My Navy Pilot

Unfriendly

BRIAN

I know that our first mission will come through anytime now but first I have to act as if I do not know about it. I do not understand how they want me to go through training that I know by heart. But I guess if that makes them happy then I should probably do it. All I am happy about is the fact that I can fly this plane again.

Then I announce over the radio that we should split up into three teams and make sure to patrol the area. We are three jets in one team. I lead my two wingmen to follow me to our patrol area.

LISA

To be an air controller means that you do not always know what is going to happen. I know that Captain Brian Smith is an experienced pilot, hence his rank but I have realized that he is in training. I guess it is protocol when you take someone out of the field and put them back in again.

Suddenly, I am going back into my psychologist mode again as I start to wonder what kind of psychological effect this must have on him. He was once in authority and now he must be a rookie again. Then my superior walks up to me and says.

"The pilots will go through a series of tests for the following days. Each pilot's test will be different every day. I will give you the script for each scenario and you should please see to it that he does everything according to the protocol. They will be tested on their ability to follow orders"

I remember the first time that I started as an air traffic controller and how I was almost devastated by the narrow hoops the pilots had to jump through. I remember how two of the pilots did not make it. It was especially awful for me because I was one of the controllers of the pilot who got dismissed. He hands me the script and then I start to read through it.

It should be pretty easy for Captain Smith and the skills that he possesses. Then I call him over the radio.

"Bravo Romeo 05 this is Tower come in. Over"

"This is Bravo Romeo 05. Go ahead Tower"

"We have located an unfriendly in sector 19. Please escort them back home"

"Roger that, Tower. We are on our way. Over"

I do not know what it is about his voice but he seems to keep my attention in ways that he should not.

BRIAN

Just as I suspected my mission arrived. We make our way to section 19 and there we spot the airplane. It is clear by the markings of the plane that this is not one of ours. Now, I know that there is a right way and a wrong way to get them out of our country. I also know that I should do it the right way so then I can be an example for the rest of the trainees.

But nobody said that I could do it the right way with just a little bit of bending of the rules. We make sure to surround the jet and all I have to do is make contact with the pilot. I gesture with my hand that he needs to turn around but then he does not even acknowledge.

"Tower, this is Bravo Romeo 05. We have made contact with the unlawful bogey and he refuses to cooperate. We suggest a forceful approach"

LISA

I look down at the script and listen to what he has to say but it is clear that there is only one way he is supposed to react. I get back on the radio and say.

"Bravo Romeo 05, please proceed to establish contact and not the forceful approach"

"Roger, Tower. Over"

I am not sure if I have heard the sarcasm behind his answer correctly and if I was just imagining things but I am almost sure that he is not going to do what I say.

BRIAN

I hear every word that this woman tells me to do but there is just something within me that does not want to do that. I look over to the pilot and I see him looking back at me. It is almost as if he is trying to mock me in some way. Then I swear I see a smile. That was enough for me to decide to do it the forceful way.

I then make sure to maneuver my plane to get right in front of his plane. Then, when I am sure that I am in front and far enough to put on my brakes just to scare him, I do it. Just as I put on my brakes, I see that he is immediately disorientated and as he falls back, it takes him a while to get control over his plane again. But then he turns around and goes back home.

I hear every man on the squadron cheering me on and I can not stop smiling. I then get back on the radio and say.

"Tower, this is Bravo Romeo 05, unfriendly has returned home. Over"