Never send just one plane anywhere; fights will be better if you send a pair of fighters, even when identifying unknown craft.
Lead your air assaults with HARM missile-equipped planes. These missiles hone in on the enemy's active radar, taking
it out and shutting down the enemy's air defense.
Years ago, the U.S. Navy taught its tactical-action officers (the folks in charge of employing a ship's weapons) to "shoot,
shoot, look." You should do the same. Fire two missiles at any incoming target. Wait to see the result, and then fire again if necessary.
Swarm. Don't attack with a Harpoon here, a Maverick there; hit the bad guys with everything you have. There is a much
greater chance of destroying your target if you swamp its defenses.
Stay cool. Don't use your radar or activate sonar until you are in battle; otherwise, you'll give your position away. If necessary, send a ship (called the picket ship) ahead of your task force. Order this ship to light off its radar. Hopefully, it will discover the waiting enemy; of course, it might also discover ten cruise missiles headed its way--but hey, life's full of little surprises.