“Looking good, Trench. We’re downwind now, and Mother’s over your right shoulder inside ten. Let’s get your data link up… fourth pushtile from the left.”
Trench engaged the data link that would receive autopilot commands from the ship. He sensed the frequency come up in the window and lifted his visor. As he leaned in close, placing his eyes mere inches from the display numerals, he determined the frequency was correct. I can read! he thought with jubilation.
* * *
Aboard Coral Sea, the last aircraft was being towed forward and the recovery stations reported manned and ready. Air Ops had rousted Petty Officer Conley, their best final controller, from his rack, and he hooked his headset microphone up to the console so he could guide 302 on the most unusual approach of his career. The mood was tense, and all eyes were focused on the PLAT screen.
On the LSO platform, “Rat” Fink scanned aft as the phone talker plugged in his sound-powered phone. Lost in his thoughts, he knew the last twenty seconds of this approach would be up to him. A blind pilot! Trench James was a solid pilot, but could he — could anyone — get aboard while blind? Even on a hands-off Mode One, this was a tall order. Commander Schofield was going to guide him in position, but Rat would be responsible here. The phone rang, and he reached down to answer it.
“Lieutenant Commander Fink, sir.” Rat pressed the receiver close to his ear as the 25-knot wind whipped around him.
“Paddles, this is the captain.”
“Yes, sir!” It was the first time Captain Sanders had dialed the platform.
“Three-zero-two is about ten miles aft with his XO guiding him, and we’re hooking him in now. He has some limited vision that we think allows him to determine up from down, but that’s about it. Now, I’m conveying this to you direct. If you need to jump in there and talk to him, do it. And if he is not in a position to land, wave him off. We get one chance. If he doesn’t get aboard, his XO is going to coax him back in the air, and he can eject. We’ll rescue him. So, do what needs to be done, and I’ll back you up. You ready?”
“Yes, sir. We’ll get him.”
“Roger that, Paddles. We’ll have about twenty-five knots down the angle for you, and Petty Officer Conley controlling him. I’m confident in all of you. Good luck!”
“Thanks, sir. Appreciate it,” Rat answered, grateful for the vote of confidence.
“Roger. Out here,” the captain said as he hung up.
Firebird LSO “Coach” Madden joined him on the platform. “Can I back you up, Rat?”
“Yeah, please. Captain just called. Trench is ten miles aft, and they are hooking him in for a coupled approach. Hopefully, we just watch him, but if he drops radar lock, you’ve got line up. Captain said if he’s out of position, wave him off.”