There was this NFO I went to -106 with. Callsign "Bic" because, well, cancer sucks. He beat it, but not before leaving him uniball.
I told him once, "hey man, like, this is funny and all, but it feels kind of mean." He replies, "Fuck no, it's a daily reminder that I beat cancer and get to keep flying with assholes like you."
He's a good dude.
Someone (I think Chuck) posted a video of a walk-around of this done by the chief pilot. He showed and even touted the three balls, and clarified that one of them would be run by someone on the ground.
Of course anyone who's done any kind of ISR knows that really doesn't work. Whether it's a wagon wheel or figure-eights/bow-ties, one of the turrets isn't going to be able to see...or at least is going to have a very occluded view. It seems like a really bizarre design choice.
That video had some other subtle take-aways, as well. It was almost like the chief pilot had just been briefed on the capabilities that morning. Or maybe he was just nervous.
Ugh. The DGS screeners wet dream is to control an ISR source via some web based internet program.
The last thing we need to be doing is giving them a reason to exist.