Fighter Combat

258 SECTION TACTICS, TWOVERSUS-TWObogey in sight, both double attack and loose deuce doctrines provide for animmediate bracket attack if the fighters are positioned favorably. Otherwisethe fighter with the greater offensive potential attacks while thewingman assumes the free-fighter role. When only one pilot has sight ofthe bogey, he may attack and engage the opponent under cover of hiswingman until the free-fighter pilot can gain visual contact. At that pointthe free pilot can position for a shot (loose deuce) or continue his coverduties (double attack) and await his turn with the bogey.In the event that both bogeys survive the first attack but are still insight, the decision of whether to re-engage immediately depends on suchfactors as the hostility of the environment, whether both pilots have sightof the bogeys, and the confidence the pilots have in their ability to handlethe threat. If any of these factors is negative, disengagement might be theprudent option. Otherwise a bracket or drag attack might be preferable.When the situation does not provide for such coordinated attacks, doubleattack doctrine calls for one fighter to attack the more vulnerable bogeywhile the wingman holds the free bogey at bay. This method can be quiteeffective if the fighters have significant performance and/or weaponsadvantages over the bogeys, or if the friendly pilots are better trained thanthe bogey pilots; otherwise loose deuce techniques are probably preferable.Loose deuce doctrine in prolonged two-versus-two engagements callsfor each fighter to operate semi-autonomously, much as in the one-versustwoengagements described in the previous chapter. The tactic involvesneutralizing the more threatening bogey (by causing it to overshoot), thenattacking the other bogey. The second bogey is likely to be involved withthe other fighter and be vulnerable to attack. This attack cannot safely beprolonged, however, because of the threat of the free bogey. Each fighterswitches from one bogey to the other in this manner until one opponentcan be caught looking the wrong way.This is a complex and difficult to master tactic, primarily because of thedifficulties involved in keeping track of both opponents. The task is madeeasier when the adversary is flying larger and/or less maneuverable aircraftand when the fighters are equipped with all-aspect missiles while thebogeys are not. Larger bogeys are less difficult to see, and greater maneuverabilitymakes neutralizing an attacker easier and reduces the timerequired to reach firing parameters against a target bogey. All-aspectAAMs provide many quick shot opportunities with a minimum of maneuvering.When bogeys cannot be eliminated quickly, the factors discussedearlier in this chapter concerning task overloading must be consideredin making the decision between continuing and terminating theengagement. Disengagements are better begun too early than too late,when fuel considerations or critical defensive situations might complicateescape.Defensive mutual support during prolonged loose deuce maneuvering isby chance and opportunity rather than by design. Each pilot is primarilyresponsible for keeping himself out of trouble by keeping track of bothbogeys, maintaining high energy, and not getting tangled up with onebogey for any length of time. It is difficult enough to maintain visual