Short Final: Ahoy, Matey

Editorial Staff

Wednesday, September 04, 2019 at 04:23 PM ET

Verified

Key Takeaways:

A humorous radio exchange occurred at Camp Graling, Michigan, where an Army helicopter pilot initiated contact with the tower using a pirate voice.
After a brief pause, the Graling Tower controller played along, responding in a similar pirate accent to grant takeoff clearance for the three UH-60 helicopters.

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At Camp Graling, Michigan:

Army 12345 (in a pirate voice): “Graling Tower, Arrrrrmy Copter 12345, we be a fleet of three UH‑60s on Charrrrrlie taxiway, ready to set sail to the southwest.”

Graling Tower: “Army…(pause)…Army…(longer pause)… Arrrrrmy Copter 12345, ahoy, Matey. Clearrrrred for takeoff, Charrrrrlie taxiway.”

Robert Schapiro
“Somewhere in the Middle East”