More on Formations and why to use them

[Sol75]

More on Formation Combat

Formation flying and combat requires discipline, restraint, and a higher level of proficiency than simply going at it alone. However, once you have mastered the art, you will never want to fly alone again. In addition to the practical, is the added new level to the online combat arena. The pre-flight routine of lining up together on the runway, assigning wingmen, and going through a mission briefing, the start engines command, and a roll down the runway together, bobbing and waving in time with each other, cannot be replicated by flying alone.
The tactics of formation versus single combat is night and day. Whereas the survivability of a single pilot depends on his machine, and him, the survivability of a formation depends on the ability of ALL of it’s members to work as a team. For this to happen, a squadron must train and act in a way in which an ordinary lonewold generally finds too restrictive, it must be disciplined, act promptly, and as a body with a single mind.
Formations are emplyed to bring the maximum firepower to bear on the enemy, within the shortest amount of time. Formations have been used since 1917, and it has been unthinkable in the real world to enter combat with anything less than an element.
Units of a squadron include:
1. Element – 2 aircraft
2. Flight – 2 Elements
3. Squadron – 2-4 flights
4. Group – 2-4 Squadrons

[Sol75]

The most convenient formation for online combat is the “finger four” as I have referenced previously, however the most likely to be encountered is the simple element. When flying as a single element you should strive for a line abreast formation, where one plane is right beside the other.
The element is the smallest unit you want to use in air combat, and its doctrine is the same as any larger unit. You should emphasize flying in at least an element every time you sortie, even if that takes an extra few minutes for you to launch.
When cruising to and from the combat zone, separation can be at a minimum, however once you enter the battle area, separation should increase to 200-350 yards between aircraft. A unit so disposed covers a lot more sky, and any aircraft is virtually invulnerable to surprise attack. Rather than anxiously rolling and yawing to keep the individual 6 clear, the formation flies level while checking over the wing to clear your wingman’s 6 o’clock position. This nearly eliminates the blind spots below and behind even the worst of views.
Having a doctrine for fighting may sound stupid to the casual observer, but if you observe most of the ad-hoc formations, and how poorly they perform, you may realize having a doctrine may not be a bad idea at all. So what doctrines are there? There are, Welded Wing, Double Attack, and Loose Deuce. But a better more descriptive way might be to call them, Follow Closely, Stand Off, and Separate and Gain Advantage. They each have their own advantages and disadvantages.

[Sol75]

1. Welded Wing
Early in the 2nd world war, when combat experience was lacking, wingmen flew close to the wingleader and tried to follow their every move as best they could. The practice was to close up with your wingtip a few feet from your leaders, and to stay there, no matter what. This is much as you see the Thunderbirds or Blue Angels do during their formation demonstrations. This really has no true application in combat, other than for attacking a dense bomber formation to mass firepower.
2. Double Attack
The Double attack doctrine is used to bring each ship to bear sequentially, or in the case of a flight or larger formation, each element is brought to bear sequentially. Thus one aircraft, or flight, would do the attacking, while the other stood off to the side, retaining their E, ready to pounce or bail out the commited aircraft as needed. Within an element, on a flight sized unit or larger, the individual aircraft still fly as a welded wing.
3. Loose Deuce
The top of tactical evolution is the Loose Deuce doctrine. The fundamental idea here is that every part of the formation is to maneuver in a way that is best at any one time. The Key is separation! LD tactice used the right way is gorgeous to behold, and is in a way, a game of 4 dimensional chess. In LD, when entering combat, the idea of leader and wingman goes away, instead you become either free or engaged. These roles can and will switch repeatedly throughout the fight depending on the advantages each holds, or the angles involved. All tactics I will discuss further will begin with the Loose Deuce formation.

I will continue this thread as I post more informaiton. Coming Up: Formation Tactics

[VansCrew]

their was one i can not think of the name but it involved an element or flight of people.The WingLeader would dive on come one he would call "in" when he killoed the enemy or missed he would call "out" then that persons wing would call "in" if he killed him or missed him he would call "out".

This keeps the aircraft they were attacking no time to recover.All they would be able to do to stay alive would be to dive away,if they do that they thy would not be a factor in the fight no more.

Example: (me,slo,Syko jolly)

say were flying along see a 109(lets call him bob) using what i said about it would go like this.(im flight lead sol's of first element JOLLY is lead of second)

VansCrew:low 109 im IN.
Vanscrew:missed im OUT.
Sol75:IN
Sol75:OUT
Jolly:IN
Jolly: Pinged his oil...OUT
Syko:in...
Syko:he's dead im OUT.

just call if your in or out keeps at least 3 of the 4 with alt and can protect that man going in.It's simple to do but very good at killing that person.

Bob would be one of two things runing to the deck or end up dead.From what i have seen me and Sol75 have the most knowlage of Formations(in game).I would be glad to fly formation with people and help the get it down.

Wingmaning is a bit harder you have to stick with him at all times keeping him covered you guys cant go off on your own to get a kill.You have to stay with him.One(the lead) dive's in on some one depending what he says that wingman will hold high for him to come back up or dive in with him.Sol when you get on i would like to fly wing with you see how we do togher.

People have to pick their wingman.You need to pick some one that flys the same planes or close to it.Pick some one that fits your style weather is it B&Zing or furballing.You and your wing would live longer if you guys matched up well.I think sol and myself would be a good pick because we blth fly american fighters.

[Sol75]

Vans, That is the premise of the "Loose Deuce" formation... and I will be expanding further on tactics later today and/or tomorrow. Id be glad to wing up with ya, and I agree, our plane choices would make us a good match.