Fighter Gunner / Tactical Systems Operator

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Fighter Pilot Duty Uniform

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Fighter Pilot Jumpsuit

The Tactical Systems Operator (or TSO) is responsible for operating all offensive and defensive systems in fighters which have two operators. This frees the pilot to handle only the operation of the aerospacecraft. Most TSOs are also trained as pilots, for circumstances when the main pilot of the fighter is incapacitated or killed but the craft is still servicable. The TSO answers to the Flight Leader, and is generally subordinate to the Fighter Pilot operating his/her craft.

Because of the location of the TSO's seat in most fighters, the position is sometimes known as the "back seater".