What I Learned as a Fighter Pilot about the Tactics of the Adversary

By Jordan Rozsa

Flying in air-to-air combat taught me about how our adversary, Satan, deceives us, and a few tools that can help us all spiritually fight against him.

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fighter jet flying over mountains

Photograph from Getty Images

The F-15C Eagle is a fighter aircraft that specializes in air-to-air combat—I fly it as a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. As part of our training, we practice fighting against an air threat we refer to as the “adversary.”

Throughout my training, I’ve noticed parallels between the adversary I fly against and our common spiritual adversary, Satan. Both adversaries have a common goal: to destroy us. Luckily, the more we understand our adversaries’ tactics, the more likely we are to survive—both physically and spiritually.

Here are four cunning techniques these adversaries use:

1. Desensitization

In long-range combat, I rely on my radar to tell me the location of other aircraft. This allows me to build a mental picture of the battle space. Adversary aircraft will attempt to prevent radar detection in a variety of ways. One way is through the adversary producing false signals meant to confuse my radar. Adversary aircraft can produce a signal so strong that it drowns out the true signal my radar is looking to detect.

Satan is masterful at using this technique to draw us away from the safety of the gospel. By sending a constant barrage of temptation, he strives to desensitize us from feeling the essential influence of the Holy Ghost, just as my radar can be desensitized from receiving the true signal.

Without the protection and guiding influence of the Spirit, we become more vulnerable to Satan’s attacks. Sister Michelle D. Craig, First Counselor in the Young Women General Presidency, warned: “The distractions and noise that fill the world and our homes and our lives can make it more difficult to hear His voice. These distractions can so occupy our minds and hearts that we leave no room for the gentle promptings of the Holy Ghost.”¹

2. Deception

Adversary aircraft will also employ a more complicated technique that produces false signals similar to the true radar signal of their aircraft. This causes my radar to accept the disguised false signal and “think” the adversary aircraft is in a completely different location, flying in a completely different direction. Whenever I have experienced this during training, it has greatly reduced my ability to know which radar contacts are true and which are false.

In a similar way, Satan attempts to convince us to believe things that are not true. His most damaging deceptions are those that distort the true nature and character of the Godhead and cause us to doubt. Elder Gary E. Stevenson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles taught, “Satan, the father of lies and the great deceiver, would have us question things as they really are and either ignore eternal truths or replace them with something that appears more pleasing.”²

3. Isolation

Adversaries also commonly interfere with communications. There are times when an adversary can jam radio frequencies, preventing a pilot from communicating with command and control personnel. These personnel observe the entire battle space using radar, giving them a bigger picture to better orchestrate effective offensive and defensive operations. The less coordinated our attack or defense, the more susceptible we are to committing costly mistakes.

Satan tries to isolate us by attempting to jam the lines of communication between us and our Heavenly Father. He understands that if he can isolate us, we are more susceptible to making spiritual mistakes. When we do not communicate with Heavenly Father, we can feel alone and overwhelmed when confronted with trial and temptation.

Sister Sharon Eubank, First Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency, explained: “Satan tries to exploit the worldly pressures we all face. He works to dim our light, short-circuit the connection, cut off the power supply, leaving us alone in the dark. These pressures are common conditions in mortality, but Satan works hard to isolate us and tell us we are the only one experiencing them.”³

4. Distraction

A coordinated air attack by multiple adversary aircraft is very dynamic. It’s hard to keep track of and assess which adversary aircraft are most threatening. The adversary aircraft will attempt to distract and divert attention to try to allow certain aircraft to go unnoticed or undetected.

Satan uses false doctrines and doubt to distract us from our faith. If he can divert our attention to something that is not spiritually important, we may forgo spiritual priorities such as diligent gospel study, fervent prayer, and humble Sabbath day worship. Elder Ronald A. Rasband of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles stated, “The adversary’s design is to distract us from spiritual witnesses, while the Lord’s desire is to enlighten and engage us in His work.”⁴

How to Access the Savior’s Power and Protection

Learning the tactics of the adversary may seem overwhelming. But I’ve learned that the more prepared I am, the less anxiety and distress I feel.

How can we prepare for Satan’s attacks? It’s not possible to anticipate every situation. We can, however, ensure that we are converted to Jesus Christ and obedient to His teachings, which allows us to have access to His power. President Russell M. Nelson has given important counsel about accessing the power of the Savior:

“Faith in Jesus Christ propels us to do things we otherwise would not do. Faith that motivates us to action gives us more access to His power.”⁵
“Repentance is the key to avoiding misery inflicted by traps of the adversary. … Daily repentance is the pathway to purity, and purity brings power.”⁶
“We … increase the Savior’s power in our lives when we make sacred covenants and keep those covenants with precision. Our covenants bind us to Him and give us godly power.”⁷
“Your power will increase as you serve others. Your prayers, fasting, time in the scriptures, service in the temple, and family history work will open the heavens to you.”⁸
“The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.”⁹
“As you diligently work to remodel your home into a center of gospel learning, … the influence of the adversary in your life and in your home will decrease.”¹⁰

Following President Nelson’s counsel will help us identify and overcome the adversary by providing us with greater spiritual power. Doing so will allow us to securely build our foundation “upon the rock of our Redeemer,” thereby causing the adversary to have “no power over [us] … because of the rock upon which [we] are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall” (Helaman 5:12).

By knowing the adversary’s tactics, we can become better prepared to defend ourselves when those temptations come. And as we follow the prophet’s counsel to have faith in Jesus Christ, repent, keep our covenants, and be diligent, we will be well equipped with the spiritual power and protection to fight against our adversary.

When I’m flying, I can’t control what tactics are used against me. We also can’t control which tactics Satan uses against us. What we can control is our spiritual preparation and our faith and reliance on the Savior. I know that the Savior is always on our side, and that with Him on our side, we can’t fail.