Figure 4-12 NFO Lookout Responsibilities

T-6A FORMATION

CHAPTER FOUR

Figure 4-12 delineates pilot and student lookout areas of responsibility. Notice the lack of a

blind area for the section. Primary attention must be in the direction of the suspected threat and

the Wingman's six o'clock position.

Figure 4-12 NFO Lookout Responsibilities

Combat Spread Procedures

Priorities. The first priority in flying combat spread is for the Wingman to maintain

proper bearing. If the Wingman becomes sucked (aft of abeam) or acute (forward of

abeam), lookout doctrine suffers. Moreover, a sucked aircraft becomes more

vulnerable to the enemy. The second priority is maintaining a .3 DME or 1/4 NM

abeam distance. If the Wingman becomes too wide, an enemy aircraft may be able to

engage a Wingman undetected. If too close, the scanned area is reduced. The third

priority is altitude. Altitude can easily be traded for airspeed and used to maintain

bearing.

Taking Combat Spread From Parade or Cruise. When the flight is cleared to

maneuver, the flight Lead will pass the take combat spread signal (palm out, push

away). A technique is to reference base heading, altitude, and airspeed prior to

maneuvering to combat spread. The Wingman then selects maximum allowable

power and aggressively drives the aircraft to the proper tactical formation position.

Excess airspeed should be converted into altitude. If the Wingman's position is

determined to be aft of the abeam (sucked), correction is made by aggressively

lowering the nose, thereby increasing airspeed and reducing rate of climb. If the

Wingman's position is determined to be forward of the abeam (acute), correction is

made by raising the nose aggressively, thereby decreasing airspeed and increasing rate

of climb.

SECTION PARADE 4-13