Before you fighter guys laugh too hard.

I have been in four ship "heavy formations" in C-130's flying either Modified fingertip (Nose to tail clearance) (wingtip clearance) or close trail (200-500') (belly to tail clearance). On goggles at low altitude at night.

Mix this up with large formations of helicopters needing gas and you can pack about 20+ aircraft in about 4 miles at night close to the ground.

You get a real good perspective on a guys thought process and judgement when they lead a formation, 'specially when you are on the end of a bad decision. You gain respect for the good guys and as Vince and Larry say "you can learn a lot from a dummy!"