9.13.2007

Two creepy-looking characters killed by a drone

From DefenseTech, quoting MNF-I (I don't know what MNF-I is and I'm not even gonna guess, but you can go read for yourself):

A Hunter unmanned aerial vehicle engaged and killed two suspected improvised explosive device emplacers overwatching a major thoroughfare for Coalition Forces during a historic flight near Qayyarah, Iraq, in Nineveh province Sept. 1.

A scout weapons team from 2nd Battalion, 25th Aviation Regiment, 25th Combat Aviation Brigade, observed the two unknown enemy fighters in a tactical overwatch near the roadside. The SWT requested support from the Hunter UAV.

The pilots guided the Hunter operator to the scene where it set up for a strike mission and dropped its precision munition, killing both unknown enemies and marking a first in Army Aviation history.

(Emphasis mine)

So. Bombed two guys for looking suspicious is about all I get from this, not exactly wanting to break out in cheers and applause for history. And, although this was apparently a first for the Army it's already old hat for the Air Force and the CIA. How many times have you read about drones attacking cars or buildings "believed" to harbor "suspected" enemies? Quite a few, if you've been keeping up.

Oh no, I'm not suggesting in a battle situation every enemy deserves a fair trial before being engaged so you, over there, can put down your hand. But in a situation where we complain it's necessary to pick out the bad guys, as we love to call them, from regular civilians, bombing suspects does not seem a real good way to win hearts and minds. And it's especially ironic given the way Commander Guy likes to prattle about "justice," that oaf. Stand on the wrong corner, get bombed.

(I had a friend of Japanese descent who once held a party on the anniversary of Pearl Harbor, sending out invitations reading "Come over and get bombed," but it was a different kind of bombed he had in mind.)




1 comment:

SPIIDERWEB™ said...

You think "suspicion" isn't enough?

Come on now.