Combat — Air Patrol

: Detect and engage enemy aircraft entering a protected "circle" around a defended asset.

: Acts as a last line of defense, reinforcing front-line patrols or protecting a high-value central asset. Combat Air Patrol

: To maintain a 24-hour presence, multiple flights of fighters operate in shifts. A single station often requires a four-fighter flight to be continuously manned. : Detect and engage enemy aircraft entering a

: Guard vulnerable units such as tankers, transport aircraft, or ground troops. or ground troops.