Fighter Combat

216 SECTION TACTICS, TWO-VERSUS-ONEFigure 5-9. Loose Deuce Engaged-Fighter Maneuveringestablish a commanding position deep in the bogey's rear hemisphere(solid flight path). By maintaining increased nose-tail separation with thedefender at time "2," the engaged pilot avoids a serious overshoot, preserveshis energy, and achieves a temporary lag-pursuit position.If the bogey pilot reverses after time "2," he subjects himself to a gunattack, as shown by the broken flight path to time "3'." He is thereforeencouraged to continue turning in the original direction (solid flight pathto time "3"), which makes him predictable for a longer period of time. Thispredictability may allow the free fighter to position for an unseen attackthat is more effective and lethal. As a rule of thumb, the engaged fighterneeds to force the adversary through about 360° of predictable turn in orderto allow the free fighter a reasonable chance of success, especially whenonly RQ weapons are involved. Having accomplished this task, the engagedfighter has served its purpose,- but if the engaged pilot allows thebogey to change its maneuver unpredictably (possibly because of a premature,unsuccessful attack), the free-fighter pilot's attack plan will bespoiled and the fight will be prolonged unnecessarily. The bogey may alsobe unpredictable if the engaged fighter does not apply sufficient pressure.The target must be threatened to the point where any significant change inits defensive maneuver will get it shot by the engaged fighter. Applyingjust the right amount of pressure is the engaged pilot's most critical duty.He should plan and execute the attack with the goal of maintaining thispressure as long as possible, and he should take only those shots which willallow him to maintain that pressure.This technique has a very close analogy in basketball. The offensive ballhandler can attempt to charge through the defense, taking whatever shot atthe basket becomes available at the risk of throwing the ball up for grabs, or