The 2nd United Combat Wing (abbreviated as 2UCW or, formerly, 2nd UCW) is a combat squadron originally formed in July 2019 as a heavily-retooled successor to the 66th AFU "Galm". Led by a team of four HROs, 2UCW primarily specializes in both air superiority and interdiction operations. Since January 2021, the squadron has been based at NAS Madobe (the former home of GrunSolutions) on the Hawaiian island of Molokai, but has also created plans to move operations to a newly-created map and base in the future.
To graduate and become official pilots, 2UCW trainees (Inkcaps) are required to pass a three-stage training program designed to create well-rounded combat pilots, consisting of various training exercises and skill assessments overseen by the HROs. After completing primary training, new pilots are assigned to the specialized division of their choice. Presently, 2UCW consists of three operational sub-squadrons:
- The Mambas make up 2UCW's air-to-air unit, demonstrating skill in all forms of A2A combat including air superiority dogfighting, interception, and flight escorts. While pilots of the Mambas division flew several different aircraft, their signature fighter is the F-20A Tigershark, modified with four gun pods which grant it formidable efficiency in cutting down opponents.
- The Badgers are 2UCW's air interdiction and strategic attack division. The Badgers focus on various types of air-to-ground combat, ranging from low-altitude ground attack to high-altitude bombing and anti-ship warfare. Their flagship is the Su-24 Fencer, equipped with two vertically-pivoting SPPU-6 cannons for increased combat flexibility.
- The Deathcaps are the multirole division of 2UCW, and the squadron's default designation for all pilots who do not choose to enlist with the Mambas or Badgers. Their primary aircraft is the F/A-18C Hornet, capable of carrying all types of weaponry for various combat missions.
2UCW operates as a standard-bearing squadron in the tradition of the CVW-171st, and hosted its own public server from August 2020 to January 2023. Several of its members, most notably Crazypilot and Biry, were also responsible for the creation in December 2020 of the offshoot squadron 9th Matrix.
In February 2023, the squadron a period of "hibernation" following the resignation of CO and server host Wedge, who left to focus on leading VCAP Aerobatics. The hiatus officially ended with Wedge's return to 2UCW in December 2023, with the squadron aiming to provide a challenge to upstart units such as VF-66.
Fleet[]
Due to the unique circumstances behind the squadron's founding, 2UCW's first fleet pack, released in September 2019, consisted of numerous aircraft re-badged directly from the former Galm arsenal. This edition remained in official service until November 2020 with the release of the squadron's second fleet. Sporting HQPGAC-based models, four new sub-squadron-oriented camouflage schemes, and numerous weaponry upgrades, this Pack 2 was designed to create a more consistent and efficient fleet for 2UCW's operations. While Pack 2 originally incorporated the previous Galm-based pack, retroactively labeling it as the "legacy" fleet, the old aircraft were quietly removed from the fleet entirely in 2021. Both packs, as with the former Galm, were developed by 2UCW's "aircraft technician", UltraViolet.
Alongside the main fleet, 2UCW also has its own secondary "Custom Aircraft Pack", consisting primarily of aircraft from the standard fleet customized with unique decals or colors for certain pilots, as well as outside aircraft painted in the livery of 2UCW's subsquadrons. This includes the "Frankenshark" F-20E (officially named Whizzing Arrow III), flown by Wedge as part of the "Black Mamba" aerobatic display in YS airshows.
Staff[]
Current[]
- Wedge | CO (June 2022 - February 2023, December 2023 - present), XO (September 2020 - June 2022)
- Kubson | XO (July 2019 - present)
- Ping | XO (September 2019 - present)
- Vertex | XO (June 2022 - present), CO (July 2019 - June 2022)
Former[]
- UltraViolet (waspe414) | XO (July 2019 - February 2023)
Activities[]
Wars[]
- Ransom-2UCW War (July - August 2019): Planned conflict which ended in a draw due to lack of activity.
- BOH-2UCW War (November 2020): Semi-planned conflict consisting of two battles, in which 2UCW XO Kubson sided with BOH. Ended due to lack of activity and declared as a draw.
- 2UCW-Cobra War (December 2020 - March 2021): Unplanned conflict in which all four encounters were won by 2UCW. The war is considered over due to the disappearance of Cobra Team.
Operations[]
With NUN[]
- Operation Tornado (October 2019)
- Operation Swordbreaker (April 2020)
- Operation Dreamland (September 2020)
- Operation Avalon (December 2020)
See also[]
External links[]
- Thread on YSFlight Headquarters
- YSFlight server thread on YSFHQ
- Fleet pack thread on YSFHQ
- Discord server