Subject: If you are looking for a fight...
From: (BUFDRVR)
Date: 7/9/03 4:19 AM Pacific Daylight Time
Message-id:

And the idea that in the
military all are equal is nonsense.


Depends what you consider "equal". I've got nearly 50 combat sorties, I would
have exactly zero if not for two crew chiefs who pre-flighted and launched me
on those 50 sorties.

Out of those 50 sorties, my jet probably required some kind of speacialist
work
prior to the flight on at least 30 of them. That means without the
hydraulics,
electrics, GaC, Fuels, Comm Nav guys/gals, I would only have 20 combat
sorties.

Furthermore, on every one of my sorties I carried (ok, actually the EW
carries)
cryptographic material so that I can communicate with both C2 agencies and
ground units. Without the enlisted folks that download, prepare and maintain
that material, I would have had exactly zero effective combat sorties.

I guess what I'm trying to say Art is that I whole heartedly disagree, the
idea
that in the military all are equal (as far as contribution to the mission of
putting bombs on target) is not nonsense, but the essence of the military.


BUFDRVR


You have read more into my post than is there. Note that I never mentioned
those with high essental skills. I never rnentioned mechanics, Nor did I
mention bombsight technicians I compared those with low skills or no skills
easily replaced against those with essential skills I thought I made that
clear. Sorry if I didn't..

Arthur Kramer
Visit my WW II B-26 website at:
http://www.coastcomp.com/artkramer