It's been proved in training experiments within the squadron that if you can stick to a wingman your survival odds go way up. Another good lesson here was the importance of getting well away, like 2.5 to 3 clicks out before reversing direction. That is called "separation" and it is required for US fighters to safely change direction in the company of Zekes.

If you can only spend a few moments on this, remember these points.

1. 5 clicks is more than enough seperation. 3 is just enough before bringing it around.
2. Immelmans are a more effective way to reverse direction than horizontal turns. You will head back exactly the way you came. This makes it easy to maintain situational awareness. Only reverse at a safe distance. Like turns, the Zeke loops tighter too. Do not do it with him inside your radius. Get 3 clicks out minium. Also, don't pull that manuver much below 200 knots or you risk a stall.
3. Extensions do increase head-ons encounters, but that is only if we do not use the radio against them. The flight leader can vector the elements and the element leaders can vector the wingmen pairs. As you saw we just tore up a superior number of zekes who where not pushovers in the AI department. Just make sure to stay near each other so you can help out.
4. Dive if you are in trouble and get some help! A few times I got in trouble and I was cleared EVERY time! Good work guys. I finally died from a collision.
5. If it has meatballs on it, shoot it. Don't worry about who put a round in it. But stay near you wingman in the process. Only take opportunitic shots.
6. Only focus on the threats at first, then clean up stragglers. Watch your buddies backs if you are clear. If you are getting seperation don't waste time flying away if you are clear, ask! then turn around and help out some more.
7. As Shep observed, take your time, hit them and move, hit them and move. Preserve energy, meaning speed (kinetic energy) or altitude (potential energy).
8. Being a good wingman is hard and gives you less opportunity for kills but you'll be a hero if you clear someone. We can swap out wingman roles each mission for those that want to kill more stuff!
9. I want to experiment some more with this stuff, larger groups too. More classes every Tuesday!
10. The mission of the Marine rifle squad is to locate close with and destroy the enemy by fire and maneuvering or to repel an enemy assault by first and close combat. (Remembered that after 10 years of being out)
11. This is how we need to fly, fire and maneuvering. Hit and move, hit and move. Just like a boxer does too.