Mxsmanic wrote:
What does the expression "landing on the numbers" mean?

It's an old Vietnam-era military aviation tradition.

A firebase support crew twists up a few "numbers" (aka blunts, rounds,
hooters, spliffs, joints) and fixes them to the runway/LZ with duct
tape or a rock, ammo can, etc. They were awarded to the first chopper
crew returning from a mission who lands close enough to collect them.

FYI:

Vietnam: A country in SE Asia.

Vietnam Era: Between August 5, 1964 and May 7, 1975

Firebase: An secure or semi-secure encampment designed to provide fire
support to infantry via helicopters and howitzers.

Support: The inverse of resistance.

Runway: A defined rectangular area on a land airport that is prepared
for the landing and takeoff of aircraft.

LZ: Landing zone.

Duct tape: An adhesive tape intended to seal joints in sheet metal duct
work.

Rock: A piece of stone.

Ammo can: A metal container for holding ammunition.

Chopper: A helicopter.

Helicopter: An aircraft that obtains its primary lift from the rotation
of overhead blades.
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- gpsman