Introduction to the "Show of Force"
Video of a Mirage 2000D performing a Show of Force (SOF) over Jangalkay. Introduction to non-lethal use of airpower in Afghanistan
At the very beginning of this journey, nearly one year ago, I shared a photo of a Mirage 2000D performing a Show of Force (SOF) over Jangalkay Valley.
Here’s a short video of the same event that I hope will spark your curiosity about the non-lethal use of airpower in Afghanistan.
Upcoming articles will explore everything you need to know about Show of Presence, Show of Force, and warning shots!
Important notes:
This video is a great example of proper HUD brightness management during low-level flight.
At low altitude and high speed, maintaining the best possible visual awareness of the outside environment is important. One of the primary risks in this phase of flight is a bird strike or a mid-air collision, particularly with low-flying or unannounced helicopters. To reduce visual distraction, HUD brightness should be set to its minimum usable level, with symbology just barely visible. This ensures the pilot’s focus remains outside the cockpit, not drawn into the HUD.
At 01:49, when the aircraft climbs back to high altitude, you'll notice the HUD brightness increases significantly. This is intentional and appropriate at higher altitudes, where outside threats are fewer and situational awareness relies more on instrument readings. This contrast highlights a common mistake among DCS players: flying low level with the HUD set too bright. Adopting the simple habit of dimming the HUD improves comfort and significantly enhances your ability to spot threats or terrain at low level.
Second key point: terrain awareness.
During the climb-out, observe that even with a 20° angle of climb, the aircraft remains around 1,000 ft AGL, because it’s climbing along a rising mountain slope. This shows how terrain relief can mask your actual altitude. In hot and high conditions, aircraft performance is already reduced. Never overestimate your ability to "out-climb" terrain: trying to leap over a mountain without sufficient energy can leave you low and slow, a situation that never ends up well...