Lieutenant Sam "Merlin" Wells at the beginning of the movie was originally Cougar's R.I.O. until he quit. He later becomes Maverick's R.I.O. after the death of Goose while they were both at TOPGUN. Years after the incident over the Indian Ocean he along with Maverick, Iceman, & Slider all become instructors at TOPGUN. He was present with Maverick when they along with Iceman & Slider aid their graduates in the Black Sea. They end up helping Spider, Fury & the rest of the Reaper squadron out in destroying the enemy outpost and saving Spider's wingman Deadeye.