JE: Well, no. We had a briefing, in the briefing room, which covered the tasking and all requirements pertaining to that task. We then signed the 700 on the way to the aircraft and got airborne after carrying out proper start procedures...
That may be quite so JE, but I think folks here have overlooked its value to finalise the formation brief. Typically on a squadron, we would brief as a 4, wash the coffee cup and final splash, perhaps latest gouge by Duty Auth to the formation leader, hover around the flight authorisation sheet for the outbrief by the formation leader for any updates, a/c allocations and perhaps a reminder on an important issue. Then step.
(Hmmm, outbrief as a 4, walk as a 3, start-up as a pair, take-off as a singleton...or was that the Italians!)