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“Why does the country need an independent Air Force?” the senior civilian assistant to Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, the service’s chief of staff, had written. For the first time in the 62-year history of the Air Force, the answer isn’t entirely clear.
Rob, you magnificent bastard.
Seriously, read the article, as it’s a very good overview of the changes in Air Force culture and strategic direction wrought by the intermingling of unmanned aircraft and hybrid conflict. See, for instance, this post contrasting the experiences of Air Force Capt. Daniel Magruder with the strategic ponderings of Air Force Maj. Gen. Charlie Dunlap.
“There is no valor in flying a remotely piloted aircraft. I get it,” said Col. Luther “Trey” Turner, a former fighter pilot who has flown Predators since 2003. “But there needs to be an award to recognize crews for combat missions.”
I appreciate Col. Turner’s perspective, particularly as he grapples with a culturally sensitive question. But why should we consider remote piloting valor-less? There’s valor in contributing to the accomplishment of a mission. Sure, a pilot isn’t in the same physical danger as in an age of air combat. But there’s no reason that has to be the standard. I’ve embedded with soldiers in circumstances that made them antsy until they had the assurance that close air support, provided by the Air Force, was nearby. Didn’t hear them ask whether someone flew those planes from Nevada.
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Valor is intrinsically tied to the possibility of receiving bodily harm. Perhaps it shouldn’t be, but certainly our current understanding of valor is a vast improvement over the concept of valor based on the possibility of inflicting bodily harm, a place we could easily go back to if we’re not careful.
So, we used to think torturers were brave? I thought we were still there……
Check out the formal definition for the Valor device in the wiki post for Bronze Medal.
The Valor device (or “V device”) is authorized by all services and identifies the award as resulting from an act of combat heroism (as in the case of the Army and Air Force) or signifying that the medal was earned in combat (as in the case of the Navy), thus distinguishing it from meritorious achievement awards. However, an accumulation of minor acts of combat heroism does not justify an award of the Valor device. Combat service deserving a bronze star, but not achieved in a particular valorous act, would warrant a meritorious bronze star.
I submit that flying a drone in an air-conditioned room far outside of the combat area is, while necessary and beneficial to combat operations, does not meet the bar for “combat heroism.” Stressful, yes, heroic, no.