C_A_M_2015_05_

‘It is in large force exercises that VFC-111’s vast

knowledge really comes into play as they fi ght

using the F-5 to the best of their abilities’

consist of a single aircraft making runs at the

student, allowing themselves to be locked

up as the FRS student works on their timing,

and communicates with their wingman and

ground-based controllers. From here, the

complexity increases as students participate

in 2-v-2 maneuvering groups, 2-v-X (X being

an unknown number of bandits), 4-v-2, and

4-v-X presentations. The goal is getting the

students to learn to prioritize targets, and how

to target multiple bandits without double-

targeting or letting someone slip through.

If a student makes a series of small mistakes

and leaves themselves open to a shot from

the bandit, the VFC-111 instructors do not

usually take the shot and kill (which would

remove the student from the scenario) but

take note of when the shots were available.

This information is later given to the FRS

instructor conducting the debrief. As all

exercises are recorded for later playback

using the Tactical Combat Training System

(TACTS), the student can then see graphically

where mistakes were made and how they

could have been countered. Occasionally, if

a student has made a series of mistakes and

the ‘Sundowners’ instructor feels he needs to

bring their attention back to where he thinks

it should be, he may make a ‘smoke in the air’

call, which simulates a weapon launch. This

allows the FRS student to counter the weapon

and hopefully salvage the scenario.

Since VAQ-129 operates the EA-18G

Growler, its requirements are different when

it sends its aircrew to Key West for a tactics

det. The goal with VAQ-129 is to provide

an overview and understanding of, not

expertise in, of the air combat maneuvering

(ACM) environment. Although VFC-111 does

spend time on BFM with the ‘Vikings’, it is

understood that if a Growler has to engage a

bandit in BFM in a real-world scenario, a lot

of mistakes must have been made.

SFARP skills

VFC-111 also helps support large-force

exercises such as the Strike Fighter

Advanced Readiness Program, or SFARP.

This is part of an air wing’s work-up cycle

prior to deployment. It gives squadrons an

opportunity to operate together and learn

to do this effectively after their previous

unit-level training. SFARP is a graduate-level

exercise run by the Strike Fighter Weapons

As the midday clouds

bubble up, a section

of ‘Sundowners’ F-5Ns

 ies to the ranges.

At the culmination of a sweat-soaked DACT

mission, a VFC-111 pilot cranks open the

canopy as he returns to the  ightline.

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