I can’t say how the guys who turned around felt, but I want to let them know that someday there will be justice. Whether in this life or the next. Betrayal is the opposite of the greatest love and the One who set the standard for that love is also the Avenger (when He comes), and the Judge, after His reign.
Amen! I know from personal experience that there are times when orders are lawful and times when they are unlawful. It takes a very high degree of personal, moral courage to disobey unlawful orders because you know, in the end, it will either lead to a court martial or feigned ignorance when someone in command realizes that the details could become very public. Some of us were lucky, some not.
I have to say, in this case, which involved unauthorized entry into foreign airspace, I still don’t know what I would have done. It’s one of those very rare cases where it would have to be a decision by committee or an incredibly brave decision by the senior commander.