Originally Posted by
USMCFLYR
I've been reading the book. Interesting.
When talking of his time as a USAF F-4 pilot, he referes to his backseaters as WSOs.
I thought F-4 backseaters in the F-4 (of all Services) were called RIOs.
I was not aware of the term WSOs until the emergence of F/A-18Ds and F-15Es.
Can some former AF, USN/USMC F-4 pilots chime in here and clarify?
USMCFLYR
The Air Force never called them RIOs. I believe the USN and USMC always did.
Early in Vietnam, the Air Force was putting two rated pilots in the Rhino. I believe (not positive) they called them PSOs.
Once Navigators were put in back, the GIBs (Guy In Back; term used in all models) have been called:
1. WSO, for F-4C, D, E, and F. Includes RF-4C. (Weapon Systems Operator)
2. EWO for F-4G (Electronic Warfare Officer)
3. For a short period, EWOs were called "Bears," but this was a legacy from the F-105G, and I never heard it used in the F-4G community. You'll see this in a lot of literature but it wasn't true for my experience, 1988-1996.
4. In-house Weasel-slang included "Weasologist."