As reported by Aerotime (opens in new tab), on January 18, War Thunder forum user RanchSauce39 shared a scan of the F-15 Eagle fighter's operating manual.

This incident is similar to that time in July 2021 when a War Thunder player posted a classified document on the forum related to the British Challenger 2 tank (opens in new tab), and in October 2021 when a War Thunder forum participant shared a scan of a French Leclerc Serie 2 main battle tank, nor should it be confused with the brisk morning (opens in new tab) when, just a few days ago (opens in new tab), a confused pilgrim, where else but the War Thunder forum, released classified documents regarding the F-16 Fighting Falcon released classified documents regarding.

The F-15 is an older model fighter and its operating manuals are no longer strictly classified, but the legality of distributing a complete .pdf of the F-15 flight manual is... Doubtful, RanchSauce39 claimed that "only the OFP (Operational Flight Plan) Suite 4 and later academic workbooks were issued distribution statements. So workbooks up to Suite 3 should not be a problem."

Another user, MiG_23M, claimed that concerned posters "could contact Seymour Johnson Air Force Base regarding these manuals and ask if they were improperly marked when containing possible CUI." (CUI is defined as any DoD material that is unclassified but restricted from public release.) MiG argued that Gaijin and RanchSauce39 had no legal responsibility for the documents.

Contributor spacenavy90 was unconvinced, pointing to a warning printed in the standard F-15 manual: "Distribution is authorized only to the Department of Defense and US Department of Defense contractors. Distribution is authorized only to DoD and U.S. DoD contractors. WARNING - This document contains technical data whose export is restricted by the ARMS Export Administration Act... Violations of these export laws are subject to severe criminal penalties.

If the name spacenavy90 sounds familiar, it is because they posted the F-16 related content in question on the War Thunder forum earlier this week. 'I'm sorry, but I find it extremely hypocritical to be attacked for posting a simple screenshot regarding a 1982 F-16A. So much for caring about protecting classified military information." Whether this is in spacenavy90's face or whether he has dug in his heels, I will leave that to the reader.

Whatever the exact legality of sharing these documents relating to the F-15 and 16, the forum moderators considered it an absolute, definitive no-no and deleted the original post in question by RanchSauce39.

"Guys, let me be clear for everyone's sake," community manager Smin1080p said deep in the F-15 discussion thread." If you can't clearly demonstrate that something is legally public, fully declassified, and without any restrictions, then don't post it."

One can sense the energy in Sumin 1080p's appeal that says, "I swear to God, I will fix this car. How did this happen, this mil-sim game in 2014 regularly hosts state secrets on the forums" All I know is that watching gearheads drop restricted/classified military manuals on video game forums in the name of encouraging in-game accuracy is never pleasant and That they can't stop. This is classic forum excellence in the collective spirit of bodybuilding. com members discuss how many days a week is (opens in new tab); more than War Thunder itself, the dissemination of classified documents to War Thunder forums is becoming institutionalized.