Formation Flying

Formation flying is the coordinated flight of multiple aircraft under the direction of a designated flight lead. The following formations constitute the squadron's basic formation set.

Takeoff Formations

Prior to a formation takeoff, aircraft position themselves in a staggered echelon on the runway, offset from the centerline toward the upwind side.

The upwind offset ensures each aircraft's wake and jet blast is carried away from the aircraft behind it by the crosswind component, rather than across their flight path. An easy way to remember this is "Wind blows wing to lead"

There are two main departure types:

Staggered Departure is a formation takeoff with a prebriefed interval (usually 5 seconds) between each departing aircraft.

Section Departure is a formation takeoff with a prebriefed interval (usually 10 seconds) between each departing section. A section consists of two aircraft positioned in a '2 Plane Formation'. 1 and 2 will line up together and taxi forward to leave space for 3 and 4, who will be positioned in the same formation but 5 ship lengths behind 1 and 2. This is done to prevent damage from jet blast.

Cruise

Cruise is the standard formation for routine A to B transit. It provides the flight lead with freedom to maneuver while keeping the flight together and allowing wingmen sufficient room for lookout and heads down time.

Notice the "cone of maneuver" in the diagram. This is the allowed maneuvering room at which aircraft can move freely within. The cone of maneuver does NOT allow aircraft to fly above lead at any point. All maneuvers should be done level to or below lead at all times.

Camelot 1	"Camelot, go cruise"
Camelot 2	"Two"
Camelot 3	"Three"
Camelot 4	"Four"

Echelon

Echelon places aircraft sequentially behind and to one side of the lead aircraft, producing a diagonal formation.

Echelon is commonly used during formation join-ups, departures, recoveries, and situations where the flight needs to maintain a clearly defined formation while maneuvering as a group. Navy training publications describe echelon as a standard formation and distinguish between parade and cruise variants.

Echelon may be flown to either the left or right of the lead as directed by the flight lead.

Camelot 1	"Camelot, go echelon left/right"
Camelot 2	"Two"
Camelot 3	"Three"
Camelot 4	"Four"

Parade / Fingertip

Parade, commonly referred to as fingertip, is the squadron's close formation.

It is used when aircraft are required to remain in close proximity and maintain precise relative positioning. Parade is particularly appropriate for formation work, recovery procedures, and penetration through IMC.

Camelot 1	"Camelot, go parade/fingertip"
Camelot 2	"Two"
Camelot 3	"Three"
Camelot 4	"Four"

Combat Spread

Combat Spread is a tactical formation in which aircraft are separated laterally to improve visual lookout and provide greater freedom for tactical maneuvering.

Unlike close formations, Combat Spread prioritizes tactical awareness and mutual support over precise close-order positioning. U.S. Navy training material identifies Combat Spread as one of the basic tactical formations alongside Combat Cruise.

For the purposes of squadron operations, Combat Spread is primarily used when the flight requires increased tactical separation and lookout.

Camelot 1	"Camelot, go combat spread"
Camelot 2	"Two"
Camelot 3	"Three"
Camelot 4	"Four"

Trail

Trail places aircraft sequentially behind the lead aircraft.

Trail provides a simple formation geometry and allows aircraft to maneuver individually while retaining a common direction of travel. It can be useful during rendezvous, tactical maneuvering, and other situations where aircraft need to be positioned behind one another.

Camelot 1	"Camelot, go trail"
Camelot 2	"Two"
Camelot 3	"Three"
Camelot 4	"Four"

Formation Selection

Formation	Primary purpose
Cruise	Routine A to B transit
Echelon	Formation departures, recoveries, and maneuvering
Parade	Close formation
Combat Spread	Tactical separation and mutual support
Trail	Low level flight/maneuvering and IMC penetration

Note: Formation selection is ultimately determined by the flight lead (or element lead) and the requirements of the mission. The formations above form the squadron's basic standardized vocabulary.