Rotary Weapon Systems Operator (Attack)

The helo gunner helps to navigate and observe prior to combat, and once in combat, he scans for and engages the enemy while communicating his needs to the pilot. In attack aircraft he is also able to take the controls in order to fly the aircraft - this can be done to give the pilot an opportunity to safely mark a new path on his map or otherwise familiarize himself with it, or when the pilot is wounded or killed in the air. As the junior crew he assists in navigation, scanning for the enemy and communicates his needs to the pilot, as well as communicating with ground forces while the pilot concentrates on flying the aircraft. He will take control and fly the aircraft if the pilot is killed or incapacitated.