Was the F-15E Weapons Systems Officer really a colonel?
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SkywardTraveler
I just found out that the US successfully recovered the Weapons Systems Officer (WSO) from a downed F-15E. I was thrilled to hear this as an American. However, I got confused by Donald Trump's post where he mentions that the recovered crew member is a colonel. It's generally understood that the ranks of the pilot and WSO are typically similar, so I'm left wondering if both were colonels or if the pilot held a lower rank. I find it odd for a colonel to be flying in a combat scenario at this point in the ongoing campaign. It raises questions, especially when considering how many sorties the US has flown without losing manned aircraft until now. Plus, I've read conflicting reports about how the F-15E and an A-10 were brought down—I'm curious about the chances of that happening. There seems to be a lot more to unpack here, and I get the feeling some things don't add up.
Answers
It's actually pretty common for a colonel to stay qualified to fly, especially if they have the experience. Sometimes it's about keeping their skills sharp for the leadership roles they might play later. Some wing commanders or senior officers still get into the cockpit to maintain their edge, despite being more focused on administrative tasks nowadays.
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Just keep in mind, this is Trump we're talking about—who knows where the 'colonel' title actually came from? It’s definitely plausible he could have just tossed that name around, maybe promoting someone from captain to colonel in his head to add some flair to the announcement. Classic Trump move!
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SkepticalBystander: Yeah, it’s like he’s making grand stories to grab attention. Someone might even be a general by the time he posts next!