releases: https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-raises-concerns-on-combat-stress-for-drone-pilots-use-of-civilian-contractors
Data license: MIT · Data source: dwillis/congress-press
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| https://www.mccaskill.senate.gov/media-center/news-releases/mccaskill-raises-concerns-on-combat-stress-for-drone-pilots-use-of-civilian-contractors | McCaskill Raises Concerns on Combat Stress for Drone Pilots, Use of Civilian Contractors | 2015-12-03 | 2015 | 2015-12 | Democrat | House | MO | Claire McCaskill | M001170 | www.mccaskill.senate.gov | legacy | McCaskill Raises Concerns on Combat Stress for Drone Pilots, Use of Civilian Contractors Senator addresses consequences for pilots deployed on station at Whiteman Air Force Base, questions effectiveness, efficiency of using civilian contractor support for mission Thursday, December 3, 2015 WASHINGTON U.S. Senator Claire McCaskill today raised concerns to former top Pentagon officials on the consequences of combat stress for drone pilots operating from bases on U.S. soil, and whether the use of civilian contractors to relieve pressure on these pilots is effective or efficient. I am aware of the pressures that have been put on the Air Force as it relates to drone operators because of the incredibly capable unit that we have in Missouri at Whiteman, said McCaskill, a senior member of the Armed Services Committee and the daughter of a World War II veteran. And I know that the Air Force is working on this problem, but it seems to me this is something that we didnt see coming, because now Ive learned that the Air Force is actually considering using contractors in order to ease the burden on these drone operators. And writ large, I think the issue of contractors versus active military is something that we are struggling with in our military. Certainly we all acknowledge theres a role for contractors, hopefully contracts that have been well-scoped and competed, and that are cost-plus, and that are overseen with capability and competence as opposed to what we saw when I first arrived in Washington in connection with what we were spending in Iraq. McCaskill continued, asking former Air Force Secretary Michael Donley: Are you comfortable that we are at a position that we are hiring contractors to do the drone work, which in fact are war fighters? The reason theyre under such stress right now is that theyre being asked to target and kill the enemy during the day and going home to dinner with their families [at night]. It is a new kind of war fighting, and it just appears that we werent really ready to support these war fighters. And Im uncomfortable that the answer is to hire civilians. Secretary Donley responded: Your point is well taken that the force has been tremendously stressed. I am uncomfortable with having civilian contractors performing military missions. That doesnt sound right to me. Last spring McCaskill visited the 20th Reconnaissance Squadron at Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri and wrote to the Air Force to address the unique stresses felt by Airmen deployed on stationflying combat missions against enemy forces and immediately going home to their families after a long shift with no adequate way to decompress. It is unprecedented in warfare for our men and women to fly combat missions, engage and kill our enemies, and a short while later go home to their families, McCaskill wrote in the letter. A [Remotely Piloted Aircraft] pilot could be sitting down to a meal with his or her family less than two hours after killing Islamic State or Taliban fighters on the other side of the world. They could be playing with their children shortly after witnessing up close and in graphic detail the effects of a 500-pound bomb or Hellfire missile on a soft target. I am not sure we fully understand the consequences this has for our men and women in uniform, or on their families. McCaskill also recently met with Brig. Gen Paul Tibbets IV, Commander of the 509th Bomb Wing at Whiteman Air Force Base, to discuss the bases critical role in the nations defense, and upcoming military construction projects. Visit mccaskill.senate.gov/defense to learn more about McCaskills fight to protect our national security. ### Print Email Tweet | 1 | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z | 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z |