MTTP/ACC/Training Range Communications

Entry / Exit

Prior to entering the training area, the flight lead directs a FENCE IN check. Wingmen must manage this carefully as the formation will likely already be maneuvering. The correct technique is to identify the required switch, make a quick glance inside to confirm selection, and actuate it while continuously cross-checking formation position. Wingman priorities during FENCE IN remain unchanged: visual, formation, radios.

On exit, the FENCE OUT follows the same principles. Pilots should anticipate simultaneous direction from the flight lead covering the FENCE OUT, a rejoin, and a frequency change. Task-prioritising once airborne prevents saturation.

Training Admin

Fights On

FIGHT'S ON initiates a training engagement. It may also restart a scenario following a KNOCK-IT-OFF, once all issues are resolved and verbal clearance is obtained from the flight lead, mission commander, or exercise director.

The call is made by the offender at the briefed range, typically the flight lead. The offender monitors closing range and modulates power to arrive at the correct airspeed at the fight's on range.

Range countdown format by setup type:

Setup	Countdown Method	Call
3,000-foot perch	500-foot increments	"4,500 feet... 4,000 feet... 3,500 feet... FOX 2, FIGHT'S ON"
6,000-foot perch	Held under gun cross until range	"FIGHT'S ON" at 6,000 feet
9,000-foot perch	Tenths of miles	"1.8... 1.7... 1.6... FOX 3/2, FIGHT'S ON"
Butterfly / HABFM	Called by flight lead at approximately 3–4 NM	"Turn in, Fights On"
BVR	Called by flight lead at briefed range	"Fights On"

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Terminate

TERMINATE ceases all tactical maneuvering with the terminating aircraft or within a specific portion of a larger scenario. It is used when safety of flight is NOT a factor.

When to Call Terminate

• Reaching BINGO fuel
• DLOs are met or unattainable for a local engagement within a larger scenario
• Training rules or other limits are met (e.g., a 180-degree turn limit)
• Area boundaries have been exceeded, where safety of flight is not compromised
• Below minimum altitude or within minimum range, but safety is not compromised
• Below 5,000 feet AGL, airspeed below MDS minimum, and within visual range (less than 5 NM) of adversary

How to Call Terminate

Anchor the call geographically or with a BULLSEYE reference:

(Callsign), TERMINATE south fight

(Callsign), TERMINATE fight, BULLSEYE 180/10

Add amplifying information — altitude, aircraft type, geographical feature — when necessary.

Actions on Terminate

All aircraft within visual range (less than 5 NM) of the terminated fight will:

1. Cease tactical maneuvering with the terminating aircraft, group, or as specified
2. Deconflict flight paths and climb or descend to a safe altitude, blocks, or as briefed

In a large scenario, radio acknowledgements in roll call fashion are not required, but all affected element leads must ensure compliance.

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Knock It Off

KNOCK-IT-OFF (KIO) is a directive call to cease all air combat maneuvers, attacks, and activities. KIO ends the entire scenario and is used when safety of flight is, or may become, a factor. It is the appropriate call any time a developing situation carries a safety implication — including where a boundary violation is about to occur and the situation could compromise safety.

This is the key distinction from TERMINATE: TERMINATE covers the case where a limit or boundary has already been exceeded with no safety concern. KIO covers the case where the situation is developing toward danger.

When to Call KIO

• A dangerous situation is developing
• An unbriefed or non-participating aircraft enters the area and is a potential hazard
• Weather drops below minimums required to safely conduct the scenario
• Aircraft malfunction affects safety of flight
• Loss of situational awareness that cannot be regained
• Violation of briefed area boundaries has occurred or is about to occur in a manner that constitutes a safety concern
• Recognised radio failure
• BINGO fuel inadvertently overflown such that a direct flight to primary or alternate is required
• Over-G or exceedance of briefed flight parameters occurs
• Any flight member calls knock it off

Format

[Flight callsign], KNOCK-IT-OFF, [short description of hazard if prudent]

Example: "Raven flight, knock-it-off, hard deck."

Initiation begins with the flight call sign followed by "knock-it-off." A short description of the hazard may be included if prudent.

Actions on KIO — all participating aircraft will:

1. All Aircraft Acknowledge on Frequency
2. Cease all tactical maneuvering and end the scenario
3. Deconflict flight paths and climb or descend to a safe altitude, block, or as briefed
4. Address all problems and obtain verbal clearance from the flight lead, mission commander, or exercise director before resuming or resetting

Controllers and ABMs/WDs must immediately relay all KIO and TERMINATE calls to all participating aircraft, including those on separate frequencies.

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Lead Changes

Lead changes require an unambiguous transfer of responsibility, by radio call or visual signal, acknowledged before being considered effective. This applies during admin/transit formation, not engaged maneuvering.

• Radio: use call signs and be specific — the aircraft assuming lead states so explicitly.

"Eagle 2, you have the lead on the left." → "Eagle 2 has the lead, left."

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Range Communications

On the range, full call signs are used for all calls (e.g., "Viper 2's base"), except safety-of-flight calls ("Say position" or "Knock-it-off"), which may be abbreviated. UHF is used exclusively to keep the Range Control Officer (RCO) in the loop; VHF only by exception.

Standard Pattern Calls

• "C/S base"
• "C/S up" (tactical pop patterns)
• "C/S in hot/dry"

Calls and turn initiation happen simultaneously. Listen before transmitting — if another aircraft has called "In dry," hold your own transmission until the RCO issues "Continue dry" (unless it's a safety-of-flight call, which always takes priority).

Base Call Modifiers

• "Extended" or "late" prefixed to the base call — used to raise following aircraft's SA for station-keeping if the ground track or timing deviates from briefed.

Off-Dry / Last Pass / Rejoin

• "C/S off dry" — called after the safe escape maneuver if the pilot rolled in intending to drop but did not pickle. Append the reason: "Viper 2's off dry, parameters."
• "C/S last pass" and "C/S up for the rejoin" — called by flight lead after completing the final pass's safe escape.
• "C/S [#]'s off, [n] aircraft in sight" — called after pickle/safe escape while beginning the rejoin; if not all preceding aircraft are visual, report however many are seen and continue the briefed ground track to the sanctuary altitude.

Switches Safe / FENCE OUT

Flight lead calls FENCE OUT directively; all members safe the master arm and CMD and acknowledge in order by position number — even while this may be happening mid-rejoin, so task-prioritize accordingly.

Abnormal / Contingency Calls

• "Say position" — transmitted by a blind pilot to the aircraft directly ahead when visual is lost; that aircraft must answer immediately with position and altitude. No one else transmits unless necessary to resolve the conflict.
• "Continue" — called once visual is reacquired or adequate deconfliction SA exists.
• "Knock-it-off" (KIO) — called if a blind/conflict situation cannot be immediately resolved. (See Training Admin → Knock It Off, above, for the full KIO procedure.)
• "Next pass hot" / "Green 'em up" — flight lead's call to resume weapons delivery after a KIO is resolved

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BFM Sets

Butterfly Setup

The butterfly is the standard setup for High-Aspect BFM (HABFM). Early in IFF, the canned setup introduces HABFM in a predictable, repeatable environment. On subsequent missions, the pilot is expected to evaluate the tactical situation independently and determine planned merge geometry before the check away.

Starting Parameters

Parameter	Value
Altitude	15,000 – 20,000 feet
Fighter airspeed at turn-in	420 – 450 KIAS
Formation	Co-altitude, line-abreast tactical
Objective airspeed at merge	380 – 420 KCAS (through Bandit CZ)

Step 1 — Prior to Check Away

Determine whether vertical turning room (TR) should be built above or below the Bandit. Use the environment to maintain tally advantage — placing the Bandit against a cloud layer improves your visual; placing yourself between the Bandit and the sun degrades theirs.

Step 2 — Check Away

The flight lead calls check away and both aircraft turn 30–45 degrees away from each other. The fighter selects military power and builds vertical TR through a climb or descent while maintaining awareness of the Bandit. If approaching the limits of visual acuity before the fight's on, begin turning back as directed and call "Padlocked" to indicate tally is being held at the expense of cockpit lookdown.

Step 3 — Turn In, Fights On

At approximately 3–4 NM, the flight lead calls "Turn in, Fights On."

The Bandit turns into the fighters and references 90 degrees off the original heading. The fighter executes a maximum-performance lead turn, using the combination of vertical and lateral TR built during check away to decrease HCA and fly to the merge objective. Target airspeed through the Bandit's CZ is 380–420 KCAS.

Three possible merge outcomes:

• Inside the Bandit's turn radius — surrenders the lead-turn advantage and allows the Bandit a reversal opportunity
• Through the CZ at correct airspeed — desired outcome, arrives with positional advantage
• Too far behind the Bandit — range builds, costs time and fuel, risks the Bandit exploiting a separation opportunity

Bandit Behaviour

The Bandit will not offer an ideal lead turn to a stern conversion. The Bandit will allow some turning room depending on mission circumstances but will not typically manoeuvre until the fighter reaches their 3/9 line.

Aerial Gunnery Butterfly (Two-Shooter Sequence)

When used for live or simulated aerial gunnery against an AGTS/BANNER tow, the sequence is modified as follows:

1. Check away — shooters check 45 degrees away and accelerate; tow maintains 200–250 KIAS and checks 30 degrees away
2. Arm Hot — the RCO calls "Arm Hot" during the turn away; shooters arm hot
3. Turn In, Fights On — called by flight lead at the briefed range
4. Cleared to Fire — called by the tow pilot after shooter(s) pass the tow's 3/9 position and the tow begins its continuous turn. This is the only call that authorises weapons employment
5. Attack execution:
   • The first shooter manoeuvres to a high-angle tracking shot, then repositions high and outside of the target's flight path
   • The second shooter manoeuvres to a lower-aspect gun attack after the first shooter is clear
   • Each shooter confirms the other is clear before firing
   • After the second shooter's attack, initiate KIO or continue with sequential attacks as briefed