In the US Army....IIMC recovery was part of our formation flight SOP's as far back as 1968....and I am sure every military aviation organization that flies formation has an SOP, that while not necessarily briefed prior to each formation flight, remains in the individual Aviator's Kitbag of Knowledge.
It does make one question why the positioning flight was not made the day before in the daylight...or in better weather...if the fly by was that important.