The Official F-15 Strike Eagle Handbook

by Richard Sheffield

Defensive Considerations

Jinking a Missile Coming Head-On

Situation: Radar shows a missile heading toward you from in front.

Maneuver:

• Determine if the missile is heat-seeking or radar-homing. Head straight toward it (1).

• When the missile is 1 to 1½ radar grid divisions away (approximately 10-15 miles), release the proper countermeasure (flare for heat-seeker, ECM for radar-homing). Pull up hard(2).

• Watch the missile pass beneath you (3).

NOTE

Missiles fired from behind you will usually head for a released flare without the jink maneuver.

You have a good chance of dodging an oncoming missile with this simple maneuver.

Avoid Enemy Overflight

Radar isn't the only way the enemy can locate you. It can also "see" and "hear" you if you fly too close to an enemy location. Therefore, if you don't intend to bomb a target, it's to your advantage to fly around it rather than directly over it. Otherwise, you may have a lot of company.

On the other hand, if you're looking for trouble, flying over an airfield should generate a lot of action.

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