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You're able to glean all of this from a patch you saw someone wear? Yeah, that's perspective all right -- a completely asinine one. I don't know what burr got under your saddle on this one, but you're taking three completely separate issues and trying to roll them all into one "Strike Eagles suck in OEF" thought, and it just doesn't have traction. Your entire underlying supposition that backs your posts in this thread is begging the question anyhow. Look, every bit of time I've spent in OEF I've seen nothing but a good act from my airframe. Mistakes? Yes. Areas where it could have done better? Yes. Clown act? No. In general I've seen exactly the same performance out of every other airframe doing the business over there including yours. Same occasional very inefficient use of firepower, same occasional low SA or stupid comm...but in general, a good act. Have there been any that have made the news? Well, yes, actually there have...but I'm not trying to mud sling because I realize that I don't know jack about the A-10 and I'm not qualified in any way to comment on the TTPs or competency of the guys who fly it. My assumption is that they're doing the best job they can based on their own capes and TTPs, even if it looks weird from my perspective in my jet. If there's anything I learned from my trip through AETC flying IFF it's that every jet raises pilots who are phenomenally biased toward their own airframe and just as amazingly ignorant about other airframes. Everyone thinks that "their way" is the only way, and that other methods of skinning cats are not only incorrect but retarded to boot. After flying, teaching, bar stories, etc, with guys from those other airframes, it was obvious that a lot of those negative opinions I had about other airframes were really because I had no idea what their airframe had in terms of capabilities and how those capes impacted their TTPs. What appeared stupid to me as an outsider actually made a lot of sense once I understood that. If you think the patch is retarded, fine...say so, but don't drag the entire community into the mix. If you think you know something about how the frat could have been prevented, and how it's related to some TTP that is flawed or if you know something about the performance of the crew on that night, then let's talk about that instead of mixing it in with a goddamn patch. Same goes for the two kids who morted practicing night strafe. If you have some experience in this airframe, and know something about how it's employed, and have an idea about how to do it better, then say so. The fact is, NEITHER of those events had ANYTHING to do with some supposed lax attitude about OEF among the F-15E community that you've surmised based on a dude's patch and the discussion on this forum.

I was there, and the most I ever saw was for a single Lt Col who was awarded three. And I've never, ever, ever, ever, EVER seen a Hog clown it up. Ever. How's the view from that ivory tower?

TIB

Actually, you can get the Bronze Star for "Heroic or Meritorious Achievement" (ref back of medal). The standard medal for being killed while deployed is a BSM with or without a valor device. BL: Not everyone who gets killed in action gets a BSM(V), (whether they should or not is a different arguement). If I'm walking around oblivious and get shot by a sniper, I am not really doing anything heroic. I would probably just get a BSM with out a V to recognize my meritorious service while deployed. Different story if I knew of the sniper threat, exposed my self to help another and then got shot. SrA Yelner: BSM (no valor device) for being killed as a result of an IED/ambush attack. (Bagram DFAC named after him, citation outside on a plaque) Capts McDowell and Gramith: BSM (no valor device) killed in a aircraft mishap in Afghanistan last summer Several of my friends from high school and college who went door to door in Bagdhad: BSM (no valor device) All heroes in my book. though same medal as the FSS commander. BSM no V. Consider yourself educated. Not sure where you got the idea that we were making fun of OEF....take a lap around the Strike squadron at BAF. NOBODY thinks its a joke. I got a thick skin and I'll take the riducule over a beer in the bar like anyone else. But, I'm not sure why you feel the need to belittle someones accomplishments no matter how seemingly insignificant you may think they are. In your world, I probably shouldn't even wear my wings, since I would not want to "edify my life by broadcasting my accomplishments".

I hear ya. It is what it is. I find it hard to believe that someone in the F-15E community has 6 DFC's. Hell, Robin Olds has 6 DFC's and he is a triple ace and flew in two wars. Maybe got submitted for 6 DFC's but I seriously doubt they ALL actually got approved. I couuld be wrong, but that hardly ever happens. About medals... I too think they are way over inflated. There is no way a shoeclerk squadron commander who never leaves the base should get a Bronze Star, which by the way is the standard medal for being KIA. I challenge anyone to prove to me that sitting in a HUMMVEE turret and getting killed by a sniper is any where close to manning a desk at the Force Support Squadron. I will say however, that you also have to take the actions of our troops in the context of the current fight. By today's standards, everyone who landed at Normandy, Iwo Jima, Guadacanal etc deserves a Medal of Honor. Just because no one is charging a machine gun nest or getting shot down doesnt make anyones actions less heroic. Heroism is a state of mind and exists regardless of the situation.

MREs, DFAC or Flight Kitchen for all who go TDY. No more full per diem--We are at war dammit.