Air Combat Maneuvering
Flight Procedures
Disengagement/Bugout
In addition to all that you have learned about disengaging and bugging out previously, you now have
a wingman to consider. To disengage or bug out at the most opportune time, keep these guidelines
in mind: 1) establish and maintain visual and tally, 2) achieve at least a 150-degree TCA between
the engaged fighter and the bandit, and 3) regain section integrity as soon as possible after the
engagement because maneuvering back to combat spread will make it possible to engage another
bandit, press to a target, or RTB/bug out.
Even though disengagements can be employed at any appropriate time, you will normally practice
them out of the multi-switch exercises, as shown in Figures 44 and 45. Usually, the free fighter
transmits the bugout heading, which is acknowledged by the engaged fighter. Because he will more
than likely have the best situational awareness, the free fighter dictates the bugout time and heading.
The engaged fighter assesses and informs the free fighter of his disengagement capability, if
necessary. The engaged fighter maintains responsibility to clear his own six and maneuvers to bug
out on the called heading. The free fighter will maneuver to facilitate regaining section integrity.
To regain section integrity, the free fighter must make his initial call an appropriate magnetic heading
that will ensure separating out the bandit’s extended six. Once both fighters have attained the
appropriate separation from the bandit, the Tac lead (the fighter with the best SA) will call appropri-
ate check turns, if necessary, to get the section back into combat spread. After initially separating, if
the bandit continues to threaten, the Tac lead must maneuver the section to deny the bandit a shot.
3
3
2
2
2
Stealth
Rainman
Start
Start
Bandit
Start
3
Figure 44: MULTI-SWITCH ENGAGEMENT TO BUGOUT (1 OF 2)
(10-98) Original
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