Tactical Formation
Background
ENGAGED/FREE FIGHTER ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Anytime the section is engaged with a bogey, lead and wingman formation roles and responsibilities are
exchanged for engaged and free fighter tactical roles and responsibilities. The engaged fighter is the
fighter actively pursuing the bogey or forcing the bogey into a predictable flight path (offensive/defensive).
The free fighter is the fighter maneuvering to protect the engaged fighter and to obtain a clear shot at the
bogey.
Engaged Fighter
As the engaged fighter, your primary responsibility is to kill the bogey. To do this you must keep the bogey
in sight and either attack him or defend against his attack. In either case, the engaged fighter must force
the bogey to maneuver hard enough to deplete his energy thus making him predictable. It is essential that
you communicate with the free fighter to coordinate your tactics effectively.
Free Fighter
As the free fighter, you are also responsible for killing the bogey. Analyze the fight to predict the bogey’s
flight path and maneuver for a shot while maintaining sight of both the engaged fighter and the bogey.
Use descriptive comm to inform the engaged fighter of your position and directive comm to provide tactical
recommendations to target the bogey. The free fighter should constantly manage his energy package.
VOICE COMMUNICATION
Clear, concise radio communications of a tactical, directive, and descriptive nature will optimize the
section’s effectiveness. You must learn to fly, think, and communicate simultaneously. Typically, initial
communications are of bogey sightings. However, immediate movement of the section utilizing directive
communication is the highest priority radio call made to avoid being targeted by a bogey. The directive call
would be followed immediately by descriptive communication to ensure both aircraft acquire the bogey and
establish the fighter tactical game plan.
(4-03) Original
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