"Viperdoc" wrote in
Maybe you can answer the question- can RAPCON or Center
radar even resolve 600 feet (say versus 200 or 800) of two
passing aircraft, assuming the radar sweep paints them at the
instant they are in closest proximity?

No, not to that level.

Somewhere I read that the F16 was part of a two on two exercise. Likely the
engagement was halted for the civil traffic. The same article stated that
only one F16 went in for the VID, which seems unusual IMO.

And the AF released the statement of "never closer than 600 feet", which
seems to be the standard answer for "I kept visual separation at all times,
even while maneuvering for the ID". At 600 feet I doubt any reasonable pilot
would win a claim of "formation flying".

Unless the other 3 AF pilots file, the F16 jock will likely just get a
verbal dressdown only. Something like: "You f***ing idiot, next time turn
your f***ing transponder off".