-
Please take a moment and update your account profile. If you have an updated account profile with basic information on why you are on Air Warriors it will help other people respond to your posts. How do you update your profile you ask?
Go here:
Edit Account Details and Profile
UAV operators to get DFC and Air Medals
- Thread starter HeyJoe
- Start date
I'm ambivalent on this issue. UAVs do provide a valuable service, but it seems like heroism ought to involve some kind of personal risk or a disregard of one's own safety on the behalf of others. Kind of a stretch for a guy manning a console on the deck.
Brett
MasterBates
Well-Known Member
Wtfo?
I agree with Brett - I always thought an Air Medal or DFC was well beyond just "being good" - but it was about selflessness and putting your own hide at risk to accomplish the mission or save your fellow serviceman. Personal risk is inherent in the award. I think it cheapens it by removing that key ingredient.
What next? MOH for robot operators?
What next? MOH for robot operators?
YGTBSM. These awards used to mean you at least hung your ass out a bit. Now it apparently means you contracted a nice set of roids at Nellis. Not to say they shouldn't be recognized for the work they do but they should not be recognized by the same award of butts strapped into Martin Bakers.
MasterBates
Well-Known Member
Don't forget the guys with the stroker seats. (helos) I'm no longer one of them, but I'll speak up for them..
There is a part of that article that says they may be awarded the DFC or AM only if they are physically located on the aircraft.
Does that mean manning the controls, or is there a way to...man...a UAV?
Does that mean manning the controls, or is there a way to...man...a UAV?
"So there I was, no $hit, Joystick in one hand, cup of coffee in the other, fearlessly taking pictures of the battlefield, all the while coming dangerously close to running out of cigarettes."
Guys operating battlefield UAVs are in the thick of it. If they earn a BS for their actions it is deserved. Perhaps operating a battlefield UAV while under fire could qualify for DFC.
But I'm having a hard time with a DFC when you are remotely operating the device (like in Nellis AFB) and not in harm's way at all.
But I'm having a hard time with a DFC when you are remotely operating the device (like in Nellis AFB) and not in harm's way at all.
From reading the article and this quote “if they are physically located on the aircraft (system) during the cited period, and all criteria for the decorations have been met.” lead me to believe that what is bolded above will apply and not to some Predator guy in Las Vegas.
Also, this is only for the Army, not for the USAF or anyone else. The Army has a few bigger UAV's (they don't fly Predators, that is USAF and 'others' only, they do fly a smaller version called the I-GNAT and another called the Warrior) but the vast majority are smaller ones that are launched and controlled right at the front lines. As long as they meet the criteria, I see no problem with awarding them the medals.
There are two things that worry me though, the Army is pretty bad about handing awards out like candy (just look at how many Army types have the Bronze Star) and I really have no idea how someone on the ground will meet the criteria for one of these decorations.
I will ask one of the Army guys I know about this.
Please don't construe my comment as jet centric, certainly any platform out there where the operator goes forward WITH the airframe into peril should be recognized with the appropriate award for the appropriate action.
The later comment about UAV operators who are in country with their UAV being recognized is bad as well. To me any award for aerial achievement means you have to be airborne (or at least have the intent in the case a helo in an LZ or in the case of being in an Able Dog and landing to pick up your down buddy for example)
