Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that kept flying

Re:Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that... by LanceH on Monday November 11, 2024 @04:02PM (#42110405)

100% pure speculation:

I'm trying to read between the lines one this one. He's a Colonel and in command. How much flying does he do normally? Is he just keeping up flying to get the flight pay? Just up there flying because he can? Or was this a regularly scheduled training mission?

This wouldn't be the first case of someone flying beyond their actual role. They are never found at fault -- their career is just derailed.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that... by Tuna-Fish on Monday November 11, 2024 @04:18PM (#42110516)

In any other squadron, you'd have a point... but it's the VMX-1.

It's staffed by very experienced pilots, often of rank and age past the point where people would normally actually fly planes, whose job is to fly the planes, figure out how they are supposed to be flown, and teach this to everyone else.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that... by LanceH on Monday November 11, 2024 @08:30PM (#42112041)

I'm not familiar with VMX-1 and will take your word on it. This may be exactly as appears.

On the other hand, there are way too many instances of officer shenanigans only punished by snubbing them on their career path. "he followed procedure" combined with firing gives off these vibes.

Call me cynical, but if there is a lack of trust, it because of a lack of transparency in the past.

[ Parent | on HN ]

Re:Marine pilot loses command after ejecting from F-35B that... by Brian_K_White on Monday November 11, 2024 @04:16PM (#42110502)

I can't imagine any military pilot flying for the pay. They fly because it's their very identity. Being grounded is worse than being fired or even jailed.

[ Parent | on HN ]