Leslie’s stern commands have been heard by every mechanic and every pilot who has practiced on or flown an F-18. In the field of fighter jets, her voice is jokingly referred to as Bitchin’ Betty
Leslie Shook, a Boeing employee, remarked, “I have loved these planes for a lot of years,” as she looked up at the F/A-18 Super Hornet’s cockpit. Leslie’s unusual bond with the jet lasted 20 years, according to a company news release. She is the cockpit warning system’s voice. Leslie’s stern commands have been heard by every mechanic and every pilot who has practiced on or flown an F-18. In the field of fighter jets, her voice is jokingly referred to as Bitchin’ Betty.
“You hear this voice every day telling you things are okay or that you need to take action,” said Dana Perkins, Boeing Flight Operations, Weapons Systems Operator. “You start trusting this person’s voice. If she said ‘stand up straight,’ everyone would stand up straight!”
Leslie’s tenure as the F-18’s voice began by coincidence. The original Bitchin’ Betty’s voice may be heard on the F-15. Crews brought that voice onto the F-18, but more calls were required. During the recording sessions, Leslie, a media producer, filled in as the sound engineer.
However, the talent was unable to fully convey the sense of urgency required for the task. Leslie remarked, “Betty’s got a cadence and a sharpness to it”. The program manager took note of her instructions and determined that she was qualified for the position—a function that had existed for 20 years.
All good things, as the saying goes, must come to an end. To meet the woman behind the voice on her final day, Boeing staff members and Navy pilots met in St. Louis, Missouri, in March 2016.
“As soon as she started talking, we all grinned and said ‘oh yeah, that’s her!’” said Lt. Cmdr. Doug Crane, a DCMA Weapons Systems Officer on EA-18G and F/A-18F aircraft.
As she bid goodbye to “her plane,” Leslie’s distinctive voice slightly cracked. Watch the video to hear Leslie’s account of how one pilot’s life was spared by her quick decision at the ideal time.
