Dateline Nellis AFB (off the Vegas strip) and Eglin AFB (off Pensacola Beach): The Air Force has conducted studies of its UAV crews which conclude the pilots are suffering burn out at an excessive rate.
According to one such report, "crewmembers in a MQ-1 Predator unmanned aircraft system (UAS) squadron had significantly increased fatigue, emotional exhaustion, and burnout relative to traditional aircrew."
Recent news articles on the subject supplements older reports that surfaced years ago.
I've said for some time I cannot comprehend how a pilot can wake up in the morning in a suburban home, put on a flight suit and kiss his wife and kids goodbye in the morning, stop at Starbucks on the drive onto the base, sit down at a console for the next 8-10 hours launching Hellfire missiles from a Predator 8,000 miles away which kill people and break things and then return home in time to coach his son's baseball game and drink a Budweiser while eating dinner with the family at home. Apparently it works...every day, but with some major consequences.
I know I certainly could not have flicked that switch on and off each day while in combat.
I'm already working on Troll's next story, but for a third, I'm thinking of an element that includes these drone pilots. I'll let you know as I progress on the story line. Till then, check six!
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