Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars (Read 14310 times)

omnigun

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #20 on: November 18, 2020, 12:52:17 PM »
I was warming up to your online persona but this last statement really showcased what you don't know. I really encourage you to enlist in the Air Force and only until you work at a combatant command will you really understand how things work.
Tell me what you know about "drones". First of all, with that generic term it tells people like me you really don't know much about "drones"; how they work, how they are employed, limitations, and planning considerations.

Its true I don't know much about the military.  Never served. I can only guess.  Maybe it was not my place to comment on these things.  Sorry about that I guess my best guesses were wrong on this.   

I was only trying to imagine a military career that would fit my skillset.
« Last Edit: November 18, 2020, 12:58:52 PM by omnigun »

omnigun

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #21 on: November 18, 2020, 12:56:04 PM »
Can you enlighten me how letting N. Korea make a bomb turned out for us?

My opinion on other countries with nukes is it's none of our business.  We are not the world police.  Let the UN decide and they can go in and wage war, we will contribute our fair share, but so does all the other countries in the UN.  Keep our troops home unless we are attacked first or asked for help from an ally.


We are the world leader,  super power and future of earth.  We are partly the world police. We need to look out for our future interests including preventing threats early. 

macsak

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #22 on: November 18, 2020, 01:08:11 PM »
Its true I don't know much about the military.  Never served. I can only guess.  Maybe it was not my place to comment on these things.  Sorry about that I guess my best guesses were wrong on this.   

I was only trying to imagine a military career that would fit my skillset.

you think?

changemyoil66

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #23 on: November 18, 2020, 01:14:24 PM »

We are the world leader,  super power and future of earth.  We are partly the world police. We need to look out for our future interests including preventing threats early.

Would that also include firearm confiscation in the US for all people?  You know to prevent the next active shooting.  Red flags might also prevent a threat early, are you for that law?

If the US were to attack Iran directlly (nuke facility), that would probably be an act of war. 

Say you did join the Air Force, you think just because it's working with drones, you might be kept in the US.  There are tons of support staff for the drones overseas.  The drone pilots may be in Nevada, but it takes someone near the drone to maintain it hardware and software.  Also for the military, there is no guarantee that someone gets the job that they want.  Your ASVAB may state something else, or maybe there are to many drone airmen, so now you're a  cook.

Flapp_Jackson

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #24 on: November 18, 2020, 01:22:06 PM »
Its true I don't know much about the military.  Never served. I can only guess.  Maybe it was not my place to comment on these things.  Sorry about that I guess my best guesses were wrong on this.   

I was only trying to imagine a military career that would fit my skillset.

People enter the service for a whole host of reasons.  I did it for my educational opportunities, and the fact that I was committed to active duty if I accepted a 4 year full college scholarship.

After almost 10 years active duty, 4 years of high school AFJROTC, and 4 years of college AFROTC, I got out under Clinton because of the force reduction he was able to implement after Reagan and Bush ended the Cold War with the USSR.  The fact that the DoD paid out a portion of my retirement as an incentive to voluntarily separate was a factor.  But I also saw that the people least able to find gainful employment in the private sector were staying.  Not the Air Force I wanted to continue working my butt off for.

I continued my career as a contractor, actually traveling more and doing more for the operational units worldwide than I did on active military duty.  With the reduction in force followed by the operations in Iraq, the DoD was very dependent on contractors, particularly those with ex-military employees.  I consider that time as "service," too, since I deployed for exercises and supported systems that were directly involved in Iraqi operations.

It's not a job.  It's a calling.  Imagining what it's like is not a sufficient substitute for living it.

I had contractor counterparts killed in the 9/11 Pentagon attack.  I traveled there a few months later to help rebuild their computer systems and set up offsite backup systems beneath a mountain in an "undisclosed location".

Military service is often a solemn, rude awakening for those who "imagined" what it would be like -- images mostly derived from movies, books and TV shows.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
-- George Bernard Shaw

drck1000

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #25 on: November 18, 2020, 01:22:33 PM »
you think?
Maybe. . . he's never wrong.

He goes so far outside his swimlane at times, he's in a different pool. . . in a totally different state. . .

Flapp_Jackson

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #26 on: November 18, 2020, 01:26:43 PM »
Would that also include firearm confiscation in the US for all people?  You know to prevent the next active shooting.  Red flags might also prevent a threat early, are you for that law?

If the US were to attack Iran directlly (nuke facility), that would probably be an act of war. 

Say you did join the Air Force, you think just because it's working with drones, you might be kept in the US.  There are tons of support staff for the drones overseas.  The drone pilots may be in Nevada, but it takes someone near the drone to maintain it hardware and software.  Also for the military, there is no guarantee that someone gets the job that they want.  Your ASVAB may state something else, or maybe there are to many drone airmen, so now you're a  cook.

Most drone pilots are actual pilots who are no longer needed in a cockpit.  The skills they possess and knowledge of flying is a better fit than someone who thinks the drone is virtual and can do anything they tell it to.

Not only are drones in need of maintenance, but they also need rearming, INTEL people to handle camera recordings, refueling, transporting between locations for operations and training, satellite uplinks, etc.  If you've never been involved with real world flight operations with manned aircraft, you probably think drones just go up and come down like a consumer drone -- only bigger.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
-- George Bernard Shaw

drck1000

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #27 on: November 18, 2020, 01:29:30 PM »
Most drone pilots are actual pilots who are no longer needed in a cockpit.  The skills they possess and knowledge of flying is a better fit than someone who thinks the drone is virtual and can do anything they tell it to.

Not only are drones in need of maintenance, but they also need rearming, INTEL people to handle camera recordings, refueling, transporting between locations for operations and training, satellite uplinks, etc.  If you've never been involved with real world flight operations with manned aircraft, you probably think drones just go up and come down like a consumer drone -- only bigger.
Yup.  It's not video games like how they portray it on TV or movies.  Personally, I'm not a drone pilot, but I've been pretty closely involved with the ISR programs.  In many ways, the "other" drone pilots have it worse. 

omnigun

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #28 on: November 18, 2020, 01:30:14 PM »
Would that also include firearm confiscation in the US for all people?  You know to prevent the next active shooting.  Red flags might also prevent a threat early, are you for that law?

If the US were to attack Iran directlly (nuke facility), that would probably be an act of war. 

Say you did join the Air Force, you think just because it's working with drones, you might be kept in the US.  There are tons of support staff for the drones overseas.  The drone pilots may be in Nevada, but it takes someone near the drone to maintain it hardware and software.  Also for the military, there is no guarantee that someone gets the job that they want.  Your ASVAB may state something else, or maybe there are to many drone airmen, so now you're a  cook.

I'm all for preventive in mental health firearms are a tool.  Not a threat.  Crazy people are a threat.  We need more focus on mental health in this country to fix some of our violence problems. Red flags I have extreme limited support. I say they can flag you and they have 24-72hrs to prove without a reasonable doubt you are a threat and they have to identify the accuser, no confiscatuon before hand.  The way they have it now is wrong, the burden is on you to prove you are sane and they take your stuff.  But that's a bit tangent on this topic.

Yes there might be war with Iran. Better than them having a nuke.

Interesting on drones. There's plenty of IT jobs needed too that was just an example. Again I'm not a military expert.  Was going to work for the DOD but took a different job in private sector.  Regret that a bit but it's in the past. 

changemyoil66

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #29 on: November 18, 2020, 01:42:28 PM »
I say they can flag you and they have 24-72hrs to prove without a reasonable doubt you are a threat and they have to identify the accuser, no confiscatuon before hand. 


What you're stating is still asking a judge to tell the future and make a ruling based on that prediction.  Basically guilty until proved innocent.  So ANY TYPE OF RED FLAG LAWS are unconstitutional.  No "i support it red flag laws, but...".

Flapp_Jackson

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #30 on: November 18, 2020, 01:44:05 PM »
Yup.  It's not video games like how they portray it on TV or movies.  Personally, I'm not a drone pilot, but I've been pretty closely involved with the ISR programs.  In many ways, the "other" drone pilots have it worse.

I've been involved in both worlds, but operationally mostly manned.

My longest-running involvement was in force level and unit level air war planning.  We integrated and supported all the systems that fed INTEL into the planning process, identified targets, assigned those target packages to flying units, managed all the resources involved, disseminated the plan to all coalition forces involved, and tracked the battle damage assessment for completed missions. That would then be rolled into the next planning cycle.  The operation was a 3-day cycle:  Plan, Execute and Reassess.

I might be an IT geek, but the war fighters and I worked side-by-side.  I saw everything they were doing, and lots of things I had access to they never saw.

I won't even go into the compartmentalized systems that launched conventional and unconventional weapons -- unmanned projectiles that you saw nightly on the news striking cities in Iraq.

So, no matter your "skillset," there are jobs that put you in the thick of what's happening.  I'll never forget my preflight briefing before leaving Saudi Arabia aboard and AWACS E-3.  Gaddafi was threatening to shoot down a US aircraft, and he specifically mentioned possibly an AWACS surveillance aircraft, in retaliation for some of Ronald Reagan's recent actions after the Lockerbie Pan Am downing. We were flying within a thousand miles of  Libya -- not sure how close exactly -- well within the range of some surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles, not to mention if it's an air-to-air missile.  We all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the pilot announced we'd passed outside the threat range.

I was glad we had the ability to see anything in the air at a ridiculous range from our location.   The downer was we had zero weapons systems.  I think we had 2 escort jets for part of the way, but not the entire time.  :geekdanc: :thumbsup:
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
-- George Bernard Shaw

Flapp_Jackson

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #31 on: November 18, 2020, 01:47:53 PM »
I'm all for preventive in mental health firearms are a tool.  Not a threat.  Crazy people are a threat.  We need more focus on mental health in this country to fix some of our violence problems. Red flags I have extreme limited support. I say they can flag you and they have 24-72hrs to prove without a reasonable doubt you are a threat and they have to identify the accuser, no confiscatuon before hand.  The way they have it now is wrong, the burden is on you to prove you are sane and they take your stuff.  But that's a bit tangent on this topic.

Yes there might be war with Iran. Better than them having a nuke.

Interesting on drones. There's plenty of IT jobs needed too that was just an example. Again I'm not a military expert.  Was going to work for the DOD but took a different job in private sector.  Regret that a bit but it's in the past.

What does firearm confiscation have to do with ending Middle East wars?

Back to topic, please.

 :stopjack: :stopjack:
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
-- George Bernard Shaw

Flapp_Jackson

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #32 on: November 18, 2020, 01:49:08 PM »
Interesting on drones. There's plenty of IT jobs needed too that was just an example. Again I'm not a military expert.  Was going to work for the DOD but took a different job in private sector.  Regret that a bit but it's in the past.

At your age, there's nothing stopping you from making a career change.  The experience would be well worth it.
The reasonable man adapts himself to the world;
the unreasonable one persists in trying to adapt the world to himself.
Therefore, all progress depends on the unreasonable man.
-- George Bernard Shaw

Kuleana

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #33 on: November 18, 2020, 02:03:26 PM »
It is very satisfying to see, if these are the final days, of the Trump Administration, that Trump is leaving yet another setback, for the imperialists that run the US empire.

As clearly demanded, by the "Project for the New American Century" and its supporting military manifesto "Rebuilding America's Defenses" that it inspired; the US empire will reign supreme, on the planet, and crush all those, who threaten the so-called "American way of life".  It is shame that very few Americans stand up against the imperial war agenda that General Wesley Clark warned America, back in 2007.

Just for reference, for those too young to remember, what true American patriotism was:

Kuleana

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #34 on: November 18, 2020, 02:29:20 PM »
I really have to ask, for clarification, on your statements below:


We are the world leader,
In what, deficit and debt spending?  How not to address the Covid-19 pandemic?



super power and future of earth.
You got the US empire right, for super power, but with a rapidly declining future though.



We are partly the world police.
Who pays for that global service?



We need to look out for our future interests including preventing threats early.
Bravo!

Classic words spoken, by the former empires of Rome, Mongolia, Britain, etc.

omnigun

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #35 on: November 19, 2020, 07:04:55 AM »
I really have to ask, for clarification, on your statements below:

In what, deficit and debt spending?  How not to address the Covid-19 pandemic?

The economy, the military,  the wealth, the technology, the list can go on forever how much of a world  power we are.

You got the US empire right, for super power, but with a rapidly declining future though.

I blame Trump for this.  We reverted back to isolationism.

Who pays for that global service?

We all do,  we pay our taxes.  We get safety and more opportunities in return

Bravo!

Classic words spoken, by the former empires of Rome, Mongolia, Britain, etc.

Former great empires,  We can learn from their fall and continue forever.

aieahound

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #36 on: November 19, 2020, 07:48:24 AM »
Omni has become a puppeteer.

Look how many of the prior responses are to his posts or discussion of his posts.
Guess who the puppets are ?

Rabbit hole....or successful troll....

Carry on gentlemen.

drck1000

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #37 on: November 19, 2020, 08:34:10 AM »
What you're stating is still asking a judge to tell the future and make a ruling based on that prediction.  Basically guilty until proved innocent.  So ANY TYPE OF RED FLAG LAWS are unconstitutional.  No "i support it red flag laws, but...".
Freedom!  - William Wallace

drck1000

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #38 on: November 19, 2020, 08:38:47 AM »
I've been involved in both worlds, but operationally mostly manned.

My longest-running involvement was in force level and unit level air war planning.  We integrated and supported all the systems that fed INTEL into the planning process, identified targets, assigned those target packages to flying units, managed all the resources involved, disseminated the plan to all coalition forces involved, and tracked the battle damage assessment for completed missions. That would then be rolled into the next planning cycle.  The operation was a 3-day cycle:  Plan, Execute and Reassess.

I might be an IT geek, but the war fighters and I worked side-by-side.  I saw everything they were doing, and lots of things I had access to they never saw.

I won't even go into the compartmentalized systems that launched conventional and unconventional weapons -- unmanned projectiles that you saw nightly on the news striking cities in Iraq.

So, no matter your "skillset," there are jobs that put you in the thick of what's happening.  I'll never forget my preflight briefing before leaving Saudi Arabia aboard and AWACS E-3.  Gaddafi was threatening to shoot down a US aircraft, and he specifically mentioned possibly an AWACS surveillance aircraft, in retaliation for some of Ronald Reagan's recent actions after the Lockerbie Pan Am downing. We were flying within a thousand miles of  Libya -- not sure how close exactly -- well within the range of some surface-to-air anti-aircraft missiles, not to mention if it's an air-to-air missile.  We all breathed a collective sigh of relief when the pilot announced we'd passed outside the threat range.

I was glad we had the ability to see anything in the air at a ridiculous range from our location.   The downer was we had zero weapons systems.  I think we had 2 escort jets for part of the way, but not the entire time.  :geekdanc: :thumbsup:
I've had a lot of experience with working with the ISR folks (developers to pilots).  I even got a chance to ride in the chase vehicle when they do the take offs.  I thought it would be super awesome.  I mean I guess it was, but not that impressive being in an F150 going "about freeway speed" down the runway. 

Yeah, it's amazing what the tech is capable of.  Remember the movie Real Genius?    :rofl:

Kuleana

Re: Acting Sec of Defense Announces MAJOR Troop Reductions in Middle East Wars
« Reply #39 on: November 19, 2020, 08:58:34 AM »
The economy, the military,  the wealth, the technology, the list can go on forever how much of a world  power we are.
The military is the only thing that the US has a clear distinct advantage for now.  Those other attributes you mentioned, other nations have either reached parity or is poised to surpass, in the very near future.



I blame Trump for this.  We reverted back to isolationism.
I, for one, am not a fan of the US empire; but as an economist, the US needs to forgo its empire and return to being a republic, by not getting involved, in any foreign entanglements; clean-up its domestic problems; and focus solely, on developing its own domestic economy and territorial defense. These are the very minimum things it needs to do that I believe can result, in the US becoming a great nation again.



We all do,  we pay our taxes.  We get safety and more opportunities in return.
What kind of safety are you talking about.  Is there a country planning to invade and commit slaughter, to the pro-democrat coastal states, on the continental US?

What opportunities?  The opportunity to lose more legally protected rights, my social security, or have my portion, to pay off the national debt increased?



Former great empires,  We can learn from their fall and continue forever.
PAX AMERICANA, if it ever existed, was a sham and the US empire is coming, to an end.