The RIO or Radar Intercept Officer
Any fighter aircraft’s normal mission is to intercept an airborne target. Finding a target on the radar is the first step in intercepting it. Then, someone must determine the ideal angle to fly at, how to use radar to intercept the target, and how to get into a firing position.
The US Navy’s F-4 Phantom II was an offensive aircraft that used radar-guided missiles and needed a Radar Intercept Officer (RIO) to manage its sophisticated weaponry and sensors. The RIO was trained on the most effective way to quickly intercept a moving target.
What happens if there is a deep animosity between a pilot and Rio (or a Weapon Systems Officer, WSO)? Would they be given different people to work with, or could they collaborate well?
US Navy F-4 pilot fist fight with his RIO
John Chesire, former US Navy F-4 Phantom II pilot, recalls on Quora;
‘Yes, for a brief time, I did fly with a RIO that I did not like, and who was not very good either. Nevertheless, I had no problem working with him, even though he was below average. Every mission requires good teamwork, regardless of personalities.
‘Anecdote: I flew most all my Vietnam missions with the same RIO, call sign “TA”. He was great, and we made a very good team. While we were not really close friends, we were in fact, always good friends.
‘One night after flying another combat mission, and secretly partying in a junior officer bunk room on the carrier, we somehow for some unknown reason, we got into a fist fight. The others there pulled us apart before we caused any real damage.’
Chesire concludes;
‘The next day we flew together like nothing had ever happened, and I still did not know the cause of the fight. Nor did he. Upon reflection, I think it was just the cumulative stress of many combat missions and it got to us for some reason. We never had any problem ever, after that night.’
Photo by U.S. Navy