One day at Spangdahlem Air Base (Germany GCA), I was working a couple of F-16s. One was on the go for his last approach.
Me:
“Callsign, reset transponder, squawk XXXX, and ident.”
Pilot:
“Roger. XXXX on the flash.”
Me:
“Callsign, radar contact.”
[after a moment]
Me:
“Callsign, your ident feature appears stuck.”
Pilot:
“Roger.”
[pause]
Pilot:
“How about now?”
Me:
“Negative. Still flashing.”
Pilot:
“O.K. Stand by.”
[still keyed – I can hear loud banging in the background]
Pilot:
“How about now?”
Me:
“That did it. Turn right, heading 050. Vector for ILS, runway 23.”
Who says violence and technology don’t work together?
Robert
