Then you should know that intelligence/reconnaissance of the Q’s level is considered “front line” 24/7
“If the pilot is as culpable as you say he is, why hasn’t he been court-matialled?”
See my post 67. No armchair general here Kabar, just a guy who knew the inner workings of the outfit and question, like you, why he was’t court martialled.
Things have changed since I was in. I don’t know if some of those changes are for the better.
I usually look beyond “conventional thinking” and try to get at the problem.
What would it have looked like to the MSM (that wasted no time beating ‘W’ over the head) had he gone ahead and court martialed the pilot?
I think it would have been politically bad.
“Yes there is a SOP, but you are just opining without knowing the specific details of the incident.”
I did not opine on the incident. Only on the SOP and overall mission responsibilities of the commander of the plane.
You can call me all the names you like and impugn my character ad nauseam. I still question his decision and think he should have been brought up on charges.
I don't question that you were assigned to the squadron or worked on the aircraft at one time. I am questioning your knowledge of the specific details of what happened during that incident. As I asked you without receiving a response, were you assigned to the squadron at the time of the incident? Do you have specific knowledge of what was related during the debriefings in terms of what was destroyed? If not, you are just expressing an opinion.
I usually look beyond “conventional thinking” and try to get at the problem. What would it have looked like to the MSM (that wasted no time beating ‘W’ over the head) had he gone ahead and court martialed the pilot? I think it would have been politically bad.
He wouldn't be the first. Maybe he wasn't court-martialed because he did not commit an offense prosecutable under the UCMJ. Is that even a possibility in your mind? Or is he guilty until proven innocent?
You can call me all the names you like and impugn my character ad nauseam. I still question his decision and think he should have been brought up on charges.
You are entitled to your own opinion. We will agree to disagree. I think the pilot, Lt. Shane Osborn, was a hero who did a remarkable job of landing a badly damaged aircraft and saving the lives of his crew. So did the USN.
"Upon release, Osborn and his crew were honored as heroes for their bravery and courage in the face of absolute danger in the course of their duties. For his actions, Lt. Osborn was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for heroism and extraordinary achievement in flight as well as the Meritorious Service Medal. His crew all received the Air Medal."