Comment Re:Multi-waypoint time-on-target is military train (Score 4, Interesting) 169
Nope. It matters not whether a cross country multi-waypoint formation flight happens over an empty desert or a city football stadium. Its still a cross country navigation exercise. And in this military case there is also a precise time-on-target (arrive at a precise predetermined time) component. Multi-waypoint, time on target, this is a military training exercise from the pilot's perspective. Sometimes you can do two things at once....
If you lose a tactical jet in a MOA, Restricted Area, or Warning Area, there usually is not much chance of hurting anyone on the ground. Also special use airspace is NOTAM'd when in use to keep other aircraft not participating in the training exercise out of the area. Doing tactical training over populated areas just puts the public at risk for no good reason, other than to massage the Secretary of War's ego. As the situation in Iran continues to deteriorate for the US military, the Secretary of War will be needing more and more massaging.