My take is that it is situational dependent. Most (not all) helo guys work near ground-pounders or with other rotary wing assets in support. Having a rifle to work you way toward a nearby LZ or infantry unit is a great idea. On the other hand, pilots downed miles from the nearest allied ground unit are, I imagine, an entirely different thing. A rifle can make a person feel quite powerful, but 120 rounds does not a firefight make - especially if your CSAR asset is more than a few minutes away. Evasion is, in my humble opinion, a far better option.
So you are saying, evasion is not compatible with personal weapons? I don't think anyone in this debate is arguing that a downed aviator go on the offensive Rambo style. I see the personal weapon for a defensive position where capture is likely a death warrant and every effort would be made to avoid capture, or a weapon, a more capable weapon in this debate, would aide in evasion if the situation demanded it. I was never taught that evasion must be stealthy. Stealth is the preferable tactic, but the goal of evasion is to evade capture until rescued or united with friendlies, by any means. Stands to reason, if I had more options I could deal with more scenarios.
Again, how does the amount of ammo he had figure into my point? I understand he also used an enemy weapon that a typical aviator would not have known how to use. So what. The point is to use what you have to the best of your ability. Robert's training gave him the ability to resist more violently. But the motivation for his resistance in that situation should be no different than it is for anyone. They don't need to teach that at Coronado. If Robert's had just 120 rounds and a M4 you think he should have surrendered? I am pretty damned sure he would have used all 120 rounds and gone down fighting, because his motivation would not have changed, kill the enemy, avoid capture, torture and gruesome public execution. Again, why should any aviator have a different motivation?
Let’s not pretend helmet covers are for anything besides looking cool. Evading on land, I’d ditch the helmet just as soon as I detached from the parachute. It doesn’t actually protect after the ejection and PLF, and I’d like to be able to hear.
Didn’t think about helos a low level. I had the hush kit plus custom molded CEP’s. Actually very quiet because it’s ear piercingly loud in a harrier.
Small Arms Protective Insert. Boron carbide ceramic plates for body armor. Current issue version is rated to stop armor-piercing .30-06. Wore them briefly in Narmy training at Fort Jackson; they’re annoyingly thick, but I guess it beats the alternative.
I thought the M9 was designed to jam. I can't think of a single time I went to the range to qualify and NOT had my weapon malfunction at least once. Once out of every 30 to 40 rounds is not good.