Tankers far from threat....?? When the RWR tag showed ambiguity with less than friendly types behind us (Floggers) in a particular theatRE of operations not that long ago, it was at least reassuring to be told by AWACS that they were, in fact, homeward bound friendlies! Some of Uncle Spam's finest Naval Aviators sent some very nice thankyougrams after it was all over, so I guess our fitness to conduct ops was satis!
The 1.5 mile without timelimit nonsense had amusing consequences back in the real days of Eating Command (before I joined it) when some racing snake Boss decided to make all his aircrew set off around the station sports field....and to record their times. Ambitious young lad had reckoned without Aircrew Cunning - so when a large number of dear old gents in hats and coats, plus walking sticks and labradors began a slow wander around the field, stopping every so often - quite often, in fact - for an amiable chat whilst lighting their pipes, he was somewhat outf*cked. Evidently the last of the old reprobates eventually ambled across the line about 3 hours after they'd set off!
So he didn't try it again...!