Counter-air patrol, known as Flower missions in
RAF parlance, is a type of flying mission for
fighter aircraft against other fighters, common in World War II and sometimes combined with ''fighter sweeps'' (Rhubarb missions) against
targets of opportunity
A target of opportunity is a target "visible to a surface or air sensor or observer, which is within range of available weapons and against which fire has not been scheduled or requested." A target of opportunity comes in two forms; "unplanned" and ...
. Counter-air patrol is an attempt to achieve
air superiority by maintaining patrols above and around enemy airfields.
Aircraft are vulnerable on take off, fully loaded and working to gain altitude and speed. The aim of the counter-air patrol was to pick off enemy fighters as they took off and during their climb to an operational height. Fighter sweeps were used both to
attrit the enemy and to provide cover for bombing raids by forcing enemy fighters to protect their own airfields.
References
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See also
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Combat air patrol
Combat air patrol (CAP) is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft. A combat air patrol is an aircraft patrol provided over an objective area, over the force protected, over the critical area of a combat zone, or over an air defense area, ...
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Intruder (air combat)
An intruder is a military aircraft and its crew that is tasked with penetrating deep into enemy air space, to disrupt operations. Intruders are usually fighters, attackers or light bombers.
The intruder concept dates from World War II, the firs ...
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Offensive counter air
Offensive counter-air (OCA) is a military term for the suppression of an enemy's military air power, primarily through ground attacks targeting enemy air bases: disabling or destroying parked aircraft, runways, fuel facilities, hangars, air traffi ...
Counter-air patrol Counter-air patrol, known as Flower missions in RAF parlance, is a type of flying mission for fighter aircraft against other fighters, common in World War II and sometimes combined with ''fighter sweeps'' (Rhubarb missions) against targets of oppo ...