🎥: U.S. Air Forces in Europe conduct their first-ever basic fighter maneuvers exercise, Ramstein 1v1, with F-35s and other advanced fighter jets at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. | F-35 Lightning II Joint Program Office

Learning BFM—Basic Fighter Maneuvers—is like eating an elephant: one bite at a time. We start with formation flying and gradually build toward advanced dogfighting skills like offensive, defensive, and high-aspect BFM. From WWII tactics like lead and lag pursuit to modern max-performance turns, mastering the basics is key to winning in the air. #Military | Shawn Walsh

The Philippines and United States Air Forces conducted Basic Fighter Maneuvers (BFM) as part of the Cope Thunder Philippines 24-1 on April 11, 2024, at Basa Air Base in Floridablanca, Pampanga. | Armed Forces of the Philippines

One of the first concepts fighter pilots learn is lead, lag, and pure pursuit. It’s how you control closure and angles in a dogfight—and if you’ve ever played tag as a kid, you already get it. Want to catch someone in the air? Don’t chase them. Lead them. Want to disengage? Go lag. Want to keep pressure on? Go pure. These principles have been used since World War I and they still drive modern BFM (Basic Fighter Maneuvers) today. #F16 #FighterPilot #Jets #Pilot | Shawn Walsh