Remote-control warriors suffer war stress

[951-Riverside]

Source: The Associated Press

The Air National Guardsmen who operate Predator drones over Iraq via remote control, launching deadly missile attacks from the safety of Southern California 7,000 miles away, are suffering some of the same psychological stresses as their comrades on the battlefield.

Working in air-conditioned trailers, Predator pilots observe the field of battle through a bank of video screens and kill enemy fighters with a few computer keystrokes. Then, after their shifts are over, they get to drive home and sleep in their own beds.

But that whiplash transition is taking a toll on some of them mentally, and so is the way the unmanned aircraft's cameras enable them to see people getting killed in high-resolution detail, some officers say.

"When you come in (with a fighter jet) at 500-600 mph, drop a 500-pound bomb and then fly away, you don't see what happens," said Col. Albert K. Aimar, who is commander of the 163rd Reconnaissance Wing here and has a bachelor's degree in psychology. "Now you watch it all the way to impact, and I mean it's very vivid, it's right there and personal. So it does stay in people's minds for a long time."


Read more: http://www.wral.com/news/national_world/national/story/3345036/

[grannie4peace]

1. it would be sick if it didn't bother you

i can't believe how ignorant people can be:shrug: :patriot:

[Phoonzang]

2. So much for the idea that remote weapons

remote weapons depersonalize war. A good thing if you ask me.

[daleo]

3. There is something wrong with remote control warfare

It's like the mirror universe in Star Trek, where people were killed by turning the dial on a TV screen. Remember, that was the evil universe.