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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...
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Good points- once the mission is over, does 'collateral damage' include the mental effect on the UAV operators and their families?
'Light casualties' are seldom, if ever, light to the casualties.
'Light casualties' are seldom, if ever, light to the casualties.
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.
Very concerning thought processes from some on here.
"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.
War is hell. Ever heard that? There is no way to make it smell like a rose. All we can do is our best and always try to get better. We are doing that. We are a far cry from tons of unguided bombs falling down on schools and hospitals in an effort to get a factory. Today our enemies knowingly use women and children as shields because they know how hard we try to avoid killing the innocent. Once again, we do our best but there will be loss of innocent life. Pray for all involved.
I often wonder about the mental effect on these UAV operators. They may fly a mission just like this, then get off work and return home like any other person. This has to present a whole new dynamic to a soldier at war. I know talking to others, getting off the plane when they return home was a difficult transition, imagine doing it every day.