We are tracking the drone all the while, making sure everything is ready. I m at the Range control of the target tracking radar. On my left is the other PFC Moore at Azimuth and PFC Crispin at Elevation. We sit almost shoulder to shoulder. The tension is palpable.
Nobody says a word except for running the pre-launch checklist.
I can literally feel the eyes of the Air Force officer burning the back of my neck. I m praying that nobody screws up now. Master Sergeant Pappy , the Missile Tracking Radar operator, has the selected missile locked in the gate of his scope. The missile s on-board transponder acknowledges receipt of commands from the radar. We are ready.