i keep getting shot down by enemy missles. when I hit the chaff/flare button, nothing happens, did I not do something right? do I have to turn this on? HELP!!!!!

you need to use your points to purchase flare first, at the Machine setting screen.
(in an empty box by your missiles.
this will send you to the Armament screen here you can load diferent kinds of missiles,Flare and fuel,based on how many points you have.
)

if you dont have any points you will need to...
1)start mission
2)destroy some enemy fighters
3)then return to SDF to load them

Don't relay to much on flares, try to dodge missiles. First, it's cheaper; Second, you can carry one extra set of missiles and finally, it's not that hard to evade missiles plus you can use the same thing to get on enemy tail...

I have found the flares, and use them. I have also learned to dodge missiles, but alson have learned to change to battloid and shoot down enemy missiles if not in a hot dogfight.

Ya, also found out flares don't do much... better to just avoid missles when and if you can

Using flares is all about timing, so don't count them out completely. I dunno how many times they saved my ass in single player on hard when I was using the VF-A...