The 64 last saw active service in Afgahnistan, where it got right into the mix, up close with the GI's, doing what it is very good at. Let us not forget that it is a weapon of war, and it pilots young and old will have to put themselves in harms way in the execution of their orders. The good news was, every aircraft flew back and every pilot got home alive. The 64 did what it said it would on the tin!
I think that every soldier realises that the hierarchy tell the odd white lie in order to make the lads feel good before going over the top. I reckon telling pilots "the bad guys in ZSU's can't hit you", isn't such a whopper.
Good luck to everyone in the Attack fraternity who is doing the job in the sand right now.