<p>USAF attack operations usually use the strike package concept, which uses a mixed force of aircraft types. In addition to the main force of attack aircraft, be they F-111s or F-16s, support aircraft such as EF-111 jammers, F-4G HARM shooters and F-15 fighters will be part of the formation, all supported by a large group of tankers. The strike package is arranged so that the attack aircraft are afforded the easiest and safest passage through to the target, with defense suppression aircraft and fighters forging ahead to clear the area.
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<p>Aircraft such as the F-117 have a fair degree of autonomy built into their operations, and indeed the use of support such as jammers may even lessen their effectiveness, as jamming itself gives the enemy an idea that an attack is imminent. F-117s are designed to operate alone in 'bad guy' territory while F-15Es, on the other hand, may still require jamming support. However, in certain scenarios the fighter escorts can often be left to other tasks as the 'E' itself is a superb fighter. F-15E crews train to fight their way through to a target themselves, without having to call on additional support.
