> VMX-1 is in charge of assessing the Corps’ aircraft and helping develop and refine tactics, techniques and procedures to fly them in combat successfully.
> What sucks for the pilot is he followed procedure
He was the commander. He defines those procedures.
In other words, he was a rather experienced pilot in that airframe and knew it better than most pilots should.
And still decided that the successful outcome of the flight was in doubt based on the condition of the airframe and systems failures, in the middle of the situation. He survived. Working as intended, as far as I'm concerned.
> What sucks for the pilot is he followed procedure
He was the commander. He defines those procedures.