4 ms·

Anybody who is in the unfortunate position of deciding whether the target they’re aiming at is a missile or passenger plane needs to do the following simple cal

Anybody who is in the unfortunate position of deciding whether the target they’re aiming at is a missile or passenger plane needs to do the following simple calculus: if you are even slightly unsure, don’t do anything (especially if the object is not even threatening your life). If it turned out to be a hostile missile, your country then goes on the offensive against whoever fired it and it’s just another attack. No one is going to come after you for being cautious (maybe you get dishonorably discharged but that’s it). But if you go the other way and accidentally take down a passenger jet, not only do you kill a bunch of innocent people, the international community will be out for your blood.

cloverich 7y ago
I think the international community generally recognizes that this is the fault of conflict escalation and scapegoating. I doubt anyone outside Iran directly blames the person who fired the AA strike at this point. Moreover, if you are the one manning it, remember that _not_ firing the missile could mean not just your countrymen but your colleagues may be getting killed (by the bombs). War is ugly and there's no good choices. People die by definition.
shaabanban 7y ago
The thing is, the probable first set of targets in a war with Iran would be air defense targets. “If it turned out to be a hostile missile” that could mean imminent death. It’s very possible the air defense operator panicked and acted out of perceived self preservation.
- zaroth 7y ago
  Two missiles. Fired approximately 30 seconds apart. Hitting a 737. Which was ascending. On a registered flight path. They are supposed to be a trained military employing lethal force. What they are in fact is a failed regime playing with Russian hardware. This wasn’t panic, or an accident. This was pure utter incompetence compounded by total apathy for the civilian population.

cloverich 7y ago

I think the international community generally recognizes that this is the fault of conflict escalation and scapegoating. I doubt anyone outside Iran directly blames the person who fired the AA strike at this point. Moreover, if you are the one manning it, remember that _not_ firing the missile could mean not just your countrymen but your colleagues may be getting killed (by the bombs). War is ugly and there's no good choices. People die by definition.

shaabanban 7y ago

The thing is, the probable first set of targets in a war with Iran would be air defense targets. “If it turned out to be a hostile missile” that could mean imminent death. It’s very possible the air defense operator panicked and acted out of perceived self preservation.

zaroth 7y ago
Two missiles. Fired approximately 30 seconds apart. Hitting a 737. Which was ascending. On a registered flight path. They are supposed to be a trained military employing lethal force. What they are in fact is a failed regime playing with Russian hardware. This wasn’t panic, or an accident. This was pure utter incompetence compounded by total apathy for the civilian population.