S.A.S's Guide to Operation Flashpoint

This enables you to keep an eye on your men, each represented with a numbered icon - as above.

Note - Don't presume that a soldier of yours is still alive because he still appears on the taskbar. Unless a teammate reports it in. He is killed before your eyes, or you discover the dead body, he will still appear. To check you're still operating with a full team, ask your squad to "Report Status". Those who don't reply are out of action!

Press the 'full stop' key far right of keyboard ( .) to go to the Command View. This enables you to see your whole squad - giving you a wide view of the area around you. You can zoom in with the + / - keys, to the far right of the keyboard.

When you run with your squad you can view 360 degrees around you and still run in one direction because the command view is separate from your normal view.

In the image left I had entered the command view and you'll see me, the leader, kneeling down in the centre (click image for a bigger view if needed). My men are all around me. The view is ideal for viewing all your squad and keeping tabs on what's happening behind you. You can also ensure your men are where they are suppose to be.

When the men are in formation they will follow you as the leader. To move sections of your squad elsewhere select the men you want to move, and then left click on a location (this will set a waypoint for them to move to). You can also move your men on the mission map by selecting them and left clicking anywhere on the map.

To access the command menu press the backspace key or F1. You can also use shortcut keys (number 0-9) for each section.

1 -	Move
	- Return to formation : When your men have been scattered and you need to regroup them, this command will return them to formation.
	- Advance : Advance a short distance using any cover available along the way.
	- Stay Back : If you know the enemy is nearby, issuing this command will allow you to venture forward to scout ahead while your men stay back out of sight.
	- Flank Left : Move to the left.
	- Flank Right : Move to the right.
	- Stop : Halt.
	- Wait For Me : Selected units will stay in their positions.
	- Find Cover : Find the nearest cover.
	- Next Waypoint : If there are multiple waypoints, select the next one to move to.
2 -	Target
	- No Target : Cancel all targets.
	- More : If there are multiple targets you'll be able to select which ones a unit / soldier should engage.
3 -	Engage
	- Open Fire : Any enemies within range will be fired upon. This will cancel the "Hold Fire" command.
	- Hold Fire : Observe targets, but do not fire. (Ideal command for most black ops missions).
	- Fire : This will cancel the "Hold Fire" command. All units will start firing at specified targets (pointed out by the leader).
	- Engage : If the "Hold Fire" command has been issued, then units will advance until the enemy is within range and await the "Open Fire" command. If the "Hold Fire" command has not been issued - Units will advance and open fire as soon as a target is in range.
	- Engage at Will : Attack as soon as a target is in view, and keep advancing to find new targets once one is dealt with.
	- Disengage : Do not cease fire, but fall back out of range of the enemies' weapons. This also cancels "Engage" and "Engage at will" commands.
	- Scan Horizon : Observe the horizon and report back.
	- Watch Direction : Focus attention on a specified compass direction. This is used to ensure your squad has all the approaches covered. The "watch direction" command can be issued in a much more intuitive way than described in the guide. Instead of using the command menu, select the troops you want, and then hold ALT -- your crosshair icon will change and this point -- now point your cursor in the direction desired and click. (Comments by Travis Scobie)
4 -	Mount
	- Mount : A list of nearby vehicles will be listed. You can specify which soldier is a driver / gunner or select "Anywhere" so that the soldiers choose themselves.
	- Disembark : Exit a vehicle.
5 -	Status
	- Call Support : You can call for fuel, ammo trucks, a medic and more - depending on the situation. - Fuel Low : Announce your vehicle's fuel is low. (The leader will try to point you in the direction of a refuel truck if available). - Ammo Low : Announce your ammo is low. (The leader will try to point you in the direction of dead soldiers and tell you to rearm yourself). - Injured : Announce that you're injured. A nearby medic will come to your aid or your squad leader will instruct one to help you. - Report Status : Ask for a status report from selected soldiers. Useful to find out if they're alive or not. - I'm Under Fire : Squad leader will know you are pinned down and will attempt to help. - One Less : You've downed your target. - ... is down : Select a unit (if you're the leader) and select this to announce 'X' soldier is down. Note the game auto announces this at times for you.
6 -	Action
	- If there are any objects nearby like ammo crates more actions will be come available. For example, you can select a soldier to rearm at a ammo crate.
7 -	Combat Mode
	- Stealth : Units will remain hidden and if they move will keep close to the ground and near any available cover.
	- Danger : Units will be extra careful, keep their eyes peeled and be prepared to open fire when contact is made.
	- Aware : General combat mode. Units will keep on their toes and be ready for trouble.
	- Safe : Soldiers will relax and shoulder their weapons.
	- Stand Up : Order your men to get off the ground.
	- Go Prone : Order your men to hit the deck.
	- Keep Low : Your men will follow you. If you crouch they will as well, and if you go prone they will copy.
8 -	Formation
	- Column : A tight formation made up of two columns close together. Not an ideal formation to use in combat, but OK for general marching.
	- Staggered Column : The two columns mentioned above are slightly staggered.
	- Wedge : With the leader in front, and the men behind in an upside down V shape. Good combat formation.
	- Echelon L. : All the men in a diagonal line to the right. Good way to cover the right flank.
	- Echelon R. : All the men in a diagonal line to the left. Good way to cover the left flank.
	- Vee : V shape formation. Good for "Hot" areas where you know the enemy are upon you.
	- Line : Good all purpose formation if the enemy is just within range. Although it can be outflanked, so be careful.
9 -	Team
	- Select the units you want to create a team for, and then select a colour. The team can then be called using their assigned colour.
0 -	Reply
	- Use this to reply to any questions asked of you by your men or other teams.

By taking a good look at the formations available to you in the game you might just think they look pretty and stick with one or two, but the fact is these formations are used widely by military units today. Each has it's uses which I will show you here.

I read a lot of military books, so this knowledge comes from a number of sources. Although if you really want to get to grips with squad tactics and formations I'd recommend Combat Leader's Field Guide - 12th Edition (ISBN : 0-8117-2729-7). The book goes into great detail on a number of things including squad deployments. How to setup ambushes, and more importantly how to get out of one :). Anyhow on with the formations...

I've used infantry as an example, but they can easily be replaced by vehicles and the same formation notes will apply to them. For example 4 tanks in a Vee formation can outflank enemy tanks and create a "Cross-Fire" kill zone in the middle of the formation.


Column This formation is most effective when expecting to be engaged from the flank but having a very narrow area in which to walk. Once contact is made (usually spotted by the point man at the front) the rear of the column can take up positions where needed (all left/right or half each side of the point man). A good formation for moving into enemy territory.	Staggered Column Performs the same job as the Column, but the staggered column is used when the location of the enemy is known and the leader is moving in with his men ready to engage. It ensures that any grenades or missile hits will not harm more than a few men in the unit (unlike the normal column which is compact).

Wedge The Wedge expands and contracts, depending on the terrain. It provides good frontal fire, and protection for the flanks. A good solid formation which will be used in most situations.	Echelon Left If the enemy are trying a flanking move on your right flank counteract it with this formation. Or if you want to make an assault on the enemy's right flank, then this formation will ensure all your men are in an ideal position. Be warned though. Any attacks on your point man (leader) will be deadly and cause the formation to collapse.

Echelon Right If the enemy are trying a flanking move onto your left flank counteract it with this formation. Or if you want to make an assault on the enemy's left flank, then this formation will ensure all your men are in an ideal position. Be warned though. Any attacks on your point man (leader) will be deadly and cause the formation to collapse.	Vee Good formation to catch the enemy in a cross fire. The Vee allows the squads left and right flanks to move around the target, while the middle of the Vee keeps the target pinned down. Although there is a danger where a second enemy squad can hit one of the flanks of the Vee causing it to collapse so only use this formation when your 100% sure there's only one group of enemy soldiers present.

Line This formation brings all the units weapons to bear dead ahead. However it is easily flanked so a good leader will always be checking the flanks and changing formation upon any signs of a flanking manoeuvre.

Communicating with other squads

In some missions you'll be able to radio to other squads. The radio is located on the map screen (small green box). Depending on the mission you'll have access to a number of squads, and may have to coordinate a joint assault on a position or call for air support.

Shortcuts in the command menu can also be used to access the radio. i.e. key combinations like 0-0-1 can be used to call in air support, or reinforcements, depending on the mission.

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