Who should manage drone strikes, military or CIA?

2015-04-29T08:46:45-04:00

http://www.politico.com/story/2015/04/john-mccain-military-drone-strikes-117348.html#ixzz3YSQdHzQ8

McCain eager for military to run drone strikes

Ongoing turf battles have left the program to fall largely on the CIA to carry out, McCain said.

Response by SCPO David Lockwood made Apr 29 at 2015 8:51 AM

2015-04-29T08:51:30-04:00

I would say Air Force. I would think this is more along the Air Force mission of support than Army or CIA.

Response by SrA Daniel Hunter made Apr 29 at 2015 9:02 AM

2015-04-29T09:02:27-04:00

It really depends on the drone. Is it an intel drone, or an attack drone? I think we can let the CIA have a few for gathering intel. I begrudgingly voted Air Force because they are apparently short of drone pilots and for some reason don't have Warrant Officers.

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Apr 29 at 2015 9:08 AM

2015-04-29T09:08:22-04:00

Other. The JFACC for the AOR.

Response by Sgt Aaron Kennedy, MS made Apr 29 at 2015 9:10 AM

2015-04-29T09:10:53-04:00

Let's break this down into parts.

When talking about Drone Strikes, we are talking about "remote controlled fixed winged assaults for a specific purpose."

As these still require a Pilot, I don't think it changes the Service they would normally fall under. Basically, does it really matter where the pilot is sitting? That means that Army's normal prohibition on Fixed wing would still apply, leaving it to USAF, USN, and USMC. When it really boils down to it, we're talking USAF if by land, USN/USMC if by sea.

This doesn't mean that other Intelligence organizations couldn't have "Reconnaissance" drones, just that "Weaponized" drones should probably be retained by organizations who fall under Military headings.

The CIA is NOT military. Though there is often cause for Intelligence Agencies to "act," this should be coordinated through another agency, and resources "tasked" appropriately.

If the CIA needs a Drone Strike, they ask for one through USAF/USN and they get one. It's not like there isn't a liaison officer at the Pentagon who can't coordinate these things. But there does need to be "ownership" that is directly accountable, and ANSWERABLE to someone, and the CIA is notoriously bad about that.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Apr 29 at 2015 12:05 PM

2015-04-29T12:05:06-04:00

Both military [Army, Navy, Air Force, SOCOM] and CIA and other unnamed organizations responsible for direct action in the global war on terror.

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 14 at 2022 5:08 PM

2022-01-14T17:08:45-05:00

Posting before reading article, but I will. Most any trained digit will push a button. OPSEC is a concern with larger count of trigger pullers. OPCON should be with HMFIC in AO after approval of NCA and supporting agencies. Not my wheelhouse, just an opinion.