The Fighter Trinity is the cornerstone of the Paternian Air Force doctrine. But how did it arise, how did it change, and how did it fare in practice?

Origins

From its origins in 1915 until the 1950's, the Paternian Air Force held that a single fighter type could fulfill the three roles of a fighter; day fighter, fighter-bomber, and interceptor.

While the piston-driven F-2 Pummeler and jet-powered F-3 Hawk proved this concept to be workable, they were found to be better fighter-bombers than day fighters or heavy fighter. As day fighters, they were generally sluggish and were forced to rely on boom and zoom tactics. As heavy fighters, they lacked the combat endurance necessary. However, workarounds were made, and they were able to fulfill these roles adequately.

In 1954, the roles of the fighter plane were once again redefined. While fighter bombers were still desired, the day fighter had transformed into the light fighter and the heavy fighter has transformed into the interceptor.

Their capabilities were defined more clearly. Multirole fighters were versatile aircraft, capable of accomplishing different roles, often on the same mission. Interceptors were to have the highest possible performance to respond to threats most quickly. Light fighters were to be cheap and economical dogfighters with secondary attack capabilities.

It was almost immediately recognized that it would be impossible for one aircraft to fulfill all three tasks adequately. Thus, a new doctrine was created; the Fighter Trinity, where aircraft were tailored towards these tasks. To this end, the F-104 Starfighter, the F-4 Phantom II, and the F-5 Tiger were developed in response. Interceptors and fighter bombers would make up half of the force, with the other half made up by light fighters. By 1958, the Paternian Air Force was fully integrated into this system.

First Blood

The first conflict this was put to the test was during the First Sentian War. Paternian involvement, while small, was significant. Four fighter squadrons; two with F-5, one with F-104, and one with F-4, were deployed.

All squadrons were successful in combat, given that the Sentian Air Force was comprised of largely obsolete aircraft. As such, the F-5 squadrons, the 110th and 111th Fighter Squadrons, were quite successful, as was the F-104 equipped 145th Fighter Squadron. The F-5 was largely employed as a fighter-bomber, providing effective close air support for ground troops. The F-104 held a significant performance advantage over Sentian aircraft, and were successfully able to engage intruders at all altitudes. This was representative of the 2:1:1 ratio between F-5, F-4, and F-104 at the time.

However, the F-4 squadron, the 305th Fighter Squadron, hit well above its size. While forming only 5.5% of the total Coalition air power, the F-4 conducted 50% of all air superiority sorties against Sentian aircraft and 90% of all strike sorties against Sentian airfields.

The F-4 Phantom II proved the value of a heavier fighter, although its exceedingly high combat performance could be attributed to the fact it was the only aircraft on either side capable of employing semi-active radar-guided Sparrow missiles able to destroy aircraft beyond visual range. In addition, it was the only aircraft on either side that could deploy guided air-ground munitions. In this case, it was the AGM-62 Walleye glide-bomb.

Reorganization

The lessons from the First Sentian War showed that while the concept was sound, the emphasis on light fighters meant that less multirole fighters could be fielded. In addition, specialized interceptors were not seen as particularly useful, other than niche roles.

By the Second Sentian War in 1961, the ratio of of F-4 Phantom II and F-5 Tiger was a value of 3:2. The F-104 fleet was reduced to a ratio of 1:5 of all Paternian aircraft. This 3:2:1 ratio was seen as a solution to this issue. Three F-5 squadrons, two F-4 squadrons, and one F-104 squadron was deployed in Operation Windlass. This ratio was seen as ideal, and retained throughout.

Adaptation

As the performance of aircraft improved, so did the ability to create an airplane that can fulfill more than one aspect of the Trinity. In the 1970's, it was realized the F-4 Phantom II's performance was comparable to the F-104's; while slightly slower and with less acceleration, the F-4 was far more heavily armed and could function as a multirole fighter. By 1975, the F-104 was phased out of service, with the F-14 and F-4 taking over its role.

In 1986, the F-4 and the F-5 were beginning to show its age, and new aircraft were procured. The F-14 was procured as early as 1973 as a replacement for the F-104 Starfighter. Under the Defense Modernization Initiative, replacements for the F-4 and the F-5 were put forth, resulting in the F-15 and the F-18, respectively. Part of this change included changing the role from "interceptor" to "air superiority fighter". Air superiority fighters would contest and establish air superiority over the area, with the ultimate goal of air supremacy. Intercepting enemy aircraft is a secondary function, made possible with advances in aerodynamics. The 3:2:1 ratio of F-18, F-15, and F-14 respectively was retained.

Towards the mid-2000s, the F-14, F-15, and F-18 were beginning to show their age, although with upgrades they were still quite competent aircraft. Under the Second Defense Modernization Initiative, the F-22, F-35, and F/A-18E/F Super Hornet would emerge as the new trinity, the F-22 functioning as air superiority fighter, the F-35 functioning as a multirole fighter, and the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet becoming an economical light strike fighter. The same 3:2:1 ratio for light fighters, multirole fighters, and air superiority fighters, was retained.