1998/01 - Weapon Systems Officer (WSO)

1998

The RSAF unified several roles under the new Weapon Systems Officer (WSO) vocation to optimise manpower and enable cross-deployment.

Air Defence Artillery officers, Air Operations and Communications Officers, Navigators, and UAV officers were brought under the WSO combat vocation.

Weapon Systems Officers (Fighter) work very closely with The new vocation excluded all pilots, technical officers and non-uniformed service officers, who would continue to be managed separately, due to the unique selection process and training requirements. The creation of the WSO vocation optimised manpower and opened up the possibility of cross-deploying WSOs into related areas within the vocation.

Singapore officers in uniform, one pinning a badge on another.

COL Chong Kim Chye, Commander of ADSD, pinning the WSO badge on MAJ Hoo Cher Mou.

Pilots in flight suits pose in front of fighter jets on a tarmac.

In August 1999, the six pioneer WSOs, who had been selected from existing vocations, were sent for training at Naval Air Station Pensacola in Florida.

Gold-colored wings pin with shield and "WSO" text on a white background.

This badge is awarded to Weapon Systems Officers (Fighter) who have completed specialised training to meet the operational demands of being fighter aircrew, excluding piloting of the aircraft. They are expected to have the same level of situational awareness and airmanship as the pilots with whom they work on the fighter jet.