this post was submitted on 06 May 2025
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In an exclusive interview with NBC News’ “Meet the Press,” Trump also outlined a White House renovation he hopes to carry out — which he said he will pay for himself.

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[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 0 points 2 days ago (2 children)

You think that's adequate training for active fighter pilots?

That would explain the downvotes, it's not like flying commercial where you just need hours in the sky, it involves specific maneuvers and simulated dogfighting at highspeed.

It's like saying NBA players should practice by playing Cornhole, it makes sense if you don't understand either activity and think throwing something thru a hole is close enough...

[–] deranger@sh.itjust.works 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Yes, hours are hours and fighter pilots and all the support staff involved need them too. When I was in the military the helicopter pilots would fly down to Florida and get lunch. They needed the hours and were going to by flying anyways.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

And when I was in the military we kept having to go out to sea so they could fly helicopters on and off the ship...

Because you train as close to how you'll fight as possible.

If you're talking people doing routine patrol flights, sure it's the same as fighting. But no one is going to an airshow to watch a helicopter casually fly by.

Like, do you have any frame of reference how much it costs to do that shit in a f16 let alone f35? It's around 10k/hr just got an f16, and that's not including the pilot or mechanics, just fuel and parts.

It's not taking your Prius to the grocery store, it's taking the Lambo on a 12 hour drive for the hell of it.

But like, you all know this isn't a hypothetical we're discussing, right?

It's literally propaganda:

As recently as 2015, the Department of Defense was doling out millions to the NFL for such things as military flyovers, flag unfurlings, emotional color guard ceremonies, enlistment campaigns, and — interestingly enough — national anthem performances. Additionally, according to Vice, the NFL’s policy on players standing for the national anthem also changed in 2009, with athletes “encouraged” thereafter to participate. Prior to that, teams were not given any specific instructions on the matter; some chose to remain in the locker room until after opening ceremonies were completed. (It’s unclear whether the policy change was implemented as a direct result of any Defense Department contracts.)

In 2015, Arizona Sens. Jeff Flake (R) and John McCain (R) revealed in a joint oversight report that nearly $5.4 million in taxpayer dollars had been paid out to 14 NFL teams between 2011 and 2014 to honor service members and put on elaborate, “patriotic salutes” to the military. Overall, they reported, “these displays of paid patriotism [were] included within the $6.8 million that the Department of Defense (DOD) [had] spent on sports marketing contracts since fiscal year 2012.”

https://archive.thinkprogress.org/nfl-dod-national-anthem-6f682cebc7cd/

I guess it was a decade ago, some people might not remember I guess.

[–] deranger@sh.itjust.works 1 points 1 day ago

I think it’s cringe as propaganda, sure. I’m just saying financially, the expenditure is not bothering me. Pilots need hours and they do routine shit all the time. I don’t see this as significantly different. I don’t see that this needs to be singled out, personally. You’re free to disagree. Neither one of us is changing anything regardless of opinion.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

It's not just the pilot. The take off crew, the landing, the comms, it's still a mission.

I mean shit, based on the kind of training equipment Ive seen, the pilots being in the air is just a tiny part of the effort. Especially for naval aircraft. I would assume the same for air force, but they don't typically land on boats.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Especially for naval aircraft. I would assume the same for air force, but they don’t typically land on boats.

What air shows come with aircraft carriers?

Like, you know they can't just roll up anywhere, that's why LHDs are the biggest at fleet week, and NYC's pier isn't exactly low quality.

[–] peoplebeproblems@midwest.social 0 points 2 days ago (1 children)

Hold on, you know that TOPGUN is in Nevada right?

And the Blue Angels are probably the best known propaganda wing.

You don't train your force on the aircraft carriers, so that they don't destroy the plane the first landing attempt. What are we even arguing about again?

Flight hours are flight hours. Experience is experience. They get to advertise and feel macho for a bit. I don't like the propaganda machine anymore than anyone, but I do prefer it when the public gets at least entertainment out of it.

[–] givesomefucks@lemmy.world -1 points 2 days ago (1 children)

but I do prefer it when the public gets at least entertainment out of it.

So you only dislike propaganda when it's not effective?

Cool story bro, but I can admit I was wrong. I didn't think this shit works on anyone, but you seem to downright enjoy it.

I gotta say man, I really don't like you. You've been antagonistic this entire conversation, and now you're pointing the finger at me for, well, what, exactly?

I enjoy airshows. I enjoy the absolute absurdness of military hardware. I look for joy in things that are absolutely dreadful. In case you haven't noticed, we're all plenty aware of how shit things are. If we all just agreed there was nothing worth fighting the fascists for, then why would this post even exist?

But now, you've distracted me from my original point. Flight hours are flight hours. Experience is experience. That has value. This military parade doesn't.