Fighter Combat - Tactics and Maneuvering

220 SECTION TACTICS, TWOVERSUS-ONE
effectively by keeping sight of the bogey, using the vertical plane, and
maintaining a high energy level while maneuvering to the target's bellyside.
When convenient, environmental conditions should be exploited to
mask the attack (i.e., sun or terrain masking). The free-fighter pilot's
secondary responsibility is to maintain visual defensive coverage for himself
and his wingman as protection against additional threat aircraft,
SAMs, etc.
The loose deuce engaged-fighter pilot, on the other hand, is primarily
responsible for maintaining offensive pressure on the bogey to force it into
a predictable flight path for the free fighter. If during this process the bogey
presents an opportunity, the engaged pilot should not hesitate to blow it
away; but, in general, if the bogey can be forced into a predictable flight
path, the free fighter will have the quicker chance to reach a lethal position.
The pilot of the engaged fighter should employ lead, pure, and lag
pursuit, high and low yo-yos, and barrel-roll attacks as appropriate to
remain a serious offensive threat for as long as possible without severely
depleting his energy. Although the bogey may be induced into a predictable
flight path from a defensive position (e.g., the drag technique shown in
Figure 5-7), this technique is less desirable since the bogey pilot usually has
the option of disengaging or switching his attention from one fighter to the
other at critical moments, frustrating or delaying the desired outcome of
the engagement. The pilot of the engaged fighter, therefore, should maintain
a high energy level and exercise sound judgment as to the amount of
offensive pressure that can be exerted without increasing the risk of becoming
defensive. Once it is trapped in a serious defensive situation, the
engaged fighter becomes more of a hindrance than an asset to the free
fighter, especially in slow-speed scissoring conditions, in which the bogey
is unpredictable and too near the engaged fighter to provide a safe target.
Whenever facing imminent loss of the offensive, or when effective offensive
pressure cannot be maintained, the engaged pilot should call his
wingman back into the fight and assume the role of free fighter if practical.
The engaged-fighter pilot's secondary responsibility is to maintain a defensive
visual lookout for himself and the free fighter. Practically speaking,
since the engaged pilot will have to devote almost all of his attention to the
bogey, his defensive lookout is likely to be very marginal, leaving the free
fighter with most of the defensive load. Multiple-crew fighters can be
much more effective at this, since offensive and defensive duties can be
divided among crew members.
Analysis of Loose Deuce Doctrine
Loose deuce has some considerable advantages over other doctrines in the
two-versus-one scenario. Use of the fighters in a shooter/shooter relationship,
rather than in shooter/cover roles, as with double attack, results
in much greater offensive efficiency. When a section is fighting a betterturning
opponent, double attack doctrine usually requires considerable
time to wear down the bogey's energy before an effective firing position
can be achieved. Loose deuce, on the other hand, can provide a shot
opportunity much quicker, often within only one turn.