While a young second lieutenant at nav school at Mather Air Force Base in 1983, I was trundling along in a T-37 in the high teens on a training mission. I overheard the following conversation between an Air Force pilot and a controller who was apparently unfamiliar with the Northern California air space and the SR-71s and U-2s that routinely flew from Beale AFB.
Air Force Pilot:
“Oakland Approach, Air Force XX for FL600.”
Oakland Approach:
“AF XX, Oakland Approach. If you can reach it, it’s yours. Cleared for FL600.”
Air Force Pilot:
“Roger that, Oakland Approach. Descending to FL600.”
The pilot and I just looked at each other and laughed! Only in America!
Chris Fairchild
