BILLED Camp Asaka Fighter Qualifiers

[Suvorov]

CAMP ASAKA FIGHTER QUALIFIERS - JANUARY 1996

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TRAINING OBJECTIVE: AIR SUPERIORITY PILOTING LVL I - COMBAT MANEUVERS | 1st FIGHTER WING
CLASSIFIED

JAPANESE AIR SELF-DEFENSE FORCE

1st FIGHTER WING
1st Air Superiority Squadron | 2nd Air Superiority Squadron

Japanese F-5A (Shenyang J-11)

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BLUEFOR
1st Air Superiority Squadron
- 12 F-5As (Shengyang J-11s)
- 2 Kawasaki T-4 (Trainers)

REDFOR
2nd Air Superiority Squadron
- 12 F-5As (Shenyang J-11s)
- 2 Kawasaki T-4 (Trainers)

MISSION BRIEFING

Pilots will begin training to achieve air superiority against enemy pilots. This training will largely focus on maneuvering and out-maneuvering a pilots opponents. With all pilots utilizing the same aircraft, the only difference between the combatants are the pilots themselves. First, instructors will go over executing complex maneuvering tactics to achieve superiority, then, the instructors will instruct pilots on maneuvering from numerous situations in order to escape an enemy or to react and gain advantage, such as scrambling to intercept enemies already in the air, flanking, etc. followed by a BLUEFOR v. REDFOR exercise. Instructors will observe from the ground, using ground control and networked capabilities to determine the location of pilots at all times. Once a pilot has maintained superior positioning such that a kill would be likely, the instructor will radio both pilots "KILL CONFIRMED" and instruct them to land. Pilots will then join a joint briefing session to cover what occurred in the BLUEFOR v. REDFOR exercise.

LOGISTICS
Pilots would begin their training from the airbase located in Tokyo Japan. Exercises would take place over the Pacific Ocean. All planes are fully fueled, maintained, serviced, and ready for action. Ground control would monitor the exercise and recall any pilots with any issues. Pilots would not be permitted to operate below 30% fuel capacity.

 

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TRAINING PHASE I: THEORY

Pilots would spend the first phase of their training covering the theory of basic fighter maneuvers. They would be given training manuals on theory and tested on their knowledge of such. The theory would cover the principles of basic fighter maneuvers, such as "specific energy" of an attack run, energy management, turn performance, ideal pursuit curves (Lead, Pure, and Lag), maneuvering methods and positioning. The instruction would cover concepts such as circling and the geometry of maneuvers. Finally, the instructors would show the theory behind specific maneuvers that the pilots would be expected to know and master.

 

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TRAINING PHASE II: FLIGHT SIMULATORS

Having gone through the theory of basic fighter maneuvers in a classroom setting, the pilots would be brought to flight simulators where they would undergo training on basic controls within the cockpit of a fighter plane. Each would have a chance to sit in the simulators and familiarize themselves with the controls. Once the pilots sat in the simulators they would be given a chance to operate the fighter in the simulator. Focus would be on familiarizing the pilot with the controls of the fighter and learning to react with them. Learning to read cockpit radars for signatures of friendlies and enemies, using weapons and controlling their firing patterns etc.

 

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TRAINING PHASE III: LIVE MANEUVERS

Pilots, now armed with theory and training in the simulators, now have the chance to practice these maneuvers in the Kawasaki T-4 Trainers with flight instructors behind them. Four pilots would be trained at once in the trainer craft. Each pilot would be a sufficient number of miles apart to prevent operating in similar airspace. They would be required to perform a checklist of the important fighter combat maneuvers at least twice before moving on. Once a pilot had demonstrated the required competency in each of the maneuvers they would be rotated out for a fresh pilot.

 

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TRAINING PHASE IV: LIVE MANEUVERS Pt 2

Pilots would undergo another round of live maneuvers, this time, in their F-5As and without their trainers with them. The instructors would observe from the ground both visually and electronically. The instructors would communicate with the pilots throughout the process and offer guidance as necessary. Again, the pilot would need to perform all the checklisted maneuvers twice in a row without instruction before passing their phase. Once the pilots had completed their required maneuvers, instructors would enter the airspace in one of the other F-5As and attempt to tail the pilots, forcing them to perform the maneuvers against a live target. Once the pilots had demonstrated proficiency with avoiding real opponents in their F-5A aircraft, the pilot would be rotated out for a new pilot to perform the training.

 

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TRAINING PHASE V: FINAL TEST, BLUEFOR v. REDFOR

In this final phase of this trial, pilot will be performing maneuvers against one another in their F-5As. Instructors will observe from the ground and score maneuvering of each pilot against the other. If/ when a pilot gains a total advantage over the other, the instructors will mark it down as a kill. Pilots will be tested one against the other until a final showdown between the best Bluefor and Redfor pilots. In order to gain victory, the pilots will have to use all the training they have received thus far to outmaneuver their opponents. Pilots will also be scored on their uses of maneuvers. Once on the ground, the instructors would give a detailed report of their observations for each pilot, as well as field any questions or comments from the pilot. The other pilots within the prior performing pilot's group would also be allowed commentary and questions. The winner of the competition would get a box of imported Cuban cigars.

With a winner declared and all pilots having demonstrated sufficient competency, the training is ended and declared successful.