February 20, 2012 Short Final

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Overheard while listening to an area radar center in England during the early '80s. Two United States Air Force Europe fast jets climbing out of a low flying area were trying to locate each other to join formation.

"Ratch 13":
"Ratch 12, where are you?"

"Ratch 12":
"Ratch 13, one mile south of Chester."

"Ratch 13":
"Ratch 12, say again."

"Ratch 12":
"Chester! Chester!"

An undentified voice, in a strong Western Drawl:
"I'm a-comin', Marshall Dillon!"

Readers of a certain age will remember "Gunsmoke"!

Gary Brindle
via e-mail