: 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.
: Guard vulnerable units such as tankers, transport aircraft, or ground troops. Combat Air Patrol
CAP missions are typically conducted in a , which is a strategic flight pattern designed to maximize radar coverage toward a threat axis while staying within a safe operating distance. : To maintain a 24-hour presence, multiple flights
: Missions are often coordinated by airborne controllers, such as those on AWACS aircraft, or ground-based control centers that provide situational awareness and authorize intercepts. CAP missions are typically conducted in a ,
: 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.