Squadrons - Obeservations and Request

[Paladin3]

I did not put this in the squadrons area because most of the post is centered around discussion, so here it is:

Howdy all, I have been away from a squadron for awhile and I have been just nosing around a little and enjoying doing my own thing, but I have gotten to where that is not really getting it for me. I miss the days of flying with wingmen and flights and pulling missions... That means with folks that fly similarly, with the same basic ideas of how to tackle things and look out for each other.

So... With that being said I have a few observations and a request. Bear in mind I only fly Rook, or have only flown Rook so that is of course where my observations come from.

OBSERVATIONS:
1. Squadrons seem to be on the decline. In the Rook country we used to see LCA, Righteous Vengeance, the Lynchmob and others constantly operate together and sometimes with one another and this seem to be on the decline. I have not seen a squadron operation in awhile...

2. I have not seen squadrons operate in flight strength or broadcast so that others could tag along. This is great for recruiting purposes as well as rounding out a smaller operation with more folks who can build a relationship with the squadron.

3. Squadrons do not seem to be actively recruiting on country channel. I have not seen “such and such squadron recruiting” more than a few times over the last few months.

REQUEST:
I would like to travel around some and work with some different squadrons around the game – just getting to know other people and have some fun.

I would like to hook up with a few squadrons around the game for some sorties and see how other folks do it and get to know some more of the community. At this point I am even strongly considering leaving Rookland for a mini world tour if anyone would be interested in having me fly with their group. I do not really do BUFFs, but other than that give me a shout anytime. 

I am right now unsure as to if I want to continue to fly alone or join a squadron or even get together with a few other people that have asked me to organize a squadron. I just know that I look at combat as a team sport, and I feel like I am missing something.

[thndregg]

-Our group does operate well together and with Bishland in general. However, flying bombers in their respective, traditional roll is something one must have patience for.
-We used to actively recruit on country channel, but not so much anymore as we are of a respectable size.
-As far as flight strength, we definitely do that. We have had lots of volunteer support from other fighter groups/squads/individuals as well.

We got our start in May of this year, and I'm happy with how we've grown. At first, I really had my doubts that there were very many folks interested in joining a B17 bomb group. It's cool to know that this style of gameplay still has its place here.

[5PointOh]

Paladin,

From my experience in AH, if you want different squadrons that work together you should fly Bish.  Its not uncommon for Thndreggs 91st BG to be escorted by BoPs, Midwest Mafia, or TFC.  Also in many occasions I have seen BoPs, Swapdraggons, Rolling Thunder, and the Jokers Jokers work together to accomplish a goal.

[Paladin3]

Interesting. I mean I have seen squads that work together, and I have seen hordes... I think there is a difference. For those that may be scratching their heads: a horde is a mission posted that people jump in on and they rush a base together but without really flying wingman tactics or flight and squadron tactics, and tend to be a bunch of individuals that show up at the same time... A squadron operation tends to get in together and come out together, sticking with wingmen and coordinating much better. They both have their place in the game without a doubt, but I just had allot more fun flying as part of a group that was tighter and worked together, flying the same craft and load outs to accomplish something together.

[LCCajun]

Paladin I have always enjoyed winging with you sir. If I am on send me a pm I will up the p-51 with you any day. Also let me know if you decide to do a squad I am not around much anymore but would love to fly with it.

[humble]

I think that this goes back to your perception of what a squad really is. All I can say is that 71 Squadron (which I am a part of) is all about who we are...not about what we do. We normally have a bunch of guys on during prime time and always have something interesting happening. We have plenty of folks who view us as there 2nd home so while we have a roster of 60+ and a core group of 30+ that are very active we also have revolving group of visitors who know they will always be welcome to hang around whenever they feel the urge.

[jdbecks]

you must not have encounted JG11 on our squad night then 

[crazyivan]

Interesting. I mean I have seen squads that work together, and I have seen hordes... I think there is a difference. For those that may be scratching their heads: a horde is a mission posted that people jump in on and they rush a base together but without really flying wingman tactics or flight and squadron tactics, and tend to be a bunch of individuals that show up at the same time... A squadron operation tends to get in together and come out together, sticking with wingmen and coordinating much better. They both have their place in the game without a doubt, but I just had allot more fun flying as part of a group that was tighter and worked together, flying the same craft and load outs to accomplish something together.

 I'm in the same boat as you I guess. When I first joined a squad 8 of us would take off together.Same loadout and plane. Always enjoyed doing that afew times a night before it was free time. Looking to wing up for fighter sweeps any country. On one condition,no hoarding. Also if theres one con let 1 or 2 guys take care of it.Not all 8 of us gang.  

[crazyivan]

Paladin,

From my experience in AH, if you want different squadrons that work together you should fly Bish.  Its not uncommon for Thndreggs 91st BG to be escorted by BoPs, Midwest Mafia, or TFC.  Also in many occasions I have seen BoPs, Swapdraggons, Rolling Thunder, and the Jokers Jokers work together to accomplish a goal.

Most of theses squads mentioned. Have enough squadmates to do their own thing. Anything else is just hoarding totally different thing. IMO

[dhyran]

Interesting. I mean I have seen squads that work together, and I have seen hordes... I think there is a difference. For those that may be scratching their heads: a horde is a mission posted that people jump in on and they rush a base together but without really flying wingman tactics or flight and squadron tactics, and tend to be a bunch of individuals that show up at the same time... A squadron operation tends to get in together and come out together, sticking with wingmen and coordinating much better. They both have their place in the game without a doubt, but I just had allot more fun flying as part of a group that was tighter and worked together, flying the same craft and load outs to accomplish something together.

well,

the thing is, most squadron doesnt have a pure focus what to go for, there are alot of sqn doing all stuff. and there are other which are focused on one thing, bomber squadron, fighter squadrons
If there isnt a focus, you have that bunch of induviduals, coming in as a group. I came over from Warbirds once, the whole squadron, the parrots changed over to here. we changed with 24 pilots. AH offers a lot more opportunities to play. while the parrots got no real focus what they wanted to go for, the whole squadron broke into pieces. I left, because i hate Tank driving, i dont like being a ship gunner. Bombing is also not my gameplay. Leaving was not an easy step, knowing lot of pilots in RL, but there was only, leaving the squad or leave the whole game!
So i founded the Loose Deuce just one a year ago to start a squadron, where ppl fly together, flying as wings, using brevity codes, doing fighter ops
I recruited nearly 30 pilots in 12 month, using the squadron forum, but most time i took a look how ppl react on the same side, or also on different sides. I looked at score, and what people preffer to do. So recruiting works only with priv CH instead of flooding the buffer like calling for a mission. Thats the reason why you dont see too much recruiting online. it works with priv CH
So all i can say, if you want to start a squadron, it helps a lot having a clear focus. Its sounds to me you would like to have a sqn which plays alltime together, therefore it helpfull to setup some rules, a vox(TS) etiquette etc
afterwards, a squadron is a living thing, ppl changes, things happend, people leaving. So its a lot of Fun to organise. Its work, but great fun.

<S>

happy holidays ( i wish all a merry Christmas too, but i learned to be political correct in that case)

dhyran

 

[Paladin3]

Dhryan I completely agree with what you said. I used to be dead set against leaving Rook but at this point I just want to see whats out there.

As far as focus I mean focused on an objective, in RV we used to say ok we are going to go after such and such target. We might call out and say we need 3 BUFF pilots for B17s. We need 6 escorts. Who wants what? And then load them all up the same, and call it off the same to minimize confusion. For example, I usually ran the escort and would go around the hanger fuel, first hardpoint to last from left to right, and then skin. Saying A52 P51D 75%, Six Rockets, Two One Thousand Pound Bombs, 353rd Blue Nose skin, SW runway gets everyone together and less headache and gets everyone up and organized quick...

Doing that allows pilots to better coordinate, they will have the same capabilities and you do not wind up having a slower guy dragging everyone else down, or a turner getting into a fight that another plane set may have trouble supporting, and you run out of fuel and RTB together... It was just fun. I know there are other ways to do things, and I want to see how those squadrons operate and then decide what I want to jump into.

Dhryan I may add you guys to my list of folks to track down and fly with if that is ok.

[Shuffler]

If you really want to get a feel for the game simply fly on the low number side. You'll meet many more folks and make many more friends.

[RufusLeaking]

If you really want to get a feel for the game simply fly on the low number side. You'll meet many more folks and make many more friends.

This seems counter-intuitive.  Unless you mean "kill" instead of "meet."  And "kills" instead of "friends."

Just kidding, Shuffler.  A don't-quit-my-day-job attempt at humor.

[dedalos]

I do not really do BUFFs, but other than that give me a shout anytime. 

Well, the SAPP was recruiting, but you are out now 

[chewiex]

  Paladin.
You are more than welcome to come fly with us ( the A8's) anytime sir. Our squad nights are typically Saturday nights @ 9pm EST. We only fly Rooks as of right now. Look for me, A8Chustr or our CO A8Balls or any of the A8's for that matter in the LW arenas and hook up with us. We are presently rebuilding our squad strength and looking to do some recruiting. We are not a "task specific" squad like some. We do it all. Gv, buff, base takes and fighter sweeps. Basically we do what everyone in the squad feels like doing that night. Feel free to contact us and/or check out our web site at www.a8s.us. That goes for anyone. We do have a basic criteria that we tend to stick to as far as recruiting goes, ie; minimum age requirement and the like. That should all be explained on the site as well.

  Happy holidays everyone.

A8Chustr