Urban Legend. See comments on Snopes.com -- as cute as the story is, it lacks verisimilitude.

"JoeBentley
Join Date: 23 June 2002
Location: Norfolk, VA
Posts: 21,398

Point 1. Challenges are not broadcast on VHF Guard. And 121.5 MHz is not Guard in the sense being used here. 121.5 MHz is international distress, used by emergency beacons and such.

Point 2. You never identify yourself to that degree when initiating a challenge or responding to one. The correct response would of been something along the lines of "United States Aircraft" not specifically "United States Marine Corp F/A-18." When responding to a challenge you identify yourself only in the vaguest terms necessary.

Even on Nimitz Class Aircraft Carriers, which even at many miles simply cannot be mistaken for anything else on the planet, refer to ourselves when responding to challenges only using the generic term "United States Warship."

Now even granting that this story is still someone within the realm of possibility. Iran routinely challenges US Forces in the area, challenges happen almost constantly while we transit the straights of Hormuz for instance. And yes Iran often does take a harsher tone on those challenges until they they learn they are talking to US Forces.

Still don't see an exchange like this happening though."
http://message.snopes.com/showthread.php...

Hoorah!

This reminds me of another story where the speech escalates between a Navy warship, wanting the other person to move out of the way, and a lighthouse. Guess who had the last word? 8-)

Lock & Load!

Those boys do have a way with words. G-d bless then and Protect them.