busted

"Antoñio" wrote in message
...
Peter Clark wrote:
On Wed, 11 May 2005 16:30:31 GMT, wrote:


http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/7817210/


Anyone care to tell me what exactly this paragraph from the article means?
:

"...The officials explained that, under strict rules of engagement, there
is no situation under which the pilots would be given “authorization” to
shoot down a plane, a scenario that would give pilots some discretion.
According to the officials Air Force pilots in these cases are either
ordered to shoot down the plane or not, and in this case they were not..."

Antonio




I know it says "a scenario that would give pilots some discretion" but the
last sentence sounds to me like the pilots will not be given any discretion.

I'd interpret it to mean that it is not up to the pilots to determine
hostile intent.

If they do not receive an order to shoot, they will not shoot.
If they receive an order to shoot, they will shoot.

National Command Authority has the responsibility to make the call ... not
the guys/gals in the cockpits.

My $0.02 worth,

Jay Beckman
PP-ASEL
Chandler, AZ