mountain man primitive calls his nephew a coward

[FreeBorn]

While I wouldn't knock the skill of a UAV pilot, it does strike me as a bit strange that they can be awarded Bronze Stars for pushing a button and turning some Talibunny into a fine red mist 10,000 miles away.

Bump^. I agree. I can understand awarding the BSM to these folks given the criteria outlining the award, i.e. "in support of combat operations". Nothing above the BSM though and certainly NOT with a "V" device. This is a strange and new age we are embarking on with this "war from afar" technology. I don't feel that those who participate in this should be eligible to be awarded decorations which are given to those who physically occupy a real pair of boots on real ground with the very real possibility of earning a PHM. These guys will never perform a building entry by kicking a door in and facing the business end of a Kalashnikov so they shouldn't be eligible to share the same level of recognition of those that do.

[Bodadh]

Are there any other AFB's in Nevada other than Area 51 and Nellis?

 I thought the UAV's were piloted in Florida, Central Command HQ and all.

And why are they wasting a pilot with the rank of Captain time with what should be a WO's job?

There is Creech AFB in Indian Springs.

http://www.creech.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=14306

I never even knew it existed till me and my friends passed it when we were driving from Nellis to see Death Valley. I thought it was odd to have what looked like such a small base out in the middle of no where. I thought they might have done support for Groome Lake but the info page says they fly UAVs.

[formerlurker]

The USAF deployed to Kuwait and Turkey for ten years before the marines and army even knew where it was on the map, ditto for Somalia.   

Most of the putzes that make fun of the Air Force are those who never deployed and counted on those "angels over their shoulders" to scatter the POS insurgents to points far away from the path the Army and Marines are convoying through. 

Google PJ and then find the balls to talk to them about air conditioning and watching HBO.    Johnny the marine gets himself in a little pickle on the ground it's the USAF PJ who comes bails his ass out.   Then Google the mission of Talons I and II -- oh wait, you can't because they are special ops.   Their mission is not to win wars, it is to prevent them.    Books don't get written about their missions much.

From the B-52's who scream through the dead of night at 200 ft off the ground, to the C-130 that flies through dangerous mountain terrain hauling supplies and troops... the USAF is doing their mission, and they do it well, and they been running a fix rotation since Desert Storm.   I don't even want to freakin talk about the Clinton "humanitarian mission" years that nearly broke the backs of these flight squadrons.

Make fun of the Canadians, this attack your own nonsense gets old.

 

[formerlurker]

 

[GOBUCKS]

 

I hope he's lost that hat by now.

[Boudicca]

Interestingly, it appears that Bronze Stars are meant not only for bravery, but also "meritorious service".

http://www.afpc.af.mil/library/factsheets/factsheet.asp?id=7771

Yep, my husband earned one during Desert Storm, for meritorious service.  Except for the anticipated SCUD attacks and the SCUDs flying overhead at a distance, he wasn't in harm's way, there.  That came later, during the Bosnian "peacekeeping" operation.  Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that he and his fellow intelligence soldiers helped save a lotta lives over there.

[formerlurker]

I hope he's lost that hat by now.

http://www.af.mil/information/heritage/person.asp?dec=1990&pid=123006509

[formerlurker]

Yep, my husband earned one during Desert Storm, for meritorious service.  Except for the anticipated SCUD attacks and the SCUDs flying overhead at a distance, he wasn't in harm's way, there.  That came later, during the Bosnian "peacekeeping" operation.  Anyway, there is no doubt in my mind that he and his fellow intelligence soldiers helped save a lotta lives over there.

Everyone's roll is important -- from the supply guy to the generals in theater.     They ALL deserve our respect and thanks.

[Boudicca]

Everyone's roll is important -- from the supply guy to the generals in theater.     They ALL deserve our respect and thanks.

Oh hell yeah.  I personally always made it a point to thank the cooks serving up my meals in the field.  Those poor bastids get less appreciation and respect than anyone else, IMO.  But, I can remember one night going awfully hungry on an FTX at Hood, waiting for the chow to find us.  An Army can't fight without fuel, ammo or food and water, not for long, that's for sure.

Other underappreciated MOS's, again IMO, are Signal, Maintenance and Ordnance.  And I did get a bit weary of all the MI jokes too.

[formerlurker]

8. Declare the assets "strategic" and never deploy them operationally.

??   I am going to need an example of this.    SAC had a clear mission.

Nuclear bombs don't deploy.