Official formation names, aircraft positions, and top-down references.
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Formation name, exact aircraft position, and top-down reference.
The formation reads as a diagonal line from the leader toward the selected side, with every following aircraft stepped back from the aircraft ahead.
The formation reads as a diagonal line from the leader toward the left, with every following aircraft stepped back from the aircraft ahead.
The flight forms a horizontal line: 1 stays central or slightly forward, 2 and 3 sit on either side, and 4 extends the selected side.
The aircraft occupy one straight longitudinal line, with each aircraft directly behind the previous one.
The line remains longitudinal, with each following aircraft alternating right and left behind the leader, starting to the right.
The line remains longitudinal, with each following aircraft alternating left and right behind the leader, starting to the left.
A three-aircraft formation: the leader is at the point of the V, with 2 and 3 forming the two rear wings.
The four positions close into a diamond: the leader at the front, two aircraft across the rear shoulders, and 4 directly behind.
A nine-aircraft arrowhead: 1 leads at the point, 2 and 3 form the forward shoulders, 4 and 5 hold the centerline, and 6-9 extend the outer flanks.
The aircraft occupy the four corners of a box, with 1 and 2 forward and 3 and 4 directly behind them.
Attack formation name, exact aircraft position, and top-down reference.
The leader stays in the center while 2 and 3 hold the two flanks and 4 remains behind as support.
The target is bracketed between 1 on the left and 2 on the right, with 3 behind 1 and 4 behind 2.
The helicopter positions place the target between the two forward aircraft, while 3 and 4 remain behind their respective sides.
1 leads above the formation during the pop-up, 2 stays behind for cover, and 3 and 4 occupy the two lateral positions.