<p>zachogden’s link pretty much answers the WSO question (but Wikipedia fails to mention how ruggedly handsome we all are (except the female WSOs, who all resemble Jennifer Beal), charismatic, and all blessed with an inate ability to win at everything we do, especially golf! 
)</p>
<p>Q2: What is this mysterious #2 I mention above. First, he’s not the guy with the eye patch who works for Dr. Evil. Basically, pratically every fighter operates in the basic 2-ship formation. It’s called mutual support, we stay in a tactical formation, “looking out” for each other and supporting each other in every phase of flight. One aircraft is the flight lead (#1), who is responsible for leading both aircraft tactically and through navigation (getting us safely there and back home). The number 2 aircraft is the “wingman”, who’s first responsibilty is not to hit #1 ( ), and act as #1’s support. You start of in your flight career as a wingman, and as you gain more experience you get checked out as a flight lead. More complex missions call for 4-ships, with an even more qualified pilot leading all four aircraft. </p>
<p>So, in the scenario I mentioned, when I asked “Where’s #2?”, I was talking about regaining situational awareness on my wingman’s status.</p>
<p>Q3: Won’t go into too many details, but it was during the late 90s, when the US kept watch over “No Fly Zones” in certain parts of the world. They didn’t like us being there, and showed it often.</p>