The nav claimed he had not slept at all due to the noise and IIRC had, as a result of his fatigue, made a simple but important error
I'm Sorry Brian, but your argument makes no sense to me
You argue, quite correctly, the value to aircrew of being properly rested and fatigue-free.
We don't have the luxury with 'Afghan war or not' of leaving our assets on the ground overnight doing nothing - aviation business is a 24hr one, either engineering or flying.
If engine-runs and any other rects for that matter can only occur during daylight hours, then you will confine aircrew duty hours to flying through the night and hence be a greater risk to flight safety as you yourself highlight!
(incidentally, a large proportion of flying is already at night and has been highlighted as one of our greatest risk factors in current ops)
What would you prefer???
Any sensible pilot doesn't go buying a house near a Fire/Ambulance Stn or Blasting Quarry...i'd suggest others who value a fatigue-free life are equally sensible!