I don't know the guy, but why, based on a newspaper article, do you willingly go along with what was written?
How many threads exist where you give the RAF service member the benefit of the doubt? Perhaps the journo got the story wrong, perhaps the guy was misquoted or taken out of context? Or not, it could be dead accurate reporting, but how often does that happen?
Or is it just because it quotes an American that it must be taken at face value?
If the latter, please carry on.........