BILLINGSGATE POST: “SKUNK ALPHA! SKUNK ALPHA!” screamed Navy Ensign Detrick “Dirty Trick” Detwiler. Meanwhile, Lieutenant Slim Everdingle, who was driving the two-seater F-15E Strike Fighter on a routine training mission out of Naval Air Station Pensacola, chuckled to himself as he looked out of the port window of the fighter.
The GIB (Guy In Back), Dirty, had just won his wings. He was the Weapons System Officer or “Wizzo” and was responsible for the complex radar and targeting system aboard. He provided a second set of eyes especially behind the aircraft.
“What’s up, Dirty?”
“SKUNK ALPHA - Alien YoYo at nine o’clock walking the dog, Sir.”
“Walking the dog? Are you sure, Ensign?”
“Affirmative, Sir. I know all the tricks. Wasn’t called ‘Dirty’ for my hygiene.”
“Any idea of propulsion?
“Looks like a giant string interplanetary suspension system, Sir”
“Wow! Way ahead of anything we have.”
“Mum's the word, Ensign. They will think we’re nuts if we report this.”
“Yo, Dude."
"Ensign. What's this "Yo, Dude shit?"
"From now on, all I want to hear from you is "Yes, Sir, No, Sir or Aye Aye, Sir."
"Yo, Dude."
NOTE: "SKUNK ALPHA" is used to designate the first enemy intercept by either visual or radar means. The next intercept is "Bravo" and so on.
