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Related: Culture Forums, Support ForumsDrone Pilot Ejects From Office Chair
FARGO, ND (The Global Edition)When an electrical fire disabled Colonel Doyle VanWatermulens Predator drone, the 65-year old veteran pilot exclaimed Mayday! Mayday! Were going down! Were going down! while sitting at his cubicle, sources close to his office confirmed.
Witnesses stated VanWatermulen began violently pulling and pushing the various ergonomic levers under his seat in an apparent attempt to eject himself. Unable to trigger an ejection, the pilot called out Jammed! Im outta here! and rolled from his chair.
Oh, right, he said after hitting the concrete floor at the North Dakota Air National Guard Station in Fargo, ND. His then un-piloted drone, armed with two Hellfire missiles, reportedly crashed into an Afghanistan hillside some 6,741 miles away.
Meanwhile Air Force officials have been at a loss to explain the pilots bizarre behavior. However, one drone crew member, who wished to remain anonymous, said there were some early warning signs, We should have suspected a problem when he [VanWatermulen] showed up for the mission in a lambskin leather bomber jacket and helmet.
The Air Force later issued a statement admitting that VanWatermulen was part of a new program dubbed Balding Eagle, utilizing seasoned military airmen to fill the governments growing need for drone pilots.
The program has come under intense scrutiny following the incident. Concern has mounted that similar events might occur with other aging pilots.
Defenders of the program argue this isolated case must not be used to bar all older pilots from flying unmanned drones. In an article appearing in next months AARP Magazine titled The Baby Boom Bombers, author Christine Timmel argues that With key accommodations such as post-it note reminders and fun brain teasers, aging pilots can continue leading successful Predator drone attacks.
VanWatermulen is currently being treated for a broken right hip. No word yet from the Air Force as to when VanWatermulen will return to work.
By TGE correspondent Jess McLain
siligut
(12,272 posts)The guy is lucky.
trof
(54,256 posts)Remotely?
From somewhere near Las Vegas?
jeez
It's satire.
siligut
(12,272 posts)I believe it was somewhat of a premonition. My brother consulted on the Phantom project here at Boeing and I worked with them through their health insurance program. A good amount of paranoia floating around there back in the mid-nineties.
This is a beautiful and timely video showing scenes from the film.
siligut
(12,272 posts)Ever since I first visited the Lounge and you requested my Frito Pie recipe.
taterguy
(29,582 posts)You should repost this there.
siligut
(12,272 posts)And what do you have against trof? Telling him to post in GD
cliffordu
(30,994 posts)PLEASE.....
Turbineguy
(37,364 posts)"I was know as the Pavlova of the parallels"
kayakjohnny
(5,235 posts)They are like The Onion ... and also like one of my old faves from years ago....
http://ironictimes.com/
Odin2005
(53,521 posts)dixiegrrrrl
(60,010 posts)rec
and
*giggling*