I agree with your comments regarding war. Despite my advanced years I haven't figured why we spend so much fighting each other. As engineeer I think war machines are fascinating but effects are too sad to recall.

Regarding secrets: There were some things pilots could know and not tell other crew members and vice-versa. Everything was need-to-know, and the powers were watching. I remember one excellent crew member who was transferred out of SAC because he took a classified document home to study and it was discovered in his dresser drawer! How did that happen??

I sold my planes and quit flying 5 years ago: too expensive and too troublesome (regulations etc) that I got tired of after 50 years. Ilove flight sim because I can do almost all the brain work, see the scenery, and I don't have to preflight in a parka in winter or my underwear in summer. (and I never found a snake in my BUFF Driver) Also, when I screw up I don't have to worry about the FAA or StanEval: I just push re-start!

Cheers!