Greetings from Michigan

[Historiker]

Hi, I go by Historiker (Back in the mid 90s I was "TheJollyGiant")

• GMT-5 EDIT: My flight schedule only allows me to fly in the European time zones. 
• HOTAS (WinWing F-16 Throttle and Stick as well as the WinWing KA50 Collective), Rudder Pedals
• I have Discord and a working microphone. I can install Teamspeak, I used it for many (many) years.
• VR
• I currently fly DCS but but occasionally IL-2 Flying Circus (I&II). I have but seldom fly Sturmovik, Stalingrad, Moscow, Kuban, Bodenplatte, Normandy. 
• Squadron search on ED forums. I am interested in flying the Mi-24 and Mi-8 with others and willing to fly others.
• I am retired and have time to fly more these days. I also used to fly with JG1 in the mid 90s but that is so long ago that I remember almost nothing. I prefer to fly as a team rather than as a lone warrior, especially as a wingman. 

[Klaiber]

Hi @Historiker,

Welcome!

JG1 isn’t actively recruiting at the moment. However, if you're interested in joining, the best way to get started is to hop on Discord and fly with us. We always enjoy meeting new people and would love to have you join our events and practices. It’s a great way to get a feel for the group and see if JG1 is the right fit for you.

If things click and it feels like a good match on both sides, we’d be happy to consider adding you to our roster.

I’m going to tag @Moxy and @Vonrd—they’re definitely the best people to talk to about getting involved. And you’re in luck if you enjoy IL-2: we're currently running a WWII tournament called Europe in Flames: https://discord.gg/UCCu66dp5H

Here’s how to get connected with us:

• Main JG1 Discord: https://discord.gg/SM6Uk5XuJ2
• Events & Practice Calendar: https://jg1.org/oesau/calendar/

The calendar gives a good overview of when we’re flying, though times may vary from week to week.

If you have any questions or just want to chat, feel free to reach out—I’m always happy to help. Looking forward to seeing you in the skies!

PS: We also run WWI and DCS events, which you can find here:

• Flanders In Flames (WWI events): https://discord.gg/HVmET2AmbZ
• ACME (DCS and IL-2 events): https://discord.gg/QcQ2AcwZhz

[Historiker]

Thanks Klaiber, I will do that. 

[Klaiber]

@Historiker - if you have trouble finding us, send me a message.  I'll see what I can do about connecting you with everyone.

The group spends a lot of time jumping between the EIF, ACME, and JG1 discords.

[Vonrd]

Hi @Historiker

I am also retired and have plenty of free time. I'm in Oakland CA - GMT-7. Of course, since retirement I tend to sleep late  so afternoons thru late evening would be the time for me to fly. I'm competent in the Mi-8 and the Mi-24 but haven't been rotoring for a while and am probably rusty. Focusing mostly on the MiG-29 currently. I'm hoping that some members might show up tonight around 6PM Pacific but squad attendance has been somewhat lax of late. We'll see.  

• Main JG1 Discord: https://discord.gg/SM6Uk5XuJ2

[Flyboy]

On 11/20/2025 at 6:44 PM, Historiker said:

Hi, I go by Historiker (Back in the mid 90s I was "TheJollyGiant")

• GMT-5
• HOTAS (WinWing F-16 Throttle and Stick as well as the WinWing KA50 Collective), Rudder Pedals
• I have Discord and a working microphone. I can install Teamspeak, I used it for many (many) years.
• VR
• I currently fly DCS but but occasionally IL-2 Flying Circus (I&II). I have but seldom fly Sturmovik, Stalingrad, Moscow, Kuban, Bodenplatte, Normandy. 
• Squadron search on ED forums. I am interested in flying the Mi-24 and Mi-8 with others and willing to fly others.
• I am retired and have time to fly more these days. I also used to fly with JG1 in the mid 90s but that is so long ago that I remember almost nothing. I prefer to fly as a team rather than as a lone warrior, especially as a wingman. 

I fly mostly DCS and also Flying Circus. Yes we have a place and need for helo pilots, and in fact Patriot and I often work on a coop Foothold mission together later in the night. My schedule is chaotic so just watch the discord channel and if we (or anyone) is there feel free to join in. If you're interested in learning some jet action we can do that too. Patriot and I flew in Jasta 9 back in the Red Baron days.

[Historiker]

I do not get notifications for these replies, probably an email server setting that I need to update.  Sorry for the late reply. 

@Vonrd I am EST so later is not usually good for me but I will make an effort. Back in RB3d days I was in Alaska so the only people I could find to fly with were west coast, now the opposite seems true 

@Flyboy I would be interested in relearning the Mig-21, it has been a few years. I am honestly rusty but flying with others helps to motivate me.

EDIT: I figured out the issue with notifications.  I have to manually click "follow" to get notifications.  Usually if you start a thread it automatically does this, I will remember in future. 

[Flyboy]

1 hour ago, Historiker said:

I do not get notifications for these replies, probably an email server setting that I need to update.  Sorry for the late reply. 

@Vonrd I am EST so later is not usually good for me but I will make an effort. Back in RB3d days I was in Alaska so the only people I could find to fly with were west coast, now the opposite seems true 

@Flyboy I would be interested in relearning the Mig-21, it has been a few years. I am honestly rusty but flying with others helps to motivate me.

EDIT: I figured out the issue with notifications.  I have to manually click "follow" to get notifications.  Usually if you start a thread it automatically does this, I will remember in future. 

I should be available next week starting Tue

[Historiker]

I updated my first post, unfortunately I am only available during the day so the European time zones are when I am available. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

[Klaiber]

2 hours ago, Historiker said:

I updated my first post, unfortunately I am only available during the day so the European time zones are when I am available. Sorry for the misunderstanding.

Thanks for the update, @Historiker!