Well said Chuck.
There always seems to be a lack of appreciation of civilian input to military operations. I put it down to the brainwashing and "Top Gun" attitude drilled in at officers school. And they get to play with the latest expensive toys. Remember years ago when the chief engineer and self hitched a ride back to Santo on a N.Z. Hercules on cyclone relief. They had landed there on the way up, and were taking a load of food back, and the High Comm got us a lift to pick up a plane. Came up the front as we crossed the coast to ask and watch the landing. The N.Z. Flight Lt. and American A.F. Capt. had changed places on this leg. They went past the town, headed out S.E., did a turn, came back, slowed up, flaps down, gear down, went down. (good weather). At about 600', I said on the intercom "are we going to land on this strip?" "yes" they said. "well as far as I am aware" I said, "this is an old coral WW2 bomber strip with a fence across it and they run cattle, the main airport is on the eastern side of the town". We got a little lower, they put on power, climbed up, went over to the east, and we landed at Pekoa. Never said a word to me or the chief engineer. Not a word of thanks, a joke, or anything. To embarassed I guess... Telling it now won't hurt anyones career, it was a quarter century ago. ANYONE can make a mistake or forget, or have a bad day, no matter what they fly, what nationality they are, or how good they think they are... Just remember Carters hostage rescue fiasco in the desert...