https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=WingmanWingman - Revision history2026-10-21T10:23:58ZRevision history for this page on the wikiMediaWiki 1.43.6https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Wingman&diff=297678&oldid=prev>Jarrod Baniqued at 06:10, 23 July 20212021-07-23T06:10:17Z<p></p>
<p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Short description|Military pilot flying alongside a formation leader}}<br />
{{about|military pilots}}<br />
{{more citations needed|date=July 2011}}<br />
[[Image:Wingman.jpg|300px|thumb|[[Curtiss JN-4|Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny"]] formation]]<br />
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A '''wingman''' (or '''wingmate''') is a pilot who supports another in a potentially dangerous flying environment. ''Wingman'' was originally the [[airplane|plane]] flying beside and slightly behind the lead plane in an [[aircraft]] formation.<br />
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According to the [[U.S. Air Force]], <blockquote> 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."<ref>[http://afreserve.com Air Force Reserve]</ref> </blockquote><br />
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==Description==<br />
The wingman's role is to support aerial combat by making a flight both safer and more capable: amplifying situational awareness, increasing firepower, and allowing more dynamic tactics.{{citation needed|date=February 2018}}<br />
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The concept of a wingman is nearly as old as fighter aviation. On 9 August 1915, [[Oswald Boelcke]] was already acting in the role when he shot down a French airplane pursuing [[Max Immelmann]].{{sfnp|Werner|1932|pp=144-145}}<br />
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Colonel Robert Smith provided an extensive description of the work and role of wingmen during the [[Korean War]]. Among a 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 described the responsibilities as mutually exclusive: to never lose the leader requires that the wingman watch what is in front of him/her while warning the leader of threats requires focusing on the rear. In order to protect the leader, the wingman needs to react constantly according to his surroundings and movements. Smith described the difficulties of flying under conditions of poor visibility and the trying effects on human perception under such conditions, especially considering the danger of becoming separated from the formation leader. According to Smith, wingmen are expected to remain with the leader, even at the cost of giving up an easy kill.<ref>{{cite web |url= http://www.nf104.com/ab/index.html |title=Bob Smith (1928–2010) |work=nf104.com |access-date=April 14, 2012}}</ref><br />
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==See also==<br />
{{Wiktionary}}<br />
*[[Finger-four]]<br />
*[[Vee formation]]<br />
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==References==<br />
{{Reflist}}<br />
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==Bibliography==<br />
* Werner, Johannes (1932). ''Boelcke der Mensch, der Flieger, der Führer der deutschen Jagdfliegerei.'' Leipzig: K.F. Koehler Verlag, 1932; translated and published in English as ''Knight of Germany: Oswald Boelcke, German Ace.'' Havertown, PA: Casemate 2009, first edition 1985. {{ISBN|978-1-935149-11-8}}.<br />
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==External links==<br />
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20130227020656/http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/sg_newswire/jul_05/IamAwingman.htm "I am a wingman"] article at [[United States Air Force Medical Service]] (archive)<br />
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20110115091010/http://www.af.mil/news/story.asp?storyID=123032201 "What makes a wingman?"] article at [[United States Air Force]] (archive)<br />
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[[Category:Aerial warfare tactics]]</div>>Jarrod Baniqued