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'Did We Just Kill A Kid?' — The Six Words That Ended A US Drone Pilot's Career
Bryant was one of them, and he remembers one incident very clearly when a Predator drone was circling in a figure-eight pattern in the sky above Afghanistan, more than 10,000 kilometers (6,250 miles) away. There was a flat-roofed house made of mud, with a shed used to hold goats in the crosshairs, as Bryant recalls. When he received the order to fire, he pressed a button with his left hand and marked the roof with a laser. The pilot sitting next to him pressed the trigger on a joystick, causing… (www.spiegel.de) Más...Sort type: [Top] [Newest]
Now, now kids, I thought this was an aviation board--not a board where we bash each other's countries. This thread branched out way too far and too quickly off topic for me. Exactly what is the meaning of the topic? Are we to feel badly for the child or the drone pilots? Bad things happen when people fight. Wars have been fought since the dawn of men. Nothing has really changed--just the methods. Sadly, this won't be the last incident to be ashamed of. I hope the pilots get counselling.
This article was a lot of B.S. designed to elicit sympathy and crocodile tears for someone, the Bryant kid, who obviously was too young and didn't have the stomach for combat who probably should have been monitored more closely and replaced much earlier. I give more credit to the pregnant female who toughed it out and carried on. The kind of people needed for this kind of duty are not kids who are proficient video game players but people with nerves of steel like Carlos Hathcock, the legendary Marine Sniper in Vietnam who did not hesitate to pull the trigger when he had the opportunity to take the shot after days of stalking his prey even when his prey was another sniper who was stalking him.
Collateral damage when high explosive warheads are used is unavoidable despite best efforts to satisfy all the rules of engagement. The only part of this story that was regrettable was not being able to warn the friendlies about the presence of the IED they ultimately traversed. What is equally disturbing and regrettable was not being able to provide help to the SEALS and other embassy staff personnel under enemy fire in Benghazi who pleaded hours for it only to be slaughtered and for all intents and purposes ignored and forgotten by the ONE directly responsible. I suppose the decision to help them was "above his paygrade."
Collateral damage when high explosive warheads are used is unavoidable despite best efforts to satisfy all the rules of engagement. The only part of this story that was regrettable was not being able to warn the friendlies about the presence of the IED they ultimately traversed. What is equally disturbing and regrettable was not being able to provide help to the SEALS and other embassy staff personnel under enemy fire in Benghazi who pleaded hours for it only to be slaughtered and for all intents and purposes ignored and forgotten by the ONE directly responsible. I suppose the decision to help them was "above his paygrade."
If you are going to fight a war then expect this kind of thing...don't punish those who w/out malice inflict death in a war on the "innocent" especially when you are not the one willing to do the dirty work yourself.
There are plenty more to take his place. In the Army, MOS 15W (UAV operator) is a highly sought after job. School slots are booked for the next two years. Army 15Ws also get flight pay for doing this job.
Those of you who have not experienced the horrific task of being a war fighter and sit there and criticize, buzz off. And if you think that these things happen without serious emotional regrets then you are again badly mistaken. I tell you, when you're starring down the barrel of a weapon aimed at you by someone that you just encounter in a firefight, you don't question if he deserves what you might unleash on him or if not you, your fellow mates. And I guarantee, you don't ask to see a certificate of proof of age. And you foreigners, stay out of it.
Most importantly - Thank you for your service, I always support our troops, always
BUT: The act of war itself is necessary from time to time, to preserve our way of life, freedom and survival
Just because I always treat vets with extreme respect for all they went through - I don't always agree with the war itself. People who haven't been in combat do have the right to discuss war.. You kind of made it sound like those who haven't been fired at shouldn't have an opinion. obviously that is not the case- maybe I misunderstood your comment
My problem: This new "commute to war, sit in computer control center, drop bombs and go home to play with your golden retriever and have a few beers - COUNTING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO SAY, OH YEAH, HES A BAD GUY, DROP BOMB HERE - I have a problem with.
I don't want to see ANY of our troops put in harms way - and yes we should use any and all tactical advantages as possible, but when you don't see for yourself what is going on, and the government says drop bomb here, kill these people there - its getting a little too..... god, I don't even know how to describe it.
Whats to say it isn't abused by some war mongering sadist - authorizing the attack. Or, where is the line that should not be crossed. If its not defined, how do you ensure not crossing that line.
The reason I am posting without fully knowing what I am feeling is in hopes others may brainstorm and I can learn a few things. There were instances where MIL INTEL said - go here, sweep and clear, and when you arrived it was a village without a single weapon (vietnam). Things like that happen.
Again - not an attack on you, Im just a little weirded out about how we are now projecting deadly power anywhere around the world at the push of a button. ...
We know that drones are now patrolling American cities.. and we all know the oath to protect the US from all enemies foreign and domestic. Id hate to see this tech used against enemies of the US living in the US - just because they have an alternate political view - or some other perversion of this weapons system.
Im sure there are more often than not - fully clear, no question - this is a really bad guy, kill him. But unlike your situation where you came face to face with you enemy - these guys never saw it coming, never had a chance to be ID'ed in person before pulling the trigger -
its both a terrific and horrific weapon system
BUT: The act of war itself is necessary from time to time, to preserve our way of life, freedom and survival
Just because I always treat vets with extreme respect for all they went through - I don't always agree with the war itself. People who haven't been in combat do have the right to discuss war.. You kind of made it sound like those who haven't been fired at shouldn't have an opinion. obviously that is not the case- maybe I misunderstood your comment
My problem: This new "commute to war, sit in computer control center, drop bombs and go home to play with your golden retriever and have a few beers - COUNTING ON THE GOVERNMENT TO SAY, OH YEAH, HES A BAD GUY, DROP BOMB HERE - I have a problem with.
I don't want to see ANY of our troops put in harms way - and yes we should use any and all tactical advantages as possible, but when you don't see for yourself what is going on, and the government says drop bomb here, kill these people there - its getting a little too..... god, I don't even know how to describe it.
Whats to say it isn't abused by some war mongering sadist - authorizing the attack. Or, where is the line that should not be crossed. If its not defined, how do you ensure not crossing that line.
The reason I am posting without fully knowing what I am feeling is in hopes others may brainstorm and I can learn a few things. There were instances where MIL INTEL said - go here, sweep and clear, and when you arrived it was a village without a single weapon (vietnam). Things like that happen.
Again - not an attack on you, Im just a little weirded out about how we are now projecting deadly power anywhere around the world at the push of a button. ...
We know that drones are now patrolling American cities.. and we all know the oath to protect the US from all enemies foreign and domestic. Id hate to see this tech used against enemies of the US living in the US - just because they have an alternate political view - or some other perversion of this weapons system.
Im sure there are more often than not - fully clear, no question - this is a really bad guy, kill him. But unlike your situation where you came face to face with you enemy - these guys never saw it coming, never had a chance to be ID'ed in person before pulling the trigger -
its both a terrific and horrific weapon system
"For more than five years" That tells me he has been in job way too long. He needs a break. My experience was Viet Nam 68-69 with M-16. I don't care if its a hand weapon to a nuclear weapon. Continue action robs you of your life. Poor management.