First Air Force

First Air Force

Location	Panama city, Tyndall AFB (KPAM)
Website	http://1staf.org

Overview

First Air Force is a virtual military aviation community simulating air defense and fighter operations using the open-source FlightGear simulator.

We operate with a structured, realistic air command focused on discipline, tactical training, and mission realism.

Headquarters & Main Operating Base: Tyndall Air Force Base (KPAM), Florida. All operations are coordinated from Tyndall AFB, serving as our virtual command hub and fighter alert center.

Mission Statement

Our mission is to simulate air superiority, interception, and homeland defense missions with realism and precision. We train pilots in real-world tactics and command structures while fostering teamwork and operational discipline.

Aircraft

Aircraft	Type	Role	Manufacturer	FlightGear Availability	Notes
F-16C Fighting Falcon	Multirole fighter	Air superiority & ground attack	General Dynamics / Lockheed Martin	Yes	Agile, widely used, popular in FlightGear for CAP and combat training
F-15C Eagle	Air superiority fighter	Interception & air dominance	McDonnell Douglas / Boeing	Yes	Excellent climb rate, high speed; often used for CAP and scramble missions
F-35 Lightning II	Stealth multirole fighter	Strike, air dominance, ISR	Lockheed Martin	Yes	Modern stealth fighter; used for advanced scenarios and mission training
E-3 Sentry	AWACS	Airborne early warning & control	Boeing	Yes	Provides radar coverage and command/control
KC-135 Stratotanker	Aerial refueling	Air-to-air refueling	Boeing	Yes	Supports long-range missions; pilots train in refueling operations
KC-130 Hercules	Tactical transport & tanker	Cargo, troop transport, refueling	Lockheed Martin	Yes	Multi-role tanker/transport; used for realistic logistics and support missions
MQ-9 Reaper	UAV	Reconnaissance & strike	General Atomics	Yes	Simulated remotely piloted aircraft; used for ISR and strike missions
RQ-4 Global Hawk	UAV	High-altitude ISR	Northrop Grumman	Yes	Long-endurance surveillance UAV; used for intelligence-gathering missions
T-6 Texan	Trainer / Light attack	Pilot training & aerobatics	North American Aviation	Yes	Advanced trainer; used for initial and advanced pilot training; aerobatics practice

F-35A

T-6 Texan

RQ-4B

Flight Operations

• Combat Air Patrol (CAP)
• Tactical Intercepts
• Air Intercept Missions (AIM)
• Scramble Drills
• Air Refueling Operations
• AWACS

Systems & Tools

• FlightGear Multiplayer Server
• MPMap Integration (Radar/GCI simulation)
• Custom Liveries with First Air Force markings
• Scenario Generator (dynamic intercept threats)
• Training Ranges with simulated weapons ranges

Training Pipeline

1. Initial Flight Screening (IFS)
2. Basic Fighter Training (BFT)
3. Air Intercept & Tactics Course (AITC)
4. Qualified Fighter Pilot (QFP)
5. Optional: Tanker, AWACS, or Instructor Training

Rank & Structure

First Air Force follows a typical military-style hierarchy, divided into **Commissioned Officers** and **Enlisted Personnel**.

Communications Protocol

• Tactical brevity codes
• Realistic callsigns
• AWACS/GCI, ATC-style control
• Voice comms via Discord

How to Join

1. Join our Discord / Website
2. Complete onboarding
3. Begin training

References

1. 1staf.org
2. Discord