Oh dear Caz! How naive can someone be?
Unfortunately I think your pencil comment is the most damaging. After all, let’s think about it...
...the less stringent tasks of a medic in Basrah...yes, they might drop a pencil but they might also fail to save someone’s life!
...the less stringent tasks of an air trafficker...oops, they might approve the army to fire mortars in an area where you're flying and you might get shot down!
...and what about the regt, techies, police and personnel guarding the base. I'd hardly call any of them less stringent duties!!!
The world doesn't just revolve around you pilots!!!
That said, the MCO needs to be shot for allowing that report into print!
Call me cynical though but I suspect this won't be the last time something this cringe-worthy ends up in the press!