Lonely Pilot Bob

The ‘phonetic alphabet’ is a ‘spelling alphabet’ used by various organizations, civilian and military, for ‘over the air’ communication.  I learned it as a kid, and have used it ever since.

At some point I also learned that the alphabet used by the military community is different from that of the civilian community.  For example, the military word for ‘B’ is Bravo, the civilian word is “Boy;” “Juliet” for the military, “John” for the civilians.  Of the 26 letters there are 24 differences! 

Often when there is interaction between the military and civil authorities, there is some confusion between the use of these two different phonetic alphabets.  This also showed up with “9/11.”  I think it is now time to standardize the two systems. 

I also have another observation: for the most part, the two phonetic alphabets are biased toward the names of white males.  In the case of the civilian phonetic alphabet, 15 of 26 names could be construed as “white male” names.  Only 3 are female names.  On the military side, 5 letters are represented with white male names; perhaps only 1 is a female name.  Not an Ahmed, Lakisha or Lamont among the any of the 52 letters.  Unconscionable, in today’s world!  It is way beyond the time for change!  

There is precedence.  Until the 1940s, hurricanes were not normally named.  They were known more often from where they hit, or when they occurred.  The first ‘official’ name used for a hurricane was ‘Geroge,’ in 1947.  The next hurricane was called “Bess,” after Bess Truman.  From then on, only women’s names were used – until 1979.  Then male names began alternating with women’s names for the storms.  And here of late, we’ve seen “cultural diversity” reflected in the annual names of hurricanes; instead of just the names of ‘white males.’

I humbly offer that it is now time to integrate the two phonetic alphabets into a single, standardized one – using names reflective of our great world culture! 

Time for a ‘time out’ here with my usual blogging… I have heard enough about ‘islamophobia.’  Every time I hear it, it’s as if the term is being used to suppress my thought for the ideas of others – specifically, muslims.  And I will have no more of it.

I accept muslims in this country, because (essentially) I have to.  Simple as this.  I don’t have to associate with them, if I chose not to.  

It seems as if we, as a nation, have become so afraid of ‘offending a muslim” that we jump through our collective asses so as not to.  Crap!  I am more than willing to accept and respect their culture and customs – but not at the expense of my values and morals.  Again, just this simple. 

In all the years I visited foreign countries, I never demanded ‘this or that’ of the host peoples.  Quite the contrary – I went out of my way to learn their customs and cultures so as to ‘blend in’ – I demanded nothing.  

So, if I ‘inadvertently’ offend a muslim with my behavior, or beliefs, tough shit.  Put on your ‘big boy’ keffiyehs, and shut up…  I’m tired of hearing – ‘islamophobia!’  

Just after I made ‘major,’ I had lunch with Bill ‘Doc’ Holaday.  Bill was a high school classmate of mine who worked at AFMPC (Air Force Military Personnel Center).  We both were on the major’s list.

During lunch Doc told me he was ‘undecided’ whether or not to stay in (the USAF).  I was assigned to HQ ATC Flight Safety at the time, and knew I was staying in, for at least 20 years.  I just wasn’t sure what I was going to do next.  Bill suggested the USAF Exchange Program.  This was a program wherein an Air Force officer was ‘traded for’ an allied officer, usually for a period of 2-3 years.  I told Doc that, as a major, I was probably ‘too old’ for it.  He then took me down to the program manager, Capt. Mel Dumke.

Mel worked in a secluded ‘hole-in-the-wall’ in MPC.  We walked in and Doc explained what we were there for.  Mel looked at me and asked, “What do you do, Sir.”  I took stock of myself, giving my flight suit a ‘once over,’ and replied, “I’m an aviator.”

He then said, “I know that – what else do you do?”  

“I’m a T-38 Command Flight Safety Officer,” I told him. 

“Oh,” he said, “we have an opening for a Flight Safety Officer in Australia this summer.”

“Great, I’ll take it,” I told him.

Not that easy.  I had to apply for the position. 

As it turned out, the position called for a ‘fighter/attack/reconnaissance/high performance” pilot.  I showed Mel where the T-38 was considered a “high performance” jet, so I was “go to go” as far as the reg was concerned.  So I put together an application “package,” along with 4-5 ‘fighter guys’ from TAC (Tactical Air Command).  As it turned out, I had way more flight safety experience than any of the TAC guys applying.  It was the aircraft qualification I was “gaming;” and I knew it!  

About five years earlier my mom, Mom, worked for an exchange officer, from Australia!  Go figure.  He was a group captain (colonel) at the time, and now was a 2-star general.  So, I called him, and told him about my application.  He, in turn, went over to the US embassy and told the program manager there that I was ‘the one’ they wanted.  I got the job.

That left more than a few folks at TAC scratching their heads.  At some time or another I had heard the four rules in flying fighters: “Go fast, check six, fight dirty and cheat.”  How could anyone at TAC be pissed?  I used their rules! 

It wasn’t long after receiving my assignment that I heard from my sponsor, Mike Bounds.  Mike was the out-going flight safety officer.  In his letter he said, “The RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) requirement says interceptor/ground attack experience desired.  What they meant was ‘required,’ but didn’t want to ‘require’ anything from the USAF — thus the ‘desire.’  The boss was not overjoyed with your background but he is a fair man.  work hard and listen and you will be O.K.  Expect them to change the wording to ‘required’ when the position is reviewed in 1981.”

As it turned out, Mike’s words were invaluable.  I heard what he had said, worked hard, listened, and did well… The boss was a great guy, and we got along very well.  And, the did change their wording in 1981..