USAF Allergic to Pilotless Flight

The U.S. Air Force is sparring politically to keep manned flight programs at the forefront even while demands in Afghanistan and Iraq call for the use of drones.

Drones are quite successful in surveillance and reconnaissance missions but they negate the need for pilots. Consequently, the entire history and traditions of the USAF being about glamorous pilots at joysticks are under pressure to change. With drones, the joysticks are operated by technicians at distant locations -- not nearly as glamorous.

Frankly, I believe tactical needs should always be given precedence when American lives are at stake.