During the 1980s, I worked for Martin Marietta - Orlando in the stealth department. One of my coworkers had the last name Erickson and had the nickname Leif. To this day, I’m not sure if I ever knew his real first name. We had lunch together almost every day with one or two other friends. Side note: Leif was a VN Vet and was a pilot. He was shot down and had to eject from a plane made by Martin, but I’m not sure what plane; maybe a B-57. He landed in a bay and had to wait several hours for a rescue; praying to avoid the sharks.
Not sure what brought the topic up, but during lunch one day, Leif told us about Wild Weasel. I’m pretty sure he said the missions he was familiar with, an F-4 was used to smoke out the targets. I remember he used the term “sh*t and git” meaning it came into a known area with burners running. The trailer a few seconds behind that launched missiles as soon as targets were identified.
Dangerous, but effective and exciting! This story was told around 1985-87.
We are a lot more sophisticated than that today.
It's been 30 years since I worked this stuff but we are starting to skirt close to when I dummy up.
SpyNavy
Garde la Foi, mes amis! Nous nous sommes les sauveurs de la République! Maintenant et Toujours!
(Keep the Faith, my friends! We are the saviors of the Republic! Now and Forever!)
LonePalm, le Républicain du verre cassé (The Broken Glass Republican)
Leif’s explanation wasn’t just a “story.” That’s how it worked. If the F4 pilot thot a shot was coming he could 180 and out run it. The “shooter” could shoot, then throw flak if he saw a ground shot coming. Buttpinching stuff.