Stars and Stripes penchant for finding religion in a story continues with its headline “Wing and a prayer.”  The title is evidently a reference to the Islamic “cultural view” cited in the article:

The members of the air corps are “the cream of the cream of the crop” when it comes to the Afghan army, Rennell said. Still, an “inshallah” (God willing) mind-set dominates the ranks, a cultural view that clashes with the strict protocols required for operating highly technical aircraft.

While insha’allah is traditionally compared with the Southern Baptist “Lord willin’,” others have considered it more a statement of realism or fatalism.  In what may be an urban legend based on stereotype, stories have been told about Islamic pilots throwing up their hands in the face of emergencies, as was the implication of an airline pilot following a crash in Italy.  The ‘legend’ is sometimes implied against Islamic students undergoing training at American Air Force bases, as students from several Islamic countries do attend pilot training in the United States.

The widespread presence of such an attitude in the pilot community is not supported by fact, however, given that Islamic countries field large and effective air forces–something that would not be possible if pilots frequently “gave up,” as is implied, in the face of adversity.

Likewise, pilots of the Islamic faith have served faithfully in the US Air Force.  USAF 1st Lt Ali Jivanjee was one example, as was identified during his memorials after he was killed during a training accident in his F-15C.  His commander eulogized him:

“He was an outstanding fighter pilot, a stellar officer, an obedient son and a devout Muslim who was an amazing poker player. To several of us in this room, many of those things would seem to be in conflict, but it was not an issue for Ali because above all else, Ali is a great American,” [LtCol Todd] Jaxx said.

(In a display of the traditional political incorrectness in the fighter pilot community, Jivanjee apparently took to signing his name “Jihad” after being “teased” about his first and middle names being “Ali Akbar.”  His peers ultimately named him “Danny Boy,” because “he needed a good Irish name.”)

Religion has a complex relationship with the military.  Despite criticism, some of which is valid,  faith can also be the inspiration behind selfless service, sacrifice, and heroism.