Operation Midnight Hammer—Can't We All Just Be Proud Americans?

As a military aviator and veteran of more contingencies than I care to remember, I watched with bated breath and prayers in my heart on the evening of June 21st as Operation Midnight Hammer was unfolding on live TV. A 37 hour long mission, cramped cockpits, strapped to ejection seats, radio silence, with only a tiny toilet to take care of nature’s calls and a small cot to try and catch some shut eye, were just some of my thoughts.

Yet waking up that next morning I found myself in a parallel universe. Rather than praise and pride, the airwaves were filled with bellyaching naysayers, all looking for a cloud in the silver lining….

Our legacy media was no better, unveiling classified information breathlessly promoting a single intelligence report that said the nuclear sites were not destroyed, without mentioning a number of important details: (1) the intelligence report illegally cited was an initial (preliminary) report and initial reports are almost always wrong, (2) the classified assessment was labeled “low confidence,” and perhaps the most misleading omission—(3) the extensive years of testing, simulation, and training that went into this one mission. I can personally attest that this operation has been analyzed and discussed since at least my last tour in the Pentagon in 2004-05. To our media—that is not reporting—that is spinning with an intent to diminish a huge American success and the President who ordered the mission. Yes, it is the media’s job to ask questions—but can’t you ask them without misleading your audience while doing so?

I would suggest a “healthy nation,” instead of having so many of its politicians (and media) ardently searching for anything to criticize, should at this point be celebrating! Yes, celebrating our Air Force and their joint partners and their ability to accomplish an extremely complex mission! Celebrating the success of having a very specific LIMITED end state and objectives spelled out and achieved! Celebrating the amazing coordination between allies (Israel and the US)! (While not Israeli “allies,” the Gulf States contributions should be recognized here as well.) Celebrating that--for the first time in decades--we don't have to wake up with the threat of an Iranian nuke being developed in the next few weeks, months or years hanging over our heads! Celebrating that, finally, we have American leadership that has stood up and delivered on promises that have been made over the last 30 years by the last six or so American presidents and until this weekend went unfulfilled! Celebrating that the 1000+ American lives lost to Iranian terrorists over the last almost 50 years are finally being atoned! Celebrating a cease fire (that appears to be holding) and hope at last that we might have taken some very important steps in achieving peace in the Middle East! I could go on--but the naysayers entered, looking for that cloud. Instead, what we observed this last week was not a celebration—but a search for criticism and an unhealthy "politics on steroids."

As we ready to celebrate America’s 249^th birthday this week, our hope should be that we come together as our founding fathers envisioned—as one nation, one people. If we can’t find a way to put politics aside at a time in history of great American accomplishment and leadership, I would suggest the chances of our Republic lasting another 249 years are slim!

Lt Gen Rod Bishop (U.S. Air Force, ret.) is a veteran of 38 years in uniform with nearly 6000 flight hours. He concluded his career serving as Air Commander Europe and Third Air Force Commander, responsible for all US air and space operations in the 93 countries of Africa and Europe. In retirement he co-founded and currently serves Chairman of the Board of Stand Together Against Racism and Radicalism in the Services, (STARRS.US). Inc. STARRS seeks to ensure our military remains focused on readiness and its mission. The author's views are his own.