Low Altitude Section Maneuvering

CHAPTER SIX

SECTION LOW ALTITUDE TACTICS AND PROCEDURES

LOW ALTITUDE SECTION MANEUVERING

The benefits of combat spread in the low-level environment have been discussed. We will now

discuss how to maneuver a section flying in combat spread, to meet the ever-changing tactical

scenario.

Four distinct section turns are used in the low altitude environment while flying in combat

spread. These turns are:

Check turns 0-30 degrees

Nav Turns 30-60 degrees

Tac Turns 60-120 degrees

Shackle Turns

Other turns possible in the low-level environment include cross turns and in-place turns;

however, these will not be covered in detail due to their specificity to a hostile environment.

Because the goal during low altitude ingress is to avoid detection, turns will be pre-briefed and

executed at the point, initiated by a wing-flash from the lead. If there is doubt as to what turn the

section is trying to execute, the lead will call it over the radio. Safety is paramount.

All turns during section maneuvering are considered level turns and should be executed with

precision. The workload will be higher than normal due to the close proximity of another

aircraft. The main priority during the turns is to track the turn and avoid the ground.

Crewmembers should not spend more than 1 second of mission critical time (MCT) on other

tasks at this time.

CHECK TURNS (0-30 degrees)

The check turn is a turn of less than 30 degrees designed to change the heading of the formation

slightly, reposition the formation, or to aid in visually checking the section's 6 o'clock

(Figure 6-5). During check turns, the lead will generally use small angle of bank turns to affect

the heading change desired. This will prevent the wingman from misinterpreting the turn as a

wing flash. The wingman will use power to maintain proper formation. No communication is

required for this turn.

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SECTION LOW ALTITUDE TACTICS AND PROCEDURES