King Abdullah of Jordan flying combat missions

CPT Zachary Brooks — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:17:34 -0500

Is this leading from the front or what?

http://twitchy.com/2015/02/04/hard-core-jordans-king-abdullah-in-combat-gear-and-ready-to-fight-isis-photos/

'Hard. Core:' Jordan's King Abdullah in combat gear and ready to fight ISIS?; Updated [photos]

Walking the talk.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 4 at 2015 9:34 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:34:16 -0500

Incredibly stupid. If he went down or was captured......

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Feb 4 at 2015 9:36 PM

Cpl Jeff N. — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:36:20 -0500

That is the real deal there. Leading from the front, not asking your men to do something you are not willing to do yourself. Certainly not risk free but can you imagine how fired up his fellow pilots must be seeing him suit up.

Response by MSG Scott McBride made Feb 4 at 2015 9:52 PM

MSG Scott McBride — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 21:52:31 -0500

As I stated in another post, these ISIS pricks f'd up a long time ago, but when they burnt the Jordanian pilot...oh son, they have no idea whats coming...the Jordanians and King Aby are not playing games nor using bullshit politics, just straight death from above. I hope we back them up.

Response by SFC Mark Merino made Feb 4 at 2015 10:06 PM

SFC Mark Merino — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:06:52 -0500

King Abdullah, you have my respect, but not my approval. Despite my nay saying......

Response by SSG Bill M made Feb 4 at 2015 10:41 PM

SSG Bill M — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:41:03 -0500

I'm so glad to see that some political leaders still have the intestinal fortitude to lead from the front.

Response by SPC Larry Buck made Feb 4 at 2015 10:43 PM

SPC Larry Buck — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 22:43:49 -0500

To paraphrase a gentleman from my other spot, this is all his words and not me just read it about a minute prior to coming here, not even knowing of this post..

"One of the unfortunate drawbacks of a professional military is distancing of war from the rest of the nation. People say "It's a job they signed up for" and forget about soldiers. While we need professionals dealing with ever more sophisticated weapons, we definitely need a connection between military and society. War should be a big deal for the whole nation, not a "job" for a selected few.

Response by LCpl Steve Wininger made Feb 4 at 2015 11:14 PM

LCpl Steve Wininger — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 23:14:06 -0500

That is true leadership! I wonder if he would be willing to give leadership, and, or, flying lessons to our elected officials in DC?

Response by SrA Marc Haynes made Feb 4 at 2015 11:16 PM

SrA Marc Haynes — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 23:16:21 -0500

They also pissed of the Japanese, send in the ninjas.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 11:34 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 23:34:31 -0500

Response by SPC Larry Buck made Feb 5 at 2015 12:21 AM

SPC Larry Buck — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 00:21:07 -0500

Real leaders will go and stand shoulder to shoulder with their troops, sorry to say it, but we lost our leadership after the wars old the old days civil, revolutionary, French Indian wars... Etc naturally some didnt have a George Washington standing up in the boat or on March, "with" the troops..

Response by SPC David S. made Feb 5 at 2015 1:11 AM

SPC David S. — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 01:11:39 -0500

Looks like Jordan is done with all the f'''k around games. King Abdullah leading Air Force combat mission is just another example of why a Commander in Chief should have a military back ground. Definitely leading from the front and defending your citizens. However this could get ugly with financial support of ISIS coming in from a number of Arab nations I'm not sure how this would shake out if Jordan killed a Saudi for their funding of ISIS.

I feel this was a desperate measure by ISIS and shows the true sociopathic nature behind the madness. The word is slowly getting out that it’s not a revolution or jihad, it’s bloodlust.

http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/isis-fighters-defection-finding-new-life-rough-article-1.2101625?ref=Outbrain&ADLocation=footer&ADPosition=2

ISIS fighters tell of defection after finding new life rough

While foreigners from across the world have joined the Islamic State militant group, some find day-to-day life is not what they expected.

Response by SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 2:57 AM

SPC(P) Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 02:57:10 -0500

be safe flying sir

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 5 at 2015 6:03 AM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 06:03:10 -0500

Setting the pace! A political leader with balls! Have not seen any Politicians of late in our country do such actions.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 6:12 AM

MSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 06:12:38 -0500

More power to him for doing what he thinks needs to be done. And we can all question whether he is right, wrong, stupid or a genius. But in the end he is the only one who is in charge of his decisions.

Response by 1SG Eric Rice made Feb 5 at 2015 6:39 AM

1SG Eric Rice — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 06:39:45 -0500

I have one word to describe King Abdullah. BADA$$!

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 6:51 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 06:51:16 -0500

Man!!! When I said that Jordan needs to put their boots in asses for ISIS burning their pilot I never thought that the King himself would get his hands dirty in this fight. Oh my!!! This is awesome!!! Your Majesty, I salute you!!!

Response by Sgt Adam Jennings made Feb 5 at 2015 7:47 AM

Sgt Adam Jennings — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 07:47:18 -0500

Haha, the fact that some of you are calling this a waste of time and not a good decision are killing me. You can't be serious. This is true leadership, he is going where he is about to send his men, into battle, and get his own taste of it. This man has also had his own taste of battle being prior special forces. I'd trust him in war before I would a president (cough cough Obama) that doesn't know the sound of battle past the sound of a shotgun shooting at clay pigeons. Just a thought.

Response by LT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 7:55 AM

LT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 07:55:45 -0500

This is what happens when a government takes its role as protector of its citizens seriously! Having a monarchy definitely makes it easier to do things like this, but easier does not mean easy! You sir, are awesome!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Feb 5 at 2015 8:37 AM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 08:37:27 -0500

This is one thing you have to give the Royal families of the Middle East, they take being active in their counties militaries VERY serious. Most are actual trained members of the military, not just holding an honorary rank.

Response by CW2 Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 9:19 AM

CW2 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 09:19:23 -0500

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 10:08 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 10:08:02 -0500

So watching the news this morning, the Jordanian MoI said that no, the King did not fly in the sorties that killed 55 terrorists and targeted their C2 inside Syria. He did however, give a rousing 9/11-esque/Independance Day style speech to his men.

Now, do I believe that this badass leader didn't jump in the cockpit and have a little fun? I have to say probably not. Still and all, we haven't seen leadership like this from a Head of State in a while.

Kudos YRM.

Response by SGM Mikel Dawson made Feb 5 at 2015 11:10 AM

SGM Mikel Dawson — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 11:10:49 -0500

True leadership from the front. I know we'll never see this from the leaders of some country to remain unnamed.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 11:14 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 11:14:43 -0500

What is really matters is when leaders have a military mind set and are willinbg to lead from the front in support of their country. I truely hope that some of are leaders take action to support the Jordanians. Another topic but I really hope that more of our veterans start a career in politics.

Response by SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA made Feb 5 at 2015 4:51 PM

SGT Steven Eugene Kuhn MBA — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 16:51:38 -0500

I love the photo and the premise that this is true but it has now been confirmed this photo is a year old and he has not flown any combat missions...he is still bad ass having served 35 years in the military, graduating from Sandhurst as a Helicopter Pilot...puts our POTUS in the shadows

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 5 at 2015 8:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 05 Feb 2015 20:29:44 -0500

Well, I'm not sure about King Abdullah actually flying but I know for a fact that him and his entire family are a pride of "Lions" as they are often dubbed in Jordan. King Abdullah is definitely playing (and has been playing for years) a leading role. This is Prince Hamza (King Abdullah's younger brother); a very educated and intelligent yet humble individual. It's very unfortunate for LT al-Kasasbeh being grewsomely killed, but finally, an Arab nation is standing up to fight these cowards.

Response by SPC Mark Beard made Feb 6 at 2015 9:04 AM

SPC Mark Beard — Fri, 06 Feb 2015 09:04:03 -0500

thumbs up all the way Out Standing

Response by CPL Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 6:43 AM

CPL Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 06:43:26 -0500

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 7:31 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 07:31:12 -0500

I would assume where this thread will lead to and I will take a leap of faith by making my comment prematurely. Please ask yourself these questions before making your comments.

1) How many US presidents engaged in combat during their presidency?
2) Has ANYBODY made comment about ANY of the previous US presidents not actively engaging in combat during their presidency while there were military combat operations happened in outside of the US?

Fair is fair. Now, please answer me why you are being unfair.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 7 at 2015 2:02 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 14:02:12 -0500

If this isn't any more Leading from the Front I don't know what is!

Response by Capt Richard I P. made Feb 7 at 2015 4:15 PM

Capt Richard I P. — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 16:15:40 -0500

Badass.

Response by PO3 John Jeter made Feb 7 at 2015 5:14 PM

PO3 John Jeter — Sat, 07 Feb 2015 17:14:23 -0500

The "King" of Jordan is a bit different than what we traditionally think of as royalty. It's more of a religious descendancy than a noble family. (Google 'Hashemite' or 'Jordanian Royalty')The British established Jordan as a separate kingdom (as opposed to an 'emirate') when they left the middle east to it's own devices. The British equipped and trained the early Jordanian military into a first class force to secure his "throne". It's my personal belief that man for man, they are every bit as good as the IDF. Be that as it may (we all know the value of opinions), King Abdullah's popularity rests on his ability to keep his country prosperous, secure and out of the wasteful BS that the rest of the middle east is tangled up in. He also presents the image of the "Warrior King" very well. That image has always been an absolute winner in Arab culture. I never, ever, ever thought I would say this but; I envy them their leader! The Jordanian royal family is not secure because they have been the nobility of Jordan for centuries; they are secure because they still place the welfare of their people first. They visibly work at it. They set a very public example of serving rather than being privileged. So, to put it in old folks vernacular;

ISIS just pissed off a 500 lb gorilla, they better hope they're stronger than sampsonite luggage! http://youtu.be/B2ZeIoLz8FE

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 13 at 2015 9:51 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 09:51:22 -0500

We've not had this since Washington, but if settle for the mission focus of GWB.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Feb 13 at 2015 4:20 PM

Cpl Brett Wagner — Fri, 13 Feb 2015 16:20:08 -0500

King Abdullah kicks ass. I think I read somewhere that he is Special Forces trained also.