About the Virtual 158th Fighter Squadron

The Virtual 158th Fighter Wing is a virtual military simulation unit, prioritizing learning, professionalism, and community. We aim to represent excellence in the community, with high standards of dedication and commitment.

Our unit is devoted, enthusiastic, and resolute in creating a community where all can share an interest in simulated military aviation. Our pilots, personnel, and associates are each brought to our high standards and equipped with the knowledge to represent expertise and warrant distinction.

Frequently Asked Questions

The details below depict the anticipated flight schedule for the F-35s during steady-state operations.

The Virtual 158th Fighter Wing generally operates with takeoff windows Tuesdays through Fridays, 8:30-10:30 a.m. and 12:30-7:30 p.m., averaging two takeoff windows per day, each generally with 4 to 6 aircraft. The Wing also operates during drill weekend, typically the first non-holiday weekend of the month. Times may change due to weather, VATSIM's KZBW air traffic coordination, maintenance requests, and other factors, which prevent us from releasing more specific takeoff information. The Virtual 158th Fighter Wing publishes press releases whenever there is a significant deviation from this schedule, such as during night flying.

As of June 2023, the Virtual 158th Fighter Wing has used afterburner only once since the unit stood up in September 2022, less than 1 percent of all flights.

Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024.

You must meet the VATSIM minimum hours. While the unit does prefer pilots with some F-35 experience, we offer ground-up training for those with no prior experience.

While our main tasking is SEAD (Suppression of Enemy Air Defenses), the unit trains to the VATSIM standard to conduct air-to-air refueling, aerial combat maneuvers (ACM), interceptions and scrambles, war games, joint training exercises, escort missions, and flying low-level military routes.

VATSIM VSOA 2026