They are all permissive environments until they aren’t and the transition is quick. My reaction was always: they can’t be shooting at us. As a passenger on these type of excellent adventures, all I could do was observe the crews in action and admire their professionalism and coolness. I much preferred my life in the infantry.
Good point. Did you read the comment at the end of the story? That fella sums it up pretty well as to the character of these types of men.
"I have dreams of having this kind of courage but then I wake up. Well done. "