June 16,
2008: Recently, an alarmed U.S. Air
Force general spotted a British Royal Air Force pilot, who was serving with an
American fighter squadron. This is normal, as each year, hundreds of U.S. and
foreign troops serve in each others forces in an exchange program that improves
eveyone's understanding of how their allies operate.
The
American general went after the British officer for having a "non-regulation"
moustache. The Brit was sporting a six inch handlebar, while USAF regulations
only allow much more modest upper lip adornment. The British officer stood his
ground, pointing out that in such matters, the regulations of the exchange
officers country apply, not that of the host nation. After consulting air force
lawyers, the American general backed off, and escalation was avoided. Another
valuable lesson learned.
