This Zampolit-like control raised an interesting question: if the RAF considers Joel qualified to drop bombs on people from a GBP73 million aircraft, why does it not want him to answer questions without getting live directions on-stage?
Question is a non sequitur.
The information battle is different from the kinteic battle.
I will say this as simply as I can.
The questions coming from reporters are often at a level that the pilot doesn't operate at.
Opinions are in the province of the political realm. The pilot is being interrogated by the media as a Subject Matter Expert in tactical performance. That is his authority, and his lane, and his pay grade.
Media, of course, want lots of answers to lots of questions, not all of which are in that pilot's competence. We all have opinions, but when he speaks officially, he is required to remain within his area of competence. Opinion is not his lane, beyond tactical and technical issues.
Dealing with the media takes task and mission specific training. Dropping bombs takes different training. This is because the media battle is part and parcel of the political battle. The pilot is not trained (yet, it seems) for the political battle. So, someone qualified is on hand for that mission.
Opinion on a lot of what the media asks lies within the remit of the political lane, or higher brass.
Simples, really.
