41. Forward air controllers have to combine the skills of battlefield tactician, pilot and infantryman, Gordon said. 42. The planes flew away but reported the situation to flying air controllers and battle management planes. 43. The words of the air controller were first reported in Thursday's editions of the Washington Times. 44. Forward Air Controllers had the critical job of telling tactical fighters where to drop their ordnance. 45. The tower was empty because the air controller assigned to the morning shift was at home. 46. The pilots immediately called the Russian air controllers and pilots on the passing plane, she said. 47. A forward air controller called in an airstrike. 48. The pilots, seeking an emergency landing, lost contact with air controllers six minutes before the crash. 49. Aviation officials said they had failed to notify air controllers of their wave-skimming flight, which avoided radar. 50. "Roger, " the Forward Air Controller answered.
