F-5 referred to as "Gomer"

[Kurt H.]

I have several TwoBobs decal sheets for F-5 aggressors with names like "PACAF Gomers" and "Nellis Gomers" . How did the F-5 get this nickname?  I always thought "gomer" was an impolite reference to the enemy during the Vietnam War. 

 

Thanks for any insight!

[Spruemeister]

It's not the nickname of the plane.  It's the reference to the unit's performing the Aggressor mission while using the F-5.  Thus the "enemy".

 

Rick L.

[Drifterdon]

While there are others on this board way more knowledgeable than me on all things aggressor, it's a reference to the enemy and the mission and tactics the 

F-5 Aggressor unit fly in the region.

Don

[Kurt H.]

Thanks, that makes sense. 

[SCOUT712]

 IIRC Randy Cunningham in his Book Fox-2 said while describing a very close head on pass with a MiG-17 "I could see the gomer head with the gomer goggles.

 

Best regards

Michael

[GreyGhost]

I remember back in the mid 80s, the TOPGUN pilots were already calling the F-20 the "Gomershark" ...

 

-Gregg

[Ken Cartwright]

On 9/11/2023 at 1:07 PM, SCOUT712 said:

 IIRC Randy Cunningham in his Book Fox-2 said while describing a very close head on pass with a MiG-17 "I could see the gomer head with the gomer goggles.

 

Best regards

Michael

Here's a video where he talks about that encounter, and uses those terms (the link should go to the beginning of that encounter):

https://youtu.be/aNzZHQcUMrc?t=307