Short Final

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