“since a standard ferry flight of multiple planes would normally see the aircraft move individually.”
Not really.
A flight of four (or two) per tanker would be usual.
The aircraft fly in “formation” trailing the tanker and close to re-fuel when necessary, and when done re-fueling, they drop back to trail position.
You don’t fly in the contact position unless you are re-fueling and you don’t fly in close formation for long periods of time.
Good to know, thank you!