Thrasymachus (8:08pm),

The Air Force has attack pilots for the A-7 and A-10 to name a couple. They were not the kind of flying assignments anyone from the fighter community volunteered for. Those who received such assignments were always rather glum and were teased relentlessly until they transferred. Nevertheless, I don’t think it has anything to do with McCain’s mindset. Being shot down and enduring years of torture in a POW camp certainly did though.