Feel Me, Hear Me, Smell Me

http://www.strategypage.com/htmw/htmora ... 11222.aspx


"December 22, 2011: For several years now, the U.S. Air Force has noted that its UAV operators (those who fly the aircraft and operate the sensors) are increasingly suffering fatigue and showing signs of PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder). But these personnel never go into harm's way and operate out of office-like environments in an airbase in the United States. But what they do is view violence, or the potential for it, for hours on end, and often pull the trigger (to launch a missile or drop a smart bomb.) ".......................................

I have a friend who flies F-15s --- who is convinced that UAV warfare is the future - but it's an absolutely lousy one.

He figures he sees what happens when he pushes the button - and has to come to grips with the reality of what he does. A bunch of video pilots in Vegas don't really have the chance to do that. (seems it's no coincidence that a lot of the real non-reality occurs just outside of Las Vegas).

I don't see remote pilots ever replacing real fighter pilots as I don't see drones replacing fighter jets. I can see a place for the drones for surveillance and if aiming at a certain target without need for cover. I can't imagine them in any case where it requires flying a real fighter jet in situations where you have to maneuver to avoid getting shot or shooting at moving targets. Drones are not that maneuverable and you can't see everything going on around you.

I sure hope you're right. Once the specter of first hand death and destruction is removed from warfare, there will be a lot more war.

From the title of the topic i thought we were talking about the OWS bums.

towermonkey wrote: I sure hope you're right. Once the specter of first hand death and destruction is removed from warfare, there will be a lot more war.

There will always be war. And if we can find a more efficient way of killing those who need to be killed, we can minimize the financial and social effects of warfare. Works for me.

I disagree. Today, Americans watch war from a distance on youtube and TV. Only a handful of Americans serve and know the horrors of war. American citizens need to understand the horror before agreeing to send our soldiers into battle. It must be real to everyone, not virtual

Wily Fox aka Angela wrote: I disagree. Today, Americans watch war from a distance on youtube and TV. Only a handful of Americans serve and know the horrors of war. American citizens need to understand the horror before agreeing to send our soldiers into battle. It must be real to everyone, not virtual

All it needs to be is killing more of them than us. I don't care how you slice it, dice it, or what weapon you use to accomplish it... as long as there's dead enemy's in it's wake. That's it, there is no more to it. This is not philosophy... it's about killing... simplest thing in the world to do.

I disagree --- vehemently.

Does anyone here remember the movie Patriot Games ?

Remember when Jack Ryan is invited into the room to watch an attack over satellite link?

To this day, I'm deeply disturbed by the cavalier remark, "That's a kill......."

I think we owe our adversaries a degree of dignity and respect. Most battles are over principles.

Yes - I hope my principles prevail. But one of my principles is that someone gave their life to determine what principles prevail - and we better damn well respect that......

Virtual warfare cheapens life - it cheapens us ---- every bit as much as it cheapens our attitude toward those we disagree - and even battle with.

I think it's morally indefensible.

.... dupe