Version 4.8
This file will add several new US Air Force squadrons with a focus on F-16 squadrons, and 1 more patch for an existing squadron, to your pilot "Logbook".  It also adds a Flying Training Squadron, the 50th FTS for those butter bars still in the pipeline or for more advanced pilots who want to become IPs, or dreadfully, FAIPs (ugh).  This update brings 1 new squadron and 1 updated wing to the ever growing list.  -- I HIGHLY advise you make a backup copy of files and folders you modify if you decide to remove this mod.


This has been tested and is functional with the release version of DCS World v. 2.5, however I don't see any reason why it wouldn't work with Open Beta.

The units added are the:

16th Weapons Squadron (16th WPS "Tomahawks") - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada - Provides graduate-level advanced weapons and tactics employment training to F-16 pilots.  The fast-paced rigorous 6 month course challenges students in graduate-level academics and complex, dynamic combat flights. Graduates become experts in the field as well as better leaders and more confident aviators.  Nobody learns to fly the F-16 in the 16th WPS, they learn to employ it more efficiently as a weapons system and integrate with other platforms and forces to form a cohesive combat unit.

50th Flying Training Squadron (50th FTS "Strikin' Snakes") - Columbus Air Force Base, Mississippi - Conducting the advanced phase of the undergraduate pilot training pipeline.

52d Fighter Wing (52 FW) - Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany - Provides combat air power using the F-16.  It conducts SEAD, CAS, Air Interdiction, counter-air, stragetic attack and CSAR operations.  It has deployed in support of multiple operations during and after the Cold War.

55th Fighter Squadron (55th FS - "Fighting Fifty-Fifth", "Shooters") - Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina - One of the oldest operational squadrons in the USAF.  Currently operating the F-16 since 1997 and deployed in support of Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

57th Fighter Wing (57th FW - Tail Code "WA") - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada - Part of the United States Air Warfare Center, the wing's mission is to provide advanced combat training and composite strike force training working together with air and ground forces of the United States and US allied nations.

64th Agressor Squadron (64th AGRS) - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada - One of 2 operational aggressor squadrons assigned to Nellis' 57th Fighter Wing.  Currently operating F-16's, they help train combat aviators at Red Flag exercises, Canadian Forces Maple Flag exercises and also provides support for training conducted at the USAF Weapons School.  They also help support the flight test mission and visit other units to help train pilots at their home base.

77th Fighter Squadron (55th FS - "Gamblers") - Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina - One of the oldest operational squadrons in the USAF and another unit with a storied history.  Currently operating the F-16 since 1994 and deployed in support of Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch, and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  From 2001 - 2006 the squadron participated in Operation Noble Eagle, providing armed fighter escort for the President of the United States, a tasking commonly given to Guard and Reserve units.

93rd Fighter Squadron (93rd FS - "Makos") - Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida - Operational Air Force Reserve unit.  Previously conducted air superiority missions in Operation Northern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  More recently conducting dissimilar air combat training with other units.

125th Fighter Squadron (125th FS - "Tulsa Vipers") - Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa, OK - Originally stood up in 1941 with the Army National Guard, the 125th had a brief bit of an "identity crises" where it thought it was an airlift squadron from 1960-1966.  In 1973 it went back to fighters and recieved the F-16, block 42 in 1993.  In the modern era, the 125th has deployed in support of Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The last major deployment was in 2011 to Al Assad, Iraq for the drawdown of coalition forces in Iraq.

138th Fighter Wing (138th FW - "Strength through Preparedness") - Tulsa Air National Guard Base, Tulsa International Airport, Tulsa, OK - Originally stood up in 1957, the 138th had a brief bit of an "identity crises" where it thought it was an airlift wing.  In 1973 it found it's true calling as a fighter organization.  In the modern era, the 138th has deployed in support of Operation Northern Watch, Operation Southern Watch and Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The last major deployment was in 2011 to Al Assad, Iraq for the drawdown of coalition forces in Iraq.

157th Fighter Squadron (157th FS - "Swamp Fox") - McEntire Joint National Guard Base, South Carolina.  Currently operating the F-16, and one of the few National Guard units to use the HARM Targeting System.  Has been deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom since 2002 and the first National Guard unit to support a full 120-day AEF cycle.

380 Air Expeditionary Wing (380th AEW) - Al Dhafra Air Base, United Arab Emirates. Another rather large expeditionary force comprised of active duty, guard and reserve members.  The primary function is aerial refueling and reconnaissance, however fighter aircraft are present and utilized for their intended role.

416th Flight Test Squadron (416th FLTS - "Vipers") - Edwards Air Force Base, California.  Currently operating the F-16 viper conducting flight testing missions which include serving as 'chase planes' for other aircraft in testing.  The 416th has been responsible for testing various upgrades and weapons systems on the F-16 for US and NATO operators since 1989.

422nd Test and Evaluation Squadron (422d TES - "Greenbats") - Edwards Air Force Base, California.  Created as the 422nd Night Fighter Squadron in 1943 and deactivated shortly after the war in Europe ended. The squadron was reactivated in 1969 in it's current role. Operating a number of aircraft from the F-15 to the F-35, the Greenbats conduct operational flight testing on all aircraft and munitions used by the Air Combat Command.

455 Air Expeditionary Wing (455th AEW) - Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan. Currently one of 2 expeditionary wings in Afghanistan and is comprised of several squadrons with various missions from airlift and electronic warfare to rescue and close air support.  In an effort to please more than just the Viper community, I added the wing itself.

482nd Fighter Wing (482nd FW) - Homestead Air Reserve Base, Florida - Operational Air Force Reserve unit. Providing F-16 aircraft and crews for short-notice worldwide deployments.  Also conducts training for the United States Northern Command and United States Southern Command.

480th Fighter Squadron (480 FS) - Spangdahlem Air Base, Germany - Orginially activated as a bomber squadron in 1942, it transitioned to fighters 1958 before being inactivated again in 1959.  It's been activated and deactivated a few times over the years with the most recent reactivation coming in 2010.  It has deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Inherent Resolve, Oddyssey Dawn and New Dawn.

309th Fighter Squadron (309th FS - "Wild Ducks") - Luke Air Force Base, Arizona - Conducting qualification training on the F-16 Viper and the F-35. (Listed as a current operator of the F-16 Viper, however the squadron re-manned in 2014 to focus on qualification and transition training in the F-35 for US and NATO pilots.)

314th Fighter Squadron (314th FS - "Warhawks") - Holloman Air Force Base, New Mexico - Conducting qualification training on the F-16 Viper.

421st Fighter Squadron (421st FS - "Black Widows") - Hill Air Force Base, Utah - One of the most decorated squadrons in the USAF, with more than 10 unit-level citations.  The Black Widows have a history of valor in combat dating back to May 1943 through modern expeditionary operations such as Operation Enduring Freedom.  Currently operating the F-35 as of 2017.

510th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (510th EFS - "Buzzards") - Deployed from Aviano Air Base, Italy.  Another unit tracing it's roots to World War II, the modern Buzzards fly air interdiction, CSAR and FAC missions, very much embracing the multi-role nature of the F-16.  The patch added is the desert (subdued) color scheme.

555th Fighter Squadron (555th FS - "Triple Nickel") - Aviano Air Base, Italy.  The Triple Nickel started life as a medium bombardment squadron before getting it's life back on track and entering the fighter community.  The modern 555th, like it's sister squadron at Aviano embraces the multi-role nature of the Viper in counter air, strategic attack, air interdiction and CAS missions for the US and NATO.

--New Organizational-level units--

US Air Force Weapons School Graduate (Air Force Weapons School) - Nellis Air Force Base, Nevada - Provides graduate-level advanced weapons and tactics employment training to combat air force and mobility air force airmen through academic and flight courses.  Headquartered at Nellis, they have detachments at 8 bases in the United States and train not only pilots but other aircrew and ground crew like JTAC units.  Graduates become experts in their field and are qualified to pass along some of what they learned to their peers.

Viper Demo Team (F-16 Viper Demo Team) - Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina - Performs solo precision aerial demonstrations highlighting the capabilities of the F-16.  They also work with the Air Force Heritage Flight Foundation to demo the past and present of the US Air Force and the men and women who serve in the Air Force uniform.

US Air Force Test Pilot School Graduate (USAF TPS) - Edwards Air Force Base, California - Is a very prestigious, 48-week advanced flight training program that trains experimental test pilots and other flight test professional aircrew to carry out tests and evaluation of aircraft in the Air Force.  With very small class sizes, the school is extremely competitive and requires at least an undergraduate-level STEM education to even basically qualify.  Students fly, attend lectures, complete laboratory and flight simulator work as well as complete oral and written reports and academic tests; and must complete achieve an overall GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale to graduate.  A successful graduate earns the coveted USAF TPS Graduate patch, a Master of Science in Flight Test Engineering degree from the Air Force's Air University, and a distingushed spot as flight test aircrew.

--New Naval Unit (by request)--

VX-9, Det. Edwards (AIRTEVRON NINE "Vampires") - Edwards Air Force Base, California - A US Navy air test and evaluation based at Naval Air Weapons Station China Lake, with a detachment at Edwards Air Force Base currently operating the F/A-18, EA-18, F-35 and helicopters.  The F-35 are based at Edwards with the rest at the main China Lake installation.  Aircrew are normally qualified in more than one of these aircraft which provides a broad base of expertise and versatility in the flight test role.

-Thanks to Wikipedia and the US Air Force for the squadron images and basic information on mission.

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INSTALLATION:

-- I HIGHLY advise you make a backup copy as I will, starting from this version, no longer include an itemized list of images to remove.

!!!!!!MAKE A BACKUP!!!!!!

1) Make a backup of your "USA.lua" file!  

2) Make a backup of your "Troops" directory.

3) Unzip all files to a temporary directory.

4) Copy the USA.lua file from \Scripts\Database\Troops to your DCS World installation path, following the same directory structure. Allow overwrite. After all, you made a backup, didn't you?
--e.g. DCS World\Scripts\Database\Troops for the release version.

5) Copy the contents of \MissionEditor\data\images\Countries\USA\Troops to your DCS World installation path, following the same directory structure.
--e.g. DCS World\MissionEditor\data\images\Countries\USA\Troops for the release version.

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REMOVAL:

-- I HIGHLY advise you make a backup copy as I will, starting from this version, no longer include an itemized list of images to remove.

1) Restore the backup copy you made of USA.lua file to DCS World\Scripts\Database\Troops

2) Restore the backup copy you made of the "Troops" directory to DCS World\MissionEditor\data\images\Countries\USA