diff --git a/game/ato/flightplans/escort.py b/game/ato/flightplans/escort.py
index f07d3e63..1884de21 100644
--- a/game/ato/flightplans/escort.py
+++ b/game/ato/flightplans/escort.py
@@ -8,6 +8,8 @@ from .formationattack import (
     FormationAttackLayout,
 )
 from .waypointbuilder import WaypointBuilder
+from .. import FlightType
+from ...utils import Distance
 
 
 class EscortFlightPlan(FormationAttackFlightPlan):
@@ -24,12 +26,17 @@ class Builder(FormationAttackBuilder[EscortFlightPlan, FormationAttackLayout]):
         ingress, target = builder.escort(
             self.package.waypoints.ingress, self.package.target
         )
+        ingress.only_for_player = True
+        target.only_for_player = True
         hold = builder.hold(self._hold_point())
         join = builder.join(self.package.waypoints.join)
         split = builder.split(self.package.waypoints.split)
         refuel = None
         if self.package.waypoints.refuel is not None:
             refuel = builder.refuel(self.package.waypoints.refuel)
+        initial = None
+        if self.package.primary_task == FlightType.STRIKE:
+            initial = builder.escort_hold(self.package.waypoints.initial, Distance.from_feet(20000))
 
         return FormationAttackLayout(
             departure=builder.takeoff(self.flight.departure),
@@ -39,6 +46,7 @@ class Builder(FormationAttackBuilder[EscortFlightPlan, FormationAttackLayout]):
             ),
             join=join,
             ingress=ingress,
+            initial=initial,
             targets=[target],
             split=split,
             refuel=refuel,
diff --git a/game/ato/flightplans/formationattack.py b/game/ato/flightplans/formationattack.py
index 9a0c6ed3..23b240a0 100644
--- a/game/ato/flightplans/formationattack.py
+++ b/game/ato/flightplans/formationattack.py
@@ -4,13 +4,13 @@ from abc import ABC
 from collections.abc import Iterator
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from datetime import timedelta
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, TypeVar
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, TypeVar, Optional
 
 from dcs import Point
 
 from game.flightplan import HoldZoneGeometry
 from game.theater import MissionTarget
-from game.utils import Speed, meters
+from game.utils import Speed, meters, Distance
 from .flightplan import FlightPlan
 from .formation import FormationFlightPlan, FormationLayout
 from .ibuilder import IBuilder
@@ -134,6 +134,7 @@ class FormationAttackFlightPlan(FormationFlightPlan, ABC):
 class FormationAttackLayout(FormationLayout):
     ingress: FlightWaypoint
     targets: list[FlightWaypoint]
+    initial: Optional[FlightWaypoint] = None
 
     def iter_waypoints(self) -> Iterator[FlightWaypoint]:
         yield self.departure
@@ -141,6 +142,8 @@ class FormationAttackLayout(FormationLayout):
         yield from self.nav_to
         yield self.join
         yield self.ingress
+        if self.initial is not None:
+            yield self.initial
         yield from self.targets
         yield self.split
         if self.refuel is not None:
@@ -185,6 +188,16 @@ class FormationAttackBuilder(IBuilder[FlightPlanT, LayoutT], ABC):
         if self.package.waypoints.refuel is not None:
             refuel = builder.refuel(self.package.waypoints.refuel)
 
+        ingress = builder.ingress(
+            ingress_type, self.package.waypoints.ingress, self.package.target
+        )
+        initial = None
+        if self.package.primary_task == FlightType.STRIKE:
+            ingress = builder.nav(self.package.waypoints.ingress, Distance.from_feet(20000))
+            initial = builder.ingress(
+                ingress_type, self.package.waypoints.initial, self.package.target
+            )
+
         return FormationAttackLayout(
             departure=builder.takeoff(self.flight.departure),
             hold=hold,
@@ -192,9 +205,8 @@ class FormationAttackBuilder(IBuilder[FlightPlanT, LayoutT], ABC):
                 hold.position, join.position, self.doctrine.ingress_altitude
             ),
             join=join,
-            ingress=builder.ingress(
-                ingress_type, self.package.waypoints.ingress, self.package.target
-            ),
+            ingress=ingress,
+            initial=initial,
             targets=target_waypoints,
             split=split,
             refuel=refuel,
diff --git a/game/ato/flightplans/waypointbuilder.py b/game/ato/flightplans/waypointbuilder.py
index 232d48a4..e5ac9367 100644
--- a/game/ato/flightplans/waypointbuilder.py
+++ b/game/ato/flightplans/waypointbuilder.py
@@ -415,6 +415,24 @@ class WaypointBuilder:
             pretty_name="Orbit",
         )
 
+    @staticmethod
+    def escort_hold(start: Point, altitude: Distance) -> FlightWaypoint:
+        """Creates custom waypoint for escort flights that need to hold.
+
+        Args:
+            start: Position of the waypoint.
+            altitude: Altitude of the holding pattern.
+        """
+
+        return FlightWaypoint(
+            "ESCORT HOLD",
+            FlightWaypointType.CUSTOM,
+            start,
+            altitude,
+            description="Anchor and hold at this point",
+            pretty_name="Escort Hold",
+        )
+
     @staticmethod
     def sweep_start(position: Point, altitude: Distance) -> FlightWaypoint:
         """Creates a sweep start waypoint.
diff --git a/game/ato/packagewaypoints.py b/game/ato/packagewaypoints.py
index 62bd4219..d751ebaa 100644
--- a/game/ato/packagewaypoints.py
+++ b/game/ato/packagewaypoints.py
@@ -1,13 +1,15 @@
 from __future__ import annotations
 
+import random
 from dataclasses import dataclass
-from typing import TYPE_CHECKING
+from typing import TYPE_CHECKING, Optional
 
 from dcs import Point
 
 from game.ato.flightplans.waypointbuilder import WaypointBuilder
 from game.flightplan import IpZoneGeometry, JoinZoneGeometry
 from game.flightplan.refuelzonegeometry import RefuelZoneGeometry
+from game.utils import nautical_miles
 
 if TYPE_CHECKING:
     from game.ato import Package
@@ -18,6 +20,7 @@ if TYPE_CHECKING:
 class PackageWaypoints:
     join: Point
     ingress: Point
+    initial: Point
     split: Point
     refuel: Point
 
@@ -32,6 +35,10 @@ class PackageWaypoints:
             coalition,
         ).find_best_ip()
 
+        hdg = package.target.position.heading_between_point(ingress_point)
+        dist = nautical_miles(random.random() * 2 + 7).meters
+        initial_point = package.target.position.point_from_heading(hdg, dist)
+
         join_point = JoinZoneGeometry(
             package.target.position,
             origin.position,
@@ -51,6 +58,7 @@ class PackageWaypoints:
         return PackageWaypoints(
             WaypointBuilder.perturb(join_point),
             ingress_point,
+            initial_point,
             WaypointBuilder.perturb(join_point),
             refuel_point,
         )