Fighting Wing & Echelon Turns
Tactical formation positioning and maneuvering
OBJECTIVE
Enable trainees to fly fighting wing and perform echelon turns as wingman in the T-38 Talon, practicing positioning, cross-unders, power/bank adjustments, and deconfliction, to build tactical flexibility in formation while integrating communications and visual signals per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards.
CONTENT
Pre-Flight Briefing and Preparation
- • Review of route formation and ground lessons on fighting wing/echelon; discuss sortie objectives, VMC minima, and T-38 handling in tactical positions (cone maintenance).
- • Formation planning: Brief fighting wing cone (30-45° aft, 500-1,500 ft lateral), echelon stacking, and tolerances for turns/cross-unders.
- • Wingman focus: Aspect cues, thrust corrections, visual lookout.
Airborne Procedures and Maneuvers
- • Departure and rejoin: VFR takeoff from KSPS, wingman rejoins to fighting wing.
- • Fighting wing maintenance: Holds in straight flight, tactical turns (≤45° bank), cross-unders for position swaps.
- • Echelon turns: Stack down in turns, adjust power/bank to hold position; practice on lead's signal.
- • Comms and signals: Acknowledgments for directives, visual signals for adjustments.
FIGHTING WING CONE
ECHELON TURN TECHNIQUE
Inside Turn: Stack down, reduce power, increase bank
Outside Turn: Stack up, add power, reduce bank
Cross-under: Smooth transition under lead on signal
Post-Flight Debrief
- • Performance evaluation: Review position stability, turn execution, and comms via data.
- • Trainee reflection: Discuss tactical challenges and G-X prep.
COMPLETION STANDARDS
Trainees will demonstrate proficiency in fighting wing and echelon turns through successful sortie execution. Trainees must:
- • Maintain cone tolerances (30-45° aft, stable without drifts)
- • Execute accurate cross-unders on lead's signal
- • Demonstrate no deconfliction errors per AFMAN 11-2T-38V3 standards
Completion: Instructor confirmation of progression to G-X and breakouts