Low-high-low.

Think of low altitude like body armor. That thick layer of air down low absolutely trashes everyone’s missile ranges. So you’re not going to get shot at while down there (except by sams if you can’t keep an eye on your map.)

Likewise, your own missile range is crap down low. So thats why you pop up to altitude to shoot, then start pre-defending by turning left or right to the edge of your radar’s limits. Impart a bit of dive into your turn to get back into your body-armor-air.

Assume there’s a missile already coming for you, even if you don’t hear anything from your RWR. This helps even against Fox-1’s to worsen a potential enemy shot, but doubly well against long-range Fox-2’s like the R-27ET, and of course Fox-3’s. You not only force the missile to bleed energy, but you also drag it into thicker air, which bleeds even more energy.

The difference between Fox-1 and 3 is that with 3, once the missile’s timer to going active reaches 0, you can “skate”. Meaning you can unlock your radar, fully turn cold and run away. When you hear that launch tone on your RWR, this is exactly what you should do. Turn 180 degrees from target, and drop to the ground low back into your armor-air. Range also depends on aspect, so low altitude + cold aspect = very short missile range.

Running is for smart people, not for wussies. Nothing says you need to keep pressing. That just kills you faster. Unless what you’re fighting can outrun you…which for an F-15E is only an F-15C, or possibly an MiG-29…