AF pilots facing potential trial

[KC-10 Driver]

Obviously, I have no tactical experience. However, based on my 18 years in the Air Force, I think that these two pilots may be made scapegoats for multiple deficiencies at various levels.

Without regurgitating the facts of the case as I have seen them, it seems apparent to me that the pilots made some mistakes. However, it also appears that there were other contributing factors. I fear that the pilots may be given sole responsibility for this tragedy, and that other issues will be overlooked or minimized.

I truly hope I am proven wrong. All the causes of this tragedy need to be addressed as I would hate to see anything like this accident ever happen again.

Justice to the victims, as well as to the pilots, demands an accurate and full investigation into all the causes of the accident, as well as meanigful steps taken to prevent any similar tragedies in the future.

 

[duckman]

"Dude you have no idea about the experience of the pilots involved in this incident, so try to do a little research before you speak. You must have been overwhelmed with excitement when you saw a chance to tell everyone about you vast combat experience."

amF16 "Dude"

Flew with "PSYCHO" once or twice at Nellis...a most excellent and proficient pilot....but you're correct...did not know the extent of his experience.

My thoughts here were;
-Was not operating in a "kill box"...ROE required clearance to engage.
-Employed solely on "Self Defense" criteria. Experience might have told them they were not being directly engaged by SaFire. Would hope that his past experiences indicated that fact.
- Mortar/Artilliary could be mistaken if you happen to fly into it's trajectory path..lets hope that happened.
-When you play the "self defense" card...ya better be right...kinda like VID in the CID matrix.
- They are in a very tough situation, and I hope things work out o.k.

And no...I was not overwhelmed with excitement...but maybe they were???