2 ship in spread with a simultaneous break...I think Marines call it a combat break? I've also seen 4 ships do it, broken into 2 sections following each other.
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Civilian Fields and Carrier Breaks
- Thread starter C420sailor
- Start date
2 ship in spread with a simultaneous break...I think Marines call it a combat break? I've also seen 4 ships do it, broken into 2 sections following each other.
View attachment 9883
I believe that the "awsomeness" of high speed/low altitude in the break is way overrated. Formation integrity/uniformity and spacing/altitude downwind, whether breaking from echelon or diamond, are the hallmarks of a professional, e.g. "awesome" break.
At least that's how it was back in the middle ages!
*Thumbnail: My beloved "Blue Diamonds, two A/C generations later, executing the "Missing Man" break for the Squadron COC!
BzB
Yeah...you got it right, Hugh. Wasn't in my first squadron on deployment but a few days, when I was gently counseled re sloppy formation around the ship. (Was probably trying to position the ashtray to put out my last cigarette before trapping.) Anyway, I tightened it up to the max, subsequently never heard another word about it...
Sounds lame.
A spread break? How are they getting interval unless they're using different AOB? I certainly don't want to be abeam my wingman on downwind. If you're sequencing using different AOB, it'd be easier to do it from cruise or parade, anyway. A fan break is included as an option in my NATOPS, but I've never seen an especially good reason to do it.
The AF and French do the combat spread break... in a word, queer. Its like they are afraid to fly close to each other. A beautifully executed four plane fan is where its at.
Lead does a normal break, -2 rolls out after 90-degrees of turn momentarily, then turns on downwind. It's designed for providing more mutual support/threat reaction in the terminal environment. Heavies usually do the overhead spiral, tacair often does the combat break. Never done it stateside though.
I can see tactical value in coming to the break in spread if someone is actually chasing you. Depending on who you ask, that's one of the purposes of the break maneuver anyway.
If you're not delousing until you're overhead homefield/mom, you're doing it wrong.
I must be hanging around too many AF bases where neither of those goals are held in high regard. "Fingertip" (parade) is avoided like the plague, airspeed is down at 250. You could probably get another bounce inside the fan-favorite "tac initial" overhead. Yet they can sure depart the field at 450 knots and get joined 20 miles later. Don't even ask about a diamond-break as someone would likely get arrested. meh, I like these guys and all, but seriously...
What bases have fighters on initial at 250?
The AF guys in Kadena like to do the tac initial so they can come in over the scattered clouds that usually hang over the field. Then they pick their way through the clouds while descending during the break and on downwind. Came in on the wing of an F-22 for one; pretty much worked like a fan break where -2 just eases his turn a little more....
A couple of our IPs (Harrier guys, I think) did the combat break once or twice in El Centro on weps dets, just for the hell of it. And I see the Strike Eagles do it into SJAFB somewhat frequently. I don't know, I think it looks kinda cool, probably just because it's different. But the fan break is without question the most aesthetically pleasing way to enter a VFR pattern....though a nice, snappy 4 sec or reaction break looks pretty good too.
Jake Donovan
USNRet
I just read in Navy Times a few months ago about a F18 pilot getting grounded for flying a break at an uncontrolled airport.
We use to get OKed at smaller controlled airprts but I wouldn't request one at a larger airport unless it was an Airshow weekend.