Iran operations show distinction needed for ‘fighter ace’ accolade - Yorkshire Post Letters
From: Lester May (Lieutenant Commander, Royal Navy- retired), Reachview Close, Camden Town, London.
The concept of a 'fighter ace' emerged in 1915 when naval and military pilots were engaged, typically, in dogfights. Five 'kills' of enemy aircraft earned a pilot the accolade.
The Royal Air Force has announced that four Gunners from the RAF Regiment are to be known as 'aces'.
These Gunners each shot down five or more Iranian drones during recent operations in the Middle East - keep up the good work!
However, fighter aces had to contend with flying their aircraft, usually under enemy fire and while taking evasive action. As seen in the movies, one such action is remarkable, five or more certainly heroic.
To use the term 'ace' for shooting down five or more drones smacks of hyperbole. Better were another term used for such good shooting so as to avoid diminishing the accolade awarded to brave pilots and aircrew.
A new accolade would also, rightly, set these Gunners apart. Perhaps 'fighter ace' and 'drone ace' would be sufficient distinction but distinction there should be - good shooting in the air is rather different to good shooting of drones from land or sea.