panimint alligator lizards but got a face full of f-16 instead.

IMPORTANT: you will need to have Civilian Objects installed.

 https://www.digitalcombatsimulator.com/en/files/3302094/

<youtube views of some real aircraft doing the Starwars Canyon>
https://youtu.be/O-QDtuYRjPU
https://youtu.be/LCebwpgkZzo
https://youtu.be/wBOCCd1lC4s


I found out today that it's the third year anniversary of the release of the Nevada terrain so I thought I would modify and release a simple set of missions that I've been using to fine tune navigation, A-A refueling, and fun, fast, low speed flying in the Sidewinder course. This is a flying mission to practice low level high speed flight, fuel management, AA refueling, navigation, and to enjoy the spectacular scenery and is based on real world locations.
It's a busy morning on the course with multiple flights of aircraft. The missions are:

1) starwars canyon main-at Entry point A:  This mission has you in the F-18 roughly 20 miles from entry point A at FL7. You can either do the Sidewinder course and follow the waypoints in the normal manner on your own, or find and join the A-10's and follow them through the Jedi Transition, down through Star Wars Canyon and then exit and refuel if necessary before heading home to Nellis. Well, you can join up with the other flights too if you like.

2) starwars canyon main-cold start:  Cold start at the ramp at Nellis. Fly to the A entry point. Be aware that there will be other aircraft flying the course.

3) starwars canyon main-hot start: as above, only with the F-18 ready to go.

4) starwars canyon clear-cold start:  Cold start at the famp at Nellis. You are the only aircraft on the Course today, Tanker aircraft will be available as well.

A Note about Waypoints: The waypoints are placed at the exact co-ordinates given in the F-2508 handbook and while the course is meant to be flown in a clockwise direction from A through M ( with the C through J Jedi transition option), you're not meant to fly with a straight line from one point to another. These are visual reference waypoints...so for example, you'll hear something like "Joshua Traffic...Dodge 1...at B...Needles Lookout tower in site". Your waypoints are the same for each mission...at the visual markers.

Joshua traffic is on 315.9 and is used to call position, entry and exit. Great idea to monitor this on comm 2.

With the exception of the "starwars canyon clear-cold start", the other missions have other aircraft flying the course while you're there. Ford flight is a flight 2 A-10s that will do the Jedi transition. Not a bad idea to find them and tag along as the flight lead will show you where to turn and enter the Starwars Canyon. His wingman is new and lead is taking him for the first time through the transition. I've placed some static objects and fans at the canyon rim and a nice potty at the Father Crowley parking lot.  Dodge Flight is a lone B-1 bomber piloted by an RAF exchange pilot with a penchant for high speed and low level. I'm sure the 200' agl minimum will be respected. The infield flight is a trio of F-15 strike eagles practicing high speed and low level penetration. All flights will have somebody call out their Sidewinder Positions as they reach them...so a few minutes looking at the included map might be useful. OH... a quick read of the Cautions page might be useful too.

A note on speed.  Speed is great, but down low and in a twisty canyon...well being scraped by the cumulogranite is not good on the paint. Not recommended. My personal best down starwars canyon is at 200 agl, 400 kts....and it was damn close. Here is youtube link of me following hamfist flying and following the slow assed A-10's from the entry to the Jedi Transition, across the valley to the Starwars Canyon and into the Panamint Valley. At least lead knew the way. 

https://youtu.be/eSiYG8yiIlI


The Tanker. Texaco is a c-130 tanker on the 10 by 20 mile Linus Refuling Area (ARLNS) 20 NM on 320 radial. Tacan is 15Y and radio is 251.

Some bugs. Well...there's always bugs. 

My screwups...that I will fix :I couldn't get the other flights to stop reporting mundain waypoint info..., I didn't use the proper calls when I made the sound files. I should have used kilo, mike, alpha for example instead of K, M, and A. I did this knowingly and meant to change it but forgot to. My bad. Seniors Duh moment.

I know this isn't a fun bombing are AA mission, but I hope you try it out and enjoy the course area.

link to the actual R-2508 Handbook if you want to see just how complicated the proceedures are can be found on the Edwards AFB public site, along with the Pilot guides. Lots of info.

https://www.edwards.af.mil/Home/R-2508/

Some extra stuff:

Low-level Procedures: Extended flight activities below 1,500 feet AGL in the Complex SHALL use 315.9 MHz to the maximum extent possible. This frequency is NOT monitored by ATC, calls are pilot to pilot only. Call entry, exit, and geo reference points enroute.

All infor referenced from R-2508 Handbook. 03 May 2018 edition.

I hope you enjoy...and a big thanks to DCS.