Wingman
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A wingman (or wingmate) is a pilot who supports another in a potentially dangerous flying environment. Wingman was originally a term referring to the plane flying beside and slightly behind the lead plane in an aircraft formation.
According to the U.S. Air Force,
The traditional military definition of a “Wingman” refers to the pattern in which fighter jets fly. There is always a lead aircraft and another which flies off the right wing of and behind the lead. This second pilot is called the “Wingman” because he or she primarily protects the lead by “watching his back.” [1]
[edit] Description
The wingman's role in combat is to add the element of mutual support to aerial combat. The wingman makes the flight both offensively and defensively more capable by increasing firepower, situational awareness, attacking an enemy threatening a comrade, and most importantly the ability to employ more dynamic tactics.
- Description from Colonel Robert Smith
Colonel Robert Smith provides an extensive description of the work and role of wingmen during the Korean War. Among the wingman's primary responsibilities are remaining close to the leader of the aerial formation and warning the leader of any immediate threats at the cost of losing mutual protection. Smith describes the responsibilities as mutually exclusive; never losing the leader required attention in front of the wingman, but warning the lead of any aircraft threats meant focusing on the rear. Wingmen needed to protect and react constantly according to his surroundings and movements.[2] Smith also describes the difficulties of flying under poor visibility and the trying effects on human perception under such conditions, especially considering the danger of being separated from the leader of the formation.[3] According to Smith, wingman are expected to remain with the leader, even at the cost of scoring an easy kill.[4]
[edit] References
- ^ Air Force Reserve
- ^ "The hardest job for a wingman in those days, before radar and self guided air-to-air missiles, was to fulfill two primary responsibilities. Never lose your leader, or more accurately, never let him lose you, and he’d damn well try, unintentionally. The other was to warn the lead of any aircraft that were an immediate threat, which meant approaching firing position from rear quadrants. When patrolling an area in spread formation it was possible to cover each other, but as soon as enemy sightings occurred the formation closed more into trail, to prepare for maneuvering. That was when the wingmen really earned their keep, and lost the benefit of mutual protection. The problem with these two rules was that they were almost mutually exclusive. Never losing him required attention to the leader in front of you and covering his butt from attack required primary attention to the rear. Maintaining position to protect and react were key and required constant knowledge of where he was and how he was moving. Combat fights were generally conducted with minimal radio chatter, contrary to old war films, and leaders didn’t announce maneuvers to wingmen, they just suddenly, frequently and rapidly changed direction."
- ^ "Wingmen must fly within a few feet of mates in weather and can never sneak a peek, even their own instruments. Collision is only a split second away. They have no idea where they are, what’s the altitude or what is happening. Vertigo (incorrect balance and sensing) is sometimes extreme in weather, especially in formation, and the wingman senses all sorts of invalid motions without being able to look at a gage for reorientation, adding to risk of a formation flight mistake. Night and weather exacerbate vertigo, since it is caused by the inner ear disagreeing with the eyes. Wingmen depend entirely on the leader, and dread to be suddenly separated under such conditions, since they don’t know where they are or even their own flight attitude or altitude and adjusting suddenly to instruments is an added difficulty. No big deal in clear weather, but to the contrary in heavy weather and especially so with night-weather."
- ^ "While in training, a prime topic of conversation was Lt. Jim Lowe, who, as a wingman had gotten his two MIG-15 kills by leaving his leader, or so it was said. He had been recalled to the States for a publicity tour before we arrived. For us it was a real dichotomy, because we each dreamed of a victory and we had great respect for our belief in almost sacred obligations of a wingman to his leader. We were proud of our role, yet envious, and maybe rumors distorted the real facts. I never saw or met him because he returned after my tour ended to become an Ace with 9 kills. He certainly had the skills and courage, which acquitted him as a flight leader, with the eyes for acquisition and victory, whether or not an outstanding wingman’s attitude. I have wondered what he expected of his wingmen."
