Book contents
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Part I Drones on the Ground
- Part II Drones and the Laws of War
- 6 It Is War at a Very Intimate Level
- 7 This Is Not War by Machine
- 8 Regulating Drones
- 9 A Move Within the Shadows
- 10 Defending the Drones
- Part III Drones and Policy
- Part IV Drones and the Future of War
- Index
6 - It Is War at a Very Intimate Level
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 05 December 2014
- Frontmatter
- Contents
- Contributors
- Acknowledgments
- Introduction
- Part I Drones on the Ground
- Part II Drones and the Laws of War
- 6 It Is War at a Very Intimate Level
- 7 This Is Not War by Machine
- 8 Regulating Drones
- 9 A Move Within the Shadows
- 10 Defending the Drones
- Part III Drones and Policy
- Part IV Drones and the Future of War
- Index
Summary
There’s an insatiable appetite for RPAs [Remotely Piloted Aircraft] right now. When RPAs were first deployed they were so new that the leadership did not realize how popular and successful they would become. Initially, RPAs did not draw in a cadre of fighter pilots. But then things began to change and you saw fighter pilots, bomber pilots, and others who brought with them a lot of experience flying RPAs. Now we’re at the point where RPA pilots are getting the most combat experience of anyone. In my opinion, a lot of the most significant work is being done in the RPA community and that is drawing in the top-tier guys. There is pride associated with flying RPAs.
The important thing for me is the twenty-year-old with the rifle on the ground, sleeping in a ditch. That is why we do this job. If I can be more successful supporting that soldier, then that is what I want to do, day in and day out. Would I like to be flying an F-22 around and doing loops and rolls and things? Sure, absolutely. But I find what I do now to be more meaningful than anything else I could think of.
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Drone WarsTransforming Conflict, Law, and Policy, pp. 113 - 117Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2014