UAV operators suffer war stress

UAV operators suffer war stress

www.airforcetimes.com

By Scott Lindlaw - The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Aug 8, 2008 12:09:02 EDT

MARCH AIR RESERVE BASE, Calif. — 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.

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At least they don't have to worry about IED's on the drive home.

www.airforcetimes.com
(visit the link for the full news article)

Death drains a person, no matter how it is done. It is never confortable, it is never blasé. A degree of trauma will always result, except for the sociopaths, who derive enjoyment from it.

War isn't a videogame. I often wondered if the UAV operators would be affected by PTS like ground troops. UAV operators get a front row up close look at who they're killing because of the cameras on the missiles nose. PTS might not be as bad as in ground troops because the UAV operators don't see the aftermath or any body parts (there usually isn't very many body parts remaining anyways). A few keystrokes and voila, you just killed 5 people.

I think perhaps they have the wrong people for the job. If you get queazy killing enemy soldiers, as in, people actively trying to kill your men, then you shouldn't have joined up, IMO.