Missions are flown from the Harrier cockpit in a combat theater. The player takes off from suitable bases or ships, navigates to objectives, attacks enemy targets, and returns to land or rearm. Harrier-specific vertical and short takeoff and landing capabilities are important when operating from confined locations.

Before and between sorties, the player manages operational resources and selects equipment for planned missions. Progress depends on completing objectives while preserving aircraft and supplies; poor planning can reduce the force's ability to continue the campaign. The game is primarily a single-player campaign simulation rather than a collection of short arcade stages.

Plan each sortie around the mission objective instead of carrying unnecessary weapons. Balancing ordnance, fuel, and aircraft availability is essential because a successful attack can still weaken later operations if it consumes too many resources.

Use the Harrier's landing flexibility carefully, but do not treat it as invulnerable. Approach targets with enough fuel for the return leg, avoid wasting weapons on low-priority targets, and favor controlled, deliberate flying over aggressive maneuvering.