Basher Five-Two by Scott O'Grady Page B

agonizing minutes, I had my three satellites in line, and the readout indicated my longitude and latitude. My spirits improved. Now I could communicate to somebody where I was. I brought out my radio and turned to the Guard frequency. Again, Iknew the risk of my signal’s being picked up by Serbs, but I also wanted the greatest chance of being rescued. Maybe, I hoped, there was a pair of friendly ears in the sky.
    “Anyone, Basher Five-Two,” I called.
    With a heavy heart I listened to the crisp sound of static.
    “Anyone, Basher Five-Two,” I repeated.
    More static. I tried not to feel discouraged. The radio worked by line-of-sight contact. At night, I had no idea what the landscape around me was like. If a mountain I couldn’t see was in the way, the signal wouldn’t go anywhere. I thought how great it would be if I had a different type of radio—one that was satellite based, like my GPS, with virtually unlimited range and secured channels. I planned to try my radio again in a few hours. If I still couldn’t get any reception, I’d find a clear and secure place for sending my signal tomorrow.
    I put the radio and the GPS receiver away, zipped up my rucksack, and nestled into my new hiding place in the cove. I was exhausted but much too pumped up for sleep. It would be light in a few hours. All I could do was wait to see what the day would bring and thank God that I was still alive.
Photo Insert

    Here I am, only a few months old.
(Courtesy of Mary Lou Scardapane)

    I’ve always enjoyed doing things with my dad. I learned a lot from him about the importance of working hard and taking pride in whatever I did. My dog’s name was Pepsi.
(Courtesy of Mary Lou Scardapane)

    When I was four years old, my family lived in New York City. One year I was Batman for Halloween. That’s my sister, Stacy, beside me.
(Courtesy of Mary Lou Scardapane)

    Christmas 1971 with my mom, my brother, Paul, and my sister, Stacy.
(Courtesy of William O’Grady)

    My first horse ride, at age six, on Brownie at Joe’s Stables in California.
(Courtesy of William O’Grady)

    In Cub Scouts, I really enjoyed learning about animals, nature, and wilderness survival.
(Courtesy of William O’Grady)

    We moved to Spokane, Washington, when I was nine. I’m the kid in the middle.
(Courtesy of Mary Lou Scardapane)

    When I was ten, I began skiing. Here I am at Mount Spokane with my sister.
(Courtesy of William O’Grady)

    In the F-16 with the bubble canopy up.
(Courtesy of William O’Grady)

    The official patch of my squadron.
(Courtesy of the author)

    The cockpit of the F-16.
(Courtesy of Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems)

    All strapped in and ready to go! That’s how I look wearing the helmet and oxygen mask.
(Courtesy of Mary Lou Scardapane)

    The F-16 in flight.
(Courtesy of Lockheed Martin Tactical Aircraft Systems)

    The Super Cobras and Super Stallions as they lift off from the deck of the USS
Kearsarge
to carry out their TRAP mission to rescue me.
(Courtesy of USMC Sergeant Dave A. Garten)

    Immediately after my rescue, I board the USS
Kearsarge
from the helicopter deck.
(Courtesy of USMC)

    The men who rescued me and lifted me out of Bosnia—the members of the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit who participated in the TRAP mission. Their mission completed, they clean their weapons aboard the USS
Kearsarge
.
(Courtesy of USMA Corporal Kurt Sutton)

    A group portrait of my rescue team posed before a Super Stallion.
(Courtesy of U.S. Department of Defense)

    I give the Juvats sign upon arriving at the Aviano NATO air base.
(Courtesy of AP/World Wide Photos)

    With Bob “Wilbur” Wright, who was flying with me when I was shot down.
(Courtesy of AP/Wide World Photos)

    One very happy return. At Andrews Air Force Base with my mom and dad.
(Courtesy of Mary Lou Scardapane)

    Reunited with my family … at the White House!
(Courtesy of Mary Lou Scardapane)

    Taking a stroll with my commander in chief, President