Measuring Merit

Tim Kane

Chapter Chapter 9 in Bleeding Talent, 2012, pp 199-215 from Palgrave Macmillan

Abstract: Abstract THERE’S A WAR STORY TOLD AT THE AIR FORCE Academy about the importance of tradition. A US Air Force pilot was shot down over North Vietnam, but was able to parachute from his doomed aircraft and radio for a rescue evacuation—if the locals didn’t capture him first. Soon, a US helicopter arrived over the jungle canopy. Via radio, the helicopter issued the challenge/response, changed daily and briefed before every mission. For example, the rescue team would say “Spaghetti” and the response had to be “Meatballs” to authenticate the evacuee’s radio call was not an enemy trap. Unfortunately, the downed pilot could not remember the response. He was in shock. As the helicopter hovered, the North Vietnamese raced up the hill toward the sound of the rotors. Again, the rescue team radioed the challenge. Frustrated, the pilot yelled, “I’m an Air Force Academy grad, for God’s sake! Pick me up!” Overhead, the helo pilot, also a grad, radioed back, “Try this challenge. ‘Fast Neat Average!’” and the downed pilot shot back, “Friendly Good Good!” Thumbs up. They dropped a rescue line down to the forest floor, hooked him up, and pulled him to safety.

Date: 2012
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:pal:palchp:978-1-137-51129-4_10

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DOI: 10.1007/978-1-137-51129-4_10

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