Posted on 02/27/2006 5:39:04 AM PST by aculeus
TALL AFAR, Iraq -- Buzzing over this northern Iraqi city in her Kiowa scout helicopter, a .50-caliber machine gun and rockets at the ready, Capt. Sarah Piro has proved so skillful in combat missions to support U.S. ground troops that she's earned the nickname "Saint."
In recent months of fighting in Tall Afar, Piro, 26, of El Dorado Hills, Calif., has quietly sleuthed out targets, laid down suppressive fire for GIs in battle and chased insurgents through the narrow alleys of this medieval city -- maneuvering all the while to avoid being shot out of the sky. In one incident, she limped back to base in a bullet-riddled helicopter, ran to another aircraft and returned to the fight 10 minutes later.
"They call her 'Saint Piro' -- she's just that good," said her co-pilot, Chief Warrant Officer Todd Buckhouse, a 19-year Army veteran who has worked with Piro on two tours with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Iraq.
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
Thanks for your comments, but I think you have missed the point I am making. Technology has changed your paradigm. Definitions of weapons and combat have changed. Do you doubt that weapon experts and officers responsible for technologies that can kill enemies are not in "combat" roles? Are helicopter pilots that are utilizing computer guidance , fly by wire, remote and slave technologies so called "drones" are not now the new breed of combat soldier? Why could a women not perform in this kind of role? Please understand I am not trying to argue that women should be in traditional combat roles, I am just entering into the conversation the fact that technology has provided a possibility for women to perform these roles without needing the strength or endurance of a man.
"Funny, how 'you' becomes 'all'? "
I am speaking for a lot of women here most of us don't bother posting in these threads because we just get branded liberal feminazis. Even if we are arguing against feminazi perspectives
Are these people under fire?
If they are, then the principles I stated still apply.
If they are behind the lines, then I would regard them as non-combat roles, which I said a woman could perform.
I would not regard a helo-pilot who is under fire as a non-combat role.
"Funny, how 'you' becomes 'all'? " I am speaking for a lot of women here most of us don't bother posting in these threads because we just get branded liberal feminazis. Even if we are arguing against feminazi perspectives
Well, no one branded you anything.
But bringing women into combat is a feminist view, one that most men, being afraid of attacked by women, do not resist.
I do not think women do the same jobs in the Police dept, fire dept or military without a dramatic lowering of standards.
In these three areas, if the women was kept out of the 'field' it would not a problem, the problem comes when those areas become 'co-ed'.
(Denny Crane: "I Don't Want To Socialize With A Pinko Liberal Democrat Commie. Say What You Like About Republicans. We Stick To Our Convictions. Even When We Know We're Dead Wrong.")
Yes. A frequently voiced concern I've heard is the inability (upper body strength) of the female pilots to extract their counterparts in the event of a crash. The army deals with it by ignoring it. But like having the gals crank out pull ups at airborne school, if they had an honest test, they would get stark results.
Who is this photo of?
No.
Yes you are correct. In terms of culture damage I'd point instead to the rates of illegitimate birth and the direct costs, nondeployable rates due to pregnancy, the failure of the majority of white female enlistments to make it through their first term, etc.
2. What do you think would happen to them if they were captured?
I think the point is that a woman who in theory should be ready to deal with combat, should be able to deal a bunch of rowdy drunks trying to grope her.
If my male personality was in a female body, and some drunk pilots wanted to set up a groping gauntlet in the hall, my response would have been to walk away and come back with the first fire ax I found, and politely ask them who wanted the first piece removed
Not to worry, that description will soon be changed to "cabin" or something more politically correct in fairly short order.
You seem to be all about rights, fairness and privileges.
I generally agree with you, but what is your position on the fairness or unfairness of only 18 year old males having to register for the draft?
Oh, and welcome to FR.
I'd like to read your thoughts about the fact that we do not register women for the draft. Should we?
that is Jessica Biel
Couldn't the same thing be said about capable men?
I would agree with that. So long as the women can shoot missiles and machine guns at the molesters and harassers first.
Why are you astonished to learn that a woman can be a brave and capable and patriotic Army officer?
Sad you have to twist what I said to make your argument.
You can use whatever descriptive phrase you wish to express my profound amazement at the uncommon heroism of common people of both sexes in service to our country while in Iraq.
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