UAV operators suffer war stress

[unhappycamper]

Col. Charles W. Manley, commander of the 163d Maintenance Group, 163d Reconnaissance Wing, California Air National Guard, pilots an MQ-1 Predator training simulator at March Air Reserve Base, Riverside County, Calif.


UAV operators suffer war stress
By Scott Lindlaw - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 8, 2008 6:29:30 EDT

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — The Air National Guardsmen who operate Predator drones over Iraq via remote control, launching deadly missile attacks from the safety of Southern California 7,000 miles away, are suffering some of the same psychological stresses as their comrades on the battlefield.

Working in air-conditioned trailers, Predator pilots observe the field of battle through a bank of video screens and kill enemy fighters with a few computer keystrokes. Then, after their shifts are over, they get to drive home and sleep in their own beds.

But that whiplash transition is taking a toll on some of them mentally, and so is the way the unmanned aircraft’s cameras enable them to see people getting killed in high-resolution detail, some officers say.

In a fighter jet, “when you come in at 500-600 mph, drop a 500-pound bomb and then fly away, you don’t see what happens,” said Col. Albert K. Aimar, who is commander of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing here and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. But when a Predator fires a missile, “you watch it all the way to impact, and I mean it’s very vivid, it’s right there and personal. So it does stay in people’s minds for a long time.”

He said the stresses are “causing some family issues, some relationship issues.” He and other Predator officers would not elaborate.


Rest of article at: http://www.airforcetimes.com/news/2008/08/ap_remote_stress_080708/



uhc comment: Yup, I can see where killing people can get under your skin. Maybe you guys can get some help from the VA or something.

[Crowman1979]

1. What a joke!

Why don't they talk about their so-called war stress to all those A-10 pilots and airmen that are in Iraq getting shot at directly and indirectly. They'll probably get laughed out of town.

[bdf]

2. And how does what the UAV operators do differ from

those who play video games?

I'm talking of the games simulating combat in a fighter/bomber. Let's see...

Working in air-conditioned trailers, Predator pilots observe the field of battle through a bank of video screens and kill enemy fighters with a few computer keystrokes. Then, after their shifts are over, they get to drive home and sleep in their own beds.

versus

Working in their mom's basement, freepers observe the field of battle through a bank of video screens and kill enemy fighters with a few computer keystrokes. Then, after their shifts are over, they get to walk upstairs and sleep in their own beds.

And

In a fighter jet, “when you come in at 500-600 mph, drop a 500-pound bomb and then fly away, you don’t see what happens,” said Col. Albert K. Aimar, who is commander of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing here and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. But when a Predator fires a missile, “you watch it all the way to impact, and I mean it’s very vivid, it’s right there and personal. So it does stay in people’s minds for a long time.”

versus

In a fighter jet, “when you come in at 500-600 mph, drop a 500-pound bomb and then fly away, you don’t see what happens,” said Col. Albert K. Aimar, who is commander of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing here and has a bachelor’s degree in psychology. But when a you're playing a video game and fire a missile, “you watch it all the way to impact, and I mean it’s very vivid, it’s right there and personal. So it does stay in people’s minds for a long time.” Except the video game often allows you to see the destruction in slo-mo and to replay it several times.

And

He said the stresses are “causing some family issues, some relationship issues.” He and other Predator officers would not elaborate.

versus

He said the stresses are “causing some family issues, some relationship issues. Well, they would if these wankers were capable of any form of relationship.” He and other Predator officers elaborated.

The solution is obvious. The typical freeper is sociopathic and therefore would not suffer at all if operating a UAV (other than they're probably not allowed to snack while piloting). All freepers should sign up now. It's the patriotic thing to do to help Dubya's eternal War on Terra.