For me, this story highlights the difference between the US and British in attitudes, conduct & order within the military.

No way, would a British officer have been allowed to give such permission. Indeed, there is no way that the process of determining command would have been left to the devices of a contracted air-crew.

I don't know whether anyone has studied the differences between the structure and command of allied military forces or to what extent they influence their capacity to function effectively but I'd certainly be interested to find out more.

While in the British forces I worked with US personnel and it always struck me and my mates just how different the rules and rewards were between the different national services.

I travelled 36 hours to get to the Middle East and the best I could get was a drink of water.

Even our embarkation and disembarkation were so different. No family or friends to send us off and no return celebrations or thanks - indeed, when I got home after active service, I had to go through customs just as civilians and other visitors did and the thanks I got for my service was the confiscation of a camera I'd bought because I couldn't pay the duty on it.

I'll say no more but there is much I could say.

Take care. Stay safe. ☮️

roger hawcroft