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Combat spread.
The core of the =SE= fighting is the wingman relationship. Our standard formation is combat spread, or line abreast. Never ever fly in line astern formation. If you find yourself in trail, make a simultaneous 90 degree turn to regain combat spread, then return to the desired heading with the use of an in-place turn, also known as the tactical turn (see below).
The element in line abreast is next to invulnerable. Given a lateral spacing of 500-1000 yards, the blind spot is virtually nonexistent. The team can handle multiple bandits in any direction, at any energy state. However, while cruising, if you lose separation you're blinding yourself and your wingman. Work with throttle, separation and comms to maintain the spread.
Trail attack. Against an unsuspecting low bandit, or when either fighter attacks much sooner than the other, the wingman will trail into the attack. Picture a low bandit, level or climbing, or a dead six chase. Lead goes in to bounce, preferably from low six or out of the sun. Wingman hangs back, then follow up the lead's attack. If the lead misses, the wingman will get a clean, planform shot at the breaking enemy, or nail the startled bandit as he concentrates on the lead.
Half Split. Same situation again. This time only one fighter (the wingman) peel off some 45 degrees or enough to keep the bandit in sight, while standing by to turn back immediately if the bandit goes after the lead. Perform guns defense if necessary. In case of the bandit going after the wingman, the lead turns in and dispose of him. Depending on relative E-states, the engagement may lead to a classic sandwich or a bracket fight as above.
Thach Weave. Primarily used when the team is too far from each other to perform any of the above, or wish to exit the general area and still clobber the bandit. Depending on energy state and the need to put distance behind you, scissor the bandit to death by reciprocating S-turns.
Note that this is NOT an individual flat scissors, but a TEAM scissors which opens and closes - with the bandit in the middle. The picture shown here is not totally correct in that regard. In a true Thach Weave, you will want to make more pronounced turns.
In high speed fights where you wish to extend, the turns are small unless the bandit is in firing range (which will force guns defense and lead to a 2v1 situation). Open up separation, then close it again to let yourself or your wingman to gain angles. The bandit will be totally at a disadvantage if you keep the radius small yet sufficient to gain angles, whereas you will risk head-on shots if you make big turns. Whenever the bandit stops tracking one of you (due to having to perform guns defense), he's meat on the table.
How to drag.When you're desperate, don't head straight at a friend since this may force him into an unwanted an unneccessary head-on situation. Use separation and the fact that the bandit will present his cold six and set himself up for imminent eradication should he persist in chasing you. As soon as he breaks off, you're in a good position to reverse your break and exact sweet revenge - provided you're fit to do so.
In the very moment the leading element engages, the trailing element is "uncoupled" and is expected to make its own snap decisions according to the situation. As a rule, maintaining separation, i.e room to maneuver, is always good.