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You've gotta teach more than Patrolling 101

December 2, 2007 | | Comments (24)

Judging by the increasingly positive coverage of Coalition-trained Iraqi troops I've seen in the Daily Fishwrapper, we're doing some things so absolutely right that even the NYT can't invent a down side to 'em. Which got me thinking (leaving blank space for John to insert snarkastic remark: ________ ): the troops on the ground will *still* need fixed- and rotary-wing aerial support for counter-terr ops -- border surveillance, area and zone recon, combat assault and extraction, medevac, instant "high ground" for suppressive fires (aka Close Air Support, which will get knickers in knots in certain circles), resupply, et cetera. Right now, the Coalition provides the aircraft and aircrews for those missions, but sooner or later, the Iraqi armed forces will inherit the job, and they'll have to have organic assets.

On the *sooner* side, the IAF has started a helicopter collection; on the *later* side, the aircraft are Third World (but US-made) hand-me-downs. Which means that they'll need fixing. Big Time.

Also on the *later* side, the aircraft will need pilots. Which means that they'll need training. Big Time.

Which means that a US Army Instructor Pilot, who's probably got two or three combat tours under his Kevlar already, will get tagged for the job. However, if you stick a *civilian* in the job -- a former Army Standardization Instructor Pilot, natch, with umpty-thousand hours, multiple qualifications, capabilities, and counter-terr combat time, you can give the Army IP a rest. And, if the former-Army-now-civilian IP does his job right, the newly-fledged Iraqi aviators will augment US units, gaining experience and expertise -- and eventually all-Iraqi units will replace all-US ones. As an extra, added attraction, the former *Army* guy is gonna be teaching *Air Force* cadets the joys of fixed-wing flight, too. Thereby freeing up a bunch of USAF Majors and Colonels to concentrate on their UAV operating skills and giving them a shot at a DFC...

How's that work for ya, drawdown-wise?

Ummmmm -- I won't be around here for a while (watch John jump in with, "What *else* is new?"), at least until I figure out what sort of 'lectronic access I'll have.

Heh. If this keeps up, there'll be more Castle Sandbox Correspondents than dolls action figures on the bar shelving....

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24 Comments

By kat-missouri on December 2, 2007 12:17 AM
Good luck. I saw a report from a certain place in regards to their using certain equipment from your last training mission. I immediately thought about you.
 
By FbL on December 2, 2007 12:20 AM
Well done, Bill! Reading it, I was thinking you were gonna be too subtle about things, 'til I got to the end Stay safe, and keep in touch.
 
By jon spencer on December 2, 2007 6:37 AM
Remember, send pictures.
 
By Instapilot on December 2, 2007 6:57 AM
"Thereby freeing up a bunch of USAF Majors and Colonels to concentrate on their UAV operating skills and giving them a shot at a DFC..." Interesting comment. Can you elaborate?
 
By John of Argghhh! on December 2, 2007 7:17 AM
Uh-oh, Bill kicked sand in Dusty's face... I'm stayin' outta this one.
 
By Ledger on December 2, 2007 8:07 AM
I agree with Bill’s assessment. I think the “kinetic” war was won sometime ago but the Propaganda war is only now starting to die. In fact, the propaganda war seemed to bleed out when that AP stringer Bilal Hussein was caught red-handed and dropped in the clanger (No more films of terrorists shooting at our guys). The quicker the military gets the terror/stringers off the playing field the better.
 
By carborundum on December 2, 2007 9:21 AM
And they wonder why I drink ... no drawdown for us, hellaflopper boy! I warned them back at ANGCOM, I did. Thought they could reassign the "extra" squad members. Won't they be pleased to see my request for *additional* GAs. Old equipment, n00b pilots, sandstorms...this is going to go *real* well, I can see it already. Why don't you take up knitting instead of pursuing your grudge against gravity? For your old buddy Carbo?
 
By John of Argghhh! on December 2, 2007 11:51 AM
"Thereby freeing up a bunch of USAF Majors and Colonels to concentrate on their UAV operating skills and giving them a shot at a DFC..." Bill may not be able to for the nonce... but I can. In the context of his new job, Bill is displacing Air Force guys, but I deliberately chose the Army Times story.
 
By Cricket on December 2, 2007 2:17 PM
I think Dusty is a generous kinda guy...and will see it for what it is worth. But for the record, does Bill weigh 98 pounds?
 
By Barb on December 2, 2007 3:51 PM
Glld to know you'll be keeping busy, Bill. Heck, we'll hear from you more (as long as the power stays on) from there than here ;-)
 
By Pogue on December 2, 2007 5:04 PM
In the context of his new job, Bill is displacing Air Force guys, but I deliberately chose the Army Times story.
Oh great, next it'll be Silver Stars for Power Point presentations.
     
By BillT on December 2, 2007 7:28 PM
Dusty -- You need to catch up on your Field Grade reading list. With comments from a coupla Vultures...
 
By ry on December 3, 2007 3:06 AM
No rest for the sorta-kinda-when-they're-not-hounded-to-death-by-the-SigOth-and-when-there's-enough-beer-in-'em-to-be-wicked, eh Unka Bill? So, what kinda snackage do 'ya wants us to send you? This doesn't sound as short a term gig as the last one. Oh, great. So the Chief has riled up Dusty. Now my secondary job gets implemented: stand in dummy.
 
By Oldloadr on December 3, 2007 7:11 AM
Could one of you enlightened officers explain to me the logic of the AF/Army, whoever giving a DFC to 2 computer gamers in a hardened bunker (if they are in theater at all) but the AF won't give it's new combat badge to a flightline troop who gets fragged by a rocket/mortar. BTW, I know an Army LC who got the Army Combat Action badge for power shopping at the Liberty PX during a rocket attack. Thank-you.
 
By John of Argghhh! on December 3, 2007 9:45 AM
Oldloadr: Sure. I'm not in charge. With the Army, if you get a Purple Heart, you automatically qualify for a Combat Infantry Badge (if you meet the "infantry" requirements) or the Combat Action Badge. I can't see any reason why the AF would be different... but they went off on their own in 1947, so I got no say there. As for the "LC" (LTC?) in the Liberty PX... if s/he got nicked, s/he qualifies. Two of Dad's Purple Hearts came from rockets on basecamps, IIRC. In his case he happened to be going in or out of his command bunker, but I don't see why being in a base camp PX (other than it's a good story) should make any difference. The blood's still red. However, looking at the award criteria... (2) Specific Eligibility Requirements: a. May be awarded to any soldier. b. Soldier must be performing assigned duties in an area where hostile fire pay or imminent danger pay is authorized. c. Soldier must be personally present and actively engaging or being engaged by the enemy, and performing satisfactorily in accordance with the prescribed rules of engagement. One does wonder how the term "performing assigned duties" is applied. Flip side, again, just being there counts, too. Sleeping, eating, showering... buying soap at the PX. For me, as long as other troops in the area at the time of the event were treated in the same fashion, I don't see a beef. But all I have to go on is what you are saying. But - I'm with you on the flightline guys ought to score if they get wounded. But I don't know the AF reg, I'll let any AF guy who wants to weigh in take up the hammer and tongs.
 
By BillT on December 3, 2007 9:54 AM
Could one of you enlightened officers explain to me the logic of the AF/Army, whoever giving a DFC to 2 computer gamers in a hardened bunker (if they are in theater at all) but the AF won't give it's new combat badge to a flightline troop who gets fragged by a rocket/mortar. Heh. I can't even explain the logic of giving a DFC to two computer gamers in a hardened bunker...
 
By John of Argghhh! on December 3, 2007 10:59 AM
You'll notice I didn't even *try* to explain it.
 
By Oldloadr on December 3, 2007 12:04 PM
Just wanted to throw that out, but here's the rest: The LC didn't get nicked and it's hard to say if everyone was treated fairly in that incident since it was a common area and probably a dozen different units had members present. It was shortly after that incident where I saw the AF (in deference to the combat controller union) nixed flightline guys getting the badge, even if they get a Purple Heart. It always irritates me when AF generals seem to be trying to out-macho the Army. Especially when the Army turns around and decides to give DFCs to gamers... Oh, well...
 
By Damian on December 3, 2007 2:34 PM
I've always liked the fact that our valour decorations all require the awardee to have committed the act "in the presence of the enemy:"
Victoria Cross, awarded for the most conspicuous bravery, a daring or pre-eminent act of valour or self-sacrifice, or extreme devotion to duty, in the presence of the enemy Star of Military Valour, awarded for distinguished and valiant service in the presence of the enemy Medal of Military Valour, awarded for an act of valour or devotion to duty in the presence of the enemy
As I see it, the key problem for you guys is that your DFC requirements state it's for "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight." While I'd suggest one couldn't exhibit heroism while piloting a UAV, one could conceivably accomplish an "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight."
 
By BillT on December 3, 2007 7:30 PM
While I'd suggest one couldn't exhibit heroism while piloting a UAV, one could conceivably accomplish an "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight." The key is the definition of "participating." Back in the bad ol' days, you had to be physically present in order to "participate" in an event. So, the language of the requirement hasn't kept pace with technology. Personally, I'd just give 'em another roll of quarters so they could keep playing their game...
 
By BillT on December 3, 2007 7:34 PM
Ooooooh -- just thought of something. Q: "How can you tell which UAV has the A-10 pilot at the console?" A: "It's the one that rolls inverted and climbs so the operator can keep his eyes on the target." Heh. That's a tad infra-dig...
 
By Damian on December 3, 2007 9:55 PM
Personally, I'd just give 'em another roll of quarters so they could keep playing their game... LOL! At least our UAV drivers are in the theatre (sitting in a trailer at KAF) while the remotes buzz around overhead the bad guys. Of course, that's because we don't have the kit to fly them from any further...but I digress. To their credit, in my limited experience, our drone pilots are not overly self-impressed with their flying exploits on the job. Oh, they know they're providing an essential service in support of their brothers with rifles, but they don't let it swell their heads...at least not so much that you have to put vaseline on their ears to get them through door frames, which is saying something for a pilot. ;) In fact, in a refreshing and all-too-unusual display of pilot humility, one of the gents I know who took six months away from flying green choppers when asked to do a rotation on the UAV det at KAF actually called himself president of the Kandahar RC Flying Club!
 
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