Is it just a little offensive that we name military equipment after Native Americans?

Question

I mean the US army doesn't exactly have the best record with the first people of the US, so aren't names like Tomahawk missle, or the Apache and Blackhawk helicopters kind of rubbing salt in the wound? Any other names I'm missing?

Answer 1

Considering that the Indians got their butts whupped by the US Cavalry and the Indians lost the entire continent and got pushed into wasteland areas, I don't think they should be honored for their complete lack of military prowess.

They're losers. Name them after the cavalry, the true winners and warriors! Same with college and university mascots.

[heavy level of sarcasm here - to show just how inane the anti-Indian name folks are]

Answer 2

Alsoomse Papina Your name means: Independent Vine Growing Around an Oak Tree

Answer 3

Hi there,

I cannot believe with all the answers you got that no-one actually laid the facts down.

I do not know if you are aware of this, but the 7th Cavalry is actually now a airborne helicopter troop. Yes, the very famous 7th who was lead by the very equally famous Colonel Armstrong Custer to the battle of Little Big Horn, where he got his a** whipped by the Sioux/Cheyenne/Arapahos under the leadership of Sitting Bull.
Now,I don't know about you, but I feel that it would after all be a really wonderful and respectful homage for the 7th cavalry was to fly such thing as an "Apache", "Chinook", "BlackHawk" or "Iroquois" helicopter. After all, it is only recognizing the warriors superiority.
Even if they were more known for flying the US Army UH-1 (known as "Huey") during the Vietnam war.

However, you will find that the only "native American" names for such apparel is quite rare. Most helicopter used as for now, by the US Air Assault are:

Antisubmarine:
SH-3H Sea King
Sikorsky SH-60 Seahawk

Attack:
AH-1W/Z Cobra/Viper
AH-6J Little Bird
AH-64A/D Apache/Longbow

Cargo:
CH-46 Sea Knight
CH-47D Chinook
CH-53E Super Stallion

Multi-mission:
MH-6J/M Little Bird
MV-22 Osprey
MH-47D/E Chinook
MH-53J/M Pave Low III/IV
MH-60K/L/M Black Hawk
MH-60R Seahawk
MH-60S Seahawk

Observation:
OH-58A/C/D

Rescue:
HH-60G Pave Hawk
HH-60H Sea Hawk
MH-68A Stingray

Staff:
VH-3A/D Sea King/Marine One
VH-53D Sea Stallion/Marine One
VH-60L Black Hawk
VH-60N Nighthawk/Marine One

Training:
TH-57 Sea Ranger
TH-67A Creek

Utility:
UH-1H/N/Y Iroquois
UH-3H Sea King
UH-60A/L Black Hawk

Look at it this way, what sort of roar of anger and indignation, calling their helicopter "Custer" or "Cook" would have caused!!!???

Answer 4

Gee your right. Now lets change the names of the Atlanta Braves, Clevland Indians, Washington Redskins, KC Chiefs, etc... The answer with no sarcasm is no. It pays homage to Native Americans, plus how good would the "Cracker attack helecopter sound?"

Answer 5

In this case no. I suppose it's some sort of way of honoring native American warrior culture. We have names like "Minuteman" and "Patriot" also.

But a name like the Washington Redskins, when you really think about it, is pretty vulgar.

How about a team called the Paleskins, Yellowmen or Blackskins? See my point.

Answer 6

Questions like this raise unnecessary fights. I attended a college that changed their mascot from the Chiefs to the Mustangs. You know why? It was not the Native Americans. It was people like you that "felt" it was offensive.

The college ended up isolating themselves from the local Native tribes.

Answer 7

No they are honored by it. And being Citizens of the US a lot of them are also in the military and have been for a long time.

Answer 8

Oh certainly, and we shouldn't be driving Pontiacs and we shouldn't be eating red hots or watching the Milwaukee Braves or Cleveland Indians or Florida Seminoles, or flying Piper Cherokees, blah, blah, blah, blah.... HERE'S YOUR SIGN!!!

Answer 9

We're supposed to care because...?

Sorry, I'm a Republican. If you want P.C. sympathy, talk to a Democrat.

Answer 10

The NA's dun ate all muh dogs dat I named after dem so had to name sumtin else for dem.