Drone Pilots May Be Recognized For Actions In Wartime

[Renegade One]

Drone Pilots May Be Recognized For Actions In Wartime(NORFOLK VIRGINIAN-PILOT 12 JUL 12) ... Stephanie GaskellThey might not face the same dangers as pilots who fly in combat, but the U.S. military’s drone pilots could soon be recognized for their actions in wartime.The Pentagon is considering issuing military awards to service members who operate unmanned aerial vehicles from remote locations, often at bases in New Mexico and Nevada.“The Department of Defense is examining the concept of establishing a medal to specifically recognize Service members who directly impact combat operations from remote locations. However, at this time it is purely conceptual and pre-decisional in nature,” DOD spokeswoman Cynthia O. Smith told POLITICO.There’s been some controversy over whether these pilots deserve combat recognition, since they are not on the ground, or in the air, and aren’t in any danger.But the Pentagon said they “significantly and directly impact combat operations from remote locations (e.g., member in the U.S. directly impacting combat operations in Afghanistan). Accordingly, the Department is examining this fact to determine if such actions warrant enhanced recognition through award of a distinct new DoD medal.”The medal would rank between the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Soldier’s Medal for exceptional conduct outside a combat zone, according to a report in the Washington Post.Drones are an integral – and controversial - part of the war on terror, and have been flown in places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan and Yemen.Many combat pilots agree that flying these drones takes a lot of skill and courage.“I think their skills and the nervous intensity (of their mission) certainly merits an award, but it should be distinguished from combat,” Said Walter Boyne, a retired Air Force colonel and combat pilot. “The basic fact of the matter is no one is shooting back at you. That makes a big difference. Combat pilots respect drone pilots, but I think we’d be uneasy about it if they were to get the same award.”

 

[scoober78]

Be an interesting one to follow...I can definitely buy recognition...Good for Col Boyne, I think he said it quite well at the end.

 

[wlawr005]

Maybe something like this?

 

[BusyBee604]

“The basic fact of the matter is no one is shooting back at you. That makes a big difference. Combat pilots respect drone pilots, but I think we’d be uneasy about it if they were to get the same award.”

I have no problem with a special medal for exceptional drone operator (not pilot) performance w/ verified meaningful BDA.

I feel:
1. Should rank below the Air Medal
2. Combat "V" should never be authorized
3. Should never be allowed to deteriorate into standard 'end of tour' awards i.e., 'NAMs
4. No PHs for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/falling out of your Martin Baker, er...recliner injuries
JMHO!
BzB

 

[Renegade One]

Okay...I'll wade in on my own post. Needs to be "quite different" from any award given for aerial flight in actual combat (e.g, "skin in the game"). As mentioned by others. If it's to be a largely "USAF Award", don't they already have "Aerial Achievement Medal(s)" or something similar:

The Aerial Achievement Medal is a decoration of theUnited States Air Force[and] is intended to recognize the contributions of aircrew members who would, otherwise, not be qualified for the award of the Air Medal. Operators of Unmanned aerial vehicles may receive the award. ...According to a report based on Air Force statistics, from January 2009 to mid-2010 3497 medals were granted to operators, while 1408 more were given to pilots. ​

Minimum requirements for an Aerial Achievement Medal are 20 flights of at least 2 hours with one flight per day in theater.​

​

If (as in probably) it will be expanded to "all services" over time, I dunno. I originally thought maybe the Bronze Star:

The Bronze Star Medal may be awarded ...to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, or Coast Guard of the United States, after 6 December 1941, distinguishes, or has distinguished, himself by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participation in aerial flight—​

(a) while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States;
(b) while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or
(c) while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.​

...The Bronze Star Medal is awarded only to service members in combat who are receiving imminent danger pay.​

That last part becomes a sticking point, I guess. So...something new may be needed. Smarter folks than me will "figger it out". DoD "Department of Heraldry" (or whatever) will come up with an appropriate design.
I surely have no problem with recognizing the many folks who clearly influence events...and generate "significant effects" in a distant combat zone.

 

[RotorHead04]

Give them NAMs (or service equivalent) ... just like everyone else gets for doing their [ground] job ...

 

[sodajones]

Give them a NAM, do the mandatory-officer-congratulatory-slap-on-the-shoulder, and tell them to get the F back to work.

 

[Pugs]

Many combat pilots agree that flying these drones takes a lot of skill and courage.“I think their skills and the nervous intensity (of their mission) certainly merits an award, but it should be distinguished from combat,” Said Walter Boyne, a retired Air Force colonel and combat pilot.

I simply can't see the "courage" part to drone operation.

 

[KBayDog]

While we're on the subject of drones, we must do a better job of taking care of the them. Just like many of their human counterparts, some drones are feeling the stress of over a decade of sustained combat operations.

 

[707guy]

"it is purely conceptual and pre-decisional in nature"

Love the Pentagon speak...

 

[picklesuit]

I'll give them recognition...keep writing HAZREPS for each NMAC they cause by being off fragged altitude and in my way...

 

[banana380]

Maybe like this?

 

[sevenhelmet]

My honest $0.02: For any drone operator, they aren't actually flying in an aircraft, so the most they should get is the ground-pounder equivalent award for dangerous situations, like taking fire in your fiberglass box in Afghanistan while gathering ISR so strikers can hit the bad guys. If you're just sitting in a cubicle at Creech AFB, your hours might suck, but sorry; you're not in any physical danger so no soup for you except an EOT NAM or Air Force equivalent.

But in actuality, if they start giving Air Medals to those Nintendo-jockeys, who am I to argue? It's not my decision, and I didn't join the Navy to get medals.

 

[Renegade One]

I simply can't see the "courage" part to drone operation.

Agree.

 

[BusyBee604]

Why? AUS operators are on the ground sitting in a fiberglass box sometimes way outside the wire... they get shot at and take mortar rounds the same as anyone else...

You are talking out of your a*s. Being in a UAV fiberglass box.. being shot at/mortared, does not in and of itself, rate a combat "V" (unless the requirements for authorizing the "V" have been drastically watered down for GWOT)! In the situation you describe, perhaps a CAR.

And for the courage... maybe you'd like to be stuck in a fiberglass box flying a AUV while your FOB and runway are getting mortars dropped on them...

C'mon, everyone on that battlefield has courage...or they'd be running speedily toward the rear. Being under fire on the battlefield is a combat reality, but does not automatically meet the requirements for an unusual or valor (read 'above & beyond') award.

I will; however, alter my combat "V" never to... Combat "V" authorized only in most unusual situations, such as a UAV control site in a firefight in danger of being overrun & exceptional valor displayed when being recommended for a special award (NNAM, NMCM, BS, etc.). This is my opinion, from my combat experience. Remember, UAV combat is in it's relative infancy stage, and all the rules for awards haven't been ironed out yet.

The combat "V" is a very special authorization, and somehow has so far, avoided the awards "inflation" of recent years. I only hope it retains it's special status!

BzB