60th Virtual Air Mobility Wing Wing History

Humble Beginnings
The 60th Virtual Airlift Wing commenced operations on July 22nd 1997, as an operational Wing of Virtual Air Command.
Virtual Air Command was formed in 1997 by Lee Brady as a military alternative to "normal" Virtual Airlines.  Our operations are loosely based on practices of  the US Air Force.  We endeavor to provide a fun and challenging environment for our pilots.

Our mission is to provide logistic support for US forces worldwide, as well as providing emergency airlift in times of emergency.

Expansion: Year Two
We had expanded from our humble beginnings to boast not only an airlift element, but Tanker, Aeromedical, Helicopters and Special Operations, operating a wide range of aircraft types in an equally wide range of missions, we aim to make your flying fun and challenging!

In 1998 the wing was renamed as the 60th Air Mobility Wing, to reflect the changing role of the wing, and to better simulate the new commands in the USAF.

The HSU is Born
February 1998 Marked the first operational helicopter missions performed by the 60th VAW.  A borrowed Marine Corps UH-1N, suitably repainted <g> flew a number of support missions during "Jungle Fever".
Following this successful operation the 60th Helicopter Support Unit (60th HSU) was formed at Nut Tree airport, a few miles from the main Travis AFB ramp. The HSU was initially set up as a part of the 60th VAW, with pilots first qualifying as fixed wing pilots, then cross qualifying on rotary wing.  The unit's first pure helicopter pilot was Mark Radford (Now BrigGen Radford, Commanding Officer of the 60th HSU), who began a new trend in HSU recruiting, bringing in highly skilled specialist helicopter pilots.
The 60th HSU quickly gained a reputation as a "can-do" unit by forming an excellent working relationship with the Hoversafe academy who provided the unit with skilled, enthusiastic qualified helicopter pilots.
The 60th HSU has now evolved into a completely separate operating unit who, though small in numbers, is arguably the most skilled and enthusiastic helicopter VA on the net.

Operations and Deployments, "Anywhere Anytime" - Fact!
The 60th VAW, along with the HSU have been involved in a wide variety of operations, in an even wider range of locations across the globe.
A number of peace keeping operations have been supported with both airlift and helicopters.  Disaster relief has become a major part of our operations, with tornado relief, wildfire fighting, cyclone support and even flood relief in places as remote as Central America and Southern Africa.  As with any military force training is an essential part of daily life.  Virtual Air Command tried to simulate this, and have hosted 3 annual airlift exercises, code named "Jungle Fever" as well as a number of smaller more specific training operations.  Most recently crews from the 60th VAW and HSU were involved in a teamwork and desert combat exercise at the National Training Center, Fort Irwin.