AAOC plans and flies structured military-aviation simulations on VATSIM. Our operations range from training sorties and aircraft repositioning to joint VSOA exercises, aerial-refueling support, mobility missions, rescue training, and multi-aircraft command events. Every mission is built around pilot qualification, realistic planning, ATC coordination, and the approved operational scope of the organization.
The examples below describe the types of activities pilots can expect to see in AAOC. Restricted VSOA activities are conducted only when they are within AAOC's approved scope and the participating pilots have completed the required training and qualification.
AAOC joins coordinated events with other approved VSOAs. Depending on the event, AAOC may contribute fighters, tankers, mobility aircraft, rescue assets, or command-support flights. Event leadership, ATC coordination, participating roles, and mission limits are established before launch.
Pilots train using real-world-inspired procedures, routing, formations, navigation, communications, tanker procedures, recovery profiles, and aircraft employment concepts. Training is designed to build proficiency without recreating actual real-world combat, tragedies, or loss-of-life events.
AAOC conducts ferry, deployment, redeployment, staging, and repositioning flights between operating locations. These flights support exercises, scheduled events, fleet distribution, and movement of virtual personnel or equipment.
KC-135 and KC-46 crews support AAOC fighters, bombers, and long-range missions. When coordinated, AAOC may also provide tanker support to another approved VSOA that requests it, provided the activity is within the participating organizations' approved scopes and pilot qualifications.
C-17 and C-130 crews move simulated cargo, personnel, support equipment, and mission assets between bases and staging locations. Missions may be routine point-to-point flights or part of a larger joint operation.
Where authorized, HC-130J and HH-60W crews conduct search-and-rescue, personnel-recovery, rescue coordination, and rotary-wing support scenarios. These missions remain simulated training activities and are coordinated with ATC when operating online.
Restricted special-operations activities are not open free-play. AAOC pilots must be active members, trained and qualified for the mission, and operate under the organization's approved identification, callsign, and flight-plan requirements when conducting restricted VSOA activity.
AAOC taskings are normally built around one or more of these mission areas. Not every mission type is available to every pilot or at all times.
| Mission Area | Typical Assets | What Pilots May Be Tasked To Do |
|---|---|---|
| Combat Air Operations | F-16C, F-15E, F-22A, F-35A | Fighter integration, escort, defensive counter-air training, tactical formation, special-use-airspace events, and other approved tactical aviation scenarios. |
| Strategic Aviation | B-1B | Long-range planning, strategic training sorties, deployment missions, tanker integration, and coordinated support operations. |
| Aerial Refueling | KC-135R/T, KC-46A | Planned tanker tracks, receiver rendezvous, AAOC mission support, and coordinated refueling support for other approved VSOAs when requested. |
| Air Mobility | C-17A, C-130J-30 | Strategic and tactical airlift, cargo movement, personnel transport, base-to-base logistics, deployment, redeployment, and event support. |
| Personnel Recovery | HC-130J, HH-60W | Search-and-rescue training, rescue coordination, recovery scenarios, tanker/support integration, and simulated recovery taskings. |
| Rotary-Wing Operations | MH-6J/M, CH-47F, MH-47G, UH-60L/M/V/R, MH-60A/L/K/M, MH-60L DAP | Rescue support, transport, local-area training, security-support scenarios, formation, and rotary-wing qualification events. |
| Training Operations | T-6A, T-38C | Initial qualification, navigation, instrument procedures, formation fundamentals, mission preparation, and progression to operational aircraft. |
The goal is to give pilots enough information to prepare independently while keeping every event easy to understand.
AAOC can support approved partner events rather than operating only inside its own mission structure.
Requests should identify the event, date/time, requested support, participating organization, operating area, expected aircraft, and ATC/network coordination. AAOC Operations then determines whether the request fits AAOC's approved scope, pilot qualifications, available crews, and current tasking priorities.
AAOC callsigns, military terminology, simulated command relationships, tanker tracks, operating areas, and mission scenarios do not create priority or ownership of airspace. Pilots must follow VATSIM rules and applicable ATC instructions. AAOC does not use VATSIM to recreate past or present real-world engagements involving actual loss of life or property, or missions based on political, social, or religious objectives. Real-world-inspired training is kept fictionalized, aviation-focused, and within approved VSOA scope.
Larger command and joint events may be followed by a short review focused on what worked, what should change, and what should be incorporated into future mission briefs or training.